Today, I’m delighted to introduce you to my friend  Liz Tolsma. She is also an author of WWII based novels — all set in Europe. You may have read her first in this series, Snow on the Tulips. Last month her new book Daisies are Forever released. This novel takes place in Germany and gives readers a fascinating look at what it was like to live under the crumbling Nazi regime as characters try to escape the advancing Russian army. She weaves in threads of downed fighter pilots to add a rich depth. It is a riveting tale that will pull you in.

Liz, Daisies are Forever  takes readers back to WWII Germany. How did you get the idea for this novel?

My aunt was born in the States to German parents. Her family returned to Germany in 1936. She lived through WWII in Germany and Czechoslovakia. She spent the final part of the war in Berlin. As she recounted her story to me, I couldn’t believe that she had endured such terrible suffering. I knew I wanted to tell the world her story.

The heroine is an American who is in Germany toward the end of the war. Can you explain how she came to be in Germany and stayed?

Much of this mirrors my aunt’s story. The heroine, Gisela Cramer, was born to a German American family who returned to Germany in the 1930s. Her parents sent her to East Prussia to get away from the bombing in Berlin, but then she must flee East Prussia to escape the Russians. She reunites with her mother in Berlin. And then you’ll have to read the rest of the story 😉

What surprised you most as you researched and wrote this book?

Just looking at the war from the eyes of every day Germans. While there were Nazi fanatics, there were also people who didn’t like Hitler and didn’t want him in power. They were very happy when their liberation came.

Why write your story inside Germany? What drew you to this as a setting? What did you hope to illustrate?

I wanted people to look at the war from a different view point. We think Germans equal Nazis. But there were plenty of ordinary men and women just trying to survive, living with the hope of liberation. The average German suffered greatly during the war – hunger, bombings, terror at the hands of both the Nazis and the Russians. It was a very dark time for them as well. Mothers lost their sons, wives lost their husbands, sisters lost their brothers. I didn’t want to paint the German citizens with one broad stroke.

What do you hope stays with readers after they close the cover on this novel?

I hope they will remember to think about how war affects people on both sides. I thin of conflicts around the world today. We shouldn’t forget the Christian people in Iraq and Syria. They are suffering greatly and don’t approve of what their countries are doing.

Can you give us a sneak peek at what’s next for you?

In the winter, Remember the Lilies is due to release. It is set in the Santo Tomas internment camp in Manila during WWII. Not many people know that the Japanese kept more than 3000 Westerners, mostly Americans and Brits, prisoner their for 37 months. By the end, they were riddled with disease and kept on starvation rations.

That sounds fascinating! Where can people connect with you? I’m at http://www.liztolsma.com/;  Facebook; Twitter @LizTolsma; and on Pinterest under Liz Tolsma. Thank you so much for hosting me! This has been fun. I appreciate it.

It’s my pleasure, Liz! I hope you’ve enjoyed this opportunity to learn a bit more about Liz and her latest books!