This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Heart Of Stone
Zondervan (March 1, 2010)
by
Jill Marie Landis
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jill Marie Landis is the bestselling author of over twenty novels. She has won numerous awards for her sweeping emotional romances, such as Summer Moon and Magnolia Creek. In recent years, as market demands turned to tales of vampires, erotica, and hotter, sexier historical romances, Jill turned to writing Inspirational Western Romances for Steeple Hill Books. She truly feels back in the saddle again, working on stories that are a joy to write. With her toes in the sand and head in the clouds, Jill now lives in Hawaii with her husband, Steve.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Laura Foster, free from the bondage of an unspeakable childhood has struggled to make a new life for herself. Now the owner of an elegant boardinghouse in Glory, Texas, she is known as a wealthy, respectable widow. But Laura never forgets that she is always just one step ahead of her past.
When Reverend Brand McCormick comes calling, Laura does all she can to discourage him as a suitor. She knows that if her past were discovered, Brand’s reputation would be ruined. But it’d not only Laura’s past that threatens to bring Brand down?it’s also his own.
When a stranger in town threatens to reveal too many secrets, Laura is faced with a heartbreaking choice: Should she leave Glory forever and save Brand’s future? Or is it worth risking his name – and her heart – by telling him the truth?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Heart Of Stone, go HERE
MY REVIEW:
Prim and proper Laura Foster has created a new and respectable life for herself as owner of an exclusive boardinghouse. Unfortunately she can’t relax and enjoy it for fear that the truth about her past will surface. When pastor Brand McCormick sets his hat for her, she attempts to discourage his attentions because she knows that involvement with her could destroy his reputation if her past became known. Much to everyone’s surprise, Brand is confronted by his own past in front of his congregation. Now the big question is “Will there be any chance of a future together for Brand and Laura?”
Heart of Stone is truly a gripping, page turner. Although Laura’s past is so unthinkable that it would be difficult to imagine that she not only survived but escaped it, her character is realistic and believable. Brand is portrayed as a compassionate man with human frailties and desires even if he is a pastor. All other characters from the good-hearted to the immoral are convincing and contribute to the enjoyment of the story. Forgiveness is an important theme woven throughout the story, especially the need to forgive self in order to move on with life. Heart of Stone may just be a fictional story but I found plenty of truth in it to make me examine my own heart.
I enthusiastically recommend Heart of Stone and look forward to the next installment of the Irish Angel series.
