Showing posts with label Kimberley Woodhouse. Show all posts

Thursday, December 12, 2024

Favorite Books of 2024

By Kelly Bridgewater

Here are my favorite books of 2024: (All images come from Goodreads.)

Majority of these books were non-stop action, which I need to make a good story. Meyer and Raybon surprised me with their unique, yet lovable story lines. Shocklee's story tore at my heart, and I have recommended it to a number of people to read. I have put Under the Tulip Tree on my Christmas Wish List. I can't wait to dive into it again.

One Last Chance by Susan May Warren

One Last Stand by Susan May Warren

Fury by Ronie Kendig and Steffanie Webb

For a Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer

Truth be Told by Patricia Raybon

Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee

Quell the Nightingale by Michelle Israel Harper

Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep

A Hope Unburied By Kimberley Woodhouse

70 North by Kimberley Woodhouse

I would love to know if you read these books, what did you think?

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Kimberley Woodhouse: A Hope Unburied

By Kelly Bridgewater

About the Book

Book: A Hope Unburied (Treasures of the Earth Book Three)

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: September 24, 2024

In the bustling world of paleontology in 1916, Eliza Mills defies societal expectations to pursue her passion. Having published her early groundbreaking papers anonymously, she has finally earned her place at the Carnegie Museum and seizes the opportunity to work at Dinosaur National Monument with a renowned paleontologist. But things in Jensen, Utah, aren't what they appear. When Eliza gets the chance to dig up bones at a ranch with a dark history, it sparks a chain of events that will rock the very fabric of her carefully constructed world.

Devin Schmitt, Eliza's closest friend since childhood, harbors unspoken feelings for her but knows he will never be able to win her heart. Just as he vows to give her up for good, Eliza begs him to visit her in Utah for another grand adventure. He reluctantly agrees, and within a few days of his arrival, he and Eliza find themselves entangled in a web of danger where the stakes are much higher than they ever anticipated. In a race against time, Devin and Eliza must hold on to God as their hope as they navigate a treacherous terrain of betrayal to unbury the truth and save Eliza from those who wish to see her fail.

Bestselling author Kimberley Woodhouse sweeps you away on a breathtaking journey through the perilous landscapes of the Bone Wars era, where love and ambition collide.

My Thoughts:

A Hope Unburied by Kimberley Woodhouse capture my historical imagination and let it fly. I really loved the love story. I love a story where the couple are best friends, then they realized they have feelings for each other. I especially love it when the guy realizes first. Woodhouse did a wonderful job at showing how Devin fell and fell hard a long time ago. I loved the mystery element of the plot. I love how excited Eliza is about her job. I love how Eliza finally comes to some realization about her life, and she decides to face those issue head on. I love the idea of the Dinosaur hunt. I love the setting. Woodhouse is a wonderful writer that had me flipping through the pages fast as I couldn't see what happened. This is how Historical romance should be written. Plenty of history. Vibrant characters. Little bit of romance to tie the characters together. This has been a different, yet intriguing series that I really want to own. I'm really interested to see what she writes next. Overall, A Hope Unburied by Kimberley Woodhouse was a wonderful way to end the series. She charmed with the first book, and I devoured all three of them.

I received a complimentary copy of A Hope Unburied by Kimberley Woodhouse from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Purchase A Hope Unburied

About the Author

Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than forty fiction and nonfiction books. Kim and her incredible husband of thirty-plus years live in Colorado, where they play golf together, spend time with their kids and grandkids, and research all the history around them.

More from Kimberley

A couple of years ago, I asked readers on my Facebook page what they were interested in reading in Christian fiction. When one reader and friend suggested I write about the Bone Wars, I was intrigued and instantly excited. I had no idea how much of a blessing writing the Treasures of the Earth series would be.

I traveled all over western Colorado, eastern Utah and southern Wyoming, looking at the incredible displays of bones of magnificent creatures of our past. Stopping at every tiny museum along the way, and even driving miles and miles into the middle of nowhere to find just the right setting for The Secrets Beneath. But it was going to Dinosaur National Monument in Jensen, Utah that truly helped these three books come to life.

The monument was established in October 1915 by President Woodrow Wilson. The 80 acres encompassed the Carnegie Quarry, where paleontologist Earl Douglass was digging, trying to find intact dinosaur skeletons to send back to Carnegie’s museum in Pittsburgh. Eventually, President Franklin D. Roosevelt expanded the park to encompass more than 200,000 acres.

But this monument wouldn’t exist without the determination of one man: Earl Douglass. I had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with Diane Douglass Iverson, his granddaughter, during one of my research trips. She was generous with her time and memories as she shared her grandfather’s journals and memories with me. The longer we talked, the more the idea for what would be the third book of this series took shape. Though Earl is not a primary character in Eliza’s story, his presence and impact on the science of paleontology is felt through the pages.

In fact, each chapter of all three books has a quote from the book his son created out of his journal entries, titled Speak to the Earth and It Will Teach You. I am grateful to Diane for the opportunity to share his struggles, hopes, and dreams with my readers.

With this last book, I hope you enjoy Eliza’s joyful spirit, as well as her struggles to find her place in this world. She’s a spirited young woman with a passion for fossils and how God has created this incredible planet. You’ll get to visit Dinosaur National Monument with her, seeing the founding of this great national treasure through her eyes. I hope you love visiting there in your imagination and that you get the opportunity to visit on your own someday. But even more than that, I pray that, like Eliza, you find joy and confidence where God has placed you in His story.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 21

Bigreadersite, October 21

lakesidelivingsite, October 22

Where Faith and Books Meet, October 23

Lighthouse Academy, October 23

Daylong Reflections, October 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 25

For Him and My Family, October 25

Texas Book-aholic, October 26

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 27

Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 28

Connie’s History Classroom, October 29

Mary Hake, October 29

Holly’s Book Corner, October 30

Cover Lover Book Review, October 31

Pause for Tales, October 31

Book Looks by Lisa, November 1

Lily’s Corner, November 2

Live.Love.Read., November 2

Labor Not in Vain, November 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kimberley is giving away the grand prize of a $20 Amazon gift card and a paperback set of the Treasures of the Earth series: The Secrets Beneath, Set in Stone, and A Hope Unburied!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5473/

Friday, September 6, 2024

Most Anticipated Suspense

By Kelly Bridgewater

Suspense books that I can not wait to read for Fall 2024. (All covers come from Goodreads!)

Fireproof by Susan May Warren

70 North by Kimberley Woodhouse

Over the Edge by Irene Hannon

One Last Stand by Susan May Warren

Deadly Revenge by Patricia Bradley

Surge by Ronie Kendig

Any book covers that capture your attention? I definitely need more suspense books.

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse: With Each Tomorrow

By Kelly Bridgewater

Even in the midst of adversity, love and faith can flourish.

As the formation of Glacier National Park takes Eleanor Briggs and her conservationist father on a journey west to advocate for public lands, her heart carries the weight of a painful past. Since the death of her mother, she has spent her life traveling the country with her father and helping him with his work, but now he's considering settling down and writing a book--and she's not sure what that means for her future.

Carter Brunswick faces trials of his own when the Great Northern Railway's departure threatens his family's livelihood and the entire town of Kalispell. In the visiting conservationist's daughter, Ellie, he finds a spirited woman who challenges his convictions in ways he never anticipated, and his own dreams for the future begin to change.

When tensions over the railroad's departure boil over, Ellie and Carter are drawn together on a daring journey that tests the depths of their feelings and their faith in God.

My Thoughts:

With Each Tomorrow by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse is a heart wrenching story of the beginnings of what would become Glacier National park. With each appearance, Peterson and Woodhouse craft characters that are enduring and transformative. The main characters of Eleanor and Carter come to argumentative in their first meeting. As the story moves along, Eleanor learns to trust God and find peace in him again. As for Carter, he learns that he needs to trust God more with his future plans. Also, I love the setting of Kalispel, Montana. I love the wilderness and the coming town that has expanded and does not want anything to happen to its population and job growth. As for the plot, the dual authors create a little bit of mystery along with the historical aspects of the story. More historical writers are including mystery elements in their plots, and I love this idea. Gives the story a little more to look forward to. Overall, With Each Tomorrow by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse is a delightful story to spend time with. Readers will be transported to early twentieth century Montana and swept away by the relationships and the historical aspects of the story.

I received a complimentary copy of With Each Tomorrow by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase With Each Tomorrow

Monday, March 11, 2024

Kimberley Woodhouse: Set in Stone

By Kelly Bridgewater

From the time she was little, Martha Jankowski has been digging in the dirt, much to the dismay of her mother. Now, she dreams of being a paleontologist and is determined to make her parents proud by uncovering the next big discovery. When Martha finds what she hopes to be a fully intact dinosaur skeleton--one that that could win her an acclaimed exhibit--she learns another team is competing against her and could steal her chance at being recognized for this momentous discovery.

Paleontology student Jacob Duncan has fulfilled his dream of digging for dinosaur bones at last. In a race against time, he and his team are bent on unearthing a complete skeleton to claim a museum exhibit with their names on it. But when Jacob meets their charming competitor Martha and uncovers foul play within his team, love and danger grow hand in hand until a menacing ruse threatens to destroy it all.

This enrapturing historical novel from bestselling author Kimberley Woodhouse transports you to the nineteenth-century Bone Wars-era, where adventure and romance combine to create an irresistible tale.

My 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.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Purchase Set in Stone

Friday, December 15, 2023

Most Anticipated Historical Romance Spring 2024

By Kelly Bridgewater

The title says it all.

Here are the Most Anticipated Historical Romances for Spring 2024: (All Images come from Goodreads.)

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue by Jaime Jo Wright

Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin

While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden

If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer

Set in Stone by Kimberely Woodhouse (From Amazon)

Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano

The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep (From Amazon)

All My Secrets by Lynn Austin

What about you? Know of any other books that I should add to this list.

Monday, September 11, 2023

Kimberley Woodhouse: The Secrets Beneath

By Kelly Bridgewater

Some secrets can only stay buried for so long. . . .

Anna Lakeman has spent her life working alongside her paleontologist father, drawing intricate sketches at every dig. When they find dinosaur bones near their home in Wyoming Territory, they're given the opportunity of a lifetime and are swiftly caught up in the competitive era of the Bone Wars. But after her father becomes sick and Joshua Ziegler, an old beau, returns for the summer, Anna's world is upended, and the practical, orderly life she has made for herself shatters.

Medical student Joshua Ziegler left his hometown to forget Anna, the one woman he truly loved and deeply hurt. But when he returns, time hasn't erased the feelings they've always had for each other. After Joshua's nephew goes missing--just like his sister did years ago--and Anna's job is threatened, tensions mount and dangerous secrets are unearthed.

My Thoughts:

The Secrets Beneath by Kimberly Woodhouse is a unique story. With Paleontology as the main story thread, I have never seen this is a story. At least, not in the Christian fiction market. The story was well-written with plenty of intrigue, romance, and action to keep the story alive. The one character that I really felt bad for was Julian. I kept wanting to see what would happen to him. Since I read a lot of suspense novels, I had a pretty good idea where his part of the story would end up. I would have liked to have seen what the end result of the archaeological dig that Joshua and Anna worked on through the whole story would have shown. Unless Woodhouse plans to keep working on this same dig site in the second novel, it would have been nice to see the final discovery or the article with Anna’s pictures and names on them in a magazine. Overall, The Secrets Beneath by Kimberly Woodhouse was different, thrilling, and had hints of romance to round out a nicely handled story.

I received a complimentary copy of The Secrets Beneath by Kimberley Woodhouse from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase The Secrets Beneath

Monday, May 22, 2023

Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse: The Heart's Choice

By Kelly Bridgewater

They must uncover the truth before it's buried forever.

After witnessing a wrongful conviction as a young girl, Rebecca Whitman--the first female court reporter in Montana--is now determined to defend the innocent. During a murder trial, something doesn't sit well with her about the case, but no one except the handsome new Carnegie librarian will listen to her.

Librarian Mark Andrews's father sent him to college hoping he would take over the business side of the family ranch, but Mark would rather wrangle books than cows. When a patron seeks help with research in hopes of proving a man's innocence, Mark is immediately drawn to her and her cause.

In a race against time, will Rebecca and Mark find the evidence they need--and open their hearts to love--before it's too late?

My Thoughts:

The Heart’s Choice by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse is a delightful historical novel set in Montana at one of their Carnegie libraries. Peterson and Woodhouse are a dynamic duo who crafts a stirring story that allows readers to escape to the world of a court reporter and a librarian who find and grow their love of books and eventually each other. The plot does have a mystery element to it. I really like how Peterson and Woodhouse allowed the heroine to use her knowledge of mysteries to help uncover the mystery of an innocent man. I do like how Peterson and Woodhouse mirrored the past event in the heroine’s life and allowed it to guide her to solve the current mystery. The romance was not over the top. A little budding romance as they spent more time together. The setting was nicely described and displayed for the reader’s imagination. Overall, The Heart’s Choice by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse was a good escape novel to spend a little bit of time with. I am glad that this is a first book in a series. I will definitely want to see what else happens.

I received a complimentary copy of The Heart’s Choice by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase The Heart’s Choice

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Kimberley Woodhouse: A Mark of Grace

By Kelly Bridgewater

About the Book

Book: A Mark of Grace

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release date: January 3, 2023

When everything crumbles, her chance for a new beginning hangs in the balance.

Ruth Anniston survived an injury that left her physically scarred, broken, and angry at God. Now, she finds herself working behind the scenes as a kitchen and dining room supervisor at the El Tovar Hotel, hidden away from curious eyes and with little hope of finding love. When money begins to disappear from the hotel, Ruth's entire livelihood is put at risk when she lands on the list of suspects.

Frank Henderson has at last succeeded in obtaining his dream job as head chef at the El Tovar. But competition in the kitchen is fierce, and one mistake could cost him his future. As the thefts at the hotel continue, and his affection for Ruth grows, Frank's career--and his heart--are in jeopardy.

As tensions run high, Ruth and Frank must work together to save the El Tovar. They find themselves growing closer . . . but can their combined ingenuity overcome the odds against them?

My Thoughts:

A Mark of Grace by Kimberley Woodhouse is Ruth Anniston’s story. If readers are familiar with the other stories in this series, Ruth is the head waitress at El Tovar. After an unfortunate accident, Ruth has a little depression to handle and deal with. Woodhouse’s writing style is nicely done. She writes with such fluidness and accuracy that I forget that I am reading a story that took place over a hundred years ago. The plot is a little mysterious with a touch of realism. Readers will enjoy the hunt for what is actually happening to El Tovar. Who is doing all the damage to their building and their reputation? A nice twist to a historical romance story. Speaking of romance, the romance between Ruth and Frank Henderson comes to a head in this volume. Nothing too over the top. Just enough to see the sparks fly. But of course, what would any type of romance if something did not get in the way and made this romance veer off course. Overall, A Mark of Grace by Kimberley Woodhouse was not a book that I typically pick up to read, but since I downloaded A Deep Divide in December when the ebook copy was on sale and enjoyed it, I choose to read this novel too. A nicely handled and well told story. A delight to spend time with.

I received a complimentary copy ofA Mark of GracebyKimberley Woodhousefrom Bethany HousePublishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase A Mark of Grace

About the Author

Kimberley Woodhouse (www.kimberleywoodhouse.com) is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 30 fiction and nonfiction books. Kim and her incredible husband of 30-plus years live in the Poconos, where they play golf together, spend time with their kids and grandbaby, and research all the history around them.

More from Kimberley

It is such a thrill to be able to bring readers A Mark of Grace, book three in my Secrets of the Canyon series. These books have been near and dear to me since 2009, right from the moment the idea of setting a Harvey Girls series at the El Tovar on the rim of the Grand Canyon first hit me.

Ever since the release of A Deep Divide, book one in the series, I’ve received tons of messages from readers who hoped Ruth would have her story. All along, the plan was for the final installment to be hers.

Ruth has been a strong character throughout the series. A mentor. A friend. A headwaitress. But when a crisis hits her life, it affects every area—emotional, physical, and spiritual—and her confidence in everything she thought she knew crumbles.

Life isn’t easy for any of us, and I love a good story that I can grow and learn through. I pray A Mark of Grace is that for you.