Strong women galore!

At the close of the 19th century and on into the early 20th, there was an historical/scientific event known as The Bone Wars or The Great Dinosaur Rush. It was by spurred on by Edward Cope and Othniel Marsh, two world renowned, but unscrupulous, paleontologists. Highlights of their story is woven into the pages of SET IN STONE, by Kimberly Woodhouse.

Woodhouse gives a minimal amount of information on dinosaurs and a moderate amount on the actual digging of the bones. If you’re looking for a detailed, paleontology guide, this isn’t it. She mentions a few tools and very brief techniques to lift stubborn bones but that’s it.

More in keeping with her strength as a writer, Woodhouse gives us great characters. Martha, the central protagonist, starts out like the over done trope of an entitled debutante who meets a guy below her station and yada, yada. As her circumstances become more difficult, she rises to the challenges, buoyed by memories of her former Nanny and new friend/worker at the dig site who have something in common…

Martha’s new governess is nothing like her old Nanny but as she’s now an adult, they have become more like friends - or are they? This woman actually works for Martha’s mother, who is cold, demanding and formidable, not to mention a total enigma. Martha’s home life is not nurturing; something is a bit off.

I wasn’t expecting the strong mystery elements in this book but I enjoyed it very much. Woodhouse makes exquisite use of an unreliable narrator to toss readers about between choices for who the baddie is and THEY. ARE. BAD!

The reason I awarded 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the Epilogue. A few cute paragraphs to tie up the romance arc and account for social responsibility just didn’t do it for me. This wham, bam, HEA ending that many authors are employing currently, is not doing justice to their work, imo. The characters, book and quite frankly, readers, deserve better📚

Set in the Colorado territory in the late 1800s, this book is full of faith, science, intrigue, and a sweet love story! Kimberly Woodhouse is one of my favorite authors, and I enjoyed reading this book! Her writing is full of surprises and how faith in God can change your life!

What a cast of characters! I liked Martha from the very beginning! She loves digging for bones, and when she gets the chance to be in charge of a dig, she excels at it! Phoebe has a strong faith in God that she uses to encourage Martha. Jacob is passionate about digging for bones. His faith is the most important thing in his life.

There is a huge mystery in this book. I thought that I knew who the perpetrator was, but I was genuinely surprised when the person was revealed! The love story was a little complicated. There were some misunderstandings and hurt feelings, but it all worked out in the end!

This is a definite must-read! I enjoy learning about science and history, and this book combines them both! I look forward to reading more books by Kimberly Woodhouse!

I was provided a copy of the book by Bethany House Publishers via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

This was the second book in the Treasures of the Earth series. Martha has been interested in becoming a paleontologist since she was a young girl. I loved the first book and enjoyed this one as well. I was intrigued and surprised until the very end of the book. This was sweet and the suspense kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed “Set in Stone” and hope there will be another story in the series.

Thank you Netgalley and Bethany House for the arc in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts.

Set in Stone by Kimberley Woodhouse is a mystery historical novel. I really loved the mystery element that Woodhouse threw into the story. I love the concept of digging up dinosaurs bones as a competition. I love the setting and the Bone Wars - era story. Totally original and unique storyline. One of the issues I had with the plot is that in the beginning, the heroine, Martha, was told that she could not dig for bones anymore, then jump a head a couple of years, and she is on a dig. I want to know what happened that made her parents change their minds. It would have been nice to see that conversation where they allowed her to do the digging, but then give the stipulations of how and why she can. On the other hand, the romance between Martha and Jacob Duncan were a wealthy girl to a poor man love story. Forbidden, yet adventurous at the same time. I love seeing the heart of the two characters, however, the romance did develop a little bit over time. Many moments of indecision as they struggle with should they be feeling this way or not. Overall, Set in Stone by Kimberley Woodhouse is a delightful story that has not been seen before. I love learning about characters that uncover historical items or animals, in this story. I great story to spend time with.

I received a complimentary copy of Set in Stone by Kimberley Woodhouse from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Within the pages of Set in Stone is where the worlds of faith and science, mystery and romance, and high society and the Wild West all converge for an irresistible tale that you will not want to put down.

Set during the nineteenth-century Bone Wars-era, Set in Stone will either unearth a love for paleontology that you didn’t know existed or increase your love for dirt, rock, and fossils. And through the seamless and engaging storytelling of Kimberley Woodhouse, you get to journey alongside Martha and Jacob and see how God sows and waters the seeds of faith through one’s life, guides and protects those who call on His name, and breaks through the classes of society and a malicious scheme to bring forth His sovereign plan.

Set in Stone is the second book in the Treasures of the Earth series but can be enjoyed as a standalone. And though this is my first book by Kimberley Woodhouse, it will not be my last as I have already ordered book one in the series, The Secrets Beneath, and cannot wait to start it!

Thank you, NetGalley and Bethany House, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was happy to have a chance to read the second book in the newest series from Kimberley Woodhouse which focuses on early women paleontologists. Yep--dinosaurs! Just as the first book, this one has a mystery woven through it...every so many chapters a mysterious character up to no good who is unnamed. You just get a few clues here and there.

This book explores the life of Martha and Jacob. Martha is a female paleontologist eager to FINALLY get her name on a identifying plate in a museum with a skeleton she's dug out herself. This is her life's goal. But that means she won't be the society plate her mother expects her to be. But her father (a paleontologist himself) wholeheartedly encourages her fancy. Unfortunately, something happens to him which renders him incapable of any further digging--so she jumps into his shoes. Besides they found a WHOLE one this time and a museum will be displaying it---if she's the first one to get it out of the ground.

Jacob is a bootstrap kind of guy who just falls in love with the idea of digging up things. IN fact he's on a break from finishing his degree to get some real life experience so he can earn money to pay for that degree and the last few classes. HE also enjoys talking to the new woman Martha he met at a seminar. She's his ideal woman!

Naturally nothing flows smoothly and there is a lot of emotion that will come between them before anything is set to right.

So here is my take. Man.

i just couldn't stand Martha! She was so...wishy washy in her behavior to Jacob. I rolled by eyes several times. I don't usually dislike a character that much. But she was just sooo...well. just stupid towards Jacob. LOL

I knew who the villain was from the beginning. Okay, so it was a guess. And it came from reading loads of Kimberley's books and using my assumptions. :) Very satisfying all the same.

The book handled the discussion of science and The Creator very well.

A solid 4 stars for this new release!

*I was given a complimentary copy of the ARC by the publisher and Net Galley--and while I wrote a review in exchange, it was in no obligation to write a positive review. All ideas and opinions are 100% my own!

SET IN STONE is rhe second novel in the Treasures of the Earth series by KIMBERLEY WOODHOUSE, but it can easily stand alone. The story takes place during the Bone Wars and is fast paced and exciting.. There is murder and mayhem, jealousy and betrayal, and we are kept guessing as to who the villain is until the very end.
There is also a strong Christian message running through the story.
The author has obviously done a great deal of research into the study of dinosaurs and paleontology.
It is an enjoyable read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

This is the second book in this series. It is not necessary to read the first one to enjoy the second one.
I really enjoyed the mystery in this book. I did have it narrowed down to 2 characters but the real villain was not one of them !
Please read this series even if you are unsure of the study of Paleantology. I personally have no interest in but I did enjoy these books!

This is another winner from Kimberley Woodhouse. I love how she is able to combine exciting plots with layered character development and strong Christian themes. SET IN STONE is perfect for fans of historical fiction with a message. Martha and Jacob are realistic characters with genuine desires and faults, and the reader will be cheering for them from page one. I love the paleontology aspects of the story and following along as Martha strives to make her dreams come true. Her intelligence and ambition are refreshing. And of course, as the stakes are raised, we keep turning the pages. The plot is superbly entertaining. I look forward to the next novel from this talented author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary e-galley; all opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.