Jilted

GIVEAWAY

DENMAN, VARINA
JILTED

A heartbroken woman desires to move beyond old desires to move beyond old memories, but will her past give way to hope?

Lynda Turner has struggled with depression since her husband abandoned her and their young daughter fifteen years ago. Yet unexpected hope awakens when a local ex-convict shows interest. As long-hidden secrets resurface, Lynda must fight for her emotional stability and for a life in which the shadow of shame is replaced by the light of love.

Jilted tells of a woman who has lost the joy of living, of a man determined to draw her back toward happiness, and of a town that must -- once and for all -- leave the past where it belongs. It is a gentle reminder that all things can work together for good.

My Review:

Raw and real and gritty. Denman has penned a deeply emotional conclusion to the Mended Hearts series.  Jilted is the third book and I do think that it is wise to read the first two, Jaded and Justified before beginning this one. There are circumstances that won't be clear unless you've read the other stories.

The word vivid comes to mind when I think of this author's storytelling technique. From characters to plot to setting - her words paint pictures so vividly that it takes my breath away. I plunge right into Trapp, Texas and become an avid participant in all the small town dynamics. Elderly sisters, 'Blue' and 'Gray', queens of gossip and self-proclaimed judges, Steadfast Dixie who owns the diner and counsels Lynda even when she doesn't want it...and she never does. The complicated Blaylock family -- especially patriarch Neil -- shudder -- you have no idea how many times I pictured myself sitting at the diner and sticking my foot out when he walked by. Not that he was in the diner much but, still, it's a great video that keeps playing in my mind.

Lynda is a glass half empty kind of woman. She's battled depression most of her life and I'll be frank and say she was not a favourite character of mine in the first two books. Wasn't even sure I'd cotton to her this time round. But, oh my goodness, Denman digs deep and uncovers layers and layers of this complicated woman. And yes, sometimes it was uncomfortable but well worth the read.

And Clyde -- well, I was a Clyde fan early one. The strong, silent type with an unfortunate past that he hasn't let define him. His unwavering faith and the gentle way his actions reflect it is truly inspiring.

Jilted is an up-close and personal look at complicated, messy lives and how God works in amazing ways to turn even the most dire circumstances into something good.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Jilted please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday December 18 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Justified

GIVEAWAY

DENMNA, VARINA
JUSTIFIED

Book Two in the Mended Hearts Series

 

In a small Texas town ruled by gossip, Fawn Blaylock believes others are justified in condemning her untimely pregnancy. Stifled by guilt, she yearns for grace while the local football coach treats her with gentle respect.

Justified perfectly captures the rhythm and romance of life in a small town, telling the unforgettable story of a woman searching for renewal, a man looking beyond what others see, and a community torn between judgment and love. It is the unforgettable story of broken dreams, second chances, and relentless hope.

My Review:

I often use books as an incentive to get through onerous tasks. Clean bathroom. Read a chapter. Fold laundry. Read a chapter. Anyone else do that? Anyway, I intended to pace myself with this book. The relatively short chapters in Justified  were perfect for this technique. At least, that's what I told myself when I started in on the first page. But reading one chapter just served to whet my appetite. "I'll read two at a time," I justified. (pun intended). Only two turned into three and three into four and pretty soon the morning was gone, not a single chore was done and I'd nearly finished the book. "Oh well, the day's shot now anyway," I justified again, "might as well finish." So I did. :-)

To sum it up -- a compelling read. And beats doing housework hands down!

Flawed characters are genuinely human and the author does an incredible job of showcasing the reasons they are flawed. It's hard to stay mad at a Denman creation. She shows that even the worst characters can be redeemed. And she does this wonderful thing where she reveals the ripple effect the choices we make carry on into the next generation. Honestly, there are characters in this book that I strongly disliked and yet Denman opened my heart to a deeper level of compassion with her carefully crafted story. Praying I'll remember that when dealing with the real 'characters' in my life.

In fact, Fawn was a secondary character in Jaded that I did not like at all. I wasn't even sure I wanted to read a whole book about her, Kudos to Denman for showing me the complexities and sorrows that make up Fawn Baylock. It wasn't long before I was championing her. Worrying myself into a frazzle over her. There were times I feared she was going to back pedal her way into disaster. Such a mix of fragility and strength. She's been a Christian all her life but she's just on the cusp of understanding what that actually means. Love the following quote because it shows exactly where Fawn's struggle lies.

"Where was God? Monday morning, Labor Day, I sat on the hood of the Chevy, picking at the polish on my thumbnail and waiting for Him to show up." (p. 163)

Love this authors 'voice', the way her words flow and fill up my head with indelible pictures. Not only am I living every second in these characters' shoes, I'm learning life lessons right along with them and that helps me stretch and grow into someone with a deeper connection to my Father in Heaven and the people around me.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Justified please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 9 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Jaded

GIVEAWAY

DENMAN, VARINA
JADED

Book One in the Mended Hearts Series

Having been unjustly shunned by the local congregation, Ruthie Turner despises the church members who refuse to speak to her. When the new preacher asks her out, Ruthie’s bitterness is put to the test. Against her better judgment, she falls in love then re-examines Christianity while he risks his reputation to be with her. Their relationship reveals a string of secrets which turn the little church upside down as Ruthie learns to forgive.

Jaded is a love story, not only between a man and woman, but also between the church and the lost.

My Review:

This debut novel won the 2013 ACFW Genesis contest  in the romance category. And I can totally see why. It's a decadent read. Rich in both style and emotional depth. So many words to savor. Even more thoughts to process after the read. If you only read one book this year, I think this just might have to be that book!

Denman's writing is so smooth. The story flowed off the pages and into my mind with technicolor clarity. This book consumed me. Turned me inside out and brought healing and hope I didn't know I still needed.

I lived in Ruthie's skin. Felt her pain, her fear and confusion. Her yearning for so much more. Her scenes are written in first person POV which really helped me become this heroine. She's so heartbreakingly wary of Christians.

Dodd's like this knight in shining armor, swooping in with the noble intent of healing all wounds. Only he can't. He's a glass half full kind of guy. Determined to see the best in everyone, which makes it hard for him to recognize the bad. And Ruthie so needs him to see.

Stunning and complicated and so much more than just a love story.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Jaded please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 28 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!