Valley of Shadows by Candace West ~ Book Review + Giveaway

 

About the Book

Book:  Valley of Shadows
Series: Valley Creek Redemption, Book 2
Author: Candace West
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: March 2020

 

A shattered heart. A wounded spirit. A community in crisis.

Lorena Steen gave up on love years ago. She forgave her long-time estranged husband, but when circumstances bring her to the Ozark town of Valley Creek, she discovers forgiving is far from forgetting.

Haunted by his past acts of betrayal, Earl Steen struggles to grow his reclaimed faith and reinstate himself as an upstanding member of Valley Creek. He soon learns that while God’s grace is amazing, that of the small-town gossips is not.

When disaster strikes, the only logical solution is for Earl and Lorena to combine their musical talents in an effort to save the community. But even if they’re willing to work together, are they able to? Or will the shadows that descend upon Valley Creek reduce it to a ghost town.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

My Thoughts

This is the second book in the Valley Creek Redemption Series and it can definitely be read as a stand alone book. At least for me I did not have any problems following the story. I have been told though that in reading the first book you will find many of the characters that you encounter in this story and it does follow Lane's parents from the first book. So if you want more background on the characters and you enjoy reading series in order then definitely grab the first book. 

This is my first time reading something by this author and I really enjoyed her writing style. She draws you into the characters with ease. She has a way of making you experience what the characters are feeling and I really enjoyed how she weaved God's message of forgiveness throughout the story. 

Overall I thought it was well written and a lovely story. I can't wait to read more from this author. 

My Rating: 3 Star ~ I liked it!

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest 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 graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. At twelve years old, she wrote her first story, “Following Prairie River.” In 2018, she published her debut novel Lane Steen. By weaving entertaining, hope-filled stories, Candace shares the Gospel and encourages her readers. She currently lives in Arkansas with her husband and their son along with two dogs and three bossy 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

Texas Book-aholic, June 22

Inklings and notions, June 23

Mary Hake, June 23

deb’s Book Review, June 24

Connie’s History Classroom, June 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 26

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 27

For Him and My Family, June 28

Artistic Nobody, June 29 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 29

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 30

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, July 1

Writing from the Heart Land, July 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 3

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, July 4

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Candace is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card, a 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/10dba/valley-of-shadows-celebration-tour-giveaway