A Father-Daughter Genealogy Team Link Present to Past on Family Trees On a solo ski vacation in Canyon Mines, Colorado, Tucker has a love-hate relationship with his wealth, spending indiscriminately while skiing fearlessly and preparing to conquer the overgrown slope of Hidden Run, a dangerous run not attempted in decades. As genealogist Jillian tries to uncover enough of Tucker’s family tree … Tucker’s family tree to understand his charming nature but reckless resolve, Jillian’s equally charming father, Nolan, cajoles Tucker into giving him ski lessons to get him talking about the suspicious circumstances surrounding his grandfather’s life in St. Louis in the 1930s.
On the surface, Tucker’s family’s history seems too perfect. The secret may lie in the sealed envelope Tucker carries with him at all times—even on the ski slope. When no one can find Tucker to tell him the fiancée he never mentioned turned up in Canyon Mines, they realize he must be off attempting to ski Hidden Run alone in a snowstorm. And they may be too late.
In the Cradle Lies is the second book in the Tree of Life series by Olivia Newport. You’ll want to return to the lovely Colorado mountain town of Canyon Mines again and again to explore and celebrate unforgettable family stories that will inspire you to connect with your own family histories and unique faith journeys.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
In The Cradle Lies
By: Olivia Newport
*REVIEW*
I know next to nothing about genealogy, so In The Cradle Lies was somewhat informative for me. At least, it was a peek at an interesting line of work. The story was very compelling and thought provoking with the past and the present weaving around to form a bigger picture. Tucker was a puzzling character. I wondered if he had a sort of a death wish and if so, why? Father and daughter made an excellent team, and I enjoyed reading about them.
My Thoughts on In The Cradle Lies:
This whole series has me in love. I love it! The main characters being genealogists and digging into the past is something that I find fun and unique. The author also has a fun and unique voice making the books captivating so you can’t stop reading!
I received a copy of just the second book in the series. This book can and easily could be read as a stand-alone novel. You do get some back story from book one and it’s just really a great book so I recommend reading them both but you don’t have to read them in order and you certainly can just read book two on its own.
Jillian is a hoot! I loved meeting her. Her work finding out all the deep dark secrets of family pasts makes me wish she was real and could come to have some chats with me about my family! I’ve got some skeletons I want to be rattled!
Okay, so it’s more I want to find some family that disowned my Irish Catholic great grandfather when he married my English Protestant great grandmother.
Highly recommend this book and the entire series. You will not be disappointed when you read them! They are not the seat of your pants can’t read on a dark stormy night suspenseful but there are suspense and mystery to be had.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Sequels are a tricky business. They can enhance their predecessor or they can weaken it, especially if the first book was strong. Ideally, they demonstrate an improvement from prior books and offer more details about the characters and themes, depending on how the series is connected. This is one reason why I enjoy being able to begin a series at its inception and keep up with it as it grows. “The Inn at Hidden Run” opened the Tree of Life series and introduced readers to small-town Canyon Mines, Colorado, where Jillian and her father Nolan combine their professional talents to assimilate past and present.
Olivia Newport’s “In the Cradle Lies” intensifies some of the elements from the first book in the series, making this a commendable sequel. Even so, this book could be read as a stand-alone, although I would recommend reading the series in order to better understand the characters’ backgrounds. In spite of the cozy milieu, “In the Cradle Lies” reads much like a suspense novel, and I found it difficult to put down. The mystery is more ominous in this book, and the winter setting augments this. Jillian and Nolan remain the main protagonists, but I was glad to meet different secondary characters this time around in Jillian’s best friend, Kris, and the mysterious vacationer, Tucker. For quite a while I was not sure what to make of Tucker, who is tight-lipped about his life and who is obviously hiding something, yet is incredibly generous, his savoir-faire attitude blending with his strange reserve. As he learns, you can’t outrun your past. However, for those who have accepted Christ, the past is just that—the past—and we can trust in the One who knows us, loves us, and breaks the chains that enslave us. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).
Intertwining the past and the present with her dual-timeline narrative, Newport demonstrates once again the substantial impact that our histories can have even decades later. Titling this series Tree of Life echoes with layers of meaning, particularly in this sequel. Aside from the obvious genealogical connection, I’m reminded of the eponymous tree in the Garden of Eden and how Adam and Eve’s disobedience led to their being denied its fruit yet also paved the way for the Savior. Also, cross-pollination serves as a metaphor in the narrative, alluding to the combination of the past and the present to form a stronger future and also to the subject of black-market baby snatching, taking a child from its original parents and transplanting them into another family. Although the faith element is very light, reconciliation is a solid subject, along with the realization that you cannot outrun either your past or God. Nolan observes that “[h]e couldn’t go back and change what he thought was right at a different point in time. But he could choose differently now.” The same is true for all of us, and because of Jesus’ sacrificial death and subsequent resurrection, no matter where we are in life’s journey or where we’ve come from, when we accept Jesus as Lord, He makes us new!
Recommended for those interested in genealogy, skiing, small-town life, father-daughter duos, and the criminal exploits of Georgia Tann, as well as fans of Liz Tolsma’s “The Pink Bonnet.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and CelebrateLit and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions are my own.
It was fun getting to visit Jillian and her father Nolan once again. I met them in the novel The Inn at Hidden Run, but it’s not a prerequisite to enjoying In the Cradle Lies. Jillian and her father share a house and they both work at home part of the time. I love their camaraderie and how they share chores and such.
Tucker comes to Colorado for a solo ski vacation. When he starts throwing money around like it’s water, suspicions arise. When he plans skiing the dangerous, closed up Hidden Run slope, Jillian and Nolan become concerned for his safety. Why is he seemingly living on the edge? What secrets is he hiding? He shares very little about himself or his background.
The build up to the story and the suspense of it all was worth the wait but I still read as fast as I could. Loved the characters especially Jillian who seems to enjoy coffee as much as I do!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.
I like how the father and daughter work together, tracing family roots. This story goes back to 1936, and involves a successful business with a dark past and a sight that has haunted a man since he was a four-year-old boy.
In the Cradle Lies by Olivia Newport is the second book in the Tree of Life series. And as the first book is, this book is a charmingly heartfelt story that focuses on a young man coming to the skiing area to eventually take on an abandoned and very dangerous ski run. Jillian, a genealogist, and her friends are on ‘Team Tucker’ mission to find out why and to keep him from skiing Hidden Run. Readers are once again treated to a dual time story–one of my favorite types of stories. The dual timeline flows seamlessly and the stories finally mesh together beautifully at the end bringing a satisfactory conclusion to the story. The author has constructed strong vibrant characters that capture the reader’s heart and a small-town feel to the story with the quirkiness that comes from people knowing all about each other. The dual time stories move quickly and are full of emotional tension and drama. I liked the casual flow of prose, with descriptive detail and a tad of humor that makes the reader feel right at home. Readers who enjoy historical fiction will not want to miss this book. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.
I enjoyed the Inn at Hidden Run, the first book in Olivia Newport’s Tree of Life Series so much that I was excited to have the opportunity to read and review her second novel of the series In the Cradle Lies. I love Jillian and her father Nolan as well as their other friends in the small Colorado town of Canyon Mines. The relationship between Jillian and Nolan is special and they work together so well with refreshing and often humorous dialogue.
Once again a person shows up in their lives who needs their specialized services but doesn’t know it. And once again the pair puts their skills to work before they are even asked in order to help their new friend. In this tale, a young man, Tucker, shows up determined to ski an abandoned and highly dangerous ski run. Recognizing his troubled spirit and desperation behind his plans, Nolan, Jillian, and her good friend Kris join together to convince Tucker that he should not attempt to ski the treacherous run. In a parallel story, readers learn the backstory about Tucker’s grandfather Matthew and the secrets that troubled him his entire life.
In the Cradle Lies is another wonderful tale laced with mystery and history that reveals how sometimes family secrets can destroy one’s own peace and joy and how they also affect the other family members. The book has minimal romance but dwells strongly on relationships between family and friends. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to When I Meet You, the next installment of this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
This is my first read by Olivia Newport, but definitely will not be my last. As with many people these days, my family has jumped aboard the genealogy bandwagon, so I was intrigued by the premise of a series with a genealogist as a main character.
Dual-timeline stories are my favorite. However, not everyone does it well. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and Olivia Newport’s writing style. Jillian and her father, Nolan, befriend a mysterious stranger to Canyon Mines. Tucker has taken a solo ski trip, as he comes to terms with the difficult task he was given by his deceased grandfather. Ms. Newport crafted a beautiful story full of the hidden secrets and shame that can affect a family for years if not generations.
While I felt like this can definitely be read as a standalone, I intend to read the first book in the series. I love the relationship between the father and daughter team of Nolan and Jillian. I look forward to visiting Canyon Mines and its engaging characters again in future books in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
The Cradle….Just the Beginning!
Friends, Jillian and Kris, are overwhelmed when a stranger, Tucker, plunks down hundreds of dollars to pay for Kris’ skis. The entire Colorado skiing town of Canyon Mines, is amazed by the arrival of the rash spending, fast driving and reckless skiing, Tucker. Even more shocking is his announcement that he intends to ski Hidden Run. This dangerous place was rarely used years ago when it was open—and is even more treacherous now.
Kris is so smitten by Tucker, she seems ready to throw caution to the wind, and ski the dangerous run, too. While concerned people try to stop this, more mystery surfaces. As Jillian uses her genealogy skills to uncover questionable things about Tucker, another surprise comes with the arrival of an unexpected person.
Will Tucker stubbornly refuse to ski safely, and kill himself or others? What was the grandfather hiding all those years that has affected Tucker? What is the secret between Jillian’s dad and uncle that has kept them at odds for decades?
Unforeseen twists and turns, made this story exciting, and attention grabbing. The genealogy results made the book even more interesting. The characters face real-life problems, including wondering how God fits into it all—along with some possible answers. This story stands alone even though it is the second in the series, Tree of Life. I recommend this well-written, 5-star book to anyone who has ever been shocked by something in their family or struggled with a relationship.
Barbour Press has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of In the Cradle Lies, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner.
The meddlers are back at it:
This is the 2nd book in the Tree of Life series and the father/daughter duo are back to their meddling ways! Tucker is new to town; an avid skier but also a man full of secrets and mystery. I however did not feel comfortable with the fact that just because Nolan & Jillian wanted to prevent him from skiing a rather dangerous back-country route that they felt this justified them digging into his family history without his permission. While it turned out that Tucker did need rescuing and that these two were perfectly suited to helping him unravel his family secrets, it was just how it was instigated that didn’t sit right with me, especially given that they were Christians. I’d be afraid of meeting this lot in case they felt compelled to snoop into my personal affairs too…not that I have any real family secrets (that I know of)!
Overall I enjoyed the intrigue and mystery in this entertaining book. It is good for a quick, lighthearted read.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
I really enjoyed this book by Olivia Newport! Before I began this second book in the Tree of Life series, I wanted to read the first. I’m glad I did! Although you could read this as a stand-alone, the story made more sense and I had a better idea of the back-story of some of the characters because I had read “The Inn at Hidden Run”. I really liked that we delved deeper into Nolan’s family history in this book. He’s such a wonderful character, so getting to know him better was really enjoyable! The story is well written and really draws you in. I liked the split time writing, which gives you little bits of history at a time. That keeps you invested in the past plot line. It was also easy to follow and very tightly done! Looking forward to the next book in the fantastic series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.
At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book as much as I liked the first one in the series and then the intrigue and mystery started to build up and I was completely hooked. I did not want to put this down until I knew what was happening now and in the past. I love how these books wrap the present and the past together do well. I love Jillian and her father and hope that they both might get some romance in one of the books in the series. This one has many twists and turns that I was not expecting. I can’t wait til book three comes out in May 2020. I received a copy of this book from Barbour for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
On the ski slopes there is a slope that the character Tucker wants to try. Even though he’s been told it’s a dangerous thing to do, Tucker doesn’t take advice. Jillian tried to find out the truth behind Tucker’s ways. Will they find Tucker in time when they think he’s on the slope that hasn’t been used in a long time?
I liked the little bit of mystery that surrounds Tucker. I couldn’t help but like him for helping people. A little romance, a little mystery and the situation with Jillian’s Uncle makes for an interesting story. Oh and I loved the little ski town Canyon Mines, Colorado. I have always wanted to visit Colorado so the location was interesting to me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to write a review. All opinions are my own.
Skiing, genealogy, mystery, family secrets and more. Good read. I enjoy stories by Olivia Newport. I received a complimentary copy of the book from Barbour publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Canyon Mills, Colorado is a ski town and it is also the home of Jillian Parisi- Duffy and her father Nolan Duffy, the daughter/father team that we first met in The Inn at Hidden Run. Once again, they become involved in a search to uncover the past and this time the family tree being researched belongs to Tucker Kintzler, a visiting businessman who is determined to ski the old and abandonded Hidden Run ski run, despite the dangers that this might offer.
In the Cradle Lies is a dual-time novel that alternates between present day Colorado and St. Louis, Missouri in 1936 and a little four-year old boy named Matthew Ryder. As we alternate beneath the past and the present, we learn that Matthew was Tucker Kintzler’s grandfather and Tucker’s past wasn’t quite as he suggests that it was.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32 KJV
This is the second book in Olivia Newport’s Tree of Life series and the author shares a moving story of a family’s need to hide their true family story. Even as Jillian and Nolan’s genealogy search sheds light on a shame from the past, there is also hope for the present and future. I was especially touched by Matthew’s story and the lingering effects of deception. Many generations can suffer from the actions of the past!
I am a fan of dual-time stories and I enjoy Christian fiction and In the Cradle Lies is the perfect book to satisfy both of these favorites!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
In this second of the Tree of Life series, returning characters Jillian, a genealogist, and her dad Nolan, a lawyer, lend aid to yet another visitor to their Colorado town. Olivia Newport deftly weaves tales of yesterday with present time, as Tucker works through issues from the past that impact his life and decisions. Part mystery, part history, this intriguing story will keep your attention all the way through as Tucker’s family histoy unravels, with the help of Jillian and Nolan. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All thoughts are my own.
From the beginning, I was hooked due to several reasons: Skiing in Colorado, genealogy, father-daughter relationship, a mysterious stranger throwing lots of money around, ice cream shop and chocolate shop.
This is the second book in the series Tree of Life and I loved both books but this one really grabbed me. The stranger in town has a mysterious secret from his past and Jillian (genealogist) wants to help him uncover some of his family tree but runs into difficulty. Her dad, being an attorney and mediator tries to help also by being his friend by skiing the slopes together.
The flashbacks in the past give the details that are shocking to read.
The clean romance is nice and moving.
This is an excellent book! It is a true page-turner and it left me thinking about it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
In the Cradle Lies by Olivia Newport continues the story of genealogist Jillian Parisi-Duffy and her attorney father Nolan. In this second book of the Tree of Life series, Jillian and Nolan endeavor to dissuade a tourist named Tucker from skiing the dangerous Hidden Run. Jillian also uses her special career to help Tucker discover old family secrets and come to terms with the death of his beloved grandfather. Nolan is my favorite character in this series. He has a way with people and I love how he randomly breaks into song. He’s someone I’d like to hang out with. The other characters develop quickly and are just as good. I liked the plot in this book better than its prequel as it is easier to follow and reads quickly. It’s easy to figure out the family secret, but there are a few surprises thrown in that you don’t see coming. Overall I enjoyed the book very much. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
This one starts up with a man named Tucker buying items for Kristi and Jillian, and expensive ones at that. An avid skier, he wants Kristi to ski with him….his ultimate goal, Hidden Creek, which was closed over 50 years before. This story takes us back to Tucker’s great grandpa and grandpa (1940’s/50’s in Missouri). Jillian starts digging around for public information about Tucker and his company, but Nolan and Kristi are tasked with trying to dissuade Tucker from that old ski run, which was dangerous enough in its day. The backstory (history part) is very intriguing and adds great depth to the here and now we are seeing with Tucker, we just don’t know the full story until near the end. Very engaging story and another great addition to this series! I can’t wait to see what the 3rd book has in store for us!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
When I read book one in Oliva Newport’s Tree of Life series, I had a couple of complaints. But, I’m all about giving an author a second chance, and I’m pleased to say that those issues I had with book one were nonexistent in book two.
In the Cradle Lies is another split time story where family history weaves well with a present dilemma. I liked Tyler, I appreciated that Jillian and Nolan have a more personal thread in this book, and the mystery of why Tyler was so intent on his mission kept the story moving.
Newport also moves the focus of the book from the inn that was prominent in book one to a few of the other businesses around town which gives readers a better feel for this Colorado haven.
I am so glad I decided to try another book by this author. The reward greatly outweighed the risk and now I’m looking forward to visiting Hidden Run again.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.