Heart of Stone: A Novel (Irish Angel, #1)

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Heart of Stone: A Novel (Irish Angel #1)

by Jill Marie Landis (Goodreads Author)

3.82 of 5 stars 3.82 · rating details · 727 ratings · 94 reviews

Finally free to pursue her dreams, Laura Foster is trying hard not to fall in love. She knows that the Reverend Brand McCormick’s reputation would be shattered if her former life is discovered. But it’s not only Laura’s history that threatens to bring Brand down—it’s his own.

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Published (first published February 5th 2010)

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Mar 12, 2010 Theresa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Older teens through adult

Shelves: review-copy, christian, historical-fiction, romance, series

Heart of Stone was a heartwarming read. Set in the 1870's in Texas, this novel had me under its spell from the first pages. The characters were proper and gentile, but still with the strength that you would expect from living it a tough time and place. I loved the main characters. Laura Foster was a hurt woman with a tarnished past, but she overcame it, and developed into a strong woman. Brand McCormick was the town preacher who had strong morals and a family. Both had strengths that were put to...more

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Jan 29, 2012 April rated it 2 of 5 stars

Free Kindle download. I actually really liked the story but felt conflicted about it being Christian fiction because essentially the heroine lies about who she is throughout much of the story; the hero has something to hide about his past, too, and what makes these lies hard to take is their so-called respectability in their community. He's a reverend, and she's a well-respected "widow" with a spotless reputation.

Normally, I'd be fine with that set up — it makes for a good story. The heroine sta...more Free Kindle download. I actually really liked the story but felt conflicted about it being Christian fiction because essentially the heroine lies about who she is throughout much of the story; the hero has something to hide about his past, too, and what makes these lies hard to take is their so-called respectability in their community. He's a reverend, and she's a well-respected "widow" with a spotless reputation.

Normally, I'd be fine with that set up — it makes for a good story. The heroine starting anew and trying to overcome her awful past, and the hero turning over a new leaf. That's fine. Even their hiding their past — that's fine, too. But it bothers me if the characters are Christian, and the genre is Christian fiction because then the word that comes to mind is Hypocrite. Sure, I understand the concept of turning over a new leaf, and I understand that people who have led bad lives or made bad choices may one day be "born again" and adopt Christianity, but for goodness sake be open about it and don't preach to or judge other people as if you've always been good.

There was especially no need for the heroine to hide her past because she was a victim — sold to a brothel by her own father. Who in the world could condemn you for that? Most people would feel sympathy and outrage on your behalf. And then for her to do everything she could to escape that life? Also admirable. But Christian or not, I would be open about who I was anyway because it takes power away from people looking to blackmail you.

So when the heroine's old partner ends up on her doorstep and threatens to out her to the town, I don't understand her leaving the town. Don't give in to the blackmail. Out yourself, then out the blackmailer. Meet the problem, the threat head on. Don't run away like a coward. If the town turns on you then, then consider leaving, but not before then.

Needless to say, I wasn't pleased with some of the characters' choices and couldn't really respect them as a result. They do come out in the open in the end, but it was so long after the fact, after it was far too late for them to have much of a choice anyway, that it didn't really matter to me.(less)

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Feb 21, 2011 June rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: jill-marie-landis, american-western-romance

I loved, loved, loved this book. It was a sweet story of redemption, forgiveness and unconditional love.

Lovie has recently landed in New Orleans with her parents and 3 sisters. They have come all the way from Ireland. The only person they know is their father's brother and his wife and 2 kids, but their uncle is lazy and not an honorzlbe man like their father. When Lovie's parents die their uncle sells the 2 oldest girls Lovie 11, and Meaghan 9 to a brothel. The minute they are taken in the brot...more

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Dec 30, 2010 Cafelilybookreviews rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Book One in the Irish Angels Series, Heart of Stone transports readers back to the 1800’s where eleven-year-old Lovie Lane is sold to a brothel by her cruel Uncle Tim.

Orphaned by their parents who came to America following the blight in Ireland, Lovie and her sisters are betrayed by the family who promised to protect them. Innocence ruined, as she grows up in the brothel Lovie becomes a determined young woman who plots her escape from the life she detests.

Fast forwarding several years, as an a...more

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Mar 24, 2010 Katie(babs) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The widow Laura Foster has made a place for herself in Glory, Texas as a respected member of this Christian community where she owns a boarding house that only caters to women and families. That would all change in an instant if her neighbors knew who the real Laura Foster was. Laura is not her real name, it's Lovie Lane, former New Orleans prostitute who was sold into sexual slavery along with her younger sister Megan, who was nine at the time. The Lane sisters, along with their two younger sib...more The widow Laura Foster has made a place for herself in Glory, Texas as a respected member of this Christian community where she owns a boarding house that only caters to women and families. That would all change in an instant if her neighbors knew who the real Laura Foster was. Laura is not her real name, it's Lovie Lane, former New Orleans prostitute who was sold into sexual slavery along with her younger sister Megan, who was nine at the time. The Lane sisters, along with their two younger siblings, who were sent to an orphanage because their uncle and aunt couldn't afford to keep them, have been separated for over twenty years. Laura is haunted every day because she couldn't save her sisters, especially Megan. She was able to escape and make a life for herself and searches for her sisters so they can be reunited.

Laura pretty much keeps to herself but has a small group of friends, mainly Amelia Hawthorne who recently married the owner of the town paper. While Laura is shopping at the mercantile, she witnesses a father hitting his daughter. Laura can't stand abuse of any kind, especially of a child, and stops the man. Before the man can turn his rage on her, Reverend Brand McCormick, the minister of Glory's only church comes to her aid. Laura thanks the reverend, although she feels she could have handled herself. She expects Brand to go on his merry way, but he offers to walk her home. Laura is flustered because she doesn't want the attentions of any man, including a man of God such as Brand.

Brand can't understand why Laura is so skittish around him, but he's enamored with the widow and will try his very best in courting her. Brand is also a widow with two young children, his daughter Janie and son Sam. Brand is a bit sneaky and uses his adorable, but at times wild children to get on Laura's good side. She seems to have a weakness when it comes to them and soon Brand and his two offspring are inviting Laura to church events and socials. Laura makes excuses, but Brand is too insistent. Laura makes certain to set boundaries between her and the charming and handsome reverend. The town gossips think Laura would make a great wife for Brand, and he believes the same. He believes with a bit of hope and God on his side, as well as treating Laura with respect, she'll come around to his way of thinking.

But Laura's past, as well as Brand's catches up to them. Brand is confronted by the son he never knew about, and a man Laura was involved with years before wants to build his roots in Glory. He also wants Laura to become his partner in a new venture and is not above using blackmail. Laura feels all hope is lost and wants to run away and disappear again but Brand won't let her. He wants her by his side and won't let her leave him even as he must come to terms with his own faith and of Laura's that has been missing for so long.

Heart of Stone is the first book in Jill Marie Landis' Irish Angel Series. This is an inspirational Western romance set in the mid 1870's that has a lovely subtle romance between a fallen woman and a man who looks to God and his faith for living the right way of life. Readers who are wary of reading inspirational romance because they think the story will be too heavy on religious preaching and God and Jesus don't have to worry about that in Heart of Stone. Jill really incorporates faith and spiritualism very well within the story. The most important thing mentioned is the forgiving of one's self.

Laura's path for forgiveness is a long and hard one. It takes Brand to show her that she has nothing to be ashamed of. He's a great support and even when he has his own personal problems to deal with, he takes it all in stride. These two comfort and support one another as friends that eventually lead toward a tender romance between the two.

The first chapter is a very emotional and because of that I was hooked and needed to know what happens to the Lane sisters. It's so heartbreaking what occurs to Laura and Megan, knowing that these girls who are barely in their teens will be forced to give up their innocence because of greed.

There are a few kissing scenes and Laura's past is mentioned in a very mature and adult way. Heart of Stone is a recommend read for adults as well as older teens. Jill Marie Landis has a great skill at writing Western Romances, so those who feel the need for a nice frontier story should pick up Heart of Stone.(less)

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Mar 03, 2010 Cherise rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-or-review-copy, historical-romance

3.5 stars

When the Potato Famine hit Ireland, Laura Foster came to New Orleans with her family to find a better life. What they found was more poverty. When her parents died shortly after, Laura and her 3 sisters were divided up by her uncle, the two youngest were sent to an orphanage, Laura and her sister Megan were sold elsewhere.

Years later Laura has invented a new life, name and history and is living in Texas as a successful business owner and widow. When Reverend Brand McCormick begins court...more

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Apr 30, 2010 Zette rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I enjoyed this story of a former prostitute pulling herself out of that lifestyle and trying to make an honest living by herself. Jill Marie Landis has a comfortable reading style and makes it easy to get to know the characters and see their personalities. The only disappointment I had was the curse word that was added to the dialogue of the villain. Yes, I'm being picky since it was mild (the "d" word) but I don't want Christian publishers to start down this slippery slope. They allowed one in...more

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Mar 23, 2010 Molly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: everyone; historical lovers

Recommended to Molly by: CFBA

Shelves: book-review

This book was a sweet historical start of a wonderful new series! Jill Marie Landis has a new reader. I love her style of writing and the inspiration through out her book enough that I can't wait to read more from her!

This story is full of everything from inspiration, to suspense to romance. The characters are created magnificently to flow wonderfully with the plot, set in Texas during the Civil War era. There is heartache and there is happiness... a perfect blend of both that will keep you tur...more

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Jun 10, 2013 Pamela Barrett rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle

This novel begins in New Orleans, where four little girls have lost their parents. Their mom and dad died after immigrating to America from Ireland, leaving the orphaned girls to live with their only relatives; an aunt and uncle. In an unthinkable act of selfishness, the uncle separates the girls, selling the 2 oldest, and putting the 2 youngest into an orphanage. Years later, the oldest, now known as the widow Mrs. Laura Foster, has started her life over, as the owner of a respectable boarding...more

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Feb 16, 2011 Shari Larsen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This inspirational novel is set in the town of Glory, Texas, in the 1870's. Laura Foster (a.k.a Lovie Lane) is the wealthy owner of a refined boarding house. She has a past she is ashamed of and trying to hide. At the age of 11, she and her 3 sisters were taken in by an aunt and uncle after her parents died from yellow fever in New Orleans, and having too many mouths to feed, her uncle put her two youngest sisters in an orphanage, and sold Laura and her sister Megan to a brothel. Laura does ever...more

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Apr 04, 2010 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, amazon-vine, romance-christian, romance-historical

This is the first in the Irish Angel series by Jill Marie Landis. This is also the first book of hers that I have read. I do not expect it to be the last.

Laura Foster runs a boardinghouse in Glory, Texas. She masquerades as a widow to protect a past she wants to keep a secret. When the Reverend Brand McCormick begins calling on her, she is afraid that her facade will be broken and she will be forced to move on again.

When I first began reading the book, I was a little put out by Laura's attitud...more This is the first in the Irish Angel series by Jill Marie Landis. This is also the first book of hers that I have read. I do not expect it to be the last.

Laura Foster runs a boardinghouse in Glory, Texas. She masquerades as a widow to protect a past she wants to keep a secret. When the Reverend Brand McCormick begins calling on her, she is afraid that her facade will be broken and she will be forced to move on again.

When I first began reading the book, I was a little put out by Laura's attitude. She really did have a heart of stone. It actually took me quite a while to like her. Brand, on the other hand, was easy to like right from the start. He is kind and gentle and willing to love and accept people for who they are. Love and forgiveness is a mantra he repeats over and over. And not only that, but he lives by it as well. He is a good, strong, God-loving man. He admits to his own faults and asks for forgiveness as well as gives forgiveness to those around him.

I was about almost halfway through the book and thought to myself, "Is there really that much more story to go? It seems like it could end pretty quickly. There isn't much going on." It was only a few pages later that the story picked up and took me in a direction that I had not expected. It did not take me much longer to finish the book because I was more interested in the story.

This is most definitely a Christian romance, but in a subtle way. God's love and forgiveness is repeated just as much as our need to love and forgive. Laura is not familiar with God in her life, but throughout the story, she grows and changes and she sees that God is in her life, but there is no profound moment where she all of a sudden is a good church going woman. Everything is subtle. It was so enjoyable to read about a woman who does not think God is in her life, but in the end finds that maybe she has been His vessel for a long time without even knowing.

A wonderful book. I will be looking forward to reading about Laura's sister Megan next.

I received this book from Amazon Vine.(less)

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Mar 09, 2010 R.L. Syme rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: my-romance-faves, enduring-romance-reviews

This book was a great read. And this is the highest score I've ever given a Christian fiction book, except Redeeming Love. For all those readers out there who fell in love with Redeeming Love all those years ago and have been waiting for a book to come along that could compare to it, look no further. This is it. This book will have you laughing and crying. It will draw you into its story and suspend your disbelief completely. It will make you want to turn the page, every page, and it will touch...more

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Mar 30, 2011 Audrey rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The first of The Irish Angels Series by Jill Marie Landis, this catalyst novel launches the story of four orphaned Irish immigrants and the fate dealt to them. The oldest, Laura suffers a horrible hand when her stupid and greedy uncle sells her and her sister to a New Orleans brothel. Upon arrival, the sisters are separated and Laura becomes Lovie Lane, while she can only imagine the fate her sister suffers. Now older, Laura has saved up enough to escape from her sordid past and poses as the wea...more

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Feb 26, 2011 Dianna rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Loved this book. First time I read this author, but I've already bought Heart of Lies (#2 in Irish Angel series).

This is a story of love, forgiveness, caring and sharing.

Laura and her family moved from Ireland when she was 10 years old to the Irish Channel in New Orleans which was for the poor Irish. Shortly, after arrival both her parents died. She and her 3 sisters were taken in by an aunt and uncle who really could not afford to keep them. Two of the sisters were put into an orphanage. Laura...more

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Mar 29, 2010 Sophia (FV) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Heart of Stone is the first book in the Irish Angles Series set in 1870 Texas.

Laura Foster has come a long way from her days as a prostitute in a New Orleans brothel. As an orphan, she and her sister were sold to into prostitution by her their uncle when Laura was eleven years old. Now, she has left that world behind and as far as the people of Glory, Texas are concerned, she is a widow and owner of an upstanding boardinghouse catering exclusively to women and families only. She is very careful...more Heart of Stone is the first book in the Irish Angles Series set in 1870 Texas.

Laura Foster has come a long way from her days as a prostitute in a New Orleans brothel. As an orphan, she and her sister were sold to into prostitution by her their uncle when Laura was eleven years old. Now, she has left that world behind and as far as the people of Glory, Texas are concerned, she is a widow and owner of an upstanding boardinghouse catering exclusively to women and families only. She is very careful to maintain her standing as a respectable woman, in doing so has made herself quite distant emotionally to those around her. Although she prefers to avoid close friendships and relationships, she is still warm and personable.

When Laura unwittingly attracts the attention of Reverend Brand McCormick she knows she needs to discourage his attentions. However, finding herself uncharacteristically attracted to him, combined with and his determination to court her, she finds it difficult to deter the friendship. Although he seems a bit pushy at times, Brand thinks the world of Laura and treats her with a great deal of respect. His admiration and kindness toward her comes through quite genuinely and his behavior is endearing.

The past has a way of coming back to haunt those who wish to leave it behind and Laura and Brand are both confronted with ghosts from the past. Laura’s reaction is to run when a man from her past comes into her life but Brand will not have it. Both Brand and Laura must come to terms with their past and their own faith as their relationship develops.

My favorite character in Heart of Stone is Laura. Although she is excessively harsh with herself, it is perhaps understandable as she deals with the shame she feels as the eldest of four siblings as she has—in her eyes at least—failed to protect them. She lost touch with her siblings after she was sold as a prostitute but has never forgotten them. The constant worry she suffers hoping no one will ever find out about her past is crushing and she lives under a great deal of stress. She is a complex character and what I loved about her was her ultimate strength in character and ability to grow emotionally.

Heart of Stone is an inspirational historical romance. It is a story of love, faith and forgiveness, not just of others but of oneself. This is not necessarily a hero-to-the rescue type of story. Both Brand and Laura look to each other in love as well as their deepening faith as they work through their the issues they’re confronted with in their journey to love. (less)

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Mar 16, 2010 Kristina rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Alright people here we go: Normally I don't think of Romance and Christian Fiction being closely entwined. The author manages to do that and do it well in this book! I like the main character Laura...she was such a multi dimensional character who perseveres while trying to overcome her past. The love factor in this book is just good...there's no better way to put it. It's good and it's kind, and you just wanted to fall in love yourself. This book has you laughing at times and crying at others, a...more

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Jun 30, 2010 Nadia rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Heart of Stone was my first foray into the Christian Lit genre and I'm glad it was. The book was an easy read with solid writing and interesting characters. However, the story line seemed a bit cliched to me: woman with 'sordid' past meets man of cloth and must decide to follow her heart and tell him about her past or run away from him and her heart. It reminded me of what I think a romance novel would be like, but without all the sex scenes in it. As far as religion goes, the book was not stuff...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Mareena rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone who likes historical romance

Recommended to Mareena by: Jill Marie Landis

Laura Foster had escaped from an unspeakable childhood and come to Glory, Texas four years ago to start her life over. She had cultivated the persona of a wealthy widow to a tea, and had gained respectability and standing in the town. However, she realized that her past was just a step behind. When Reverend Brand McCormick comes calling on her, Laura does everything she can to dissuade his attentions, worried for his reputation. What she doesn't know is that Brand has his own dark secrets.When a...more

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Nov 03, 2011 Stephanie Heuerman rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Truth be told, I didn’t have high hopes for this book, but found myself pleasantly surprised anyway. Even though it was a Christian book, some of the subject matter was surprisingly heavy. I appreciated this as I find most Christian fiction that I’ve encountered to be sickeningly sweet. I did however find myself questioning the likelihood of one of the main characters being able to successfully exit the way of life she’d been forced into; and especially the degree of success she’d achieved upon...more

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Apr 01, 2011 Radella rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was a charming love story- Laura Foster has moved to Glory, Texas to escape a brutal past. She plays the role of the wealthy widow, running a proper boardinghouse. She hides her past, rebuffing Brand McCormick, the town's preacher, since she doesn't want to take him down when her past comes to light. Through many trials, their love blossoms and their faith and prayer helps them endure the hardships.
It is the sort of book that traps you. Even though you know the outcome is inevitable, you wa...more

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Feb 21, 2010 Colette rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: those who like inspirational romance

I received this book as an Advanced Review Copy, and thought I was getting a historical romance-it was a historical romance, but it's more in the genre of Christian Fiction. Once I got over the shock of this being an inspirational romance, I really liked the story. It was a sweet story with a good message-follow your heart, be willing to forgive those who have erred in their ways, and don't let others decide your fate for you. The characters were all likable, and the Reverends kids made me laugh...more

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Jul 22, 2010 Shanda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: for-review

Heart of Stone is the first book by Jill that I have read, and I’ll start my review by saying I plan to read two more of her novels set in Glory, TX: Homecoming and The Accidental Lawman. This review can also be found here: http://ldswbr.blogspot.com/2010/07/he...

The Review

Heart of Stone is the first volume in the Irish Angel series. I like the cover and the title is appropriate to the main character, Laura Foster, and the way she has learned to cope with her past experiences. Laura is not nece...more

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Feb 01, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Title: HEART OF STONE
Author: Jill Marie Landis
Publisher: Zondervan
February 2010
ISBN: 978-0-310-29369-9
Genre: Inspirational/historical

Laura Foster had an unspeakable childhood, one she has struggled to overcome. She now owns a beautiful, affluent boarding house in Glory, Texas, where she is known as a wealthy, respectable widow. But Laura is only one step ahead of her past.

Reverend Brand McCormick is the pastor in Glory. He has two young children from his first marriage, but his wife is deceased...more

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Aug 26, 2011 Rachel Thompson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical

Laura is an ex-prostitute, sold into that lifestyle after the death of her parents. Now she's rebuilding her life. She owns a respectable boardinghouse in Glory, Texas, and passes herself off as the Widow Foster, hoping no one discovers her secret. Brand is the local reverend, with two children and an unmarried sister to take care of. He has his own secrets to keep.

There's nothing really overly surprising here. It's a classic frontier romance, but the characters make the story great. I loved the...more

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Feb 21, 2011 MiriLou rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was a top-rated free book for my birthday present. It's a christian romance novel based on a woman who had a horrible childhood. Her parents died and her uncle sold her and her sister to a brothel and dumped her younger siblings in an orphanage. Later on she escapes that life to build a new one always in fear of having her past discovered and the handsome young preacher takes an interest in her. I don't always understand her actions and a couple of things seem pretty far fetched but overall...more

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Mar 06, 2011 glitrbug rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

I am dismayed that in this day and age people are still writing novels where an 11 year old who is sold to a bordello and raped is then in need of forgiveness. Lovie is beautiful and smart so she eventually saves enough money to earn her freedom and start over with a fancy bed and breakfast in another city. She lives in fear that someone will discover her past and of course someone does. She is forgiven for being a whore (unwillingly, as a child) because she has given the church new choir robes...more

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Mar 08, 2013 Makenzie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-book, 2013-read, historical-romance, texas, christian-fiction, 2013-challenge-reads

A beautiful story about a woman who had a tragic upbringing. While this book doesn't have the hot, steamy scenes of many romance novels, the story itself is very compelling and the characters are wonderful. My heart was constantly breaking when I thought about what Laura had experienced and lived through. While all of the secrets being kept can get frustrating at times, I can't say I would have done anything different in that situation. This is a great story proving that our past doesn't define...more

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Sep 21, 2012 Laura Heagy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a story of learning to live with one's past while choosing to move on to a future. It is a well written and interesting novel that keeps the reader's attention by adding elements of the unexpected every now and then. The characters are believable and down to earth, yet heroic in their own ways. This is the first book I have read by Jill Marie Landis, and I have to say I will choose her again. If you are a fan of Christian themed romantic novels with characters who have flaws yet are beli...more

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Nov 20, 2011 Beverly Frisby rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: all

This is book one of the "Irish Angels" series and was released in March 2010 by Zondervan.

Laura Foster had an unspeakable childhood in New Orleans shortly after the end of the Civil War, one she has struggled to overcome. She now runs a boarding house in Glory, Texas, where she is known as a wealthy, respectable widow. When the Reverend Brand McCormick begins calling on Laura, she fears that her past life will come to light and she will be forced to move on again.

Reverend Brand McCormick is th...more

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Aug 03, 2011 Katie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was pulled into this book from chapter one. After you meet Lovie and her three sisters - all recently orphaned and left in the care of their uncle - you are left reeling by the close of the chapter when all her three siblings are ripped away from her and she is left in New Orleans brothel. Some readers might be concerned, since she spends many of her years IN a brothel, how many `details' of her time spent there does the book include. I was very happy and content that it was kept to a minimal...more I was pulled into this book from chapter one. After you meet Lovie and her three sisters - all recently orphaned and left in the care of their uncle - you are left reeling by the close of the chapter when all her three siblings are ripped away from her and she is left in New Orleans brothel. Some readers might be concerned, since she spends many of her years IN a brothel, how many `details' of her time spent there does the book include. I was very happy and content that it was kept to a minimal and nothing overtly inappropriate was described. Only a few brief scenes occur when Lovie (known as Laura to the people of Glory) thinks back to her previous life.

After this first scene of introduction to Lovie, it skips 20 years ahead to the life that she has built for herself after getting out of the brothel. She is now known as Laura Foster and she runs a respectable boarding house in the small town of Glory, Texas. Far away from her former life, she hopes to remain known only as a respectable widow. She had achieved this goal and was well-known...until the town's widowed preacher began paying her special attention. And that's only the beginning of Laura's troubles.

I was easily pulled into the story, intrigued by Laura's current life and the many troubles that came her way as a result of her past life...a life she did had never wanted or chose. This fact was heartbreaking, even as I read of Laura's strength and acceptance of what she was now - she was prepared to spend the remainder of her days alone. She possessed such strength through her trials and even moreso after she came to realize and understand Christ's redeeming and cleansing grace.

Brand was a neat character. As he went about trying to win Laura's hand, I couldn't help but cheer him on. I didn't want to see him give up, and was pleased that he did not. Though there was one instance that I was slightly perturbed at Brand - how completely he wanted to stay away from violence. Not that I think men should be violent, but when a man is defending a woman's honor, I think he is justified to use whatever force and strength is necessary to keep her safe. But that simple what he believed.

As I already mentioned, the description and scenes of Laura's years in a brothel are not extensive and only brought up on occasion, when Laura has a flashback. Nothing else inappropriate, that I can remember. I thought, for the subject of this book (a former prostitute), Jill Marie handled everything extremely well.

This is the first book in the Irish Angel series. Jill Marie has done an outstanding job with this first installment, and I now look forward to reading the second book, Heart of Lies. This book takes right up right where Heart of Stone left off - a detective Laura hired to search for her siblings might just have found one of her sisters. Wow, what a way to end it. I highly recommend this entertaining and lovely book! (less)

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About Jill Marie Landis

JILL MARIE LANDIS is the bestselling author of over 28 nevels, which have appeared on the NYT bestseller list, USA Today and other national bestseller lists. She has won numerous awards for her heartfelt characters and sweeping emotional historical romances that include SUMMER MOON and MAGNOLIA CREEK and the Irish Angels Series; HEART OF STONE, HEART OF LIES, and HEART OF GLASS. She is currently w...more

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Heart of Lies: A Novel (Irish Angel, #2)

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Heart of Stone: A Novel (Irish Angel #1)

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