"The Refrain Within" by Liz Tolsma ... and a GIVEAWAY!

 Welcome to Takeover Tuesday!

Stop by to learn about the book, read my review, and enter to win a copy of the book (US ONLY).

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Friday Reads: The True Colors series (A Dual Giveaway!)

Barbour Publishing has a new series of books coming out in 2019-2020, and I've read the first two books that have been released so far. Barbour has agreed to offer one print copy of each book to one lucky blog reader (US ONLY). You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends June 14, 2019. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.) 

Barbour’s New Fiction Series Highlights True Crime Stories in American History 

Barbour Publishing is pleased to announce the launch of a daring new fiction series not for the faint of heart. True Colors will explore true, riveting stories of American criminal activity layered in historical romantic suspense. This unique 6-book series will kick off in March 2019 with the release of The White City by up-and-coming author Grace Hitchcock. The main character in this fascinating read attempts to uncover the cause of the strange disappearances at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. This true-to-history story is based on the crimes of infamous serial killer H. H. Holmes. Releasing approximately every other month by a talented team of authors, True Colors will satisfy a variety of fiction readers interested in American history, true crime, and romance. Each title and cover will feature a prominent color to tie in perfectly with the series name and create a strong brand presence.

My review...

I enjoy True Crime stories, so I was interested in seeing how Christian fiction would tackle it in this new series, starting with The White City by Grace Hitchcock.

The story is based on H.H. Holmes, a read serial killer who terrorized Chicago during the time of the World’s Fair in 1893. Winnifred Wylde loves romance novels but finds herself playing amateur detective after witnessing what she believes to be a kidnapping. Jude Thorpe, a police detective, is assigned by her father to be her bodyguard as she works undercover as a secretary to investigate the potential suspect. Has she indeed found the killer? Will she end up being the next victim?

I don’t know a lot about this time in history, so I did learn a bit along the way. However, the pace was a bit slower than expected (or preferred). There wasn’t as much suspense as I’d anticipated, especially as it’s based on a real (serial killer) event. At times, the action was spot-on, but it didn’t maintain the pace throughout. When reading books such as this, I enjoy sleuthing out the clues along with the character, but I really wasn’t able to do that with this story. The romance angle was a bit predictable, but it was okay. While this wasn’t exactly my cup of tea, I’m interested in checking out other books in the series as they’re released.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to write a positive review.

Amazon purchase link

 Book Two in the True Colors Series Will Thrill Readers 

How far will a mother go to find out what happened to her child?

Readers who fell in love with book one of the chilling True Colors series will be thrilled to read book two, The Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma. Releasing June 2019, true crime lovers will travel to the Tennessee Children’s Home Society in 1932 where children seem to disappear. Widowed in Memphis during 1932, Cecile Dowd is struggling to provide for her three-year-old daughter. Unwittingly trusting a neighbor puts little Millie Mae into the clutches of Georgia Tann, corrupt Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society director and suspected cause of the disappearance of hundreds of children. With the help of a sympathetic lawyer, the search for Millie uncovers a deep level of corruption that threatens their very lives. 

True, riveting stories of American criminal activity are explored through unique stories of historical, romantic suspense. Collect them all and be inspired by the hope that always finds its way even in the darkest of times.

My review...

I’ve read a few things lately about the “business practices” Georgia Tann engaged in, which are appalling, so I was interested in reading this book (particularly as I’m a fan of Tolsma’s other books).

Cecile wants to do her best to provide for her daughter Millie Mae. As a single mother, it’s challenging to find a job, and Cecile allows her neighbor, Mrs. Ward, to watch Millie on occasion so she can look for a job. Cecile never expected to have her daughter signed away to Georgia Tann, who runs the Tennessee Children’s Home. Cecile is determined to do all she can to get her daughter back. Sadly, Cecile learns that she’s not the only mother to have her child stolen by Miss Tann. Cecile will need help, and attorney Percy Vance seems to fit the bill. However, is it already too late to save Millie?

To begin with, the cover grabbed my attention. It made me even more interested in reading the story. Then, the story grabs the reader even more with Cecile’s love and determination for her daughter Millie Mae (which may remind the reader of God’s love for us). Tann’s practices of trying to re-home children so have a better life are just horrifying and hard to imagine happening in the US. It makes you wonder how many people turned a blind eye to what was going on. The book does have a Christian message throughout, but it doesn’t overpower the story. The characters are well-developed, and the secondary characters are crucial to the plot, as well. It's an emotional read and one that may stick with the reader after the final page.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

Amazon purchase link

Release Schedule for First Four Books:

 March 2019: The White City by Grace Hitchcock Setting: Chicago, IL; 1893 True Crime: Kidnappings at the Chicago World’s Fair http://bit.ly/TCWhiteCity 

June 2019: The Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma Setting: Memphis, TN; 1932 True Crime: Baby snatchers http://bit.ly/ThePinkBonnet

August 2019: The Yellow Lantern by Angie Dicken Setting: Massachusetts, 1824 True Crime: Grave robbers 

January 2020: The Grey Chamber by Grace Hitchcock Setting: New York, 1887 True Crime: Women’s lunatic asylum

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"When the Heart Sings" by Liz Tolsma blog tour ... and a GIVEAWAY!

My review...

Books set in the WWII era are some of my favorite books to read. Tolsma’s latest has a slightly different perspective: Polish Jews and Christians, Polish labor camps, and the way the Polish people suffered under German occupation.

The love between Teodor and Natia is pure and heartwarming. I also really enjoyed the unlikely bond between Natia and Elfriede. The story demonstrates that even in the worst of circumstances, God is always present.

It was very difficult for me to put this book aside, as I couldn’t wait to find out how it ended. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series (fingers crossed that there will be one!).

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

Amazon purchase link

Click here to enter the tour-wide giveaway

About Liz...

Passionate might best describe Liz Tolsma. She loves writing, research, and editing. Her passion shown 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 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.

"The Melody of the Soul" by Liz Tolsma ... and a GIVEAWAY!

Liz Tolsma has graciously offered to give away a copy of her new release. The book can be winner's choice of an ebook or hard copy (US ONLY for hard copy). You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends January 12, 2018. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information.) 

Back cover blurb...

By 1943, Anna Zadok, a Jewish Christian living in Prague, has lost everything, including her career as a concert violinist and almost her entire family. The only person she has left is her beloved grandmother, and she's determined to keep her safe. Protecting Grandmother won't be easy — not with a Nazi officer billeted below them.

Anna must keep a low profile. There's one thing she refuses to give up, though. Despite instruments being declared illegal, Anna defiantly continues to practice her violin. She has to believe that the war will end someday and her career will be waiting. Fortunately for Anna, the officer, Horst Engel, enjoys her soothing music. It distracts him from his dissatisfaction with Nazi ideology and reminds him that beauty still exists in an increasingly world.

When his neighbors face deportation, Horst is moved to risk everything to hide them. Anna finds herself falling in love with the handsome officer and his brave heart. But what he reveals to her might break her trust and stop the music forever…

Link to my review on the RT Bookreviews website...

(I rated it 4.5 stars - TOP PICK!)

My thoughts in a nutshell...

If you only have time to read a few books this year, be sure Tolsma's latest is on your list! Yes, it's that good! It's really setting a high standard for the other books I review this year. It is such an emotional read and hard to put down. It's sad to see the story come to an end, and I can't wait for the sequel. It's amazing to see how the author can weave together the beauty and evil in such a way that you can still see God's love in the middle of it all.

Some of my favorite quotes...

• "Cling to your memories, yes. They are good, a blessing from the Lord. But if you allow the past to weigh you down, you cannot move forward. You have to deal with the present and reach for the future."
• "Don't judge him by the uniform he wears, but by the kind of person he is underneath."
• "You're dwelling on things you can't change. Focus on what you can."

About Liz...

Passionate might best describe Liz Tolsma. She loves writing, research, and editing. Her passion shown 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 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.

a Rafflecopter giveaway