Member Reviews
Endearing:
This was a lovely book that was simultaneously entertaining, emotional and educational. I thought the title was especially fitting as not only was the setting the Grand Canyon but it also explored the chasm between the different social classes, plus it expounded on the great divide caused by sin. I liked that there was a mix of historical fiction, sweet romance and intrigue. There were plenty of twists and turns that kept my attention and me guessing, yet I liked that there was good resolution at the end.
My heart went out to poor Emma Grace who had to endure so much and I was especially glad when she finally came to the understanding that she'd never been abandoned by the Lord. Overall I thought the author did a wonderful job of sharing the Christian message which came across as relatable and authentic without being overly preachy.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
"Emma Grace could hardly wait to get to the rim in front of her. Every step closer brought more into view. The deep rusts, oranges and reds of the canyon...never in her life could she have imagined anything so beautiful."
Emma Grace is the main character in Kimberley Woodhouse's new novel A Deep Divide Secrets of the Canyon Book 1. She is the epitome of grace, resolve, and kindness. She is also a Harvey Girl, a fact in which Emma Grace takes great pride.
While unfolding the story of intrigue and disguise, Woodhouse also wraps the reader in a history lesson. Set on the rim of the Grand Canyon, A Deep Divide showcases the history surrounding this majestic landscape. As she arrives at El Tovar Hotel, Emma Grace is caught up in the beauty of the canyon, expertly described by Woodhouse, and meets the Kolb brothers. The Kolb brothers (Ellsworth and Emery), El Tovar Hotel, Harvey Girls and the canyon itself are a part of the historical aspect of the novel and readers won't be disappointed.
While I enjoyed the strong characters (I think Frank definitely needs his own story! ), the tidbits of history, and the story of Emma Grace and Ray (the man she slowly admires and then to love) , I felt that the ending became rushed, not letting the story really wrap itself up. I enjoyed the story and look forward to book two. I received a free copy from Bethany House and NetGalley any comments, thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
So I have to be honest and say that this book wasn't for me. I loved the setting, I wish I could see the Grand Canyon for myself so that I can more accurately picture it. And I loved learning more about the Harvey Girls. The stories about their work ethic and service are amazing, especially when compared to my sad waitressing experience lol. I feel like the story started off real well and had me hooked from the beginning but I felt like it peaked somewhere in the middle and then flatlined to the end. I love the important place Christian fiction has in our lives, teaching us wonderful truths through stories. While the Christian content in A Deep Divide was really good and solid, to me, it didn't flow naturally in the dialogue, it felt forced and stilted. Emma Grace was a sweet character though I confess to not really understanding the logic behind a lot of her decisions. I liked Ray, how he broke the mold of the wealthy and reminded Emma Grace that there are still good men in the world. The romance was probably my least favourite part of the book, mostly because there wasn't really one. Slow-burn romances are usually just that, slow, but ultimately satisfying by the end. But in this romance, even though there was a kiss by the end of the book, I found the ending left wanting by the time I finished it.
Set in the early 1900s. Emma Grace is the daughter of an extremely wealthy man, whose ambition for more money took him over. When she was still 17 she ran away from him and being his pawn. She became a Harvey girl, strove to be her best, and was able to transfer to the new restaurant at the Grand Canyon. She was tired of disguises and hiding, hoping she had run far enough away for them to find her. She had learned that her father had been murdered after she left, and she was afraid.
Ray was the son of another extremely wealthy man who was obsessed with getting more. He wasn't like his father, and little by little Emma Grace began to see him as he really was, a man of God and faith, who wanted to help others, and not like other men of their social status.
Kimberly Woodhouse is so good at creating fully real, lovable characters with great depth. Excellent story that I didn't want to put down. Beautiful Christian lessons that give a strong foundation throughout. Interesting information about the Grand Canyon and Hopi Indians from the area. Looking forward to the next in the series!
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#ADeepDivide #NetGalley
The author has done it again! A Deep Divide is set in 1905 at the Grand Canyon and is about the Harvey Girls who work at El Tovar Grand Canyon Hotel. Emma, who has been a Harvey Girl since she turned 17 wanted to be a part of the new Harvey House. She is looking to escape those who have been looking for her since her father passed away and left legal contracts for marriage to Emma, which turned out to be a scam.
A Deep Divide will take you back in time to when going on an adventure was the thing to do. I have visited the Grand Canyon and it is simply stunning and majestic, a true masterpiece to what God has created. I loved the inspirational message throughout the story, simply trust God, and live the way He want’s us to. I am looking forward to book two in the series.
I highly recommend the book.
This is an absolutely wonderful book. It is full of beautiful scenery, romance and suspense. I loved this book and hated to see it end.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Reading a Kimberley Woodhouse novel is like getting a history lesson. Except history is your favorite subject and it's taught by your favorite teacher.
I love every story Woodhouse has told. There's always a lovely cast of characters and a riveting story line. She always includes action, love and faith. And honestly, can you get much better than that?
My heart went out so much for Emma Grace. At one point I had to set the book down and I told my sister I was done (I obviously wasn't) because of the hurt she had to endure. The hurt inflicted on her by the men who were supposed to protect her. But with grace she rose above it all and became someone to be proud of.
I truly loved Ray as well. The way he was so confident until it came to Miss McMurray was adorable. He had so much growth and I really enjoyed seeing it.
The story kept me on my toes for sure. I loved the mystery of the whole thing. It had me turning the pages until sadly I came to the end. I feel as if I never get enough of Woodhouse’s books!
I was so happy to hear that this book was a Harvey House girl, it's a storyline I would love to see more of! Learning about the El Tovar and the Grand Canyon was incredible. And I know Woodhouse has visited the places she writes about so I felt as though I was there. One day I'm definitely going to visit.
Also I may have left this book with many opened tabs on the Grand Canyon, the El Tovar and the Kolb brothers. Seriously if you check this book out definitely listen to the authors note and check this stuff out. It's so interesting!!
I never leave a Woodhouse novel without feeling encouraged in my faith. No matter what, God always uses her books to help me in my season of faith. Somehow I'm always going through something similar as one of the characters... Gotta be a God thing. But it's by far my favorite thing about reading these books!!
**I was given a free copy of this book by the publisher. I was in no way required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are purely my own.**
There are times in life when, only seeing a small piece of the larger picture, we may feel like God does not care about what is happening to us or around us. At those times fear often sets in. In our current times there are many things going on that might elicit a spirit of fear. In A Deep Divide Kimberley Woodhouse takes us back to the early 1900s to examine the theme of fear in relationship to faith, allowing us to examine this separate from the emotions of our current circumstances, then allowing us to apply what we glean to those circumstances.
On a more basic level, A Deep Divide is a wonderful story, with a great balance between historical accuracy, intrigue, and sweet romance. Woodhouse uses her words to paint beautiful pictures of the Grand Canyon's grandeur, as well as to develop her characters into people readers will know and care about.
I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.
This is a wonderful romance that has a bit of suspense. I love the descriptions of the Grand Canyon and the surrounding area. This shows the love/hate relationship between some fathers and their children. I love the wonderful characters that depict what the Harvey Girls might have really been like. This is a beautiful story that you will not want to put down. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House and the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Kimberley Woodhouse starts her new series with a couldn't put it down book! I was sad when I was finished because I didn't want it to be over.
This beautiful book takes place on the rim of the Grand Canyon. I absolutely love books and movies about Harvey Girls. They are fascinating!
Emma Grace had a tumultuous childhood and started a new life as a Harvey Girl. Ray Watkins is sent on a business trip by his father to the new hotel at the Grand Canyon. Emma Grace and Ray soon bond and have to face and overcome challenges from each of their pasts that have caught up with them.
I love how Kimberley Woodhouse ties faith into her books. I always end up being so encouraged. I highly recommend this new book in the Secrets of the Canyon series.
This interesting historical book of a missing heiress was well written, giving a message of hope for all of us. The Harvey Girls that Emma Grace Edwards was a part of and the grand hotel of El Tovar were described in such detail that I felt as though I was there. The Grand Canyon never seemed so real as when reading this book.
I enjoyed the journey that Emma Grace experienced as she came to know that she could trust God and others to let go of the past. It was a touching moment when she realized she could be free and recognizes that she can’t let fear keep her from allowing her to live. I loved when she said, “I want to have a future…if I want to have friends and a family—real friends and love…— I’ve got to tell the truth.” I was happy to see that she could put aside the things that would hinder her from realizing her dreams and she had Ray, Ruth, and others who would love, help, and support her.
Ray was a unique man because wealth did not matter to him after he encountered Christ. He set his sights on ways that he could use the money that he had been blessed with to help others. He didn’t see people as any different than himself. “This was why Ray disliked society and all its rules of classes and such. Why couldn’t people simply be people? All equal?”
I was delighted to be caught off-guard when Emma learns the truth of what actually happened to her father. The twist in the plot of the story made it all the more interesting.
This is the first book in the Secrets of the Canyon. If you like westerns, romance, suspense, and some mystery, you will enjoy this book. I received a free copy of the book from Bethany House and NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
A Deep Divide
by Kimberley Woodhouse
Pub Date: October 5, 2021
Bethany House Publishers
I have read most of Kimberley Woodhouse's books. She writes outstanding Historical Fiction and often pairs up with another of my favorite writers, Traci Peterson. I have seen both of them in interviews and they are quite interesting. A lovely start to the Secrets of the Canyon Series! A Deep Divide includes well-written characters, atmospheric scenery, turmoil, and romance.
Thanks to Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC. Our patrons will really enjoy this one!
5star
I absolutely loved this book. It is the best book Kimberley has written in my opinion.
It is very intriguing, I absolutely could not put it down once I started it.
I love historical books that I can learn from and the author's research is immaculate. I also loved the research books she listed if you want further information on this story and I will be looking into these as well.
I lived in Yuma,Arizona and visited the Grand Canyon and it is as breath taking as described in the book. It's absolutely majestic! I greatly look forward to the next book!
Pub Date 05 Oct 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
I always find books about the Harvey Girls to be very interesting. This one is no exception. It’s unique that the main character Emma Grace has ran away from her very wealthy father because he’s forcing her to marry and is taking the highest bidder. Then as she’s in the run, she finds out her father was murdered the night she left. She’s in housing for many reasons and ends up at the beautiful Grand Canyon. The author did a fantastic job of describing the Canyon and the hotel. I’m ready for a trip back to explore it! Ray arrives at the hotel and Emma Grace is his waitress. They begin a friendship and many things occur along the way. Twists and turns that we’re unpredictable. Such a good book! I’m looking forward to more in this series. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All views stated are my own.
Perhaps she wouldn’t have to move again. She could just stay hidden here forever.
With vivid detail, the author takes us to the Grand Canyon in all its glory. One can only imagine the secrets around this incredible place! El Tovar, an exquisite hotel on the edge of the Canyon, is the perfect setting for a wonderful story about the fascinating life of just one Harvey Girl. This career, sought after by many in early 1900, brought financial relief to many families. In fact, I’m quite sure I would have enjoyed such an opportunity as a young lady.
There is more than one deep divide that this narrative brings for the reader to consider. As a young child, Emma Grace experienced a total loss of trust in those who should have been caring for her. Leaving all that she knew behind, she became a Harvey Girl, seeking to be the best that she could be. Trust in those around her did not come easily, continually living in fear of being found out. Learning to leave those fears with the Lord would also help her learn to trust - but could she do it? Would it be possible for that broken trust to ever be restored?
An ARC of this first book in the Secrets of the Canyon was received through Bethany House Publishers, Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley. These thoughts and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.
Such a great captivating story. I love books about the Harvey Girls, and this one did not disappoint, and we learn how our girl, Emma Grace, knows about them, first hand information.
We are also given a young man, Ray Watkins, and his journey to eventually own his father's business, and do Good with his profits.
These two have a lot in common, both come from wealthy backgrounds, and have father's that they never seem to please, and now fate, or God has put these two on the same path.
This read has a lot of action, from kidnapping to murder, from new identities to finding oneself, along with seeing some of this beautiful country through the eyes of these characters. A very enjoyable read!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.
Loved reading about the Harvey girls! Emma Grace made the perfect Harvey girl and her dilemma will keep readers anticipating the outcome. The history of the expansion of the Harvey girls to the west, the Kolb Brothers amazing photography and the El Tovar Hotel all enriched the story. Strong message about money being the root of evil. I always like the author's notes. Recommended!
"A Deep Divide" is a Christian romance set in 1905 at the Grand Canyon. Emma ran away when her father auctioned her off as a way to merge businesses. She later discovers he was murdered that very night. She's afraid that the murderer will force her to marry him and then kill her. Ray was a self-centered, rich young man until he nearly killed a boy due to reckless driving. God changed him, and now he wants to use his wealth to help others...but his father has no intention of giving money away.
Historical details about what the Grand Canyon and the Harvey Girls were like at that time were woven into the story and brought the story to life. The main characters were engaging and reacted realistically to events. Ray's kindness and humility slowly won Emma over to agree to spend time getting to know him. This included a hike into the canyon and time at the Hopi house. Emma and Ray shared interests and values and were a good personality match. Emma's also dealing with indications that someone has nearly found her, adding suspense.
Emma's attracted to the grace-giving God that Ray and her new friends at El Tovar believe in. She learned Bible verses to help her deal with her fear. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I recommend this enjoyable historical romance.
A Deep Divide is another outstanding offering from amazing storyteller Kimberley Woodhouse and a wonderful beginning to her new Secrets of the Canyon series! I was fully invested in this book from prologue through epilogue (actually through the author’s notes which are also excellent). Expressive prose and detailed descriptions bring the Grand Canyon setting to life. The well-researched historical aspect featuring the Harvey Girls, the Kolb brothers, and Hopi House is informative and entertaining. The romance is sweet and slow-building. I especially appreciate the inspiring spiritual truths infused into the story. Emma Grace’s spiritual journey is one of the major highlights for me as she comes to experience the truth of God’s Word written in Psalm 34:4 —“I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.’’ Add a suspenseful, smoothly flowing plot and endearing, relatable characters and you have an exciting, satisfying read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I look forward to the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Fans of historic Christian fiction will really love this one! It follows a young heiress who has had a difficult time due to her father's greed, and her attempt to escape and find 'normal.' She ends up being a Harvey Girl working near the Grand Canyon, where she meets a nice young man. There is mystery and intrigue, a little underlying romance, and of course a sweet happy ending!