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Sara Ella

November 15, 2013

Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma

Plus a LitFuse “Amazon Reader Pack” Giveaway!

snow tulips

Purchase from Amazon

Snow on the Tulips, by Liz Tolsma, is a tale rich with history, singing the message that goodness and justice will be victorious over fear and oppression in the end.

Set in the 1945, Nazi-invaded Netherlands, Snow on the Tulips is a portrait of a time when Dutch people were starved, enslaved, and murdered. It was a time when freedom was merely a memory for some and an unlikely dream for others. It was a time when the simple act of doing the right thing cost so many their very lives.

Cornelia de Vries just wants to keep a low profile. If the Gestapo found out about her younger brother, Johan, he would be taken from her, just like her husband Hans was. If she can just keep her head down until the war is over, everything will be fine.

Leave it to Johan to bring home a wounded Dutch Resistance worker, turning Cornelia’s world upside down. Helping Gerrit could cost Cornelia and Johan their lives and what little freedom they have left, but she can’t just let the man die. With the help of their sister Anki, Cornelia and Johan hide Gerrit, caring for him as he recovers from a wound that should have taken his life. As Cornelia and Gerrit begin to form a friendship, the two start to find love in the most unexpected place. Can Cornelia open her heart to another man after what happened to her beloved husband? Will Gerrit love again despite his haunted past? Snow on the Tulips will remind you of the true meaning of victory over fear. It has been said over and over that “love conquers all”—Snow on the Tulips is the perfect example of this very truth, that in the midst of tragedy and sorrow, there is One greater that he who is in the world. One whose love and strength is the single thing we can depend on through hardship and trouble.

What I liked…

I truly enjoyed Snow on the Tulips for its unique setting and true-to-life characters. I love the World War II era, but have never read a story set in the Netherlands during this time. I felt like I was getting a history lesson (an enjoyable one) while also receiving the entertainment that comes along with reading a good novel. I felt that Liz’s characters were flawed and very human. I liked that within their faith in Elohim (God) there were also real struggles and doubts that people deal with every day.

Liz’s character Cornelia has spent her life building walls for herself. She has lived in constant fear. Her struggle to protect Johan as well as to keep Gerrit at a safe distance was very natural to me. Every chapter had a goal, motivation, and conflict, the very building blocks for any well-written novel. I must applaud Liz for her thorough research when planning Snow on the Tulips. I liked how she included a glossary of Dutch and German terms at the beginning so that I, the reader, would understand what the characters were saying. Her use of these terms throughout Snow on the Tulips flowed in a natural and authentic way. I could actually hear the characters accents in my head as they conversed.

Finally, the cover of Snow on the Tulips was what truly drew me. They say not to judge a book by its cover, but in the end the cover is what first catches my eye. If I don’t like a book’s cover then I am usually not motivated to find out more about it. Thanks to the cover designer for peaking my interest in Snow on the Tulips at first sight.

Recommendation…

I recommend Snow on the Tulips to history buffs and romance enthusiasts alike. This book has a little something for everyone. From action and suspense to the testing of faith, Snow on the Tulips will leave you a loyal reader, anxiously awaiting Liz Tolsma’s next book, Daisies Last Forever.

About the Author…

Liz_TolsmaLiz 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.

*Author bio provided by LitFuse Publicity Group

You can learn more about Liz Tolsma by visiting her website at www.liztolsma.com, or by connecting with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Snow on the Tulips “Amazon Reader Pack” Giveaway from Liz Tolsma!

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.

snowtulips-rafflecopter

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.)

 

Disclosure:

I received a copy of Snow on the Tulips from LitFuse Publicity Group. I was not asked to write a positive review. All views and opinions expressed are solely and completely my own. I received no compensation other than a digital copy of the book featured in this post, which is mine to keep. This post also contains affiliate links. To learn more, please read my full policy.

Copyright © 2013 SaraElla.com

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1st Place ~ ACFW Genesis Contest 2014 ~ YA Category

1st Place ~ ACFW Genesis Contest 2014 ~ YA Category

1st Place in the Young Adult Category for 2013!

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About Me

Once upon a time, Sara Ella brought dreams to life as a Disney cast member, wishing for the day she’d find her prince and live in a castle of her own. Now she spends her days homeschooling her three Jedi in training, braving the Arizona summers, and reminding her superhero husband that it's almost Christmas (even if it's only January). Sara is the award-winning author of The Wonderland Trials, Coral, and the Unblemished trilogy. She is old enough for fairy tales and believes happily ever after is never far away. Read More…

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