Book Review of Snow
on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma
Thomas Nelson’s WWII author
Harper Collins Christian
August 2013
AmazonBarnes and Noble
Ebook 9.99
Pbook 15.99
ISBN: 978-1401689100
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Astranger’s life
hangs in the balance. But to save him is to risk everything.
The war is drawing to a close, but the Nazis
still occupy part of the Netherlands. After the losses she’s endured, war widow
Cornelia is only a shadow of the woman she once was. She fights now to protect
her younger brother, Johan, who lives in hiding.
When Johan brings Gerrit Laninga, a wounded
Dutch Resistance member, to Cornelia’s doorstep, their lives are forever
altered. Although scared of the consequences of harboring a wanted man,
Cornelia’s faith won’t let her turn him out. As she nurses Gerrit back to
health, she is drawn to his fierce passion and ideals, and notices a shift
within herself. Gerrit’s intensity challenges her, making her want to live
fully, despite the fear that constrains her. When the opportunity to join him
in the Resistance presents itself, Cornelia must summon every ounce of courage imaginable.
She is as terrified of loving Gerrit as she is of losing him. But as the winter
landscape thaws, so too does her heart. Will she get a second chance at true
love? She fears their story will end before it even begins.
MY REVIEW:
Snow on the Tulips draws the reader into the deprivation, stress and terror
of everyday life under Nazi occupation. Even good people with good intentions
are fearful of doing more than the bare minimum of good works; those serving
the resistance are afraid but willing to sacrifice themselves to help those who
cannot help themselves. When the two sides meet, the clash means uncomfortable
compromise or ultimate sacrifice.
Told through the
eyes of Cornelia, her sister Anki, and Gerrit, the love interest, the story
unfolds toward the end of WWII in occupied Netherlands. Cornelia barely had a
chance to experience adult life when she was widowed; Anki married a man of
uncompromising faith which rendered him untrustworthy to those who broke the
law; Gerrit’s recklessness was borne of betrayal and helplessness to protect a
family member. Each has internal demons to fight, besides the enemy’s destruction
of the life they knew before the war. Forgiveness is at best difficult, but
it’s a joy to watch Cornelia overcome her prejudices and grow into a woman who
is capable of living the life to which she’s called.
What I loved most
about this story is that it comes from family history. Tolsma draws upon
stories from her relatives, from the cousin whose husband went to war the day
after the wedding, to the man who survived a group execution, to the copious
interviews and dedicated details, Snow on the Tulips is historical
dramatic romance of high caliber.
The second book
in the series which releases May 2014, Daisies Are Forever, is now
available for pre-order.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Liz Tolsma has lived in Wisconsin most of her life, and she now resides next to a farm field with her husband, their son, and their two daughters. Add a dog and a cat to that mix and there's always something going on at their house. She’s spent time teaching second grade, writing advertising for a real estate company, and working as a church secretary, but she always dreamed of becoming an author. When not busy putting words to paper, she enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping with her family. She'd love to have you visit her at www.liztolsma.com or at www.liztolsma.blogspot.com.
