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16 August 2016

Noela reviews A HEART MOST CERTAIN by Melissa Jagears

A Heart Most Certain

A Heart Most Certain (Teaville Moral Society Book #1)
Bethany House Publishers (2 August 2016)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow
5 Stars *****


A Heart Most Certain’ is a richly rewarding story that will deeply challenge you, inspire you, bless you, and make you late for absolutely everything until you reach the last page. Of that, I am most certain!

Lydia King’s heart is in the right place. She faithfully goes to church and is a part of the Moral Society ladies group who protest against prostitutes and raise money for different church projects. When Lydia is challenged by the society’s president Mrs. Little, to garner a donation from the town’s wealthy miser Nicholas Lowe, she determines to succeed where others have failed. Lydia feels she must impress Mrs Little if she is to have a chance to marry her son, the politician. Securing marriage to the well-off Sebastian Little would ensure she wouldn’t end up in the poor house and that her ailing mother will be taken care of. 

When Nicholas is pestered by Lydia for a donation and won’t take no for an answer, he proposes a bargain she can’t refuse. Their pact has more than a few surprises in store for Lydia as she is challenged in everything she has ever believed in. She will be tested spiritually, ethically, and emotionally. Nicholas, a man of many layers and secrets, sought to show Lydia a thing or two, but learns a few things himself when his whole life turns upside down along with Lydia’s.

Often we need to take the time to look below the surface and not take everything we see and hear at face value. These wonderfully genuine characters discover this for themselves through their experiences—sometimes to their delight, and other times to their sorrow. The wealth of spiritual encouragement within the novel includes motivating messages of ‘Who else will do it if you and I don’t?’, choosing God’s favor over man, and enlightening illustrations of hypocrisy. Infused with a double helping of romance, drama, and humor, I give ‘A Heart Most Certain’ a most emphatic ‘Highly Recommended’!!

*Thank you to the author for providing a copy of 'A Heart Most Certain' in exchange for my honest opinion.
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You can find this wonderful book for purchase at these places: AMAZON; CBD; B&N; BAM

GIVEAWAY: Melissa Jagears is generously offering a PAPERBACK copy of 'A Heart Most Certain' to one blessed commenter. USA only. 
*To be eligible, please leave your email address for contact purposes should you win. Using (at) and (dot) will protect you against spammers.


78 comments:

  1. Really would love to have this book to read! Excellent review! Nancycooks4u(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. It's a terrific story, Nancy, I wish I had time to read it again! :) Thanks!

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  2. This sounds great, Noela. Thank you for the chance. Praying you have a blessed and happy day.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Lucy, it truly is a wonderful story and I really hope you get a chance to read it sometime, too! Bless you, and thanks!!

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  3. This sounds like a wonderful story. Love the cover. :) Thanks so much for the review. Thanks also for the opportunity to win. Have a blessed week! klange61AThotmailDOTcom

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    1. Oh I agree Karen, it is such a gorgeous cover! So glad you came by to read about Melissa's beautiful story and I so hope you get read it soon. All the best and God bless!!

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  4. I love a book that will get me so involved I never want to leave it..an this sounds like the one. The cover is stunning. carlaganell(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. They're the best sort, aren't they Carla! Hoping you get to indulge in it soon!!

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  5. Love Melissa's books and can't wait to read "A Heart Most Certain"! Thanks for the give-away.

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    1. It is such a good read, Grams, as are all of Melissa's books!! All the best with your entry, Grams. Oh, if you come back we'll need your email in case you're the winner.

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  6. This is a book that I definitely want to read! It would be wonderful to win a copy!
    rmaney(at)firstarpchurch(dot) org.

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    1. And I wish you all the best to that end, Rebecca! It's definitely a book for the keeper shelf. :)

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  7. I would really like to win!

    Charis Z.
    gracelz1(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Understandable, Charis, and so now you're in the draw to hopefully win a copy! Either way, I hope you get to read it soon!

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  8. What a sublime review, NOELA! I think there are some unanswered questions I NEED to find the answers to. Why do you do this to me? LOL You know my TBR is taking over my whole house! hehe Love the gorgeous cover, too!

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    1. Haha thanks Diana! There's always room in those TBR piles for great books like this one... Plus you NEED to find out those answers! ;)

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  9. What a raving review. Definitely sounds like my kind of read! Thanks for sharing, Noela.

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    1. Hi Crystal, great to see you here, and thanks for your comment! Totally my pleasure to share! :)

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    2. Just realized I forgot to leave my email. Hope it's not too late. :-)
      booksbybarnes@gmail[dot]com.
      Thanks again. :-)

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  10. I have been wanting Melissa's new book desperately, thank you for the chance to win a copy!

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. Our pleasure, Wendy! I really hope you get to read this wonderful book!!

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  11. Noela,wonderful review--as always! I love the themes and can't resist a book that has humor! The book sounds like a must read.

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    1. Hi Margaret, always so lovely to see you here! I think of you often my sweet friend. Yep, I reckon you'd love this one, Margaret! A bit of everything in it, which all comes together perfectly!

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  12. This book sounds like one that I would love to read. I like how the faith message is weaved into the book.
    Melissa is a new author to me.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Maryann

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    1. Oh I'm so glad you came by then, Maryann! Melissa Jagears is a wonderful author, I LOVE all her books, and I'm sure you will too!! All the best!

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  13. Wonderful review Noela!
    Congratulations Melissa Jagears on your book A Heart Most Certain, a fantastic book.
    I read it and loved it. Like you Noela, several phrases popped out at me, one being, "choosing God’s favor over man".
    Blessings,Tina
    ...I am not entering the contest, I have the book...

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    1. Thank you SO much for stopping by to share, Tina!! Don't you just love a book that not only delivers a wonderful story but also shares such significant messages, too!

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  14. Noela, thanks for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed it. **Ps. Sorry about making you late for everything....well, I'm only sort of sorry since it makes me smile.**

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    1. You're welcome Melissa, and thanks! Even for making me late, haha. It was worth it! ;)

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  15. Lovely review, as always!!!!! I adore Melissa, she is so talented! Can't wait to get my hands on this book!! <3 Thank you, Noela!

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    1. Aww thank you Amber!!! She certainly is talented, as are you my friend!! Thanks so much for popping in! :-)

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  16. Noella, thank you for your wonderful review! What a beautiful cover!

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    1. Isn't it gorgeous, Melanie!! Thanks for your kind words, and all the best!!

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  17. Noella, thank you for your wonderful review! What a beautiful cover!

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  18. Thanks for the review and giveaway! I would love to read this great sounding book!
    jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

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    1. Our pleasure, Jackie! And we hope you get to read this amazing book too!! So worth it.

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  19. Thanks Noela for this review! I've never read any of Melissa Jagears books and this looks like a great one to start with,sounds like a wonderful,touching story! Looking forward Melissa to reading your lovely book lynnefeuerstein(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Oh YES Lynne, it would be a wonderful one to begin with. You'll be grabbing all of her others after you read this one for sure!! :) Thanks, Lynne!

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  20. What a storyline! Having to pretend you're someone you're really not.... hope to read it!

    missionwife AT hotmail DOT com

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    1. It's probably a little bit more like, keeping some things on the quiet... lol. And being misjudged terribly for it. You'll love this one, Melody!!

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  21. What an exciting book. Thanks for the giveaway.
    MarilynDKC[at[AOL[dot]com

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  22. What a lovely cover for a lovely book. Thank you for the giveaway.
    JoanEC128[at]AOL[dot]com

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    1. It certainly is, Joan! All the best in the giveaway!!

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  23. Please don't enter me in the drawing for a free book. I bought one Saturday at a book signing and got it signed by Melissa. It was so fun to meet her. I'm a little more than half way through the book; it is excellent. This is Christian historical romance at it's best.

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    1. Oh how blessed you are, I would have loved that! It surely is Christian historical romance at its best. And I wished I'd used that line in my review, lol! Thanks for coming by to share your endorsement, Pam!

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  24. Thank you for this generous giveaway for this nice and interesting giveaway.
    MarionMPC[at]AOL[dot]com

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    1. Thanks to Melissa for the giveaway, and thank you for coming by Marion! Blessings!

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  25. What a nice review for a good book. I truly enjoyed it as well. If you read this one and enjoy it, I recommend you check out her other books.

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    1. Really appreciate you coming by to share, Mardell! Thank you!!

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  26. Beautiful cover and a great review for A Heart Most Certain. Thank you for the opportunity to win a couple. marilynridgway78[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Thank you for your comment, Marilyn, and all the best with your entry!

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  27. Would love to read this novel.
    I love the cover!!

    Thanks for the giveaway :)

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    1. forgot to leave my e-mail:
      moma3homeschool (at) gmail (dot) com

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    2. I hope you get that chance, Michelle! Yes, the cover is beautiful, as is the story also! :-)

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  28. I've been waiting patiently for Melissa Jagear's new release and thrilled to see a 5 stare review. Congrats to Melissa on her new release and all of the fabulous initial reviews! tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Hope you get to read Melissa's 5-star book soon, Terrill!! :)

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  29. NOELA, your review is exquisite! MELISSA, congratulations on your release! The cover is GORGEOUS!!
    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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    1. Caryl, you are such a blessing! Thanks! :) I hope you have a terrific day, and I wish you all the best with your entry!!

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  30. Thank you for a beautiful review, Noela! A Heart Most Certain sounds like an amazing book, and I love stories that go "beyond the surface." alexaverde7(at)gmail(dot)com.

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    1. Thank you so much, Alexa, and yes this one goes deep into the spirit for sure. Challenging and inspiring! Hope you get to read it!

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  31. I liked your review Noela. This sounds like a neat story. Thanks for the review and giveaway!
    momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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    1. It is such a great story, Loraine! Thanks so much for your comments!

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  32. This sounds like fun! I'm in love with that fabulous cover!! So definitely count me in on the giveaway! Thanks!! I miss dropping in here, but after August, you'll see me more often! =)
    Annie
    justcommonlyATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Yayy, looking forward to seeing you more Annie, I've missed you too!! Here's hoping you can hold that fabulous cover in your hands one day! :)

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  33. Wonderful review, Noela - thank you!! And congrats to Melissa on another beautiful story and book cover - I have the pleasure and honor of reading 'A Heart Most Certain' now. It's a winner!!

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    1. It sure is a winner, Bonnie, I'm thrilled you have the opportunity to read it!! Thanks!

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  34. This book, A Heat Most Certain, captivated me from the first time I saw it. What a beautiful cover! I love the twists of the storyline, and the layers you spoke of in each character. Often I have found, if you show some grace and peel back the layers, there often is a wonderful person inside :) I can't wait to read this book!!! Thanks for a wonderful review, Noela! You have me waiting in anticipated suspense to delve into this story :) ~Alison

    nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Oops! Sorry for the spelling error on the title: A 'Heart' Most Certain. Yikes! Should have done a better job of proof-reading before I submitted this :/

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    2. I love your comment Alison... so thoughtful and insightful! How right you are about the many layers that can cover the real person inside, and grace sometimes is a necessary tool to reach the beauty within.
      I really hope you can jump into this beautiful story soon!!

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  35. This book sounds like an inspiring read and a wonderful story. Looking forward to reading. I really like reading this type of book.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. There is definitely a lot to love about this book, Dianne! All the best with your entry, I hope you get to read A Heart Most Certain soon!

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  36. I really want to read this book but things have gotten rather wonky lately. May get started on it today since it doesn't look like there is an audiobook. Thanks for the great review, Aussie Angel!!!

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    1. Wonky and very busy! ;) Carrie, you need a great book to relax and be inspired with, and this would be that! Thanks heaps, Carrie!! x

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  37. This sounds like a good start to a new series!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. I know! I can hardly wait to read the next, Patty!!

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  38. I've never read any of Melissa's books, but this one sounds so intriguing, and the cover art is gorgeous! I love that dress! mylittlebirdie (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. Oh I sure hope you get a chance to read this one, Karen!! You'll love Melissa's stories!

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