Showing posts with label Liz Tolsma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Liz Tolsma. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Review: A Joyful Christmas by Cynthia Hickey, Liz Johnson, Vickie McDonough, Liz Tolsma, Carrie Turansky, Erica Vetsch



My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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Synopsis

A Christmas Collection to Warm the Heart
Grab a warm cup of tea and watch as romance is kindled and joy is restored to broken lives during six bygone era Christmas celebrations.
 
A Christmas Castle by Cynthia Hickey
Married by proxy in Missouri, Annie Morgan sets off for Tombstone, Arizona, to join her new husband as a cattle rancher. But too soon she finds herself a widow with an unexpected daughter and butting heads with her handsome neighbor.
 
A Star in the Night
by Liz Johnson
Wounded within Confederate territory, Union officer Jedediah Harrington finds refuge at the tiny cabin of Cora Sinclair and her grandfather. Still haunted by what she saw as a battlefield hospital volunteer, Cora finds that only Jed can understand. But, though she longs to give him her heart, the risks to both of them are too great.
 
An Irish Bride for Christmas by Vickie McDonough
When Jackson Lancaster’s brother and wife die, he takes his three-year-old niece home. But a meddling busy-body makes the judge give her custody “because an unmarried man shouldn’t raise a little girl.” Now Jackson has until Christmas to find a bride or lose his niece forever. Larkin Doyle is grateful her employer took in the orphan and believes Jackson abandoned his niece. When her heart says otherwise, will romance blossom? 
 
Under His Wings by Liz Tolsma
Adie O’Connell, orphaned and left alone in a dangerous Wisconsin logging camp, seeks the stability she once knew when both her parents lived. Despite the compassion and friendship offered by Noah “Preacher Man” Mitchell, she refuses to consider marriage to a man always drifting from one job to another for God.
 
Shelter in the Storm by Carrie Turansky
The daughter of a wealthy Tennessee doctor, Rachel Thornton begins nursing James Galloway, a wounded artist-war correspondent. As James recovers, their hearts draw closer together. Having already lost one sweetheart to the war, Rachel is hesitant to reveal her feelings for James, who insists on returning to the front lines. Would she be safer in the arms of another man?
 
Christmas Service by Erica Vetsch
Beth Sorensen has been put in charge of the Christmas pageant at the little log church, and this year she wants something different. But she didn’t count on a Minnesota blizzard paralyzing the whole town. Can the blacksmith teach this preacher’s daughter about what it means to serve one another in love through the storm?


My Review

What's better than a Christmas novella? A collection of them! This one features several authors I enjoy, and I found all the stories to be engaging and heartwarming. I love reading Christmas stories any time of the year, and being able to feel that special holiday spirit that is inspiring and uplifting. These are all historical settings, with compelling plots and relatable characters. Perfect for binge reading or spreading out over a busy time of life, with quick access to a happy ending.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.



Monday, November 26, 2018

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: When the Heart Sings by Liz Tolsma


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Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for When the Heart Sings by Liz Tolsma, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

When the Heart Sings-FINAL-front_cover_020518a-HR Title: When the Heart Sings  
Series: Music of Hope #2  
Author: Liz Tolsma  
Publisher: Gilead Publishing  
Release Date: October 9, 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance  

Natia has a secret, and she’s hiding him right beneath her captor’s nose...

The Nazis have forced Natia and Teodor from their Polish farm to a labor camp. When the couple is separated, Natia is chosen to be the housekeeper for the camp’s overseer, and Teodor is sent to work in the factory. Despite the strict camp rules—and the consequences for disobeying them—Natia finds a way to communicate with Teodor by sending messages through song as she passes Teodor’s dormitory.

The stakes get higher when Natia finds a Jewish orphan on the overseer’s doorstep. She is determined to protect the boy and raise him as the child she and her husband were unable to bear— but if her German captors discover how much she’s hiding, both she and Teodor may pay the ultimate price.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Christian Book | Book Depository

EXCERPT

Lebensraum. Living space for the Germans, colonists who would push out and enslave the native Slavs.

By all outward appearances, the Lord had forsaken them. Taken their children and their food. They had to produce more and more to stay alive. Made it impossible for him to care for his family. Now they were about to take their farm. Their livelihood. The letter from the Germans lay unopened on the cracked and faded kitchen counter. He didn’t have to read the contents to know what it said. But he couldn’t tell her.

“Teodor?” She touched the back of his hand, and a tingle raced
up his arm.

“What?”

“You grew so quiet. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Everything.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR

liz tolsma

Passionate might best describe Liz Tolsma. She loves writing, research, and editing. Her passion shone through in her first novel which was a double award finalist. On any given day, you might find her pulling weeds in her perennial garden, walking her hyperactive dog, or curled up with a good book. Nothing means more to her than her family. She's married her high-school sweetheart twenty-eight years ago. Get her talking about international adoption, and you might never get her to stop. She and her husband adopted three children, including a son who is a U.S. Marine, and two daughters.

CONNECT WITH LIZ: website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

when the heart sings blog giveaway

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive (US only)
  • a print copy of When the Heart Sings
  • 'Just One More Chapter' throw pillow seen HERE
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight November 26, 2018 and last through 11:59pm December 3, 2018. US only. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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Wednesday, April 15, 2015

E-book sale: 99 cents for Daisies are Forever by Liz Tolsma


http://www.amazon.com/Daisies-Are-Forever-Liz-Tolsma-ebook/dp/B00GUTB0KO/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=

Only 99 cents for the e-book of Daisies are Forever by Liz Tolsma. This one is on my to-read list since her previous book was excellent!
(Be sure to check the price since e-books sales are for a limited time)

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

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.

However, Ella is a nurse and refuses to leave, sending her young daughters with Gisela. During their journey, Gisela meets Mitch Edwards, an escaped British POW. She pretends she is his wife in order to preserve his safety among other Germans, especially one wounded German soldier, Kurt, who has suspicions about Mitch's identity. Kurt also has feelings for Gisela and tries to uncover the truth about her "marriage."

Their journey to Gisela's mother in Berlin is riddled with tragedy and hardship, but they strive to keep Ella's daughters safe so they can reunite with their mother. During the journey Gisela and Mitch begin to develop feelings for one another beyond friendship. They reach Berlin, but their struggles are far from over. Gisela and Mitch must learn to live for the day and find hope in the darkest of circumstances.

In this moving, historically accurate portrayal of WWII Germany, the characters learn that, even with destruction all around them, some things last forever.


Monday, May 12, 2014

Review: Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma

Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma

My rating: 5 stars / it was amazing!

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis from goodreads.com

In a time of unprecedented darkness and fear, Cornelia must decide if saving a stranger’s life is worth risking her own.

In the twilight of the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands, the Germans have taken everything Cornelia had to give, even what was most precious to her. Now Gerrit Laninga—a man who puts God and country above all else—arrives at her house, needing help. She is terrified for herself and terrified for her family, but most of all, terrified of the pain she might feel again if she allows herself to love Gerrit. Her hope is to be free from her paralyzing fear.

Gerrit is a known and hunted Dutch Resistance member. When he comes to Cornelia’s home for shelter, he’s drawn to her strength and kindness. When he asks her to contact the local Resistance on his behalf, she refuses. Gerrit is determined to find a way to continue his underground work without putting Cornelia or her family in harm’s way.

When things start to unravel and Gerrit’s life depends on her actions, she must summon her courage and learn to depend on the perfect love that drives out all fear. But will her new love be snatched away before it has a chance to bloom?


My Review

When I read the afterword at the end of this novel and learned that some of the circumstances are based on real events from the lives of the author's ancestors, I appreciated it all the more for bringing to life the intensity of living in a Nazi-occupied country. While there is anxiety, pain, fear, loss, and grief, the author also successfully portrayed hope, familial bonds, patriotism, compassion, and love. I felt like I was on the edge of my seat, wondering what direction the story would go. The spiritual growth of the characters is inspiring. The point in the novel where I became the most emotional was when Cornelia and Gerrit sing together the hymn "We Gather Together". The words are so profound and apply to their struggles so well. I highly recommend this book, and look forward to reading the author's new release, Daisies are Forever.

(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Giveaway!!! Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma

I'm so excited to be participating in this giveaway hosted by Jo, My Gosh! I'm giving away a new paperback copy of Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma, set in the Netherlands during WW2.

Other prizes the winner of this giveaway will receive are...
a $15 gift card to Starbucks from Katherine at The Newsom's Nest
a month of ad space at The Artisan Life
$10 credit to the Etsy shop Stalking the Wild Snark
Month of the Telephone Call on Jo, My Gosh!


a Rafflecopter giveaway