Justified (28 page)

Photo by Madalyn Wallace

VARINA DENMAN
writes stories about the unique struggles women face. She has five children, teaches creative writing and literature, volunteers in her local homeschool cooperative, and boasts sixteen years as a home educator. She resides with her family in North Texas. Her first novel,
Jaded
, won the 2013 ACFW Genesis Award.

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What people are saying about …

JUSTIFIED

“Down-home as Friday night football, volatile as a coiled rattler,
Justified
is an emotional journey through scandal and heartbreak to forgiveness and grace. Denman's work is achingly honest, witty, and it plucks at the heartstrings. I'm a huge fan.”

Candace Calvert,
bestselling author of
By Your Side

“A small-town romance with a universal stick-to-your-soul message about the beauty of grace and the acceptance of a second chance. With an exceptional voice for story, Denman has created characters who will own your heart before the last page is turned.”

Nicole Deese,
Amazon's bestselling author of the Letting Go series and
A Cliché Christmas

“Varina is an incredible talent, and without a doubt this second book will bring the reader hours of enjoyment. I've been waiting for it, anticipating it, and now I have it in my hands. Three cheers for Varina Denman and
Justified
—well worth the wait.”

Joseph Courtemanche,
Commotion in the Pews
blog

What people are saying about …

Jaded

“Small-town flavor, real-life issues, romantic, funny, and poignant—hope with a hint of a drawl. Denman's fresh voice is a delight, and her debut is a winner.”

Candace Calvert,
bestselling author of
By Your Side

“In her debut novel, Varina Denman tackles tough subjects in a contemporary setting as she weaves a story of memorable characters with the secrets that haunt them. With touches of humor and an air of mystery,
Jaded
may trigger a few of your own questions about spiritual truths and the accountability of church leaders. A nicely paced small-town tale. I look forward to more stories from this gifted storyteller.”

Carla Stewart,
award-winning author of
Stardust
and
The Hatmaker's Heart

“A compelling story with truth tightly woven at the core, Ruth Ann and Dodd's journey will stay in your mind long after the last word is read, and it will challenge you to look at others and the world through different eyes. A powerful debut novel.”

Anne Mateer,
author of
Playing by Heart

“Varina Denman's
Jaded
showcases the talent of an author who is unafraid to inflict truth upon her characters as they journey from prejudice and naïveté toward acceptance and the rawness of knowledge gained through pain. Relevant and real, this emotive debut subtly strikes at the heart of what keeps so many people at arm's length from God and provides a satisfying romance that keeps the pages turning toward its hoped-for happy ever after.”

Serena Chase,
author of
The Ryn
and contributor of the
Happy Ever After
blog at
USA Today

“
Jaded
is a poignant story of old scars and new hope. Through the journey of one wounded family, the transformational powers of forgiveness and genuine faith become clear. Varina Denman's fictional small town could be any town, and many readers will recognize the all-too-human challenges facing today's churches.”

Lisa Wingate,
international bestselling author of
The Prayer Box
and
The Story Keeper

“Varina captures your heart in this journey of love, pain, and intrigue. Captivated by the town's mysterious past, caught up in the suspense, and lost in forbidden romance, you'll never be prepared for what happens next. Read this book. You will not regret it.”

Don Brobst,
MD, author

“
Jaded
is not only a soul-stirring tale of
transformational love, but it's also a bridge—one that stretches the delicate divide between hurt and hope. The empathy and grace of Denman's skilled pen will carry far beyond these characters and into the hearts of her readers.”

Nicole Deese,
author of the Letting Go series and
A Cliché Christmas

“
Jaded
is an emotionally-charged masterpiece that sinks into your soul and challenges you to see beyond the pitfalls of religion. The small-town setting, remarkably real characters, and meaningful theme of forgiveness makes this book a 2015 must-read.”

T. L. Gray,
Kindle bestselling author of the Winsor and Set Apart series

“Trapp, Texas, is a town where football and gossip are king and queen, secrets are kept and told, and nothing changes—until it does. Denman has given us a story as rich as a chocolate sheath cake with characters as familiar as an old pickup truck and with grace as broad as the flat fields of cotton. Recommended!”

Bill Higgs,
author