Varina Denman

Jilted is the third book of the Mended Heart series, and I was blessed to receive all three books of this trilogy. While I only had time to read just Jilted, my mom did get to read all three. She did strongly recommend I read all three in order, as they would probably "make more sense." However, I found that I was able to follow the story line fairly well anyway.

The chapters switch back and forth between points of view: first person (Lynda's) and third person, which has the potential to make it challenging to follow. I found I could relate well with Lynda, especially, and Clyde as well, since I have gone through (and continue to go through) some pretty "messy stuff" in my own life.

Check out the series for yourself.… (meer)

LOOKING GLASS LIES

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. 1 Peter 3:3-4

STORY-LINE LOOKING GLASS LIES BY VARINA DENMAN:

Looking Glass Lies by author Varina Denman will rip out your heart. An intense look into today’s society filled with warped values, self-destruction, and deception. I could not put this book down.

Cecily Ross, divorced from her mentally abuse husband, returns home to Canyon, Texas hoping to find peace and a way to fix herself. Thinking she never met the beauty standards the media sells women, Cecily has a wealth of self-confidence and emotional issues. Returning homes supposed to help her center and heal emotionally; things do not always work out as we hope. However, with her father at her back, a support group led by an awesome woman, an old friend at her side, and maybe a little romance, Cecily may just change her life. Come with Cecily and friends on their journey of revelation and renewal. My reviews for psychological woman’s romance fiction novel, Looking Glass Lies, follows.

CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:

Talk about an emotional roller coaster; Looking Glass Lies has it in spades. Filled with drama, emotional turmoil, self-destructive behavior, and the jaundice view the media gives women of themselves, Looking Glass Lies grabs the reader immediately and never let’s go. Every woman who has ever looked in the mirror and seen ugly, imperfection, or compared herself to the latest stick thin model, should read this novel. Denman faces these issues head-on and takes off running. She masterfully impresses on the reader to see their true self; stop listening to the media who’s only interested in the bottom line, the almighty dollar. For the attitudes we develop towards our body from childhood will have grave consequences later in life. Denman impressively demonstrates that sex sells everything from soup to cars; leaving the men and women of the world with unrealistic ideals and motivations.

Cecily character fits all the above to a T. But as Deman leads us through the novel, we find women are not alone in the quest for perfection. Men have their own set of ideals to live up to. The characters in this novel are believable and realistic. Denman developed them progressively throughout the story-line; some unlearn habits of a lifetime while others sink under the media lies. Denman skillfully shows each one of us have issues, some seen from the outside, some are not; but inside, we all suffer in different degrees and ways. Throwing in a sweet romance to soften an otherwise heart ripping story-line, gives the reader relief from the drama of negative emotions.

The pace of the story is perfect for the length of the novel, along with plotting that keeps the reader glued to the pages. Grab a box tissues as you sit down to read Looking Glass Lies; you will need them. Also, Deman includes beautiful vivid descriptions of the Canyon area and all nature can provide in this area of Texas.

In concluding my reviews for woman’s psychological romance fiction, Looking Glass Lies, I found an intensely emotional and drama filled book. I commend Denman for her bravery in bringing this subject to the public’s attention in an enjoyable avenue. Also, Denman included quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson which applied so well to the story-line; as usual her research is impeccable. Denman is one in a million as she writes about issues relevant to life in today’s world. I would not hesitate to buy this book for my self or a friend.
LOOKING GLASS LIES RECOMMENDATION: STARS 5

I could do no less than give this novel 5 well-deserved stars for subject, gutting wrenching drama, composition, development and prose. If you have not read her earlier novels, I highly recommend you do so.

FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE:

I am not obliged to post a review for this book; I am doing so on my own and at a voluntary basis with an honest reviews for psychological woman’s romance novel, Looking Glass Lies. I received this book from Netgalley. Furthermore, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book/novel review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book/novel reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. Furthermore, no one influenced my voluntary reviews for psychological woman’s romance novel, Looking Glass Lies.… (meer)

This is the third book in the Mended Hearts Series by Author Varina Denman. Prepare yourself for a soul wrenching finale, an in-depth look under the facade of small town U.S.A., and a look into depression and its aftermath.

STORY LINE:

Lynda Turner has spent her adult life in depression, deep dark mental depression. Nothing ever seemed to last for Lynda. Lynda always saw her glass half empty rather than half full with a crack down the side of the glass. Her parents are dead, her high school sweetheart whom she loved jilted her, her husband ran off leaving her in a dark depression without a way out, her married high school sweetheart chased her for years telling lies about her, and her church in Trapp ask her to leave the congregation. Through all this her daughter has found the love of her life, Dodd, and Lynda has fought depression, prejudice, gossip, narrow-mindedness, and evil intent. Into all this turmoil comes Clyde Fenton, ex-con, falsely accused of rape and imprisoned for 20 years. With Gods mercy and grace Clyde has faced his own demons and revelations; his story is detailed in the previous books. Clyde has now set his sights on a forever love and determined to show Lynda the man he "can be" if she will accept him with all his faults and issues, as he accepts hers.

Come and join Lynda, Clyde, and the citizens of Trapp as two lonely damaged people face life in prejudice, close minded, gossipy, small town U. S. A.

CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:

Author Varina Denman has continued her heart wrenching tale of the citizens of Trapp, Texas. Though a Christian book, this author knows how to teach the Christ lesson without preaching, pushing, condescending, or prodding. This novel will appeal to any reader. In this character driven novel, Ms. Denman has created a deeply emotional and satisfying story-line. Ms. Denman brings you from the lowest low to highest high and does so masterfully.

The mysteries, manipulations, evil, and secrets are finally all revealed in this third book. The shocks and plots just keep coming as Ms. Denman had many threads to weave together in this book to create the finale for the story-line and Trapp. My emotions were all over the board in this book. I cried, laughed, shouted, and wanted to shake some of the characters. Ms. Denman's characters are very real with very real problems which need real solutions. This book highlights the mental illness of depression and its repercussions as Lynda comes to terms with her life and makes decisions that are life changing. Dragging yourself from the depths of despair and depression is easier said than done.

Trapp, Texas citizens have decisions to make and evil to face; will they become the Christians God intended or will they continue in their old ways. Tragedies will strike this small town, the aftermaths, and how the town resolves them will determine the fate of Trapp. Can Lynda and Clyde overcome all the evil which has tried to destroy them? Will the town of Trapp ever accept Lynda and Clyde?

Ms. Denman portrays masterfully how humans show one face to the world, when in their hearts, evil resides and has prominence. She also skillfully reveals the power of the human spirit to face and come to terms with evil, pick ourselves up, and move forward toward the life God intends for his children. Will there be a happy-ever-after for Lynda, Clyde and Trapp?

This story never lags or slows as it surges forward to the climax. The characters are well-developed and the story-line was intriguing as it grabs you from the first pages.

RECOMMENDATION: 5 + STARS

I hope this review has inspired you to buy this book and the previous 2 books in this series. You will not regret this purchase. This book is a standalone, however I recommend reading all three to increase your enjoyment of the story-line and characters. I highly recommend this book and the series to anyone that likes a solid, well-written and developed story-line that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you unravel the mysteries and secrets. I couldn't put this book down; I read it straight through.

I received this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest book review. All book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion; all book reviews on line and on my blog under my name are my opinion.

BOOKS IN SERIES: Click On Title

JADED BOOK 1

JUSTIFIED BOOK 2

Link to Varina Deman’s Web Site… (meer)

Jilted is the third book in the Mended Hearts series, and I need to let you know that I have not yet read the other two, but I sure will. The author does a wonderful job of bringing us up to date and I was able to follow the story and once you start you won’t want to put it down.
I can’t even imagine my husband leaving me after an argument, and then disappearing from our lives forever. This is what happened to Lynda Trapp and her young daughter. Of course, by the time this book is written Ruthie is now grown and happily married, and also living in Trapp Texas.
We are reunited with Clyde, a man who has moved on with his life, and shown great forgiveness, and he loves Lynda. Can these two hurt individuals make a life together, or will their past always stand in their way?
This story is going answer a lot of questions, you may or may not be surprised, but there are a lot of facts that are going to come alive. You don’t want to miss this page-turning summer read, I’m glad I picked it up, and will be reading the others in this series.
I received this book through Litfuse Book Bloggers, and was not required to give a positive review.… (meer)