A GEM OF TRUTH - Kimberley Woodhouse - One Free Book

Bio: Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than thirty fiction and nonfiction books including The Heart of Alaska series and The Treasures of Nome series. Kim and her incredible husband of thirty-plus years have two adult children. She loves the gift of story and is passionate about music and Bible study.

Kimberley Woodhouse has won multiple awards for her historical novels, which are filled with adventure and romance. In A Gem of Truth, book two in the Secrets of the Canyon series, Woodhouse plunges readers deep into the recesses of the Grand Canyon in search of a legendary treasure. Themes of honesty, love, and one’s worth regardless of their past are intricately woven together in this captivating historical narrative.

About the story: Julia Schultz’s reputation is on the line. She is known for being a storyteller, or as some see it, a liar. With a dark and painful past, Julia’s stories were her way of thwarting the pain while making herself interesting to others. But her stories need to come to an end if she wants to prove herself trustworthy. Longing for a fresh start and a second chance to earn real trust, Julia takes a job as a Harvey Girl at the El Tovar Hotel, where she’s challenged to be her true self.

Christopher Miller takes pride in running his family’s small jewelry shop. But when he discovers that he has six weeks to buy the building from his landlord before it is sold, he must find a way to save his grandfather's legacy.

United by the discovery of a legendary treasure, Chris and Julia find hope in each other as they work together. But when Julia’s past catches up with her, doubt creeps into Chris’s heart. Can he really trust her and her stories?

Your books are filled with just the right amount of adventure, intrigue, and romance. What was the inspiration for your new novel A Gem of Truth? Back in 2008, I was at the Grand Canyon with my kids, who were young teens. There was an interpretive sign that explained about the Spanish explorers who saw the Canyon in the 1500s. But they left it because they were in search of what they thought was greater—the cities of gold.

All kinds of story ideas started in my mind that day. The legend that I created for A Gem of Truth goes back to those early explorers. While the history of them is very real, the legend is a figment of my own imagination.

Your main protagonist, Julia Schultz, has a reputation for being a storyteller, or as some see it, a liar. What details in her past led her to spinning untruthful tales? Julia was orphaned at an early age—and the circumstances are quite hideous and traumatizing to her young heart. So, to keep it all a secret, she comes up with fantastic tales about what actually happened to her parents. It becomes her way of gaining approval. Soon, she’s making up stories about many aspects of her life.

In addition to the theme of truthfulness, what other lessons or themes are found in your novel? Unconditional love. Forgiveness. Finding worth in who God created you to be.

Longing for a fresh start in life, Julia takes on a new position as a Harvey Girl. Can you explain the role of a Harvey Girl? The Harvey Girls are waitresses who were incredibly fascinating. They served guests a full course meal in a mere forty-five minutes as the train stopped along its journey. The Harvey Houses were located along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad lines. The rules the Harvey Girls had to follow and the perfection they had to display in service were phenomenal.

A Gem of Truth is set in the Grand Canyon. Why did you choose this setting? I’ve been wanting to do a series on Harvey Girls for a long time, and after visiting the historic El Tovar Hotel, I knew I had to set my new series at the Grand Canyon. There’s nothing like it in the world. And back in 1907—when this book takes place—it was still extremely remote and the El Tovar was at the height of its glory days as the crown jewel of the Harvey Empire.

A Gem of Truth is the second novel in the Secrets of the Canyon series. What is the connecting element for all of the books in this series? Each book has the canyon that connects them, as well as the Harvey Girls and the El Tovar. Every one of the heroines has a secret that must come to light.

What do readers have to look forward to in the rest of the series? A Mark of Grace releases in January of 2023. Ruth Anniston, a secondary character and head waitress in the first two books, is the heroine.

What do you love most about writing historical romance novels? I love history—and love how we can learn from it. I also receive so many letters from readers whose lives have been touched or changed by my books. I think that’s what I love most—seeing how story impacts people’s lives for the better.

How can readers connect with you?

Readers can connect with me through my website, kimberleywoodhouse.com

Thank you, Kimberley, for sharing this novel with my blog readers and me, I love reading your books.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=a+gem+of+truth+kimberley+woodhouse&i=stripbooks&crid=4RFIYHUIIXA7&sprefix=A+Gem+of+Truth%2Cstripbooks%2C106&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_14

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com