Review + GIVEAWAY: The Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma

About the Book

Book: The Pink Bonnet  
Author: Liz Tolsma  
Genre: Christian Historical, Suspense  
Release date: June, 2019  

A Desperate Mother Searches for Her Child  

Step into True Colors—a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime 

Widowed in Memphis during 1932, Cecile Dowd is struggling to provide for her three-year-old daughter. Unwittingly trusting a neighbor puts little Millie Mae into the clutches of Georgia Tann, corrupt Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society director suspected of the disappearance of hundreds of children. With the help of a sympathetic lawyer, the search for Millie uncovers a deep level of corruption that threatens their very lives. 

How far will a mother go to find out what happened to her child?

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Thoughts

Liz Tolsma has written an impressive novel in the True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime series. I have read some, but not all, of Tolsma’s previous books because they have dealt with the Holocaust. While she is an excellent writer and handles that subject in a compelling way, I just have a hard time reading stories in that setting, so I was excited to try this one. Although still not a subject easy to read about, Tolsma has written a fascinating story that combines fiction with real-life events. I was engaged emotionally from page one of this action-packed story and could hardly put it down.

The Pink Bonnet reads like a wonderful suspense thriller, until it sinks in that it is based on historical true crime – the story of Georgia Tann, who ran a Memphis adoption agency from 1924 to 1950; then it becomes chilling and haunting. Children she perceived to be from inadequate homes or parenting situations were literally stolen and given to families who could pay well. Even those who were supposed to care – politicians and others in authoritative positions – were corrupt and easily bribed to turn a blind eye. That this could go on for 25 years is horrifying.

Into this backdrop we meet Cecile Dowd, a young widow with the odds stacked against her, struggling to care for her three- year-old daughter Millie. Cecile is a loving mother and making things work out, when suddenly she is betrayed by a “concerned” neighbor and Millie falls into the hands of Georgia Tann. Cecile and Millie are characters every reader will be drawn to, so easy to connect with. And then there’s Percy, a lawyer working with Tann, who begins to suspect that all is not right with this adoption agency. I loved the connection between Cecile and Percy, a sweet and growing relationship in an otherwise dark story. I also appreciated the spiritual overtones of God’s unrelenting seeking for us.

The Pink Bonnet is a riveting, suspense-filled story that drove me to do some online research into this crime. I look forward to much more of Liz Tolsma’s writing.

Recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

 

About the Author

  
      Liz Tolsma is a popular speaker and an editor and the owner of the Write Direction Editing. 
      An almost-native Wisconsinite, she resides in a quiet corner of the state with her husband and is the mother of three. Her son proudly serves as a U.S. Marine. They adopted all of their children internationally, and one has special needs. 
     When she gets a few spare minutes, she enjoys reading, relaxing on the front porch, walking, working in her large perennial garden, and camping with her family.

More from Liz

A Desperate Mother Searches for Her Child

True, riveting stories of American criminal activity are explored through 6 unique stories of historical romantic suspense in the exciting new True Colors series. 

In book two, The Pink Bonnet, Widowed in Memphis during 1932, Cecile Dowd is struggling to provide for her three-year-old daughter. Unwittingly trusting a neighbor puts little Millie Mae into the clutches of Georgia Tann, corrupt Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society director suspected of the disappearance of hundreds of children. With the help of a sympathetic lawyer, the search for Millie uncovers a deep level of corruption that threatens their very lives. 

How far will a mother go to find out what happened to her child? Find out in The Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma. 

The True Crime Behind the Story 

Georgia Tann was a woman who ran an adoption agency in Memphis, Tennessee, from 1924 until 1950. It is estimated that, in that time, she kidnapped over five thousand children and sold them to the highest bidder. She even advertised the children in the newspaper, especially around the holidays. Some of the nation’s biggest celebrities adopted through Miss Tann, including Joan Crawford, Dick Powell, and June Allyson. Learn more about Georgia Tann HERE and visit www.TrueColorsCrime.com for more exclusive content.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Liz is giving away a grand prize that includes a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of The Pink Bonnet!! 

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the image above or the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/e331/the-pink-bonnet-celebration-tour-giveaway 

Blog Stops

Just the Write Escape, June 20

The Becca Files, June 20

Livin’ Lit, June 20

The Power of Words, June 21

Christian Bookaholic, June 21

Godly Book Reviews, June 21

Spoken from the Heart, June 22

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, June 22

For HIm and my Family, June 22

Blossoms and Blessings, June 23

Inspired by fiction, June 23

Mary Hake, June 23

Connie’s History Classroom, June 24

Moments, June 24

Simple Harvest Reads, June 24

Daysong Reflections, June 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 25

For the Love of Literature, June 25

Remembrancy, June 26

As He Leads is Joy, June 26

Emily Yager, June 26

Genesis 5020, June 27

Reader’s Cozy Corner, June 27

Carla Loves to Read, June 27

Inklings and notions, June 28

Changed by Him, June 28

Bigreadersite, June 28

Through the Fire Blogs, June 28

Inspiration Clothesline, June 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 29

Pause for Tales, June 29

Hallie Reads, June 30

Ashley’s Bookshelf, June 30

For the Love of Books, June 30

Southern Gal Loves to Read, July 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 1

Texas Book-aholic, July 1

janicesbookreviews, July 2

Older & Smarter?, July 2

By The Book, July 2

A Reader’s Brain, July 3

amandainpa, July 3

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, July 3