Jaded: A Novel (Mended Hearts Series Book 1)

[Full disclosure: I received a pre-publication copy of this work compliments of the author for review/endorsement purposes.]Varina Denman has an incredible debut novel with Jaded. I was expecting another pleasant Christian love story with some wit and dry humor thrown in, nothing too heavy. I was wrong. This book has such evocative writing that I kept seeing the movie in my head as I read through it this week. Not only did it read like watching a movie, but it was a really good movie. One I would be proud to take my God Daughter to see on a Saturday, and my beloved wife on Sunday. Mom will have to wait for the Monday showing.Set in a small (suffocatingly so in my worldview) Texas town it combines elements of To Kill a Mocking Bird and Cape Fear. I don't know if Varina meant to do that, but I loved the fact that I made the connection: it meant that the story elements were strong enough to bring those very deep emotional links right out in front. When you're compared to iconic authors right out of the chute, you've got the mojo.Characters in this novel are crisply drawn. They are not the stereotypical stuff of romance books. As a matter of fact, while this book started out as a Christian Romance novel, it would be a huge error to place it in that category alone. It's a brilliant novel that is enjoyable reading for all adults. I prefer action-thrillers, but Denman kept me hooked enough that I'd carve out time after work to read each evening. Good stuff. Pacing, plot, and some twists were all excellent and kept me motoring right along.The only downfall of the book is that she writes so well in scenes with food that I had to stop and snack - repeatedly. So far the must have list this week includes chicken fried steak, hot dogs, cotton candy, burgers, and hot chocolate. Thanks a lot for the weight gain!Part of a series of novels, it's set the hook deeply enough that I will buy her future works without reservation. She's really set the bar for debut authors with this one.

I seldom read Christian fiction marketed as such because I'm allergic to piety, but the cover caught my interest, I read the sample of this book, and I had to keep going. Excellent characterization of believable people, good plot, great pacing, really excellent prose (the invisible kind that lets you sink into a book), a wonderful sense of humor, and perhaps most of all a genuinely fascinating exploration of the problem of how church members can sometimes drive away, damage, and exclude people in a way that is anything but Christ-like. The main character has to be able to move beyond her own outcast status, as does the charming new preacher who finds he's in over his head with his new congregation, though he's probably doing as well as anyone could. The romance is a bit predictable but that's the nature of the genre, and the solution is perhaps a bit easy when it comes, but that's okay. I wanted an escape and I got that and much more. Highly recommended to anyone who won't mind having some faith mixed in with their small town romance. I should also note that although this is the first part of a series the story resolves in a satisfactory way.

The author vividly portrays the worst of the small town and a decon-posesssed church. The bleak feeling is pervasive and heavy. There are a few good laugh out loud moments but very little of the beauty of a small community. I mistakenly thought this was an historical novel but the story was sufficiently engaging to continue reading. I would have liked the characters to understand and experience the moment - by - moment connectivity with God and be able to draw others along beyond the religious to relationship. A polite FYI, church discipline handled this way marks a congregation, Pastor and Decons who are candidates for more empowerment through God’s lavish Holy Spirit. A good story and a vivid encounter with distress as a lifestyle.

Sooooo good!!! I want to hug this author. All the feelings, sigh!This isn't going to be a proper review, I'll acknowledge that now, BUT, let me just say, I was blown away by this story. I still have trouble believing that this is a debut novel. I literally read this in two chunks. I read the first half in one sitting, then didn't get to read it for about a week (that's what happens sometimes to books on my Kindle). Friday night, I was in the mood for a good binge-reading session, and there was no way I was not going to pick this up again. Finished the second half that night.The first-person narration is really what made this story for me. Ruthie is an awesome character, so realistic, life-like and relatable. My level of "this is a real person, right???" rivals my connection (um, obsession?) to Heather Day Gilbert's character Tess. have I felt such a connection to a character. I don't read first person as often I used to, but Denman's writing reminded me why I love it when it's done well.Another thing that was so impressive to me is how well the author demonstrated Ruthie's back story throughout the present-day story. I didn't feel like there were any sections that were weighed down with lots of details to catch the reader up to speed. The small-town vibes are strong within the story, as are the prejudices and pre-conceived notions that can come along with that.The plot packs a punch, with some sweet moments, but also a lot of heart-wrenching, emotional moments. Nothing feels overdone, however, but all is necessary to advance the plot and propel Ruthie's character forward.I also have to mention Dodd, heart-melting, teasing Dodd and his compassionate brother, Grady. I enjoyed the sections that were from Dodd's perspective, and I did think it worked well that his perspective isn't in first-person. It kept some of the mystery there when reading the story from Ruthie's vantage point. Also, the relationship between Ruthie and her cousin John Scott is so stinkin' cute.This is a romantic story, yes, but really it's not strictly a romance. It's more about a woman who comes to terms with what was done to her family years ago by those who professed to be godly and how to separate that hurt with her true feelings about God. It's a beautiful story about forgiving others, and, sometimes more importantly, forgiving yourself. What a well-done book, with realistic, endearing characters and an impeccable sense of place. One of my favorites of this year, no doubt. I am so looking forward to book two!

Absolutely loved this debut novel. This is such a painful and sensitive topic and Varina tackled it so well. The setting was perfect but the characters were my favorite, they were so real and so flawed that it really allowed me engage with the story on a much more personal level. As a PK many aspects of this story actually hit home, it was nice to know that I'm not alone in feeling and going through some of the things Varina explores in this novel. Definitely one of my favorites this year. I found that I could see myself in a lot of the situation both good and bad and it made me evaluate how I've treated people. There were so many times where my heart just broke for Ruthie and I could totally get her and several times when I wanted to shake Dodd but I could see where he was coming from too. But the best part is the message that Varina wanted to get through with this story; sure it's nice to have wonderful church family but sometimes that's not the case and when happens we have to remember that the people don't matter, at the end of the day it's just you and Jesus!Thank you Varina for shining a light on this topic, I hope it helps to heal many hearts, can't wait for Fawn's story in Justified.

Good read. Highly reccomrnd

This is the story of Ruthie whose life was shattered when her dad left and the church seemed to shun her (7 years old) and her mom who began to suffer from depression. For 13 years, they held on to their bitterness and hatred for the church and the people. Her cousin, JohnScott, seemed to be her lifeline through those difficult years. That was until that new preacher, Pastor Dodd, came to town and JohnScott got converted. Ruthie wanted no part of it and her mother warned her to stay away from that crowd and she didn't want to upset her mom and send her into a deeper depression. The road ahead would be bumpy to say the least. Read about the war raging within Ruthie's heart. What was behind her mother's depression and mood swings? Was there something that Ruthie didn't know about? What is going on at the church? Watch Ruthie's struggle during the love battle. I don't often give a rating of five, but I felt the author deserved it.

Do churches of today show the love God commands? Or do we cast that proverbial stone and toss the unlovely aside without a blink of an eye?Ruthie Turner knows all about the judgmental church ever since she turned seven, so years later when the handsome preacher comes to her small town of Trapp, Texas, she avoids him like a horse does a rattlesnake. He’s just like the rest of those Christians and she wants nothing to do with him.Even though he’s the most eligible bachelor in town.And he has his eyes set on her.Dodd Cunningham has his job cut out for him as preacher of a small Texan town filled with tainted relationships and secrets that some want to stay buried. However, when one of those mysteries involves the girl he’s falling in love with, he’s determined to protect her reputation . . . even if it means losing his flock.Ruthie slowly softens towards Dodd and they begin to see each other secretly, but soon it blows up in their faces and spirals out of control. Can they both look beyond the judgmental attitude of the church and trust God to make it right? Or will Ruthie reject God, stay away from Dodd, and remain jaded forever?Jaded is Varina Denman’s debut novel and is book one in her Mended Heart series. This is not a book I would normally pick up and buy. I’m a romantic suspense kind of gal, but I have to say…I really enjoyed this delightful story! Ms. Denman’s characters were likeable and well-rounded. My heart ached for some and others I wanted to throttle.I loved all the southern expressions woven throughout the novel, giving freshness to the author’s voice. The storyline was believable and deals with issues relevant to today's society. Judgment affects all towns—doesn’t matter the size. It’s real and disheartening. The author creates this fictitious town effectively through all the sights and smells, bringing it alive.I give Jaded four out of five tumbleweeds. I will definitely be continuing on with Justified, book two in the series.Come and walk the streets of Trapp, Texas. You will find a little bit of everything there, but most importantly—hope and forgiveness.**Book has been provided courtesy of The Blog Spot for an honest review.

This book was boring and not much Christian about it at least in what I read. After 25% I skipped to the end and found more of the same...boring. Could not get interested in the characters and the fact that the pastor was dating a non-christian was not biblical . This is the first I have read by this author and I would not read more except that I already bought books 2 and 3 so will give them a try.