First Line Friday | In Spotlight and Shadow

1920s-1930s, Barbour, First Line Friday, Historical Fiction, Novels, Romance, Split Time, Writing Spot

Welcome to First Line Friday!
Today I’m featuring

In Spotlight and Shadow by Rachel Scott McDaniel.

About the Book

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 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—Pierson Brooks. Pierson 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.

From Goodreads

The First Line is …

January, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
History didn’t haphazardly repeat itself in the chapters of Elise Malvern’s life.

Rachel Scott McDaniel, In Spotlight and Shadow

*as an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Now it’s your turn.
Pull out the book beside you and leave a comment with the first line.

First Line Friday is hosted by Reading is my Super Power.

13 thoughts on “First Line Friday | In Spotlight and Shadow

  1. Happy Friday!
    I’m currently reading The Billionaire’s Nanny by Elizabeth Maddrey. It’s a good story.
    “‘You’re back!’ Megan darted out from behind the cash register as soon as I stepped through the bookstore door, and pulled me into a tight hug.”
    I hope you have a good weekend. 😀

  2. Read this a while ago. Rachel just captivated me with this story!

    My first line comes from Hearts of Steel by Elizabeth Camden:
    Prologue
    New York City, 1890 Lower East Side of Manhattan
    Maggie Molinaro was five blocks from the safety of her uncle’s garage when she noticed the gang of boys following her.

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