I’m always happy when I get to talk with Varina Denman, the author solely responsible for me starting a blog š
Varina Denman enjoys writing fiction about women and the unique struggles they face. She seems to have a knack for describing small town life, and her debut novel, Jaded, won the ACFW Genesis Contest, the BRMCWC Selah Award, and the INSPYs Bloggersā Award for Excellence in Faith-Driven Literature.
She attended three universities over a span of five years, majoring in four subjects and earning zero degrees. However, she can now boast sixteen years as a home educator, volunteering in her local cooperative where she has taught numerous subjects including creative writing and literature.
Even though Varina has spoken at ladiesā retreats and taught womenās Bible classes, she finds the greatest fulfillment facilitating prayer groups. Varina lives in NorthĀ Texas where she helps with the Marriage and Family Ministry in her home congregation. She is represented by Jessica Kirkland of Kirkland Media Management.
You can connect with Varina on her website, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.
Her book Jilted is the final book in her Mended Hearts Trilogy.
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 where the shadow of shame is replaced by the light of love.
Jilted tells of a woman who has lost the joy of living, a man determined to draw her back toward happiness, and a town that mustāonce and for allāleave the past where it belongs. It is a gentle reminder that all things can work together for good.
Hi Varina! Iām always honored to have you on the blog! Thank you so much for chatting with me! š As you know, I start all of my guests out with a fast four:
Varina: Peanut cluster ice cream (no sugar added)
Carrie: Yum!
Varina: Christmas
Carrie: Me too! Me too!
Varina: Knock-out roses
Carrie: Those make me smile š
Varina: It changes, but lately, Iāve been loving āNever Aloneā by Barlow Girl
Carrie: Yeah… asking me for my favorite song is about like asking me for my favorite book lol.
Around here I like to say that reading is my superpower. If YOU had a superpower, what would it be?
Varina: My kids tell me Iām pretty good at Scattergories. (And it gets on their nerves when I win)
Carrie: Oh now I want to play Scattergories with you!! How fun!
Who is your favorite book character from childhood?
Varina: Laura Ingalls Wilder. I read and re-read her series all through my childhood, and then acted-out scenes, pretending I lived āway back then.ā Undoubtedly those books had an influence on my becoming an author.
Carrie: I always wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder … although the balloon made out of a pig bladder kinda made me hesitate lol š
If I snuck a peek in your purse right now (which I would never do, I promise!), what would it tell me about you?
Varina: Mainly, that Iām sort of a slob (because of all the old receipts and used tissues), and that I donāt get out much (itās a relatively small purse with only a few things in it, because I know I wonāt be gone long).
Carrie: Do you mean that a purse ISN’T a receptacle for old receipts? Oops…
Your novel, Jilted, finishes up the series you started in Jaded, your debut novel. As you prepare for your new book Looking Glass Lies releasing in May, which character/s do you miss most from the Mended Hearts trilogy?
Varina: In the Mended Hearts series, the small town of Trapp, Texas, plays such a big role in the story that it almost seems like a character, and I miss it very much. Even though Looking Glass Lies is also set in a smallish Texas town, itās not as small as Trapp, where everybody knows everybody. Those books simply had a fun āfeelā to them because of that setting, and I really enjoyed writing them.
Carrie: Trapp itself was one of my favorite aspects of the Mended Hearts books!
Clyde and Lynda were both characters we first met back in Jaded and continued to see in Justified. But in Jilted, you really unpacked their stories for us. Between these two characters, who do you relate to the most?
Varina: Probably Lynda, though I feel similarities with both. Lynda struggles with depression, and since Iāve had my own bouts with it, I was able to write many of her scenes from personal experiences. At least the emotions and motivations behind them, though not the specific actions and situations.
Carrie: That was something that touched me so much about Jilted – the authentic depiction of Lynda’s depression. As someone else who has battled it, I could really identify with her character.
What do you most want readers to take away from Jilted?
Varina: That things are usually not as bad as they seem. Lynda Turner spent more than a decade feeling sorry for herself when she couldāve been enjoying a satisfying life. Thatās another thing we have in common. Life is hard ⦠but we can still experience joy while we work through things.
Carrie: Yes. So true.
Again thank you so much for taking time to talk with me! š Before we say goodbye for today, tell us a little about your new blog and whatās coming up next for you.
Varina: Looking Glass Lies releases May 2, and Iām super excited to share Cecily Rossās story. For most of her adult life, Cecily has compared herself to other womenāand come up short. After a painful divorce from her emotionally abusive husband, she returns to her hometown looking to heal. When tragedy strikes, Cecilyās eyes are opened to the harmfulness of her distorted views on beautyāgiving her the perfect opportunity to find peace at last.
My new blog, Shame on Shanty, spawned from one of the bookās secondary characters. Shanty Espinosa leads an accountability group of women who are overcoming low self-image. Her blog is a safe place to discuss shame, insecurity, and all those other mixed-up emotions. Even though Shanty is a fictitious character, her blog is packed with real advice from other writers, bloggers, and friends. I hope you drop by for a visit!
Carrie, thank you for hosting me on your blog today. I always enjoy chatting!
Carrie: Likewise, my friend! š
Varina Denman is giving away a signed paperback of Jilted to one of my readers! (US only.) Giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be read on the Disclosure page. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
What about you?Ā If you’ve read Jilted (or other books in the Mended Hearts series), who is your favorite character?
Scattergories and Laura Ingalls Wilder are my favorites too! This was a great post! Thank you for sharing!
Also, I am new to her books so I’m looking forward to reading them!
they are fantastic!
Dodd from book one is probably my favorite character. He’s such a gentleman and a true hero.
i love Dodd!
I’ve not read any of them – yet. š Loved reading about JILTED and learning some about the author, Varina Denman. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
you muuuuust! š
This series is on my TBR š
yay!
Thanks for the interesting interview, Varina and Carrie. I love stories of depth and redeemed characters – even though I haven’t read any of Varina’s stories, they’re been on my TBR list for some time. I’ve heard so many wonderful comments about her writing and would love to read each of her books!! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!!
love you, my friend!
I haven’t read any of Varina’s books, yet, although they are on my TBR list. I will be reading Looking Glass Lies soon, which I’m looking forward to.
Thanks for the nice interview. It was fun to get to know more about Varina Denman.
BFFF!!! You must read the Mended Hearts trilogy!
I’m new liiacs, Ć©clairs, blue moon Elvis, Christmas I look forward to reading your books
Donamae
I haven’t had the pleasure of reading Varina’s other books. I would love to though!
I haven’t read Varina’s books yet, but I have 2 in my TBR pile.
I haven’t read this series yet, but I’m looking forward to reading the series.
it definitely belongs on your wishlist!
I have read all of Varina’s books and all are on my keeper shelf. I think my favorite character is either Dodd or John Scott or Fawn. I loved them all! I am really looking forward to this new book.
me too!! (I love John Scott!)
I loved the whole series! I’m not sure I could say who my favourite character was, but I’ll say Dodd. But I retain the right to change my mind depending on which one I’m reading ?
haha fair enough š
Ruthie was my favorite character – I think because I enjoyed her story the most.
i heart Ruthie š
I have not read Jilted but I’d like to.
it’s really really good! š
i look forward to reading this author’s books which sound captivating.
they are!
Haven’t read her books but would love to.
I love them all Can’t choose just one.
š
I, too, have not read her books, but would love to.
she’s awesome!
This is the only one in the series I have NOT read yet. It’s on my TBR list that only seems to grow š
haha! I know the feeling š
Another new to me author!
Awesome post!
Thank you so much for the chance!!
yay! Oh you’d love this series, Susan!
I haven’t read one of them yet.
oh you must!
This would be my first time to read books by this author, and I am looking forward to doing so! I really want to read “Jilted”!
yay!
Sorry – please delete my second response!
Love finding new authors. Jilted sounds great. Can’t wait to read. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
yay! Enjoy š
I have one or two of these books. But haven’t gotten around to reading it yet. As is the case with so many of my books! Hoping that changes soon and my TBR stack dwindles slightly! Ha ha ha! Maybe I should say current!
LOL the struggle is real
I love small towns and prayer groups. Just watched Pricilla Shrier on Simulcast at my church with the ladies over the weekend. I would love to win a copy of your book.
Priscilla Shirer is awesome!
I haven’t read the books yet but they sound great. š
they are!
I’ve only read Jaded, so I’ll say Ruthie is my favorite.
oh you must read the next two sometime soon!
I haven’t read it yet but look forward to it.