Kimberley Woodhouse

I have to admit that this book had everything that a great novel should have. It had a rich blend of historical facts and mystery that made it difficult to put down. For every somber historical fact, there was also a lighthearted moment often between Olivia, her brother or Joseph.
The characters were lifelike in their emotions and actions, especially Olivia. Despite everything she had gone through, she eventually came to find hope through reading the Bible with Joseph and her brother, Daniel.
I would recommend this delightful tale to anyone who is in need of a historical mystery with a touch of romance.
Personal Rating: 5 Stars
Content Rating: 4 Stars
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.… (meer)

4 Stars

I was not sure how this book would turn out with how I heard the book before it was, but I'm pleased to see that this was much better and really easy to dive into with some great faith content, which is really great to see!

Negative Content and
Triggers for blood.

A mention of a bad guy having killed a man, and it mentions a pool of red (blood) growing around him. The bad guy thinks of the man as a fool, and that he did not deserve life.

A mention of a confounded rock.

Many mentions of people thinking of pastors as reverends.(we are not to call a man reverend, but rather pastor or preacher, for reverend is a title reserved for God.
"He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name." Psalms 111:9 KJV)

Someone thinks of somebody as a stupid fool.

Someone thinks that if they can keep the occasional fool from messing up their plans, everything would be perfect.

A mention of derogatory comments about women.

Someone thinks of somebody as a fool.

A mention of someone over hearing two men talking about a another man who had been discovered at a brothel, and the glint in their eyes told the person all that was needed to be known about their own indiscretions.

A mention of men who were working telling stories that were not the cleanest, and a man joining in with his thoughts and convictions, wondering if they thought he was judging them and condemning them for their lewd behavior, and thinks that he hadn't wanted to listen to the garbage the men spewed.

A man gives a woman a grin and then winks at her, and the woman blushed, thinking that a man didn't wink at a lady, that it was entirely too . . . intimate.

A mention of someone saying that a man had just come from a brothel.

A mention of brandy.

A mention of a bad guy having had killed the bad guys villain father.

Some mentions of someone having stabbed people.

If I had to say what lowered the rating for me, I'd have to say it was the mentions of someone thinking of different people as fools, and the mentions of men having been to brothels (but it was portrayed as being wrong to do so).

I received a complimentary e-book from the publisher to review through Netgalley. I was not required to give a positive review, and the thoughts above are my own.… (meer)

With a setting in Colorado in the late 1800s, a female paleontologist who has her own dig, and a sigh-worthy hero, Kimberley Woodhouse’s second book in her Treasures of the Earth series caught my attention and kept it captive. I enjoyed the history behind the story, including the Bone Wars and the finding of dinosaur bones in the Colorado/Utah area. Woodhouse has obviously researched the subject well and worked her characters and story around it carefully. I particularly enjoyed the epigraphs at the beginning of the chapters with quotes by Earl Douglass. They were inspiring and gave a little clue as to what the chapter would bring.

Paleontologist Martha Jankowski is competent, passionate about dinosaur digs, and motivated to succeed in unearthing an intact dinosaur for display in a museum. Jacob Duncan is a student of paleontology and is hired by Martha to help on her dig. Jacob’s work ethic, honesty, and integrity were exemplary, and contrasted greatly with some of the other characters in the tale. I enjoyed seeing their relationship change and grow as they worked together.

Plenty of history, suspense, twists and turns, and inspiration combine to make this an intriguing and entertaining story. A dash of romance is added in for those who enjoy a bit of that along with their historical fiction. There are very strong inspirational elements woven throughout the story with focus on faith, forgiveness, trust. The contrast between good and evil was very evident. I recommend this book to those who enjoy faith-filled historical romance.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. All opinions are my own.… (meer)