Anna has one chance for survival—and it lies in the hands of her mortal enemy.
Excited to introduce Liz Tolsma’s The Melody of the Soul and the chance to get to know a few of her characters. Plus, stay tuned for a Rafflecopter giveaway of Liz’s book, as well as winners from last week’s multi-author giveaway!
About The Melody of the Soul
It’s 1943 and Anna Zadok, a Jewish Christian living in Prague, has lost nearly everything. Most of her family has been deported, and the Nazi occupation ended her career as a concert violinist. Now Anna is left to care for her grandmother, and she’ll do anything to keep her safe—a job that gets much harder when Nazi officer Horst Engel is quartered in the flat below them.
Though musical instruments have been declared illegal, Anna defiantly continues to play the violin. But Horst, dissatisfied with German ideology, enjoys her soothing music. When Anna and her grandmother face deportation, Horst risks everything to protect them.
Anna finds herself falling in love with the handsome officer and his brave heart. But what he reveals might stop the music forever.
Why does Horst love art?
He’s a very creative person. He understands and appreciates beauty, whether it’s in music, architecture, or drawing. It’s God’s gift to him, and he uses it.
What drew him to it in the first place?
His troubled past was haunting him. He knew what he’d done when he was young was very wrong. Like King Saul in the Bible, he was tormented, and the music and the architecture took him away from his demons and brought beauty back into his life.
How does Anna remind Horst of his mother?
Her gentle spirit, her love of music and all thing beautiful, her kind her. All of these are traits that Anna shares with Horst’s mother.
What are you working on next?
I just finished book two of the series, What the Heart Sings, which comes out in August. That one is set in Poland. Next up is book three with the working title of The Music Within. That one takes place in Hungary.
Thanks for coming, Liz, and for telling us about your book and your next projects! I’ve just received my copy of The Melody of the Soul and can’t wait to start reading! Readers, here’s a chance to learn more and Liz and to enter a giveaway for a copy of her latest book.
About Liz Tolsma
Liz Tolsma is the author of several WWII novels and prairie romance novellas. The Rails to Love collection released in October 2016. The Matchmaker Brides collection releases in February 2017, and her next WWII novel, The Melody of the Soul, is scheduled to release in April 2017. She is a popular speaker and an editor. She has lived in Wisconsin most of her life, and she now resides next to a farm field with her husband and their two daughters. Her son proudly serves as a U.S. Marine. They adopted all of their children internationally, and one has special needs. When not busy putting words to paper, she enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping with her family. Please visit her blog, The Story behind the Story, at www.liztolsma.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter (@LizTolsma), and LinkedIn. She is also a regular contributor to the Pencildancer blog and the Midwest Almanac blog.
Connect with Liz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liz.tolsma.9
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LizTolsma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-tolsma-64992ab7?trk=hp-identity-name
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/liztolsma/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorliztolsma/
Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaj5gp7Yvk4
Buy Links
Giveaway Details:
- No purchase necessary to enter the giveaway.
- Giveaway runs from Friday, January 26, 2018, to Thursday, February 1, 2018.
- Winner will be contacted via email.
Click the link below to enter the giveaway:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bde8b9369/?
Multi-author book winners from last week:
- Breanna P. — won Sharlene MacLaren’s Their Daring Hearts.
- Becky S. — won Joyce Valdois Smith’s Grandpa Forgot My Name.
- Brenda M. — won Daisy Townsend’s Sarah’s Legacy, an e-book.
- Connie S. — won Pegg Thomas’s A Bouquet of Brides Collection (my story being “In Sheep’s Clothing”).
Congratulations, winners!!! You have been contacted via email.
Now this book sounds fascinating! My two favorite books when I first became a Christian were the Hiding Place, and Hansi, the Girl who Loved the Swastika. I still am fascinated with that aspect of WWII, and this story calls to me. Great stuff!
Thanks for letting us know your two favorite books, Cat! I love The Hiding Place, and have never read Hansi—what an interesting title!
Hansi is a wonderful story. She joined the Hitler Youth not understanding what Nazi-ism was all about. When the war ended she married a former officer who was also disillusioned, and they had to flee Germany together. Very exciting flight on foot! They both ended up getting saved and went into ministry. The woman’s name is Maria Anne Hirschmann. Wonderful book. If you can’t find a copy I can loan you mine.
So good to hear what you’re up to, Liz – this novel sounds wonderful. I’m glad you’re writing about the “forgotten countries” and how their people suffered during WWII.
I don’t know what would compel me. In hindsight, I could see that helping Jews escape would be the right thing to do. But at that time? In that place? When everyone is being watched? And you know the consequences? I really don’t know if I would have it in me. I would wish I did.
It does make it a challenge to consider, doesn’t it? Appreciate your sharing, Arletta. Thank you for stopping by!
Loved reading the interview with Liz. I think it would be hard to help my enemy but God has told us to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to be salt and light and to love the unlovely. So I would remember what God’s word says and that he wants us to be doers of the word and not just hearers.
Great truth, Merry! Thank you for this reminder. Glad you enjoyed the interview!
What would compel me? I’m not sure. In hindsight, of course I would want to say that I would have helped Jews escape. But at that time? In that place? I’m not sure if I would have been brave enough to risk my life. I would want to say I would but I don’t know.
I agree that “Hansi, The Girl Who Loved the Swantika” is an excellent book, as well as “The Hiding Place”!
As to the comment answer, a small kindness might be easy, as giving a drink, or a desperate life and death situation would compel me to aid an enemy.
It’s the small things that tend to go a long way in making an impression. Thanks for commenting!
Opps, I meant Swastika…sorry.
No worries!