A Man's Heart

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.