The Secrets Beneath

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Treasures of the Earth #1
Pages: 336
Release Date: September 26, 2023
Publisher: Bethany House

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.

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Reviewer: Beverly Laude

This book is a great mix of several themes. First of all, it deals with a paleontologist's father-and-daughter team in the late 1870s, during the surge in findings of fossils and dinosaur bones in the US. Anna Lakeman works with her father, doing sketches of the digs while he and his team do the actual digging.

When a flash flood unearths what might be a full dinosaur skeleton on their neighbor's property, Anna's father is determined to be in charge of this amazing dig. But first they have to convince the owner, an ornery rancher named Randall Walker, to allow them to do the work. Instead, old man Walker dies, and his son, Julian, is the one they must approach.

Anna is still pining for her true love, Joshua Ziegler, who is back east studying to be a physician. They had parted ways three years before, not on the best of terms. When Joshua decides to visit his family, all of the old feelings come back. The book follows Anna as she tries to regain her faith in God while dealing with her lost love and her father's failing health. Throw in a rich investor trying to take over the dig and the strangeness surrounding Julian Walker and his never-seen brother, Damian, and you have plenty going on to keep your attention.

As the story unfolds, there is some romance, lots of information about paleontology, and a bit of mystery surrounding the Walkers. What else might be buried on the Walker property, along with a dinosaur? There is plenty of faith-building and Biblical inspiration in the book, which is a wonderful part of the reading experience. The author does a great job of character development and mixing these different stories into an enjoyable book.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Nikita Wells

"A faint glimmer of hope spurred to life. This trip had the potential to change the outcome— put things to right again. It was far-fetched. But God could still do miracles."

This is a story of love, difficult paths, and second chances. I have to say, this book ended up being rather different from what I expected when I requested it. There were parts I enjoyed, and a few I really didn't, but I can't disclose them because, ya know, spoilers.

Favorite characters: Anna, her horse Misty, and her dad. Her dad did a pretty great job of raising her and teaching her his craft after she lost her mom.

It was also neat to read about the devotion, care, and meticulous processes involved in unearthing dinosaur bones. Imagine discovering something that's been buried in tons of layers for thousands of years, and how it must have felt to be the first to see and touch it. It would be quite an amazing thing, in my opinion!

So, while this wasn't my favorite book out of the ones she's written, it wasn't bad, just not my cup of tea. I would say fans of Jamie Jo Wright (who also reviewed this book) would love it.

Trigger warnings: death, blood, physical, and mental abuse

My thanks to Bethany House for the complimentary paperback I received to review through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review, and the thoughts above are my own.

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Reviewer: Connie Porter Saunders

Anna Lakeman enjoys helping her paleontologist father, but her longing to become one herself was simply unheard of in 1879. Author Kimberley Woodhouse paints a vivid picture of Anna's struggle to be accepted as a scientist and her emotional upheaval when the man that she's long loved returns to Walker Creek.

Joshua Ziegler never wrote to her after leaving for medical school, and three years is a long time to go without communication. Will reconciliation and forgiveness be possible? Adding to Anna's confusion are her concerns over a neighbor who appears to want more from her than just friendship. Julian Walker is a truly memorable character, and Woodhouse kept me turning the pages to learn more about him!

Oh, how I loved this book! The romance, the suspense, and the intriguing characters kept me totally engaged, along with the many historical details woven into this story. It's apparent that Woodhouse devoted a lot of time to researching real-life paleontologist Earl Douglass, the Dinosaur National Monument, and the Bone Wars, also known as the Great Dinosaur Rush. Her efforts made this a fascinating read, and I recommend The Secrets Beneath to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction. I look forward to reading more books in The Secrets of the Earth series.

I received a complimentary  copy courtesy of Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Lori Parrish

My goodness, what a story! In this case, the title certainly fits. Just wow! I think this will be my favorite Kimberley book. I was kept on the edge of my seat the whole time. Quite a nail-biting mystery, for sure.

Dinosaurs have always intrigued me, so I loved that this was added to the mix too.

The opening scene made my heart speed up. I kept rooting for Anna. She's one determined lady. 

The cover is simply gorgeous. I love the sayings at the top of each chapter.

"I cannot tell you what the years may bring, life is a scene of change."

How true this is! This speaks volumes. If everything stays the same, then there will be no room left to grow. I really enjoyed this story to the fullest.

Woodhouse has written another adventure for me to enjoy. This was very fast-paced, so I finished it in one day. I simply couldn't put Anna's story down. I really felt sorry for the Zeiglers. They went through so much. I couldn't even imagine what they went through.

I didn't care much for the Walkers at all, but then I guess you've always got that one family in a town, no matter where you live. My heart actually went out to Julian because of the way he was treated his whole life. It wasn't his fault. It's no fun being bullied just because you're different. I get it. I do. But, sometimes, as we get older, life has a tendency to change us, sometimes not so well, all due to that green-eyed monster.

My favorite thing was the theme of forgiveness and the way that the characters tried to show their love to the ones who weren't so nice.

Just a wonderful story all around, and one I highly recommend. Five stars for a well-written novel. My thanks for a copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Conny Withay

"How can they keep the perils of the past from threatening their renewed affection?" The back cover states regarding Anna and Joshua’s relationship in Kimberley Woodhouse’s novel, The Secrets Beneath.

The first book in the Secrets of the Treasures of the Earth series, this three-hundred-and-thirty-six-page paperback targets those interested in a historical romance involving a young female paleontologist who wants to do what is right when it comes to love and caring for others. With no profanity, topics of physical and mental abuse, illness, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending of this advanced reader copy includes a note to the reader, acknowledgments, the author’s biography, and advertisements.

In this first book in the series set in the late 1800s in Walker Creek, Wyoming, twenty-one-year-old Anna tries to move on after her love, Joshua, left years ago to become a doctor without even writing to her. She spends her time helping her father with dinosaur digs, especially when skeletal remains are found on a neighbor’s ranch. While she is fascinated with the scientific discovery, her world is changed when Joshua returns home and the needy neighbor craves her attention.

I love historical fiction when I learn something new, and this one that showed the struggles of a woman trying to make her mark in the earth sciences centuries ago was interesting. I appreciated the details of the dig as well as the love of flowers and beauty of the land. Including the plan of eternal salvation of Jesus dying on the cross and paying the debt for our sins was important and well-written. Adding the Bible verses, prayers, and hymns was nice.

Those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ might not like this story of how God is truly the only one who can help us. Some may not like how often conclusions were jumped to, and ignorance lead to fear. A few readers may not care for some of the stereotypical characters, the immaturity of the protagonist, and her temper.

Since this is the first book in the series, having a list of characters would be helpful. Adding discussion questions at the end would be thoughtful for book clubs.

If you like a story about a determined, strong woman who loves paleontology as she uncovers the pains of being in love, this is an enjoyable read.

Thanks to Bethany House and Interviews & Reviews for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

The Secrets Beneath by Kimberley Woodhouse has taken me on a dino-dig filled with adventure, heartache and surprises. The author kept me glued to this book from the first page to the last.

I loved the dinosaur element in this book. Not only do we learn about paleontology, but we get to experience it from a woman's point of view. My daughter is an animator who loves dinosaurs, so I was constantly picturing her as Anna while this story unfolded.

Anna Lakeman had the perfect amount of frustration over men who think women can't do what they do. In this case, it was drawing detailed pictures of the bones Anna found at the dig site. While it may seem absurd that men thought they could draw better than women, this arrogance continued even when Walt Disney set up his studios.

The relationship between Anna and Joshua seems to rely on Anna being able to hold her tongue and mind her temper. The theme of forgiveness plays heavily into this book, with Anna needing to ask for forgiveness from Joshua more than once. Joshua seems like the perfect man who is more than a little intimidated by Anna. His fear of telling her how he really feels and her assumptions as to what he feels often made it seem like this couple didn't stand a chance. Proving that communication is the key in any relationship.

The theme of loving others as God loves us was also present. Anna tried her best to befriend Julian (a neighbour everyone thought of as "odd") in memory of her best friend, who also befriended Julian when no one else would. The surprising turn of events where Julian is concerned will keep you turning the pages until the wee hours of the morning.

This is a book that I found hard to put down. I hope we get to follow Anna to more "dino-digs" in future books. I highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

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