Treasures of the Earth: Book 3
Publication Date: September 24, 2024
Beyond the perilous landscape lies a love that defies extinction. . . .
In the bustling world of paleontology in 1916, Eliza Mills defies societal expectations to pursue her passion. Having published her early groundbreaking papers under a false name, 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. Together, 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.
Kimberley Woodhouse’s A Hope Unburied is a sweeping panorama, not just of epic scenery surrounding the Carnegie Quarry at Dinosaur National Monument in Utah but epic in the range of emotions experienced through Eliza Mills and Devin Schmitt.
Eliza and Devin are best friends, even closer than best friends. Granddaughter of wealthy and loving grandparents, Eliza’s tutor has been Devin’s father, as they’ve grown up, together constantly. Devin is falling in love with Eliza, but when she begs him to promise they will always be friends, he agrees, but only because he can’t imagine life without Eliza.
Mr. Mills, Eliza’s grandfather, has other ideas when he asks Devin to promise he and Eliza will remain friends¬ and only friends. The socioeconomic disparity is just too great, and Eliza needs to marry someone on her own level.
As they grow up, Eliza and Devin pursue their own dreams. Eliza becomes a paleontologist, and Devin becomes head of the local university English Department. Devin struggles as his feelings for Eliza are deepening so when Mr. Carnegie personally selects and asks Eliza to go to Utah to the Carnegie Quarry at Dinosaur National Monument for the summer, Devin is thrilled for her and hopes the ensuing separation will help him, at last, get his feelings under control.
Eliza thrives in Utah but begins to realize her feelings for Devin may be more than the friendship she’s always relied upon. She misses Devin desperately and begs him to come to Utah—at least for a few weeks. Devin declines at first but realizes he must face his feelings and decides to join her. While there, sinister forces are at work, some are taking direct aim at Eliza and her beloved work with dinosaur fossils. A man of his word, Devin is confronted with the strength of his feelings and learning of the danger Eliza now faces, he must decide whether to honor his word or face a fate irrevocably linked with Eliza’s.
Woodhouse’s ability to paint a picture with words is put to full effect in A Hope Unburied. The power of the story is experienced not only in the beauty of the landscape and tactile descriptions but also in the depth of emotions portrayed so powerfully through Devin and Eliza. Will Eliza realize in time the strength of her feelings for Devin, or will the forces at work against her be too much to overcome? Devin’s love is solid, but will he be able to save Eliza from those wishing to do her harm and end her beloved paleontological work?
A Hope Unburied is a shining example of forbidden but selfless love that never wavers and never gives up, always striving to seek the best for the one you love, even at potentially great cost.
Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than forty fiction and nonfiction books. Kim and her incredible husband of thirty-plus years live in Colorado, where they play golf together, spend time with their kids and grandkids, and research all the history around them.
