This book is so full of feeling and beauty, I love how the author writes of broken people who are able to find redemption and this book is no exception. Filled with memorable characters and a moving story this book stays with you long after the final page.

Abandonment and peace in heart might be the two sides of the same coin. But you might go through a lot of pain to realize that there IS a choice.
The third installment of a high quality tells a story about letting go and letting others in.

Lynda Turner has experienced a lot of pain - being abandoned by her dead parents, by her lover, by her husband, by her churchmates and finally by her happily married daughter. Sure, the last one is a good thing, but still...Linda MIGHT miss a bit of contact. But the years of pain has taught her not to believe in happy endings. But in the depths of her heart she still longs for freedom and a bit of wind in her hair.
Clyde got tangled in the same maelstrom of greed and ill will years ago, but his prison was literally that - the time behind the bars for a statutory rape. This should kill all of a tenderness in his heart, but it did not. Clyde is trying with all of his might to be present in the lives of his dear ones while humbly standing afar, feeling not worthy. But suddenly there is a woman whom he would love to take care of. The rose with many thorns, but beautiful nonetheless, so beautiful...
Clyde and Lynda are slowly taking steps in their new relationship when the last secret of many that have been torturing them shows its ugly head. This might be the end - or the new beginning.

A worthy last installment of the brilliant series. It even rivals the first one, whom I thought to be the most interesting novel of all the series. Maybe because the maturity present, or the very believable pain present - and equally believable way out of it.
I very much understand Lynda, who suffered so much and her prickliness has became her defense mechanism. The way back to trust is long and its end is not visible and secured - but hand in hand with her gentle giant Clyde and with God above everything is possible.
I have so much appreciation for Clyde! To me, he is the most interesting male character in the series - because his heart is so tender I can´t even. But I wholeheartedly believe that he is all that, a gentle person with a heart wishing to hold and to care. And this tenderness is also SO manly and attractive!
My other favourite character is Susan (surprise for me, even). She is somehow the sister in spirit to Lynda as they are both the same deep down in their souls and their behaviours. I would love to know more about her.

As for the churchgoers of the Trapp - well, they are not redeemed in my heart. But they are such a good reminder for me to have more of the true compassion in the heart, as we all can fall into the same trap (pun very much intended).

I am also satisfied with all the cleaning what happened in the lives of the people of the city. The cleaning is both figurative and literal, all the houses of cards are shaken and with the possibilities to rebuild them.

The series offers hope the way that very few books can do. I so appreciate how the authoress can acknowledge the pain and even the sin and still can offer a redemption.
Highly recommended!

Varina Denman has once again penned a gritty, raw novel of a small town in Texas, and of secrets that have lain buried for years. I didn't care for the main characters at first, and wondered if I wanted to continue reading a book about an ex-con and a woman who suffers from bouts of depression and seemingly has zero personality. Having remembered how good Justified was, I continued on and was glad I did. These were real people, not fake, perfect storybook characters...who needed God's redemption, inner healing, and new beginnings. The romance was captivating as was the suspense element. Jilted is a very well written novel I highly recommend!