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 … 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?
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Valley of Shadows is Book Two in the Valley Creek Redemption Series by author Candace West. It could be read by itself, but I highly recommend reading Book One, Lane Steen, first to get the full experience. This Christian historical romance is a poignant story of heartbreak, redemption, and crisis. I thought it was very emotional.
The well crafted story of Earl and Lorena picks up sixteen years after Earl vanished one day with his youngest daughter. He and Lorena now find themselves back together. Their relationship is strained to say the least. With resentment, regret, bitterness, hurt, and hope they tiptoe around each other to get a feel for what might be ahead.
Their oldest daughter is getting ready for the birth of her child so Lorena has come to Valley Creek assist her. Lorena was not prepared to see Earl and the flood of emotions that came with it. Earl has repented and acknowledged his wrongdoings. In fact, he has been seeking guidance from God.
This emotional charged story is full of tragedies, trials, love, hurt, and forgiveness that is wanted. It is also about a grief stricken town that needs an abundance of help to rebuild itself. Under everything is the message and glimmer of hope.
I enjoyed this book but wish I had read book one first. The author has a very nice style of writing. I was easily invested and because more involved with the characters the longer that I read. Anyone liking historical Christian would enjoy this. It gets a 4 out of 5 stars from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my own words.
Second chances and the struggle to forgive—not only others, but yourself too—are major themes in this powerful historical drama. Lorena and Earl Steen, two hurting individuals who have been separated for years, are unexpectedly thrown back together in the small Ozark town where their grown daughters live, stretching their tolerance for one another and challenging whether any love could be renewed between them. Their past holds so much pain that it seems impossible to overcome. In addition to these issues, the town faces devastating loss and needs their help to recover. Then an old friend arrives who wants to interfere and become Lorena’s love. Their story sometimes brought tears and made it easy to relate to their agony but also to hope for a better future. Faith and God play important roles in this novel. The author did an amazing job developing the story in a natural way. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
Book 2 is as exciting and entertaining as the first one. I’m hoping that the author continues on with the Valley Creek series.
The characters had me from the beginning and I even learned to like Earl since his transformation by Christ. He had endearing qualities that I admired and the fact that he wanted to make things right by Lorena. The couple although they hadn’t lived together for a long time as husband and wife, still through the Lord’s help, fought to discover the love they lost.
The story is about forgiveness, learning to trust in the Lord and lean on him for understanding. It’s a sweet tale of family relationships, a community that comes together, and two people forced to relive a situation from their past.
A must read!
This story is absolutely beautiful. Candace West does a great job of showing how God can take the broken pieces of two lives and put them back together again in a way even more stunning. This book makes you tear up, laugh, and root for the good guys. I can’t wait to see what comes next from this author.
Valley of Shadows is a beautifully written, extremely touching novel about forgiveness and redemption. Lorena has been deeply hurt by her estranged husband Earl, and her feelings for him are deeply conflicted. Earl is a changed man, but is it enough for her to give them a second chance? The story is rich and engrossing, the characters are multi-layered and endearing.
Have you ever read a book that you never wanted to end? Valley of Shadows by Candace West Posey is that book for me! This beautifully written story has endured me to the loveliest of characters. I just love the community of Valley Creek!