Remember the Lilies

Book info and review

About the book: Remember the Lilies (Thomas Nelson, February 2015) Can Irene and Rand stave off starvation until the American troops bring freedom? 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. My thoughts:  Wow.  REMEMBER THE LILIES is a hard book to read. I am so glad God didn't call me to write military fiction of this sort. I would give myself nightmares trying to write it.  As it was, Ms. Tolsma ripped my heart out and left it bleeding with this book. Poor Rand. While I initially didn't think much of him (a rich playboy) my heart broke over and over for him before I was halfway through the book.  I wanted to see him survive and find happiness.  And Irene. At first glance she doesn't have it that bad. She may be in a Japanese camp, but she has a home, she has a job, she has freedom to come and go and do what she needs to do--for the most part.  But things aren't always as they appear.  Her situation definitely worsens.  Ms. Tolsma is an expert at "upping the ante" or raising the stakes for her characters. Readers will not soon forget the horrors of WWII with any of her books. And while REMEMBER THE LILIES may be the third in a series, it stands totally and completely alone.  Fans will want to read Snow on the Tulips and Daisies are Forever. They are all set in different parts of the world, all experiencing different hardships and nightmarish conditions as a result of WWII.   This is not feel good fiction. This is realism -- as some one one said "Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it."   Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1EDGVJJ   About the author:New York Times best-selling author Liz Tolsma is the author of Daisies are Forever, Snow on the Tulips, and the contributing author of A Log Cabin Christmas. When not busy putting words to paper, Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and children, all adopted internationally. Find Liz online: website, Facebook, Twitter

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