Candace West – Devotion – Part 1 of 1

 Shannon here: Candace West shares a devotion and insight into her upcoming release, Valley of Shadows. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for a copy of her debut title, Lane Steen. Winner’s choice of e-book or print. Deadline: March 7th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Candace:

The light shimmered and danced through a sudden haze of tears. Another accent of God’s infinite grace through pain.

~Valley of Shadows

            Sometimes we walk through dark places, and it’s hard to see the light. The clouds of doubt loom in our minds, often obscuring hope and peace. God seems far away. The enemy batters us with different things—our past, situations at our workplace, strife with our family or friends, and countless other problems. We might even wonder if God hears our prayers. In those times, God is close. Even though we can’t see it, His light is shining upon us.

            For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

Giveaway

            In our trials, God works within our hearts to refine and draw us closer to Him. We may be afraid of the darkness, but He never is. He is Lord over all. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. Psalm 139:12. No matter our trial, He holds us in the palm of His hand and desires to reveal Himself more clearly to us.

When we are troubled, God is there. His love is steadfast, unwavering. His care for us never ceases. Whatever our situation, He works to bring the light of His truth and presence into our lives. As we learn to wait on the Lord, His light dispels the darkness. He renews our strength. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day 2 Corinthians 4:16.

Valley of Shadows shows how God uses an estranged husband and wife to overcome the darkness around them while overcoming the dark places within themselves. Earl’s guilt haunts him. As a new Christian, he must prove himself to his daughters, to his cynical neighbors, and to his wife. Lorena, wanting nothing to do with him or the past, discovers places within her heart unsurrendered to God. Like us, they must discover how God uses even darkness to bring about His ultimate good.

About Candace: 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.” Since then, she has dreamed of writing Christian fiction. Over the years, she has published short stories as well as poems in various magazines. Since her teenage years, she has written many church plays. In 2018, she published her first novel Lane Steen. By weaving entertaining, page-turning stories, Candace hopes to share the Gospel and encourage her readers. She currently lives in her beloved Arkansas with her husband Aaron and their son Matthew along with two dogs and three cats. Learn more & connect: 

Candace’s Facebook             Candace’s Website               Candace’s Instagram

About the book – Valley of Shadows 

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?

Release Date: March 17, 2020

Can’t wait for the drawing, worried you won’t win, or want both books? Get your copies now!

Valley of Shadows – Amazon                        Lane Steen – Amazon

Question for Readers: What is a favorite scripture that comforts you?