When the Heart Sings is an emotionally charged story that takes place during one of the darkest times in history. The world knows how terribly the Jews suffered, but what is less known is how there were other peoples targeted as well. Although it was different, the Polish people were hated and mistreated by the Nazi's as well. This is a story to shed light on their plight.

What made the story even more captivating was that it was told by the perspective of both husband and wife as they are separated from each other. Their desperation to know that the other was still alive and their hope for a reunion was their driving force to persevere through their agony. Their love for each other was unquestionable. It affected how they responded to their circumstances, afraid of causing harm to the other. Natia was in Pan Fromm's home as a maid while Teodor worked under him in the factory. Knowing the connection, Fromm often used it to his advantage to make matters worse for the couple.

Without giving away any details of the story, I really liked the progression of the relationship between Natia and Elfriede, who was Pan Fromm's wife. Elfriede risked her own life by demanding her husband save Natia (a stranger at the time) from going to the camp by instead coming to stay in their home. Both women had suffered through fertility complications and miscarriages, and it formed a unique bond between them. Despite the language barriers, overtime they developed a real friendship. When the Jewish baby arrived, they both fell in love with him-- although knowing he was Jewish Natia made sure she was the only one to change his diaper hoping for his best protection. Although under different circumstances, both women were trapped in their situations and hoped for a way out.

There was so much contained in this story but I don't want to give too much away. I don't want to hinder the emotional journey for you in any way, so I will simply say that I highly recommend it and hope you take the time to check it out. Although the lives of these characters are fictional, what they suffered was true of many Polish families during the war. This was an emotional journey, but well worth the read.

*I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

So much emotion! And being of polish descent this book really hit close to home. Highly recommended even if a little difficult read. Wonderful!
Thank you NetGalley for the free advance copy!

Liz Tolsma powerfully conveys the emotions of a turbulent time as she tells the story of a young Polish Christian couple that had been sent to the labor camps in occupied Poland. This poignant story is mostly told from the different viewpoints of Natia and Teodor. Teodor is forced to work in the labor camp while Natia has been assigned the task of serving on the home of the camp overseer. An unlikely friendship develops between Natia and the overseer's wife. They find they share a common sorrow that unites them as they work together to save a young child. This is the kind of story that will speak to your heart. It is a story of survival during a bleak time that is filled with extreme hardship and despair. Tolsma conveys a powerful message that joy can be found in the midst of darkness. As I read this story, it made me wonder if my faith would be strong enough to find the joy amidst such tragedy.

One of my favorite quotes:
"Joy only came through dependence on the Lord and Him alone. Joy was forward looking, toward heaven."

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

4.5 stars

Books set in the WWII era are some of my favorite books to read. Tolsma’s latest has a slightly different perspective: Polish Jews and Christians, Polish labor camps, and the way the Polish people suffered under German occupation. This is one of the best, and most engaging, books I've read in 2018.

The love between Teodor and Natia is pure and heartwarming. I also really enjoyed the unlikely bond between Natia and Elfriede. The story demonstrates that even in the worst of circumstances, God is always present.

It was very difficult for me to put this book aside, as I couldn’t wait to find out how it ended. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series (fingers crossed that there will be one!).

Two of my favorite quotes:

-- "None of us has assurance of tomorrow, war or no war. All we can do is place our lives in God's hands and live them to the fullest."
-- "How wonderful to possess everlasting joy, that no matter your outward circumstances, your heart could be happy."


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

I love reading books set in the WW II era. This story brings in a different perspective, that of the Polish people suffering under German occupation. While I found the story melancholy in many ways, the author did a wonderful job portraying each character. A worthwhile read.

WHEN THE HEART SINGS by LIZ TOLSMA takes place in Poland during the Second World War. It is a heart rending story of man's inhumanity towards his fellow man, contrasted beautifully with the love and mercy shown by Natia and Dr Bosco, the love between Natia and Theodor and the unlikely and sacrificial friendship between Natia and Elfrieda Fromm. Put a Jewish baby into the mix and the danger mounts!
We see how God protects His children in the most horrendous circumstances, even when they wonder if He sees what they are going through!
While Theodor is in the camp, being hammered by the German, Fromm, Natia is taken by Fromm's wife to help her in the house so that she can relax and fall pregnant. Both Natia and Elfrieda have lost babies.
As Natia goes into town to do the food shopping, she comes up with the idea of singing for Theodor outside the shed where he is working. Their life has always been full of singing and music, and singing to each other helps them to connect in a small way.
It is a really good read, with a challenging story and a strong Christian message.
I was given a free copy of the book by Gilead Publishing from NetGalley. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

In this series, the author is highlighting the plight of European Christians during WWII.

When the Heart Sings focuses on Polish Christians Teodor and Natia. They are forced from their home. Natia enjoys singing and this joy and talent impacts her story positively. The love Teodor and Natia share is true and sweet.

What I enjoyed the most about this novel was the unlikely friendship that Natia developed with a German woman. They share a common sorrow and despite a language barrier, become a source of strength for each other.

I wasn't as engaged in this second book in the Music of Hope Series as the first book. However, it is a good novel and brings to light how some Christians were impacted during WWII.

A story that doesn't pull you in. Not a believable plot line. You don't really relate well to the characters. It does show the cruelty of the Germans to the Poles.

This was a hard book for me to read, but it was worth it. It deals with how the non-jews was treated by the Nazi's and it was heartbreaking. There is so much emotion in the book it was hard to put down. This book is a "must read". I can't wait to read more by Liz Tolsma. Thank you Gilead Publishing via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. This is my honest opinion of this book.

World War II novels are wonderful and one of my favorite genres. I enjoy reading about the greatest generation and the heroic acts they endured. Soldiers who went into battle just to defend Old Glory. I love their attitudes. I know with a historical romance there will be a struggle wrapped in a historical setting and filled with adventure. Liz Tolsma's newest novel When the Heart Sings does exactly that.

I love the concept of her story. Using songs to share her heroine's current situation and love for her husband and the ability to sooth the baby was a wonderful twist on a familiar topic. I flew through the story and really enjoyed it. There were moments of realistic horror that made me cringe, but I knew the reality of the treatment of Jews and Poles was horrifying. The plot moved fast, and I had a hard time putting the novel down.

The romance was between a husband and a wife. It showed how deep a romance can go even if the most horrific of places. I loved how Natia and Teodor Palinska cling to the hope of getting back together holds their hope of leaving the horrible concentration camp.

The only problem I had with the plot is being another concentration camp story. When I first started reading the World War II genre, I didn't mind, but now tons of authors have written stories on the horrors that occurred during at the concentration camps. From Kristy Cambron, Joel Rosenberg, Kate Breslin, and Tolsma among a number of others, the idea appears to be the same. How to share the horror and make the reader cringe.

Overall, When the Heart Sings by Liz Tolsma is a wonderful story blanketed with the horrors of World War II reality. The novel is fast-paced and captured my imagination. Fans of Kristy Cambron, Joel Rosenberg, Kate Breslin, and Anna Schmidt will enjoy this novel.

I received a complimentary copy of When the Heart Sings by Liz Tolsma from Gideon Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

A very well written book on all the “non jews” that suffered at the hands of the Nazis. It shows a very different type of loss that was a big part of WW2. By the end of the book I truly was wishing everyone who went through the war had such a happy ending as the characters in this book..