Once in awhile an author comes along with a book that sweeps me away from the first to the last page. This happened to me with JADED, a debut novel written by Varina Denman. Ruthie Turner, twenty, has lived in Trapp, Texas, her whole life. She works two jobs; at the United grocery store and is the attendance clerk at the high school. She dreams of leaving for college and never coming back to Trapp.

When Ruth was seven years old, her father left home and never returned. One Sunday at church services, Lynda Turner opened the Church Bulletin to see what the sermon was about, and let out a gasp. She grabbed her daughter, ran from the church never to return. The sermon that Sunday was about adultery. When her mother was accused of adultery because her husband had left her, all their Church friends stopped talking to Lynda and Ruth. The elders visited them and urged them to leave the church. Thirteen years later, the snubbing continues with both Ruth and Lynda very bitter about Christians, their church, and the church members that used to be friends.

The Cunninghams, Grady, Dodd, and their mother Milla arrive in Trapp from Fort Worth and it's the talk of the day. Dodd is to be the new minister. He meets Ruthie at the United grocery store and is captivated the moment he sees her. For Ruthie, she finds him handsome and friendly but feels she can not trust him. Dodd begins to turn her dark world upside down, and watching their romance grow is sweet and so natural.

JADED is a tale about pain, forgiveness, trust and forbidden love. What happens when a harsh decision made thirteen years ago was made without the true facts being known? What do you do to correct the devastation caused to the accused, a loyal church member and her daughter? Where is God? How could he let this happen?

Dodd Cunningham is a special man. I loved how he wooed Ruthie. Their dinner, movies and dancing was a chapter I re-read and found charming. He listens as Ruthie tells him about her rejection of the congregation of her childhood church. She explains her bitterness and hurt. Dodd, along with his brother and mother welcome her into their home and hearts. Little by little he discovers the truths about what happened in his church so many years ago and faces the man responsible for the deceit and the spitefulness. Neil Blaylock, powerful, wealthy, and one of the three church elders was responsible for the lies, and the accusations about Lynda. It is time to confront him.

JADED captured my heart. I enjoyed the uplifting message of forgiveness, faith, hope and love. I will look forward to the next chapter coming soon from Ms. Denman.