| 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 |  |
Genre: Split-Time Contemporary/Historical
Release date: Fall, 2021
Release date: Fall, 2021
Click here to get your copy!
My Review
Some family tree branches need a little shaking...
Genealogy is something that has fascinated me since I was young child reading our family history books at my great grandma's house. Those books were put together by various family members, none of them professionals, and sometimes those long dead ancestors seemed more alive than the living distant relatives that I'd never met. Hence the reason I have been so caught up in the Tree Of Life series from Olivia Newport, of which Now That I Know You is the fifth book.
Continuing on with the Tree Of Life series tradition of bringing historical events to life and making those events real to readers through the fictional lives of its characters, Now That I Know You takes on the difficulties of early turn of the century coal mine workers struggles for better pay and working conditions, as well as the freedom to do business outside of the company and to choose their own doctors. Though the characters in this story are fictional they do represent the realities faced by real people a hundred years ago and it seriously made me pause to think about how insulated we are from the harsh conditions that were endured to bring the comforts and fairness we now take for granted.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was way Olivia Newport tied it in so well to the previous books. Key events and characters make an appearance and there are some surprising connections for Jillian to uncover.
Now That I Know You was good read about the messiness of life and family. Our Tree Of Life can often be the most important thing in our lives and the source of our biggest heartaches. Olivia Newport did a great job with this book and I sincerely hope there will be more coming from Jillian, Nolan, Drew, and the rest of Canyon Mines...
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Now That I Know You by Olivia Newport a 4 Bark rating.
Genealogy is something that has fascinated me since I was young child reading our family history books at my great grandma's house. Those books were put together by various family members, none of them professionals, and sometimes those long dead ancestors seemed more alive than the living distant relatives that I'd never met. Hence the reason I have been so caught up in the Tree Of Life series from Olivia Newport, of which Now That I Know You is the fifth book.
Continuing on with the Tree Of Life series tradition of bringing historical events to life and making those events real to readers through the fictional lives of its characters, Now That I Know You takes on the difficulties of early turn of the century coal mine workers struggles for better pay and working conditions, as well as the freedom to do business outside of the company and to choose their own doctors. Though the characters in this story are fictional they do represent the realities faced by real people a hundred years ago and it seriously made me pause to think about how insulated we are from the harsh conditions that were endured to bring the comforts and fairness we now take for granted.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was way Olivia Newport tied it in so well to the previous books. Key events and characters make an appearance and there are some surprising connections for Jillian to uncover.
Now That I Know You was good read about the messiness of life and family. Our Tree Of Life can often be the most important thing in our lives and the source of our biggest heartaches. Olivia Newport did a great job with this book and I sincerely hope there will be more coming from Jillian, Nolan, Drew, and the rest of Canyon Mines...
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Now That I Know You by Olivia Newport a 4 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
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.
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
—Olivia Newport
 Olivia Newport | Olivia 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 www.olivianewport.com. |
It's Time For A 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!!
a signed set of all 5 books in the Tree of Life series!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
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Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 22
Inklings and notions, January 23
Connect in Fiction, January 23
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
The Sacred Line, January 13
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 13
Betti Mace, January 14
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 14
Texas Book-aholic, January 15
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 15
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 16
Splashes of Joy, January 16
deb’s Book Review, January 17
Through the Fire Blogs, January 17
Sodbuster Living, January 18
For Him and My Family, January 18
Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 19
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 19
For the Love of Literature, January 20
The Book Club Network, January 20
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 21 (Spotlight)
Blogging With Carol, January 21
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
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