About Me I am a retired librarian and I now support books and authors through my reviews.

I have always loved to read and I was able to share that love through my work as a public librarian for 22 1/2 years. I now promote literacy by reading, and then writing reviews. I love to support authors by sharing my reviews with others!

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

In Spotlight and Shadow (Doors to the Past #11) by Rachel Scott McDaniel

In Spotlight and Shadow (Doors to the Past #11)
ABOUT THE BOOK

​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 scared to audition for a seat in the Pittsburgh Symphony? Her internship at the elegant Heinz Hall places her in the wings of the stage, but never on it. By accident, she discovers an old stage prop. Her instincts tell her there’s more to the paste necklace than meets the eye. Whether a good idea or not, she accepts help from a childhood friend, who happens to be country music megastar—Peirson Brooks. Peirson and Elise share a history; one she doesn’t care to repeat. The more involved they become in the mystery, the more things get tangled, including her heart.
 
A century earlier…
Sophie Walters longs for center stage, her name on the marquee, and all that jazz, but climbing her way into an acting career is more difficult than she imagined. Having spoiled all her chances in Hollywood, she returns to Pittsburgh, accepting an insignificant role in a popular production. She watches her dreams pass by from behind the curtain at the illustrious Loew’s Penn Theatre. She finally gets the coveted spotlight, but not for her talent. No, her surge to fame is all one terrible mistake. Somehow, she’s suspected to be a notorious jewel thief known around Pittsburgh as The Mirage. The man she pleads for help is none other than the man she jilted at the altar five years before, Sterling Monroe.


MY THOUGHTS.....

Two young women, a century apart, but oh, so very much alike. Both are performers, they both long to feel accepted, and they both have been in possession of the same emerald necklace. Could there be even more connections between Sophie Walters and Elise Malvern?

In Spotlight and Shadow
is laden with history, mystery, and romance. I enjoyed the author's notes that explain the history of Loew's Penn/Heinz Hall Theatre, the Pittsburgh landmark where Sophie and Elise both perform. I also appreciated the inspiring faith message that's woven throughout the plot. Sophia and Elise must learn to let go of their pasts, believe that they are worthy, and trust God to see them through.

These two stories alternate between the 1920s and the present but Rachel Scott McDaniel ties both of them together flawlessly! I look forward to reading more of her writing and I'm also excited to read more books in the Doors to the Past series. I recommend In Spotlight and Shadow to all who enjoy Christian dual-time novels.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rachel Scott McDaniel is an award-winning author of historical romance. Winner of the ACFW Genesis Award and the RWA Touched By Love award, Rachel infuses faith and heart into each story. Rachel can be found online at www.RachelScottMcDaniel.com and on all social media platforms. Her work is represented by Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency. Rachel resides in Ohio with her husband and two children.


CONNECT WITH RACHEL: Website     Facebook     Twitter     Instagram



Don’t miss my reviews of the other great books in the Doors to the Past series


The Lady in Residence by Allison Pittman
Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham
Bridge of Gold by Kimberley Woodhouse
Undercurrent of Secrets by Rachel Scott McDaniel
Behind Love's Wall by Carrie Fancett Pagels
High-Wire Heartbreak by Anna Schmidt
Love's Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik
A Promise Engraved by Liz Tolsma
Laura's Shadow by Allison Pittman
Passages of Hope by Terri Haynes
In Spotlight and Shadow by Rachel Scott McDaniel


View all my reviews

1 comment:

  1. Rachel Scott McDanielMarch 1, 2023 at 5:11 PM

    Thank you so very much for reading and reviewing!!!

    ReplyDelete