Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Jewel of His Heart takes us to the mountains of Montana in the 1890s, where we find Josh McBride herding sheep with his faithful companion, Shebe. Josh had a falling out with his father three years earlier, which lead to his decision to pursue shepherding instead of ranching. He met, and hired, Andy as his cook, as well as, his sheepherder. Even with quite a bit of years between them, they've become close friends who work really well together. Josh is always telling Andy, "If you were a woman, I'd marry you", because he's an excellent cook!

We also meet Juliana Brady, who lost her mother suddenly, and has no idea where her father is, or if he's even alive. She's not yet eighteen, but already feels all alone in the world. She's so mad at God for not bringing her father home, that she can barely stand to have a conversation that involves Him. She no longer attends church or reads her Bible, and since her mother passed away, she's even more angry. Her best friend, Marion Stockton, insists that Juliana move into her family's hotel indefinitely, since she has no where else to go. Juliana eventually finds a job, meets new friends, and starts to enjoy life again.

Even though Josh is falling for Juliana, he feels she is much too young to be interested in him, and that she could do a lot better than a lowly sheepherder like himself. Juliana has feelings for Josh, but tries not to entertain them because she promised her Mama that she would not depend on a man as her only means of survival; she's determined to take care of herself.
Josh and Juliana encounter some really tough times, but learn to lean on God, their friends, and each other to see them through.

The Jewel of His Heart is excellent!! I simply cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book, but I'll try my best! At first, I thought No Place for a Lady (book 1) was going to be my favorite book in this series, but now I'm not so sure...these are both wonderful books that will touch your heart. I met so many wonderful people in the town of Lewistown, that I'm sorry to leave them. There was one person I was not overly fond of throughout most of the book, but by the last few chapters, Wes Owen had carved himself a place in my heart. I'm hoping to see him again and find out what happens when God catches up with him! I'm also anxious to find out what happens with Josh's cook/sheepherder, Andy, and his lovely Nellie. I can't wait to read, A Love of Her Own (book 3), releasing in June 2010.

If you haven't had a chance to enjoy The Jewel of His Heart, or No Place for a Lady, please be sure to pick up your own copies as soon as you can...you just don't realize what you're missing! Be sure to visit Maggie at her blog: SouthernBelle Writer

~Revell Publishing (a division of Baker Publishing Group) provided this book for me to review~

I really do despise reading a series out of order; and I am currently expecting book one in the mail... But I got this first and had nothing else new to read but boring old writing books, {wink} and I just couldn't wait. I finished it in less than a day.

I identified with this book and the characters on many levels. Juliana didn't want to be dependent on others--or a charity case. I have felt the same way with the limitations my health has placed on me. There is also the whole idea of how people associate or identify with you and how your personality is... perceived by others. Sometimes they can be mistaken. I have experienced that firsthand as well. I dabble in jewelry ~ and sapphires are my birthstone, so the whole history of the Yogo Sapphire was fascinating.

The characters all interacted in a natural way that was at once heartening and challenging. The author did such good work on all her characters that I expected even the smaller ones to walk into the room and sit down on the couch beside me. The love story between Josh and Juliana was beautiful, passionate and touching. I think Maggie has done a beautiful job and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Feeling a little sad and lonely, I decided to immerse myself in the story of Josh and his Jewel. It was wonderful and I can only pray that someday someone will think me worthy of such love and adoration. I love the fact that you have a subtle way of weaving a relationship with God throughout your books in such a way that no one could be offended, yet the love of God is certainly evident everywhere. The settings are so vividly described that I truly can "see" each scene. You've got an amazing God-given gift. Thank you for your first two books and for pouring your talents into creating such wonderful stories. I can't wait for the next one!!!

The Jewel of His Heart is the second installment in Maggie Brendan's Heart of the West trilogy. Josh McBride has left his wealthy father's cattle ranch in Colorado to become his own man as a sheepherder in Montana. When Josh finds beautiful Yogo sapphires in a stream on his property, he thinks he may have found a solution for his money troubles. Then he meets Juliana. Her life of disappointment, struggle and loneliness has left her certain of two things: she doesn't want to be dependent on a man and she doesn't want to marry a miner.
This story is well-written and well-researched. It made me want to learn more about the Yogo sapphires so I looked them up.
Maggie Brendan's descriptions are so vivid. I can almost see the people and places. The fact that I finished reading this book around 1:00am tells you how engrossing it is.
Another thing I really like about this book is that it's a very sweet romance that is suitable for ages 12 and up.

"The Jewel of His Heart" by Maggie Brendan is an enjoyable read about a sheepherder who happens to find a few rare sapphires on his land, the young lady who captures his heart and the decisions he must make about the two. Julianna swears that she will never marry a miner, so Josh must choose: the lady he loves and a hard life as a lowly sheepherder or making a possible fortune in mining for these rare gemstones.

Throw in a couple of unfit suitors competing for Julianna's affections and an unscrupulous rich girl who may manipulate Josh after a tragic fire, and you have quite an enticing story. At times, the characters seem a bit wooden, but the story moves the reader right along and overall, this is a completely pleasurable and entertaining reading experience. The thread of faith that Brendan has woven throughout the tale offers several subtle reminders in Whom to put your trust. I will definitely be looking for Maggie Brendan's novels on the bookstore shelf.

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.

The love story is sweet, innocent and wholesome-- but still interesting, I promise! The setting (an 1890s mining town in Montana) is intriguing, and the characters are easy to relate to. This is one of those books I looked forward to reading curled up in my easy chair with a cup of tea after the kids were in bed. It held more appeal to me than anything on TV or any movie available through Netflix's "Instant Play." It was the perfect escape at the end of a long day. Themes of hope and despair, loss and redemption, hurt and healing ran throughout the book. The use of Scripture wasn't forced or overt, but it was perfectly appropriate in small doses at just the right moments in the story, spoken from just the right characters. I won't tell you how the book ends, but I will tell you I was happy with it. It may be a little predictable, but if you're in the mood for a sweet story that's an easy read, you'll love it.

I was not fortunate enough to read the first book of this series by this magnificent author but I will tell you that my opinion of this novel is extremely high. This book will capture your heart at the beginning and hold you there to the very last page!

Ms. Brendan's work is that of a timeless story teller. When you read her books you feel like you are that Jewel of His Heart.

Julianna just lost her mother...her father left years ago. Now she is all alone in this mining town and has very fews way to earn her keep. She has friends who are helping her but she can't depend on them for the rest of her life. Her mother warned her not to become dependent on a man so she is determined to make her own way in life.

Josh is determined to prove he can make his own way. But he comes across some very rare findings on his land. He could very well make his living the fast way. But then he meets Julianna. Her eyes are the same shade as these rare findings and he finds himself quickly captured by this beautiful young woman. But will she learn to depend on him or will she continue to make her own way in this world?

Will these two very lonely hearts take the fast and rich way out, or will she realize she is the jewel of his heart and hede God's calling to make these two hearts one?

Find out in this authentic, inspiring historical love story that will bring you right into the minds of these wonderful characters. I am glad that I read this story and I am sure you will be too!

High praises to a timeless story teller!!!

To me in this type of historical fiction, the actual "historical" part seems to take a backseat to the rest of the story. Other than the obvious details, this story could have very well taken place in a modern day setting with the same results. The historical setting just takes the reader back to a simpler time where life was harder and situations such as this were more cherished. Juliana is a young woman, who due to the death of her mother, has to take her life into her own hands and lands a job in a newspaper office. From there, she discovers more about life around the town and it helps to fuel her relationship with Josh. It was fun seeing the going-ons about the town and seeing what life was for like people back then. Juliana's relationship with Marion is interesting because it seems like they might not really be as close friends as they thought. It would be interesting to see a book from her perspective.

While I enjoyed this book, I did feel a bit annoyed at times with Juliana and Josh. I didn't really feel that much chemistry between them. What chemistry they did have seemed to come from a lot of unnecessary drama. It just seemed to me that several situations could have been totally avoided if the two had just sat down and talked and listened to the other. Instead, too many assumptions were made by both parties, causing friction and anger. There wasn't really another storyline that rivaled Juliana and Josh's. Their relationship was the central point of the book. Even though this book is the second in the series, it can be read as a stand alone. There are some references to the first book, but overall the characters don't really interact so if you haven't read the first book, you won't get lost at all.

Overall, I did enjoy the book and I'll be looking forward to the next book in the series. One more note, I absolutely love the color scheme of the cover of the book. The blues and greens are just gorgeous. You can't see the back of the book here, but it's just the loveliest shade of turquoise.

I just finished this very good read.The jewel of his heart is outstanding
and will be glad to recommend to any reader.A tale of inspiration with heart
felt emotion.5 stars all the way!