I'm the librarian for my church and always on the lookout for new christian fiction.  This was an enjoyable read that switches from the present to the past.  

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me read and review this book.

I enjoyed reading this story about a professional genealogist because I enjoy genealogy.  The characters were well written and enjoyable.  It was a little off-putting, though, about how nosy (and almost stalker-ish) some of the people were in the book. It's one thing to research people who ask you to do research about their family.  It's another thing to just do it on someone you know.  That was the only thing I didn't care for in the book.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through NetGalley. 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.

Edited review on 10/23/20

When I first read this book, I thought it was okay. I did not completely follow the characters or the storyline. Then I was asked to read the second book, and I knew that I would definitely not keep up without at least skimming book one again.  And I liked it so much better the second time. I was able to keep up with the plot.  And I came to appreciate even more the importance of family in this plot. I am not sure that I have ever updated a review before, but I felt like this one deserved to be bumped up since my opinions definitely changed. I have now read four books in the series, and I am quite glad that I continued to give the series a chance. As the books progress, the plots have continued to become more cohesive and interesting.

Updated rating: 4.2 stars


This is my original review from 6/19/19. 

This is a time slip book. At first, I did not really connect to the historic story. But by the end, the stories went together. I wish that there would have been more of a spiritual element. There was definitely a strong family element to the book. While I do think that the past affects the present, I do not know that I am convinced that there the generational influence is as strong as the author portrays. I would possibly be willing to read another book in the series. I did like the father-daughter duo.

(I forgot to include that I did read this book through NetGalley. All opinions were my own.)

I started reading this novel and then found that it just wasn't the right timing for me. I enjoyed the overall premise and the characters, it just didn't capture my attention. Thank you for my copy. I hope to read it again soon.

The Inn at Hidden Run was such a great book with two heartwarming stories that entwined together. Olivia Newport is a wonderful story teller, I'm looking forward to more of this series!

Giving an interesting, unique twist to the types of mysteries I typically read, The Inn at Hidden Run by Olivia Newport focuses heavily on genealogy to reveal the truth.

Failing to meet her family’s expectations, Meri Davies flees to the Inn at Hidden Run B&B in Canyon Mines, Colorado. Here, she encounters genealogist Jillian Parisi-Duffy and her father, lawyer Nolan Duffy. The pair determines to dig into Meri’s family history, as a second layer of the story—a peek into the 1870s yellow fever epidemic—complements their work in an intriguing way.

Throughout The Inn at Hidden Run, the past speaks to the present, and it fascinated me. While the character interactions didn’t always feel believable to me, I did enjoy seeing their overall story unfold and look forward to reading more of this series.

One book that will have you reading till the end. I was unsure if I would like this book but took at chance because I have read other books by this author. I will say that I am looking forward to reading the next book.

A newcomer to town, a young woman, alone and with no job. She is hired at the local B&B as the receptionist with room and board included. She is friendly enough as long as you don't ask about her past and family. The B&B owner, her husband, her best friend and her best friend's father recognize a person running away from something. They set out to find her secrets and help her find her way. The Inn at Hidden Run by Olivia Newport intertwines a story from the past, an actual real life story, with her kind, caring characters  and using the information explains this young lady, her family, where their story began and where it is now. The use of genealogy to find the families past proves how the past explains and even years, centuries later the past influences the present. Enjoy!

Meri has run away and is trying to keep her secrets hidden but the nosy people of the town won't let her.  Nia and Jillian are friends and they can't seem to leave Meri and her secrets alone so they go behind her back and dig to figure out what she is hiding.  I really liked the back and forth between the two time frames and it was very interesting.

I had received this book as an e-ARC from the publisher and NetGalley. this book consists of two main storylines. One being the present-day in the fictional town of Canyon Mines, Colorado and another storyline revolving around the yellow fever epidemic in the late-1800s in Memphis. I found the yellow fever epidemic storyline more interesting. I didn't find myself drawn to any of the characters in either storyline. I think the interest in the yellow fever epidemic was due to the current situation, the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, I'd give this book 2.75 stars on Goodreads. I ended up listening to this book on Hoopla; I'm not sure if I'll continue with this series. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. I enjoyed learning about the yellow fever epidemic

Initially I was drawn to this book by its beautiful cover.  Thankfully the beauty of this book was enhanced by the beauty of the story inside.  This book is structured with two things I especially enjoy-dual timelines and a fresh start at life trope.  If you enjoy those aspects, coupled with an inspirational lean, you won't want to miss The Inn at Hidden Run!

Thanks go to NetGalley and Barbour Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

"Always happy to share my wisdom that the work will always be there later, but the moment is only here now."

The Inn at Hidden Run is the first book in The Tree of Life series by Olivia Newport. This novel takes place in a split time frame - present day Canyon Mines, Colorado and 1878 Memphis. Both storylines were engaging and it was interesting to see how the two came together. 

A father-daughter genealogy team link present to past on family trees.
Nolan Duffy, family law attorney and legal mediator, and Jillian Parisi-Duffy, his daughter, live in an old Victorian home in a picturesque small mountain town. 
When Meri Davies arrives in town and     starts working at The Inn at Hidden Run Bed-and-Breakfast, owned by Nia and Leo Dunston, she seems very nervous and distracted. It isn't long before Jillian and her father try to "take her under their wings" and befriend her. What is Meri hiding? Why does she seem like she might run away? 
Some of the historical scenes are based on true happenings. The historical part of the story takes place in Memphis during the Yellow Fever epidemic of the late nineteenth century. I was very interested in the story of Eliza Davies and admired the loving way she unselfishly devoted herself to helping the Sisters care for the poor, sick and dying people and orphans. 
"Officially the city was still under quarantine. Surely the Board of Health had some sort of plan for handling the cases that had erupted so far. The papers were vague about opinions of members of the Board of Health. Memphis physicians did not seem to be of uniform mind about the threat of yellow fever, nor appropriate treatment, but surely someone in charge would know how to dispatch help."
The main characters in both timelines  were well developed with strong personalities. I like the easy give-and-take relationship between Jillian and her father. 
I want to return to the friendly little Colorado mountain town of Canyon Mines to explore and celebrate more unforgettable family stories. 

"May  you always find nourishment for your body at the table. May sustenance for your spirit rise and fill you with each dawn. And may life always feed you with the light of joy along the way." - Irish blessing

***Thanks to author Olivia Newport, Shiloh Run Press, Barbour Publishing, and NetGalley for a digital ARC of The Inn at Hidden Run #1 in the series Tree of Life in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts expressed here are my own. 

#TheInnAtHiddenRun
#NetGalley

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The Inn at Hidden Run is a great beginning to Olivia Newport's latest series.  I already read the second and third books and even though I felt they could stand-alone, I wanted to see how it all started.  Both story-lines held my attention--something that doesn't always happen for me. I loved that Olivia brought real history to light in this book. I learned about the "yellow jack" epidemic that erupted in 1878 in Memphis and how the people back then were affected. This made for interesting reading seeing how we're in the middle of Covid-19 right now.  I also enjoyed the contemporary setting where Meri comes to Jillian's town and she and her dad (and neighborhood friends) become immersed in Meri's life and her genealogical story. 

I highly recommend this clean, Christian book.  It touched me and I hope you'll feel the same way!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

So these first three books of my list are part of "The Tree of Life" series by Olivia Newport. I found these through Netgalley...I read the description for the third one "When I Meet You" (publish date of May 1, 2020) and it seemed right up my alley, so I requested it. Then I realized it was number three in a series so I requested the first two and started reading. All three of them have wonderful storylines and I love the genealogical search that happens in all of them and the history that plays along with the modern day storyline. I fell in love with all the characters from the small town of Canyon Mines, CO and I felt like I was right there with them. I'd have to say I did not enjoy the first book as much as the other two. It took me quite awhile to get into the first book...it seemed very wordy and choppy feeling to me, but I was hooked and wanted to see how it all played out so I stuck it out. Then I moved right on to the next two books and enjoyed those a lot more. The writing seemed more fluid and I got drawn in quicker in them than I did the first one. I believe there is a fourth one planned for sometime in the future and I am looking forward to that one!

Ebooks – I received free copies of these book from NetGalley for the purpose of honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

Meri’s family has been producing doctors for so many generations that no one remembers why, so when she flunks out of medical school, she runs as far from her parents as she can get. In the small mountain town of Canyon Mines, Colorado, she takes a job at the Inn at Hidden Run B&B. And waits. It’s only a matter of time.
 
What she doesn’t count on is genealogist Jillian Parisi-Duffy and her father, Nolan, having her back when it takes everything she has not to bolt again but to stay and face the truth that only unfolding her family’s history will reveal. While Nolan works on keeping Meri calm—and in town—Jillian pulls out of her gems of information she doesn’t know she has and arranges the puzzle pieces.
 
But none of that changes the fact that Meri’s family is closing in to haul her back to her “real” life. When their arrival inflames tensions and Meri finally does bolt, Nolan and Jillian may be out of time.

This book was slow in spots.  But then it would pick up and I didn't want to put it down.  Jillian is really driven to find peoples roots.  She can't seem to help but get involved when people are searching for their family.  I do recommend this book as a light read.

I was given this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

This was such a great read.  While the main character had the struggle, it was so intriguing to see how the different characters attempted to help in their own way.  It was not a predictable book like so many reads can be.  I enjoyed the back and forth between current and historical and the way it formed the story.

Good book. Enjoyed the themes of family and coming together and facing things together. Thank you for the Advanced copy from NetGalley and the publisher.

The first book in the Tree of Life series written by Olivia Newport is “The Inn at Hidden Run”. Jillian Parisi-Duffy is a professional genealogist living in the family home with her father, Nolan Duffy, a family law attorney. They live in Canyon Mines, a small-town set in the Rockies thirty minutes outside of Denver. Meri Davies is a young woman running from her past. She arrives in Canyon Mines and finds a job at the Inn at Hidden Run. The owner of the Inn, a friend of the Duffy’s knows there is something Meri is hiding. She feels the urge to help her no matter what the situation is. She brings Nolan and Jillian into the mix to help Meri figure out what is troubling her. As a family law attorney, Nolan is a master mediator while Jillian loves to delve into the history and background of a family. Together, they make a formidable team out to help those who need help but are afraid to ask. The book jumps back and forth from present day Colorado to the yellow fever epidemic of 1878 in Memphis, TN. The more Jillian digs into Meri’s family history, the more interesting information she discovers. How will the past play into the present to bring answers to Meri and her family? The answers may surprise you, but it is well worth the read to find out!

This was a fun and interesting genealogy mystery, with a story within a story. It was very informative about the yellow fever epidemic in Memphis in 1878, as well as an entertaining story of Meri and the story of her ancestors. Jillian Parisi-Duffy, genealogist, and her attorney father are captivating characters - I look forward to reading more of their adventures.

Recently, I published a book review for Book 2 of the Tree of Life series. Here is Book 1. Yes, I realize it’s out of order. But guess what?! These books are great individually as well! In The Inn at Hidden Run, Jillian Parisi-Duffy and her father, Nolan Duffy, are curious about the newest help at their friends’ Inn at Hidden Run.

Leo and Nia, owners of bed-and-breakfast, the Inn at Hidden Run, are desperate for help when their long-time helper leaves to assist her ill sister and doesn’t plan on coming back. They suddenly hire Meri, who happens to stop in looking for work. Meri seems eager for employment.

In order to get to know Meri better, Nia asks Nolan and Jillian for help to learn more about their new hire as well as allow Meri to make a few new friends in small town, Canyon Mines, Colorado. Meri seems skittish and doesn’t share much at first. Jillian and Nia are curious as to why. They learn that Meri comes from a family of physicians and Meri has dropped out of med school. This causes anxiety because Meri basically ran away from home to the last time she remembers being happy, as a child on a trip to Canyon Mines.

This trilogy not only shares about the present events in Canyon Mines, but also takes the reader back to the past and what happened then to guide the reader towards the two stories meeting towards the end of the novel. The In. At Hidden Run takes us back to the 1870s when yellow fever has hit Memphis really hard and all the assistance and hardship that might have happened during this epidemic.

It is quite a coincidence that I’m reading about the yellow fever epidemic in the middle of this COVID-19 pandemic. There are some similarities to how people react to such events then and now. It also puts into perspective how this current pandemic could be affecting areas that are less fortunate than where I live. It certainly leaves me a bit more thankful having simply read what life was like in Memphis during the yellow fever epidemic in the 1870s.

I especially love how Nolan and Jillian naturally get people comfortable enough to share what’s on their mind. Nolan and Jillian use their respective occupations as a mediator and a genealogist to get Meri’s family to talk and understand their family past. And what a family past it is!

The Inn at Hidden Run was provided complimentary in exchange for an honest review. I give five out of five stars because I got so engrossed in the book that I literally found myself ignoring everything else in regular life to finish this book!