In Spotlight and Shadows by Rachel Scott McDaniel review

Title: In Spotlight and Shadows

Author:  Rachel Scott McDaniel

Ch: 35

Pg:  256

Genre:  Dual time

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Barbour

    No one writes 1920s Pittsburgh like Rachel Scott McDaniel. I don’t know what it but every time I read one it’s like I’m in Pittsburgh in the 1920s. And In Spotlight and Shadow was no different. I am a sucker for dual time novels, and I love how Rachel weaves the historical story into the modern story in this one. Sophie Walters is a stage actress in 1920s Pittsburgh who finds herself in a bit of a pickle and the only one who can help is Sterling Monroe the man who’s heart she broke. While Elise Malvern is trying to overcome fear to become a violinist for the Pittsburgh Symphony when Peirson Brooks comes back into her life.

In dual time novels I tend to like one hero over the other but with this one I was swooning over both Sterling and Peirson equally though it took me a little bit to warm up to him, but when I did, I was hooked. I thought Sophie was a sweetheart who just needed the right person in her life to remind her that she mattered to God. I also found myself relating to Elise especially the grief of the loss of a mother. As it doesn’t ever go away you just learn to make it a part of one’s life. And sometimes music can help.

It was nice to meet Peirson after hearing about him Undercurrent of Secrets. As well as seeing Sterling again but as a hero this time. I also enjoyed seeing characters from Rachel’s previous books. So, I suggest you read her books in publication order.

One thing I noticed reading In Spotlight and Shadow was that 1920s Pittsburgh had a few things in common with 1920s Louisville but that was probably the case with most cities during that time.

I loved this one and I’m not afraid to admit that I laughed and cried with this one that’s how good it is.

 

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I received a copy of this book from the author I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

 

Review of Set the Stars Alight

Title:  Set the Stars Alight

Author:  Amanda Dykes

Ch: 47 plus epilogue

Pg:  363

Genre:  Christian fiction dual time

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Bethany House

 

This one was my first Amanda Dykes book but it want be my last. I listened to the audio book and I think it added to the experience. Though it did take a bit for me to get use to the dual time slips but once I did I was hooked on both stories.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

The Painted Castle review

Title:  The Painted Castle

Author: Kristy Cambron

Series: Lost Castle Book 3

Pages: 381

Genre: Christian Fiction/dual time

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher:  Thomas Nelson

The Painted Castle is third and final book in the Lost Castle series by Kristy Camron. This is a multiple time period novel. We have Kiera Foley in the modern day, sister to the heroes in the first two books in the series.  Amelia Woods during WWII and Lady Elizabeth in Victorian England.

I love novels that take place in multiple time periods especially when the stories intertwine with each other like they do in this one. I also like that this book wrapped up the series as a whole at the end of the book. Even though each book focuses on different characters it is still best to read the books in order otherwise you will be spoiled for previous books.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

The Secrets of Paper and Ink review

Title:  The Secrets of Paper and Ink

Author: Lindsay Harrel

Chapters: 46 Plus Epilogue

Pages: 326

Genre: Christian Contemporary fiction, Christian Historical Fiction, dual time period

Rating: 5 stars

        Sophie Barrett discovers when she goes back to work, that she hasn't completely healed from an abusive relationship.  Her friend and boss encourages to take a vacation and heal. So she escapes to Cornwall, England. Where she finds herself staying above a bookshop. Every bookworm’s dream.  The shop is owned by Ginny Rose an American who followed a guy to Cornwall we can guess how that one ends. 

While staying in the bookshop Sophia discovers a journal over two hundred years of Emily Fairfax.  She's determined to find out if Emily was real and help Ginny save the bookshop she most certainly doesn't plan on falling in love.  

I enjoyed this one which has me wanting to pick up the first book by this author that I stopped.   I love this dual time novel in which the lives of Ginny and Sophia are effected by Emily's. Not to mention I loved how Sophia favorite book series and author play a big role in the story. 

This is a sweet contemporary novel that is a good read if you just want to curl up one day with a book and a cup of tea. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Castle on the Rise review

Title:  Castle on the Rise

Author: Kristy Cambron

Series:  Lost Castle Series book 2

Chapters: 35 plus Epilogue

Pages: 372

Genre: Christian Fiction, Christian Historical Fiction, Dual Time period

Rating: 5 stars

Castle on the Rise by Kristy Cambroon Is a book set in Ireland through two years ago. Told from the point of view of three different women. Maeve in the 1790s. Isabel during the Easter Rising and Laine in the present day. I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would because I ended up DNFing the first book in the series but I may end going back and reading the first book.  I didn't stop reading because of anything wrong with the book, it was just some of the family stuff the heroine was going through hit too close to home. 

I enjoyed the three different time periods from the point of view of three very different heroines, whom of which are shaped by Ireland and her struggles.  Maeve in the 1790s finds herself becoming more Irish and English as she understands and begins to see their cause as her own.  Isabel during the Easter Rising who sides with the Irish over her own English family.  I think many American's reading a fiction book about a country fighting for Independence view it though rose colored glasses, because of our own war for Independence. But the Easter Rising was more violent and bloody on both sides than was ours with fighting in the streets and bombs.  Innocent people being killed it wasn't as clear cut to who was right or wrong as most might think.  

Being in Ireland finally allows Laine to start finding her footing again. And maybe a fresh start.  Most of the present day story takes place between a castle and an Irish pub.  Which some may find offensive or take issue with that. Especially since a character and her daughter are staying about a pub. But in Ireland pubs are a way of life.  From dinner with friend and family to a place to go and enjoy music.  Pubs are pretty much the Irish equivalent to a family restaurant everyone's welcome. 

After enjoying this one I plan on going back and reading the first book in the series, the one set in France.  And the upcoming novel set in England.  I know want to go back and read the rest of Kristy's books. 

I would recommend this book to the readers who enjoy dual time period novels and history. As well as books set in Ireland. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.