The Melody of the Soul (Music of Hope, #1)

by Liz Tolsma

It's 1943 and Anna Zadok, a Jewish Christian living in Prague, has lost nearly everything. Most of her family was deported, and the Nazi occupation ended her career as a concert violinist. Left to care for her grandmother, she'll do anything to keep her safe -- a job that gets much harder when Nazi officer Horst Engel is quartered in the flat below them.

• ISBN13: 9781683700401
• Publish Date: 18 May 2018 (first published 18 April 2018)
• Publish Status: Unknown
• Imprint: Gilead Publishing
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 320
• Language: English

Reviews

[phyllish]

This was rated 4.5 Stars

What a hauntingly beautiful book! Author Liz Tolsma wrote a touching, hopeful, thoughtful story about one of the worst times in the history of man. I don’t read many books about World War II. Especially ones that deal with Hitler and the treatment of the Jewish people. But I was intrigued by the blurb of this book and needed to give it a chance. I am so glad I did!

Horst is a Nazi officer who has been driven by the need to impress his father. Though he thinks about his mother and her influence and reaction to the things going on in the Reich, until he meets Anna and comes face to face personally with the plight of the Jews, he is unaffected.

Anna, a Christian Jew, has lost almost her entire family to the death camps. Left to care for her grandmother through the help of a friend of her brother, things are okay. Until she gets notice that they are now to report to be deported.

Patricie is a Christian and has been working with the Underground, helping hide Jews and provide for them with forged ration cards and papers. Until she gets the attention of a cruel Nazi officer who begins to follow her and force her to go on dates with him. To protect those she is hiding and those working with her, she quits the Underground.

Though the story is filled with intrigue, action and suspense, it is also a tender story of falling in love and the love of family. It is also the story of learning about God’s forgiveness and how it is unlimited – He forgives again and again and again.

This beautiful quote gives you an idea of the beautiful writing in the book:

The music rose from deep inside her, swelling in her chest, commanding her fingers to draw the bow across the strings. It lifted her from this place and this time, to a spot where beauty lived. Then she closed her eyes and coaxed the notes from her instrument. The world disappeared as the melody rose and fell, intense, passionate, breath-robbing.

This is the first line from the book:

Anna Zadokova held her mother’s tiny body close.

This review first appeared on AmongTheReads.net
I am grateful to Gilead Publishing for giving me a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Molly J(Cover To Cover Cafe)]

I'm a big fan of historical novels, particularly those centered around WWII. So, when I came across this one for reviewing, I jumped at the chance. I've not read any Liz Tolsma books before, so it was a double bonus for me. I sat down, opened the book, and wow. What feelings I got with this novel! Sadness, happiness, love.....all of it. It was so many feels!

Liz Tolsma's characters, Anna and Horst, truly came alive for me. Their interactions, their passion for their beliefs and their love for Anna's music....they truly captured my soul. These beautiful souls had a passion for God and I could feel that as I turned each page.

I can't imagine what it was like for the Nazis and the Jews back then, but through richly detailed accounts and beautifully chiseled characters, Ms. Tolsma made me feel a part of that time period. My heart burst for their love of God, but my soul was twisted up and crying when I felt myself enduring all that Anna had to endure. It was a bittersweet experience for sure!

This is definitely a 4 star novel that I will recommend to all who want a soul capturing novel. Ms. Tolsma knows just what to create for her readers that will keep them hooked and turning the pages long into the wee hours of the morning. Each page turn brings you closer to the characters' souls, and when the book ends, you're left reflecting on the melodies created within your own heart. This book is definitely a keeper! Well done, Ms. Tolsma!

*Cafinated Reads received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Blog Tours and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*