Jaded

In this capable debut novel, home educator and Bible study teacher Denman offers a glimpse into the complexities of life and romance in a tightly knit west Texas town. Years after the Turner family is caught in a scandal and ostracized, Ruthie Turner develops a romantic interest in Dodd Cunningham, the new local minister, setting the stage for the revelation of a string of secrets. Trapp, Tex., is no bucolic escape: it%E2%80%99s characterized by closed-mindedness, grudges, secrets, and distrust of outsiders. Denman refreshes an oft-told tale by adding variations to familiar character types. The cast is large, but the characters are well developed, making it easier for readers to follow their interactions. Although ostensibly a romance between Ruthie and Dodd, Denman%E2%80%99s novel is ambitious and multilayered, reading more like women%E2%80%99s fiction as it focuses on the issues of shame and forgiveness. Ruthie and Dodd alternate narration, which can be jarring at times. Denman offers an engaging tale of forgiveness and acceptance with memorable characters, and to her credit, she avoids a predictable ending. Agent: Jessica Kirkland, Blythe Daniel Agency. (Mar.)