I have read at least one other book in this series and I liked them, this one wasn't as good from what I remember. This book was really pushy and weird. I liked the backstory but it could have been developed more and it just seemed like there was missing things to this book that should have been worked out more and more details to things going on and less on the storms and extraneous things that are going on. All in all it was a good book, just wasn't as catching as others.

It was really nice continuing this journey in the Tree of Life Series. The characters are well-developed, the plotlines are intriguing and kept me reading and it’s nice to know it’s a series so that we can continue to return to the Colorado mountain town of Canyon Mines. Anyone and everyone who enjoys historical Christian fiction and/or genealogical books or books about people’s past will absolutely love this book – delving into the character’s past as well as enjoying a great story about their present. The characters draw you in and make you feel a part of the family, the community.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit but was not under any obligation to write a review. All opinions are strictly mine.

This was a great story. I have listed it as a cozy mystery but unlike many under that label, this series is about a genealogist solving family mysteries. Families don't always have mysterious murders but they all have some secrets. :) I was so involved at the end of this story that I actually had tears in my eyes.

Classic Olivia Newport. Captivating read. Multi-generational. Likable characters. Intriguing. Fun to read. Five stars.

I didn't read In the Cradle Lies when I first downloaded it last year due to time. I read the next two that follows in the series and enjoyed the dual storylines and so I listened to this one on audio.
In The Cradle Lies has a contemporary storyline of genealogist Jillian meets extreme skier Tucker when he comes to town and spends money widely as is quick to risk his life on skies. The historical story has Tucker's grandpa finding out secrets concerning his adoption.
Both stories are great as the stories combine to solve the genealogy of Tucker's family. All the books are great as they are a series, but you can read them individually.

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 Tucker. 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 NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

I'm a sucker for books that feature a genealogical mystery. And this one was no different. I enjoyed this quick read.

DNF Review
I tried reading this but struggled to get into the story. Since I did not finish In the Cradle Lies, I will not be reviewing.

Thanks to Barbour Publishing and Netgalley for the pleasure of receiving the 2nd book in the Tree of Life series!

The book kept my interest as it flipped back and forth with the timeline of Matthew, the grandfather of a mysterious, generous visitor, Tucker. Although not quite as intriguing as the first novel in the series, I enjoy the ongoing theme of forgiveness with families. Although it is Christian fiction, I believe nonbelievers would enjoy this quaint read.

I definitely recommend it!

This is a fantastic duel-time novel!

I absolutely love the way the stories in this series are told. The premise is of a genealogist researching a difficult family tree. This plot is interspersed with a decades old storyline. It is very compelling.

All of the primary characters are extremely well developed. That made it very easy to either love them, or hate them.

I thoroughly enjoy reading a book that is filled with an incredible plot that I’m captivated by and emotionally invested in. This is definitely one of those stories.

One of the keys that I picked up on in this story is the need to face up to our past choices that hurt our family. Then to move on and reconcile with them.

I certainly hope that there will be many more books in this fabulous series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

After thoroughly enjoying the first book in the series I am very disappointed that I was not able to get past the first page of In The Cradle Lies ... It is likely because I saw a spoiler review from another reader and do not enjoy reading books that I know what will happen.

I loved this book. I have come to really enjoy the characters in this series. This book kept me turning pages and surprising me. It looks at a dark, difficult part of history in a way that feels weighty but not overly heavy. Great story!

In the Cradle Lies #2 Tree of Life by Olivia Newport

I have done a bit of my own family’s genealogy and enjoy genealogist Jillian as she uncovers secrets from the past that family members are searching for. This is done in a time-slip story-line and it is interesting to see how the past overlaps the present. Some mystery and suspense, secrets uncovered, skiing, love and faith are woven within the story-line. A great read.

~I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~

Having greatly enjoyed The Inn at Hidden Run, I was excited to pickup In the Cradle Lies. I can happily say that this second book in the series does not disappoint! Focusing on Jillian, this book continues the theme of family history and embracing family in a beautiful Colorado setting. Olivia Newport is going to become an auto-buy author for me!

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

In the Cradle Lies

https://www.grumpybookreviewer.com/fiction-literature/in-the-cradle-lies/

I’ve always been interested in genealogy, but it was reading the ARC of In the Cradle Lies, by Olivia Newport, courtesy of Barbour Publishing and NetGalley, as well as some other books that inspired me to get back to work on my own research. This is the 2nd book of the Tree of Life series, but it works well as a stand-alone book. So if you haven’t read the first book of the series, that’s no problem.

This book was particularly touching, as it involves a stolen child, Matthew, who was raised never knowing his biological family. That was alluded to early in the story, and figuring it out was pretty easy. His grandson, Tucker, now wants to know the truth surrounding Matthew’s dedication to helping children.

Jillian is a professional genealogist who works with life insurance companies searching for legal heirs, and sometimes with law enforcement. Her dad, Nolan, is a family lawyer who works with families in mediation. Jillian and Nolan often team up when their work coincides.

They live in the charming small town of Canyon Mines, Colorado – a town right out of a Hallmark movie. One of the tourists to this ski town, Tucker Kintzler, is intent on indiscriminately giving away large sums of money, and is determined to ski a very dangerous slope, Hidden Run, that has been closed since the 1930s. In fact, Tucker seems to have a love/hate relationship with his family’s money, and can’t get rid of it fast enough; and his reckless behavior has Jillian, Nolan, and their friends concerned for his safety.

The story is told in alternating flashbacks between Matthew’s childhood in the 1940s, and the present day. In the Cradle Lies is beautifully written, and will tug at your heart. Find out how Jillian and Nolan help Tucker learn the truth about his ancestry, and find his biological relatives. You will be glad you read this inspiring book.

What made The Grumpy Book Reviewer grumpy?
Not a thing!

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.

Olivia Newport returns with another book featuring the father-daughter duo Nolan and Jillian who specialize in using genealogy as a means to understanding family dynamics and conflicts. When Tucker arrives in Colorado from Missouri, he appears to be someone ready to enjoy a skiing vacation, but soon Jillian and her friends find the charming, talented skier might be hiding some secrets. He appears to throw cash around like he had an endless supply and rumors start that he is planning to locate and ski the dangerous run known as Hidden Run. That the run's exact location has long been forgotten by locals and history alike gives Nolan a chance to befriend Tucker and Jillian the time she needs to do a bit of genealogical digging. Alternating chapters connect readers with Tucker's grandfather and insight into the past that threatens to darken Tucker's future. While I liked the real time story, I felt the past story line was one that has been present multiple times in recent Christian fiction. Because I like the concept of genealogy being part of a person's life story and because I appreciate the dynamics between father and daughter, I give the novel a strong 4 and look forward to another book in the series. I received a copy of this title through Netgalley. All opinions are mine.


Note: a review has also been submitted to BN but is not live yet.

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 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.

I enjoyed this book better than the first book in the series. The book kept my interest throughout. Jillian is still a genealogist looking into family trees. Tucker seems to be looking for every dangerous sky slope he can find. Nolan, Jillian's father, is on a mission to find out more information about Tucker. Jillian then starts looking into Tuckers family tree to find out what is behind his behavior.

I recommend this book for anyone who likes a light read. I was given this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Olivia Newport brings history to life again in her second book of her Tree of Life series, “In the Cradle Lies”. 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, CO, a small-town set in the Rockies thirty minutes outside of Denver. When Tucker Kintzler comes to town with a secret weighing down his heart, the Duffy’s step in to assist. Ms. Newport travels back to 1930’s St. Louis, MO to lay the groundwork to the mystery they are determined to solve for Tucker’s peace of mind. Tucker is in town to ski Hidden Run, a dangerous ski run that has not been attempted in decades but something Tucker feels the need to accomplish, maybe for the adrenaline rush. Nolan and Jillian’s friend, Kris, take it upon themselves to discourage him, to no avail. When his fiancé shows up in Canyon Mines, they hope she will be the tipping point to solve his secret and keep him away from Hidden Run. However, when Tucker disappears, Nolan knows just where to find him, on the ski slope. Will they be in time? Has Jillian found enough information in Tucker’s family history to figure out what is tugging at his heart? Will they be able to convince him that no matter what it is, it is not worth risking his life skiing Hidden Run? Although this is a fictional story, Ms. Newport brings to life a segment of American history that is not well known but should not be forgotten.

I said it after reading book one, and I’ll say it again. Jillian makes being a genealogist look cool. I was just as impressed with this story as I was with the first one in this book. Olivia Newport really does make you want to dig into your own family history, hoping that you will find some cool piece of history. Even if you aren’t ready to dig deep just yet, you can enjoy the research that Jillian does in this second installment of the Tree of Life series.

Tucker was an interesting character. He caught me by surprised when we first entered the scene – just kind of throwing his money around as if it didn’t matter, and yet not. I can’t explain it except to say it appeared there was more to him perhaps Ms. Newport was ready to divulge in that opening scene for him. Getting to know Tucker throughout the story was probably my favorite part. His character surprised me in so many different ways, all of them good of course.

Newport keeps readers on their toes about the big family secret, and let me tell you this reader was just hanging on every word waiting for the truth to come out. She beautifully weaves in a different time period, which not only allows the reader to see the back story to the secret, but see how it all comes together in the end. I’m glad she decided to write this series in this way. Had we just got the information from Jillian’s research, it would have the same impact. Isn’t it great how stories can provide multiple POV’s to enhance a reader’s experience!?

In the Cradle Lies is a delightful read that has deepened my appreciation of genealogy research. For readers who are new to the series, I highly recommend starting with book one so they can see how it all began. Plus it’s just really good 🙂

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.