In Spotlight and Shadow

by Rachel Scott McDaniel

Book Overview

A Gem of a Mystery Takes Center Stage

​Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

Elise Malvern has a habit of letting people down. Her former boyfriend who hoped she'd be his bride. Her grandfather who hoped she'd take over the family's auction company. But mostly she's disappointed herself. What's the point of pursuing her passion as a violinist, if she is too...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1636094767
• ISBN13: 9781636094762
• Release Date: February 2023
• Publisher: Barbour Fiction
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.2" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

A must read!!!

This book was simply breathtaking! I'd say this book definitely is tied with "The Mobster's Daughter" for my favorite book that Rachel has written so far! (The Mobster's Daughter is my #1 favorite fictional romance read of all time, so this is seriously saying something!) In Spotlight and Shadow is a lovely split-timeline historical romance and is a clean Roaring Twenties novel, which are honestly pretty hard to find. Elise and Sophie in their respective decades, were so very relatable, funny and loveable. The author also did a wonderful job of depicting people of different classes and backgrounds and showing the psychological effects their home life and parents (or lack thereof) had on each of them. I received a complimentary e-book from the publisher through Netgalley, and was not required to write a positive review. I'm gladly doing so though!  The thoughts and opinions above are my very own.

you won't be able to put it down

"In the center life is the word if, but don't let that keep you from living." Another fabulous novel by Rachel Scott McDaniel! I loved how she's melded the glittering, intriguing, shadowy world of 1920s Pittsburgh with equally fascinating historic city of modern day. Each timeline is rich, complex, and filled with surprises while the characters are touchable, relatable, and oh so lovely. This delightful combination of history, mystery, romance, and faith needs to be on every fiction fan's to-read list. Sophie's first person voice from the 1920s is ambitious, lively, and friendly though a bit nostalgic and heart-broken. Sterling is a brooding hero, wanting to forget the past but stuck on his love for the woman who left him. Their paths intertwine as a jewel thief runs rampant in the city and investigation leads Sterling to the theater where she works. Elise's third person voice from the present time is quirky, witty, disillusioned, and fearful. I adored Pierson so much in this story. His tender heart, unwavering loyalty to those he holds dear, and persistent pursuit of Elise are swoon-worthy. How he works tirelessly to help Elise overcome stage fright and find her birth father makes him a knight in shining armor. I received the book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.