A Deep Divide ~ Review

A Deep Divide 

Secrets of the Canyon  #1

By Kimberly Woodhouse

Emma Grace has been running for the last five years and she finally feels that she may be safe from the danger of her past. She has moved her way up through the ranks of the Harvey Girls and has been offered a position at the El Tovar Grand Canyon Hotel. She feels she may finally be far enough away from Boston and her father's "business" dealings to be safe. But when she starts having dreams about the past and the man she fears may still be looking for her she doesn't know what to think.

Ray Watkins has been sent to the El Tovar on business for his father who is seeking to expand his business empire. But the associates his father sent along just seem off to Ray. And when a little gambling incident goes wrong Ray knows something is wrong. Why would his father employ such people and when accusations are thrown at his father by these same troublemakers Ray can't believe it of his father.

When Emma Grace happens to serve Ray Watkins on his first night at El Tovar he is impressed by her professionalism, grace and her personality. Hoping to get to know her better he makes her his go to server. But wealthy men make Emma Grace more than a little leery after all greedy men have ruined her life and left her wanting nothing to do with the social circle she was born into. But Ray is different and Emma Grace is more than a little intrigued as to why.

When Ray shares why he is different he hopes that Emma Grace will accept the saving grace that has given him the peace and caring that now are a daily part of his life and soul. But when danger arrives she may not get the chance to embrace the peace that Ray and her new friends have found and shared with her. Has her past caught up to her or is connected to a nearby robbery? 

 A Deep Divide is a lovely piece of historical fiction set on the edge of the Grand Canyon. This is a book of second chances, grace, romance, and mystery.  I really liked the historical bits about the Harvey House and the descriptions of the Grand Canyon. And I loved Ruth (Emma Grace's boss) she was a calm presence who had a powerful influence on Emma Grace with her caring and her faith.

I paired the physical book with the audio and it made for a nice combination so that I could enjoy the book during my commute. The audio version was narrated by Jeanine Bartel and the presentation was excellent. The pacing was good and the narrator's voice inflected well for the various characters and emotions that the book offered. 

I was provided a complimentary physical copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

After being kidnapped as a child, heiress Emma Grace McMurray has seen firsthand the devastation that greed causes in the world, and she wants nothing to do with it - including her father's offering her hand in a business deal. She sneaks away to be a Harvey Girl at the El Tovar Grand Canyon Hotel, planning to stay hidden even if it means always looking over her shoulder.

Ray Watkins arrives at the hotel wanting to impress his father by finding success on his own. Then maybe he can take on more of the family business and do something good with the profits.

Ray immediately admires Emma Grace, and though a friendship forms, she's afraid he's just like every other wealthy man she's known. Then art and jewels go missing from El Tovar and the nearby Hopi House, a mystery that pulls them in and stirs up their worst fears. When shocking revelations come to light, they'll have to question all they thought to be true.