Snow on the Tulips

May 27, 2013
World War II is nearly always a draw for readers, and Tolsma’s tale, based on events in her family’s past, adds an appealing note of authenticity. Set in Holland in early 1945, Cornelia de Vries is tired of war, of loss, of terror. But when her brother Johan Kooistra brings home a wounded Dutch Resistance fighter, Cornelia must work through her fear. She wants to guard her heart, but Gerrit Laninga, whose bravery inspires her, begins to awaken feelings she thought were as dead as her husband, who was killed on the night of their ill-timed wedding, when the Ger-mans invaded the Netherlands. But can Cornelia conquer her misgivings to do her part for the Resistance? Tolsma does a good job recreating the Netherlands during WWII and placing her readers in the midst of the turmoil, danger, and bravery that filled those last days before the end of the war. Agent: Tamela Hancock Murray, Steve Laube Agency.

August 1, 2013

Cornelia de Vries has known loss. Not only did her husband die on their wedding day, but she has seen more deaths during the brutal years of German occupation. Now in early 1945, Cornelia is weary of war, but then her brother, Johan, brings home a wounded resistance fighter who stirs something in her. Does she dare love again? Can she put aside her fear and join the Dutch resistance? VERDICT Based on the author's family history, this moving tale not only offers insight into the moral and physical struggles of those under the duress of war but also vividly captures the time and place. A good choice for readers who enjoyed Mary Doria Russell's A Thread of Grace.

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.