BOOK REVIEW - In Shadow and Spotlight - Rachel Scott Mcdaniel - 5/5 Stars

The Doors to the Past series has been burning a hole in my TBR pile and I finally started it!

THE STORY
With each book of hers I read, Rachel Scott McDaniel works her way up my favourites list. Her books are witty, amusing and so romantic! And yet each also has deeper themes and needed truths to encourage the reader. I generally don't like stories set in the 1920s/30s but she not only makes them a palatable time period but enjoyable to read about. This story is doubly good because it's a dual timeline that offers two engaging storylines. Two mysteries. Two sets of lovable MCs. Two romances. And one necklace that connects the two.

THE ROMANCE
The greatest thing about dual timelines is twice as many swoony moments! I enjoyed both romances but I'm real partial to a second chance romance, so Sophie and Sterling had a slight edge over Elise and Pierson. Though not much because it's pretty hard to be a flirty country music star with a southern drawl!

THE TRUTHS
The best thing about Christian dual timelines is that they remind me that there are no new problems that God can't handle and that His love unchangeable. An actress from the 1920s receives the same love and care as we do today. God is constant and so is His love. We can can look in the past and see evidence of His steadfastness and trust that He is still with us today. He is one person we can always rely on!

First of all, if I knew nothing about this author or this book, that cover would absolutely convince me that I HAD to read it. It's gorgeous! And boy does it fit the historical storyline so well! But I do know about this author and the book and so you can insert my happy sigh here because it was wonderful! Rachel McDaniel's voice is so unique and I never know how to fully articulate that. I always look forward to her next book! Her historical pieces make me feel as though I am watching a classic Hollywood movie, which I absolutely adore! But it has been so fun to see her delve into contemporary storylines. And as was true with her last split-time, I loved both timelines in this book as well. And to see how she connected both stories - wowza! So good! She has mastered the art of not allowing readers to put a book down so be prepared going in to keep turning those pages! The romance in this one... you get not one, but TWO heroes to swoon over. And swoon you shall. *fans self just thinking about it haha!

I'm becoming less leery of reading a dual timeline novel. This book is proof that an author can take two time periods and two sets of characters and cause them to flow effortlessly into one another creating a wonderful story overall. I love this book.
The story is written so well that mystery solver that I want to be, I gave in to it, stopped trying to figure out the mysteries and enjoyed the writing.
The characters are special. They are totally human in design with flaws, heartache, faith and hope. There is beauty to the romance in the couples' separate stories. This is not a romance per se, just beautiful romance and pure heart from the characters. This is such a well-blended set of stories, mystery, heartbreak, abandoned women and children, God's love and promise. I also enjoyed the fact that a building with real history is center stage of the story.
A character speaks, "In the center of life is the word if, but don't let that keep you from living." You will understand if you read the book.
I want to thank Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for my advanced reader's copy of the book. Special thanks to Rachel Scott McDaniel for a beautiful story that reflects the realities of life and the gift that God is the perfect and loving Father. This is my unsolicited opinion of In Spotlight and Shadow. What a book!

Elise Malvern is trying to determine what she truly wants in life. When an old friend, country singer Pierson Brooks, shows up after almost a decade, Elise has to decide if she is willing to take risks to find just what her heart wants.

Sophie Walters is an actress in the roaring 1920s. Theft strikes the attendees of her show and who better to bring in to solve the case than her ex-fiancé, Sterling Monroe. The man she left at the altar five years ago. Together, they must catch a jewel thief and face an unexpected threat.

I really enjoyed “In Spotlight and Shadow.” It was my first time reading from Rachel Scott McDaniel. Rachel has a talent of weaving a story and bringing a reader into the story. My one complaint is that the chapters ended too soon. Cliffhangers are so good but so horrible at the same time. I just want to know everything right now! Right when something big would happen, the chapter ended and the time period switched so I got the answer to that last cliffhanger but wanted to know what was happening in the chapter I just finished. This kept me reading and in the end, I loved it!

“In Spotlight and Shadow” is the story of two women and their unlikely connection and is a great read for fans of dual time periods, mystery and romance.

Thank you for the advanced copy Rachel Scott McDaniel, NetGalley and Barbour Publishing. These opinions are my own.

I started off the year with two kind of meh reads, so I was hopeful this would be the one to break the trend. In Spotlight and Shadow is a wonderfully plotted mystery that highlights author Rachel Scott McDaniel's mastery of the dual timeline story setting, and I ended up loving it every bit as much as I did her first installment in the series.

Each timeline is intriguing, and full of characters that stood out to the reader, and I had a hard time wanting to put this one down. The rich history of the city of Pittsburg is woven into each and every page, and I loved how it's interwoven right into the mystery and corresponding plot developments.

I know it's pretty early in the year to be making such claims, but I have a feeling this one is still going to end up being one of my top reads of 2023.

I love how this author continues to write from the heart, and I love how the faith element is tied into the story beautifully, and managed to bring me to tears. So much of this novel centers around the concept of identity, and it's always a beautiful thing to have the reminder illustrated that our identity is always rooted in our Heavenly Father's deep and never ending love for us.

Final Rating: 5/5.

Rachel Scott McDaniel has written another winner in my eyes, and I can't possibly recommend it enough.

I've loved both of her contributions to the Doors to the Past series, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

Thanks so much to Barbour Publishing for allowing me to advance read and review this one!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Barbour) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.

Let me begin by saying that I rarely ever read a book's synopsis. I HATE being spoiled or waiting for an even to happen. I also had not read any of the previous books in the Doors to the Past series. So, I started this book at a slight disadvantage. I had read and really enjoyed another book by Rachel Scott McDaniel and knew that my friend Joy raved about this book. Plus that cover! As a redhead, I love seeing heroines with red hair! I wonder if I can find something to recreated that cover... I digress...

Anyway, I was offered an advanced copy through Netgalley and was excited to read it. As I mentioned, it took me a few chapters to get the flow of the story and figure out what was happening. The characters and plot lines were interesting and kept me reading until I understood the dual time lines and could keep the characters straight.

I loved the banter between Elise and Piers. Then Sophie and Sterling.... Wow. What a story. I am thankful to all that had a part in getting me to read this book. I highly recommend you do as well. Now I'm off to find more books in this series, especially those written by Ms. McDaniel.

3.5 stars. A mystery spanning across several generations, focusing on Elise, a modern day photographer and violinist, and Sophie, an actress from a century earlier. Both Elise and Sophie have an unexpected run in with jewels and men from their past, and both find answers as they work on finding out more about the jewels and their history.

To be completely honest, I almost didn't finish the book. I had a hard time completely enveloping myself in the mystery until I was almost 2/3 of the way through it. In the end, I'm glad that I persevered and stuck it out. I think this is a case of its me, not the book, as I found the back and forth between two centuries to be too much out of my reading comfort level.

I've never read a book by this author and I'm so glad I decided to pick this one up. The cover is what captured my attention and I'll be honest, I rarely read a blurb. I didn't expect this to be a dual timeline, but this author did it flawlessly!

And the banter! I was not expecting the banter and funny moments in this book. So many funny moments that had me chuckling. Both heroines, Elise and Sophie were so likable...and though the men in each timeline didn't get their own POV, I never felt like I missed out (which is hard to do). I'm not sure who I loved more, Sterling or Pierson. They were both amazing.

The twists and turns kept me guessing the entire book and I loved how it ended! Faith was woven throughout and beautifully done. Each character learned how to trust God completely and that their worth is found in Christ and no one or nothing else.

I will definitely be picking up more from this author.

In the 1920s, a series of jewel thefts in Pittsburgh creates chaos form Sophie Walters, who is an actress in the Loew’s Penn Theatre. The jewel thief is known as The Mirage. At one point, some of the jewels are found in her purse and she is accused of being The Mirage. To help combat this accusation, she turns to a private detective, Sterling Monroe, who she left at the altar five years ago. Despite Sterling being hurt, he helps her. In the process, though, they become closer. Is this a second chance for them? Who really is stealing jewels around Pittsburgh?

The second timeline of the novel is modern day Pittsburgh at Heinz Hall, which is the home of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Elise Malvern is an intern at Heinz Hall who has dreams of trying out to be a violinist for the Symphony. She is too scared to do it, so she enters a deal with her childhood friend and crush, country musician Pierson Brooks. During all of this, Elise receives a mysterious package that contains a violin ornament and an old coat with an emerald necklace (which refers to The Mirage story line). Elise thinks the package came from her father (who has been absent from her life). She decides to find out the real identity of her father, with Pierson’s help (her mother passed away years ago). Through her preparation for the violin audition and the investigation into her father, Elise and Pierson grow closer. But will Elise let the love between them blossom or will she be too scared?

I had just recently been exposed to the dual timeline novel in Christian fiction. It is growing on me. The mysteries in both timelines were very well done. The romances were sweet with enough tension and suspense to keep the reader glued to the book. Both Sterling and Pierson were very different heroes, but likeable in their own way. Sophie and Elise were likeable heroines, but very flawed women that had to overcome obstacles.

In Spotlight and Shadow by Rachel Scott McDaniel
This story takes place in Pennsylvania in the 1920’s and the present day. We meet Elise in the present, along with Kinsley, Grancy, Pops, Dorothea, Pierson and Meredith. 1920’s are Sophie, Violet, Lina, Gerard, Llyod, Joe, Sterling, Greer and a few others. Sophie is trying to make her way in the theatre and has a bit part in a play as we start out. Elise is a photographer as well as helping in her grandfather’s auction house. One thing she does is highlight something from the past, which happens to be the same theatre Sophie performed at years ago. A random delivery takes her on a journey, which slowly evolves between both time periods until all the pieces fall together. This story grabs hold quickly and keeps the pages turning until the conclusion.
A complimentary copy was provided by Barbour Publishing via NetGalley. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Split-time perfection! Rachel Scott McDaniel does it again with another fabulous split-time inspy romance! There’s so much to love about this book that I could ramble on for days. Instead, I’ll just name a few things . . . Double the romance, discovering the ties between the past and present stories, the witty banter between the characters, the suspenseful mysteries, the faith elements. This book was a page-turner for sure!

Duel timeline, two swoony love stories, a jewel heist mystery, and a sprinkling of God’s grace - who wouldn’t love a story like that?! I thoroughly enjoyed flipping back and forth between present day and the roaring 20’s as Rachel transported me between two beautifully created interconnected stories. I laughed out loud, I cried a handful of times, and I ended the story with a smiling heart!

Rachel Scott McDaniel is always a winner for me, and her latest was no exception. In Spotlight and Shadow provided two beautiful romances and a relatable theme of forgiveness and second chances.

Elise and Sophie are both wonderful heroines with relatable flaws and weaknesses they struggle to overcome. Pierson and Sterling are both well-developed foils who provide plenty of romantic tension and a high swoon factor.

The spiritual arc about God as our Father and His love for us is both beautiful and timely. We can always use a reminder of that.

Overall, In Spotlight and Shadow is a captivating dual timeline novel with a compelling plot and relatable characters.

This fascinating book has perfectly interwoven timelines and I was on the edge of my seat for many times as I tried to puzzle things out! Both timelines have a mystery to solve, and I loved the connections between the historical and the contemporary parts of the story.

The characters are well written and intriguing, and I enjoyed getting to know them all better throughout the story! The pace is perfect, and I found it hard to put the book down because any time I got to the end of a chapter I just had to know what would happen next.

Both romances are second chance, which is one of my favorite romance tropes, and I enjoyed seeing how both romances played out. The banter is witty, the romance is sweet, and I laughed and swooned multiple times while reading!

I loved this book and I am looking forward to reading more books by Rachel McDaniel!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In Spotlight and Shadow is Rachel McDaniel's latest book, due to come out February 1,2023. It can be pre-ordered now wherever books are sold. It is a split time novel. The setting is in Pittsburgh in the present day. Elise Malvern dreams of being a famous violinist like her deceased mother. Her problem is stage fright. Growing up she had a best friend, Pierson Brooks-- a country singer Super Star. He decides to help her with her problem so that she can chase her dream. Meanwhile, in 1926, Sophie Walters also has a dream. She wants to be a Hollywood actress but that fell through and she ends up with seven lines in a Pittsburgh theater. She doesn't become famous but infamous as a jewl thief called The Mirage. How both young ladies overcome the mysterious happenings that go on in both eras. That you must discover by reading this page turning novel!! Pre-order yours today!! I received this ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

This was my first read of 2023 and an EXCELLENT start. Both storylines grabbed me, and the way they connected was magical and compelling. You will fall in love with Elise and Sophie. And Pittsburgh's history is layered in such a fun and interesting way into the story. From beautiful writing to swoon worthy heroes, this book has it all.

Mich hat hier das Cover „gecatched“: Ich bin ja ein Fan der roaring twenties, und was für eine tolle 20er-Jahre-Schönheit ist da gleich auf dem Titelbild? Der Klappentext klang auch vielversprechend, also habe ich zugegriffen.
Zum Inhalt auf Deutsch: wir haben hier einen Roman, der auf zwei zeitlichen Ebenen angesiedelt ist. Einmal sind wir im hier und jetzt in Pittsburgh bei Elise, einer vielversprechenden jungen Geigerin, die gleich auf den ersten paar Seiten des Romans einen potentiellen Verlobten ins Aus schiesst, und generell ein kleines Problem mit ihrem Selbstwertgefühl hat. Elise arbeitet im Theater, und gerät aus Zufall an ein altes Kostüm, in dem ein wertvolles Collier versteckt ist – in Kombi mit eventuellen Hinweisen auf ihren leiblichen Vater. Elise macht sich gemeinsam mit ihrem alten Kindheitsfreund Pierson auf, den mysteriösen Hinweisen nach zu gehen…..und kommt Rätseln der Vergangenheit auf die Spur . Ach ja, und natürlich entwickelt sich eine Lovestory zwischen den beiden 😉
Die Rätsel der Vergangenheit drehen sich hundert Jahre früher um die angehende junge Schauspielerin Sophie, die es zwar in Hollywood und am Broadway nicht geschafft hat, aber der aufgehende Stern am Pittsburgher Theaterhimmel ist. Leider gerät sie nicht unbedingt für ihr Talent ins Rampenlicht, sondern weil man sie des Juwelendiebstahls verdächtigt……einer Diebstahlserie, die ausgerechnet ihr ehemaliger Verlobter Sterling untersucht, den sie einst am Altar hat stehen lassen…….
Die beiden Erzählstränge kommen inhaltlich zum Ende des Romans natürlich zusammen, teilweise hat man es schon beim Lesen erahnt, wie die Dinge zusammenhängen, teilweise hat es mich aber doch überraschen können – das war schon ganz intelligent gestrickt, das hat mir gut gefallen.
Aber jetzt generell zu meinem Leseeindruck: ich fand beide Stories echt spannend. Ich konnte sowohl mit Elise als auch mit Sophie mitfiebern. Beides zwei junge Frauen, die sich behaupten müssen und mit ihren Kindheitstraumata zu kämpfen haben. Elise, die ihren Vater nie gekannt hat und die ihre Mutter im Teenageralter verlor, hat ihr Päckchen genauso wie die elternlose Sophie zu tragen, aber beide wachsen an ihren Aufgaben und gewinnen an Selbstbewusstsein und - natürlich – an Liebe.
Die Autorin schreibt flüssig und mitreissend. Man ist von der ersten Seite an dabei. Wir haben hier alles: Liebe, Action, Krimi, Freundschaft, Familie und Verrat – die ganze Palette der grossen Themen und Emotionen, und wie gesagt, richtig gut geschrieben.
Der Roman wird als „christliche Literatur“ beworben; ich würde sagen, ja, wir haben hier ein gewisses christliches Element dabei: es gibt Dialoge, in denen beispielsweise beiden Protagonistinnen versichert wird, dass Gott sie liebt, dass er schützend die Hand über sie hält – ja, das hat auch wunderbar in die jeweiligen Unterhaltungen gepasst, aber ich persönlich wäre jetzt nicht auf das Label christliche Literatur gekommen. Wer jetzt explizit christliches Gedankengut erwartet, sorry, dass hier ist definitiv Belletristik. Romance & Mystery im Setting von Theater und Historie. Und wie gesagt: sehr gut geschrieben, mir hat es Spass gemacht, die beiden Ladies auf ihrem Weg zu begleiten!
Herzlichen Dank an den Verlag und an Netgalley für das Vorab-Leseexemplar!

This is an interesting book and has a great ending but I had a bit of trouble getting
there. It is written from the viewpoints of Sophie and Elise so the chapters switch
between who is speaking and at times I got confused as to which story I was reading.
They lead similar lives with connections to the Loews Penn theater and have
reconnected with a man from their past. Elise is trying to solve a mystery as she learns
more of the history of the theater for a display. It will lead her to investigate parts of her
own life but will she like the answers she finds? The characters are great and well-
written; they are Christians and pray regularly. I felt some of chapters ended leaving me
hanging on a cliff with, for example, Sophie’s story and then going back to Elise’s too
abruptly. I found myself reading about Elise and wondering if Sophie is going to be
okay. The reactions between characters is handled with Christian attributes and
forgiveness when needed, even for those who may not have had the best of intentions
in the beginning. Overall, I enjoyed the book and the ending brings it full circle to a very
satisfying conclusion. I give it 4 of 5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest
review.

Thank you NetGalley for this book.

I totally love Rachel Scott McDaniel. She has a way of reeling you in with killer first lines. I'm struck by her humor and how she writes about something as delicate as illegitimacy and true identity in a way that is so heartfelt. And how she knows how to write a good mystery

I enjoyed this book and I'd recommend it.

Rachel Scott McDaniel is quickly becoming one of my favorite go-to authors. She writes beautiful romance that is also rich with history and always has a thread of God’s love woven throughout.

While I am not normally a fan of dual timelines, this one was captivating. The characters and mysteries from each era were lovely. I really enjoyed trying to solve the mysteries going on in both time frames and trying to figure out how the characters related to the others. I was not able to solve any of it on my own, but that’s okay because it wasn’t predictable.

The character depth and growth is one of my favorite aspects. Like her other covers, this one is stunning!

In addition to a captivating storyline, readers will enjoy:

Dual timeline
Second-chance romance
Family secrets
Mystery and intrigue
The beauty of understanding and forgiveness
Friends-to-more
Great musical references