Hidden Treasure (Skinners of Goldfield, Book 2) [Paperback]

Stephen Bly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 14, 2000

Gold may abound in the town's mine shafts and sandy soil, but that's not where Goldfield's true treasure lies.

The Skinners do not want to be in Goldfield, Nevada. The weather is harsh. Sin is glorified. Greed is rampant. Spiritual sensitivity is scarce. And kids grow up with sand in their eyes and gold fever in their bones. The Lord, however, leads in mysterious ways, and it is clear that the Skinners can't leave just yet.

Not with O. T. having to find his friend who is out treasure-hunting in the middle of the desert.

Not with Dola Mae needing to search for a missing child and still feed dinner to 75 hungry miners.

And especially not with the Rokkers clinging to them and their faith as they face yet another struggle.

And yet as the Skinners grapple with each situation--and their own life-and-death circumstances--they are reminded of what riches they have in their faith even as they discover unexpected treasure in their Goldfield friends.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Crossway Books (August 14, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581341997
• ISBN-13: 978-1581341997
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,966,629 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

STEPHEN BLY has authored over 100 books, hundreds of articles and has over one million books in print. Recent novels released include: Cowboy For A Rainy Afternoon, Creede of Old Montana, and The Land Tamers (all hardback). Four of his novels were finalists and THE LONG TRAIL HOME won the 2002 Christy Award in westerns category for excellence in Christian fiction. His PAPERBACK WRITER has received strong national reviews (PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, July 14, 2003, et. al.) He speaks at colleges, schools, churches, seminars and conferences across the U.S. and Canada. He has spoken on numerous television and radio programs, including Dr. James Dobson's Focus On The Family. He pastors Winchester Community Church in Winchester, Idaho. He also served as the town's mayor (1999-2007). He is an Active Member of the Western Writers of America.

He and his wife, Janet (who is also a writer) live at 4,000 ft. elevation in the mountains of north-central Idaho, in the pine trees next to Winchester Lake on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. The Blys have three sons: Russ, Mike & Aaron, three daughters-in-laws, Lois, Michelle & Rina Joye and three grandchildren, Zachary, Miranda, and Keaton.

Steve graduated summa cum laude with a degree in philosophy from Fresno State College. He has an M. Div. degree from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars The Skinner Family is "stuck" on their way to Dinuba, Calif, August 12, 2001

By 

Bonnie McKinzie (Garden Grove, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hidden Treasure (Skinners of Goldfield, Book 2) (Paperback)

The Skinners still dream of grape vineyards and California weather, but find themselves with a restaurant to run and friends to help in Goldfield, NV. Their very poor friends the Rokkers are featured heavily in this book, starting when Elias goes off on a goose chase for gold after spending all his paycheck for a useless map. O.T. and Fergus have a harrowing adventure looking for the lost Elias and son in a horrible blowing dust storm. Just after the Rokker family takes refuge in the cafe, a mysterious explosion causes a sinkhole to open up and swallow their entire house and all their meager possessions.

Dola Skinner is featured heavily in this book. Though still young and pretty, she is feeling old and ugly. Her physical stamina is tested in hard work, her Bible teaching and mothering skills are challenged in the town she hates. Twelve year old Rita is feeling her hormones with a new hired hand and hates working alongside the sixteen year old, shapely new hired girl. A suspenseful hunt occurs when ten old Corrie is lost for a complete day. A major surprise awaits the Rokker family. Famous visitors drop by to see the Skinners.

Dreams of California and grapevines seem a long way off, especially when the Skinners are thankful they finally have jobs, plenty of food and a sturdy roof over their heads. In addition, there are so many people to help out in the wild, greedy, lustful town of Goldfield, NV.

Book three, "Picture Rock" is bound to be a winner!

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sympathetic Perception, January 14, 2006

By 

Val Lee "Val Lee (Author of 'Cliques in the C... (Meridian, Idaho) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hidden Treasure (Skinners of Goldfield, Book 2) (Paperback)

I did welcome the Christian emphasis in "Hidden Treasure," the sequel to "Fool's Gold." The Skinner family, who the book evolves around, is very conscious of confessing sin and walking humbly with Christ.

You definitely want to read "Fools Gold" to get a sympathetic perception of the Skinners plight of persisting in Goldfield, Nevada.

Though Bly does hold talent, some of what he pens gets on my nerves as it could never correspond to factual life. I was made ill over the Skinner baby's recorded message, "My mommy's pretty." It played over and over throughout the book till the concluding lines when Dola Skinner finally admitted she was pretty.

In this postlude the family has moved out of their tent and Dola Skinner is running a reputable restaurant with the family residing on the second floor. Though her husband O.T. has acquired a job, he is always absent from it chasing down Elias Rokker.

Elias and Nellie Rokker upset normal life in this novel, not being on the predictable side in any fashion. Unfortunately, Bly does not hold to any true pattern concerning their personalities and habits. In "Fool's Gold," Elias stayed fat while his family starved. In the happy conclusion, he repented and acquired a true concern for his family after his wife fell short of death. Conversely, in this sequel, he is flighty as a hen and not watchful of his family. It is as if the finale of "Fool's Gold" vanished.

There was over concern placed on Dola Skinners constant disgust over her figure and appearance, especially in light of the fact that her husband O.T. never put her down and always built her up.

I could not say I would recommend the book, but the characters do secure smiles at various times throughout the yarn.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A rich find!, September 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Hidden Treasure (Skinners of Goldfield, Book 2) (Paperback)

The Skinners do not want to be in Goldfield, Nevada. The weather's harsh. Greed is rampant. Spiritual sensitivity is scarce. And kids can grow up with sand in their eyes and gold fever in their bones. But the Skinners can't leave yet. O. T.'s friend and a child are missing in the desert and a desperate family is clinging to them and their faith to survive. Wholesome inspiration that will lift your spirit!