I always like it when I learn something new reading a book. Although sapphires are my birthstone, I had never heard of the Yugo Sapphire. I enjoyed the characters and their development and growth in the Lord. ( )

Another good story in the "Heart of the West" series. This is book two and for different reasons, I liked it just as much as book one. The author does a good job of you getting to know the characters in her story and understanding them and cheering them on through their difficulties. This takes place in the 1890's in Montana and you get the feeling that you are there.

Juliana Brady finds herself alone, trying to find a way to make a living now that her mother has passed away and her father went looking for gold years ago and never returned.
Josh McBride (who you will have met if you read book one, "No Place for a Lady") is trying to "make it on his own" and has moved to Montana to begin a sheep herd and build himself a ranch. He will discover rare stones on his property that could possible change his life.

These two people will meet through a sad situation and the Lord will continue to bring them together. The attraction is there but Juliana must learn that although she needs to make it on her own, there is nothing wrong with having a man there to protect and cherish her. A very well written love story with a touching ending. There were also a few "I didn't see that coming" moments which I always enjoy. I look forward to reading book three in this series very soon.

Almost forgot; be sure to read the author's note at the end of the book to discover what inspired her to write this story, and to find out that some of her story is based upon real history, which makes the story all the more interesting to me. ( )

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!!!

*Available October 2009 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.* ( )

Juliana Brady is orphaned at 17 years old. She is determine to earn a living but she is blessed with good friends who help her. She meets Josh McBride, a sheep rancher and feels a strong attraction to him. They both experience setbacks in their lives and are able to work through their struggles to forge a bond of marriage.
An enjoyable read

Originally, in reading the first book in the Hearts of the West Series I had to say: Having a plot line that starts and grows with tragedy, this is a novel that grabs your heart and makes you silently or even sometimes verbally cheer on the heroine to succeed at her current goal. Maggie Brendan has done well with her first novel and I definitely look forward to more. This is easily one of those stories where you are screaming for the characters to see what you as a reader are seeing. There are times where I thought something would come out differently, but with the story coming to a close I could not have imagined anything better than the way it was itself. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!!My review of the second in the series, The Jewel of His Heart: The romantic prose of Maggie Brendan is very visual and a reader can easily imagine what it was in Montana in the late period of the 1800s. The writing and characterization of the protagonist was good, I could tell, because they aggravated me to no end with the decisions and flip flops of emotions. A slight thing that threw me was some of the serious events that occurred in the lives of our main characters and how quickly the story just seemed to move forward without much time for the characters much less a reader to reflect. This is a sequel in continuing the life of main character Josh McBride from No Place for a Lady yet this story completely holds it's own as a stand-alone. Once a cattle-rancher's son, McBride is attempting to make his own as a sheepherder. The details of the life are intriguing and as a reader going along for the journey one routes for Josh to succeed. Juliana Brady has had it rough and has her pride, but with each day as she grows closer to Christ she learns a bit more of what He has in store. I definitely plan to read more titles to come from Maggie Brendan. This was a great story, I just did not personally mesh with the character's personalities and felt they were quick to jump and assume, but then that just hits a nerve. The romance is vivid and chill bumps present, this is one to read with imagination and time to reflect the lessons within as well as revel in the kisses stolen. ( )