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!