A Hope Unburied by Kimberly Woodhouse
MY REVIEW:
I love how versatile author Kimberly Woodhouse is. Just recently she has taken me from a modern day Alaskan suspense to a no less intriguing historical mystery set mostly at Dinosaur National Monument in Jensen, Utah. A Hope Unburied concludes her Treasures of the Earth series with a most satisfying tale that tweaked my imagination more than once.
I do not remember ever having heard of the “bone wars” so the content of A Hope Unburied was a welcome change. I also loved reading about Eliza, a wealthy young woman who wasn’t afraid to go against society’s mandates in order to fulfill her dream of working as a paleontologist. Not only that, but her close relationship with Devin Schmitt, the son of a servant, defied expectations of one of her standing. I loved how he dropped everything to run to Eliza’s aid when she needed him. The possibility of their relationship becoming more than friendship was tantalizing.
A Hope Unburied was filled with well defined, interesting characters, a peek into formerly unknown history, plenty of mystery and suspense, and a bit of romance. The added faith element as both Eliza and Devin learned how to put their trust in God rather than their own strengths was inspirational. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series. Each can stand on its own but are so much better as a whole.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Beyond the perilous landscape lies a love that defies extinction. . . .
In the bustling world of paleontology in 1916, Eliza Mills defies societal expectations to pursue her passion. Having published her early groundbreaking papers under a false name, she has finally earned her place at the Carnegie Museum and seizes the opportunity to work at Dinosaur National Monument with a renowned paleontologist. But things in Jensen, Utah, aren’t what they appear. When Eliza gets the chance to dig up bones at a ranch with a dark history, it sparks a chain of events that will rock the very fabric of her carefully constructed world.
Devin Schmitt, Eliza’s closest friend since childhood, harbors unspoken feelings for her but knows he will never be able to win her heart. Just as he vows to give her up for good, Eliza begs him to visit her in Utah for another grand adventure. He reluctantly agrees, and within a few days of his arrival, he and Eliza find themselves entangled in a web of danger where the stakes are much higher than they ever anticipated. Together, Devin and Eliza must hold on to God as their hope as they navigate a treacherous terrain of betrayal to unbury the truth and save Eliza from those who wish to see her fail.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than forty fiction and nonfiction books. Kim and her incredible husband of thirty-plus years live in Colorado, where they play golf together, spend time with their kids and grandkids, and research all the history around them.
MORE FROM KIMBERLY:
A couple of years ago, I asked readers on my Facebook page what they were interested in reading in Christian fiction. When one reader and friend suggested I write about the Bone Wars, I was intrigued and instantly excited. I had no idea how much of a blessing writing the Treasures of the Earth series would be.
I traveled all over western Colorado, eastern Utah and southern Wyoming, looking at the incredible displays of bones of magnificent creatures of our past. Stopping at every tiny museum along the way, and even driving miles and miles into the middle of nowhere to find just the right setting for The Secrets Beneath. But it was going to Dinosaur National Monument in Jensen, Utah that truly helped these three books come to life.
The monument was established in October 1915 by President Woodrow Wilson. The 80 acres encompassed the Carnegie Quarry, where paleontologist Earl Douglass was digging, trying to find intact dinosaur skeletons to send back to Carnegie’s museum in Pittsburgh. Eventually, President Franklin D. Roosevelt expanded the park to encompass more than 200,000 acres.
But this monument wouldn’t exist without the determination of one man: Earl Douglass. I had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with Diane Douglass Iverson, his granddaughter, during one of my research trips. She was generous with her time and memories as she shared her grandfather’s journals and memories with me. The longer we talked, the more the idea for what would be the third book of this series took shape. Though Earl is not a primary character in Eliza’s story, his presence and impact on the science of paleontology is felt through the pages.
In fact, each chapter of all three books has a quote from the book his son created out of his journal entries, titled Speak to the Earth and It Will Teach You. I am grateful to Diane for the opportunity to share his struggles, hopes, and dreams with my readers.
With this last book, I hope you enjoy Eliza’s joyful spirit, as well as her struggles to find her place in this world. She’s a spirited young woman with a passion for fossils and how God has created this incredible planet. You’ll get to visit Dinosaur National Monument with her, seeing the founding of this great national treasure through her eyes. I hope you love visiting there in your imagination and that you get the opportunity to visit on your own someday. But even more than that, I pray that, like Eliza, you find joy and confidence where God has placed you in His story.
BLOG STOPS:
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 21
Bigreadersite, October 21
lakesidelivingsite, October 22
Where Faith and Books Meet, October 23
Lighthouse Academy, October 23
Daylong Reflections, October 24
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 25
For Him and My Family, October 25
Texas Book-aholic, October 26
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 27
Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 27
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 28
Connie’s History Classroom, October 29
Mary Hake, October 29
Holly’s Book Corner, October 30
Cover Lover Book Review, October 31
Pause for Tales, October 31
Book Looks by Lisa, November 1
Lily’s Corner, November 2
Live.Love.Read., November 2
Labor Not in Vain, November 3
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Kimberley is giving away the grand prize of a $20 Amazon gift card and a paperback set of the Treasures of the Earth series: The Secrets Beneath, Set in Stone, and A Hope Unburied!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling author of more than thirty books and novellas, including A Deep Divide, Bridge of Gold, and The Mayflower Bride, as well as the coauthor of the Heart of Alaska series with Tracie Peterson. Kimberley’s writing has earned a Carol Award, the Christian Market Novel of the Year, the Holt Medallion, and many others. A proud former resident of Alaska, she now lives and writes in Colorado where she’s traded in her hat of “Craziest Mom” for “Nana the Great.”
