A Father-Daughter Genealogy Team Link Present to Past on Family TreesA trunk abandoned at Denver’s Union Station more than a century ago leads Jillian and Nolan to untangle the mystery of its contents—including correspondence with the head of Pinkerton’s National Detective Agency Denver office. While Nolan digs into the legalities of the findings, Jillian searches for the descendants of a stolen … descendants of a stolen identity who might not be who they think they are on Colorado ranch land. When Drew seems anxious to hear what Jillian has to say but his Great Aunt Min slams the subject closed—twice—Jillian is all the more determined to find out what happened to the woman who never claimed her luggage, why Min doesn’t want to talk about it, and what will happen for Drew if he gets the answers he seeks.
When I Meet You is the third 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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This is the third book in the Tree of Life series and once again Olivia Newport has penned a winner. The stories just get more and more interesting. What’s not to like about a father/daughter sharing living space in an old Victorian house? They each have their own office and spend their work days at home. Jillian is a genealogist that throughly enjoys her job. Nolan is a fiftyish lawyer that’s also a wiz in the kitchen. This is a time slip novel where present day is shared with 1909 and the mystery of Lynnette. Two cargo trunks are involved. One is in the attic of their Victorian that belonged to Jillian’s mother who passed away when she was only fourteen. The other trunk is one that belonged to Lynnette in 1909. Nolan and Jillian take possession of it when a museum owner wants to make sure there is no legal liability attached to it. Jillian begins her search to find out what happened to Lynette.
I found this a very interesting novel. I had already “fallen in love” with the two main characters. And this hits upon identity theft in the early 1900s and the Pinkerton organization. Who would have thought without the technology of today that this would have been a problem?
I’m looking forward to book four coming in November, What You Said To Me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit and Netgalley. I was not required to write a review.
I’ve now read all three in this series, but each one really can stand alone. The joy of a series with the same characters is the depth of personality gained from book to book. If you haven’t read the others, it’s fine to begin with When I Meet You. If you are like me, you will want to read the first ones.
Genealogist. Genealogy. History. Family. DNA. All of these words put me in my happy place. And all of them are here. I want to hire Jillian (the heroine) to delve into my family history. The author pinpoints a job I would love to pursue. With Jillian, there’s always a mystery to find the one or two pieces to unlock the tree.
In this book, I am encouraged to look around my house at my family heirlooms, at my story. There is inspiration to be found in our ancestors, their struggles, successes, and failures. I’m still looking for that “skeleton in the closet.”
Enjoy the mystery as the author takes you from the present to 1909-10 on a long train journey with a twisted final destination.
A story you’ll enjoy from beginning to end! This dual time novel moves seamlessly between past and present. The historical information and genealogy are so interesting, and they way it’s connected to the present is wonderfully done. The characters are well developed and I’ve really enjoyed the father/daughter relationship in each of the books in this series! If you haven’t read the first two books in the Tree of Life series, I highly recommend doing so!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
This book grabbed my attention from the start and didn’t stop. This is book 3 of a series but it is a standalone and I didn’t feel like I was missing information as I had not read the previous two books. The main character, Jillian, is a genealogist. She receives a trunk (from a museum) and thus starts the mystery of the woman from Ohio traveling to Denver in 1909 as a representative for her father’s business and correspondence with a Pinkerton agent. Jillian begins her search for answers. At the same time, she has a mystery of her own maternal genealogy. The story alternates between present and past. Overall, the story comes to a satisfying conclusion but I did feel there was a jump in the “past” story that could have been filled in with a little more detail instead of the jump in time-line to wrap up the mystery. I was left wanting more of the story of Jillian’s genealogical history either in the story or being resolved as there was definite connection with her history and the genealogical history she was investigating. Hence, the 4 star rating instead of 5. As this is a series featuring the main character, maybe her own genealogical quest will be resolved in future books. I am going to read the previous two of the series as well. I want to thank the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily and honestly.
I really enjoyed the dual timeline stories. The historical timeline had a suspense element building at a perfect pace, always moving forward to fill in the blanks as they occurred in the contemporary storyline. The characters were believable and I cared about them and wanted to keep reading to confirm that things worked out safely and happily.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.
The book: When I Meet You is book 3 in the Tree of Life series by Olivia Newport. Books do overlap, so start with book 1 if the concept interests you. The main character, Jillian, the young genealogist, is at the forefront this time. She is trying to determine why a young lady seemed to disappear. What starts her investigation is a traveling trunk that was not claimed 100 years ago. As she still starts to find answers, she gets a lot of pushback from the people who may be connected to the trunk. Introduced in this book is a new character who could play a starring role in future books.
In the meantime, she starts to try to find some answers regarding her own past. Because she lives with her widowed father, she knows more of his story. But she did not know to ask more questions of her mom before she passed away when Jillian was a teenager. Because her grandparents are also no longer around, and she does not have aunts or uncles, she is stuck with researching her own history the hard way. (She does find some answers and seems to have a plan to find out more in the next book).
Also another element in the book – planning a dinner for 200. If you enjoy reading about food, this one provides plenty of delicious descriptions throughout the text.
The Series: If you enjoy reading mysteries but could do without the suspense, “The Tree of Life” series is a good one for you. What I enjoy about these books is the fact that there are two stories intertwined – both a modern day story set in the mountain town of Canyon Mines, Colorado, and another events that have taken place in the past that need a story to be solved.
Because I have come to “know” the town and appreciate the characters, I did greatly enjoy this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.
We once again read about Jillian and her father, Nolan. Jillian is passionate about genealogy and obsessed with finding out why a trunk was left behind and abandoned at the Denver’s Union Station a century ago. It is amazing to read how she goes about finding clues about the owner and what happened on the train ride to the station and why the trunk was left behind. Also the depths she will go to find and follow up on her clues. This reminds her that her deceased mother also left a trunk for her and it is stored in their attic. She begins searching through this trunk to find out more about her family genealogy. This book is written in two time periods and it is a well written novel, that will hold your interest from the very start…….Special thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to post a review, but I am pleased to do so.
This has been my favorite book in this series. I could not put this book down. I loved that this book is giving us so much more info about Jillian and her father. I also love that characters from previous books are used in in book. It was very interesting learning a bit about hiw the Pinkerton agency worked during the early 1900’s. I can’t wait to see what will happen with Jillian in the next book in the series. I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
A steamer trunk abandoned……
Every time I read another book is the Tree of Life series, I feel like I really should be finding out more about my DNA and the history of my family. Jillian is a genealogical researcher and her father Nolan is a lawyer who dabbles as a chef. Two fabulous old steamer trunks are at the center of this story. One belonged to Jillian’s mother and the other to an elusive person named Lynnelle Bendeure.
Why did Lynnelle abandon her trunk at Union Station in Denver, Colorado? What dire situation would cause one to leave one’s belongings behind…. and never retrieve them? These and many other questions plagued Jillian as she was requested to uncover the history by the curator of Owens House Museum in Denver. The methods used to ferret out information appeared far-fetched at times, and yet they seemed to bring results. I was quite enthralled by her findings and especially the outcome. I am certainly looking forward to what incredible finds will come with research into the trunk left so many years earlier by her mother.
This digital copy was received through Barbour Publishing, NetGalley and CelebrateLit. The impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.
When I Meet You is well done. It another story about genealogy. We are brought in with Jillian being with her dad on a trip to Denver. She does not know why. But her reaction to the steamer trunk brings us to the start of Jillian’s journey in finding out who the owner is.
I enjoy the way, the author brings the past to life and the future together. Though she does it with clues given to her. We will not be able to solve the mystery until the end. Jillian also is pulled to look at her family history or at least into the steamer trunk that she was given by her mother.
The timelines go back and forth between the 1909 storyline and the present-day timeline. Could have Jillian found someone special. Norlan seems to be more occupied to feed two hundred people. Will he be able to create a menu for that many people. Will get the help he needs as well.
There are historical events. The story is mostly on the train from Ohio to Denver. Pinkerton seems to be the one mostly corresponding that is sent to a woman that is the owner of a trunk that was abandon at Denver’s Union Station. Whatever happened to the owner?
I’ve loved this series of books all involving solving a mystery using genealogy. I don’t understand how this can be-each book is more exciting than the previous one! This third book has Jillian’s curiosity aroused when she sees an ancient abandoned trunk left in a train station when the contents reveal a few mysterious clues. It’s amazing to me how the clues were followed that were uncovered and led to the next clue growing closer each time. Her dad Nolan, as well as supporting his daughter, was involved in preparing meals for 200 in the local hotel for a fundraising event. I was right there with him, in the kitchen, stressing on what to prepare and how to do it! I love the books involving cooking food.
I enjoyed the interaction between father and daughter.
There is a nice suggestion of a romance between Jillian and Drew (who met from following a clue). Drew sounds a little too-good-to-be-true but it’s okay. I liked him.
Very enjoyable book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Jillian is drug into Denver by her father Nolan for him to get some papers and her to see a very old trunk that was never claimed, from 1909. As is typical of this series, the story goes back and forth between the past and the present as Jillian is trying to find pieces to the puzzle that she can weave together in as complete a picture as possible. We venture briefly into Pueblo, and Denver, but are mainly in Canyon Mines. Jillian and Veronica meet Drew and Min when they go to Pueblo. Drew winds up in Canyon Mines a little later, offering help where he can, and proves a great help indeed. Beautiful story, that comes together nicely with the mystery of the trunk. Another wonderful addition to a series that is very entertaining and books that draw you right in. Can’t wait for the 4th in the series and am so excited we get to continue on in this community with Jillian and Nolan.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.
Very captivating story from the beginning. A steamer trunk filled with mysterious items bring intrigue and wonder. Great read. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
This story featuring a genealogist and her lawyer father and a mysterious trunk and its owner is the third book in Ms. Newport’s Tree of Life series, but it works well as a stand-alone. The characters are well-developed and believable. I enjoyed the genealogy aspect of the story, and bits of humor and witty banter add to the pleasure of the read. The split-time storyline technique is well-executed. The 1909 storyline is well crafted and appealing; however the modern day one I feel is somewhat superfluous and rambling ; therefore, the 4 star rating.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Genealogy, suspense and romance make for a great book by Olivia Newport! Genealogist Jillian is given a century old steamer trunk which was left at the Denver rail station. Join Jillian as she researches the contents and attempts to find the owner’s descendants only to discover the woman has disappeared–no census records, no marriage records, nothing after she arrives in Denver! Jillian’s research takes her to a ranch in Pueblo where she meets Drew who she finds attractive but also Drew’s aunt Min who is anything but friendly and orders Jillian off the property. This is a dual time story so you will also meet Lynette (owner of the trunk) whose father has entrusted her to make the train trip from Ohio to Denver to take care of suspicious events in the family business interests in a time when not many women were in business! Lynette is important to Pinkerton agents who are investigating banking practices in Colorado! Jillian shares a house with her widower father, Nolan, who is an attorney but also a great chef and sings opera! Since I am interested in genealogy, I have really enjoyed the Tree of Life series! Each book can be read as a stand alone but are better if you read in order. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history or contemporary fiction! I received a complimentary e-book from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.
When I Meet You by Olivia Newport is a fascinating historical and contemporary novel that had me enthralled from the start. It is the third book in the Tree Of Life series but can be read as a stand-alone.
The novel is set in 1909 and present day. There is a mystery to solve as an old trunk gives up its secrets in the form of correspondence but vital pieces are missing. The search to reveal the story begins… clothes, a family Bible, letters are all part of a life but whose?
Inheritance is important. We all want to know our roots and where we come from. We want stories to pass onto our children and grandchildren.
The characters were well drawn and likable. The leading ladies are bold and strong with fiery spirits who are easy to empathise with.
There is a question of trust. Not everyone is quite as they seem.
Olivia Newport has woven a magnificent tale around actual historical facts and real figures. When I Meet You was a fabulous tale that kept me entertained and guessing.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
I was delighted to return to this father/daughter team and the characters surrounding their life. I enjoyed this community and the way in which the people make it a priority to be a part of each other’s lives. With another genealogical mystery to unravel, Jillian, the main character becomes incredibly busy digging into the past. The dual time frame allows the reader to experience the past that is being researched. This historical portion was well researched and had interesting information about the Pinkertons and their methods. I found myself turning pages quickly to discover the truth. I also appreciated the lessons learned and the character’s development. I am intrigued and looking forward to the next book in this series. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This is the third book in The Tree of Life Series. It’s not necessary to read the first two books to read this book. In this book Jillian is still hard at work with her genealogy work. Her dad is contacted by a museum about an old truck that was left at the railroad station years ago. Inside is paper work hinting that a Pinkerton investigation is involved. Jillian jumps right in and starts tracking down leads to see if she can find out who the trunk belongs to. This book kept me reading to discover the mystery.
I was given this book by Shiloh Run Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
A genealogist is given a trunk, she then tries to find out what happened to the original owner. This book had two stories, both interesting. I didn’t realize it’s part of a series because it seemed to stand alone. I enjoyed the story and now will be patiently waiting for the next book. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy
Loved it! I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and I think this one is the best yet. I love how Ms. Newport weaves the stories together between past and present. This time Jillian is looking into her own history to discover more about her mother’s side of the family. She also comes across an old travel trunk from 1909 that was abandoned and she tries to discover what happened to the owner. In so doing she may have discovered a love interest for herself. YAY! Looking forward to the next book to see what happens.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher and voluntarily chose to review it.