Jaded: A Novel by Varina Denman

Heidi here. I just finished an awesome novel I wanted to tell you about.

As a child, Ruthie was shunned by the local congregation. Thirteen years later, Ruthie’s heart begins to stir when an attractive single preacher arrives. But their relationship is bitterly opposed—unearthing a string of secrets which threaten to turn the church, the town, and her world upside-down.

Jaded is the rare novel that is both love story between a woman and man ... and God and His church. Plunging deep into the waters of shame, forgiveness and restoration, it will resonate with every woman who’s experienced a loss of heart ... and a thirst for hope.

I was hooked on Jaded from the first sentence. Varina Denman, debut novelist, has a way with words. Of course, it takes more than wordsmithing to take a reader through 350 pages, and Varina succeeded. The plot was very unique. A storyline that, as a Christian, made me a little uncomfortable. Yet, the story rang true. I hope the situation laid out in this novel isn't widespread in the real world, because it saddened me how a church community could shun someone for no reason.

The pacing was great ~ Ruthie and the shunning, Ruthie and the unhealthy relationship she has with her mother, and a romance round out the subplots. I highly recommend grabbing a copy of Jaded and settling down for a gripping page turner!