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.

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.

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.

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, the 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 am quite enjoying this series. I'm not sure how true-to-life the premise is, with a genealogist unraveling mysteries in a person's ancestry to solve their problems of today, but it makes an engrossing story. I can't say I enjoyed the topic of this one; I can't say more about it because that would be a spoiler, but suffice it to say, sometimes crimes committed by other people before a person is even aware of it can change that person's life forever. Besides the unraveling of the mystery, I also enjoy reading a story without romance in it.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and chose to write a review of it.

In The Cradle Lies is the second in the Tree of Life series by Olivia Newport but can be read as a standalone book. But I highly recommend The Inn At Hidden Run., the first book. When Tucker shows up in the ski town of Canyon Mines, Colorado he has one purpose in mind. To find and conquer the most dangerous slope in Canyon Mines. Tucker seemingly possesses a bottomless resource of wealth and doesn't hesitate to give it away with abandon. But something is causing this dangerous, unrestrained behavior. Jillian is sure the secret is inside the sealed envelope Tucker carries with him everywhere. So Jillian does what she does best. She begins building a family tree using her genealogy business to discover Tucker's family history, hoping to find an answer to his mysterious behavior. This is a wonderful story! As favorite characters return I feel like I have come home to Canyon Mines.
I voluntary received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

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.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44025208-in-the-cradle-lies" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="In the Cradle Lies (Tree of Life #2)" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1564255036l/44025208._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44025208-in-the-cradle-lies">In the Cradle Lies</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5289246.Olivia_Newport">Olivia Newport</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3003387008">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
In the Cradle Lies is the second book in the Tree of Life series by Olivia Newport. Jillian and her father, Nolan join together to solve another genealogy puzzle of a guest, Tucker staying at the Inn at Hidden Run in their small, skiing/tourist town of Canyon Mines, Colorado. Tucker has no idea that this friendly town will embrace him while he recklessly spends large amounts of money on anyone he comes across. Not only does he freely give gifts, but he flies down the slopes full throttle. As Jillian works her magic and her dad takes ski lessons from Tucker, the story unwraps a second tale about Tucker's grandfather. <br />I enjoyed the seamless way the author meshed these dual plots. The action moved quickly and kept my interest. I felt this second book in the series improved upon the first and the topic of genealogy has created an interest to further delve into my own family history. The father and daughter enjoy a pleasant relationship and are inspiring as they entertain guests in their home; a very nice touch. <br /><br />I received a copy from Net Galley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own. <br />#InTheCradleLies #NetGalley<br />
<br/><br/>

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.

Another good one from Olivia Newport. Enjoyed the hooking of story in both present and past through genealogy and particularly fitting snowy setting for this winter reader. Likeable leads in the father daughter duo keep the plots fresh!!

How anyone does not die in a diabetic coma though is beyond me!! Ice-cream , pastries and coffee feature heavily.

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.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I definitely need to go back and read book one of the series, although it is easy to read as a stand-alone title. I loved the book! I didn’t realize that it’s somewhat based on a true story until I read the author’s note. I can’t imagine how I would feel to be in Matthew’s shoes. Very interesting book!

I think I liked this one even better than the first one!! What a great book! A realistic look at the past and how it can effect the future. A glimpse at how shame plays such a big roll in relationships. Genealogy is really becoming prevalent in our society today and it is great to see it have a place in literature. I am looking forward to book #3!

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it.

What a story!
I'd enjoyed reading the first book in this series, but it's been long enough that I had to refresh my memory a bit when I started this one.

I love the father-daughter team that Nolan & Jillian comprise.

This story is more about their charming little town of Canyon Mines, Colorado.

In this story, we make a new acquaintance, Tucker, who is a newcomer to the town. He's throwing around money as if it was paper, and wanting to do reckless things on his skis.

But why? Then there's the fact that Jillian's friend Kris is spending way too much time with Tucker and beginning to fall for him. Jillian must dig quickly, to see what she can uncover about this mysterious guy. Then there's also the tension between her father and Uncle Patrick.

There's a dual time line, and unlike some other books I've read, the connection between the two times is apparent almost immediately. But, I really liked reading how it all came together.

This book explores some difficult issues. Trust, family relationships, learning how to reconcile the past, making things right, and much more.

I think, no, I know, I enjoyed this one even more than the first, the story line was gripping! I can't wait to read the next one.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

In the Cradle Lies is a time-slip novel linking the 1930s with present day. It is the second installment in the Tree of Life series but is well suited as a standalone.

The characters were interesting, and I connected with most of them. Tucker was rich and intriguing, though he was reckless and somewhat unlikeable at times. And I really enjoyed the dynamics between Jillian and her dad (Nolan.)

I usually fall right into time-slip novels (one of my favorite kinds of timelines) but this one took a little bit to sink into. I’m glad I stuck with it because it got better. I suppose one of the issues was the slipping back and forth didn’t flow smoothly for me and was sometimes confusing. Also, the lack of frequent dialogue tags distracted me, and I had to backtrack to figure out who was speaking. The difficult subject matters (no spoilers) were dealt with tastefully and I was surprised to discover some of it was based on true events.

This story deals with secrets, shame, remorse, life choices, faith, and forgiveness. It’s a relatively quick read with a mix history and mystery, a gentle touch of romance, and a satisfying conclusion.

Source: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour and was under no obligation to post a review.

I think I liked this book even better than the first one! I think because I understand her writing better or maybe I liked the historical part of this one more. Canyon Mines is my kind of place and I’d love to be friends with Jillian and Nolan! I can’t wait for the next installment!

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

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 liked this story! I loved returning to Canyon Mines and catching up with Jillian and her dad Nolan. They work so well together. I enjoyed seeing more of Nolan's personal history in this book.
There were several surprise twists throughout both threads of the story. Family drama everywhere!
My feelings about Tucker are a bit mixed. I didn't always like how he treated people around him. He's a good guy with a good heart but he is a bit mixed up about some things.
The historical side of this book is astonishing. It is sad to know that things like this really happened. I thought the author created a very real feeling story with very real emotions. Personal histories of pain and shame have a great effect on future generations.

I love how much Jillian is able to learn in her ancestral research. It's simply amazing!
Good Story! I look forward to the next book "When I Meet You."

This book was right up my alley! I'm a genealogist and my husband is a skier. The book is book 2 of the Tree of Life Series. I have read and enjoyed book 1 as well, and can't wait for the next book in the series to come out.

I love a book with mystery, romance and activities that I or my family members are involved in, so this was a good choice for this genealogist to read!

The genealogist, Jillian, tries to resolve the secret behind Tucker's past. And as a "good" genealogical researcher, she is in everyone's business. I know, that's how it is! But genealogists truly do solve LOTS of mysteries and family relationships. Great book and good reading!

I loved the mystery and the resolve.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley no obligation to post a review.

In The Cradle Lies is the second book in this series. I loved every word. And recommend this book highly