Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma

In a time of unprecedented darkness and fear, Cornelia must decide if saving a stranger’s life is worth risking her own.

In the twilight of the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands, the Germans have taken everything Cornelia had to give, even what was most precious to her. Now Gerrit Laninga—a man who puts God and country above all else—arrives at her house, needing help. She is terrified for herself and terrified for her family, but most of all, terrified of the pain she might feel again if she allows herself to love Gerrit. Her hope is to be free from her paralyzing fear.

Gerrit is a known and hunted Dutch Resistance member. When he comes to Cornelia’s home for shelter, he’s drawn to her strength and kindness. When he asks her to contact the local Resistance on his behalf, she refuses. Gerrit is determined to find a way to continue his underground work without putting Cornelia or her family in harm’s way.

When things start to unravel and Gerrit’s life depends on her actions, she must summon her courage and learn to depend on the perfect love that drives out all fear. But will her new love be snatched away before it has a chance to bloom?

Paperback, 326 pages

Published August 2013 by Thomas Nelson 

***1/2

I never used to read that much about World War II, especially after reading books like The Book Thief, Between Shades of Grey and The Invisible Bridge.  Plus knowing the atrocities committed by the Nazi I just needed to stay away for a bit.

What I am finding these days is a wide array of books showing the war from the other side.  Those courageous enough to fight back in any way they can.  Snow on the Tulips is a look at the Netherlands during the final days of this conflict.  Some sat and waited for the war to end, surviving on ration cards, minding their own business. For others there is the underground, the Resistance.  Some get involved on purpose and for others its thrown in their face. 

It's almost the end of the war, but Cornelia and Gerrit do not know this.  This book shows a vivid portrait of life in the Netherlands, the emotions when a loved one is no longer there.  Hiding those you love from the Germans and knowing who you can trust and who you can't.  This is the authors debut and I think that she is off to a good start.  There were times I felt it dragged a little, but the author shows that she knows her subject matter and wrote an interesting and believable story.

It's Christian fiction which I think added the story,  it's wartime and sometimes all you have left is your faith. 

  

“Courage is not a feeling. Courage is an action.”

Another reason I was drawn to this book is simply the fact that my parents lived in the Netherlands during this war as a young married couple.  My dad was a German POW for 2 years as well.  My parents never talked about the war and this book was a glimpse for me of what life might have been like for them. 

P.S. - it's the cover gorgeous?!