About the Book

Book:  Valley of Shadows

Author: Candace West

Genre:  Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: March 17, 2020

Forgiving is far from forgetting.

Lorena Steen gave up on love years ago. After arriving at Valley Creek to visit her daughters, she stumbles first thing into Earl, the husband who abandoned her.

As for Earl, facing Lorena while fighting his own demons tempts him to flee town. How can he rebuild a relationship with his daughters and cynical neighbors when guilt shadows every step?
While the storm brews between them, another storm descends on Valley Creek. Will a ghost town stand in its wake?

But then the townsfolk devise a plan. All they need is a former concert pianist and violinist. A wife and husband estranged.

Can Lorena and Earl set aside their feelings to rescue a community? Even though it sweeps them back through valleys best forgotten? Especially when a forbidden love claims his right to win Lorena’s heart?

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW

Get ready for a journey that is filled with emotions that reach deep into your soul. I know there are things in my past that I have asked for forgiveness.  The hardest thing to do is forgive yourself. In this story Earl has done some unthinkable things. His pride gets in his way when his wife leaves him. I can’t blame Lorena for leaving Earl after he physically hurts her and one of the children. Anger gets the best of Earl when he kidnaps one of his daughter’s and runs as far away as he can. 

The pain that Lorena feels is unbearable as she comes to terms with what her husband has done. On a trip to see her daughters she runs into Earl after sixteen years. This is where the meat of the story is. The author lets readers into Earl’s life and the struggles he has had over the years. Some people in the little town where he lives think of him as a drunk. I loved how Earl took each day with prayer and faith that God would redeem him and maybe people would see him in a different light. 

I liked how the town came together after a tragedy destroys everything. Can they find a way to rebuild? It was exciting to read about the idea the town came up with to raise money. It puts Lorena and Earl in a difficult position but I know it was God's plan all along. I admire Lorena for always standing by her vows and never once thought of divorce. The author easily captures the deep hurt Lorena has felt over the years. I must say I liked Earl the most because he represents each of us who have traveled down the dark road where shadows follow. They remind us of what we have done and try to keep us from turning to God. It made me think of a rear view mirror. We look in it to see what is behind us . What if we applied that to our sins and stopped looking in that rear view mirror and started looking forward where forgiveness is waiting for us? 

I loved the story and thought it was a great example of letting go of the past, forgiving and seeing people the way Jesus does. He forgives us with unconditional love. Earl and Lorena will both need to forgive themselves and each other before they can move forward . The faith element is rich throughout the story with glimmers of hope and restoration. Never give up hope, because God is a God of second chances.  He can do the impossible if we allow ourselves to surrender to Him. 

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. 

About the Author

Candace West was born in the Mississippi delta to a young minister and his wife. She grew up in small-town Arkansas and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello. When she was twelve years old, she wrote her first story, “Following Prairie River.” In 2018, she published her debut novel Lane Steen. By weaving hope-filled, page-turning stories, Candace shares the Gospel and encourages her readers. She currently lives in her beloved Arkansas with her husband and their son along with two dogs and three cats.

More from Candace

Why I Wrote Valley of Shadows

Can a villain become a hero? When I ended my debut novel Lane Steen, I knew someday I had to discover if a kidnapper and alcoholic was worth saving. Could that same person save a town after tragedy strikes while wrestling with his own demons?

Earl Steen had a dark valley to cross.

With a destroyed reputation, Earl must prove in Valley of Shadows that God has not wasted His efforts on him. Also, Lorena, his estranged wife, has her own score to settle. How can she when the villain no longer exists?

Nothing tugs at my heart more than lost, unrequited love. My second book focuses on their lost relationship. Earl and Lorena had haunted one another long enough. Could God mend what Earl had shattered?

Sitting down to write, I returned to Valley Creek and uncovered places within Earl’s heart that I never knew existed. Lorena’s struggles became mine as she grappled with understanding and forgiving. The dark places of their past somehow had to merge with the light of a hopeful future.

Getting Earl and Lorena to rediscover their love was a journey fraught with tension, grief, frustration, and hope. Was it worth every rewrite, every long hour staring at my computer screen waiting for my characters’ next move?

You bet!

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 4

For the Love of Literature, June 5 (Author Interview)

Inklings and notions, June 6

Texas Book-aholic, June 7

Older & Smarter?, June 8

Betti Mace, June 9

Artistic Nobody, June 10 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, June 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 11

Through the Fire Blogs, June 12

For Him and My Family, June 13

Blossoms and Blessings, June 14 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, June 15

By The Book, June 16 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Candace is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card, one signed paperback copy of Lane Steen and Valley of Shadows!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/fc17/valley-of-shadows-celebration-tour-giveaway