Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

That is an actual record of my reaction to a particular twist in Set in Stone. One that took me by surprise (clearly) and one that I thought was brilliantly done by the author. I had my suspicions about how the suspense thread would turn out, and while I was partially correct about some of it I didn’t see the rest of it coming. Kimberley Woodhouse writes great historical romance – this is fact. But she also writes brilliant suspense, and I love that we get to see both talents showcased in this new series.

Martha and Jacob are both layered characters who come from two very different worlds. And while at first glance, Martha seems to have the kind of upbringing where she wanted for nothing, in truth it’s working class Jacob who is rich in what really matters. I appreciated the contrast between them and how the author integrated it into several of the story threads so we were shown the differences & not just told. I also loved Jacob’s character, from his personality to his integrity, his deep relationship with God, his growing feelings for Martha and even his connection to Dwight L. Moody. My heart broke for Martha in her acute lack of close relationships or anyone to share her burdens, and I found her subsequent journey toward a relationship with Jesus to be heartfelt and authentic. Even the places in her story where we can see Him pursuing her long before she realizes that He loves her deeply.

Bottom Line: In Set in Stone, Kimberley Woodhouse takes us to the height of the Bone Wars and puts us right in the middle of a high-stakes competition between rival digs. Readers will quickly become invested in Martha’s backstory and her present quest for a significant dinosaur skeleton, and they will of course fall in love with Jacob as she does. Drama abounds between the two digs, but it’s the truly complex villain that will keep you on the edge of your seat and biting your nails! A sweet romance (though I wish there had been a little more kissing haha #shallow), a touching faith journey, and some shocking twists round out the mix, and I already cannot wait for the next book!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

With plenty of Gospel truth, mystery, and suspense, Set in Stone was as spiritually edifying as it was thrilling! These characters are incredibly introspective, and their faith journeys and internal dialogue make up a significant part of this lovely story, causing the reader to pause and reflect. It was so encouraging to see Kimberly Woodhouse use biblical creation to tackle the world of paleontology at the height of the scientific foray into the theories and lies of macro-evolution. Martha’s personal faith journey was not a cookie cutter Christian fiction salvation story, but one that realistically depicted the doubt, struggles, and wonderful grace of a Christian coming into the fold of Christ. The romance and story slowly built up to a thrilling ending with plot twists and heart-pounding moments! I thoroughly enjoyed Set in Stone, and I look forward to the next installment of the Treasures of the Earth series!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. My thoughts are my own, I really did enjoy it!

This book was beautiful, poignant, and full of some twists that puzzled me until the end even as I caught on to a couple. Offering a glimpse into the Bone Wars and the contentious beginnings of paleontology, Woodhouse uses her characters to have thoughtful debates about how to reconcile faith and science while also creating layers upon layers of mystery.

The emotions portrayed in this book feel real, the characters could be people that you could meet in your life (granted a few centuries back), and it is clear that research on the area, time, and the Bone Wars themselves was extensive. This has to be one of my favorite books of the year so far, and I am intrigued enough to pick up book one to see what other layers it offers.

Note: You do not have to have read the first book to read this one. You also do not have to have a degree in paleontology as Woodhouse does a fantastic job of weaving information into her story.

*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House and NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine and mine alone.*

“But what good is it having dreams if they aren’t big?”

Woo-Hoo, Set in Stone, book two of Treasures in the Earth, by Kimberley Woodhouse, releases March 12! I absolutely love this series by Kimberley Woodhouse!

Set in Stone is just as exciting and suspenseful as its predecessor, The Secrets Beneath. Both involve a woman archaeologist, history, romance, and mystery. Set in Stone, as Secrets Beneath, can be a stand-alone.

This is a heart-wrenching story, at least for any daddy’s girl, of which I was one. Young Martha Jankowski is also one, idolizing her father, loving any time at home with him, and ecstatic when her archaeologist father lets her start “working”with him on a dig at age 6. But shortly after that, her parents return home from a trip, with her father maimed, unable to work any more, and greatly changed.

Unable to get her social-rule-conscious mother to show any love or approval, Martha hopes as an adult, by working her own dig, to gain her parents’ approval.

We meet Jacob Duncan working on an opposing dig, as the powers that be have pitted two digs against each other for dinosaur bones and speed. This is part of the Bone Wars that took place during that time, leading to sloppy practices, carelessness, and greed in a field demanding meticulous care. It is interesting to see how Woodhouse introduces Jacob and Martha to each other and how their lives become entangled both in matters of work and the heart.

If that were the only storyline present, Set in Stone would be interesting. But Woodhouse takes her novel a step above to “ominously mysterious” with the mystery over Martha’s father’s personality change and the invisible, ruthless owner of the other mine.

I loved the growth in the two main characters. The spiritual insights are as relevant for the reader as they are for the protagonists.

Don’t miss this exciting, mysterious second book in the Treasures of the Earth series.

Notable Quotables:

“…it doesn’t matter where God places you, it only matters that you use what you have to shine His light.”

”Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.“
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV

Wouldn’t it be awesome to be a part of an excavation that was uncovering dinosaur bones? Martha Jankowski has the unique opportunity to not only be on the dig, but to be the one who is responsible for its discovery and a female at that. The race against another crew to be the first to uncover an entire skeleton and win the distinction of having it displayed in a museum was an exciting part of the story. The historical details of such a race made me feel like I was there.

I enjoyed the faith and uncompromising nature of Jacob Duncan. Martha was such a blessed young woman to fall in love with him. He was such a patient and understanding man. They are such a good match since he is a fellow paleontologist who shares her passion of dinosaur digs and will for years to come.

The mystery that was taking place concurrently lent an element of intrigue and suspicion as you are given clues as to the possible identity of past and present crimes. Things were left up in the air, so I am curious to see if the villain will make an appearance in the next story. I hope so!

I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

Kimberly Woodhouse takes her readers on an amazing adventure with her extraordinary prose to the Colorado territory during the Bone Wars. Set in Stone is strong in faith with an oh-so-sweet love story that reaches across the social class divide in the late 1800s, with a murder/mystery. I was in suspense, reading late into the night, this totally intriguing who-done-it!

Woodhouse also educates her readers in paleontology history and science, of the era, in such a fun way, as we join Martha and Jacob digging for dinosaurs. I was rooting for Martha throughout this heartfelt story, as Jacob with his steadfast faith and patience, guided her throughout her journey to reconnect with God.

Kimberly Woodhouse is one of my favorite Historical Christian Fiction authors, and I always enjoy reading her stories. A definite must read, Set in Stone, is the second book in the Treasures of the Earth series, which can be enjoyed as a standalone.

I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House via Interviews and Reviews through NetGalley for an honest review. I was under no obligation to write a favorable review and all opinions are my own.

Wow! What a riveting sequel in the Treasures of the Earth series! Kimberley Woodhouse brilliantly combines history, a compelling mystery, a rollercoaster romance, and faith in this exciting new book. I’ve always been fascinated by dinosaurs and loved learning more about the Bone Wars in Set in Stone. Set in the late 1800’s when female paleontologists were unheard of, this story captured the competitive, thrilling, painstakingly difficult job of excavating dinosaur bones in the quarries of Utah & Colorado made even more challenging for a woman in a predominantly male field. It’s a page-turning historical mystery/romance I eagerly devoured!

Martha Jankowski grew up admiring her father’s work and as a child, enjoyed participating in his paleontological digs up until she was forced to stop after her father was severely injured. Now as an adult, she’s reawakened her dream of discovering dinosaur bones and having her name in a museum despite her mother’s disapproval. The competition for finding the next big discovery is fierce, and dangerous, especially when there’s another team working against her. Finding obstacles and sabotage at every turn, the only person Martha can rely on is her friend Jacob, a paleontology student who appreciates her intellect and shares her passion for dinosaur bones. But, when Jacob’s motives are called into question and he’s accused of theft and murder, can she trust him? And what of her fledgling faith Jacob reintroduced her to?

Absolutely loved this story and the opposites attract romance! Where Martha’s from the wealthy, upper class, Jacob struggles to help support his family, and their class differences are definitely a hurdle to overcome. There’s also the question of faith between them. With Darwin’s discoveries and writings, Martha struggles with the tension between science and religion while Jacob is a strong believer. As they reconcile differences, their sometimes turbulent relationship develops into a beautiful love. Jacob is ever patient and I appreciated his humility and willingness to work things out when Martha was often quick to judge and understandably wary of trusting others. I loved how their relationship evolved and they grew together.

The mystery definitely kept me turning the pages, especially with a female villain! I loved getting her chilling perspective and don’t worry, I’m not spoiling anything because there are several suspects with motivations for murder. While I definitely had my suspicions, I loved the uncertainty until the very end when the devious plot is all revealed.

I also appreciated the history incorporated in Set in Stone. Each chapter begins with a compelling quote from Earl Douglass, a turn of the century paleontologist who first discovered dinosaur bones where the Dinosaur National Monument now sits. I loved how the author captured a glimpse of what must have been like to find these amazing discoveries through the eyes of the characters.

Highly recommend this well written, unique, exciting, historical mystery/romance! Though part of a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. Now, I’m eagerly anticipating the next book in the series. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

Wow! The ending to this book left me speechless and that’s near impossibly to do. This is a fantastic read with lots of surprises and twists and Kimberley has become a master at creating remarkable villains. The villains in this series have been a cut above and make these stories all the better. Loved this one!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and also pre-ordered my own Audible copy. I was not required to post a positive review, and all thoughts are my own.

Set in Stone is the second book in Kimberley Woodhouse's Treasures of the Earth series. It is the character that remains in the shadows for most of the story that holds the reader's attention. A serial killer lurks in their midst and Martha Jankowski is completely unaware. Martha is focused on fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a full-fledged paleontologist. In those efforts, Martha is leading a dig in competition with another for the right to display a full dinosaur skeleton in a Denver museum. While rules are in place to keep the competition above board, someone is pulling strings to cause increased tension between the competitors.

An important part of this story revolves around the compatibility between the Christian faith based on the Bible and science, specifically paleontology. While not all of the questions often posed are answered, one can appreciate the characters wrestling and coming to terms with what seems contradictory to many. One also has to appreciate the author's perseverance in gifting readers with a wonderful story while also caring and grieving for a beloved family member.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Set in Stone from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

You know how you want to slow down your reading and drag a good book out to make it last longer? But you still aren't sure exactly what's going to happen or how, so you just really want to finish it? That's Set in Stone. In fact, I'm writing this paragraph now in order to make the final 40 pages last longer. I have my suspicions, but nothing sure, plus something just happened, so there's more coming, and I don't want it to end, but I NEED TO KNOW!!!

Read about 15 more pages. Had to stop again to make it last...things are coming to fruition!

Down to 16 pages left. I don't want this to end! But I need it to! What a dilemma Kimberley Woodhouse has put me in!

And, finished. What. A. Book!! If you, too, want to be pulled in 2 different directions, grab it!

~I was given a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions (and angst!) are my own.~

I found this to be a very compelling read but outside the scope of my blog. I have left an honest star review as I greatly appreciate the read, but I will not be including it in my publication. Thank you.

My high expectations for this second book in the Treasures of the Earth series were met and exceeded! The story is set in the late 1800s in Colorado with the world of the Great Dinosaur Rush as a backdrop. The plot—skillfully crafted with action, suspense, romance, and faith--kept me immersed in the story from beginning to end. I guessed early on who the duplicitous villain was, but that did not distract from the enjoyment of the read. As always, the author excels in bringing alive her compelling cast of characters. I love Jacob and the way he stands by his faith despite accusations and even physical harm. I had ambivalent feelings toward the heroine Martha but enjoyed and appreciated her spiritual journey. I love the way their sweet romantic relationship develops with all its ups and downs. The historical detail woven into the fictional narrative is entertaining as well and informative evidencing extensive and impeccable research. If you are looking for an enthralling, faith-filled read, I highly recommend this one. Note: Each book in the series is a standalone read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Set in Stone is book two in the Treasures of the Earth series. While this is a series, they are also great stand alone stories. This one focuses on Martha and her father’s love of being paleontologists. Martha and another man are in a rush to provide a full skeleton to a museum. The first one to do so will have theirs displayed. This story is filled with action, suspense and mystery, yet it has the touch of romance. It is so well written and very descriptive, it was easy for me to imagine. I especially enjoyed the information the author gives about the digs. I found this story so enjoyable in so many ways. I enjoyed how freely Jacob shared his faith, the mystery behind Martha’s parents, and the strength and dedication Martha has for the dig. I was left guessing to the end of the story as to who is causing the troubles with the digs and why.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

"...Martha Jankowski, are you ready to work on your first dinosaur dig?" She stood and straightened the canvas smock that covered her brown dress. "Yes, sir."
Long have people been curious and excited about the discovery of dinosaurs from little children to adults. Kimberly Woodhouse brings this fascination to the pages of her newest book in her Treasures of the Earth series. As she did in The Secrets Beneath, book 1 in the series, Woodhouse introduces a strong female character well versed in the interest of paleontology and a keen sense of scientific matters. Martha, the aforementioned character, learns at her father's knee about dinosaurs and dinosaur digs. She enthusiastically awaits the time she can truly dig with her father and find a major discovery that will contribute to the area of paleontology. She is extremely disappointed when, after experiencing a life changing accident, her father no longer has the ability or desire to dig for dinosaurs. Woodhouse then leads Martha into her young adult years where she has made a huge discovery: what she believes to be an Apatosaurus skeleton. With this discovery and dig she will be able to get her name into the scientific world and help interest in dinosaurs to grow. Little does she know that this venture will have devastating consequences for her, her constant companion Lily Rose, and for her new found friend Jacob. In a fierce competition against another dinosaur dig, Martha learns about trust, human connection and standing on her own courage.
Woodhouse has successfully captured the stress the Bone Wars had on the area of dinosaurs. She has created characters that seek to further that tension and fighting but also characters that champion saving the field of paleontology and making it so that everyone can benefit from these magnificent discoveries.
It was my pleasure to read a copy of this book and I'm grateful to the author and to Bethany House Fiction for that opportunity. My thoughts on the book are my own opinion and freely given.

It’s the late 1800s and the height of the Bone Wars in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains outside Denver. Martha is determined to be the first woman to discover an intact dinosaur skeleton with the dig her family is financing.

Unfortunately, the museum has pitted her in a race against another team, forcing her to hire more men and speed up. One of the men she hires is Jacob, who comes from a very humble background, looking for real world paleontology experience. He has put his schooling on hold for this dig and left his family behind in Chicago. Initially Jacob and Martha’s mutual love for paleontology brings them together, but it’s their theological discussions that forge a deeper connection.

Marketed as Christian fiction, this book has a whole lot of Jesus in it especially as it delves into the science vs. Creator debate. I wish there was more depth to Martha and Jacob’s discussions after they attend university lectures regarding the subject. I found Martha infuriating. As a woman of faith, she lacked a lot of it when it came to her romantic interest, often changing her mind on what felt like a whim. Also, the antagonist of the story felt very underdeveloped and almost an afterthought as though the author needed a bad guy for the story to be complete.

This is book two of a series, but one doesn’t need to read book one to get into this story. Though the premise sounded interesting, it was not the book for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bethany House Publishers, and the author Kimberley Woodhouse for the advanced copy of the book. Set in Stone is out on March 12th. All opinions are my own.

Readers who enjoy archeology will enjoy enjoy this book. The race in the Bones War was quite intriguing. A female villian is unusual. Martha and Jacob's story is very enjoyable. Love the author's notes. Recommend.

I have come to look forward to reading Kimberley's books. Before starting this one, I realized I hadn't read the first and of course I had to read it first (even though they really are stand alone books). Well, the first one was really good, but this one gave me even more. I have never read a book particularly on this little corner of historical fiction, but it was entertaining, informative and interesting.

Martha is a strong main character, but like us all still has her insecurities. She is determined to follow her dreams of leading a paleontology dig and find a way to connect with and show her family they can be proud of her. Jacob is humble, but strong and I loved his respect throughout for Martha and how he showed her the love of Christ in many ways. There was mystery, intrigue and a villain. I mean what more could you want? There is a tone of evil from the villain that slightly makes you shudder. I kept thinking I knew who the "bad guy" was from about a third of the way through the book, but then second guessed myself and then second guessed again. I really didn't figure it out until it was there at the end, and boy was there not one, but two shocks. I really kept just wanting to read to figure out what was going to happen and how it would end. There will be another one. There has to be. And I'm anxious to see how this story will fold into another one to come to a conclusion, that I was not granted by finishing this book. Well done. Now I have to wait...

Book 2 in the Treasures of the Earth series, this can be read as a standalone. But I urge you to read book 1, The Secrets Beneath. It’s so good!

I love reading about women as paleontologists back when women didn’t have such careers. Woodhouse has done so much research about the Bone Wars that it brings that time to life.

Adventure and suspense, science and Christianity. Woodhouse makes it all work so well. If you enjoy Christian historical fiction I highly recommend Set in Stone.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

I have always been fascinated by archeological digs. I even collected a few fossils as a child. This book scratched my itch for more information about the early years of paleontology in the US. Not only did the details keep my attention, the plot was excellent and the main characters were likable. Mystery and intrigue permeated the story and the history of Bone Wars was deftly woven in. I liked the way Ms. Woodhouse portrayed a spiritual element in Martha and Jacob’s lives and the ethical struggle that Jacob had after being fired. Martha could be stubborn but that trait served her well in her search for the truth about scripture and God and reconciling the Bible and Science.
This was a compelling historical,containing a sweet romance and suspenseful scenes.
I am really loving this series set in the 1800s about women in the field of paleontology. This was a clear winner for me.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House and NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

I won a copy of this book through the LibraryThing giveaway. This review is fully my own.
The book is quite well written but is just not my cup of tea. I cannot tell you exactly what put me off except maybe the details of the digs.
The book is part historical and part murder mystery. The first murder came early in the book but nothing more was written about it for quite some time. This put me off a bit also.
The grammar was well done and the story mostly flowed well. If you like historical fiction with a murder mystery, you will probably like this book.
I give this a solid 3 out of 5-star review.