Jillian Parisi-Duffy has turned her genealogy hobby into a career. She lives in the quaint Canyon Mines community with her father, Nolan, who is a lawyer specializing in mediation. Meri Davies arrives in town at the local bed and breakfast, where she takes a job. Jillian and Nolan know there is more to Meri's story, particularly since she's avoiding her phone and questions about her family as well as college. Can Jillian and Nolan convince Meri that her family's genealogy may hold answers to Meri's current dilemma? Or will Meri run and hide away somewhere else?
THE INN AT HIDDEN RUN is the first book in the Tree of Life series and features a fascinating concept. As a social worker, I'm well aware of the research being done on epigenetics and the impact of the family on generations. Despite being very familiar with family genograms, the idea of researching a person's actual genealogy to look for clues and answers had never really dawned on me and I loved seeing the idea explored through the eyes of a genealogist!
Olivia Newport weaves together the past and the present in two intersecting storylines that present us with a phenomenal tale. I have to admit I loved visiting in the past with Eliza even more so than I did spending time with Jillian, Meri, and Nolan, but only because of the intriguing historical facts Olivia Newport includes. I've not read many stories about yellow fever and its impact on Memphis and the details are horrifying even as the acts of heroism are inspiring. THE INN AT HIDDEN RUN is easily recommended!
Meri’s family has been producing doctors for so many
generations that no one remembers why, so when she flunks
out of medical school, she runs as far from her parents as
she can get. In the small mountain town of Canyon Mines,
Colorado, she takes a job at the Inn at Hidden Run B&B. And
waits. It’s only a matter of time.
What she doesn’t count on is genealogist Jillian
Parisi-Duffy and her father, Nolan, having her back when it
takes everything she has not to bolt again but to stay and
face the truth that only unfolding her family’s history will
reveal. While Nolan works on keeping Meri calm—and in
town—Jillian pulls out of her gems of information she
doesn’t know she has and arranges the puzzle pieces.
But none of that changes the fact that Meri’s family is
closing in to haul her back to her “real” life. When their
arrival inflames tensions and Meri finally does bolt, Nolan
and Jillian may be out of time.
THE INN AT HIDDEN RUN is the first book in the Tree of Life
series. Readers will come back to backdrop of a lovely
mountain town of Canyon Mines again and again to explore and
celebrate unforgettable family stories that inspire them to
connect with their own family histories and unique faith
journeys.