Kimberly Woodhouse has done it again!💕💕💕💕💕

Wow!!! Wow!!! This series had my heart since it came out last year. I truly fell in love with everybody at the El Tovar and imagine myself surrounded by the beautiful layered orange and sunset mountains. Every time somebody gets off the train or every time a character enters a room I have a smile on my face because I feel like they're my fictional family come back. Julia is an amazing character! She loves to tell stories and unfortunately she's been through so much that her stories became her rock. Although the good Lord did give her that gift it does go too far. Other people encourage her to start telling the truth about her life and I believe that makes it easier on her that people trust her and she can learn to trust them. I love all the other main characters the romance the adventure truly had my heart in a never-ending happy streak. I definitely like the treasure hunt! I feel like I was reading a National Treasure story LOL everybody has their vices in this book and they have Jesus help them get through it and they all work together. I cannot wait for the third book! Ruth is one of my Idols she definitely has that maternal instinct to look after everyone and protect those from bullies or trouble. She kind of is like me LOL Kimberly you are utterly amazing and I'm so thankful you wrote this series! God bless you!

Julia is the main character of this lovely story, which is set mostly at the Grand Canyon. Julia has had a tough life and she just doesn't know who she is, but she finds out through the love of God. I really like this story because all of us can relate to Julia in some way. This book was little different for me, I love Christian books that are set in the 1800's and the new frontier, but I enjoyed this book very much.
I love how Kimberley Woodhouse writes, you feel like you are right beside all the characters, she gets you so impressed in the story you feel like you are there. I highly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed.

4.5 - I just love reading about these Harvey Girls and the Grand Canyon! This second novel can be read as a standalone but I would suggest reading the first one since it is just so good and you will have background on the other characters as well. This second novel focuses the storyline on Julia who has come to the El Tovar Hotel to start over anew. Having worked at a Harvey Girl in Texas she can jump right into her duties at this new place, but it will be getting to know all of the girls that is her worry. Having made a promise to her old boss, Julia focuses on being herself and true to her promise. But the story of long lost treasure from centuries ago still being in the canyon, and someone from her past Julia isn't feeling sure of being herself and staying here. A handsome master jeweler has also caught her attention but her past might make him reconsidering his interest in her and besides she is not sure this is a permanent place for her. Starting over was not as easy as Julia thought it would be, and her past testing her might be what it takes for Julia to finally come to terms with her childhood and what she is seeking in life. Another great written novel! I loved the characters, the mystery, the lost treasure story and the El Tovar Hotel. Thank you to Bethany House and the author for the free novel. I look forward to receiving my paperback copy on release day!

Classic Sweet Historical Romance with a fun treasure hunting twist. This story unwraps a great grace message. I really like the down-to-earth hardworking hero. Well written. Fast read.

Julia Schultz, orphaned at a young age, always felt the need to make up stories to cover up the true circumstances surrounding the deaths of her parents. Now a young woman, she has worked her way up to her dream job at El Tovar, the famous lodge at the Grand Canyon. While doing her duties waitressing as a Harvey’s Girl, she learns of a mysterious legend about some lost gems.

Chris Miller, a young jeweler, is feeling pressure to make some quick cash to enable him to purchase the building housing his jewelry store. When his path crosses with Julia’s at El Tovar, events are set in motion that will change both of their lives forever..

Will Julia and Chris be able find what they seek? Find out in this intriguing work of historical fiction filled with fascinating facts about the Grand Canyon as it was at the turn of the 20th century. A worthwhile read for Grand Canyon history buffs!

I had the privilege of reviewing an ARC of A Gem of Truth by Kimberley Woodhouse from the publisher. This is a story full of adventure, mystery, hope, love, and forgiveness. A story of learning to trust. I highly recommend this story and the full series. Kimberley Woodhouse has become one of my favorites!

Set in 1907, A Gem of Truth is an exciting return to the Grand Canyon, the El Tovar Hotel, and the world of the Harvey Girls. In this second book of the Secrets of the Canyon series, Ms. Woodhouse once again masterfully melds history and fiction to create an intriguing, absorbing, inspirational read. I loved reconnecting with Emma Grace, Ray, and Ruth from the first book A Deep Divide and meeting new “friends” Julia and Chris. A beautifully painted setting, characters that you come to really care about, an encouraging faith thread, a well-structured and adventure-packed plot, plus a bit of sweet romance equals a book that exceeded my highest expectations! I loved the first two books of the series and look forward to reading Ruth's story in the next book A Mark of Grace. Note: Even though A Gem of Truth is the second book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Julia has a reputation for weaving tall tales and as a Harvey Girl, that kind of behavior is not allowed. When she is given the opportunity to transfer to a different Harvey House, she takes advantage of the new place to reinvent herself. She makes a pact with her supervisor to tell the truth, and only the truth.

In working at El Tovar near the Grand Canyon, she hears of a the legend of the treasure of Cibola. On her days off, she goes exploring and finds a cave with a Spanish helmet with a scroll and a few pouches of gems inside. Julia realizes that the legend was real. Once she finds out that she can keep the gems she found, she enters into a partnership with a jeweler who was contracted to provide jewelry to the resort and instruction to some of the Hopi who wish to know how to make the jewelry.

As luck would have it, Julia's past catches up with her in the form of a waitress from her former Harvey House posting. Florence, the waitress, makes life difficult for Julia. When Florence takes her vicious pleasures too far, she ends up getting fired.

The story is not complete without a couple of bad guys to round out the plot. Kimberley Woodhouse has created a slow-moving but entertaining novel that is great for reading during short snippets of time. She does a great job at delineating how Julia overcame many difficult roadblocks in her life. Four Stars.

Bethany House provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Fairly standard, but enjoyable historical inspirational romance. This is the second book in the series, but can be enjoyed without reading the first book.

A Gem of Truth
by Kimberley Woodhouse
Pub Date: Sept. 20, 2022
Bethany House
Thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I love the cover and the Dear Reader Note at the beginning of the book. This book was inspired by a very true story- the history behind the Spanish exploration that brought a small band to the Grand Canyon by accident almost 500 years ago.
For more details about the history included in this story make sure you check out the Notes from the author at the end of the book.
There is a strong Christian message with many scriptures about the love of Christ and His sacrifice on the cross woven into the story. The truth of “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,” comes out strongly. We see redemption, repentance, forgiveness, and sacrificial love shown amongst those of the characters who choose the Lord’s ways.
I highly recommend this lovely book to anyone who enjoys Christian historical romance. 5 stars

4☆☆☆☆ <Very good and highly enjoyable

"In the middle of the night, she’d come to a startling conclusion. She didn’t have any idea who she was. In fact, all the stories she’d told were more prominent than any of her real memories. Other than the day of her parents’ deaths."

This story had a lot of heart and while it can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend reading the 1st story prior to this one as several characters return along with the same setting.
There are myriad details shared throughout. One such is the Harvey Girl's cup code, but I would encourage you to search online further as it was actually more detailed according to another author I previously read.

Julia's adventure in the Grand Canyon is an exciting one. Her bigger adventure of navigating faith is well done and her interactions with others were very interesting.

A pet peeve of mine is when authors misuse the phrase "champing at the bit" (changing the word to chomping). I was so happy to see this author use it correctly 👏! However, inserting the modern phrase, "I know, right?" was a bit annoying.
There were some unexpected surprises, like who Bobby really was and what happened to Julia's parents. I appreciate being surprised in a book.
I related to how Chris felt about the loss of his grandfather, having lost my Dad in 2020: "Oh man. He missed his grandfather. Some days the grief was more than others. It didn’t get easier per se, but it didn’t always hurt as much as it once did."

This series is worth reading and I look forward the Ruth's story, A Mark of Grace, coming January 2023.

All opinions are mine alone with thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an eVersion of the book.

(Shared on Goodreads & pending share on several retail sites.)

A GEM OF TRUTH is the second novel in the Secrets of the Canyon series by KIMBERLEY WOODHOUSE. It is a delightful read with some wonderful characters and is full of excitement, adventure and romance. The story takes place at the El Tovar Harvey House Hotel at the Grand Canyon in 1907. As with The Great Divide, the magnificent scenery is beautifully described. I cannot wait for the third book in the series.
Julia Schultz lost her infamous parents at the age of eight, and, except for a few weeks of being loved and cared for by adoptive parents before they too died, she had a dreadful childhood which led to her making up fabulous stories which made her feel like someone important rather than the lonely orphan who no one wanted.
She is hoping to start afresh at El Tovar, and, apart from a slip up when she first arrives, makes a conscious decision to only tell the truth.
Chris Miller, a jeweller in Williams, is fascinated by the beautiful red haired Harvey Girl. He is excited about the treasure she has found and goes into partnership with her, hoping to get enough money to buy his shop. With the importance he places on honesty and always speaking the truth, what will he do when he hears about her past?……..
There is a strong Christian message with many scriptures about the love of Christ and His sacrifice on the cross woven into the story. The truth of “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,” comes out strongly. We see redemption, repentance, forgiveness and sacrificial love shown amongst those of the characters who choose the Lord’s ways.
I highly recommend this lovely book to anyone who enjoys Christian historical romance.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.