“Wait, you didn’t like the first book so you asked to read the next one in the series?”
Look, I get it. My mother’s incredulity fit. Who does that, anyway?
Apparently, I do. I tried to explain. “I knew before I finished the last book that I would be reading the next. The author is excellent with words, I loved this historical part of the story, and I loved the genealogical premise. I think it just took a bit of work to kick it off well.”
Still, I had a tiny bit of trepidation as I grabbed my book and hiked off to Denny’s for a good read and a book review. I had to go back in for my box of Kleenex.
Yes, I am sick (sinus infection). No, it is not appropriate to spend your night at a restaurant when you’re sick. Thankfully, Thursday nights at Denny’s are pretty dead, and I knew they’d keep folks far away from me. I needed that distance from home so I wouldn’t be tempted to give up and crawl in bed.
Just keepin’ it real.
With a glass of Coke in one hand and a Kleenex in the other, I began reading. For the record, you don’t want to borrow that book. Or, if you do, spray it with Lysol first. You’ve been warned.
Never has not plowing through a book from beginning to end been more difficult. I kept reading and reading… until my sinuses said, “NO MORE.”
I looked at the clock. It was only 2:00. For me, that’s FOUR MORE HOURS until bedtime. Oh, and get this. I was only on chapter twelve. I’d been reading for three hours. The book should have been done. But I was only on there????
That’s when I realized that I’d never make it.
I’m sitting here with my eyes barely open, my nose is threatening to put Ridgecrest on the map for volcanic eruptions now, and I’m trying to tell you guys why you want to read this book that I haven’t even finished yet. #becausefiction
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Sometimes the Second Time Is the Charm
One of the best things about a great premise and a series is that if one of the books doesn’t do it for you, the next just might. While I didn’t love The Inn at Hidden Run like I wanted to, I loved the premise and the author’s writing. Something told me that the next book would knock it out of the park.
In one of those rare, lovely times that I enjoy so much… I was right.
In the Cradle Lies corrects everything that I didn’t love about the first book as well as standing alone as a great story period. I sat glued to every page and wanted more even when I had to put it down to get that important little thing we sometimes call “sleep.”
Excellent characterization, interesting plot lines, and dual-time story that keeps you riveted to every page, there really isn’t too much to quibble with.
If I had to find any fault (and I may amend this review later to reflect this) it would be that it has a similar root to the first book’s story. Additionally, the spiritual element dances along the lines of someone being “good at heart” when Scripture makes it clear none of us are good at all. Still, I get what the author meant by that, and I chose to see that–that people sometimes make decisions that aren’t right because in the moment, they think it is the right option. It’s a fact of life, not the author’s recommendation for how to behave. She showed it well.
Tucker is a bit melodramatic, much like Meri in the first book was, but this one it seemed to fit more somehow. I don’t know. It just didn’t bother me like it did in the first. I’m thrilled to have requested a free review copy, to have read it, can’t wait for the next, and recommend it for anyone who loves light romance, a good mystery, and dual-timeline stories.
In the Cradle Lies is on tour with Celebrate Lit
About the Book
Book: In the Cradle Lies
Author: Olivia Newport
Genre: Christian Fiction
Release Date: November 2019
Book 2 in the Tree of Life Series: A Father-Daughter Genealogy Team Link Faith Journeys on Family Trees
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.
In the Cradle Lies is the second 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.
About the Author
Olivia Newport’s novels twist through time to find where faith and passions meet. Her husband and twenty-something children provide welcome distraction from the people stomping through her head on their way into her books. She chases joy in stunning Colorado at the foot of Pikes Peak.
More from Olivia
True confession. I live in Colorado and don’t ski.
In the Cradle Lies includes several references to “How can you live in the Colorado mountains and not ski?” Jillian, a main character in the Tree of Life series, has lived in the mountain town of Canyon Mines since she was two, and by the time she was eight, she knew she didn’t want to ski.
I grew up in Illinois, and while my high school had a ski club and somehow found places to ski (I’m not sure where; um, not exactly mountain territory), I was sure I would break something. Arriving in Colorado in my forties did not persuade me to take up skiing at that age. I live at the base of Pikes Peak, not in the mountains like Jillian. I do love the views!
But one of the fun things about being a writer is learning a lot about things you know little about. Enter Google and YouTube. And more YouTube. And … you get the drift.
Some quick facts about Colorado skiing to help get you in the mood for In the Cradle Lies:
- Colorado typically leads the country in “skier days”—days of skiing purchased in ski areas.
- Actually, most people in the state don’t ski. By a large margin. Like 90 percent. (So I feel better and so does Jillian.)
- People visiting the state to ski or snowboard are important to our economy. (So thank you!)
- Colorado has hosted about 175 ski areas since it became a state in 1876. Today, we have only about 30 operating resorts—so there are lots of dormant, lost, and hidden runs like the one in my story.
I hope you’ll check out In the Cradle Lies—and find out why Tucker came from St. Louis to Canyon Mines to ski an abandoned run that put his life at risk.
Blog Stops
Through the Fire Blogs, December 3
All-of-a-kind Mom, December 3
Inklings and notions, December 4
Daysong Reflections, December 4
Genesis 5020, December 5
Godly Book Reviews, December 5
Just the Write Escape, December 6
Pause for Tales, December 7
For Him and My Family, December 7
For the Love of Literature, December 8
Mary Hake, December 8
Betti Mace, December 9
Bigreadersite, December 9
A Baker’s Perspective, December 10
Hallie Reads, December 10
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 11
Spoken from the Heart, December 11
Older & Smarter?, December 12
Texas Book-aholic , December 13
Blogging With Carol, December 13
janicesbookreviews, December 14
Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 14
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 15
A Reader’s Brain, December 16
With a Joyful Noise, December 16
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Olivia is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a free copy of In the Cradle Lies!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/f1ba/in-the-cradle-lies-celebration-tour-giveaway
Thanks for giving the series a second chance. Hope you feel better.
So excited for the next!
I like a good suspenseful book as long as it’s not spooky enough to keep me up at night. This one sounds great!
Your book sounds like a great read and thank you for sharing it with us.
I read this one a month or two ago, and could hardly put it down. Of course, I had most of Tucker’s mystery figured out long before the end, but loved seeing the changes in him and how everything was worked out.
That’s exactly my experience. I think. 😉
Thanks for the review!