Customer Reviews

Heart of Stone ABA: A Novel (Irish Angel Series)

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

All I can say about this one is, WOW! This is a Christian historical novel, set in America right after the Civil War. What goes on after that is quite shocking, I had NO idea that child prostitution was going on during that time, and that many of our immigrants had children sold into that mess. This is set in New Orleans, which probably gives you a good idea of what was going on then. Anyway, without spoiling everything in the story, this girl from an Irish immigrant family, rises to the occasion and finds a way out of the prostitution ring. What happens in her life afterwards is nothing short of amazing. A family of 4 girls were separated by their drunk uncle after their parents died, and this is the story of what happened to one of them. The sequels appear to be addressed to what happens to the other 3.

Honestly, more books like this one NEED to be written to remind us of how many of our ancestors sacrificed so much so that we can now be stuck into our Iphones and all other electronic gadgets. This author is a New York Times bestselling author and believe me, you'll understand why when you read this book. It is the first in a series, and a small introduction to the next book is included in the end. Can't wait for that!

Don't grab this book if you're looking for some light reading - this isn't that kind of book. However, you'll definitely learn quite a bit about America's South after the Civil War, along with what these poor folks had to endure to remain free. My only complaint with this book is that I think the author could have done a better job of showing that although the heroine's life was about as bad as it gets, that God was there all along, with a plan for her life, which is summarized in the end. The end of the story is awesome, and deals with self respect, honor and forgiveness.

This could definitely be a mini-series on television and I would not be surprised if we see it soon. This author is a fabulous writer, one of the best I've read lately. Definitely a writer's writer. I stayed up to 1:00 a.m. until I finished it, if that gives you some idea of the quality of this book. Great, great book, really well-written and thought out. Highly, highly recommend!

When I was 18 years old, I read a book called "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers, and ever since then, I have been looking for a Christian novel that could hold a candle to that book. I honestly never thought I would find it. Until now.

The character of Laura Foster, from the beginning, reminded me of Rivers' Angel. Similar childhood stories, similar adult responses. But different enough that I no longer think of them as similar. What I appreciated so much about Laura Foster was the realness of her heart. She reacted to the life she had been given in a way that I believed and that I could resonate with. That's unusual in romance novels, for me. Typically, the heroine seems like a charicature of what novelists think readers want to read. But Laura Foster felt like a real person to me. She had a life that seemed so unbelievable, and yet I believed her. She was courageous and deeply compassionate. She felt tied to her past, and ashamed of who she had been, and frozen by the life she'd led.

And Brand McCormick was exactly the kind of man she needed. From the first time you meet him in these pages, you know that he's the kind of man we all need to meet someday. Not just attractive, not just loyal, but genuinely good. Genuinely compassionate and deep. He loves completely, and doesn't hold any part of himself back. He is the kind of man who would die for you. I seem to have read something about a Man like that before...

When I was offered a copy of this book for review, I was skeptical, as I always am, of Christian novels. I'm occasionally surprised in a pleasant way, but not often. I just can't say enough about this book. Does it have its flaws? Of course. Every book does. And I'm sure there will be plenty of people who can't get past the flaws. But when I look at this book, I see the product of a good writer and a good message.

Because of the depicted response of the Church in this novel, we as the readers are presented with an opportunity to choose love and not judgment. It is an important call to those of us who profess to believe in the restorative love of God. When faced with the options, this book forces you to make a decision. Will you side with the Pharisees, or will you side with the Lover? Do you have the courage it takes to extend forgiveness the way you should? That is the true message of this book that is so beautiful: yes, wrong behavior is inevitable, for us all. But it does not define us. Not for us, and not for God, and not for each other.

We all have skeletons in our closets that we'd rather not share with the world. Irish immigrant, Laura, is no different. She comes from a harsh past that includes her parents dying, surviving the abuse of her aunt & uncle before being sold into a brothel with her young sister as a child - further saddened by her becoming a partner of said brothel for the better part of 18 years. Having earned enough money in the prostitution business, Laura sells her share in the business and heads west to make a new life for herself. She succeeds in starting a first class boarding home. 4 years pass with her constantly looking over her shoulder and trying to lay low lest she see a character from her past who can expose her for her ugly truths.

Enter a young widower pastor who can't get enough of beautiful and quiet Laura. He tries his hardest to court her, but she remains aloof - having shut off her feelings to survive her life as a child prostitute. You get the impression that a storm lays just below the surface as she squashes whatever feelings might be floating up to the surface for this young pastor. When a person from her past arrives in town, the truth is exposed about Laura's history and she is forced to shine a light on her past.

Once Laura goes through the fire, so to speak, she comes out ready to find her three sisters. One, as mentioned before, was sold into a brothel while the other two were taken to orphanages. To obtain the goal of finding her sisters, she hires a Pinkerton Agent. You will find the beginnings of her sister's story at the end of the book. Although, I noticed that some mention of her was here and there throughout Laura's story. I would assume it was done to build interest in the rest of the series.

On a side note:

While the genre of this novel is Christian Historical Fiction, I didn't feel that the book was necessarily drenched in religious viewpoints or "mini-sermons." In fact, God is mentioned (not in prayer) about 3-4 times, "faith" is used as is "belief" when describing religious conviction (not in detail) and a scripture verse is alluded to towards the end when the pastor says something along the lines of "He who is without sin, cast the first stone." Honestly, without the Zondervan label, I would have assumed this was just a cleanly written book - a mild romance novel.

The previous reviews I read were so good, all I want to say is I didn't want to stop reading once I started this book. I would love to read the rest of the series.

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. His attention is caught by Laura, and even though he knows she has nothing to do with men, he's determined to win her heart.

But then some strangers come to town. Strangers with the power to not only ruin Laura's reputation, but also Brand's. And some things might never be restored.

HEART OF STONE is the first book in the Irish Angel's series. I looked at the cover and read the back cover copy and thought, this is going to be a book that's a struggle to read. I was so wrong! This is probably one of the best historical romances I read this year. It is easy to see why Ms. Landis is a New York Times best selling author.

This is the first book I've read by Ms. Landis but it won't be the last. I fell in love with her characters in this book, and the message of forgiveness is one that everyone needs to hear. This is a book that will minister to so many, no matter what their situations. I can't wait to read the second book in the series Heart of Lies. An excerpt is included in the back of HEART OF STONE.

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.

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 courting Laura, she fears her past will ruin him and her.

Honestly, had I known this was an inspirational or religious historical romance I never would have ordered it; it's just not my thing. I thought I was getting a regular historical romance and the story blurb on the back intrigued me. Moments before reading I stumbled on a review stating the religious aspect of the story and I was not happy, but I decided to read it anyway.

Three quarters of the book I was happy with, the religious part of it really didn't overwhelm me or color my enjoyment. I was loving the story, the characters and the shady past of Laura and Brand. It's a very human story, emotional, heart breaking and real. I was so enjoying it I had made up my mind to order the next book in the series so I could find out what happened to Laura's sister Megan.

Then the last quarter of the book, the church got in my way. It just got too religious and saccharine for my tastes and that made the story drag for me and I started to lose interest.

That being said, had God and a few of the hypocritical church people been left out of the story I would have absolutely loved it. And I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the religious and inspirational romances. It has a great message about pasts shaping who we are now, and how forgiveness in oneself is essential before you can seek and get forgiveness elsewhere.

Cherise Everhard, March 2010

I absolutely loved this book. It's a heartwarming story of forgiveness.

As a warning to readers, I purchased an older book by the author and wish I hadn't now. The book has foul language as well as detailed intimate scenes.

I suppose it's merely cliche that just about every Christian story I've read seems to deal at some point with a woman who had spent some time as a "Lady of the Evening" and tries to climb out of the undesirable lifestyle. Laura Foster burns brightly through that change with her own strengths and promises. And without a doubt, in a Christian story, she attracts the attention of the local Reverend who finds her not only attractive but needs to be a better part of the community.

Both Laura Foster and Reverend Brand McCormick have pasts that they had no control over until now. And both will decide how their lives will play out and what really matters ultimately to each other and to their futures.

Jill Marie Landis has a very tempered hand when it comes to writing her Christian fiction. I did not find there were too many people emotionally preaching to the 'fallen' in this story. And I love how even Reverend McCormick pursues Laura Foster, he isn't going to force his religion to her and waits for her to be ready.

Heart of Stone is the first of a series. I look forward to seeing more from Jill Marie Landis.

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.

Katiebabs