Heart of Stone (Irish Angel Series #1) [NOOK Book]

A Beautiful and Heartwarming Story

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 the test, making this story more that just a good read. It held two very distinctive messages... One - you can't hide the past, and two - practice what you preach.

I really enjoyed the storyline, the morals and lessons that were presented and the Faith that was talked about. It was an excellent example of what I would expect from Christian Historical Fiction. Jill Marie Landis wrote a beautiful story, and I'm really looking forward to book two!

Why I would rate this as for older teens through adult - There are scenes and discussions of prostitution, abortion, and selling children into prostitution.

Oh, before I forget, I must warn you...you might want to keep a box of tissues handy. :)

13 out of 16 people found this review helpful.

O

Too many plot spoilers ruins the book. You ppl need to stop and think how telling everything that happens ruins the story for other readers. We would like to read it for ourselves. Please be more considerate of others and stop giving away the storyline in your spoilers. Let other readers have the joy of finding out what you read.

9 out of 20 people found this review helpful.

Yesterday's Dilemmas Never Seem Too Far Away for Her

Laura Foster is finally able to pursue her dreams unhindered-a terrible past lies hidden within her memory, but she makes a valiant effort to escape this burden and build a life for herself in spite of it. In Glory, Texas, Laura is the respectable owner of a boardinghouse. She has wealth and the admiration of her peers. But nobody can learn the secrets of her past, which is why she refuses to accept the romantic advances made by Reverend Brand McCormick. If Brand learned the true nature of her childhood, it would surely stain his reputation and disrupt all that she has worked so hard to achieve. As it turns out, Brand has a few secrets of his own to hide, and now, in the midst of his courting her, a mysterious stranger is beginning to threaten the delicate balance that is keeping Laura's past from the awareness of everyone in Glory. Will she risk her own heart and tell Brand the truth or flee from Glory in the hopes of saving his reputation? Find out in Heart of Stone, the newest novel from award-winning romance/women's fiction author Jill Marie Landis. Her intense form of writing appeals to readers with an appreciation for strong character development and emotional depth. If you enjoy contemporary romance and women's fiction in general, then Heart of Stone, the first installment in Landis's Irish Angel Series, will prove an excellent addition to your collection. Fans of her previous work will no doubt already have this latest title in mind for their personal collections.

7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

Not just a premise for the genre

I did not realize that this was a Christian story until two thirds of the way through. The story holds its own whether defined as Christian, romance, historical, adventure, or the first of a mystery series. There are fully developed characters who are multi-dimensional within a fleshed out plot. It hints of the Scarlet Letter but celebrates strength rather than weakness. I look forward to continuing the series.

6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

Excellent story of forgiveness.

This is the first story that I have read by this author. I would not have purchased it except that it was free. After reading it, I've preordered the second book in the series. It is a heartbreaking tale of betrayal of a little girl by her family and how she overcomes her circumstances to become a survivor. It's an excellent story about how the truth will truly set you free.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Heart of Stone

This book is another great example of Christian Historical Fiction. Set in 1870's in a small Texas town called Glory, Laura Foster has begun a new life, far from her New Orleans past filled with a terrible childhood. She has a place of her own, money and respect. When Reverend Brand McCormick decides to call on her, she encourages him to look elsewhere. Because she knows that if her past were ever to be discovered Brand would be the one who suffered. But, Brand has secrets of his own. A mysterious stranger starts asking questions and revealing secrets that Laura doesn't want told. She has to decide whether to tell Brand the truth or leave Glory along with her new life forever. Jill Landis has a knack for character development. Her characters were have vulnerabilities yet they show great strength. I think there were two different faith related themes in this one. One of the biggest ones themes that I can see from this book was moving forward from a terrible past. Forgetting what's behind and getting on with your life. You can't live in the past. Laura was trying to move on but she kept one food in the past, always worried that it was going to come back to haunt her. She had problems with being honest about what had happened to her because she thought it would ruin Brand's reputation, but you can't keep secrets from the person you love. The more secondary theme was doing what you say you will do. Practicing what you preach so to speak. I thought the author did an excellent job of creating a heartwarming romance and still imparting a lot of knowledge about life and what it takes to make it through it. Landis' descriptions of this Texas town were also very well done. This is quick read and moves at a good clip.

6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

Good read

This was a good christian read... all about having a second chance at life. It is not suited for a younger auidence in my opinion though. It was tasefully written but it covers alot of grown up topics.

CH

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Sooooo good!

I couldn't put this book down. I read in one day and was ready to start the second right away. A++++

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Loved it

Great story about forgiveness & new beginings

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful story of triumph

I loved this book and will definitely get the rest of this set. I can relate to making mistakes in my life and then having others judge me or worse judging myself. This book reinded me of God's grace and forgiveness.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Very good read

This book was a free download for my nook so i thought why not. Im glad i did this book was very good. Only complant i have is it was too short and i finished it in less than 24 hr.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

love it

Had to get the other books. Can't put it down.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Yesterday's Dilemma Never Seems Far Away for Her

Laura Foster is finally able to pursue her dreams unhindered_a terrible past lies hidden within her memory, but she makes a valiant effort to escape this burden and build a life for herself in spite of it. In Glory, Texas, Laura is the respectable owner of a boardinghouse. She has wealth and the admiration of her peers. But nobody can learn the secrets of her past, which is why she refuses to accept the romantic advances made by Reverend Brand McCormick. If Brand learned the true nature of her childhood, it would surely stain his reputation and disrupt all that she has worked so hard to achieve. As it turns out, Brand has a few secrets of his own to hide, and now, in the midst of his courting her, a mysterious stranger is beginning to threaten the delicate balance that is keeping Laura's past from the awareness of everyone in Glory. Will she risk her own heart and tell Brand the truth or flee from Glory in the hopes of saving his reputation? Find out in Heart of Stone, the newest novel from award-winning romance/women's fiction author Jill Marie Landis. Her intense form of writing appeals to readers with an appreciation for strong character development and emotional depth. If you enjoy contemporary romance and women's fiction in general, then Heart of Stone, the first installment in Landis's Irish Angel Series, will prove an excellent addition to your collection. Fans of her previous work will no doubt already have this latest title in mind for their personal collections.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

great read

I cried at several points in the book. A good love story. The ending is a little hokey but sweet.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

outstanding heartwarming

Outstanding heartwaming book with a bit of fantescy thrown in. Excellent five star read.

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0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is epic

Awesome read

1#$69 GX

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0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

spolier alert!!!!

Just kidding....... to the person below me.

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Mia

Well i practicing my splits and roundoffs im probly going to bed at ten but i dont want to go to school tomorrow

0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.