The Melody of the Soul by Liz Tolsma

Anna has one chance for survival--and it lies in the hands of her mortal enemy.

   It's 1943 and Anna Zadok, a Jewish Christian living in Prague, has lost nearly everything. Most of her family has been deported, and the Nazi occupation ended her career as a concert violinist.Now Anna is left to care for her grandmother, and she'll do anything to keep her safe--a job that gets much harder when Nazi officer Horst Engel is quartered in the flat below them.

   Though musical instruments have been declared illegal, Anna defiantly continues to play the violin. But Horst, dissatisfied with German ideology, enjoys her soothing music. When Anna and her grandmother face deportation, Horst risks everything to protect them.

   Anna finds herself falling in love with the handsome officer and his brave heart. But what he reveals might stop the music forever...

MY THOUGHTS:

I love books set during World War II and if Liz Tolsma's name is on the cover, I love it even more. Ms. Tolsma's newest novel is The Melody of the Soul which is the first book in her "Music of Hope" series. Based on this book, the series will be fantastic..

The heroine is Anna Zadok, a Jewish Christian and a violinist left behind to take care of her grandmother after her family was deported to Terezin. Playing the violin is forbidden but Anna continues to play even when a Nazi officer, Horst Engel moves into the flat below them. When Horst encourages her to play she is a little leary and not sure whether she should trust him. Anna's grandmother tells her she needs to trust him for his heart not his uniform. I loved these characters.

This novel, because of the subject matter, is heartbreaking to read but then that time in history was heartbreaking. Ms. Tolsma has proven that she has a gift for writing novels set during this time period and I look forward to future books in this series. It is an emotional novel that pulled at my heart throughout. 

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves novels set during Worl War II.or just a good historical romance novel. 

On a 5-Star Scale = 5 HUGE Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity Group copy of this book. I received a complimentary copy with no expectations for a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Smiles & Blessings,

Remember the Lilies by Liz Tolsma

Liz Tolsma has quickly became one of my favorite authors. First with her debut novel, Snow on the Tulips (read my review here) followed by her second book Daisies are Forever (read my review here). I could hardly wait for her newest book, Remember the Lilies. I loved each and every book, but I must admit Remember the Lilies is hands down my favorite.

Remember the Lilies is set in the Philippines during World War II. The Prologue begins the day after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and the reader is introduced to the male lead, Rand Sterling a wealthy, womanizing American who owns two clubs in Manila and Irene Reynolds, a missionary. Their meeting was memorable for both of them even if it was close to being tragic. 

By Chapter One, both characters are being held prisoners in the Santo Tomas Internment camp in Manila. The story takes them through the war until the time Santo Tomas is liberated. The story that takes place is based on fact and I must say that Ms. Tolsma definitely did her homework regarding the camp. After I read the book, I searched on line to learn more about Santo Tomas and the pictures I found were exactly how Ms. Tolsma painted the camp. Her words made it real.

I fell in love with Rand, Irene and Irene's Aunt Anita. They were without a doubt the most well crafted characters I have encountered in my reading experience in a long time. They are believable, charming and memorable. Well done, Ms. Tolsma!

This isn't just a love story set during WWII, it's a story of two lost souls who found each other and learned to trust and forgive while trying to survive the atrocities of war. There are some twists and turns and a bit of a mystery within the pages of this wonderful book too.

The Christian thread was woven delicately through the pages and on page 343 Rand explains forgiveness to Irene and how if God could forgive him, he should be able to forgive the Japanese. It was an extremely powerful moment.

I would highly recommend Remember the Lilies to anyone who love reading a good historical novel. 

On a 5-Star scale - 5 HUGE Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity Group and Thomas Nelson Publishers for my copy of Remember the Lilies. I was given my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

  

Remember the Lilies by Liz Tolsma KINDLE FIRE Giveaway!

This gripping new tale from Liz Tolsma, Remember the Lilies, is a must-read for fans of WWII-era fiction. When Irene is attacked by a sinister Japanese guard and their secrets are exposed, she and Rand must learn the true meaning of forgiveness—if they can stave off starvation until the American troops bring freedom.

Help Liz celebrate the release of Remember the Lilies with a Kindle Fire giveaway!




 


One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire


• One copy of Remember the Lilies


Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 2/19. Winner will be announced at Liz's Remember the Lilies Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Liz and WWII fiction fans, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!   





{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 19th!




Please note, you cannot enter the giveaway on my blog. Please click on the book cover in the upper right hand corner of my blog or on the icon above.

Smiles & Blessings,

 

Daisies are Forever by Liz Tolsma

When I had the opportunity to read and review Liz Tolsma's debut novel Snow on the Tulips (read my review here) I took a chance, as we all do, on a debut novelist. I was blown away by her writing so when the opportunity arose where I could read her sophomore novel I jumped at the chance. I have to say she out did herself with her newest release, Daisies are Forever.

The book begins during the final days of Nazi Germany in the year 1945. Gisela Cramer is an American living with her cousin Ella and Ella's two little girls and her grandfather who is not well. They are residing in a town named Heiligenbeil and they receive word that the Russians will be invading soon and they must leave. Gisela's grandfather refuses to go and Ella tells Gisela she must go and asks her to take her daughters with her. Gisela doesn't want to leave them because of situations in her past but she finally agrees to flee.

When Gisela started her journey she was just with her nieces and Ella's neighbor and his senile daughters. As time progresses more and more join her in her quest to reach safety in her home in Berlin. During her journey she overhears an SS officer speaking with a very poor German accent. In fact Gisela soon realizes he is British and she comes to his aid when he is about to be discovered. She tells everyone he is her husband who has been wounded in the war. From that point on, Mitch Edward takes on the persona of Herr Josep Cramer husband to Frau Gisela Cramer.

This period of time covered the Russian's invasion of Germany and the eventual fall of Berlin and the Third Reich. Ms. Tolsma based the first half of this book on the inspiration of one seventeen year old who lived through the atrocities of war and the second half of the book was based on stories her Aunt shared. Her Aunt was born in America but much like Gisela's story, her parents took her to live in Germany in the 1930s and she lived through the terrible war that raged on German soil just like Gisela.

Most everyone knows how Nazi Germany treated the Jewish people during WWII. What I didn't know before reading this book is the terrible atrocities the Russians did to the German people as well. War is ugly no matter where it happens or who is involved.

Ms. Tolsma's definitely has a knack of creating believable characters and placing them into a world torn by the agony of war. At times I heard the air raid sirens, the bombs going off, and I could almost smell the acrid smell after the bombs had exploded. Her book definitely ignites all five senses. It is a must read!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Daisies are Forever and the meaning behind the title of the book is beautiful. I would highly recommend this book to adults who enjoy reading good Christian historical fiction. Because of some of the terrible atrocities that are exposed within the covers of this book I would not suggest it for young readers.

On a 5-Star scale = 5 HUGE stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publishing and Thomas Nelson Publishers for my copy of Daisies are Forever. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma - my review

Snow on the Tulips is a richly woven story of love, trust, faith and courage set in the Netherlands during the last days of World War II.  Ms. Tolsma has created a masterful historical novel that pulls the reader in from the very first page. Her story was so well crafted that I could see the countryside, the war torn town, the German's banging on doors. She opened up this story and invited the reader in to experience the pain and suffering of her characters.

The heroine of the story, Cornelia de Vries was widowed when the German's took her husband away from her on their wedding night and killed him. At the time of the story, four years have passed but she still finds herself grieving over his death. She has been hiding her twenty year old brother, Johan, within her cottage so he won't be hauled off by the Germans. But Johan is bored staying indoors all the time.  He wants to do something to save his country. After hearing gun shots and knowing the Germans had probably executed some men Johan wants to get a closer look.  He sneaks out at night and soon finds himself face to face with a Dutch Resistance operative, Gerritt Laninga (although Gerritt doesn't give Johan his true name). Gerritt was one of the men the German's had executed but Gerritt survived.  Johan takes Gerritt back to Cornelia's so they can tend to his wounds. Cornelia isn't happy with her brother for sneaking out but she is really unhappy that he brought home one of the executed men. Afterall, when the German's came back to take the bodies away they would begin a search for the missing body.

This book held me captive. I found myself holding my breath each time Gerritt had to leave to help the cause. When the German's came and ransacked Cornelia's house I became angry. This book made me feel very strong emotions. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love with the characters and when the story came to an end I found myself celebrating along with Cornelia and Gerritt.

It was obvious that Ms. Tolsma researched her topic very well and I would highly recommend Snow on the Tulips especially if you like reading Christian Historical Fiction, set during World War II.

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publishing and Thomas Nelson Publishers for my review copy of Snow on the Tulips. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,