A Hope Unburied - (Treasures of the Earth) by Kimberley Woodhouse

Treasures of the Earth has been a wonderful series! I've loved the different women paleontologists who wouldn't take no for an answer, along with the people who've supported them, but the two main characters in this book are special indeed! There may be a happy ending in A Hope Unburied, but it isn't going to be easy! Oh, Devin Schmidt always knew that he loved Eliza Mills, but he'd promised her grandfather that he wouldn't pursue a relationship with her. He was truly a man of his word, but even an honorable man has his limits and that is when this story became so poignant! I loved Eliza and Devin! She was determined to fulfill her dreams but paleontology in 1916 was truly a cutthroat occupation, and women paleontologists were unacceptable! Deception, danger, and even death were some of the plot twists in A Hope Unburied but there was also extreme devotion and powerful faith. And, oh my, the sweet romance shouldn't be ignored. I was captivated by Eliza and Devin! I've said this before but author Kimberley Woodhouse excels in combining facts and fiction! A Hope Unburied is historical fiction and it's apparent that she was deeply involved in her research for this book and series. I learned so much about Earl Douglass, the Bone Wars, and the Dinosaur National Monument, and I enjoyed that Andrew Carnegie was a key character in Devin's efforts to help Eliza! This story was the perfect conclusion to the Treasures of the Earth series, and I recommend it to all who enjoy historical Christian romance. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review.

A Hope Unburied delivers danger, romance, mystery, suspense, and deep spiritual truths in an exciting story that throughly entertains and inspires! This captivating series covers the world of paleontology at the beginning of its popularity, and A Hope Unburied is the perfect conclusion. Kimberley Woodhouse upholds biblical creationism in her story as her characters maintain strong faith in creator God while the scientific world begins the shift to evolutionary thinking. Eliza receives animosity from both Christian and scientific communities as she digs for dinosaur fossils, and her faith journey to forgive others while staying true to her calling is inspiring! Fans of the “he falls first” and “friends to more” tropes will adore this love story with no spice but all the feelings! Spunky Eliza and smitten Devin work together as a perfect pair to face trials before finding their happy ending, and their love story is adorable. Be sure to cozy up with this mystery romance and be transported to the dinosaur digs of the early 1900s for some exciting perspective into the beginnings of paleontology! I received a copy of this book for review purposes. My thoughts are my own—I really did love it!

What a wonderful conclusion to the Treasures of the Earth Series! This Series has been so captivating! And this book makes it close with a flourish! I love how the author dives into the world of Paleontology, and the struggle of women to participate in professions that were considered for men only. At the beginning of the 20th Century, women battled to be recognized equally capable of men in many ambits, and paleontology was definitely one of them. A woman studying prehistoric era and dinosaurs! Fascinating! But in that era not everyone was thrilled for women to achieve what only men used to do. And such is the case of Eliza Mills. She has defied society by publishing her research by a false name, and consequently earned an opportunity to work at the Carnegie Museum in Jensen, Utah. But working in her passion ends up being more difficult than expected. When she digs up some bones at a ranch with a dark history, her world turns upside down with a series of mysterious events that puts her in danger. When her childhood friend, Devin Schmitt, answers her request to join her in Utah to visit her and help her out, he may not be prepared for the grand adventure he’s about begin. His unrequited love for Eliza since he was sixteen pains him, but he vowed her grandfather that he would never pursue her. He’s not the wealthy man her family wishes to join the family, although he’s a successful teacher. But he soon discovers someone evil is determined to sabotage her career and her position at the Museum, and he knows he won’t leave her until she’s safe and out of danger, even if his heart is about to break in pieces. This book was truly engaging and captivating! I found myself wanting to read it every free time to know how things could be solved, who was trying to harm Eliza, and how Eliza would finally return Devin’s love. There were a couple of villains, and reading the book with their point of view made it more intriguing and suspenseful. I literally couldn’t put it down! The plot had a good pace, it never dragged, and the mystery kept me guessing. The writing style is full of historical details of the paleontology world -you can see how well researched it is-, and I’ve always been interested in such ancient history. Dinosaurs! So interesting! I also loved how she weaves through the book real life events or characters, like The Bone Wars, which I knew nothing of, or Earl Douglass and the Dinosaur National Monument. A woman digging up bones, a handsome protective hero, and a dark mystery that puts them in danger at every turn. What else else do you need to keep you entertained? The romance was so sweet. Devin’s way of winning her heart without really trying to was so endearing. He was a sweet hero with a deep devotion to her childhood friend who had turned into a very intelligent and determined young woman with a strong faith. Loved how their relationship grew, and how Eliza discovers her own feelings have changed as well. There’s also a faith inspired message of setting aside prejudices, and about trusting God more in directing their paths. And the discussions of faith and science were thought provoking as well. Finally, the way things get solved at the end, and the villains unmasked, was original and unexpected. Loved the ending! All in all, a wonderful book that will keep you glued from page one until the end! I highly recommend it! It can be perfectly read as a standalone, but I truly recommend reading the whole series! A must read! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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.

In this gripping conclusion to the wonderful Treasures of the Earth series, Kimberley Woodhouse excels in combining fact and fiction to create a compelling, entertaining read. Set in 1916, the exciting plot filled with intrigue and mystery—including, vandalism, threats, murder, and deceit—along with strategically positioned plot twists drew me in from the beginning and kept me reading expectantly. Detailed descriptions of paleontology, reflecting extensive research, add depth, realism, and interest to the story. The characters are well-developed and believable with real-life historical figures seamlessly woven in with the fictional ones. Two heinous villains bring chaos and danger to the dig sites! The faith journeys of both Eliza and Devin as they learn to surrender their fears and fully trust God and His unconditional love are inspiring. I love the way Eliza and Devin’s sweet friends-to-more romance, hindered by societal expectations, develops. I thoroughly enjoyed this perfect blend of history and romance and highly recommend it. 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.