A Gem of Truth

Written by Kimberley Woodhouse

Narrated by Jeanine Bartel

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?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9781705074428

Kimberley Woodhouse

Kimberley Woodhouse (KimberleyWoodhouse.com) 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 grandbaby, and research all the history around them.

Reviews for A Gem of Truth

[Ann Bush · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I especially liked the trips into the canyon that were described so beautifully

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The prologue of this book tugged at my heartstrings! Eight-year-old Julia Shultz loses her parents and begins an existence filled with made-up stories because she doesn't want to forever bear the label of orphan. Eighteen years later, hoping to find a fresh start, she becomes a Harvey Girl at the famous El Tovar Hotel, but she still finds herself telling stories to hide her past. Just when do the stories made up by children turn into lies told by adults?Author Kimberley Woodhouse paints a poignant picture of that lonely little girl who is now a lonely adult. Julia's luck seems to change when she begins a search for long-lost treasure with Christopher Miller and, for the first time, experiences the joy of friendship. Julia's life seems on the upswing until her past comes to light. Will this man who values honesty and truth continue to be her friend?A Gem of Truth has likable characters involved with adventure, danger, and mystery in the legendary setting of the Grand Canyon. It also has a sweet romance and a powerful faith message that kept me totally engaged. I recommend this book to all who enjoy historical Christian romance.I received a complimentary copy from the author but there was no obligation for a positive review.

[becky_l-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

After reading Kimberley Woodhouse’s first book in the Secrets of the Canyon series, I knew I had to read the next, A Gem of Truth. What a gem it is, too! Set mainly at a Grand Canyon Harvey House in the early 1900s, history and romance marry action to form an exciting book you won’t soon forget. “Instant friends. If only there were such a wonderful thing.” I could empathize with poor Julia who had trouble feeling worthy and making friends. Unfortunately, Julia tells fantastically entertaining stories to gain approval, but loses people’s trust in bargain. Will she learn to tell the truth before her life lays in shambles at her feet? How many people can identify with Julia as “she still felt very much alone…Surrounded by people, but lonely.” This is so easy to fall in this trap. We often try to be good enough to please people, hiding who we really are, afraid of rejection if people discover the real us. Told in third person, the novel switches back and forth quickly between characters and the reader must be alert. I loved seeing our friends from Woodhouse’s first book, as well the new characters who added so much to the story. Ruth figures into this narrative until we are ready for her story, which will be out next year! (Yay!)Woodhouse has done her Harvey House waitress homework, as well as incorporating a legend masterfully to add so much suspense! And her detail to jewelry making! I appreciated that the main characters respected the Hopi Indians and treated them and their culture well. I would love to have seen that part of the Canyon, something we need to rectify next time we visit, as well as visiting the El Tovar.Don’t miss this book!! I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley, plus I purchased my own ecopy. Notable Quotables:“Would she never be able to get past who she’d been? Would anyone ever truly love her for who she was?”“There are no bad eggs, just a bunch of people with sin natures. God loves every one of us the same.”

[eccl-3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A Gem of Truth, by Kimberly Woodhouse, is book two in the Secrets of the Canyon series. This story takes place in 1907 at the Grand Canyon. This story focuses on Julia, a Harvey Girl at El Tovar Hotel, and Christopher, a jeweler that makes items to sell at the hotel shop. Julia has a past that she keeps hidden and Christopher honesty is the most important thing.This is a nicely written story with mostly nice characters. The story deals with stories of a lost treasure in the canyon. It also has suspense and mystery behind who is causing trouble near the hotel and why. The story is so clear it was easy to imagine Julie walking along the narrow ledge to search for the lost treasures. The story has a secondary story within it, that of Christopher struggling to buy his jewelry shop. I enjoyed reading this story. Having not read the first in the series, I was easily able to understand the story. This story gives a look at how things that happened in Julia's young life caused her to be a story teller to make her life sound exciting. But, the story telling caused other issues in her life. It was nice to see how hard she worked to overcome the story telling and just be herself. I enjoyed reading how things just worked out for Christopher. It is easy to see that God was with him at just the right time. I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book through Just Read Tours and NetGalley, this is my honest review.

[lamb521 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: Gem of Truth (Secrets of the Canyon #2)Author: Kimberley WoodhousePages: 320Year: 2022Publisher: BethanyMy rating: 5 out of 5 starsThe main character in this novel is Julia Schultz whose past is slowly revealed as the reader turns the pages. Julia’s past is shadowed by the death of her parents and then never having a forever home afterwards. So, when Julia is grown up, she works as a Harvey Girl at El Tovar by the Grand Canyon.Chris Miller is a master jeweler who is hired by El Tovar to create unique pieces of jewelry to sell as well as train some locals in his craft. All is about to change for Chris and Julia. While on a hiking trail, Julia believes she has stumbled on history. Julia heard of the legends of treasure hidden somewhere in the Grand Canyon. She believes if she can find it life will be better. Yet, there is another party that is seeking to become rich from the treasure. If Julia isn’t careful, someone just may get hurt as in her quest to “be someone” other than the person she believes her past defines her to be.Readers will find that once again Kimberley Woodhouse has crafted an amazing and captivating tale set in the early 1900s. The descriptions of the Grand Canyon and the El Tovar hotel just beg a reader to travel there and discover the wonders that the scene brings! The way that Ruth longs to share her faith and the reality of God in her life with others is touching. I loved the blooming romance between Chris and Julia. The story contains some surprising challenges and changes in some of the background characters. I believe readers will enjoy the story whether they have read the first book, A Deep Divide, or not. The last book of the series, A Mark of Grace, coming in 2023 will focus on Ruth Anniston and her challenges as she recovers from an injury. Read, enjoy and share books!Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.

[lilmiss01 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Although I have not read the 1st book in this series, I was able to follow the storyline fairly well. The book is well written and an easy read. I recommend reading this book.