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?
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?
Author Interview
Becky, thank you for having me on your blog! Blessings!
Do you set a plot or prefer going wherever an idea takes you?
I like to do both. I brainstorm general ideas for my plot, but I want the story to surprise me as I write. The journey of discovering my characters’ story is an exciting and rewarding process.
What, according to you, is the hardest thing about writing?
The hardest thing about writing is often choosing the right descriptive words for scenes, capturing the smells and the sounds. Sometimes I take too long agonizing over the right word to express sights or feelings in my characters’ world. As I write, I’m always thinking about how I can immerse my readers into the story. I want them to feel like they’re within the pages.
What would you say is the easiest aspect of writing?
Honestly, I don’t know. For me, there isn’t an easy aspect of writing. The brainstorming is usually the easiest, unless I plot myself into a corner!
Do you pen down revelations and ideas as you get them, right then
and there?
Absolutely. Whenever an idea flashes through my imagination, I snatch whatever is handy—paper towels, an envelope—and jot it down immediately. I’ve been known to even speak into my phone when I’m in the car! If I don’t get it down, I might lose it. Sometimes my characters will start talking and refuse to hush no matter what I’m doing!
Do you need to be in a specific place or room to write, or you can
just sit in the middle of a café full of people and write?
I write in my living room at certain times. Right now, we’re building an extra room, and I can’t wait to write in it. No, I could never write in a café. A little background noise at home doesn’t bother me. In public, I would be too distracted to concentrate.
Click here to get your copy!
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.