A Hope Unburied by Kimberley Woodhouse - A Book Review

    

A Hope Unburied is the third and final book in Kimberley Woodhouse's Treasures of the Earth series. This book, like the other books in this series, has a compelling mystery that stirs ones sense of justice, a sweet romance, and a deep theme centered around the historical debate between Creationism and paleontology. The books can be enjoyed in any order.

A Hope Unburied tells the story of Eliza Mills, a paleontologist with the Hall of Dinosaurs at the Carnegie Institute. Eliza, as a woman in a man's profession, had striven to be respected in her field. Now, opportunities are opening up for her, but danger may not be far behind.

I truly enjoyed this book and its series mates. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of A Hope Unburied from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep - A Book Review

  

Our story begins on a damp night in July of 1888 among the gravestones at St. Sepulchre's in Oxford, England, perfectly setting the mood for this story, a story that involves someone known as the Shadow Broker who buys Egyptian antiquities in the shadows of the evening, someone no one would suspect of such stealth and secrecy, nor of being able to conduct business with disreputable dealers who came about their wares in less than scrupulous ways. In the brighter spots of Oxford, where men and women typically adhere to the rules of society, the author introduces us to two people who are not exactly typical, Ami Dalton who is a bit of an eccentric and Edmund Price who, while being Oxford's most eligible bachelor, avoids the feminine set who vie for his attention. While readers may think they know how historical romance books work, let me assure you finding out how these two get from point A to point B is a fun read with many unexpected turns of event, some hilarious, some angst-filled, and some quite dangerous.

Michelle Griep always provides many hours of reading pleasure with her tales that skillfully combine intrigue, humor, and light out of darkness. Of Gold and Shadows is a delightful example of this. Fans and those new to Griep's writing will be thrilled with this first book in her Time Lost Treasures series. I am grateful to have a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson - A Book Review

  

Madison McDowell returns home from teaching in Mongolia to her late grandparents' Christmas tree farm only to discover that her now-widowed high school boyfriend is living next door and her younger sister has staked her claim on him. If this sounds like a soap opera to you, you wouldn't be far off the mark. While the story is a clean read, it has its share of jealousy, family conflict, manipulation, and drama. Being a novella does not provide ample opportunity for realistic conflict resolution, but as is true for many stories set at Christmastime, it does have a happily ever after evening. You will just have to read the book to see who gets to live happily ever after and who, if anyone, gets left out in the cold.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Christmas Tree Farm from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Virginia by Shannon McNear - A Book Review

 

Daughters of the Lost Colony is a wonderful series. In this fourth and final book I have enjoyed journeying with Shannon McNear in her speculative story of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the New World, who disappeared along with the entire population of the Roanoke Colony. The story was so powerful and vivid that I had to remind myself that, while well-researched, it is a speculative story as nothing is known in history of Virginia following her grandfather's leaving the colony when she was only nine days old to return to England for additional support for Roanoke. McNear portrays her as a young woman of faith who displays great courage and integrity, if also on the untamed side. I highly recommend this book, and suggest reading the first and second book of this series prior to reading this one. The third book feels like a bonus book to the series as it isn't as strongly linked to the Roanoke Colony or the characters we came to know in the first two books. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

When the Mountain Crumbled by Angela K. Couch

     

This fourth book in Barbour Publishing's A Day to Remember series is just as wonderful as its predecessors. Each book tells an account of fictional characters set within the very real events of a North American disaster. The books are well-researched and closely based on actual occurrences. When the Mountain Crumbled is set beginning in April of 1903 in the Crowsnest Valley in Alberta, Canada. It was around 4:10 a.m. on the 29^th of the month when millions of tons of limestone broke off from the side of Turtle Mountain and crashed into the town of Frank, killing more than seventy people. Couch based her characters' experiences on those of real-life people residing in Frank at that time. Samantha, her main character, is a schoolteacher who assumes the care of three sisters after the death of their parents and brothers, eventually sharing the responsibility with the girls' Uncle Nathan, a mounted police officer. The schoolmarm and the Mountie rarely agree on what is best for the girls which leads to a growing sense of tension.

Couch treats the victims of this natural disaster with respect and sensitivity as she develops a story that reveals the impact one's past may have on the lens through which they view the present, and also explores the presence of God in the midst of disaster. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of When the Mountain Crumbled from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation, and feel comfortable recommending it to other fans of historical fiction. All opinions expressed here are my own.