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Irish Angel #2
Heart of Lies
Raised in a tribe of street urchins, Maddie Grande was taught to be a thief and beggar on the streets of New Orleans. But Maddie doesn't know her real name or where she came from. Raised by Dexter Grande, Maddie and her twin 'brothers' have recently left New Orleans and moved to the bayou. The twins are rarely there, but Maddie has come to love the swamp. She has learned to fish and trap and sell pelts at the local mercantile. Maddie longs to change her life but knows that her brothers will never give up their lawless ways. When they kidnap the daughter of a wealthy carpetbagger, the twins force Maddie to hide the precocious eight-year-old while they return to New Orleans to wait for notice of a reward. Pinkerton agent Tom Abbott is assigned to the kidnapping case in which Maddie has become an accomplice. In a journey that takes them to Baton Rouge, a mutual attraction becomes evident, but Tom and Maddie cannot trust each other. Will Maddie ever discover who she is? Will her real family ever find her? Will Maddie and Tom listen to their hearts? Or will they choose honor over love?
304 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2011
39 people are currently reading
377 people want to read
About the author
Jill Marie Landis
76 books251 followersJILL MARIE LANDIS is the bestselling author of nearly thirty novels 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. All of her Historical Romances are available in eBook format.
She is currently writing The Tiki Goddess Mysteries series which includes MAI TAI ONE ON, TWO TO MANGO, THREE TO GET LEI'D, TOO HOT FOUR HULA and HAWAII FIVE UH-OH! from Bell Bridge Books.
Toes in the sand and head in the clouds, she is living the dream in Hawaii with her husband, Steve. Jill Marie loves to spend hours at the beach reading or writing and she also loves dancing the hula.
She is currently writing The Tiki Goddess Mysteries series which includes MAI TAI ONE ON, TWO TO MANGO, THREE TO GET LEI'D, TOO HOT FOUR HULA and HAWAII FIVE UH-OH! from Bell Bridge Books.
Toes in the sand and head in the clouds, she is living the dream in Hawaii with her husband, Steve. Jill Marie loves to spend hours at the beach reading or writing and she also loves dancing the hula.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
August 29, 2019
..
Heart of Lies is the second novel in the Irish Angel Series by Jill Marie Landis.
Raised in a tribe of street urchins, Maddie Grande was taught to be a thief and beggar on the streets of New Orleans.
Fade-in to a rather disconnected image of a young woman, Maddie Grande, in the Bayou in Louisanna where two unkempt twin brothers storm inside with a small female child unrelated to any of them. The oldest man explained that they had kidnapped this young girl and demanded that Maddie take care of her until they collected a ransom or reward for her return. Madie and this child were both very independent and able to take care of themselves no matter what the circumstances.
Although the plotline regarding the tribe is quite plausible in that day and age, it is not desirable. The experiences from her past are brought to light while she sails through an adventure with this precocious child. I had difficulty identifying with any of the characters.
But Maddie doesn't know her real name or where she came from. Raised by Dexter Grande, Maddie and her twin 'brothers' have recently left New Orleans and moved to the bayou. The twins are rarely there . . .
This story focuses on the after-effects of the nightmare life handed Maddie as a child. Unfortunately, some of the intricate details describing her childhood are clearly described instead of left to the reader's imagination.
This book is able to stand on its own, a clean read, with the exception to the references of the life, lived previously, and a H.E.A. I would have appreciated an epilogue that provided more details about the future.
..
Heart of Lies is the second novel in the Irish Angel Series by Jill Marie Landis.
Raised in a tribe of street urchins, Maddie Grande was taught to be a thief and beggar on the streets of New Orleans.
Fade-in to a rather disconnected image of a young woman, Maddie Grande, in the Bayou in Louisanna where two unkempt twin brothers storm inside with a small female child unrelated to any of them. The oldest man explained that they had kidnapped this young girl and demanded that Maddie take care of her until they collected a ransom or reward for her return. Madie and this child were both very independent and able to take care of themselves no matter what the circumstances.
Although the plotline regarding the tribe is quite plausible in that day and age, it is not desirable. The experiences from her past are brought to light while she sails through an adventure with this precocious child. I had difficulty identifying with any of the characters.
But Maddie doesn't know her real name or where she came from. Raised by Dexter Grande, Maddie and her twin 'brothers' have recently left New Orleans and moved to the bayou. The twins are rarely there . . .
This story focuses on the after-effects of the nightmare life handed Maddie as a child. Unfortunately, some of the intricate details describing her childhood are clearly described instead of left to the reader's imagination.
This book is able to stand on its own, a clean read, with the exception to the references of the life, lived previously, and a H.E.A. I would have appreciated an epilogue that provided more details about the future.
..
June 15, 2011
Heart of Lies was a book that I've been anxious to read for a long time. I was thoroughly captivated with the book before it, Heart of Stone, and hoped and prayed that the continuation of this series would be as good as the start. Well, let's just say my expectations may have been set a wee bit too high.
First of all, I loved the setting of this book: historic New Orleans. I felt a part of this city throughout the story, with all of it's alleyways, hidey-holes, and street corners. Because Maddie was raised smack-dab in the middle of it, it was easy to see all of it's features from her point of view. But once she grew up, she moved away from the hustle and bustle to the bayou, and I equally loved that setting as much as the busy city. I could smell the water, see the moss on the trees, and hear the creaking of her little cabin in the middle of nowhere. Trust me...all of this was masterfully done.
Secondly, I loved little Penelope! That little girl was a pistol with her sassy nature at only 8 years old, but she was smart as a whip, too. I thought the relationship that developed between her and Maddie was very well-written, and it was sad, but understandable, to see it come to an end.
But in spite of those things, I had a couple of concerns. One thing was the tempo. The first few chapters seemed very slow and wordy, and I had a slight case of doubt as to whether I would keep reading. Also, there were several chapters devoted to "chasing," mostly Tom trying to catch either Maddie or Penelope or both. The other issue was the romance. I knew it was would culminate at some point, but when it did, it seemed way too abrupt. It was better toward the end, but I couldn't seem to get the other scene out of my head.
The tempo and the romance issues were minor compared to the spiritual content, or rather, the lack of it. When I read a book marketed by a Christian publisher, I expect that there will be a Christian theme to the story. There was barely any in this entire book, and that was truly disappointing. Instead, the characters seemed more concerned about just being a "good person." If that's the case, why bother marketing this book as Christian fiction? Why not just sell it as general market? Now, just so I'm clear, I don't expect every single Christian book to have a conversion scene, or a church scene, or something else similar. BUT, I do expect there to be characters that either grow somehow in their faith, return to their faith, or become a new Christian altogether. None of that was in this story, and that's why I felt the need to point it out.
While I gave Heart of Stone a well-deserved 4 stars, I'm giving 3 stars to Heart of Lies. If I was a fan of general market fiction and/or romance, the rating might be a little higher. But since I only read Christian fiction, I have to take the lack of Christian content into consideration. I do plan to read the final book in the series, Heart of Glass, once it is released next year.
First of all, I loved the setting of this book: historic New Orleans. I felt a part of this city throughout the story, with all of it's alleyways, hidey-holes, and street corners. Because Maddie was raised smack-dab in the middle of it, it was easy to see all of it's features from her point of view. But once she grew up, she moved away from the hustle and bustle to the bayou, and I equally loved that setting as much as the busy city. I could smell the water, see the moss on the trees, and hear the creaking of her little cabin in the middle of nowhere. Trust me...all of this was masterfully done.
Secondly, I loved little Penelope! That little girl was a pistol with her sassy nature at only 8 years old, but she was smart as a whip, too. I thought the relationship that developed between her and Maddie was very well-written, and it was sad, but understandable, to see it come to an end.
But in spite of those things, I had a couple of concerns. One thing was the tempo. The first few chapters seemed very slow and wordy, and I had a slight case of doubt as to whether I would keep reading. Also, there were several chapters devoted to "chasing," mostly Tom trying to catch either Maddie or Penelope or both. The other issue was the romance. I knew it was would culminate at some point, but when it did, it seemed way too abrupt. It was better toward the end, but I couldn't seem to get the other scene out of my head.
The tempo and the romance issues were minor compared to the spiritual content, or rather, the lack of it. When I read a book marketed by a Christian publisher, I expect that there will be a Christian theme to the story. There was barely any in this entire book, and that was truly disappointing. Instead, the characters seemed more concerned about just being a "good person." If that's the case, why bother marketing this book as Christian fiction? Why not just sell it as general market? Now, just so I'm clear, I don't expect every single Christian book to have a conversion scene, or a church scene, or something else similar. BUT, I do expect there to be characters that either grow somehow in their faith, return to their faith, or become a new Christian altogether. None of that was in this story, and that's why I felt the need to point it out.
While I gave Heart of Stone a well-deserved 4 stars, I'm giving 3 stars to Heart of Lies. If I was a fan of general market fiction and/or romance, the rating might be a little higher. But since I only read Christian fiction, I have to take the lack of Christian content into consideration. I do plan to read the final book in the series, Heart of Glass, once it is released next year.
March 29, 2020
4 and ½ Stars! An Irish Girl in the Louisiana Bayou Finds Love
Set in New Orleans in 1875, this is the story of Maddie Grande, raised in a “tribe” of street urchins, taught to be thieves by Dexter Grande, the man who reigned over them all. Maddie doesn’t recall a time before Grande and doesn’t know her real name or where she came from. Once on the streets, she now lives in the bayou with her twin tribe “brothers” where she has learned to fish and trap muskrats. She longs for another life but despairs of ever having enough money to escape.
When the twins kidnap the daughter of a wealthy man and force Maddie to hide the eight-year-old, involving Maddie in their crime, she thinks to return the girl and claim the reward, but Pinkerton agent Tom Abbott, sent to New Orleans to find a missing woman, begins to work the kidnapping case, too. He believes Maddie is one of the kidnappers. But now the child has escaped.
In a journey that takes them to Baton Rouge, a mutual attraction develops, but Tom and Maddie do not trust each other. She knows he wants to send her to prison and he thinks she is a consummate actress.
This is a well-told story that brings you into the bayou and then the streets of New Orleans. The tension between Maddie and Tom grows as both search for the lost child who has run away. But the child, an intelligent girl, sees their growing chemistry between the two and tells them they like each other. Penelope is a great character and adds much to the story.
Set in New Orleans in 1875, this is the story of Maddie Grande, raised in a “tribe” of street urchins, taught to be thieves by Dexter Grande, the man who reigned over them all. Maddie doesn’t recall a time before Grande and doesn’t know her real name or where she came from. Once on the streets, she now lives in the bayou with her twin tribe “brothers” where she has learned to fish and trap muskrats. She longs for another life but despairs of ever having enough money to escape.
When the twins kidnap the daughter of a wealthy man and force Maddie to hide the eight-year-old, involving Maddie in their crime, she thinks to return the girl and claim the reward, but Pinkerton agent Tom Abbott, sent to New Orleans to find a missing woman, begins to work the kidnapping case, too. He believes Maddie is one of the kidnappers. But now the child has escaped.
In a journey that takes them to Baton Rouge, a mutual attraction develops, but Tom and Maddie do not trust each other. She knows he wants to send her to prison and he thinks she is a consummate actress.
This is a well-told story that brings you into the bayou and then the streets of New Orleans. The tension between Maddie and Tom grows as both search for the lost child who has run away. But the child, an intelligent girl, sees their growing chemistry between the two and tells them they like each other. Penelope is a great character and adds much to the story.
March 10, 2018
Maddie wants to escape her past life as she lives and moves about in the bayous of Louisiana. Little does she know that a Pinkerton agent is about to change her life. A novel of forgiveness, second chances, and unconditional love.
September 16, 2019
So I wanted to like this book as much as the first one, but the love story made confused that I couldn't enjoy the chemistry at all
In this book we follow Maddie who is a thief and she is living in the slumps, one day she is forced to help with the kidnapping of a little girl but she tries to rescue her behind everyone's back, add to the mix a detective who is on her trail and things will get much more complicated
I liked Maddie's character, and Tom .. but together ? not so much
that Penelope girl was the highlight of the story she is spunky and full of sas for an eight years old
In this book we follow Maddie who is a thief and she is living in the slumps, one day she is forced to help with the kidnapping of a little girl but she tries to rescue her behind everyone's back, add to the mix a detective who is on her trail and things will get much more complicated
I liked Maddie's character, and Tom .. but together ? not so much
that Penelope girl was the highlight of the story she is spunky and full of sas for an eight years old
August 20, 2013
I absolutely LOVED this book. ive never been to Lousianna and the bayou always fascinated me. So I was estatic to find this book!
Maddie was only a child when she was sold to a Fagan type character named Dexter in New Orleans. With her early memories erased, the only family she now posessed was the "tribe ".
The story begins with Maddie age 32 living with her two twin "brothers " on the bayou. Dexter is dead. While Maddie survives catching crab and trapping muskrats, the twins continue their life of crime.One night the men return to the shack with an 8 year old child in tow and inform Maddie of her new "role ".
Enter Tom Abbot, a Pinkerton on the search for both a missing child and a missing person who disappeared over two decades ago....
This book has plenty of intrigue, chases, emotional turmoil and adventure. One thing I loved about the story is that it is realistic. Maddie doesn't change overnight, her past is ingrained in her and she doesnt trust easily. Later, when she meets up with a long lost family member it's not all hugs and kisses. She has all the insecurity and toughness we would expect from someone with her past.
I just loved this book. I loved the story and I loved the characters. From page one I was hooked and couldn't stop reading. I haven't read book one in the series and I enjoyed this one so much I wonder if they can even compare.
There is no sex and no cussing in this book. Violence is minimal and there's no preachiness whatsoever. Just a good clean story.
Maddie was only a child when she was sold to a Fagan type character named Dexter in New Orleans. With her early memories erased, the only family she now posessed was the "tribe ".
The story begins with Maddie age 32 living with her two twin "brothers " on the bayou. Dexter is dead. While Maddie survives catching crab and trapping muskrats, the twins continue their life of crime.One night the men return to the shack with an 8 year old child in tow and inform Maddie of her new "role ".
Enter Tom Abbot, a Pinkerton on the search for both a missing child and a missing person who disappeared over two decades ago....
This book has plenty of intrigue, chases, emotional turmoil and adventure. One thing I loved about the story is that it is realistic. Maddie doesn't change overnight, her past is ingrained in her and she doesnt trust easily. Later, when she meets up with a long lost family member it's not all hugs and kisses. She has all the insecurity and toughness we would expect from someone with her past.
I just loved this book. I loved the story and I loved the characters. From page one I was hooked and couldn't stop reading. I haven't read book one in the series and I enjoyed this one so much I wonder if they can even compare.
There is no sex and no cussing in this book. Violence is minimal and there's no preachiness whatsoever. Just a good clean story.
March 13, 2018
See my profile for my star rating system. Thank you to Amazon Vine for sending me a copy of Heart of Lies for review.
Heart of Lies, book two in the Irish Angel Series, takes us back to Louisiana. Though the second in a series this story could easily be read as a stand alone novel.
The author's descriptive writing makes the sounds and sights of the bayou come to life. It does no less for Maddie's story.
I found myself deeply engaged in the tale of a woman struggling to overcome her past when it seemed that there was no way out of the life that held her captive. The tale of whether she will overcome the lies she believes, start anew and maybe even find love is the best kind of story.
Since the book was published by Zondervan I expected the book to have a Christian message. Although there are some references to God, morality, prayer, forgiveness and the question of fallen human nature I would not consider this a Christian book. The gospel message is never clearly mentioned and while Maddie is clearly seeking a better road for her life she has no encounter with a personal God. This was disappointing to me personally. While men and women can overcome great adversity in life, I believe that true redemption only comes in relationship to Jesus Christ. And that could have made a good story into an amazing one.
That said, Heart of Lies was a good story, well told and beautifully written.
Heart of Lies, book two in the Irish Angel Series, takes us back to Louisiana. Though the second in a series this story could easily be read as a stand alone novel.
The author's descriptive writing makes the sounds and sights of the bayou come to life. It does no less for Maddie's story.
I found myself deeply engaged in the tale of a woman struggling to overcome her past when it seemed that there was no way out of the life that held her captive. The tale of whether she will overcome the lies she believes, start anew and maybe even find love is the best kind of story.
Since the book was published by Zondervan I expected the book to have a Christian message. Although there are some references to God, morality, prayer, forgiveness and the question of fallen human nature I would not consider this a Christian book. The gospel message is never clearly mentioned and while Maddie is clearly seeking a better road for her life she has no encounter with a personal God. This was disappointing to me personally. While men and women can overcome great adversity in life, I believe that true redemption only comes in relationship to Jesus Christ. And that could have made a good story into an amazing one.
That said, Heart of Lies was a good story, well told and beautifully written.
March 15, 2013
I enjoyed this book, though not as much as the first. While I loved the characters and the setting of the south Louisiana marsh (how can I not love my home?), the story itself sort of dragged out, especially with the cat and mouse chase in the middle. Penelope was pretty freakin' cute, I have to admit, but my favorite part was getting to see Laura and Brand again. I just loved them so much from the first book. I am still really excited to read book 3. This is a great and very refreshing series.
October 4, 2013
This was a fun story! I really enjoyed it and only gave it 4 stars because I totally fell in love with the next book in the series and liked it a bit better than this one. I would give this one a 4.8. It was a nice story about forgiveness and moving forward and giving yourself permission to start a new life. I loved it and highly recommend it. I DO think it is beneficial to read book 1 first. It will give you a bit of a perspective into this one. This was a clean read and well worth it.
October 29, 2017
2.5 Stars? I might just be confused, but I thought this was a Christian series... but there was no real mention of God that I remember, despite the perfect scenario for grace and forgiveness to work their miracles. The first book did...??? It was a lovely little romance story, and I enjoy secular fiction as much as the next person... but don’t like the idea of a story claiming to be Christian, but failing to even mention Christ.
July 8, 2011
Emotional and sweet Inspirational romance set in 1871 Louisiana. A very much recommended read with a precocious little girl that made me laugh and an amazing heroine hero.
January 25, 2021
This series is the story of 4 sisters who immigrated from Ireland to the New Orleans Irish Channel in the 1870’s. When their parents contract yellow fever and die, the sisters are separated. Ten-year-old Lovie is sold to a brothel, eight-year-old Megan is sold to a street criminal who trains his ‘tribe’ to survive by any available means, and the two youngest girls are left at an orphanage.
Heart of Stone is Lovie’s story. She manages to escape a horrid life in New Orleans, changes her name to Laura Foster, and makes a respectable life for herself in Glory, Texas. This small town where everyone knows everything about everyone else is the worst place to have your past come back to haunt you. That is just what happens when the town preacher finds himself falling for her.
Heart of Lies is Megan’s story. Her name is changed to Maddie when she is taken into the tribe of street criminals and made to forget her past. After the leader of the ‘tribe’ dies, Maddie lives in a Louisiana swamp cabin eking out a meager existence as a muskrat trapper. She gets caught up in a kidnapping scheme orchestrated by twin brothers she lives with who were a part of the ‘tribe’ that held them all captive. This series of events leads to murder, and Maddie finds herself on the run. Using some of the tricks she learned as a street criminal helps her evade the Pinkerton who is searching for Laura’s sister and is also hired to find the kidnapped child.
Heart of Glass continues the sisters’ stories in Reconstruction-era New Orleans and at a sugar plantation outside the city. Katie Keene is the third sister who is adopted by a wealthy family and given all the advantages money can buy. She becomes an architect and returns to Louisiana to lend her skills to restoring the home of a childhood friend hoping to rekindle friendships in the process. Her best friend Ammalie suddenly dies of consumption after Katie promises to raise her two orphaned children as her own.
Talented narration and excellent story telling captivated my attention from beginning to end. Deep character development and careful attention to historical detail adeptly portray the struggles of life in the south during this era. Persistent love and faith and the indomitable human spirit evident in this clean, heartwarming historical romance series deserves a five-star rating.
Availability: Book
Rating: ***** Stars (I loved it)
Reviewer: Lynette, Programming Administrator
ARE YOU AND THIS SERIES A GOOD MATCH?
DISCOVER MORE WITH NOVELIST APPEALS!
GENRE: Christian Historical Romances
TONE: Heartwarming; Homespun; Moving
LOCATION: Louisiana
TIME PERIOD: 1870s; 19th Century
SUBJECT: Christian Men; Irish in the United States; Kidnapping; Men Recluses; Orphans; Pinkerton's National Detective Agency; Plantation Houses; Secrets; Women Architects
Heart of Stone is Lovie’s story. She manages to escape a horrid life in New Orleans, changes her name to Laura Foster, and makes a respectable life for herself in Glory, Texas. This small town where everyone knows everything about everyone else is the worst place to have your past come back to haunt you. That is just what happens when the town preacher finds himself falling for her.
Heart of Lies is Megan’s story. Her name is changed to Maddie when she is taken into the tribe of street criminals and made to forget her past. After the leader of the ‘tribe’ dies, Maddie lives in a Louisiana swamp cabin eking out a meager existence as a muskrat trapper. She gets caught up in a kidnapping scheme orchestrated by twin brothers she lives with who were a part of the ‘tribe’ that held them all captive. This series of events leads to murder, and Maddie finds herself on the run. Using some of the tricks she learned as a street criminal helps her evade the Pinkerton who is searching for Laura’s sister and is also hired to find the kidnapped child.
Heart of Glass continues the sisters’ stories in Reconstruction-era New Orleans and at a sugar plantation outside the city. Katie Keene is the third sister who is adopted by a wealthy family and given all the advantages money can buy. She becomes an architect and returns to Louisiana to lend her skills to restoring the home of a childhood friend hoping to rekindle friendships in the process. Her best friend Ammalie suddenly dies of consumption after Katie promises to raise her two orphaned children as her own.
Talented narration and excellent story telling captivated my attention from beginning to end. Deep character development and careful attention to historical detail adeptly portray the struggles of life in the south during this era. Persistent love and faith and the indomitable human spirit evident in this clean, heartwarming historical romance series deserves a five-star rating.
Availability: Book
Rating: ***** Stars (I loved it)
Reviewer: Lynette, Programming Administrator
ARE YOU AND THIS SERIES A GOOD MATCH?
DISCOVER MORE WITH NOVELIST APPEALS!
GENRE: Christian Historical Romances
TONE: Heartwarming; Homespun; Moving
LOCATION: Louisiana
TIME PERIOD: 1870s; 19th Century
SUBJECT: Christian Men; Irish in the United States; Kidnapping; Men Recluses; Orphans; Pinkerton's National Detective Agency; Plantation Houses; Secrets; Women Architects
May 4, 2022
This is an unusual story about a young woman who becomes part of a 'tribe' of street urchins and pickpockets. When the leader of their tribe dies, Maddie Grande and her twin 'tribe' brothers leave New Orleans and live on the bayous. Maddie quickly takes to the new life, but the twins love the criminal life too much to leave it for long. Maddie wants a different life, but her survival existence affords little money to put her desires into action.
Maddie has made a life for herself by trapping, fishing, and hunting. But her simple life is disturbed when the twins bring back to the bayou a kidnapped child they are holding for ransom. Something goes wrong, and one twin dies, and the other goes to jail. Then, the kidnapped child escapes, and Maddie must find her.
Tom Abbott is a Pinkerton agent and is looking for the kidnapped eight-year-old. He's also looking for a young woman lost years ago and is now about thirty-two years of age. The story was set in New Orleans in 1875. The author has a firm grasp of the life in and around bayous at that time. This is a well-written period piece. It took a while to get into this story because it is so unique, but once in the story, it was difficult to set aside. Overall score = 4.5 stars.
Irish Angel Series
1. Heart of Stone (2010)
** 2. Heart of Lies (2011)
3. Heart of Glass (2012)
Maddie has made a life for herself by trapping, fishing, and hunting. But her simple life is disturbed when the twins bring back to the bayou a kidnapped child they are holding for ransom. Something goes wrong, and one twin dies, and the other goes to jail. Then, the kidnapped child escapes, and Maddie must find her.
Tom Abbott is a Pinkerton agent and is looking for the kidnapped eight-year-old. He's also looking for a young woman lost years ago and is now about thirty-two years of age. The story was set in New Orleans in 1875. The author has a firm grasp of the life in and around bayous at that time. This is a well-written period piece. It took a while to get into this story because it is so unique, but once in the story, it was difficult to set aside. Overall score = 4.5 stars.
Irish Angel Series
1. Heart of Stone (2010)
** 2. Heart of Lies (2011)
3. Heart of Glass (2012)
April 20, 2023
#2 in a very wholesome series - with solid characters and decent story lines. Maddie has grown up in a band of children on the streets in New Orleans since being separated from her family. She's tough but has a bit of a soft heart. Tom is the Pinkerton agent hired by her sister to find her. His search for her leads them across a kidnapping case and eventually to each other. No great drama or romance, but a good read.
June 30, 2024
I enjoyed the second book in this series, developing the characters by digging deeper into the past. I’m anxious to begin the 3rd book. I do wonder, why do the stories seem to solve all the problems for a woman and tie them into a neat little bow, when they get the man? I’m no feminist, and I love a good love story, but the man isn’t always the answer to all problems. As a matter of fact, he never is….
February 14, 2020
Didn't feel the chemistry but.....
Good read, I didn't feel the chemistry between Maddie and Tom but I did feel attraction. This storyline about collecting lost children for lying, stealing and being controlled by Dexter broke my heart but not as much as Maddie's trip to Texas. I cried more in this book than the first one! Get the tissues out....
Good read, I didn't feel the chemistry between Maddie and Tom but I did feel attraction. This storyline about collecting lost children for lying, stealing and being controlled by Dexter broke my heart but not as much as Maddie's trip to Texas. I cried more in this book than the first one! Get the tissues out....
May 10, 2018
Landis does a good job of keep the Romcom down to a minimum. It's still a cheesy story, but not as bad as most. She describes the scenes well and keeps the story moving along without being bored of the "look into his eyes and it made me blush" type of scenes.
January 3, 2022
Enjoyable
Another enjoyable romance by Landis. Against unbelievable challenges two sisters are reunited after lifetimes apart. Heartwarming and well written this was even better than book 1 of this series.
Another enjoyable romance by Landis. Against unbelievable challenges two sisters are reunited after lifetimes apart. Heartwarming and well written this was even better than book 1 of this series.
July 6, 2017
By far my favorite book series.
August 13, 2017
An enjoyable though an easy read! Great for summer relaxation. Ties with Heart of stone but it's own story.
December 19, 2017
Couldn't finish, blah
December 10, 2017
Loved this book
Didn't want to put it down. I love happy endings and though it was suspenseful it had a happy ending.
Didn't want to put it down. I love happy endings and though it was suspenseful it had a happy ending.
December 13, 2017
An enjoyable experience
A Pinkerton agent and a thief, what can possibly happen between them? The 2nd book in the Irish Angel series was an enjoyable experience.
A Pinkerton agent and a thief, what can possibly happen between them? The 2nd book in the Irish Angel series was an enjoyable experience.
April 15, 2023
I really enjoyed following Maddie's story in this book. Her past was as heartbreaking as it was interesting. Then our Pinkerton Tom was such a sweetheart.
December 30, 2020
I really enjoyed this story. I liked Maddie right off the bat. Even though she was living a life of crime. Very interesting plot.
April 5, 2011
"Heart Of Lies" takes place in Louisiana in 1875. Maddie Grande keeps having a recurring nightmare, in this nightmare, she and a faceless blond girl are whisked thru the streets of New Orleans by man whom she knows will beat her if she falls behind. While this dream causes terror for Mattie worse still is the fact that she feels sorrow and loss because the blond haired girl promised to take care of Maddie, but Maddie has no idea who she is. Maddie didn't grow up in a family, instead she grew up in a "tribe" that lived in a shadows, earning their keep by stealing and begging. When the leader of the tribe dies, the members scatter and Maddie along with two of her tribe brothers known as the "twins" move to the bayou where Maddie hopes for a more peaceful life. When the "twins" kidnap an eight year old child named Penelope Perkins,in the hopes of collecting a reward they expect Maddie to take care of her.
Pinkerton Detective Agent Tom Abbott is in New Orleans hired to look for a woman's missing sister, but is pulled into the case of kidnapped Penelope. The case leads him to the bayou and Maddie, whom he starts having feelings for. Will Maddie do the right thing, and help Penelope get home, and what about Maddie and Tom? Is there a relationship there, or will he have to turn her in as an accomplice to kidnapping?
While this book was somewhat predictable, sometimes its nice to read a nice smooth story that while it holds your attention its easy to follow and figure out the ending, and thats how this story was for me.Maddie's character was easy to like,her backstory really had me feeling sorry for her, and I really wanted things to work out for her, she deserved it!.My favorite parts of the story revolved around Penelope. She was such a charmer, and her personality just jumped off the pages.
Fans of historical romance with a spiritual message woven in will certainly enjoy this story. This is the second book in the Irish Angel series but can easily be read as a stand alone. I for one will be watching for the next book in the series titled "Heart Of Glass" due out in 2012.
Pinkerton Detective Agent Tom Abbott is in New Orleans hired to look for a woman's missing sister, but is pulled into the case of kidnapped Penelope. The case leads him to the bayou and Maddie, whom he starts having feelings for. Will Maddie do the right thing, and help Penelope get home, and what about Maddie and Tom? Is there a relationship there, or will he have to turn her in as an accomplice to kidnapping?
While this book was somewhat predictable, sometimes its nice to read a nice smooth story that while it holds your attention its easy to follow and figure out the ending, and thats how this story was for me.Maddie's character was easy to like,her backstory really had me feeling sorry for her, and I really wanted things to work out for her, she deserved it!.My favorite parts of the story revolved around Penelope. She was such a charmer, and her personality just jumped off the pages.
Fans of historical romance with a spiritual message woven in will certainly enjoy this story. This is the second book in the Irish Angel series but can easily be read as a stand alone. I for one will be watching for the next book in the series titled "Heart Of Glass" due out in 2012.
April 4, 2011
Synopsis: Raised in a tribe of street urchins, Maddie Grande was taught to be a thief and beggar on the streets of New Orleans. But Maddie doesn't know her real name or where she came from. Raised by Dexter Grande, Maddie and her twin "brothers" have recently left New Orleans and moved to the bayou. The twins are rarely there, but Maddie has come to love the swamp. She has learned to fish and trap and sell pelts at the local mercantile. Maddie longs to change her life but knows that her brothers will never give up their lawless ways. When they kidnap the daughter of a wealthy carpetbagger, the twins force Maddie to hide the precocious eight-year-old while they return to New Orleans to wait for notice of a reward. Pinkerton agent Tom Abbott is assigned to the kidnapping case in which Maddie has become an accomplice. In a journey that takes them to Baton Rouge, a mutual attraction becomes evident, but Tom and Maddie cannot trust each other. Will Maddie and Tom listen to their hearts or will they choose honor over love? Will Maddie ever discover who she is? Will her real family ever find her?
First the cover draws you in to this story. Set in New Orleans and starting in the bayou. I can just picture the area where her camp is...with the Spanish Moss hanging everywhere.
When the twins get rich quick plan includes kidnapping Penelope ...they didn't realize what they were getting into. She is so precocious and a little handful...you can't help smile!
When you learn of the life of the life Maddie had as a Child you become horrified. How could it happen, but this was in the 1800's. She has a nightmare quite frequently, she cannot figure out.
Loved the interaction of Maddie and Tom. Can they overcome their differences and find a relationship? Will darling Penelope find her way home? Will the Twins pay for their crimes? You will love finding the answers to these questions and more...read this wonderful book!
I was provided a copy of this book by Zondervan, the opinions express are my own!
First the cover draws you in to this story. Set in New Orleans and starting in the bayou. I can just picture the area where her camp is...with the Spanish Moss hanging everywhere.
When the twins get rich quick plan includes kidnapping Penelope ...they didn't realize what they were getting into. She is so precocious and a little handful...you can't help smile!
When you learn of the life of the life Maddie had as a Child you become horrified. How could it happen, but this was in the 1800's. She has a nightmare quite frequently, she cannot figure out.
Loved the interaction of Maddie and Tom. Can they overcome their differences and find a relationship? Will darling Penelope find her way home? Will the Twins pay for their crimes? You will love finding the answers to these questions and more...read this wonderful book!
I was provided a copy of this book by Zondervan, the opinions express are my own!
March 28, 2011
As I write this review, it has been a few days since I finished reading Heart of Lies. Usually, I write my reviews as soon as I finish the book because I want it to still be fresh in my mind. I decided to wait a few days to write this review because I had mixed emotions about this book while I was reading and when I finished. I gave Heart of Lies a few days to settle in my mind because there were so many things I liked about this book, but a few I didn’t. As I expected after thinking about this book a few days and reading Jill’s guest post on the Zondervan blog, “Looking Behind Heart of Lies by Jill Marie Landis”, I have gained a greater appreciation for the book.
On the positive side, I loved the setting; deep in the Louisiana bayou. Setting is a very big thing for me. It is often the very thing that helps me decide whether or not I want to read a particular book. I don’t know how most readers feel about setting, but it is a big deal for me. Jill did an amazing job of pulling me right into the bayou. She brings all the senses onto the pages and I felt like I was there. That is a real skill that not all author possess.
I also liked Maddie. She was strong and independent, but at the same time, vulnerable. Jill likes to write female characters that way and she does it well. Maddie was the perfect leading lady and Tom Abbot was a likeable leading man. Their mutual attraction is met with many rather large bumps in the road that seem impossible to overcome.
On the less than positive side, I found some of this book a little slow. It didn’t have that “unputdownable” quality, but a book doesn’t have to have that in order to be a good book in my opinion. I did find Heart of Lies to be a good book overall. This is the first time I have read one of Jill’s books and I will most certainly read more from her. Her writing style is very good and she created a story that is unique and enjoyable.
On the positive side, I loved the setting; deep in the Louisiana bayou. Setting is a very big thing for me. It is often the very thing that helps me decide whether or not I want to read a particular book. I don’t know how most readers feel about setting, but it is a big deal for me. Jill did an amazing job of pulling me right into the bayou. She brings all the senses onto the pages and I felt like I was there. That is a real skill that not all author possess.
I also liked Maddie. She was strong and independent, but at the same time, vulnerable. Jill likes to write female characters that way and she does it well. Maddie was the perfect leading lady and Tom Abbot was a likeable leading man. Their mutual attraction is met with many rather large bumps in the road that seem impossible to overcome.
On the less than positive side, I found some of this book a little slow. It didn’t have that “unputdownable” quality, but a book doesn’t have to have that in order to be a good book in my opinion. I did find Heart of Lies to be a good book overall. This is the first time I have read one of Jill’s books and I will most certainly read more from her. Her writing style is very good and she created a story that is unique and enjoyable.
October 23, 2011
After reading Heart of Stone last year, I looked forward to reading Heart of Lies and wasn't disappointed. I love the edgier feel to these inspirational Historicals. Maddie was a harder character to emphasize with, but Ms. Landis won me over as the protagnoist's character arc developed. Tom was noble from the first sentence, and having been introduced to him in the first novel, I eagerly awaited his meant-to-be-match. At first Maddie didn't measure up, being a product of her upbringing. I wanted her to behave more wisely in regards to the kidnapping, but she was true to form - loyal to those who didn't deserve her loyalty. I wasn't always sure what Tom saw in her, but eventually he convinced me that he found her appealing. When she finally reunites with the person looking for her, I so wanted one key scene to convince her they were related. A scene from the first book prologue where Laura combs Maggie's hair, humming a tune, the same tune from when they were little girls. I wanted the simple tune to reach inside Maddie's memories and convince her this was her long lost sister. That scene didn't play out in this book, I was disappointed, but I believed how Ms. Landis convinced Maddie she had found her sister, the sister she never knew she had. I gave Heart of Stone 5 stars for it's perfection. I also highly recommend this book. And now I eagerly await Heart of Glass, the next installment of The Irish Angel Series.
March 30, 2011
Second in The Irish Angels Series, this book focuses on the first missing sister of Laura Foster. Readers discover Maddie Grande was not forced into a life of prostitution like her older sister, but instead became part of the notorious "Grande Tribe" of New Orleans and was taught to beg and steal. (Think Oliver Twist.) Maddie, however, has no recollection of her true family, and believes her parents died and gave her to Dexter Grande to raise as his favorite. With the death of their leader splitting up the tribe, Maddie goes to live in the bayou with her twin "brothers." Just as she adjusts to the peaceful setting, the twins jeopardize their cover when they kidnap a wealthy merchant's daughter for ransom. Now Maddie is stuck looking after the outspoken girl and has a private Pinkerton detective watching her every move. As fate would have it, this same detective has been hired by Laura to locate her missing sister, and he starts to wonder if the criminal he's chasing might be the long-lost woman he's searching for.
Again, an okay novel, but not my favorite. I don't really care for the way Landis portrays some of her characters. I found them too "cutesy" or unrealistic. But I did like the bayou setting and her use of the Pinkerton agency detective. And I do want to find out what happened to the remaining sisters, so I will continue reading the series.
Again, an okay novel, but not my favorite. I don't really care for the way Landis portrays some of her characters. I found them too "cutesy" or unrealistic. But I did like the bayou setting and her use of the Pinkerton agency detective. And I do want to find out what happened to the remaining sisters, so I will continue reading the series.
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