In this fourth book in the Tree of Life series, I once again found myself at home in the small town of Canyon Mines, CO. I've loved each and every visit to that charming fictional town. I also love getting to know Jillian and her father Nolan more through their continuing story in each book. This book is another really good story, and I am very hopeful that their story isn't finished yet.
In this book, Jillian is forced to help Tisha, a young troubled teen. Jillian is in the middle of a huge St. Louis Project, where she's trying to find as much information as possible about many children taken from their homes in the early 1900s. She doesn't think Tisha can be of much help, and so they have a very rocky start.
We get to know Tisha and meet her family, and begin to see why she is headed toward being a juvenile delinquent. Jillian and Nolan once again are pushed to deal with issues and the results are a very real, and down-to-earth story that all of us can relate to.
There is also a historical time line, about the family of Clifford Brandt and what happened to them in the 1890s. The crash of the silver mines, and much more.
I loved seeing how the author tied all of it together.
Once again, this whole process of genealogies greatly fascinated and intrigued me. I love reading about Jillian and her research processes. It is amazing how family mysteries can be solved.
This is a book well worth the read. Not top level of excitement, but just an all-around good book.
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

This series started out so strong for me but I really can't get into this one, or the one before it... I don't know, maybe it is a book I need to come back to when I have a paperback.

Book 4 in the Tree of Life Series: A Father-Daughter Genealogy Team Link Faith Journeys on Family Trees

When 15-year-old Tisha Crowder gets caught shoplifting, attorney Nolan Duffy tries to protect her from consequences that could rattle her already troubled life. His daughter, Jillian, feels like she’s the one being punished instead—by having Tisha assigned to work with her on a backlog of genealogy files. Tisha doesn’t seem interested in taking the job seriously, and Jillian’s patience wears thin. Besides, everyone in Canyon Mines knows the Crowder family has experienced generations of brokenness. Then a sliver of hope turns up in long-ago words in plain sight, challenging shrouded assumptions about Tisha’s family. Now Jillian is the one who can walk with Tisha back to 1893 and uncover where everything went wrong in the first place—and save her from the past.

What You Said to Me is the fourth 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.

My Thoughts: Olivia Newport has done it again! She has written another book in the "Tree of Life Series" that is hard to put down. The author takes the reader through history ( genealogy of a family) to show the reader important lessons about how words can hurt or uplift. It's hard being a teenager, but when you come from a dysfunctional family it can make it even harder. I love the characters in this series, and the topics that are covered are all ones that we, the reader can relate to. This book teaches us that we can overcome past history, and come out a winner. This book is part of a series but can be read on its own. I do recommend reading the other 3 books in the series.

Wow! What an amazing finish to a remarkable series! Olivia Newport has wrapped up the Tree of Life series in an inspiring way. I loved how pieces of the previous books were brought in to compound the story and finish off nicely.

The father daughter duo we have become attached to in the previous books were back, and character development was superb once again! With a new storyline to dive into through Tisha, we learn even more about Canyon Mines heritage through her ancestry. Nolan and Jillian kept things moving, as well as friends we met in the previous books and new friends from this journey.

While there was just a tad of romance in this book, I love the fact that it gives a break from the normal heavy romance and that the main characters are father/daughter and not boyfriend/girlfriend. I do love romances also, but it’s nice to just have a break and read lighthearted stories once in a while.

The only thing I can think of that would make this better was if Jillian were able to find out what happened with her mom’s side of the family and the trunk. But, I am not the writer, just a curious, nosy reader, and I think Olivia Newport did an excellent job of creating the story she felt led to write.

History is one of my favorite things. I liked it in school, and I still like it now. This year especially I have been interested in the human race and it's genealogical record. Very interesting especially as we dig deeper and see how closely related we all really are. In this story we have a dual timeline, one that happened a long time ago that is still affecting the current generation of the family. It deals with and ask such questions as when and why can we not let things go? What changes us so much that we nurture the bitterness that takes root instead of our loved ones?

This was a poignant look at one family who experienced hard times and the father had to make some tough decisions. Life can change on a dime, and I think this year shows enough proof of it. But the real question is, how do we respond? Do we adapt and pick ourselves up so to speak, or do we hold on to bitterness and our own selfish desires?

Sin, bad choices, etc. are never one sided and only affect the sinner. No. Sometimes that can be carried through generations and this was a story that explores such roots. This was a story that will stick with me for a long time as it caused some deep introspection of my own. And Nolan and Jillian helps us through this story as well.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

How fascinating to be a professional genealogist! Combining two of the things I love the most—history and family! Ms. Newport has not only crafted a story with those two favored elements, she has leapt into the league of my favorite authors!
With characters who draw the reader into their own struggles and dialogue that invites the reader to speak up AND a double timeline, this story almost turned the pages for me!
This reviewer may or may not have OCD tendencies (I do) and I could totally feel Jillian’s distress—and protectiveness—at someone else’s hands on her project. Especially a fifteen-year-old with attitude. But that fifteen-year-old comes by that attitude honestly; verbal abuse leaves wounds deeper than any broken bone.
All it takes is one file to snag Tisha’s attention and spark her interest. And shift Jillian’s preconceived notion about her. Ms. Newport builds the relationship just as tenuously as a child’s set of wooden building blocks; slowly, steadily, until a friendship begins to form. The tie between Jillian’s work and Tisha’s quest is no coincidence but rather, one of God’s arrangements behind the scenes.
And may I just say that I did not like Georgina. OY! What a sad heritage she left behind!
Now, of course, I’ll have to go back and read the first three stories in this series!

ROBIN’S FEATHERS
ALL | THE | FEATHERS!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, What You Said to Me, Olivia NewPort, Celebrate Lit Publicity

Readers of The Tree of Life series by Olivia Newport have gotten to know many of the Canyon Mines, Colorado residents through the first three books. In What You Said to Me, Newport unveils some more of the town’s history as well as some new (only to the reader) residents.

While this final book in the series continues a few threads from previous books, it can stand alone. Once again Newport weaves threads of past and present while hitting on the topic of bitterness—how one person’s acerbic attitude and words can create the same in another and be passed down through generations.

The addition of Tisha adds a lot to this story as the teenager deals with her family, her emotions, and stretches Jillian and Nolan as they reach out to her. It doesn’t always turn out as they hoped, but I believe their words and encouragement helped change Tisha.

There are a few small unresolved areas in the end, but it made the story that much more real. After all, we don’t get the answers to everything in our lives. It’s fitting conclusion to a series that leaves the reader with hope for what’s to come.


Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this latest novel in the Tree of Life series featuring genealogy investigations. The story takes place in what was previously a mining town in Colorado. The narrative has two time periods, today and the early 1890s. The historical story is of closing silver mines and thousands of men losing their jobs. The experiences of one family then has ramifications for people today.

Newport's writing style is a pleasant one, almost old fashioned in that it is gentle. I like it as it makes for an easy and comfortable reading experience. I liked the banter between Jillian, the genealogy researcher, and her dad, one skilled in mediation. I liked learning about the Colorado silver mines and the devastation the ensued when the U.S. ceased to buy so much silver, moving toward more gold coinage.

Newport explores a number of relationship issues in the novel. Jillian is looking to historical adoptions, some of which were not through normal legal channels. A troubled teen, Tisha, is helping her, working off community hours. Tisha finds out that some people do not want to know their family origins, even though she wants to find out who her father is. The whole issue makes one think about how important family heritage is and if it influences current behavior.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

What You Said To Me, by Olivia Newport, is book four in the Tree of Life series. This is a nice story of family history and how it affects those in future generations. The story is split between modern day and 1893. Jillian is a genealogist who lives with her her attorney father, Nolan. Nolan meets a young girl, Trisha, from their community that he is trying to help and assigns her to work with Jillian for the summer. This really tries Jillian’s patience as the work she does is very precise and needs to be perfect. Trisha only knows her mother’s family and as she presses for more, the story of who they really are is revealed.

I really enjoy this series. I hope there are many more books to come. The story is filled with realistic events, suspense, mystery, and strong ties to family and community. I especially enjoyed the parts from 1893 as they showed what a family must do to survive when their world comes crashing down. It also showed the generosity shown to others. The stories are written so nicely with background that each could be a stand alone story. The stories do reference characters from the previous stories so it is best to read them in order. More so for this story as Jillian’s current project is from book two and the man she met in book three is now her boyfriend.

I received an e-book copy of this story from Celebrate Lit, this is my honest review.

I am enjoying so much these Tree Of Life Books by Olivia Newport. The dynamics between Nolan, the father and Jillian, the daughter are so much fun to read. They live in the same house with their separate offices. He’s a lawyer and she’s a genealogist. I just love these two characters. This latest book centers around the biggest job Jillian has ever undertaken: Hunting stolen babies and children that were adopted out to unknowing families.
A teenager in trouble is sent to Jillian to do volunteer community service. At first Tisha displays a rebellious attitude and I didn’t like her at all. But it gave me a deeper understanding of looking below the surface of someone and their problems to know them better.
A bonus among the pages was the story of distant relatives of Tisha’s from 1893. It tells of the crash of silver prices in Denver and how it effected the mines, miners and their families.
This was a great story and I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.

What You Said to Me is the fourth installment from the Tree of Life series by Olivia Newport. Even though it is part of a series, I believe it can still be read as a stand alone. However, I would recommend reading the previous books, as well. This one is probably my favorite of the series. It took me a few chapters to get into it, but I was intrigued and quickly engaged afterward. I could not put it down until the end. I reading the two different time lines and seeing how they wound up intertwine with one another.

What You Said to Me is getting four stars from me. I recommend it for readers who like to read historical fiction and / or dual time lines.

I received What You Said to Me from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion

Oh, where to begin!
First of all, What You Said to Me has to be my favorite of the Tree of Life series. The author's careful attention to detail and the way she weaves the timelines together so that you know just enough about the past to help you understand but without giving too much away is phenomenal.
Second, I love Nolan and Jillian. That has always been the case, but I love them even more now. Nolan sometimes has this carefree attitude, but in this book, it's much easier to see the depth of his feelings. He brought Tisha into his home without a second thought because he knew she needed him. And she needed Jillian, and whether Jillian knew it or was willing to accept it, she needed Tisha.
This is a story of the words we say, and the ones we keep wrapped up inside. What we say matters. What we feel matters. HOW we say what we feel...matters.
I loved the sense of family I took away from What You Said to Me. Tisha hasn't had an easy life, and she has family dynamics that most of us would shy away from. This made Tisha wary, self-reliant, and add in the fact she's fifteen and you've written a recipe for disaster. That made this story all the better as I took away the fact that family doesn't have to be the people you're born to. Family can be more. And while we are born into our circumstances, who we become is not always defined by the example passed down the family tree.
We are ALL part of God's family. Something that Olivia Newport showed through her work in a subtle way that rings with sincerity.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

I love this series. Genealogy is fascinating for me and the way it is tied in to this story is beautiful. I am very sad to see this series end.
Many thanks to Barbour Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

In “What You Said To Me” by Olivia Newport, a brilliant father-daughter genealogy team skillfully links present to past on family trees, as they try to uncover the sordid past. In an already troubled life, fifteen-year-old Tisha Crowder is caught shoplifting. Attorney Nolan Duffy tries to protect her from harmful consequences. His daughter, Jillian, feels punished when Juvenile Court assigns Tisha to work with her on a huge backlog of genealogy files. Tisha is not interested in the job. Jillian’s paper-thin patience runs out like water. Long-ago words in plain sight offer a tiny ray of hope, when previously shrouded assumptions about Tisha’s family are brought to the surface, exposed and challenged. Jillian walks Tisha back to the mystical year of 1893 to uncover the wrongful past. This fourth book in the Tree of Life series by Olivia Newport explores unforgettable family stories and family trees, in a concerted effort to inspire and motivate you to connect with your own family histories and unique faith journeys in life. I highly recommend this split-time story that shows the kind, compassionate side of the genealogy team.

When 15-year-old Tisha Crowder gets caught shoplifting, attorney Nolan Duffy tries to protect her from consequences that could rattle her already troubled life. His daughter, Jillian, feels like she’s the one being punished instead—by having Tisha assigned to work with her on a backlog of genealogy files. Tisha doesn’t seem interested in taking the job seriously, and Jillian’s patience wears thin. Besides, everyone in Canyon Mines knows the Crowder family has experienced generations of brokenness. Then a sliver of hope turns up in long-ago words in plain sight, challenging shrouded assumptions about Tisha’s family. Now Jillian is the one who can walk with Tisha back to 1893 and uncover where everything went wrong in the first place—and save her from the past.

This is the fourth book in this series. It's not necessary to read the first three to read and understand this book. This book continues with Jillian doing research for her genealogy business. Along comes Tisha who got into trouble for shoplifting. Nolan has persuaded Jillian to have Tisha work for her in order to complete community service hours. The problem is that Tisha has no desire to work for Jillian and everything that Jillian has her do is only half done or not done at all. Then Tisha finds something out about her family background. A switch seems to have been turned on for her. Meanwhile Jillian is trying to find time to spend with her boyfriend Drew. We were introduced to him in the last book.

This is a good clean book that has a little bit of mystery.

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

This book is part of a series but it can easily be read independently of the other books. There is an introduction to a lot of new characters but several remained the same. The cover gives an adequate description of the storyline.The story goes back & forth between the 1800's & present & I got bogged down & lost interest in all the details in the past story. I appreciate the authors' research & attention to detail but it is near the end of the book before the ties are made to the past & present. It was difficult to hold my interest in the story of the past until the last few chapters. Overall a good read. I was provided an advanced reader copy of this book and was under no obligation to provide a review. Thanks to the author. Barbour Publishing,and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fourth book in the Tree of Life series involving attorney/mediator Nolan and his daughter Jillian who is a genealogist. What You Said to Me can be read as a stand alone but will be better if you read all of the series! Nolan brings punky teenager Tisha to work for Jillian as a consequence of shoplifting. Tisha's mother doesn't show up for required meetings and doesn't have anything good to say about her daughter. Tisha wants to know who her father is and her mother refuses to talk about him. Jillian eventually sees that Tisha is hurting and tries to help her. What You Said to Me is a dual time story involving the Brandt family from Denver who lost their money when the silver mines closed and moved to Canyon Mines. Mrs Brandt does not adapt well to being shopkeeper's wife. Jillian and Tisha make interesting discoveries about why Tisha's family acts the way they do. I recommend What You Said to Me to others. I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author, NetGalley and Barbour Publishing. This is my honest opinion.

This split-time story, which is the fourth installment in the author’s Tree of Life series, captured my interest from the first page. Having read her previous books in the series, I can say the author continues to display her ability to bring the reader into the story instead of having them just read about it.

This story continues to feature genealogy team Julia Parisi-Duffy and her father Nolan Duffy doing what they do so well—uncovering mysteries in family histories that result in liberation for a person’s future. This time the person in need of liberation is a 15-year-old troubled teen named Tisha who was caught shoplifting. To provide Tisha with a community service alternative and possibly a better future, Nolan, who is also an attorney, brings her home to assist Julia. Once Tisha arrives, the sparks start to fly between Tisha and her reluctant “supervisor”, Julia. Where those sparks fly will definitely keep the reader engaged to the end.

I really liked this latest addition to the series. The character development feels believable and just right for a small town. You can even relate to Canyon Mines, the small town where these stories take place. I also love the concept of a father-daughter team and would enjoy these stories being developed into television movies. If you or someone you know enjoys split-time stories, definitely try this story. While it may be read as a standalone, you will really enjoy reading it in order as a series.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by the publisher and Net Galley. However, the thoughts expressed are my own.

This is the fourth book in this series and I did not want to put it down. I love the characters. Jilly, Tisha, Nolan and Drew were wonderful in this story. I love how these books weave a current storyline in with a past storyline to solve a mystery from both timelines. This was one of my favorite ones in the series. I love how we are learning more and more about Jillian and her father with each book. I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

What You Said To Me is the fourth book in this series which I have not read the other three,hoping that it would make sense which it did. I will for sure go back and read the other three in this series! 1900's you find yourself in the present to the past with Jullian, the and her dad,the genealogist looking into this troubled girls past and her future. You don't get confused as you can in other books when you jump from the present to 1900's. Follow the family from gold mining and what happened way back when and help Jillian help Tisha find out about her family and just because they were the way they were, doesn't mean it has to be your future. It's a really a well researched story,heart felt and you better get some tissues!! You will be so glad you read this story where all the characters come to life and what happened in the 19'00's to this family. If you can,go back and read the first three! Received from Net Gallery!!