Jaded
Page 32
This story is a work of fiction. All characters and events are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is coincidental.
All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com.
LCCN 2014948814
ISBN 978-1-4347-0837-3
eISBN 978-0-7814-1288-9
© 2015 Varina Denman
The Team: Ingrid Beck, Jamie Chavez, Nick Lee, Jennifer Lonas, Helen Macdonald, Karen Athen
Cover Design: Amy Konyndyk
Cover Photos: Getty Images (Thomas Barwick), Veer Images, iStockphoto
First Edition 2015
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 16 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 …
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