A Hope Unburied

Treasures of the Earth #3

by Kimberley Woodhouse

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.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Christian, Christian Historical Fiction

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2024

About the author

Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than forty books. A lover of history and research, she often gets sucked into the past and then her husband has to lure her out with chocolate and the promise of eighteen holes on the golf course. She loves music, kayaking, and her family. Her books have been awarded the Carol Award, Holt Medallion, Reader's Choice Award, Selah Award, Spur Award, and others. A popular speaker/teacher, she's shared with over 2,000,000 people at more than twenty-five hundred venues across the country. Married to the love of her life for three decades, she lives and writes in Colorado where she's traded in her hat of "craziest mom" for "Nana the Great." Connect with Kim at www.kimberleywoodhouse.com www.facebook.com/KimberleyWoodhouseAu...
www.instagram.com/kimberleywoodhouse
www.twitter.com/kimwoodhouse

Reviews

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

1916 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania & Utah

Be still my heart! What a spectacular hero in Devin Schmitt. He's been in love with Eliza for YEARS, but agrees to be only friends when Eliza's grandfather makes the request due to their class differences.

Eliza Mills comes from a family of wealth and prestige. She is passionate about paleontology despite the social stigmas. When she gets an opportunity to assist at Dinosaur National Monument in Utah, she quickly agrees. What she doesn't know is the level of resistance there would be from detractors.

Loved the opening quotes for each chapter by Earl Douglass. He was instrumental in the advancement of the field of paleontology. My heart sung when Eliza found positive lights among the darkness in Utah. The cover is lovely.

My gratitude to the author and publisher Bethany House for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic conclusion to the Treasures of the Earth series. Ms. Woodhouse has transported her readers to the days of the Bone Wars and then the early days of the Dinosaur National Monument. She has written about a time on our nation's history that I knew little about. Her research is skillfully woven throughout the story, highlighting quotes of real-life paleontologist, Earl Douglas at the beginning of each chapter.

A Hope Unburied's heroine Eliza Mills comes from a life of privilege, yet is happiest digging for fossils in the dirt. She travels west as a representative for Andrew Carnegie's museum, her role to educate the visitors to what would become the Dinosaur National Monument. She quickly finds criticism and danger on multiple fronts, as more than one 'villian' seeks to subvert her work. I love the fact that Ms. Woodhouse allows the reader to occasionally read part of the story from the villain's POV.

Eliza's struggle with how her love of science fit with her love with the Creator is woven seamlessly throughout the story. This is the time when the debate between faith and science took a national stage. Her journey of faith was heartwarming, as she sought God's direction for her path in life.

I adored the friends-to-more romance that left me smiling as I turned the last page.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through Netgalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Carrie Kintz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is there anything better than a friends-to-more story? Usually I would say no, but when the heroine’s journey also includes finding her identity and worth in Jesus and who He has made her to be? That kind of story gets me every time.

A Hope Unburied is a beautiful conclusion to the Treasures of the Earth series. Set in 1915 in the Dinosaur National Monument, a world of mystery, struggles, love and bones comes to life!

Eliza and Devin are fabulous- I love both of their journeys to a deeper faith in the Lord and love for one another. The pacing is epic and a mysterious ranch and villain rounded out a great story! While each book can be read alone, I highly recommend reading The Secrets Beneath and Set In Stone to appreciate the characters and the struggles women in paleontology went through! 5 stars!

(I was provided a free copy for my own review and I was not obligated to provide a positive review. All opinions are my own.)

[Carolyn Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[(Katie) Paperbacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good ending to a series I really enjoyed. This series could be read as standalones too. I really liked this last installment in the series. All of these books are centered around the field of paleontology, which I absolutely loved! Mixed with a sweet romance and a little intrigued.

I really liked the character of Eliza and the journey she went on. The mystery was a little slow for me and I figured out all of the pieces quickly, but overall enjoyed it.

3.5🌟

*Thank you to Bethany House for a complimentary copy of this book to read. All thoughts are my own.

[Kristi W - Book Love By Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic close to the Treasures of the Earth series. This is an incredible story weaving faith, the struggles of women (and Christians)in paleontology, mystery/suspense, and a beautiful best friends to more romance. Kimberley Woodhouse writes spectacularly mysterious “villains” and this book does not disappoint. The times that she writes from the villain’s viewpoint are crazy.

Devin! Devin absolutely stole my heart. He was such a caring, honorable, supportive, and loving friend to Eliza.
I enjoyed seeing how Eliza balanced science and her belief in Creator God. Watching her relationship with God grow was beautiful.
Devin and Eliza were amazing, seeing their relationship blossom from friendship to true love was heartwarming.

This ARC was provided by the author and publisher. I was not required to give a positive review, rating and opinions are my own.

[Emily Waits (emilylovesreading_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

{Thank you to @netgalley and to @bethanyhousefiction for my gifted copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.}

What a delightful finish to the Treasures of the Earth series. A Hope Unburied is a release I’ve looked forward to for months!

This book brings us to the world of paleontology in 1916. Eliza, the FMC, is a young and talented paleontologist who has worked hard to earn her position in the male-dominated field. The book follows Eliza and Devin, Eliza’s former tutor’s son, who has been her life-long best friend, as they grow in their faith, find each other, and solve a big, scary mystery involving multiple murders, a missing family, and stolen dinosaur bones.

I loved the settings of this story and was fascinated by the history of the Carnegie Museum and Dinosaur National Monument. I love a book that inspires you to want to learn more!

One of my favorite things about this series has been the way that faith has been woven through each book. I loved the deep faith themes in this story.

If you love Christian historical fiction, mystery, and a good friends-to-lovers trope, you’ll definitely want to check out A Hope Unburied!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kimberley Woodhouse delivers another epic tale of faith, hope and love in her third book from the Treasures of the Earth series.​

Once again, the author takes her readers into the early days of paleontology, focusing on the difficulties women faced getting into the field. When Eliza Mills is granted the opportunity to participate in a dig, she jumps at the chance.  

I loved the relationship Eliza had with Devin. While they were both devoted to each other, Devin’s love for Eliza had always been true since he was a teenager. However, it took some time for Eliza to move Devin out of the friend zone she had him trapped in. 

The characters were well-developed, and I liked the growth they both had (especially Eliza) in their faith. Trusting God with our lives seemed to be the theme of this book and it showed as each character struggled with their desires and passions versus God’s desires for them. 

I enjoyed seeing the interactions between bigots from one church who tried to shut the dig down but also made it personal with Eliza by calling her horrible things. This level of ignorance is still prevalent today. The added turmoil these church ladies brought added to the mystery of incidents at the dig site.

If you enjoy dinosaurs, mysteries, friendship to love stories with a strong faith element, you will love A Hope Unburied. I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House via NetGalley for my honest review.

[Taylor Veruchi]

This book was a must read, hard to put down book! I loved the journey Eliza went through in this book! Her friendship turns into love with Devin was such a fun read. I loved his character and the strength he brought Eliza. You can’t go wrong with women in paleontology, fighting to be seen and taken seriously. Definitely recommend this book and the first two in the series! Kimberly Woodhouse is guaranteed a great read no matter what book it is!

[R.j. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this one. I missed the first two in the series (which I am working on fixing that!). But I really enjoyed the plot of this one. I love a good friends to more story. This was excellent. I loved the history; I know very little of this topic! This was great. I highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Hope Unburied” pulled me in from the first line. I love it when a first line makes me pause and reread it as I let it soak in. Perhaps it was the sort of mood I was in at the moment, but it made me curious. And although I had planned to read the book at a different time and just wanted a quick taste of what it was about, I continued reading and savoring the story long into the night.

I just love a friends-to-more story! And I enjoyed witnessing the friendship that began in childhood between Eliza and Devin, grow deeper and more significant. Eliza is a fascinating character, but it is Devin who I gravitated to most. He stole my heart in this story.

Sweet romance, growth in faith, and throw in a bit of danger and mystery, and I find myself turning pages well into the night when I know I must get up early.

First Line: Life would be so much easier if there weren’t so many rules.
Series: Treasures of the Earth, book 3
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Author: Kimberley Woodhouse
Page Count: 320

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
Opinions are 100% mine.

[Melissa (christianbooksandcoffee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great conclusion to the series! I have loved every book in this series and I will say they are all stand alones so you can read them in any order. This story is about Devin and Eliza who have been friends since they were children. They are in different social classes and Eliza’s grandfather makes Devin promise never to pursue Eliza romantically which is challenging since he loves her but he promises. He also promises Eliza to always be her best friend. I really enjoyed watching Eliza be on her dinosaur expositions and Devin supporting her. In this story we have not one but two villains and that’s all I will say on that. I loved how much Christian content there was, very strong and supportive of science. Overall, I thought this was a great book and I definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favorite book of the series. All three were enjoyable, but this one dealt more with science and religion questions… it was well done in my opinion. The romance between Devin and Eliza was sweet, as they moved from lifelong friends to more. The book is somewhat formulaic with snippets of both of the villain’s twisted points of view interspersed throughout. There’s a good ending and epilogue and I enjoyed the quotes from the journals of paleontologist Earl Douglass.

[Chelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last novel in the Treasures of the Earth series and it was just as good as the other two! Eliza Mills continues to pursue her passion in paleontology and has worked hard to achieve what she has. When she is offered the chance of a lifetime and to head out west to help at the Dinosaur National Monument, she can hardly believe it. She quickly learns that Utah is a very different place from the city and it seems there are some who are not happy she is there. Struggling to settle in, she often reaches out to her childhood friend Devin for guidance and asking him to come visit her. But not only has trouble brewed out west, someone back home is not happy about the position she has gotten and feels this is the perfect time to sabotage all she has done. Not only does she have to prove her self and her skills, she now is up against someone who won't stop until they have achieved ruining Eliza's career. As Devin gets wrapped up in all that is happening to Eliza, he knows he will do anything to help her keep her reputation. They must work together to figure out who to trust and prove the truth of everything that has happened. Another well written novel and I really loved learning how involved Carnegie was with paleontology. Thank you to the author for allowing me to be a part of the launch team and for the complementary novel. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

[Kelly Bridgewater · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have come to a realization. And that realization is that it doesn't really matter which one of Kimberley Woodhouse's books I'm reading; I have to stop at the end of each chapter to 1: savor it, and 2: make the book last as long as I can. But then she gets me all tied up in knots and I need to get past that! But then I realize it's almost over and have to slow down again. Sigh. Such a conundrum. And then at the end, your brain is mush.

This book is no different. I mean, it's different, but the above paragraph fits this book, too. See? Mush-brain. But I have to have a coherent review. Here goes...

I loved it. You should read it. The end.

Need more? Dinosaurs, woman in paleontology, offing people-as Kimberley Woodhouse does so well, edge of your seat suspense, slander, and unabashedly Christian.

There. That should do it.

[Kailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really loved this series! Women in paleontology is such an interesting topic! I also loved the friends to more trope. It’s one of my favorites. You can’t go wrong with a Kimberley Woodhouse book. It has unique characters, a great villain, and a faith thread. This is a series that I will definitely be reading again! I can’t recommend it enough!


I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

[Melinda | bookswithmelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

On par with the other in the series, A Hope Unburied was a delight to read! I have learned so much about the study of paleontology and the obstacles that happened between the scientists. I loved how the author included the villains point of view in each of the books but yet keeps it a mystery on who is the actual villain.
The friends to lovers trope was very well done in the story and made me route for the two characters, especially as they each grew in their faith.
There are unique books written that are automatically unforgettable, and this is one of them!

[Lisa M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here we have the third and final book in the Treasures of the Earth series. We wrap up the series with Eliza--who has had a passion for paleontology from childhood and was able to follow her dreams to dig up dinosaurs and be completely immersed in dinosaurs into adulthood. Working at the Carnegie Institute in the dino section is a dream come true--but she reaches full excitement by being asked by Mr. Carnegie to head to Utah to be at his Dinosaur National Monument with a renowned paleontologist. She eagerly desires to share this with her best friend ever--Devin. She doesn't realize that Devin has been in love with her since she was a teenager but was forced to promise to stay away from her romantically by her grandparents. With reluctance, he agrees to visit--for her grandmother needs him to personally deliver some news to her.

Upon arrival, Devin and Eliza become embroiled in mystery and sabotage. And there is a GREAT mystery of what happened to the family who disappeared so many years ago--leaving everything behind--including possible undiscovered dino bones!

Like the others, you will need to try to figure out who the criminal is--or is there...two of them?

I was happy to say i figured it out pretty quickly. :)

This was a great conclusion and it dealt with some issues like "can the Bible and science ever work together on topics like dinosaurs?"

There aren't many books on lady paleontologists--much less EARLY ones. I think this was a great series to write and very interesting to explore all that happened around the Bone Wars.

I give the whole series a solid 4 stars. :)

*I was given this book as a complimentary ARC by the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own. :)

[Morgan's Endless Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the faith journey here, and the relationship was so sweet and precious! Friends to lovers perfection!

[Joni Truex · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book series discovery! Kimberley Woodhouse grand finale, A Hope Unburied, was definitely worth the wait! You'll want to read The Secrets Beneath and Set in Stone before this one. All 3 are definitely worth the read!

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Kimberley Woodhouse has given readers such a wonderful series in her Treasures of the Earth trilogy, and I am kinda sad to see it end and to say goodbye to Earl Douglass whose profound quotes have begun each chapter in each book. I had never heard of this man (who sacrificed much for his love of paleontology and his dream of bringing their history to life for generations to come) before reading The Secrets Beneath and now as I close the page on A Hope Unburied I feel as though Mr. Douglass and I have become friends of a sort. A brilliant story choice for Woodhouse as a way to not only unite all three standalone books but also to give readers a glimpse into this fascinating, real-life historic figure.

So far in this series, we’ve been in the late 1800s Wyoming and Colorado, but A Hope Unburied takes us ahead a few years to 1916 and from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pennsylvania to the Dinosaur National Monument in Utah. The author’s research is meticulous, and the way she weaves it into the plot and the characters kept me entertained and deeply invested in both. The history that Woodhouse uses to frame this series has intrigued me in each book, but it really came alive for me in this one – not only the intriguing finds in paleontology but also the struggle of women to find respect and a place in the male-dominated sciences (as in many other fields), the growing unrest between science and religion, the technological/educational/scientific advances, etc.

Ohhhhh did someone say ‘friends to more’?!?! Yes, that’s right, A Hope Unburied involves my very favorite romantic trope and I couldn’t be happier about it. Eliza and Devin are instantly lovable characters, flaws and quirks (Eliza’s hats! lol) and all, and oh be still my heart… Devin is such a fantastic hero. Steady, patient, and a man of faith and integrity, he had me solidly in his corner from our very first encounter. And Eliza… her spiritual journey in this story so touched me, especially finding her worth in Jesus alone and embracing who He created her to be. I haven’t even touched on the mystery/suspense elements to this story yet, but suffice it to say that they kept me glued to the pages too. A ‘haunted’ ranch, legalistic protestors (Woodhouse does a fabulous job showing the contrast between people who love religion and people who love Jesus), sabotage, smear campaigns, murder… just when I thought I knew where it was going, something else happened to make me question everything.

Bottom Line: A Hope Unburied by Kimberley Woodhouse is everything I love about historical romance and suspense – wonderful characters, intriguing history, diabolical villain(s), and sweet romance, plus the added bonus of a story full of faith. Thanks to Eliza and her groundbreaking work for the museum, we also get to rub shoulders with Andrew Carnegie and hang out in Earl Douglass’s dig quarry. Woodhouse excels at seamlessly combining each of the above elements at a steady pace that moves the story along and keeps readers eagerly turning the pages (while at the same time wishing they could linger just a little longer with such delightful characters). I have loved each book in the Treasures of the Earth series, but this final novel is my hands-down fave of the three. I really enjoyed Eliza and Devin and would love to revisit them a few years down the road and see where their God-given purposes and love for each other have taken them.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Alissa Peppo (bookstagrambyalissamorgan) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Patti Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will keep you reading, including the Carnegie brothers, dinosaur digs, a woman paleontologist, and more. Be sure to read the prologue at the beginning of the book to help set the stage for the story. Devin Schmitt, Eliza’s closest friend since childhood, hides his feelings for Eliza due to a family request. The author did an excellent job developing the characters, their backstories, and the overall plot. I enjoyed getting to know the characters.

Kimberley Woodhouse weaves a story with twists and turns. I could not put the book down until I reached the conclusion. I especially enjoyed reading about the interactions between Devin and Eliza’s family. They helped develop the characters and the plot.

So, if you are looking for a historical romance, check out A Hope Unburied by Kimberly Woodhouse and the rest of the Treasures of the Earth series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

[Jessica Baker (A Baker's Perspective) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again Woodhouse delivers a book that not only charms readers, but teaches as well. And if that's not enough, there's mystery, danger, intrigue, romance, and so much more. And dino bones! When I was a kid I was fascinated by dinosaurs (which I think most kids are lol). Let me tell you that Eliza makes me want to go dig up bones. I mean, hopefully there isn't as much danger as she went through lol, but I think it'd be fun!

I can't write a review without saying how much I just loved Devin. His love for Eliza, respect for her family, willingness to put his feelings aside to help her.......I mean talk about a great hero. He is/was amazing. He had his own hurdles to go through, mostly internally, but watching his journey, and his love for Eliza just grow with each and every page was so sweet. Yes I loved the danger and mystery. Yes I loved learning about paleontology and how women fit into that in this time period. But for me, Devin made the story.

Woodhouse fans will devour this stunning conclusion to an amazing series. Highly recommend! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! If you want a true Christian fiction book to read, Kimberley Woodhouse never disappoints. Along with a great story, gentle romance based on friendship, well done history in a paleontological storyline, and not one, but two bad guys with suspense drama, there is a faith arc all the way through this book. It’s so refreshing.

I’ve enjoyed this series. Thank you Ms. Woodhouse for a terrific read!

[Beverly Knudsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and series. I especially enjoyed the communication between the two main characters.

As I have become accustomed to there’s always lots of nuggets of Truth intertwined in the story. Many of them are topics that I have been interested in either currently or recently. Because of personal events it took me longer than usual to read this but definitely worth it. I definitely recommend reading this book and series.

[Marti Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great conclusion to the series. I loved learning about palentology with the love story and whodunit thrown in.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been such a fun series and I'm sorry to see it come to an end. This finale has it all: romance (love friends to more!), danger, mystery and 2 villains! Great read!

[Paty · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.