Set in Stone by Kimberley Woodhouse

Since I was a kid, I had an interest in Paleontology; I loved visiting the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. This is why the Set in Stone setting and storyline intrigued me. Even if you don’t “dig” Paleontology, I think you will like it too.

Ms. Woodhouse does a wonderful job of weaving the theme of science into the relationships she develops. The story starts off by introducing Martha Jankowski, who has been digging in the dirt with her paleontologist father ever since she was very young, much to the dismay of her rich, socialite mother.

Now, as a young adult, she dreams of becoming a paleontologist herself and is determined to make her parents proud by uncovering the next big discovery.
When Martha discovers what she thinks to be a fully intact dinosaur skeleton--one that could win her an acclaimed exhibit--she learns that another team is competing against her, possibly stealing her chance of recognition for this momentous discovery.

Martha meets up with Paleontology student Jacob Duncan who has risen out of poverty to fulfill his dream of digging for dinosaur bones. In a race against time, he and his team are bent on unearthing a complete skeleton to claim a museum exhibit with their names on it. But when Jacob meets their charming competitor Martha and uncovers foul play within his team, love and danger grow hand in hand until a menacing ruse threatens to destroy it all.
This unique story centers around a woman of the 19th century, a period where women scientists were usually not respected. The author does a great job of showing the struggles of a woman in this field, balancing ambition with period social norms.

Ms. Woodhouse also helps the reader to feel the moods of characters with great sentences like: Martha’s thoughts tumbled over each other; He walked away, but Lily Rose’s outrage followed him on the wind; and Martha drank the terms of endearment into her heart like they were water to a parched throat.

If you are looking for a strong Christian-based novel, this story will entertain you. Biblical Scripture and teaching are sprinkled throughout the scenes, sometimes welcomed with interest, other times rejected with anger.
The best attribute about this novel is that the author leads readers down paths, only to pull the rug out from under them with shocking turns.

If you like science, romance, intrigue, and mystery, this book will not leave you disappointed.

I received a review copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews for an unbiased and objective review.