A Writer's Review of “Daisies are Forever” by Liz Tolsma

{My Review}

Daisies are Forever is the second book in a new WWII series by new author, Liz Tolsma. I really enjoyed the first book, Snow on the Tulips, although I wasn't really into reading books set during WWII. However, these books have changed that. It's been very interesting to learn more about the war that ravaged Europe from the perspectives of characters living in different countries.

The plot of Daiseis are Forever, from what I read of the book's blurb on GoodReads, seemed like one I would enjoy even more than the first, however I never quite felt the same connection to the characters as I did in the first book. I was actually surprised I liked the first book so much back when I read it; it's such a different genre than what I usually read. This book was a well-written, with a good romance involved, and I think anyone looking for a good WWII historical will be pleased and blessed by reading Daisies are Forever.

Daisies are Forever by Liz Tolsma currently has a rating of 4.20 out of 5 stars (from 49 ratings) on Goodreads. I was given a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

This book came out May 6, 2014.


{More About the Book}

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.

{Raving Reviews}

“Daisies Are Forever is a compelling and fast-paced tale about the atrocities and tremendous losses endured by those marked forever by World War II. Recommended for fans of Rosamunde and Robin Pilcher, Kate Morton, and historical romances.” —Library Journal

“Tolsma isn’t afraid to detail the horrors of war as she depicts how tragedies can be obstacles to one's Christian beliefs.” —Romantic Times, 4-star review

“Excellent storytelling, accurate historical reporting and gritty, persevering characters make this WWII-era novel a must-read.” —CBA Retailers + Resources

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/wAD3T 

{About the Author}
 

New York Times best-selling author Liz Tolsma is the author of Daisies are Forever, Snow on the Tulips, and the contributing author of A Log Cabin Christmas. When not busy putting words to paper, Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and children, who were all adopted internationally.

{Connect with Liz}

• Website  
• Facebook   
• Twitter

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One winner will receive: 

~ A Kindle Fire HDX 
~ Daisies are Forever by Liz Tolsma

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 31st. Winner will be announced June 2nd on Liz’s website.

Don’t miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Liz’s website on June 2nd to see if you won.

My Top 7 Reads of 2013

2013 was a tough year for me as a reader. I ended up only reading forty books (due to family sickness, death, more sickness and pregnancy...), which made sifting through them for this post rather easy. In my personal opinion, the seven books which made my list completely outshine the rest by far. There are other books by some of my favorite authors in my TBR pile which I'm sure would have been on this list as well... if I'd read them... but oh well. I'm sure they'll be on the list next year.
    
(They are listed in the order I read them with a link to my review)

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The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah E. Ladd--a stunningly beautiful debut novel!
{Book one of the Whispers on the Moors Series}

Historical Romance, Thomas Nelson

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A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund

Historical Romance, Bethany House

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Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund

Historical Romance, Bethany House

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Burning Sky by Lori Benton--another stunning debut novel!

Historical Romance, Waterbrook Multnomah Books

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Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma--yet another debut novel!

Historical Romance, Thomas Nelson

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Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay--and again, another amazingly poignant debut novel!

Contemporary Romance, Thomas Nelson

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The Headmistress of Rosemere by Sarah E. Ladd
{Book two of the Whispers on the Moors Series}

Historical Romance, Thomas Nelson

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 I couldn't help but notice how very many of these books are debut novels by new authors! I love that! I hope you enjoyed my list and will look up these titles in the coming months! I'd love to hear what you thought of them!

A Writer's Review of “Snow on the Tulips" by Liz Tolsma

{About Snow on the Tulips}

A stranger’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.

Purchase a copy here.

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{My Review}

I love finding 5-star debut novels. They don't come around very often. Almost never, actually. But yeah, Snow on the Tulips happens to be one of them! Liz Tolsma's story and characters captured my attention from the very first page and never let go.

Snow on the Tulips is a story set in the Netherlands during the end of World War II. The main character is Cornelia, a young woman who'd been tragically widowed on the first day of the war... which was also her wedding day. Her spiritual and heart-growth throughout the pages of the book was part of what had me hooked. 

Through reading this book, I learned a lot about what it was like to live during the WWII in Europe, and the stresses involved with doing the right thing concerning standing up against the Nazis and standing up for the Allies and the Jewish people who were in hiding. Cornelia had been locked into a state of fear concerning herself and her loved ones for so long, it took being forced into a spy-ring (opposing the Nazis, of course) in order to see that she needed to wake up and live her life not just for herself, but for the sake of others as well.       

For more reader reviews of Liz Tolsma's Snow on the Tulips follow the Litfuse Blog Tour here: www.litfusegroup.com/author/LTolsma

Snow on the Tulips currently has a rating of 4.21 out of 5 stars (from 61 ratings) on Goodreads. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

  

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{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. She'd love to have you visit her at www.liztolsma.com.

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Liz Tolsma is celebrating the release of her novel, Snow on the Tulips, by giving away an Amazon Reading Pack to one lucky winner. Find out what readers are saying about the book here.

  One winner will receive:

• A $50 Amazon gift card
• Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 16th. Winner will be announced November 18th at Liz's blog. 

 

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Liz's blog on the 18th to see if you won. (Or, better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox! Just enter your email address on the left sidebar of her blog.)

Autumn Brings More Great Picks at COTT

Happy autumn from your friends at

Clash of the Titles!

So, which is your favorite genre? Contemporary or historical?

YA or Women's Fiction?

Please scroll, have a quick read, and vote on which you'd read first. We encourage you to share the contest on your social media sites. Spreading the word about an author's latest novel is the best way to encourage her!

(Voting closes Wednesday, October 2, at midnight.)

RUNNING LEAN
by Diana L. Sharples

Still reeling from the loss of his brother in Afghanistan, Calvin Greenlee pours himself into fixing his motorcycle and spending the rest of his time with his girlfriend, Stacey, who always has the right words to say. But when Stacey starts losing weight--a lot of weight--it is clear she has problems of her own. Calvin is determined to cure hero but could that only push Stacey further into danger?

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RASPBERRIES AND VINEGAR
by Valerie Comer

Outspoken advocate for local food Josephine Shaw moves onto a rundown farm with two friends to prove to the world that she can live sustainably, but a mouse invasion and the cute reluctant farmer next door test her resolve. Zach Nemesek is itching to get back to his easy life in the city, but a Border collie puppy and the woman next door make him wonder if he's better off embracing God's plan for his life--or running from it!

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SNOW ON THE TULIPS
by Liz Tolsma

After the German occupiers kill her husband, the last thing Cornelia de Vries wants is to be involved with the Dutch Resistance. Wounded underground worker Gerrit Laninga brings nothing but danger to her doorstep--and the chance at love she thought had gone forever.

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THE PASTOR'S WIFE WEARS BIKER BOOTS
by Karla Akins

Pastor's wife, Kirstie Donovan, lives life in a fishbowl, so when she hops on the back of a bright pink motorcycle, tongues start to wag at the conservative, century-old First Independent Christian Community Church of Eels Falls. Certain church members have secrets to hide, and when God uses Kirstie's ministry to fill the pews with leather-clad, tattooed bikers, those secrets could be exposed, and some will stop at nothing to hide the truth.

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THIS DANCE
by Jerusha Agen

No love, no pain--no God, no games.
A tragedy three years ago destroyed Nye's rise to the top of the dancing world as an upcoming tango star, making her shut out God and all emotional attachments that could lead to pain, but when a handsome lawyer and elderly landowner enter her new life to make her face the God she canít forgive, will Nye learn to dance again?

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