A DEEP DIVIDE by KIMBERLEY WOODHOUSE is an historical romance novel with a strong Christian message and lots of suspense and twists and turns, all of which make for an exciting and inspirational read. The author has obviously done a great deal of research into the history of the Harvey Houses and the Grand Canyon and the description of the magnificent scenery is very well done.
Emma Grace McMurray runs away from home at the age of seventeen due to her father’s determination to literally sell her in marriage to the highest bidder. She changes her last name to Edwards and works for five years all over the country as a Harvey Girl, ending up at El Tovar on the Grand Canyon. Since her kidnapping at the age of eight, her mother’s death and her father’s unhealthy obsession with money, she lives in constant fear of being found by her father’s killer or one of the men who had paid her father for her. It is only at El Tovar that she starts having a feeling of finally being part of a family now that she has friends. She has always felt abandoned by God as well as her father, but, as her new friends share with her what the Lord has done in their lives, she clings on to scriptures such as psalm 34:4, “I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears,.” and is gradually delivered from fear.
Ray Watkins has also come from a wealthy background with a father who prides himself on being one of the richest men in the country. Since giving his life to the Lord he is no longer the entitled young man he used to be. He is a keen photographer and takes many photos of the beautiful surroundings and the equally beautiful waitress that he has befriended.
The truth of being saved by grace and not by works comes out strongly in the story.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publisherx. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Emma Grace had come to the edge of the Grand Canyon to be a part of the new Harvey House that has opened there. She has been a Harvey Girl since she ran away from home at 17. She is trying to escape the people who are looking for her since her father died and left her an heiress who was tied up in legal contracts for marriage to her father's investors which was a major scam. Meanwhile, Ray, a wealthy young gentleman who is trying to please his father so he can take over his father's business. His father wants him to take pictures of the local sites and do some research for him.

I love reading about the Harvey House hotels / restaurants in the early 1900s. This book was especially interesting and there was intrigue and surprises enough to satisfy fans of that genre. It was well researched and well written.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I was intrigued enough to google for photos of El Tovar and the Grand Canyon but I found the pace of this book rather too slow for me. Historical bits in fiction can be captivating to me but I just did not find the backstory of the Harvey girls and the hotel compelling enough.

I did like how spiritual elements were incorporated quite seamlessly in the story. The character arc of Emily Grace was well done and Ray was a likeable hero.

*** An Unexpected Pleasure ***

"The deep blue sky was beautifully decorated with clouds, as if the Master Painter had used a brush to spread the wispy white layers for the light to play with."

It felt like a movie and I definitely liked getting caught up in the show.
I love Harvey House/Harvey Girl stories! Ray Watkins faith and desire to please were very sweet. After her troublesome youth, Emma Grace has escaped to become a strong, self-dependent woman who ends up on a journey toward faith and connection. The descriptions of the El Tovar and the Grand Canyon made me want to hop a train and go visit, and I enjoyed the interaction with the Hopi Indians.
I liked the mystery elements as well.

I received an ebook from NetGalley and the Publisher. All opinions are mine alone.

Additional reviews posted at: CBD, B&N, GoodReads, GooglePlay Books, BAM / Pending for release date on AMZN & Kobo