Looking Glass Lies by Varina Denman

• Paperback: 318 pages
• Publisher: Waterfall Press (May 2, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1503942708
• ISBN-13: 978-1503942707

About the Book:

A poignant and relatable novel, Looking Glass Lies captures the war women wage against themselves, and the struggle to see beauty reflected in a mirror not distorted by society’s unrelenting expectations.

For most of her adult life, Cecily Ross has compared herself to other women—and come up short. After a painful divorce from her emotionally abusive husband, Cecily returns to her hometown of Canyon, Texas, looking to heal.

But coming home isn’t what she expects. In a town as small as Canyon, her pain is difficult to escape—especially with her model-perfect ex–sister-in-law working at the town’s popular coffee-shop hangout. 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.

The true test comes when tragedy strikes, opening Cecily’s eyes to the harmfulness of her distorted views on beauty—and giving her the perfect opportunity to find peace at last.

My Thoughts:

I adore any novel by Varina Denman.  She writes with a deep passion for broken women to be restored, and her newest novel, while very different from her previous works, tackles a topic that cannot be ignored.

"Looking Glass Lies" will take you deep inside your soul.  Yes, this is a novel, but stories have power, and this one has great power to heal you if you will allow.  Every woman, at some point in her life journey, will struggle with body image.  And we all come to the distorted mirror down different paths.

I adored my father, but he used his words to hurt more than to heal, and it has taken me years and the love of a great man to finally bring me to the place where I can look in a mirror and love what I see. Lumps, bumps, and saggy...well, you know.

We've likely seen the articles women are writing about how they've grown to love their stretch marks and saggy tummies because those are signs they brought new life into the world.  How they've learned to be their own best life coach instead of critic and now they appear in family photos willingly (many times I can still see the gritted teeth!).

The joke around our house and our church was that, once I was gone, no one would believe I'd existed because there was no photographic proof!  That was funny for a moment, but it cut deep into the heart of why I refused photos.

I wasn't worthy to be capture on film.  And I hated the way my body looked.  This topic came up just this week with my husband, and I truly bared my soul to him, and he lavished me with his love and grace and tender mercy...the perfect picture of Jesus to me that day.

So meet up with Shanty.  She's a character, and she takes a bit of getting used to.  But hear her words as she meets with Cecily.  Allow yourself to be Cecily for a moment, and drink deep from the truth of how you are loved, you are beautiful, and you are worth it.

Let's shatter those "Looking Glass Lies" along with stellar author Varina Denman.  I'm giving "Looking Glass Lies" my "For Such a Time" award and encouraging you to purchase copies, have book clubs, and share the message in this lovely work of fiction.

Because...isn't it time?

I received a complimentary copy of "Looking Glass Lies" with no services promised in return.  My opinions are my own, and they are good ones, too!  Until the next book...

Mark Your Place,

Deena