Out of the Shadows Into the Light

The Lost Canyon Springs Series #1

by Candace E. Salima

Wyoming rancher Caroline Duncan has spent the past few years fighting two difficult battles-maintaining the ranch her family has owned for more than a century, and dealing with the absence of her son Patrick, kidnapped by her ex-husband Todd. Almost three years to the day of her son's kidnapping, U.S. Marshal Slade Taggart arrives on her doorstep, bringing news of Todd's imminent capture. If all goes well, Patrick will be home within twenty-four hours.

Caroline struggles to remain strong when she soon receives news that Todd had eluded the authorities once again. In desperation, Caroline vows to pursue him herself. Slade joins her, and the pair head into one of the most vicious Wyoming blizzards ever, facing the rigors of weather, nature, and drug cartel assassins. In the midst of this, Caroline isn't sure she needs a tall, good-looking U.S. Marshal to complicate matters, but Slade knows he wants this strong, righteous, beautiful Wyoming rancher in his life.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Fiction

318 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2004

About the author

The author of five books, Candace E. Salima was born right smack dab in the middle of twelve children. Descended of a long line of artists, musicians and authors, Candace can barely remember a time when reading wasn't an integral part of her life. Her love of books, reading and writing, was born of hearing her mother read nightly from the James Herriot series about a veterinarian's mishaps in the British countryside. She thrived in a family of readers, began writing original stories at the age of eleven and has never looked back. The daughter of a father who survived the invasion of Hitler's war machine in his homeland and a mother who is an often controversial conservative columnist, Candace spent her childhood on the back of a horse or trudging through the mountains and valleys of the American west. In the course of her life, Candace has been a reporter, a writer of health booklets, a screenwriter, and a teacher. Her philosophy in life is simple . . . everything can be turned into a good story. Hence her nine day rafting trip down the Colorado River, hiking the Colorado Rockies, or horseback riding in the northern Wyoming Grand Teton mountains. A love of BYU football, basketball, swimming, movies, plays, concerts and socializing with family and friends round out her life. All this, and she still prefers to be curled up on her couch with a good book, a cup of hot chocolate and a blustery Winnie-the-Pooh day brewing outside.

Reviews

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Candace truly has a way of writing that grabs you right at the start!

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wyoming rancher Caroline left her returned missionary husband when her son Patrick was 4. When he was 12, her ex-husband Todd kidnapped Patrick. She's spent 3 years and a small fortune looking for him. Almost 3 years to the day, U.S. Marshal Slade Taggart arrives at her door to tell her they're expecting to apprehend Todd and Patrick in Miami and have him back in 24 hours. Todd slips through again and heads to WY. Slade and Caroline team up to keep her safe and find Patrick. They discover one dead body and then have a gun battle with Todd killing him and recovering Patrick who'd been manipulated and lied to by Todd. It's not over - someone wants the CD of drug cartel information Todd had and they don't care if/how many they have to kill to get it.

Faith plays a big part in this, as does inspiration. LDS church is central but not overbearing. When Slade and Caroline marry they cancel her sealing to Todd who got the contacts in Colombia to the drug cartel on his mission. The killer is also from Colombia - part of the Anquiri Tribe - ancient warriors turned into mob/drug enforcers. When one is killed the tribe goes after those responsible - obviously the prelude to the next in the series.

[Roseanne Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

U.S. Marshal Slade Taggart is a hero I love. Strong, protective, and kind. Caroline Duncan has some issues with a past abusive marriage and the loss of her son, who was kidnapped by her ex-husband. There are three story lines weaving through the novel, and I liked how the secondary story lines didn't take over the main one. The secondary story lines were written in snippets throughout the book - enough to add some tension and get some feeling for what was going on, but not enough to interfere with the main characters. This book had me on the edge of my seat from the beginning. Suspense blended with a clean romance is exactly the kind of story I like to read. I'm looking forward to reading more books by Candace.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my very favorite books. I love the characters, the story, the setting, and the way the author conveys all of it. She is one of the few authors who can convey the lifestyle of a ranching family and not have me saying, "Yeah, right--you've never really been on a ranch." She understands it, and her love for it comes through her writing, and it touched my soul.

Can't wait for the sequel!!!

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I liked the story and the action propelled me onward, I was quite distracted by the numerous typos and the oft-used phrase "walked passed" (which should, of course, be "walked past"). That said, the story kept me intrigued and moving onward, which shows real promise when an author's tale keeps me moving forward regardless of the distraction.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a very cheesy beginning, but after the characters were developed, I really liked it. It is about a mormon single mom whose son has been kidnapped by her drug-dealing ex-husband. Very clean and fun to read.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Writing was very good, easy read. I really enjoyed the suprise at the end of the book! Was not expecting that at all!

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book just became more and more unbelievable with each page. Way too over the top in every way for me to recommend.