Book Review: Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolzma

Book Review of Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma

Thomas Nelson’s WWII author

Harper Collins Christian

August 2013

Amazon
Barnes 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.

Gisela must hold on to hope and love despite all odds in the midst of a war-torn country.

Gisela Cramer is an American living in eastern Germany with her cousin Ella Reinhardt. When the Red Army invades, they must leave their home to escape to safety in Berlin.

  

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.

Book Review: Christmas story for any time by Tamera Kraft

Review: A Christmas Promise

Tamera Lynn Kraft

Pelican, November 2013

Purchase Kindle: .99

Purchase Nook: .99

During colonial times, John and Anna settle in an Ohio village to become Moravian missionaries to the Lenni Lenape people. When John is called away two days before Christmas to help at another settlement, he promises he’ll be back by Christmas Day.

When he doesn’t show up, Anna works hard to not fear the worst while she provides her children with a traditional Moravian Christmas.

Through it all, she discovers a Christmas promise that will give her the peace she craves.

My Review:

Lovingly crafted tale of life on the American frontier, pre-Revolutionary War. Traditional Moravian Christmas customs make this story of a young mother’s apprehension over her husband’s potentially dangerous mission to share the gospel with the transported Lenape tribe is an excellent example for us today.

Gathering branches to set on a wooden form and decorating them with beribboned white candles and Scripture verses is picturesque.

How we work out our fears while professing Christ and giving thanks in all circumstances isn’t always easy. Alone with their three young daughters and expecting again, who could blame Anna for fearing for the safety of her husband?

Already unhappy over their move from their comfortable and safe home in Pennsylvania, Anna must come to terms with more disturbing news about her husband’s mission trip when a friend tells her unexpected news that makes her think John lied.

Expecting to be gone only a day or two before Christmas, John considers his life, the loss of their first-born son, and his wife’s irrational fears and with the help of his Lenape friend, his role as husband.

Told through the eyes of both Anna and John, the story within, that of converted Lenape witnessing to their kin, the matter of obedience and custom play nicely with the theme of trust, which is the framework of this special holiday book.

Although written for Christmas, A Christmas Promise is a great trip back in time and a challenge for the faithful of today, any time of the year.

Teresa Slack, Runaway Heart, Book Drawing

Teresa Slack and RUNAWAY HEART

Teresa is offering an e copy of the book to one commenter chosen at random on Thursday, March 13, noon Central Time.

About the Book: Running at the first sign of opposition is nothing new to Kyla Parrish. She’s never held onto a relationship for more than a few months, and she’s quit more jobs than most people apply for. Until Will Lachland. He’s the first man who ever made her think of getting serious about something, about putting down roots. He seems like a dream come true, but like every other man she’s ever met, he expects more than she’s willing to give.

Kyla is determined not to end up like her mother with a string of bad relationships and dead end jobs behind her, but she can’t find a balance between trusting someone with her heart and losing control of her life. But she’s tired of running. Running from life and running from love.

A new man and a new life on the farm where she spent her childhood summers seem like the answer to her prayers. But things are never as simple as they seem. Her heart yearns for love and security. Can she find it even though she can’t forget Will? Or is something else, something greater, calling her heart toward home? 

ISBN: 978-0615958958

Paperback: $11.69

Buy the Print Book

Teresa, what do you love about this book? 

Only one thing is a tough choice. I really empathize with Kyla. She came from a broken home and is terrified of perpetuating her experiences on any future family she may have. She has a huge heart but is afraid of exposing it to loss. I love her plain, matter of fact Grandpa Max and his simplistic, yet wise way of looking at the world.

How did you research for your subject? 

When I decided to use freshwater shrimp in my setting, it was just a quick Google search. I found a small shrimp farm in a neighboring county and gave the lady a call. She was the inspiration behind the shrimp sale and barbeque Kyla organizes in the book. It was a fun topic to include and hopefully one that will stand out in readers’ minds.

Shrimp farming in Ohio?

Small family owned farms are shrinking or disappearing throughout Ohio. I wanted to explore viable options for farmers looking to create additional income. And of course, I’d never read a book about shrimp farming either. Investigating and learning about it was fun.

 Tell us one thing you learned during the writing and publishing process. Books don't get written by sitting around talking about writing. It's work. It takes a lot of time and discipline. Both of those things I don't often have. But any of us can find the time if we want it badly enough.

What do you hope readers will tell others when they finished your book? My vanity hopes they'll tell friends it's the best book they ever read. But other than that... I hope they are encouraged through Kyla journey and want to share that encouragement with others.

Tell us one thing about your heroine that may or may not have come out in the book.

She never told anyone, but she always dreamed of being part of a big family. She’s afraid of making the same mistakes as her parents and hurting any children she might bring into the world. It easier to avoid the whole situation than figure out a way to break the cycle. Though she’ll never admit it, she’s not as courageous as she likes to think

Why did you decide to self-publish?

Life is short. Over the last few years I’d gotten so far away from writing, I didn’t even feel like a writer anymore. I hated that feeling. I don’t want to be a busy person who writes books. I want to be a busy writer. I’m tired of spinning my wheels waiting for something to happen in my writing career. If it’s going to happen, I have to make it happen.

About the Author:

Teresa Slack began creating stories and characters about the time she learned to hold a pencil. Her first novel, Streams of Mercy, won the Bay Area Independent Publishers’ Assn award for Best First Novel. The third book in her Jenna’s Creek Series, Evidence of Grace, debuted nationwide according to Christian Retailing Magazine. Her latest novel is Runaway Heart.

She grew up in rural southern Ohio, which provides the background for much of her writing. Her down-to-earth characters and writing style have endeared her to readers and reviewers alike. Teresa believes people who think nothing ever happens in a small town just aren’t paying attention. She loves writing in many genres, especially suspense, mystery and romance with a touch of humor stirred in. Someday she even hopes to write a historical.  

Website  

Amazon author page  

Facebook Author Page