Heart of Stone: A Novel

Written by Jill Marie Landis

Narrated by Renee Raudman

In the first book of the Irish Angels series, we meet Laura Foster, a woman with the darkest of pasts, and Reverend Brand McCormick, a man with everything to lose by loving her. Having escaped a life she never chose, Laura Foster is finally living her dream. But even after four years of posing as a respectable widow in Glory, Texas, she is always afraid someone from her past might reveal her true identity.Believing no man could love her if he knew the truth, Laura tries to resist Brand’s courtship. His reputation would be shattered if Laura’s former life is discovered. But it’s not only Laura’s past that threatens to bring him down—it’s also his own. As they open their hearts to love and faith, will Laura and Brand find the depth and power of forgiveness from their community?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Feb 23, 2010
• ISBN: 9780310395751

Jill Marie Landis

Jill Marie Landis is the bestselling author of over twenty-five novels. She has won numerous awards for her sweeping emotional romances, such as Summer Moon and Magnolia Creek. With her toes in the sand and head in the clouds, Jill now lives in Hawaii with her husband, Steve.  

Reviews for Heart of Stone

[rubyandthetwins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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 stranger arrives in Glory threatening to reveal certain secrets, Laura faces a heartbreaking choice: leave Glory forever or trust in God's forgiveness and in Brand's love to hold onto her life. I really enjoyed this book and give it an A+! It had me crying because it was so touching. I want to thank Ms. Landis' publisher for sending me a copy.

[sandralb-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Laura Foster had the type of childhood no one should have. Her father and mother have died shortly after arriving here from Ireland. Her uncle, who promised her parents he would take care of the four girls and make sure they stay together, sold her and her sister to a brothel. Laura has no idea what happened to the two littlest sisters. It has taken her years to get over her tarnished past, but she finally has, so she thinks. She is the respectable owner of a lovely boarding house with a new name in a new town. Brand McCormick the hero, is the widowed pastor of this little town. He also has his secrets. Through in the pastors two precocious children and you have a very entertaining historical romance.

[pamelabarrett · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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 house in the small town of Glory, Texas. The town’s preacher, a widower with 2 small children, is attracted to her, but she keeps him at arms length; knowing that if he or the townspeople find out about her past it could ruin them both.I gave this book, about forgiveness and redemption, 4 stars, because the author kept me guessing up to the end about how she was going to resolve Laura’s dilemma. The author gives us some great characters, an unsolved mystery, and a lead into book two. Enjoy.

[glitrbug_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

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 and an organ as well as other good deeds. Seriously? A woman wrote this? For shame!
If you are looking for a book where you know the ending as soon as you read the first chapter, go ahead and read it. Nothing new here.

[jerri22 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the latest book I have read and I loved it! Lately I have been getting into the historical romance books and I loved how this book pulled you into the story and made you feel what the characters feel especially Laura Foster aka Lovie. I can't wait to read the next books in the series to find out what happened to her sisters.

[judyg54 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Picture someone 9 years old, living in New Orleans in 1853 (having imigrated over with your parents and siblings as Irish laborers). Your parents die and you are forced to live with relatives who really don't want you; so they give your 2 youngest sisters away and then take you and your other sister and drop you off at a brothel house where you become in high demand. Not exactly a good start to life or one that we would ever wish on anyone. Now fast forward to 1874 (21 years have past) and this little girl is now all grown up (her name she has changed to Laura Foster). She has moved to Texas with alot of money she has finally made in the brothel house and wants to start over as a "lady" who has lost her husband. So she opens Foster's Boardinghouse and becomes well known and liked in the community. But can her boardinghouse and new lifestyle really disguise the woman she'd been and the life she has led?? Now enter the pastor in town, Brand McCormick who is a widower with two small children (Janie and Sam who are really hard not to like even though they tend to get in trouble alot). He starts to show an interest in Laura and she tries to tell him nicely that she will never marry. But Brand is a hard man to take no for an answer (and that is one of the reasons I liked him so well). So what happens and who will get hurt?? Hopefully I have sparked your interest and you will want to read the book and find out.This is the first book I have read by this author and I thought she did a great job of putting you there at the time and helping you really understand these two main characters and what they were going through. There were many spiritual lessons to be learned in this story, like "things don't bring us happiness. Happiness is something we carry in our hearts. Like love." and how people who go to church and say they believe in forgiveness have to really prove it when they have to open their hearts and live the truth they claim to believe. Brand was "cheerful, eternally optimistic and compassionate". He had a quiet confidence and alot of charm. I loved the way he reached out and drew Laura in. Hopefully you will too!There are two other books in this series, which I hope to read also; Heart of Lies and Heart of Glass.

[radella_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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 want to see how the characters get there. It's set in 1870's, but I still found myself able to relate to the characters. It's a very easy book to read, and I look forward to reading the other books in the series.