SNOW ON THE TULIPS - Liz Tolsma - One Free Book

Welcome, Liz. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

Each of my characters has a little bit of me sprinkled into them. I’ve never been caught up in a war, but I can relate to their fear, their hopelessness, their need for redemption. We can all empathize with them and where they are in their spiritual journey and the struggles along the way.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Boy, this is tough. I’m not a very quirky person. It would have to be asking my cat what the quirkiest thing is I’ve ever done!

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I’ve always loved making up stories. When I was in 5th grade, I had a great teacher who taught us how to write. I remember writing a tall tale that was super fun because I could let my imagination go wild.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love historicals, romances of all kinds, anything sweet and uplifting.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

It’s difficult, especially with two teenagers and a special needs child. These years will fly past and soon these days will be nothing but memories. In fact, my oldest has left the nest and is at Marine boot camp right now. This season in my life won’t last forever and I need to cherish these moments – no matter how crazy life gets! We also have a cabin in central Wisconsin that we love. No TV, no internet, no outside world. It’s a great place to get away, slow down, and appreciate all of the blessings the Lord has given us.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I choose names that I like, that don’t have a bad connotation to them, and that I won’t get tired of by the end of the book. I try to make them as authentic to the time period as possible. Because some of my books are set in different countries, I work to choose names that reflect that country but are still easy for English speakers to pronounce.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I am so proud of my son and all that he has overcome in his life. He is growing into a fine young man with good goals and plans for his future. But this isn’t my accomplishment, or my husband’s. This is all the Lord’s doing. Without His work in my son’s life, he wouldn’t be where he is today.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

This discussion comes up in my family with alarming frequency! I would be the pampered indoor cat of an old woman with no grandchildren. I could sleep all day, no one would bother me, and I wouldn’t have to go into the cold to do my business.

What is your favorite food?

Um...didn’t have to think about this one. CHOCOLATE.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? 

Time was my biggest problem. I homeschooled our kids for six years which gave me little to no time to write. At one point, I called my agent to quit, but she encouraged me to keep at it and not to worry if I didn’t submit anything to her for a while. I got my first contract three weeks after I sent all of the kids to school. The Lord’s timing was perfect.

Yes, it is. That’s one of the most important lessons for a Christian author to learn. Tell us about the featured book.

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 and learn to depend on the Perfect Love that drives out all fear? Or will her new love be snatched away before it has a chance to bloom?

Please give us the first page of the book.

The province of Friesland, Netherlands

February 1945

            “Schnell, schnell.” A German solider jammed the cold, hard barrel of his rifle into Gerrit Laninga’s back.

Gerrit’s heart throbbed against his ribs like waves against a dike. Any minute now, it would burst through his chest, splitting open as it flopped to the ground.

            He scrambled to keep pace with the nine other Dutch Resistance workers in front of him. If he fell behind, the Germans would shoot him on the spot. Not that it mattered one way or the other.

            Gerrit was on his way to his execution.

            Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up. The words of Psalm 56 that he had memorized long ago. I know, Father, what awaits me on the other side of the bullet. But if it be Your will, let this cup pass from me.

           

The smell of boiled cabbage wafted on the early evening air as people finished their suppers. He sensed their pitying stares as they hid behind their lace curtains, peeping out to spy on the men marching to their deaths. Behind closed doors, these people whispered, wondering what crimes the men had committed to be executed in this way. Tomorrow morning, they would talk about it around their breakfast tables.

            He would not be here in the morning.

I can’t wait to read this story. How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’m at http://www.liztolsma.com/;  Facebook; Twitter @LizTolsma; and on Pinterest under Liz Tolsma.

Thank you, Liz, for sharing your book and life with us.

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Snow on the Tulips - Christianbook.com
Snow on the Tulips - Amazon.com
Snow on the Tulips - Kindle

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