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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

The Real Question? Is This Last Book as Good as the Rest?

by Chautona Havig · 1 Comment

My favorite of Olivia Newport's Tree of Life stories, Now That I Know You digs into a historical tragedy as well as one young woman's family history. via @chautonahavig

Back in 2019, I read the first book of the Tree of Life series by Olivia Newport, The Inn at Hidden Run.

While I didn’t dislike the entire book, it wasn’t my favorite for reasons my review states pretty clearly, but I saw something in that book.  I knew, deep down I knew that I’d love the series.

And I have.  I was so sorry to learn that the last book came out this fall.  Sorry… and excited.  I mean, come on! Another book with Nolan, Jillian, and Drew?  Yes, please!  More historical research?  Oh, yeah.  About Jillian’s MOTHER? Be still my heart… and let me at it.

Now That I know You

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

The Real Question? Is This Last Book as Good as the Rest?

Yes and no!

The story of Now That I Know You is probably my favorite of the whole series. It gripped me from page one and carried me on waves of emotion all through the melding of past and present as Olivia Newport does so well. There’s intrigue, danger, twists, connections… There’s so much to love about this book.

Fun fact about the story. There’s a “cliche” or stereotype in there that I totally missed until I started writing this review.  That’s how well the author wove what is a cultural thing into a story without making it cliche or stereotypical.  It’s brilliantly done.

However, this book does have a few problems I have to note. The editing is lacking. From the overuse of people’s names in dialogue (it gets tedious at times) and the wrong word used here or there, I found it frustrating to try to ignore what refused to be ignored. I may have read an ARC (provided to me for review) that was not the final copy, but  I received it after the publication date, so I doubt it.

Despite that, this is still my favorite book of the series, and I really hope Olivia Newport writes more in a similar vein somehow. I really did love this book despite a couple of small warts.

Recommended for lovers of genealogy, history, mystery, and family.  Not recommended for readers looking for an overt faith element. It’s there, but it’s understated–more subtext than anything.

Now that I know you coverAbout the Book

Book: Now That I Know You

Author: Olivia Newport

Genre: Split-Time Contemporary/Historical

Release date: Fall, 2021

Cate Butler is the distant cousin genealogist Jillian was so certain she wanted to find—and the only connection she has to her deceased mother’s Parisi family tree. So why does she wish Cate would stop pestering her? And why can’t Jillian find a paper trail proving Cate is who she says she is?

Cate wants something for her own career that Jillian can’t give, but she also holds the key to family history Jillian can’t bring herself to walk away from. Nolan, Jillian’s father, steps in when Cate’s chronic career chaos requires legal rescue. Drew, the man who holds Jillian’s heart, has a surprising past with Cate. The truths Jillian, Cate, and Drew find while untangling these knotted threads tie them back together in remarkable ways none of them ever would have imagined.

Now That I Know You is Book 5 in the Tree of Life series, exploring and celebrating unforgettable family stories in Canyon Mines, the mountain town that invites you back again and again.

About the Author

Olivia NewportOlivia Newport’s novels blend the truth of how our pasts carry us into where we find ourselves now. Curiosity about history seems to creep into everything she does. Her books include Amish, historical, and contemporary stories that span the centuries from before the Revolutionary War right up to the present moment.

She chases joy in stunning Colorado at the foot of Pikes Peak. Visit her WEBSITE for more information.

More from Olivia

I’ve wanted to write Now That I Know You for nearly 20 years—at least the historical story part of this split-time novel.

When my son was a freshman in high school, he joined the mock trial team, and my husband and I entered the league of parents who watched versions of the same competition over and over. The state bar association selects a case and provides every team with the same documents to study as the basis of preparing both prosecution and defense.

Team members play roles of attorneys and witnesses.

That first year, the case was trying a particular individual in connection with his role in events that culminated in the 1914 “Ludlow Massacre,” which is featured in Now That I Know You. My son played a witness for the prosecution. My proudest moment was when one of the scoring judges—who are actual court judges—singled him out for his skill in recognizing and dodging the opposing counsel’s interrogation strategy. Somebody hold me in my chair, because you really are not supposed to jump and cheer at mock trial!

Since I heard the case several times, the history wormed its way into my heart and mind. The injustice and tragedy of the story weighed heavy, but so did the legacy of the events and their eventual impact on history that affects us even today. People often ask where book ideas come from. Sometimes they germinate inside me for a long time before the moment is ripe to put them on the page in the lives of characters who have grown around them. This is one of those stories.

—Olivia Newport

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 10

Bigreadersite, January 10

lakesidelivingsite, January 11

Daysong Reflections, January 11

All-of-kind Mom, January 11

The Write Escape, January 12

Lots of Helpers, January 12

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Locks, Hooks and Books, January 13

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Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 14

Texas Book-aholic, January 15

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Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 19

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 19

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Mary Hake, January 21

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, January 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 22

Inklings and notions, January 23

Connect in Fiction, January 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Olivia is giving away the grand prize package of a signed set of all 5 books in the Tree of Life series!!

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/193c0/now-that-i-know-you-celebration-tour-giveaway

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  1. Emma says

    January 12, 2022 at 12:16 pm

    I really enjoyed this book!

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 153: A Chat with Historical Author, Tracie Peterson
byChautona Havig

I had a delightful chat with historical romance author, Tracie Peterson, a couple of weeks ago, and boy did I learn some cool stuff!  Listen in to find out what prompted Tracie to write about trains and New Mexico and just what horned toads have to do with any of it.  She even gives us a sneak peek into what’s coming next!  Hint: it involves “brownies,” freezing people (we presume), and gold!

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

When You’ve Written This Many Books, You’re Sure to Be a Favorite

Tracie Peterson has been one of my favorite authors for years. I knew I’d read her books since at least the early days of this century, but when she said 1995, I knew I’d probably read every one of those first books, too. 

Though her first love might be Jesus, her first writing love is definitely historical fiction with romance, adventure, and maybe a little intrigue to boot! As with many historical authors, research consumes a lot of her time. Find out which books involved her going to a trick riding school and how a book about a “horny-toad man” helped her write the Love on the Santa Fe series!

In addition to chatting about her books, we also discussed the writing process. And even better, about the wonderful letters from readers.. Tracie Peterson is one prolific writer with over a hundred thirty books to her name! There’s sure to be something for everyone, wouldn’t you say?

Beyond the Desert Sands by Tracie Peterson

Can she reconcile who she’s become with who she’s meant to be? Accustomed to an opulent life with her aunt, the last thing twenty-five-year-old Isabella Garcia wants is to celebrate Christmas in her parents’ small silver-mining desert town, leaving her handsome beau, Diego Morales, behind in California. Adding insult to injury, she must bear the company of Aaron Bailey, the disapproving Santa Fe Railroad businessman her father has sent to escort her home, who clearly finds her spoiled. But she is surprised to see how much the town of Silver Veil has grown and how fragile her father’s health has become. Then a surprise visitor shows up with news that entirely upends the comfortable life she’s been leading. Faced with all these changes, Isabella struggles to sort through her future and who she wants to be. But trouble is brewing, and there are those who hope she stays just as she is, even if it costs her everything.

You can preorder the eBook and audiobook from Amazon or you can get the hardback or paperback from BakerBookHouse.com.

Find out more about Tracie Peterson and her books on her WEBSITE.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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Episode 153: A Chat with Historical Author, Tracie Peterson
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