Varina Denman talks about Jilted
Varina is Author of the Mended Hearts Series. The first book, Jaded, a winner of the ACFW Genesis Award. Varina Denman is a native Texan. She spent her high school years in a rural town and now writes stories about the struggles women face in similar small town settings. She and her husband live near Fort Worth, where they enjoy spending time with their five mostly grown children.
Welcome Vanina,
It is wonderful to have you here today and thank you for the giveaway you provided. (Scroll to the bottom to enter to win)
Q: How does it feel to be at the end of a 3 book series such as yours?
Varina: It feels wonderful! Even though I’ve greatly enjoyed getting to know all the townspeople in Trapp, Texas, while I worked on the Mended Hearts series, I’m ready to move on and create a bookful of new characters. And besides that, I love the feeling of having completed something. I’m a list person. I make a list for EVERYTHING, and then I check things off my list, and when everything is checked-off, I’m extra happy and content. So at this point, everything is checked-off the Mended Hearts series, and I’m one satisfied writer.
Q: What aspect/part of this book did you enjoy researching the most and why?
Varina: Jilted has a few scenes on and around the West Texas wind farms. In fact, the main character, Lynda Turner, likes to sit and watch the gentle giants as their blades silently rotate in the wind. She finds them peaceful and relaxing, and they remind her that life keeps turning, no matter what happens.
I enjoyed talking with a wind farm manager about the details of wind turbines, and I watched several videos that showed workers climbing in and on the 300 foot towers. They seem so huge and daunting, and the more I learned about them, the more I felt they were becoming a character in the story.
Q: Which character which we will encounter within the pages of “Jilted” is your favourite and why?
Varina: Clyde Felton, the local ex-convict, is an enormous man that looks scary and intimidating, but he’s actually as gentle as a kitten. He was convicted of statutory rape and sent to prison for twenty years, but now that he’s back in Trapp, he’s ready to put the past behind him and start living again. And the love he shows to Lynda is heartfelt and emotional.
Q: What was/or where did you get your inspiration for Jilted?
Varina: Lynda Turner, the main character in Jilted, has suffered from depression ever since her husband abandoned her and their small daughter years ago. Even though I’ve never experienced anything as devastating as Lynda’s story, I can relate with her struggle with depression. My symptoms are light in comparison to hers, but I have a soft spot in my heart for her and for all women who suffer with the illness. It’s my prayer that Lynda’s story can help readers to heal and to sympathize with others.
Q: What are you going to be working on next?
Varina: Right now I’m working on a stand alone novel that’s also set in Texas, but this one is farther north in the Panhandle near Palo Duro Canyon. The story revolves around a divorced woman who falls in love with her therapist.
Melony, thank you for inviting me to your blog today. I’ve enjoyed being here!
Get your copy on Amazon.com or Jilted on Amazon.ca
Varina is kindly giving away a copy of Jilted to one winner. (USA ONLY)
Enter to win below
(June 30 – July 10)
Part of Radientlit blog Tour
10 Comments
Varina Denman
Melony, thank you so much for hosting me on your blog today. I’ve enjoyed being here! 🙂
Melony Teague
Thank YOU Varina, it was lovely having you! 🙂
Beth Erin
Great interview, ladies! I would be so thrilled to see Grady in a future work, Varina. I love that kid!
Winnie Thomas
Wonderful interview, Melony and Varina! This book sounds fascinating. That’s and interesting question about “prickly” people. I think you just have to be friendly and try to get to know them better, but you also need to give them space until they learn to trust you!
Melony Teague
I agree, they have to learn to trust you, and Varina really portrays that well in “Jilted”
Brenda Murphree
Well for a “prickly” person if it’s someone I don’t know much and they are standoffish I speak and go about my business. But if it’s a family member or someone I supposedly know real well I try to laugh and talk with them anyway. I’m a jolly person and I love to make people laugh so I will try my best to brighten their day at least. When I was a kid people called me “Smiley”. 😀😀
Melony Teague
I love that you were called Smiley Brenda!
Bonnie Roof
I feel a smile, showing kindness, and prayer are the best ways towards forming a healthy relationship with those “prickly” people. Enjoyed the interview, Varina and Melony – thanks for the giveaway opportunity, would love to read ‘Jilted’!!
Lucy Reynolds
I treat prickly people kindly. Smile, say something kind, and tell them to have a blessed day. Reach out and have patience, sometimes you can break down the barriers.
Melony Teague
Your kindness does not go unnoticed Lucy. <3