My thoughts: Ms. Woodhouse is one of my favorite historical writers. This one is a romantic suspense. I almost had the killer figured out, but couldn't decide between two people, A great read, though I'd never want to dig through rocks to dig up dinasour bones! And a great romance. Also a fantastic faith message. i thoroughly enjoyed this book. Grab your copy today. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own

I don't think I've ever been shocked by an ending this good in a really long time! When I thought I had it figured out the entire way through, Kimberley Woodhouse surprised me again and again!

I loved this second installment in the series. If you wanted more faith, more romance and more digging for dinosaurs? You got it! The faith was great, and really felt like a part of the characters lives. It also touched on the struggles characters had in connecting science with God. I loved the characters and loved the mystery so much! It definitely deserves all of the stars!

*Thank you to Baker Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this book to read and review, all thoughts are my own.

This is book 2 in the Treasures of the Earth series, a historical romance with female lead paleontologists.

Martha Jankowski is following in her father's footsteps and keeping the family business of bones, alive. As Martha is on the brink of a major dinosaur find she meets Jacob Duncan. This encounter sets of a chain events that cause Martha to encounter her faith and the path that she is to follow.

Kimberly Woodhouse, thank you for another great book! Combining the ugly realities of life with the beautiful side of courage and hope.

4 Stars

I was not sure how this book would turn out with how I heard the book before it was, but I'm pleased to see that this was much better and really easy to dive into with some great faith content, which is really great to see!

Negative Content and
Triggers for blood.

A mention of a bad guy having killed a man, and it mentions a pool of red (blood) growing around him. The bad guy thinks of the man as a fool, and that he did not deserve life.

A mention of a confounded rock.

Many mentions of people thinking of pastors as reverends.(we are not to call a man reverend, but rather pastor or preacher, for reverend is a title reserved for God.
"He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name." Psalms 111:9 KJV)

Someone thinks of somebody as a stupid fool.

Someone thinks that if they can keep the occasional fool from messing up their plans, everything would be perfect.

A mention of derogatory comments about women.

Someone thinks of somebody as a fool.

A mention of someone over hearing two men talking about a another man who had been discovered at a brothel, and the glint in their eyes told the person all that was needed to be known about their own indiscretions.

A mention of men who were working telling stories that were not the cleanest, and a man joining in with his thoughts and convictions, wondering if they thought he was judging them and condemning them for their lewd behavior, and thinks that he hadn't wanted to listen to the garbage the men spewed.

A man gives a woman a grin and then winks at her, and the woman blushed, thinking that a man didn't wink at a lady, that it was entirely too . . . intimate.

A mention of someone saying that a man had just come from a brothel.

A mention of brandy.

A mention of a bad guy having had killed the bad guys villain father.

Some mentions of someone having stabbed people.

If I had to say what lowered the rating for me, I'd have to say it was the mentions of someone thinking of different people as fools, and the mentions of men having been to brothels (but it was portrayed as being wrong to do so).

I received a complimentary e-book from the publisher to review through Netgalley. I was not required to give a positive review, and the thoughts above are my own.

This was my first book by the author & I can’t wait to read more! The setting of this book was so unique- I honestly don’t know that I’d ever heard of the bone wars. There was a lot of interesting information about paleontology throughout the book.

I thought the writing was very detailed and descriptive. I enjoyed all of the characters, especially Jacob. Martha undergoes a lot of self-reflection. and I liked seeing her understanding of God grow and how she changed.

Set in Stone is the second book in the Treasures of the Earth series though it can easily be read as a standalone. Reading so many books by this author over the years I have gone on so many adventures through the pages of her books and also learned so much.
Taking place in 1872 Colorado territory I really had a feel for the time period with the author's descriptions. As a youngster Martha wanted nothing more than to follow in her father's footsteps of being a paleontologist and when she came of age, she did just though with some limits put on her by her family. She is determined along with her team to find a whole dinosaur skeleton intact with all the bones unbroken and donate it to the museum for the recognition. Then she learns there is competition from another team determined to do just that. When sabotages turn dangerous Matha wonders should she stop or keep going? Falling in love with the competition was not supposed to happen but it does. Jacob's family is not from the upper-class family Matha's family is from and her mother will not accept her choice. The faith element is strong and such an encouragement to read especially as a character grows stronger in their faith journey. Full of intrigue, suspense and a pretty surprising reveal this light romance kept me reading. It was so fascinating learning the ins and outs of a dig, how long it takes, the dangers involved and how careful the have to be to keep the bones intact. I enjoyed seeing the character development and thought it was realistic. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Set in Stone is the second book in the Treasures of the Earth series. The first book is The Secrets Beneath, which I loved. These books can be read as standalone books or as a series.

Once again Woodhouse introduces two remarkable characters who are seeking to make a name for themselves in the field of paleontology. I really love how the author conveys the message that faith and science aren’t polar opposites, but rather science reveals the intricate hand of our Creator God. Told in alternating perspectives, this book is adventurous, heartwarming, and has an intriguing bit of mystery and suspense. I highly recommend it for fans of historical fiction and suspense. Book three in the series comes out later this year.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Set in Stone has faith, romance, paleontology, science, history, mystery and a villain. I like how Woodhouse has someone with a strong faith befriend someone that has forgotten the faith once had. She was able to weave throughout the book how science and faith can go together. The mystery and the villain kept me reading.

My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical romance that had a bit of mystery and suspense. I love character-driven stories, and I appreciated the personal growth and romance of the main characters. What a unique setting! I wouldn't have guessed I would like a dinosaur dig set in the early 1900s in Colorado. The author laid out the mystery well, drawing us along to the reveal. She also gave some historical context at the beginning of the book. Set in Stone is a well-rounded story!

I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

What a great second book in the Treasures of Earth series! I have to say that if this is the first book you pick up from the series you will be okay. I felt like this read as a stand alone except for the introduction to the "Bone Wars" in the first book. This book starts off with a bang and has you turning pages the entire time.

Martha is a paleontologist. She grew up admiring her father's work in paleontology and dreaming of one day pursuing the career. She accomplishes this with some obstacles still obstructing her way. She is definitely a strong female character who is trying to figure out the pull between religion and science. Jacob is our leading man and he is strong in his faith. Together they make a great team.

Listen, this story is full of all the perfect elements... there is history mixed with science, romance, faith, suspense and a mystery that I did not expect at all. Seriously I did not see it coming at all. Seriously I cannot delve into it more because I don't want to give anything away.

Overall I really enjoyed the story. I think the growth of the characters was realistic and the way that Martha realizes what is truly important in life will resonate as you are reading the story. The ending was good but I am wondering if we will see these characters again in the next book...

If you are looking for a new series to start I definitely recommend this one!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Thank you to @kimberleywoodhouse @netgalley and @bethanyhouse for this #gifted book!
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Synopsis: “Someday, Mr. Johnson, I will find a dinosaur…And when I find it, it will go in a beautiful museum. My name will be on the plaque right next to it. ‘Martha Jankowski, Paleontologist.’“ Martha Jankowski has dreamed of digging in the dirt for years. When she is finally given the opportunity to lead her own dinosaur dig, she is eager to win the spot for her family and her future. But another team also races to claim her spot. When one charming young man comes to her team, the two strike up an unlikely friendship and strange things begin to happen. As the deadline for the dig approaches, her work is compromised, her heart is hurt, and her idea of faith is deeply questioned. Can love and occupation work together? Can science and faith coexist? What will it truly take to find success and meaning in the Bone Wars?

Analysis: Kimberley Woodhouse brings us this beautiful Bone War era novel that I must say I was super excited to read (being a boy mom and dinosaurs just go hand in hand these days!). There were so many things that I loved about this novel: creepy villains, jaw-dropping mystery, unlikely romance, and a genuine, clear gospel message. While this book is technically the second in the series, this is written as stand-alone. If you’re looking for a book with little known history, beautiful writing, and strong threads of faith, you’ll want to add this to your TBR immediately!

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Set in Stone
by Kimberley Woodhouse
Pub Date 12 Mar 2024
Bethany House,Bethany House Publishers
Christian| Historical Fiction| Romance


Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley provided me with a copy of Set in Stone for review:



Martha Jankowski has been digging in the dirt since she was a child, much to her mother's dismay. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a paleontologist, and now she 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 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.The moment Martha discovers what she hopes is a fully intact dinosaur skeleton, which might win her an acclaimed exhibit, she learns that another team is competing against her.

Jacob Duncan, a paleontology student, has achieved his dream of digging for dinosaur bones. In a race against time, he and his team are determined to unearth a complete skeleton to claim a museum exhibit. Love and danger grow hand in hand until a menacing ruse threatens to destroy it all when Jacob meets their charming competitor Martha.

I give Set in Stone five out of five years!


Happy Reading!

I loved this fantastic historical fiction story that has some action and some romance. I loved Martha and Jacob. I loved learning about how a paleontologist works. I love learning about dinosaurs and where they can be found. I loved the underlying story about a killer and all the twists and turns to uncover the truth. I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

This enjoyable adventure takes place in the Colorado Territory in the late 1800's.
Martha wants to be known as a paleontologist and after facing many challenges during her life, her mother finally allows her to dig. There is a contest and Martha is determined to win, but not at any cost. The Bone Wars rage around the nation, but Martha refuses to stoop to that level. During this time Martha meets Jacob and through her time with him realizes some hard truths. Like the fact that her relationship with God is non-existent and she is more than a little spoiled. She determines to grow her faith and it will be tested. Long buried fossils are not the only things being revealed...

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are mine.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

That is an actual record of my reaction to a particular twist in Set in Stone. One that took me by surprise (clearly) and one that I thought was brilliantly done by the author. I had my suspicions about how the suspense thread would turn out, and while I was partially correct about some of it I didn’t see the rest of it coming. Kimberley Woodhouse writes great historical romance – this is fact. But she also writes brilliant suspense, and I love that we get to see both talents showcased in this new series.

Martha and Jacob are both layered characters who come from two very different worlds. And while at first glance, Martha seems to have the kind of upbringing where she wanted for nothing, in truth it’s working class Jacob who is rich in what really matters. I appreciated the contrast between them and how the author integrated it into several of the story threads so we were shown the differences & not just told. I also loved Jacob’s character, from his personality to his integrity, his deep relationship with God, his growing feelings for Martha and even his connection to Dwight L. Moody. My heart broke for Martha in her acute lack of close relationships or anyone to share her burdens, and I found her subsequent journey toward a relationship with Jesus to be heartfelt and authentic. Even the places in her story where we can see Him pursuing her long before she realizes that He loves her deeply.

Bottom Line: In Set in Stone, Kimberley Woodhouse takes us to the height of the Bone Wars and puts us right in the middle of a high-stakes competition between rival digs. Readers will quickly become invested in Martha’s backstory and her present quest for a significant dinosaur skeleton, and they will of course fall in love with Jacob as she does. Drama abounds between the two digs, but it’s the truly complex villain that will keep you on the edge of your seat and biting your nails! A sweet romance (though I wish there had been a little more kissing haha #shallow), a touching faith journey, and some shocking twists round out the mix, and I already cannot wait for the next book!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

With plenty of Gospel truth, mystery, and suspense, Set in Stone was as spiritually edifying as it was thrilling! These characters are incredibly introspective, and their faith journeys and internal dialogue make up a significant part of this lovely story, causing the reader to pause and reflect. It was so encouraging to see Kimberly Woodhouse use biblical creation to tackle the world of paleontology at the height of the scientific foray into the theories and lies of macro-evolution. Martha’s personal faith journey was not a cookie cutter Christian fiction salvation story, but one that realistically depicted the doubt, struggles, and wonderful grace of a Christian coming into the fold of Christ. The romance and story slowly built up to a thrilling ending with plot twists and heart-pounding moments! I thoroughly enjoyed Set in Stone, and I look forward to the next installment of the Treasures of the Earth series!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. My thoughts are my own, I really did enjoy it!

This book was beautiful, poignant, and full of some twists that puzzled me until the end even as I caught on to a couple. Offering a glimpse into the Bone Wars and the contentious beginnings of paleontology, Woodhouse uses her characters to have thoughtful debates about how to reconcile faith and science while also creating layers upon layers of mystery.

The emotions portrayed in this book feel real, the characters could be people that you could meet in your life (granted a few centuries back), and it is clear that research on the area, time, and the Bone Wars themselves was extensive. This has to be one of my favorite books of the year so far, and I am intrigued enough to pick up book one to see what other layers it offers.

Note: You do not have to have read the first book to read this one. You also do not have to have a degree in paleontology as Woodhouse does a fantastic job of weaving information into her story.

*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House and NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine and mine alone.*

“But what good is it having dreams if they aren’t big?”

Woo-Hoo, Set in Stone, book two of Treasures in the Earth, by Kimberley Woodhouse, releases March 12! I absolutely love this series by Kimberley Woodhouse!

Set in Stone is just as exciting and suspenseful as its predecessor, The Secrets Beneath. Both involve a woman archaeologist, history, romance, and mystery. Set in Stone, as Secrets Beneath, can be a stand-alone.

This is a heart-wrenching story, at least for any daddy’s girl, of which I was one. Young Martha Jankowski is also one, idolizing her father, loving any time at home with him, and ecstatic when her archaeologist father lets her start “working”with him on a dig at age 6. But shortly after that, her parents return home from a trip, with her father maimed, unable to work any more, and greatly changed.

Unable to get her social-rule-conscious mother to show any love or approval, Martha hopes as an adult, by working her own dig, to gain her parents’ approval.

We meet Jacob Duncan working on an opposing dig, as the powers that be have pitted two digs against each other for dinosaur bones and speed. This is part of the Bone Wars that took place during that time, leading to sloppy practices, carelessness, and greed in a field demanding meticulous care. It is interesting to see how Woodhouse introduces Jacob and Martha to each other and how their lives become entangled both in matters of work and the heart.

If that were the only storyline present, Set in Stone would be interesting. But Woodhouse takes her novel a step above to “ominously mysterious” with the mystery over Martha’s father’s personality change and the invisible, ruthless owner of the other mine.

I loved the growth in the two main characters. The spiritual insights are as relevant for the reader as they are for the protagonists.

Don’t miss this exciting, mysterious second book in the Treasures of the Earth series.

Notable Quotables:

“…it doesn’t matter where God places you, it only matters that you use what you have to shine His light.”

”Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.“
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV

Wouldn’t it be awesome to be a part of an excavation that was uncovering dinosaur bones? Martha Jankowski has the unique opportunity to not only be on the dig, but to be the one who is responsible for its discovery and a female at that. The race against another crew to be the first to uncover an entire skeleton and win the distinction of having it displayed in a museum was an exciting part of the story. The historical details of such a race made me feel like I was there.

I enjoyed the faith and uncompromising nature of Jacob Duncan. Martha was such a blessed young woman to fall in love with him. He was such a patient and understanding man. They are such a good match since he is a fellow paleontologist who shares her passion of dinosaur digs and will for years to come.

The mystery that was taking place concurrently lent an element of intrigue and suspicion as you are given clues as to the possible identity of past and present crimes. Things were left up in the air, so I am curious to see if the villain will make an appearance in the next story. I hope so!

I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

Kimberly Woodhouse takes her readers on an amazing adventure with her extraordinary prose to the Colorado territory during the Bone Wars. Set in Stone is strong in faith with an oh-so-sweet love story that reaches across the social class divide in the late 1800s, with a murder/mystery. I was in suspense, reading late into the night, this totally intriguing who-done-it!

Woodhouse also educates her readers in paleontology history and science, of the era, in such a fun way, as we join Martha and Jacob digging for dinosaurs. I was rooting for Martha throughout this heartfelt story, as Jacob with his steadfast faith and patience, guided her throughout her journey to reconnect with God.

Kimberly Woodhouse is one of my favorite Historical Christian Fiction authors, and I always enjoy reading her stories. A definite must read, Set in Stone, is the second book in the Treasures of the Earth series, which can be enjoyed as a standalone.

I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House via Interviews and Reviews through NetGalley for an honest review. I was under no obligation to write a favorable review and all opinions are my own.