Welcome back, Liz. Why
do you write the kind of books you do?
I’ve always been intrigued with WWII, especially since I’ve
had family members have to endure the horrors of the war. It’s important to
tell these stories before those who lived them die out. Me, my children, and
future generations need to understand the preciousness and cost of our freedom.
Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
There are 4 of them – when I married my high school
sweetheart and when we adopted each of our three children. There is no feeling
like it in the world!
How has being
published changed your life?
It has changed it in ways I never imagined. I’m so much busier
with marketing and with juggling having to write another book at the same time.
One unexpected avenue is that of speaking. In the past year or so, I’ve been
speaking up to 3 times a month and have even begun to do some traveling with
it. I enjoy it much more than I would have ever thought. It’s also crazy when
someone recognizes me and gets excited to meet little old me!
What are you reading
right now?
I’m reading Blitz
Diary as research for my next series. No fun reading for me until I get
this next book written!
What is your current
work in progress?
It’s another WWII series that follows three American women
journalists in Europe . The first book is set
in London
during the Blitz. The heroine is a feisty reporter doing everything she can to
get noticed.
What would be your
dream vacation?
I’m blessed to have taken my dream vacation – a Caribbean
cruise. I was pampered, enjoyed warm weather, ate good food. What’s not to love
about that? We’re hoping we can perhaps take another cruise, this time to Alaska .
James and I have done
two Caribbean cruises and hope to do an Alaska one, but it hasn’t happened yet.
How do you choose your settings for each book?
I like to find WWII stories that aren’t very well known, so
the setting comes along with the story. I love exploring different countries
along the way.
I have an aunt who
was an army nurse in Germany
at the time Hitler fell. She has shared stories and pictures with me. If you
could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be
and why?
My husband! I’ve been traveling and he’s been busy at work,
so it’s been a while since we’ve had a date. We really need one!
What are your
hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I love to garden and can’t wait until it’s warm enough for
me to get my hands back in the dirt. We also enjoy camping and kayaking. We’re
disappointed that we didn’t get to snowshoe at all this winter. We had the
cold, but not the snow.
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Just finding the time and motivation to write can be
difficult. I turn off the internet and make myself do it, giving myself little
rewards for meeting goals along the way, like a cup of tea or coffee when I
reach 1000 words.
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Write as much as you can, learn as much as you can, and read
as much as you can.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Interred by the Japanese, missionary Irene Reynolds comes
across a mysterious note while working at the censor’s office. She memorizes
the parts she must black out and delivers it to wealthy nightclub owner Rand
Sterling. Before she knows what’s happening, she’s drawn into a web of secrets
and danger.
Rand Sterling wants nothing more than to reopen his
nightclubs once the war ends. But slimy Frank Covey wants his hand in the
till—and has news that could threaten Rand ’s
reputation if it became public. More importantly, beautiful and intriguing
Irene Reynolds cannot discover this information if he expects to persuade her
to become his wife.
When Irene is attacked by a sinister Japanese guard and
their secrets are exposed, they must learn the true meaning of forgiveness—if
they can stave off starvation until the American troops bring freedom.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Prologue
December 8, 1941
The cool breeze off Manila Bay
swept around Rand Sterling as he maneuvered his red Mercedes Sports Roadster
convertible down Dewey Boulevard ,
past large Italianate homes and Spanish-style mansions much like his own. They
were all on his right. On his left, coconut trees waved their fronds in the
wind, and they were accented by the blue of the bay. Salt scented the air, and
he took a deep breath, unable to keep a wide smile from spreading across his
face. The beautiful woman in the seat beside him, Peggy Brambly, laughed as a
gust tugged at the brightly colored scarf on her head.
“Can you go any faster?”
Faster, yes, faster.
Rand pressed down a bit on the accelerator, the
needle on the speedometer inching up. “Better?”
She sat back against the black leather seat, her
cream-colored face lifted to the sun. “I’ve looked forward to this picnic all
week. Then you had to break our date . . .”
“Nightclubs don’t run themselves, you know. Something came
up at the Azure.”
“Or someone.”
“Comes with being the boss.” He grinned at her.
“No matter.” She waved a manicured hand. “We’re going now.”
That’s the only reason he took Peggy places from time to
time. She understood that he wasn’t a one-woman man. Not since Catherine. Peggy
made no demands on him, and he appreciated that.
He steered around a slow-moving carromatas, a two-wheeled carriage towed by a single horse, and
through the heavy traffic, Studebakers, Packards, and Nashes clogging the roads
even at this early hour. Turning onto the side streets, they passed Filipina
women in striped skirts and white blouses with full sleeves selling mangoes, camotes or sweet potatoes, and other
produce along with such Filipino treats as cassava cake and a steamed rice cake
known as puto.
“I was afraid you’d cancel again after I heard about Pearl Harbor . Nasty business, that. At least it’s far
away from us.”
A bit of Rand ’s own
lightness evaporated with Peggy’s words. The Japanese had launched a surprise
attack on Hawaii
just hours ago. Yes, for now it was far away. But for how long? What was in
store for them? MacArthur had promised to protect them. Rand
had to trust in that.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
website www.liztolsma.com/
facebook www.facebook.com/liz.tolsma/
pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/liztolsma/
blog same as websiteThank you, Liz, for sharing some of your life and this new book with me and my readers.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Remember the Lilies - Christianbook.com
Remember the Lilies - Amazon paperback
Remember the Lilies - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
32 comments:
Great interview with Liz! I would love to read a print copy of REMEMBER THE LILIES.
Caryl in TEXAS
Great interview! Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance to win1
Beth in Montana
I love World War II era stories and Liz's books are on my wish list! Thank you so much for sharing this great interview and giveaway.
Britney Adams, TX
I really enjoy reading books set during WW2. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Rose M. in Arkansas
This sounds intriguing! I'd love to read it and I know my sister would too. (She loves anything WWII.)
J.C. -Indiana-
Hello from Texas. Thanks lena for having Liz here. I do want to win her book so bad. Sounds so good and love stories about WW ll since my brother served then and I remember then. I've never been lucky on this blog tho, or didn't see the winner's list. Enjoyed this interview. Thanks and GOD bless you both.
Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
I love WWII stories and have never read Mrs. Tolsma' s books before so I'd love to win one. -Laurel from GA.
Hi, Caryl! Great to see you here. Thanks for the kind words.
Hi, Beth! Hope you enjoy the book!
I've always loved WWII, also, Britney. Hope you enjoy the books!
There are so many good WWII books out there now, Rose. I hope you enjoy mine!
J.C., I hope both you and your sister get a chance to read my books, and I hope you like them!
Where did your brother serve, Maxie? My son is a US Marine. We owe so much to those who fight to protect our country.
Great interview. I love Liz's books. I have read Remember the Lilies in e-book but would love to win a print copy. I live in Texas.
I always like stories from the WWII time period!
-Melissa from TN
A fascinating time period & story thank you.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I just wanted to say that whoever wins Remember the Lilies is in for an awesome read. Liz Tolsma is a remarkable author and her books are all well researched. I have read all her books and can hardly wait until another book releases with her name on it.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W. from Indiana
This sounds like an interesting book! Have not heard about it until now; thank you for the opportunity to win!
This one's been on my wishlist! Danielle in Indiana
Since I like stories set in WW2, I am looking forward to reading this one! Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
Loraine in TX
Great interview! Love reading books set during WWII. I read Daisies are Forever and it was awesome. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of Remember the Lilies.
Karen G.
Thanks for the interview with Liz. Her books are on my wish list. Her World War II books sound very interesting and I like that they are based at least somewhat on real stories. I'd love to win Remember the Lilies. Thanks for the chance.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
Kansas
I enjoy historical fiction and would love to read your book about WW II. Sm. CA. wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
I was privileged to interview a WWII vet for our local newspaper's Veterans Day feature. The man dealt with secret codes in the army. He told me his whole story, showed me pictures of his time in the service and at the very end of the interview said, "But you can't print any of that." 60+ years after the war had ended and he still did not feel he could break his silence.
Love the premise of this book and would definitely enjoy reading it.
Pam in Ohio
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway, SC.
Sounds like a great book! Thanks so much for the giveaway! Sydney harries GA
Hi Liz & Lena! I really enjoyed Snow on the Tulips and look forward to reading the rest of this series! I'm also excited to hear about your new series that you're working on now!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
Lots of great WWII releases recently, thanks for the interview and chance to win.
Patty in SC
Thanks for the chance to win, I have been wanting to read a book by this author for a while now.
Rebecca in Oregon
I love World War II books and the cover is so pretty!
Beth from IA
Looks awesome! Please enter me!
Blanch, NC
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