- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 6, 2014)
- ISBN-13: 978-1401689124
- Also available in KINDLE format
SYNOPSIS:
In the final days of Nazi Germany, the strength of one woman’s heart will determine the fate of a family.
Prussia, 1945
The fall of the Third Reich is imminent. As the merciless Red Army advances from the East, the German people of Prussia await the worst.
Among them is twenty-year-old Gisela Cramer, an American living in Heiligenbeil with her cousin Ella and their ailing grandfather. When word arrives that the Russians will invade overnight, Ella urges Gisela to escape to Berlin—and take Ella’s two small daughters with her.
The journey is miserable and relentless. But when Gisela hears the British accent of a phony SS officer, she poses as his wife to keep him safe among the indignant German refugees. In the blink of an eye, Mitch Edwards and Gisela are Herr and Frau Joseph Cramer.
Through their tragic and difficult journey, the fabricated couple strives to protect Ella’s daughters, hoping against hope for a reunion. But even as Gisela and Mitch develop feelings beyond the make–believe, the reality of war terrorizes their makeshift family.
With the world at its darkest, and the lives of two children at stake, the counterfeit couple finds in each other a source of faith, hope, and the love they need to survive.
My thoughts:
Inspired by real events and accounts by two survivors of Berlin's brutal occupation of the Red Army, Daisies Are Forever is a story of sheer tenacity and faith that will grasp you with good historical research and a breathtaking plot line.
Gisela yearns for the life she had in the US before her parents moved back to Germany. It is now 1945 and she has no idea if her family still lives. The Russians will reach their town in a matter of days if not hours when her cousin Ella entrusts her with her two young daughters, leaving Ella to care for their Grandfather. Gisela joins other refugees on the road hoping to reach Berlin only to make the most unlikely encounter as she meets two escaped POW's.
The author leaves nothing unsaid and gives the facts as there were witnessed. Spring of 1945 brought unrelenting Allied bombardments over Germany, rationing was near starvation and the German army yielded no mercy to deserters and their families.
With the Russians unleashing terrible revenge on the population, Germans felt completely abandoned and fearing the invaders' assaults, women and young girls resolved to commit suicide.
Nothing but rubble remains of Berlin but Gisela and her little family of refugees fight to survive, their fate in God's hands as the guns and Stalinorgels continue to be heard.
Liz Tolsma 'Snow on the Tulips' has proven she has a solid writing style and with Daisies are Forever, we can assume she will continue to provide her readers with interesting Christian historical fiction.
This is a story of survival in a world gone mad, where every breath might be your last, where nothing makes sense anymore and no one can be trusted. It is also a time of a daring last ditch effort to save those dearest to your heart and where only God hears fervent prayers.
5 Stars!
Inspired by real events and accounts by two survivors of Berlin's brutal occupation of the Red Army, Daisies Are Forever is a story of sheer tenacity and faith that will grasp you with good historical research and a breathtaking plot line.
Gisela yearns for the life she had in the US before her parents moved back to Germany. It is now 1945 and she has no idea if her family still lives. The Russians will reach their town in a matter of days if not hours when her cousin Ella entrusts her with her two young daughters, leaving Ella to care for their Grandfather. Gisela joins other refugees on the road hoping to reach Berlin only to make the most unlikely encounter as she meets two escaped POW's.
The author leaves nothing unsaid and gives the facts as there were witnessed. Spring of 1945 brought unrelenting Allied bombardments over Germany, rationing was near starvation and the German army yielded no mercy to deserters and their families.
With the Russians unleashing terrible revenge on the population, Germans felt completely abandoned and fearing the invaders' assaults, women and young girls resolved to commit suicide.
Nothing but rubble remains of Berlin but Gisela and her little family of refugees fight to survive, their fate in God's hands as the guns and Stalinorgels continue to be heard.
Liz Tolsma 'Snow on the Tulips' has proven she has a solid writing style and with Daisies are Forever, we can assume she will continue to provide her readers with interesting Christian historical fiction.
This is a story of survival in a world gone mad, where every breath might be your last, where nothing makes sense anymore and no one can be trusted. It is also a time of a daring last ditch effort to save those dearest to your heart and where only God hears fervent prayers.
5 Stars!
Note: Due to thematic material, more suitable to older teens and mature readers.
Meet the Author:
From Liz Tolsma's website:
"It's the real story of two very courageous women. I've taken the true accounts and fictionalized them, but much of what happens in the book did happen. I cannot imagine living during that time, either on the run for my life or hiding for my life. Wondering if each breath would be my last. Praying that the bombs would stop falling while praying at the same time that they would keep falling. I hope the story touches you the way it touched me."
Liz has lived in Wisconsin most of her life. She and her husband have a son and two daughters, all adopted internationally. When not busy putting words to paper, Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping with her family.
Visit her website (HERE)
INTERESTED IN LIZ'S GIVEAWAY?
Visit LITFUSE Publicity page (HERE) and enter for a chance at winning a KINDLE HDX
(Photo source and additional information HERE)
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book courtesy of LITFUSE as part of its promotion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Thank you for the review ... Good novels are always a pleasure! I'll head over and try my luck with a giveaway!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to your week, Nina
Thank you Nina and best of luck to you!
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