Review: A Gem of Truth by Kimberley Woodhouse

 

About:

Escaping her shattered past is much more difficult than she imagined.

Julia Schultz has a reputation for being a storyteller, or as others see it, a liar. But with her dark and painful past, stories are all that have kept her company throughout her life. 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.

Learning the trade of a master jeweler is hard work, but Christopher Miller takes pride in running his family's small shop and earning the respect of the people around him. But when he discovers that he has six weeks to buy his 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. But when Julia's past catches up with her, doubt creeps into Chris's heart. Can he really trust her and her stories?

My Thoughts:

I have, (unfortunately and hopefully that will change), never been to the Grand Canyon. However, I enjoy viewing videos or pictures of it on the computer and I really enjoy when authors base their stories there. Here is a story that takes place in 1907 at a Harvey hotel. Harvey hotels and how they were run with precision and efficiency never ceases to amaze me, and I wonder what it would be like to have gotten to visit one. Well, Julia Schultz is a Harvey girl, and she is very good at her job. She has transferred to the El Tovar Hotel and is in line for a big promotion. Only one problem, herself.

Julia has not had an easy life. Her parents died when she was just eight years old, and those brutal images she tries not to think about. She has been an orphan since tossed from family to family never really making friendships or deep relationships. To just get through life she becomes a storyteller about her life. She would have made a wonderful author, but these stories she tells to fit in, are lies she talks about herself. She needs to stop. She is expected to stop as per her new job. So, she tries to become a different person. Unfortunately, the past doesn't always like to stay hidden and even with the best of intentions, the past comes back to haunt.

Chris Miller is a jeweler trying to keep his place of business. He has been given a great opportunity to sell jewelry for the Harvey business, but he is in a bit of a time crunch to come up with the moneys he needs. Can he accomplish his goal? And what happens when a certain red head, Julia, catches his eye and pulls him into an adventure? Can he trust her as the truth of her past comes barreling at them both?

The Grand Canyon, Harvey girls, romance, bad guys, and buried treasure are all included in this adventure. And a young woman who just wants to belong to someone will find her place and a love to make her own. I think all of us from time to time have felt the loneliness that plagued Julia and has born our sense of belonging.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author:

Kimberley Woodhouse (www.kimberleywoodhouse.com) is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 25 fiction and nonfiction books. Kim and her incredible husband of 30-plus years live in the Poconos, where they play golf together, spend time with their kids and grandbaby, and research all the history around them.