What I Promise You - (Echoes of the Past) by Liz Tolsma (Paperback)

WOW! Liz Tolsma has astounded me with this book! It’s magnificent in so many ways! That doesn’t mean it didn’t break my heart at times, but the characters were so resilient and inspired me hope in the midst of their darkness. This is a split time novel. Actually, it’s not a dual, but a triple-time novel that weaves between 1942, 1955 and 2022. It takes a lot of talent to change eras seamlessly and to connect the different main characters through the same thread. The MC in 2022 is the great granddaughter of the MC in 1942. Both main characters inspired me, and felt relatable in different ways. Noemie Treves is a jewish woman who lives in Southwest France during WWII. She is pregnant and very in love with her husband Levi. Abruptly, they are arrested and separated, taken to adjoining concentration camps. The hardships are even more difficult on a pregnant woman, yet she soon finds herself involved in a plan to help save two little girls. But things don’t go exactly as planned. And how will she be reunited with her husband, if they both survive this surreal nightmare? Caitlyn Laurant hasn’t recovered from the passing of her best friend. She was like a sister to her. Becoming a nurse in the mission field is what Lindsey would have liked to do, and starting this adventure may help her overcome her pain. While training in Spain, she and her friends travel to France where her grandfather, who has dementia, was born. Her grandfather insists she visits the maternity home where he was born. But Caitlyn never imagines how difficult it will be to find the place, and what started as a quest to bring some memories back to her grandfather, transforms into a discovery of secrets that she never would have imagined and will change her and teach her more about herself and the God she wants to serve and love but struggles to. Everything about this story was amazing. The plot was so enthralling, going from one era to another, connecting things that happened, while the main characters -particularly Noemie- face challenges that will test their inner strength and capacity to sacrifice for others. I especially admired Noemie and her compassionate heart. Her resilient spirit, her selflessness, even when she was terrified and uncertain of what would happen to her, her baby and her charges. She was strong and kind, and sacrificed her life to help protect and save others in her plight as well as innocent children. What she did was admirable and she was a natural leader. I also liked that her great granddaughter Caitlyn was so different, more introvert, yet equally compassionate and wanting to be useful and put her talents to serve others. They felt realistic in the way they both dealt with the grief in their lives. And the way they gradually heal and grow in hope and trust in God. Caitlyn’s journey to self-discovery is so inspiring, because she discovers how God loves her as she is, not as how others may expect her to be. Both their spiritual growth, with different yet steady paces is relatable and inspiring. It motivated me to think how God can use difficult or even evil circumstances to bring good. And that he never forsakes us. The historical research makes his story even more realistic and full of details that made me know more about the era. Things I wasn’t aware. You can see she has become an expert in this time period. I highly recommend this story to anyone, but especially WWII novel lovers. The contemporary part is also very well done. I felt transported in time, everything was so vivid! I had a hard time putting it down! I was so touched by this story, and even if heart-wrenching at moments, it always gave me hope, especially the ending! I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing but wasn’t required to post a review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

An absolutely top notch book that needs more stars for excellence, as it is outstanding and should win a book award. How you can take three timelines and weave them together seamlessly while still keeping your audience captivated and guessing who is narrating 1955 is an art. Everything about this story draws you in and speaks to your heart. I was mesmerized by the characters and felt like I was walking the path they trod and seeing and smelling the sights they saw. It was real, raw, and made me weep, as well as find joy and beauty amidst the ashes. A perfect example of no matter how dark the experience God is always with us and His ways bring joy in the morning. There is a curveball that becomes a testament to just how deep and sacrificial a mother’s love is that represents the love Christ has for us. This is definitely going on my top ten list for this year, as it is gobsmacking great in my opinion. Put this on the top of your must read books. I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

This was a great story, partially based on true facts. A time slip novel with three separate parts. In WWII when Germany began invading parts of France, many Jews were captured and taken to prison camps. One such couple was Noemie and Levi Treves. Taken from their home with very few possessions, they were taken to a prison camp simply because they were Jewish. Eventually Noemie was smuggled out along with two little girls. New Gentile identities were given to hide their Jewish heritage for safety. In 1942 we follow Noemie and her trials and heartbreaks during this cruel war. In 1955 we follow reflections from a participant remembering the things that happened back in 1942. And thirdly in 2022, we learn of Caitlyn Laurant and her struggles after a horrific car accident. Piecing the complete story together was eye-opening and historically sad in parts. I’ve often heard it said that we should always remember the holocaust and those that suffered and died because of their heritage. Learning new things of history through fiction is a great way to broaden our minds and I certainly learned some new and also interesting things. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.

Forever Free is a heartwarming story that centers around Heath Daniels and his attempts to atone for the mistakes from his past. Working hard and staying busy seem the place to start but choosing to work with Phoebe Sinclair may not be his best choice. She also has issues, she needs to be in control, and it doesn't take long for the two of them to clash! Honeysuckle Farm is a lovely setting and Phoebe and Heath are both great characters but the most endearing character in this story has to be Phoebe's grandfather. Dempsey Stewart is a romance-loving, piano-playing optimist who isn't above matchmaking! Guilt, grief, a return to faith, and the power of healing are just a few of the powerful topics in this inspiring story. This has been a wonderful series and I can't think of a better way for Hope Toler Dougherty to end it! I recommend Forever Free to all who enjoy contemporary Christian romance. I received a complimentary ebook from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review.

This is Liz Tolsma's second book in her Echoes of the Past series. Each of the books works as a stand-alone read with no crossover storylines or characters, but I would highly recommend reading the first book, What I Would Tell You, because it is a wonderful read. What I Promise You is a slower-paced story. At first I was thinking the author could have omitted the middle timeline, but realized at the end of the book how that timeline actually pulled everything together. The earliest timeline, set in the early 1940s, tells the story of Noémie Treves, a secular Jewish woman, following her imprisonment at Camp de Rivesaltes in Vichy France. Noémie loses everything through the war's cruelty, even her identity. Through the work of two Christian women, her life was spared, but would she be able to truly live life again? In the 2022 timeline Caitlyn Laurent struggles to cope with her best friend's death as she tries to live out the goals they had intended to achieve together. While her life was spared in the automobile accident, would she truly live her own life, or was she destined to live the life Lindsey had wanted to live? The themes of finding and living one's calling, adapting to life's unexpected circumstances, and trusting God's plans for one's future are all explored within these two ladies' stories. While I cannot say this is my favorite Liz Tolsma story, I can say that it is well-researched and well-written, and I recommend it to fans of historical fiction. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

What secrets and stories and laughter and pain does this building contain? This incredible story starts in 1943, touches down in 1955 and concludes in 2022. A time of great love and also a time of enormous sadness. For Noemie and Levi the excitement and joy of expecting their first child is marred by evil. From a transit camp to a maternity home the fear of loss never leaves. Yet, with Jesus beside you, you’re never alone. Returning to a building that holds so many memories and yet such great sorrow. Perhaps disrepair is a memorial to that occurred there. Promise me that you will never tell what you saw or heard and yet remember those the world may have forgotten. For Caitlyn the attempt to find out and learn the history of her grandfather finally teaches her that she needs to lean on the Lord for strength. She will learn to stand and turn her face to a new future. An early copy of Echoes of the Past #2 was received through Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

Set in 1942, 1955, and 2022. Heart wrenching within each time frame, with a bit of a twist. As the story switches time frames, you can start to piece things together and see the picture, but not all of it. Interesting to try to figure it out. WW2 South France became unsafe for the Jews, and a fight to survive. Placed partly at a maternity home, there's more heartache and joy with the children and trying to save as many as they could from the nearby camp. Two generations away is another part of the story as a girl deals with tragedy in her life and tries to find out about her family while she's at school in Spain. Very interesting, fully captivating. Very hard to put down when you just have to know more of the story. Healing faith is a struggle for each because of what they go through with great loss of dear ones. I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. #WhatIPromiseYou #NetGalley #LizTolsma #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #BarbourPublishing #ChristianHistoricalFiction #FiveStarHistorical