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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Such beautiful writing! Author Candace West never fails to draw me into the story. I find myself rejoicing and weeping and praying right along with her wonderful well-developed characters. Valley of Shadows is a beautiful story of redemption, forgiveness and second chances. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend reading Lane Steen first to set the stage. (Lane Steen was one of my absolute favorite books of 2019). This Valley Creek Redemption series is about real life, real obstacles to overcome, and how the characters find new life. I cannot wait to read more stories set in Valley Creek especially since I have grown to love and root for this family. Honestly, I even stopped reading to pray for second chances for my own loved ones. I highly recommend Valley of Shadows by Author Candace West! I will read anything she writes!
This is one of those beautifully written stories that stays with you long after the final turn of the last page. Two lives, twisted by the sin and addiction-driven choices of one, find themselves unable to avoid one another. When tragedy strikes a small town in the Ozarks, it requires these beleaguered souls into confrontation, collaboration, and perhaps catharsis. An unforgettable tale of the power of forgiveness.
Loved this book! Continuing the story of Lorena and Earl Steen and their families, Valley of Shadows takes the reader through their personal journeys of faith and the growth and crises they face. This is Christian fiction at its best! While Valley of Shadows can be read as a stand-alone book, the first book, Lane Steen, gives the reader more depth of characters and a richer background. And with one or more characters’ storylines unresolved, my hopes are high for at least one more book to come in this wonderful story! Thank you, Candace West, for this wonderful series.
I love a story of redemption and you will find that in this book. This is my first book by this author and her writing is beautiful. Her characters are so well developed and the story just draws you in. This a the second in a series and though I haven’t read the first one I can say this is a stand alone book. It does make me want to read the first one to know all about the character.
I received an advanced copy and this is my own opinion
A wonderful story of redemption and second chances.
The second book in the Valley Creek Redemption series was just that a story of how one’s life could be redeemed through the grace of God. The author’s telling of the main male character’s life change by accepting a life in Christ was a poignant and beautiful retelling of the story in the bible much like that of the prodigal son. It was a heartfelt story of love and grace. One I enjoyed from beginning to end.
How do you move on from the past when it’s all around?
Lorena’s only intention is to be there for her two grown daughters, even if visiting them means seeing the man who once broke her heart and nearly destroyed her life. All she has to do is avoid him. But Providence has other plans.
Valley of Shadows is a beautiful, heart and soul-stirring sequel to Lane Steen with deep and genuine characters, and a lovely early 20th Century Ozark setting that absorbs the reader just as much as the plot. But what really sets this story apart are its poignant themes of redemption, grace, family love, and forgiveness. The road to forgiveness, in particular, is depicted with frank realism, showing every painful bump and curve but also the rewarding destination that is reconciliation.
Valley of Shadows is one of the most spiritually enriching novels I’ve read this year, and I highly recommend it to fans of inspirational historical fiction.
At the same time, meeting him again years down the road after accepting Jesus Christ has his Savior proves just how much letting Jesus in our hearts can change a soul. When a tornado devastates and destroys the town, Lorena and Earl agree to put on a benefit concert to help save the town.
With people who refuse to fathom a person can change even with God’s presence in their life, this historical novel could be transferred to present-day with no problems. I love how the love of God is shown as various members of his family – including his father-in-law and daughters offer him forgiveness.
Truly this book has a lot in its pages including grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love. While I appreciated how the story ended, I still feel there is more I would like to know and read about these characters. So check out this book for yourself.
I received a copy of this book for my fair and honest review.
This was a wonderful book. I think the only way this could have been better is if I read the first book in the series before I read this one. There is a great story within here that I missed out on! While this can be a stand-alone novel I do think you’ll get the most of the story if you take the time to read the first book first.
I enjoyed getting to know the Steen family and learning about them. Earl abandoned his wife and family years ago. Well, not all of them, but you learn about that in the first book. When Earl decides to make himself new and deal with his past he is no longer the villain his estranged wife thinks him to be.
Can Earl and Lorena get along long enough to help save the town? Or will Lorena let her hatred rule her forever?
This is a great read. I highly recommend you read the whole series. You’ll love it as much as I do!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
“For the first time in sixteen years, husband and wife faced each other.”
Valley of Shadows is an intriguing story of love and forgiveness, as it explores a marriage destroyed by alcohol and physical abuse and a love that had long seemed dead. Lorena and Earl Steen are the two memorable characters who find themselves in the same small community after sixteen years of being apart and this story offers a look at learning to forget the past, looking toward the future, and granting forgiveness to those who have hurt us. I admired that, after sixteen years, Lorena still wore her golden wedding band on a chain around her neck and honored her wedding vows by not seeking a divorce. Earl understood that he had failed his family; how could I not like a man who constantly turned to God for guidance and renewal?
Author Candace West describes several incidents that alter the lives of Lorena, Earl, and the other residents of the Valley Creek community in 1910. This is an exceptional story of faith, redemption, forgiveness, and second chances and I recommend Valley of Shadows to all who enjoy Christian fiction.
I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit. These are my own opinions.
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.
Forgiveness in one thing. Forgetting is another.
The light doesn’t take the valley away….it changes our view instead.
This wonderful book is my introduction to this author and I certainly will be watching for more good things to come. It is obvious as you are reading this book that there is a lot of history to this family that you don’t know about, unless you have read the first book in the series. However, since I have not, I can state that even without the first, this book should not be missed. It is all about second chances, something we all can use in life. It also explores how forgiveness can be had, even when forgetting is difficult. God gives each of us a second chance, who are we to not do the same!
This digital copy was received through Mantle Rock Publishing LLC and CelebrateLit. The comments and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.
Valley of Shadows is the second installment from Candace West’s series, Valley Creek Redemption. This is the first book I have read by this author. Since I have not read the first book in the series, Lane Steen, I feel as though this one can be read as a stand alone.
I thought Valley of Shadows was a beautiful story of faith, hope, forgiveness, redemption and overcoming the past. I loved Lorena from the start. I could just feel her emotions and heartache. I, also, could feel the struggles that Earl was going through and constantly had hope for him. I just had to keep reading until I find out how it would all end for the two of them.
I am giving Valley of Shadows a very well deserved five plus stars. I would love to read more by Miss West in the future. I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy inspirational and heartwarming stories.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
The author has penned a very heart warming story of forgiveness and love. It takes place after the first book in the series, Lane Steen, and is the story of Lorena Steen and Earl, the husband who deserted her years ago. Do not miss this heart felt story. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it. It is a real page turner, and I know you will enjoy it.
The second book in the Valley Creek Redemption series, you’ll want to read Book 1, Lane Steen, so you fully understand what’s happening. And believe me, you’ll want to read it!
Author Candace West uses the tagline, “Forgiving is far from forgetting,” and you’ll see that struggle throughout the book. So many things happened in Lane Steen to shape the characters in Valley of Shadows. These characters have depth; nothing shallow about them.
A story of second chances, we see characters struggling to forgive and forget. Is forgetting even possible? Things happen when we allow God to move. West writes so beautifully about forgiveness that I’m sure she must be writing from some experience. It’s absolutely moving.
Needless to say there is a lot of emotion in this book. But there is also action and suspense, along with loss and new life. A few times the story felt a little heavy for me, but I honestly think that’s just the mind frame I’m in right now. While it was a tough journey for the Steen family, West crafted it with skill and always gave me hope as I was reading. I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
This is a very engaging and satisfying read. It can easily be read as a stand-alone, but it is the second book in the Valley Creek Redemption series, following the author’s debut novel, Lane Steen. This book focuses on Lane’s father and mother, and the rocky path they are following. After years of bitterness and anger, they are forced to confront each other and all their feelings when the future of Valley Creek is at stake. We are happy to find many of the characters from Lane Steen present so we can follow their stories, but we meet some interesting new characters as well. Now I can’t wait to see THEIR stories in future books. Earl, Lane’s father, was everyone’s major villain in previous times, but his recovery from alcoholism with a lot of help from his faith has given him a vastly different perspective here. Lorena, Lane’s mother, has a heart full of bitterness against Earl, and justifiably so. Of course Lane and Edith, her sister, are still central to the story. It deals with redemption in a soul-satisfying way. Many of Ms West’s characters are good examples of living their faith, but the book isn’t overly preachy and definitely not dull! I found myself racing on through to the climax, but then sad because the book was over.
Earl Steen would be the first to admit that members of his family would be justified in hating him. He knows how much pain he caused in their lives and does not believe he is deserving of their forgiveness. But Earl is a changed man thanks to the grace of God and wants to serve Him the rest of his days. Earl’s daughters have begun to forge a sometimes uneasy relationship with their father but his wife Lorena still carries around a huge burden of hurt and unforgiveness. Author Candace West has begun a story at this point in the characters’ lives and writes it so beautifully that her readers will feel every emotion along with them.
Valley of Shadows is a wonderful story of forgiveness and redemption with a major emphasis on second chances. Sometimes poignant and sometimes action-filled, this tale takes the reader on a touching journey that will not soon be forgotten.
I have a copy of Lane Steen, the first book in this series but have not had a chance to read it. Although the two books share characters, I was easily able to read Valley of Shadows as a stand alone. Nevertheless, according to the wonderful reviews I have read, readers would be advised to read the books in order if at all possible simply for chronological purpose.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
Wow wow wow, this book was that good!! This is the first book I have read by this author and I just loved it so much! It’s rich and intense and such a wonderful story about redemption. The characters are so well developed and I fell in love with many of them. I could read this book again and again and feel like I’m right there with them each time. I found out that there is a book before this one, but I haven’t read that one yet. I did not feel that I missed anything though by not reading that one first. I really don’t know how to describe what a wonderful story this is without giving away any spoilers so I’ll end it with this…You need to read this book! I absolutely loved it and I honestly think it’s one of the best books I have ever read.
Lorena and Earl haven’t been in the same town for years. With all the things that happened in the past, they wonder if they will be able to interact without any conflicts or hurt feelings. When the town asks them to use their past talents, they can’t help but spend time together.
As book #2 in the series, the book is best read as part of the series. Although the author describes pieces of the journey that get Lorena and Earl to where they are at, it is best understood when book #1 is read first. The story is enhanced when read as a whole.
The story speaks a loud message of forgiveness. It is easier said than done. The emotions of the characters were beautifully written as they struggle with how to cope and move forward. As a minor character, I really enjoyed Ella and her spunky personality.
I would recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.
Valley of the Shadows is a story about a family living in the Ozarks. This story is the sequel to the book Lane Steen, so many of the characters in Valley of the Shadows readers will recognize if they read the first book in this series.
Through a natural disaster and loss, this family learns how to maintain a strong faith. The author does a nice job bringing out the themes of redemption and forgiveness.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a strong faith message.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.