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!