Heart of Lies Book Review *Jill Marie Landis*

Jill Marie Landis is a perfect example of an author who writes wonderful inspiration historical romance. Jill is best known for her Americana/Western historical romance. Presently, she’s writing a series about four sisters who were cruelly separated when they were very young and how twenty years later, they must find their way back to one another.

The first book in the Irish Angel series, Heart of Stone, was about the oldest sister, Laura, who was forced into prostitution, escaped to Texas and then ended up marrying a reverend who through his love and deep spiritual beliefs, helped Laura overcome her past that has haunted her. Her goal is to find her three younger sisters. She hires Pinkerton agent Tom Abbott who ends up in New Orleans, Louisiana on the trail of Megan, the second oldest sister.

Maddie Grande was once part of a “tribe” of children thieves run by Dexter Grande. Maddie doesn’t remember anything before she became a part of the tribe and when she became old enough, was in charge of brainwashing the children Dexter kidnapped into accepting their new lives. Years later, Maddie is now living in a shack on the edge of the bayou swamp. Dexter has died, leaving her own with the help of her petty criminal twins brothers, Terrance and Lawrence, who were also once part of the tribe. Terrance ends up kidnapping an eight year old Penelope Perkins. Terrance plans to start a new tribe, or at least hold Penelope for ransom, in order to get money from Penelope’s rich parents. Maddie is forced to watch over Penelope while the brothers plan their next step. Maddie wants no part of this, but she’s afraid Terrance may harm Penelope if she doesn’t do what he wants. She’ll try to find a way to return Penelope to her parents before she can be found and arrested.

Tom also takes on the Perkin’s case and he finds himself on Maddie’s doorstep. He figures out she’s involved, but he doesn’t know if she’s the mastermind behind the crime, or an unwilling accomplice. Maddie is running scared and she outwits Tom, but loses Penelope in the process. Now she has to find Penelope and a way to return her to her parents without getting caught. But Tom is on her trail, and even though he knows he can’t trust her, he feels compassion for her situation and soon develops an attraction for her. And then things come to a head where someone is killed and Tom refuses to let Maddie disappear and start anew for she may be one of the long lost Lane sisters.

Heart of Lies is a book that will tug on your heart. Maddie is an incredible heroine who has been through so many hardships. She’s able to carve out a new life for herself, but because of what she was forced to do as a child, she has self-loathing because her actions have destroyed so many. The way she helps Penelope is her way of righting the wrongs she has done.

Even though the subject matter here is heavy and at times dark, mainly with Maddie, there are a few light moments with humor, mainly from Penelope, who is a very blunt speaking, adorable girl who refuses to be a victim herself. You’ll chuckle a few times by what comes out of her mouth. Also, Maddie and Tom have their moments together that are equally tender and sweet. Tom is not a cold lawman, but one who looks at all sides before he makes an informed decision about someone. His feelings for Maddie creep up on him and at first he’s shocked, but then he welcomes them. The main problem is getting Maddie to accept him. Maddie is a harder nut to crack because she doesn’t feel she has any worth. Her self-esteem is very low, but she comes across more as a fighter and a survivor than one who is close to giving up on life.

The entire book moves at a nice pace and the last fifty pages may bring a happy tear to your eye. Heart of Lies is all about hope and forgiveness without being too heavy on God and religion. It’s more about having faith in one’s self and putting that faith in others, like Tom wants Maddie to do with him since he becomes her savior.

Heart of Lies is perfect for all ages and really hit all those high marks I look forward to when reading an emotional tale with a wonderfully written romance. If you’re looking for a more tender romance with lovely kissing scenes and with a heroine who has defied all the odds life has thrown at her, including a hero who wants to be her biggest support, I recommend you read this latest by Jill. And to get a better idea about the Lane sisters and their tribulations, pick up Heart of Stone and the next two books to come about the remaining sisters. (Zondervan)

Final Grade: A-

A few other Heart of Lies reviews:
Novel Reviews
Trinty's Rose Garden