A Heart Most Certain

Author: Melissa Jagears
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance

Lydia King knows what it's like to be in need, so she joins the Teaville Moral Society hoping to help the town's poor. But with her father's debts increasing by the day and her mother growing sicker by the week, she wonders how long it will be until she ends up in the poorhouse herself. Her best chance at a financially secure future is to impress the politician courting her, and it certainly doesn't hurt that his mother is the moral society's president. Lydia's first task as a moral society member--to obtain a donation from Nicholas Lowe, the wealthiest man in town--seems easy . . . until the man flat-out refuses.

Despite appearances, Nicholas wants to help others but prefers to do it his own way, keeping his charity private. When Lydia proves persistent, they agree to a bargain, though Nicholas has a few surprises up his sleeve. Neither foresees the harrowing complications that will arise from working together, and when town secrets are brought to light, this unlikely pair must decide where their beliefs--and hearts--truly align.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

A Heart Most Certain by Melissa Jagears was a delightful book that proved not everything is as it seems. Even though this book is set in 1905 it goes a long way in showing today's Christians what true ministry should look like in this day and age.

Lydia King, is a member of the Teaville Moral Society. The name says it all - these ladies clearly think they are the example that everyone in the town should strive to be like. Their forays into the seedy parts of town to sing about sin and redemption are, quite naturally, met with disdain because while they flaunt their self-righteousness, they do little to help those in need. Nicholas Lowe, one of the richest men in town, finds the people of his church to be hypocritical snobs and to Lydia he seems miserly, because he won't donate to the church or help the poor. She bases her opinions on what she sees, but what she doesn't see is what Nicholas is really doing to help the less fortunate in the city. As Nicholas takes her under his wing to show her what true Christianity is all about, Lydia must make a decision to follow his lead, or remain safe in her own little world where those the Moral Society "claim" they want to help are ignored for the sake of propriety.

This is an engaging, thought-provoking book dealing with issues most churches today seem to ignore, like prostitution and hypocritical church members who say all the right things but don't want to get their hands dirty. Making judgments without getting all the facts is another reason this book is so engaging. We deal with these types of judgmental people all the time but rarely do we get to put them in their place like the characters in this book do. A very satisfying story with a wonderful ending. I look forward to more from this author.

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