To most people, Rachel McDaniel is an enigma. To those who know and love her, she is a vivacious, sincere, and diligent personal injury attorney who wants to conquer flying a private jet. When she meets Bennett Morris, a hardworking middle-aged general contractor who oozes charm and gains friends easily, Rachel captivates Bennett's heart.
Barbara, Rachel's best friend since the age of twelve, managed to rise above the pain of her demeaning and agonizing childhood. In the process, she learned to cultivate trust, thereby becoming everyone's ministering angel.
Colleen is a damaged, betrayed wife, who seeks reprisal by verbal punishment and righteous anger and is determined to make life miserable for her philandering husband.
Laura, a successful veterinarian, endured back-to-back losses, and has managed to remain open to the possibilities of a happy future. On a solo trip to Scotland, she invites serendipity into her life at the right moment.
How does a person who suffers a gut-wrenching loss find themselves still functioning? Receiving an unexpected sizable windfall is good fortune. Or is it? Can a marriage survive the ultimate betrayal? Can exquisite love happen more than once in a lifetime?
These are riddles that must be uncovered while life-changing events eventually lead to inner strength and a new-found moral compass.

Anyone who identifies with combating life's obstacles, will enjoy the soul searching journey laid out in this story. All those who understand how a deep commitment to a person or a place can mold a person's perspective, will recognize the developing bond between friends as their tale unfolds. Everyone who has mustered their inner strength to find peace and happiness will identify with the courage, and grace evident in these characters.

Marcia James lives in southern California with her adorable rescue cat, Lily. In Sunlight After Shadows is her first novel.