LOOKING GLASS LIES - Varina Denman - One Free Book

Dear Readers, when I first heard of Varina, I read her first series one right after the other. Her writing, characters, and setting grabbed me right away. That’s why I knew I had to feature her with this new book. I’m reading it right now, and the subject matter is one that I’ve understood as needed by every woman who has ever compared herself to glamorous women. Looking Glass Lies deals with this subject with deep emotions and insight. You won’t want to miss this book.

Welcome back, Varina. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

In each of my books, I include an element of spiritual or emotional healing. In Looking Glass Lies, Cecily Ross must overcome her dangerously low self-esteem, and when she does, she discovers there’s a whole world out there that needs her.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

My next book is still in the depths of my brain. I’m doing research right now and getting very excited to sit down at the keyboard and get started. The book will tell the story of a woman who is grieving the accidental death of her two-year-old daughter.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

Beth Moore. She’s so incredibly talented and knowledgeable. I’d like to simply sit with her and listen to her talk about … whatever. And I’d like to get her advice on writing, speaking, and ministry.

I loved the Beth Moore study I took, and I’ve really enjoyed watching her on Life Today with James and Betty Robison. James and I have been a part of the studio audience. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

Jane Austen. Her books always take me back to a different time and place, and then they hold me captive until the end. It would be fun to chat and get to know the real Jane Austen.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

That’s just part of it, and it hurts. Almost all writers go through the waiting period, and it can feel like a trial by fire. ☹ But there are many things you can do while you’re waiting for your day, mainly do everything in your power to improve your writing. Read craft books, attend conferences, get feedback from critique groups. All these things make a huge difference in your craft, and in so doing, you’re proving to yourself and to future publishers that you will work hard to get your work where it needs to be.

Tell us about the featured book.

Looking Glass Lies tells the story of Cecily Ross, a young woman who struggles with low self-esteem after her divorce from an emotionally abusive husband. She returns to her childhood home on the rim of Palo Duro Canyon (beautiful!) hoping to heal from her pain. With help from her father, a support group, and an old friend who guides her to see her own strengths, Cecily may have a shot at overcoming her insecurities and learning to love again.

Please give us the first page of the book for my readers.

I woke up in the middle of the night in our cavernous walk-in closet. Again. For a moment, I enjoyed the wispy memory of a not-yet-forgotten dream, but then I realized the plush carpet had become solid rock while I slept, its gritty fibers pressing against me as though I were wedged into a sandstone crevice instead of willingly tucked against the back wall beneath my hanging clothes.

Good grief. You have to stop this, Cecily. I told myself the same thing every blasted time, but so far I hadn’t been able to do it. Even now, I didn’t move so much as a pinkie finger, didn’t open my eyes against the harsh fluorescent light, didn’t crawl past Brett’s shoe rack where I could see myself in the floor-length mirror. Not a chance. Because that would have broken the spell and sent me back to the real world, and—no, thanks—I preferred the fairy tale where high school sweethearts lived happily ever after.

My husband slept soundly in our pillow-top king, just on the other side of the closet door. The phrase sleeping like a baby crossed my mind, and I snickered softly because Brett’s snoring was anything but childlike, and his seemingly undefiled slumber had been brought on by over-the-counter sleeping pills rather than the serenity of innocence.

Besides, Brett wasn’t the one who was childish. He never scrutinized his reflection in the mirror late at night. He never beat his fists against his thighs until he had bruises, hoping a tantrum would somehow change things. He never bawled uncontrollably, wishing he could mold his body into what it ought to be—like Play-Doh—kneading and pressing until the flesh became aesthetically balanced.

He never once cried himself to sleep in the closet.

I uncurled my stiff legs, wiggling my toes and stretching while the shirts hanging above me caressed my skin like an old friend. The back of my hand bumped against solid wood: the leg of the chair where Brett sat every morning, tying his shoes like Mr. Rogers. Smiling.

For seven years it had been the same. On mornings when he found me asleep on the floor, he’d nudge me with his socked toe, wag his finger, and laugh. “Cecily, you silly girl. Get in bed where you’ll be comfortable.” Then he’d pat me on the butt as he slipped his cell phone in his pocket.

I hated that phone. Despised it. It was full of videos Brett didn’t want me to see, websites he claimed he hadn’t visited, pictures he made certain I never had access to. But his temptations didn’t end there. When he left the house, there were billboards and magazine covers and posters in shop windows. There were advertisements and mannequins and sultry radio voices, and there were women, everywhere, in low-cut blouses, short skirts, and thick makeup.

I couldn’t compete with all that. Evidently.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: https://varinadenman.com

Blog: https://shameonshanty.com

http://facebook.com/varina.denman

http://instagram.com/varina.denman.author

http://twitter.com/varinadenman

http://pinterest.com/varinadenman

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Looking Glass Lies - Christianbook.com paperback
Looking Glass Lies - Amazon.com paperback
Looking Glass Lies - Kindle
Looking Glass Lies - Audio

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