Meet Martha Jankowski from Kimberly Woodhouse’s novel Set in Stone

When paleontologist Martha Jankowski discovers an intact dinosaur skeleton, she has the opportunity to make a name for herself, but only if she can uncover the full skeleton before another competing dig.

Welcome to Novel PASTimes! We are pleased you stopped by today.

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Tell us something about where you live.

I recently moved to Colorado in hopes to work on a dig for dinosaur bones. This area is nothing like where I grew up in Illinois. The Rocky Mountains are incredibly high. Unlike the rolling hills back home, their steep, craggy faces are covered in snow the majority of the year. The rock formations here in Colorado are what brought me here. Within those rock layers, I hope to find many dinosaur skeletons.

So are you a paleontologist?

That’s what I hope to be eventually. I’ve been studying toward that goal for some time but have had to put my studies on hold. I usually need to earn money between each semester to pay for the next. I have found that the hands-on experience in the field has helped me more than just the book studies. 

What inspired you to go into that field of science?

I’ve always been fascinated with history and digging up fossils became a fun hobby when I was younger. A wonderful pastor and mentor in my life, Pastor Moody, encouraged me to follow where the Lord led. As long I kept pointing people to the Truth. There is still so much to discover and so many unknowns to explore. I’m excited to simply have the opportunity to keep learning and growing. My biggest dream is to work on a team digging up a complete dinosaur skeleton. Thankfully, I’ve been given that chance here.

What are your thoughts on the Bone Wars? Do you think they’ve given your chosen field of science the proverbial black eye?

That is quite the question. While I agree with others in paleontology that do not condone Cope and Marsh and their dishonorable practices in trying to gain acclaim, I will say that the Bone Wars have brought attention to what we do. Many people don’t understand what it is we are trying to accomplish by digging up these fossils from the past. My hope and prayer is to bring people of faith and science together.

What’s something new you have learned since arriving in Colorado? 

It took a good bit of time for me to adjust to the air. Dryer, thinner, and the landscape is much higher than living near sea level. But now that I’m here, I never want to leave. What an amazing place to be! 

Thanks for allowing us to get know you a little better!


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


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A Chat with Julian from The Secrets Beneath by Kimberley Woodhouse

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Anna Lakeman has spent her life working alongside her paleontologist father. When they find dinosaur bones, a rich investor tries to take over their dig. As Anna fights for recognition of her work and reconnects with an old beau, tensions mount and secrets are unburied. How can they keep the perils of the past from threatening their renewed affection?

Welcome to Novel PASTimes! We are pleased you stopped by today.

Thank you. But I’m only here for Anna. Will she be here too?

Tell us something about where you live.

My father came here with a wagon train, saw the fertile river area, decided to stay here, and built himself a big ranch. I don’t care much about it. Even though I’ve worked it my whole life and know everything there is to know about ranching. But my mother taught me to garden. That’s what I really love to do. My flower beds are my favorite.

Is there anything special about your name? Why do you think you were given that name?

Julian? I don’t think so… but my mother named me. She was the most wonderful person in the entire world. She loved me. So since she gave it to me, I like it. 

Do you have an occupation? What do you like or dislike about your work?

I worked on my father’s ranch growing up. But he’s a horrible man. So I left and worked some others. But now that my father is sick, I’ve come back. Like I said, I don’t really care much about ranching. My father loves having the largest ranch in all of Wyoming territory, but it doesn’t mean anything to me. Taking care of the animals is okay, but my passion is in the ground. I love to grow beautiful things.

Who are the special people in your life?

Mary was the most special person. She always talked to me at school. Made me feel like I mattered. But she’s been gone for a long time now. Anna Lakeman—she was best friends with Mary growing up—came by the other day, and she was really nice to me. I like her a lot.

What is your heart’s deepest desire?

To be loved and accepted. For people to appreciate my gardens and to know that I am not like my father. I hate him. And always will.

What are you most afraid of?

My secrets. But no one will ever find out.

Do you have a cherished possession?

I do. But no one knows what they are. I don’t let people see them. 

Thanks for allowing us to get know you a little better!

Thank you. But I’m only here for Anna. 


Kimberly Woodhouse is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 30 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.


Interview with Julia Schultz from A Gem of Truth – by Kimberley Woodhouse

Welcome to Novel PASTimes! We are pleased you stopped by today.

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Tell us something about where you live.

I just moved to the Grand Canyon, and I think it’s the most beautiful place on earth. There’s so much to explore here, I think I could spend a lifetime hiking around and not see the entire thing.

Where did you grow up?

Mostly Texas.

Texas is a large state… I’ve been through Dallas. What was your favorite part of growing up there?

There were a lot of cattle. There’s not a lot of cattle here. Some people think of the Grand Canyon as dry and desert like, but there’s so much life and beauty here. I like this much more than Texas.

I can tell you really love your new location. What brought you there?

I’ve been a Harvey Girl for a while now and have always wanted to work at the magnificent El Tovar Hotel. You could say it’s been a dream of mine. When I received word of my transfer, I was ecstatic.

Sounds like a dream come true. But isn’t it difficult to start over again in a new place?

Not as hard as you might think. I actually am enjoying this fresh start. New people, new job. I might even be up for a promotion which is very exciting.

That is very exciting. You must have a lot of experience as a Harvey Girl.

I do. I’ve met some of the most fascinating people doing what I do.

Tell us about someone fascinating that you’ve met. 

Oh, there’s so many! But I did meet the richest man in the world. 

You don’t say. You’ve met Mr. Rockefeller?

Yes! And he gave me this coin. It’s actually a wonderful story… but… I should save that for another time.

All right. Who are the special people in your life? You must miss them a lot.

My parents have been gone for a while. So it’s just me. 

Do you hope to meet someone special someday?

By the twinkle in your eye, I can see that you are quite the romantic. Like the other girls, I’m always hopeful. But I’m content to relish all the interesting people I meet until then. In fact, the other day, I met a man named Chris—he’s a jeweler by trade. I’ve also met some of the Hopi people. They are incredibly talented and showcase their skills and wares at the Hopi House. 

I’ve wanted to visit the Hopi House, I hear it’s very unique.

It was designed by a woman. Did you know that? Ms. Mary Colter. Another amazing story.

You do have so many interesting stories, don’t you? For my last question, I’m sure our readers would like to know if you have any dreams for the future?

There are so many! But I really want to find people who care about me for me. People have always been fascinated with my stories, but I wish they would find me fascinating. I long to be somebody. I don’t know how I’ll accomplish that, but I can always dream. 

Thanks for allowing us to get know you a little better!


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.