The Jewel of His Heart: A Novel (Heart of the West 2)

When I first started reading this book, I was certain that it was going to be even better than book one (which I loved). I really liked the characters of Julianna and Josh, and a lot of the secondary characters (especially Shebe). I really cared about them and was routing for them to get together and be happy. I loved the cover, and for the first time ever, I allowed the characters in my mind to look like the cover images.The couples relationship started developing really nicely, but... somewhere in the middle, it took a turn for the worse in my opinion. It became such a frustration to me that every time this couple might have minute to get to know each other, it was always interrupted with tragedy and high drama...you look forward to a nice little romantic reading, and we get instead, fires, explosions, and ant infestation. I did like the dramatic story line, but not at the total expense of the characters (and we as readers) getting to know each other, and having a genuine basis for being/falling in love. I think the 'ant bit' was supposed to be funny--but if something like that has ever happened to you--you know how truly horrible that is.The tragedy was so constant (fire, burning sheep, explosions, dying men, dying dog, head wounds...etc), I never felt like I got a chance to just catch my breath and enjoy the love story...because if they weren't involved in high drama, then Julianna was being immature (she was, after all, merely 17) and was treating Josh badly. I must admit that I would have enjoyed the romance more, had Julianna been, say, two to three years older. I know too many 17 year old girls--and 'girls' they are-- to really lose myself in the idea of a 17 year 'woman' with a 30 year old man. And I was SO disapponted for Julianna that her father turned out to be...well...a loser and a criminal.So anyway...unfortunately...I started out absolutely loving this...then halfway through it just fell apart for me, and I couldn't wait until it was all over.And now I am left with a lingering problem. And that is, that I disliked Wes Owen so much, and envisioned him as such a repulsive character (right down to his chewing tobacco rotting teeth), that I am really going to have a hard time with him being the romantic lead in book 3. OOPS. Ms. Brendan really should have given us a few reasons earlier on to 'sort of' like Wes--to not think he was an ugly, creepy, slime-ball of a guy, like I was imagining him to be.2.5 stars. Josh and Julianna deserved better.

Yet again I am so moved by the characters in this novel...my second novel in this series. This series has taken me to a place and time I have never known and yet makes the reader feel like they are right there...in Montana...through every twist and turn. This is a sweet love story and a story of abundant faith and hope in the face of trials and tribulations. Can’t wait to start the next one! I am hooked!

Loved the whole series

This is a story that is quite slow and very sweet in it's content. It is not the type I usually read. But, it was a nice change from the usual.The romance between the characters is very tame by today's standard of romance. There was nothing more intimate than a very few kisses. It also has a bit of the christian philosohpy mixed into the story which may or may not turn some people off.In this case, I thought it was nicely written, not preachy. No hell fire and brimstone. A few nicely placed words of scripture and a few quotations pertinent to the content.WHile it might not be everyone's cup of tea it was none-the-less a good story, slow but good and very clean cut.

The Jewel of His Heart is an excellent Christian romance novel and I love the characters in this particular series. I read the first book in this series last year and I just finished reading this one yesterday. The characters are relate able and believable and go through realistic events in their lives that average people go through in their lives. This is a very sweet Christian romance novel and it really got through to me and melted my heart. I like that in this series the main woman in the novels has two men that she has to choose from because it illustrates how complicated and real choices are in real life. This series is enlightening and touching to the heart and I would highly recommend this series and author of this series. I plan to read more books from this author in the future.

Jewel of His Heart was so good! And it's the type of story that makes you want to laugh a little, cry a little, but more than anything else it's so interesting you just can't put the book down until the very last page! Josh, the hero is just that. Everyone should have a Josh in their life. Other than the size, he reminds me of my very own husband! I only have one more book in this series to read and I wish there could be at least a half a dozen more! I highly recommend this entire series. If you enjoy reading interesting, clean and heartwarming stories, then Maggie Brendan is the author for you!

This is my 2nd book by this author that I've read. When I finished the first one and read the excerpt from the next book. This one, I had to read it right then and will do. So with book 3, the description of time and place are so clear that you can feel yourself living in that space. Then you come to the interesting main characters which you know will fall in love but it's the secondary characters that pull the story really together with their sassines or faith or age and jobs just makes the story feel real.

I really liked the adventure of the story. It had a variety of tension, joy and sadness. The characters were perfect. She has a good way of explaining. I rated it 5 as I love good clean Christian stories.

This is my second time reading this book. The author draws you into a world of beauty and majestic scenery with characters straight out of the Wild West. Through the highs and lows of their lives I was kept spell bound and couldn’t put this book down. An absolute joy to read. A heartwarming true romance.

I was hooked on these Heart of the west books, as a Christian these book are perfect reading, and although fiction>God isthere in every line.Download or buy girls you will love all the Heart of the West Books, Fab read

A very inspiring book to read full of faith teaching which has blessed me immensely. Thank you for writing such an inspirational novel.

A housewarming story. A joy to read. Good insight into life at the time. Would recommend it to anyone. Thanks.

I read the first book no place for a lady it was amazing so intrigueing that I had to have the second book .and it as evry bit as good as the first have to read it a very good length cant put it down at timesam going to have the 3rd book as soon as ive read the 2ns.