A Man's Heart

by Lori Copeland

Jules broke off her wedding to Cruz practically at the altar. Not just once, but twice. Now the man Jules loves best can't stand the sight of her.Only for Pop could Jules have made such a sacrifice. And now Pop is gone, leaving Jules with his struggling Washington State potato farm; with a sister excluded from his will; and with a heart wounded by the sacrifice she has made on behalf of her father.It looks like strengthening her relationship with her sister and improving the prospects of the Blue Bayou farm will be Jules' chief concerns. But when cancer takes the life of her best friend, Jules finds herself caring for her friend's two small children as well as the Blue Bayou.A drought-stricken farm. A promise to a dead friend and two needy little lives. And disturbing memories stirring up a growing relationship with her sister. How can one woman handle it all?The answer lies with a God who holds the keys to yesterday, today, and tomorrow―and to the heart of the one man whom Jules could ever love.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Fiction, Christian Romance, Inspirational

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 20, 2010

About the author

Lori Copeland was born on 12 June 1941. She had a relatively late start in writing, breaking into publishing in 1982 when she was already forty years old. Over the next dozen years, her romance novels achieved much success, as was evidenced by her winning the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and Walden Books' Best Seller award. She has been inducted into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame.

Despite her success in more mainstream romantic fiction, in 1995, she decided to switch focus. Her subsequent books have been in the relatively new subgenre of Christian romance. She has also collaborated with authors Angela Elwell Hunt or Virginia Smith on a series of Christian romance novels.

Lori and her husband of over forty years, Lance, live in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by the beautiful Ozarks. They have three grown sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. She and her husband are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.

Reviews

[Deloneva · Rating 1 out of 5]

How did this ever get published? Between the contradictions, the unlikeable characters, and the ridiculous ending that leaves you hanging, it should have immediately been pushed into the reject pile, followed by the trashcan. I’ve never before read a book that made me say, “This is terrible” in the beginning, middle, and end and I’m not sure why I wasted my time finishing it.

[Maggie Shanley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This sad book pretty much went in a straight line. Jules postpones wedding Cruz twice, tries to move on with her life and her college career. After the loss of her father she returns home and wants to rekindle things with Cruz but he has been twice bitten and not interested but has never found someone else so of course they are perfect for each other.

[Lorraine Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Long, drawn out. Just left you asking yourself why you read this WHOLE book.

[Elohor Egbordi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars... I read it curled up on the floor, shaking because of the sound of gunshots. It was a welcome respite from the Nigerian government's obvious plan to kill us all. #EndSARS

[MC · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hesitant to read this book at first, I will admit, due to the rather cheesy title. I'm sorry to the author, who is enormously talented, but that is a horribly cheesy and trite choice of a title. If it is not her, but the publisher that chose the title, well, same thing to them.

So I was really very unsure of whether I wanted to read this book after all when I got it for review, but I decided that it was only right for me to read it and give an honest review. I can honestly say that I am glad that I did read it. It is not high literature, or the best reading ever. It is, however, a fairly good read.

The story starts out with a young couple breaking up. More to the point, the female protagonist, breaks up with her fiance. She tries to put it off as just taking time, but the boyfriend, Cruz, sees it for what it is, and breaks it off with her completely. The protagonist, Jules, then goes off to college to learn more about agriculture in order to help her father run the farm better.

Despite the heartache, things seem to be going tolerably well for her, when she gets a call that her father had an accident. She rushes home to find that he has died. Suddenly the farm is hers to run. Her sister, Crystal, comes into the picture, as she had lived in a separate state after her and Jules' parents divorced when they were young children. To top it all off, her best friend is dying from cancer and wants Jules to raise her children.

I don't want to spoil the story too much, but just to say that, yes, Jules and Cruz do get together, as do Crystal and a guy she meets, who shall remain unknown. The children as well, are okay in the end.

The book had some elements that I REALLY did not like much. There were improbable plot twists that made very little to no sense in that they were just random strokes of good fortune or bad fortune, in order to facilitate the plot. For that matter, the end of the story was greatly sped up. It seemed that the resolution came out of nowhere to resolve the plot. It was almost startling in how fast the denouement came.

That said, while the rushed resolution is greatly annoying, these twists are justified in that they *do* make sense in context. The story is supposed to be about God making things work out for the best, to turn the evil into good. He has Divine control, and that is what the author wanted to show. And historically, one of the twists does make sense with the generation and time of the character who influences Jules and Crystal.

The landscape and the science and farming techniques are meticulously laid out, and it is fairly obvious that whether from personal experience, or some serious effort into research, that the author does know what she is talking about. The descriptions and language were vivid, and really kept the story up, even at points where it otherwise may have lagged.

The positives that I have discussed can not *quite* make up for the negatives. This is why, even though I really enjoyed the book, and do recommend it, I can not give it as high a rating as I normally would like to give it. Despite this, it is a fun read, with a good lesson that is not overly obvious and in your face, and well-researched. I suggest you give it a try.

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I received this novel for free from Zondervan. I am obligated to read it and give a review of it. Zondervan emphasizes their desire for honest reviews, whether positive or negative, in order to help them create a better product. The opinions above are my honest viewpoint. I want to thank Zondervan for allowing me to review this book, and thank you all for reading this.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rarely read contemporary fiction, but loved Copeland's Sisters of Mercy Flats so much I made an exception. Cancer, car accidents, hospitals--that's real life, but I read to escape. Plus in all honesty, Crystal and Adan made a cuter couple and seemed more ready to be parents.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: A MAN’S HEART
Author: Lori Copeland
Publisher: Zondervan
November 2010
ISBN: 978-0-310-28985-2
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary romance

Jules Matias jilted Cruz Delgado twice—both times hours before the ceremony. The last time, Cruz declared himself finished. If she put education in front of him—twice—for eight years of college, he wasn’t waiting any more. Now Jules is getting ready to graduate—again, but her father is involved in a farming accident. Unfortunately, he doesn’t survive.

Jules goes home for the funeral, and her sister, Crystal, arrives—late for the funeral. Afterwards they go to visit Jules’ best friend, Sophie—Cruz’s sister. Sophie had a doctor’s appointment for a checkup and she’s receives the bad news that she has cancer. On the day of her surgery, Jules goes back to the city to graduate college, and to close out her apartment, further alienating herself from Cruz.

While Sophie is getting cancer treatments, Crystal and Jules’ need to help Cruz and their other brother, Adan, care for Sophie’s two young children. When even worse news comes, Jules struggles with God and his ability to unlock the puzzles of the past, the present, and the future.

Lori Copeland is an award winning author, but A MAN’S HEART doesn't fully represent that. A struggling draught-stricken farm, estranged family and friends, and a fatal disease adds up to instant conflict. I struggled to read parts of it. Death is not something I enjoy reading about and there are two in the beginning of the book.

Jules is a realistic heroine, though at times I couldn’t understand her choices—and definitely didn’t agree with all of them. Cruz is a typical male, struggling to make sense of senseless situations—especially those decisions made by females that he had no hope of understanding. A MAN’S HEART might be a book to consider if you are looking for a good contemporary romance. $13.99. 318 pages.

[Chickadee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lori Copeland, best known for her Christian fiction romance, has penned yet another gem in A Man’s Heart.


I loved this book from start to finish and if there were not so many great titles from Lori to choose from – I might have chosen this title as my favorite of hers.


This book did not end the way I expected and even when I thought I had the plot figured out, Lori kept the anticipation and suspense going. I think one of the marks of a great author is the ability to keep the reader guessing and Lori definitely accomplished that in this title.


This book has many wonderful characters but centers around Jules Matias and Cruz Delgado. They are crazy in love, yet haven’t spoken or seen each other in the last four years since Jules backed out of their wedding for the second time. According to Cruz, it would be the last time she jilted him at the altar. Unforeseen circumstances and tragedy have them crossing paths again and both are determined not to let their guard down or their true feelings show.


As the story plays out, Jules and Cruz fluctuate between hostility and anger towards each other to giving into the heady emotions that led them to fall in love in the first place. While everyone around them can clearly see they are made for each other, they keep up their stubborn stand off and nearly drive each other crazy in the process. By the time Jules figures out that she can’t live without Cruz, its “too little too late” as far as he’s concerned.


This is a wonderful story full of emotion and sincerity; the characters are authentic and easy to identify with. Every time I pick up a book by Lori Copeland I know I am going to enjoy it, and A Man’s Heart definitely made for a pleasurable read.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MAN'S HEART by Lori Copeland is a tear-jerker inspirational romance set in modern-day Washington State. It is well written with a depth plot and wonderful characters. It has romance, love, faith,past hurts, second chances,children, death, secrets, family, survival, friends, promises, potato farm life,redemption, forgiveness,coming to terms with the past and creating a future. This story will tear your heart out from the beginning to end. The hero, Cruz, is handsome, practical, hard-working, determined,owns a failing potato farm, been jilted by Jules,his ex-fiance not once but twice and will always love her. The heroine, Jules, is tough, just lost her Dad, wants to create "the perfect potato", choses her Dad over Cruz not once but twice, she has a fear of commitment, and loses her best friend to cancer. Cruz's sister is Jules best friend,learns she has cancer, and makes Jules promise her to take care of her two small children. Jules and Cruz find themselves together over and over due to the children. Jules learns a family secret from her sister.Through, their faith in God, hard work,determination and a willingness to change and to forward they will learn their true love can last. BEWARNED! You will need a box of tissues! One man,one woman,one promise and one last chance. I would highly recommend this book especially if you enjoy human nature, God's forever love, power of true love, families coming together and family relationships. This book was received for review from Library Thing and details can be found at Zondervan(http://zndr.vn/fmqFOj)and My Book Addiction and More.

[Lillian Slater · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of loss and sorrow that beautifully introduces love, friendship and -- humor!

[Michele Minor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jules has called off her engagement twice for Cruz, the second time was so that she could go to school in order to learn better methods of potato farming in order to help at her father’s farm. When she comes back to town after her father’s death and her graduation from college Cruz is still single though he doesn’t trust her. Jules hasn’t seen any good examples of marriage with her parents divorcing at a young age. Also her best friend Sophie had gone through two bad marriages with a child from each one. When Sophie dies from cancer Jules takes in her two young children until she feels that Cruz and his brother, Adan are capable to care for them. This act does bring Jules in contact with Cruz again. Jules showed real concern in wanting to make sure who she wanted to marry before she did, she didn’t want to make the same mistakes that Sophie or her parents made. She does learn a family secret from her sister Crystal which causes her to understand her parent’s divorce better. This story is representative of the people in a small town those who rely on their faith to help them get through the hard times and those who marry and divorce multiple times.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jules broke off her wedding to Cruz practically at the altar. Not just once, but twice. Now the man Jules loves best can't stand the sight of her. Only for Pop could Jules have made such a sacrifice. And now Pop is gone, leaving Jules with his struggling Washington State potato farm; with a sister excluded from his will; and with a heart wounded by the sacrifice she has made on behalf of her father. It looks like strengthening her relationship with her sister and improving the prospects of the Blue Bayou farm will be Jules' chief concerns. But when cancer takes the life of her best friend, Jules finds herself caring for her friend's two small children as well as the Blue Bayou. A drought-stricken farm. A promise to a dead friend and two needy little lives. And disturbing memories stirring up a growing relationship with her sister. How can one woman handle it all? The answer lies with a God who holds the keys to yesterday, today, and tomorrow and to the heart of the one man whom Jules could ever love."

Cruz is a hardhead, but justified in his mistrust. Jules is easily influenced by others and afraid of commitment. Leaves room for a second book.

[Adrienne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jules Matias has broken her engagement to Cruz Delgado not once but twice. After the second time, she heads off to college, determined to create the perfect potato in order to help her father, a potato farmer, improve his financial standing. Just as she's about to graduate, however, her father dies, drawing her back home. With her estranged sister in town and her broken relationship with Cruz, things are already spinning out of control. However, they take a turn for the worst when her best friend Sophie--who happens to be Cruz's sister--is diagnosed with cancer. Jules and Cruz are thrown together as they try to care for Sophie's two children.

There was a lot going on in this book--perhaps too much. Some readers might enjoy the themes of love and forgiveness, but at the same time, the lack of real character development might alienate others. I found it difficult to really get into the story and care about the characters; nothing really kept my attention or made me want to keep reading.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book, otherwise I might not have read it. The cover looks cheesy and so is the title. Also, just have to mention that the main character, Jules, has short dark hair in the book...yet the cover has her with long hair. Kind of a stupid error.

Anyway, the writing was okay, but the plot was kind of lame. I couldn't really buy why Jules left Cruz at the beginning of the book. When the main character does something that doesn't make sense to the reader, it sort of throws off the rest of the story. So the whole problem they have to overcome seems trivial.

That being said, it was still an okay read, with some Christianity thrown in (quite a bit). I read it quickly because I wanted a break from my to-do list, not because it was something I couldn't put down.

[CharleeMoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Man’s Heart is about the on again off again relationship of Jules and Cruz. Both of them are potato farmers, Jules however goes off to college to learn more about the trade. More then that, since her parents had a disastrous, she also uses college as a way to run from her relationship with Cruz, who wants to marry her. Since she jilts him twice, he tells her that its over and she goes off to college not returning for years later when her father dies.
This story was beautifully written, and the characters were lovely. The only thing I didn’t really like about it was the little plots in it that were addressed, like it would have been nice if Cruz had found out about the bull accident. Because the cover story just wasn’t believable in my opinion. But still excellent book!

[Faith · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was disappointing. I was hoping it would be a fun, good Christian romance book. And it was in its own way. The writing was decent, but not spectacular. The plot was pretty predictable. The only reason I listened to the whole thing was for something to listen to while I sewed and to find out how Jules and Cruz finally put aside their differences. Jules and Crystal are supposed to be upstanding Christian women, but they will do almost anything to get their man, including dressing immodestly.

Being a Christian book, I expected there to be some Christian references, but even I, as a Christian felt like the author was trying too hard to make it sound Christian. Too many times, it sounded forced or insincere.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book from Library Thing. I have read a couple of Lori Copeland's book and enjoyed them.

A Man's Heart is about potato farmers in Washington State. Jules and Cruz have a on again and off again relationship. She left him again to go to school to see if she could grow the "perfect potato".

Cruz was hurt and told Jules he would not wait for her again. While Jules was still away her father passed, so she headed home.

After all the waiting now Jules was ready to marry Cruz. But is he ready for her? There is so much going on that you will have to keep up.


This book was sent to me by Zondervan publishers for my review.
http://zndr.vn/fmqF0j

[Dorry Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jules had a hard time making the commitment to marry. She left Cruz 2 times just about at the altar. After 4 years she is finally realizing what she has lost. Her Dad dies, she is left with the family farm & potatoes to grow, then her best friend dies. Two children are inolved and Jules hardly knows which way to turn. There was enough going to keep you interested but it drug on a little too long for me.

[Janie · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off I had no idea this was a Christian romance. As I'm agnostic I don't think I would have necessarily picked this book but somehow I did and even though it did talk about their faith and religion throughout the entire book, it was really good. I cried for so much of this book it was ridiculous. Great love story.

[Karen Baney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life seems to go from bad to worse for Jules. After several losses, she struggles to find her way in life and in relationships.

This book was light on both the romance and the Christian message, but it was a very satisfying read.

[Hannah Ackerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and cute. Each character has an important role that I loved - many people pass away in this book and there are some tragic back stories that all tie into a beautiful ending filled with plenty of answers.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jules is a twit. Also very arrogant, stubborn and not nice. She does realize a few things about herself as the story goes on. It's not that good of a story. Too many contrived happenings. Waco doesn't have that much of an airport.

[Sue King · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like the main characters they were too angry.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story with its humor and its serious side. The dynamics in the family, between friends and neighbors, etc. was very interesting and made for a heartwarming story.

[Janis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, but predictable story. Lots about religion in this book. Good way to while away a few hours.

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice love story. The characters are bitter and they evolve quite a bit. It was an okay for Lori Copeland.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book could have been so much better, but the writing was clunky and wooden.

[Gloria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a simple peaceful read. Seems it's what I need right now to get to sleep!

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

a cute read, but not one I will read again.