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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Liz Tolsma’s New WWII Novel Really Does offer a Picture of Hope

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

A Portrait of Hope by Liz Tolsma offers a look into the lesser-remembered aspects of the Holocaust and what a story! via @chautonahavig

I was so excited to FINALLY get to chat with Liz Tolsma on the podcast this week.  Her book, A Picture of Hope, released in October and features an American journalist set on getting children out of occupied France before the Nazi regime decides they’re expendable.

Liz’s passion for special needs children shines through our conversation, and her commitment to WWII fiction as a way to prepare our hearts for hard times really encouraged me.

Liz Tolsma

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Liz Tolsma’s New WWII Novel Really Does offer a Picture of Hope

We had a lovely chat about the value of people with disabilities and special needs–about their value in society and to the Lord. Liz shared how she’d come up with part of the story idea years ago and, when she learned of this new series, Heroines of WWII, how it transformed first to a story about a woman journalist, and then how she chose to include a child with Down Syndrome and how it affected her.

Liz has seven or eight WWII novels, and we chatted about a few of them, including my favorite, Snow on the Tulips from the Women of Courage series.

Slashed Canvas (Ever After Mysteries Book 8) by [Liz Tolsma]We also took a moment to chat about her upcoming release, also taking place in France, Slashed Canvas. Part of the Ever After Mysteries, Slashed Canvas combines a Russian grand duchess and MacDonald’s fairy tale, The Lost Princess.  This book releases February 1, and you don’t want to miss it.

One thing we didn’t chat about that we should have… DUH.  Liz has her own podcast all about HISTORICAL fiction.  WOOHOO!  So, Be sure to check out Christian Historical Fiction Talk. 

A Picture of Hope by Liz TolsmaA Picture of Hope by Liz Tolsma

A Photojournalist Risks Her Life to Save a Very Special Child 

Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.

Journalist Nellie Wilkerson has spent the bulk of the war in London, photographing mothers standing in milk lines—and she’s bored. She jumps at the chance to go to France, where the Allied forces recently landed. There she enlists Jean-Paul Breslau of the French underground to take her to the frontlines. On the journey, they stumble upon a great tragedy, leaving a girl with special needs being orphaned.

Can Nellie and Jean-Paul see the child to a safe haven while being pursued by the Nazis, who are pressed by the advancing Allies and determined to destroy all they can before they flee?

Liz wanted to ensure you didn’t forget about…

the other authors who have released WWII novels set in France recently and the promotion they have going!

Three authors, each with a WWII novel set in France… what more could you want.  Join Melanie Dobson, Sarah Sundin, and Liz Tolsma as they celebrate France in WWII with their newest releases!

Each author has great blog posts this week. You can find those here:

  • Liz Tolsma
  • Melanie Dobson
  • Sarah Sundin

You’ll want to visit the WEBSITE for all the information about it (and the Rafflecopter!).

January 29, 2022 you will want to meet on Liz Tolsma’s Page for the Facebook chat to close out the promotion!

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
byChautona Havig

 I fell in love with Nancy’s writing with The Shell Collector. Imagine my joy when I discovered she has a SEQUEL! Eeep! Listen in and discover which characters you’ll find in To Light the Way Forward and what’s coming next for one of America’s favorite authors!

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

It’s been three years since Nancy and I had a chance to talk, and in that time, she’s been BUSY.  So in addition to falling in love with her character, Tug, and wanting to give him his own story, she’s written a small-town duet (and maybe we talked her into a third?) as well as a romcom duo!  Think we can talk her into a third of that series as well?  Because… SPOILER ALERT… we’re getting a third Shell Collector Series book, too! EEEP!

To Light the Way Forward by Nancy Naigle

A novel of overcoming deep loss, taking risks, and learning that life—and love—often surprises you when you least expect it, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Shell Collector. “Bringing to life characters you can’t help but fall in love with, Nancy Naigle goes straight to the heart with this story of tragedy turned to triumph. A poignant reminder to never give up hope.”—Sheila Roberts, author of The Best Life Book Club Feeling adrift after the loss of her husband, Rosemary sets out to visit an old friend on Whelk’s Island, undeterred by the threat of a hurricane. Before the storm hits, she finds herself at Tug’s Diner where she quickly connects with the owner, Tug. But the storm destroys the diner, compounding Tug’s grief from losing his love the previous year. The longer Rosemary stays, the more she sees Tug’s deep sadness and resolves to help him. Together with Tug and friends Amanda and Paul, they all pitch in to help the close-knit community recover and rebuild. As Amanda and Paul reconnect after losing touch during the storm, their plans to take things slow seem increasingly impractical. While Rosemary and Tug help the young couple navigate their relationship, they also find themselves building a friendship that begins to restore them both. But can that friendship convince them that love is possible for anyone who’s willing to take a risk—even those who never hoped they’d find it again?

Learn more about Nancy on her WEBSITEand follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
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  • and more!
Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
July 19, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 447: A Chat with Cate Touryan
July 14, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 446: A Chat with Rachel Chamberlayne
July 12, 2025
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Episode 445: A Chat with Michelle Griep
July 7, 2025
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Episode 444: A Chat with Rosey Lee
July 5, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 443: A Chat with Yvonne M. Morgan
June 30, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 442: A Chat with Liz Johnson
June 28, 2025
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Episode 441: A Chat with Shannon Sue Dunlap
June 23, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 440: A Chat with Jordan Millsaps
June 21, 2025
Jordan Millsaps
Episode 439: A Chat with Laura Thomas
June 16, 2025
Chautona Havig
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