Remember the Lilies + Giveaway

Random Retro ReRead

Irene and Rand come from very different walks of life. Will they find common ground in their fight to survive? 

Irene has grown up in the jungle as a missionary with her Aunt Anita, but now she and countless others are imprisoned by Japanese soldiers at the Santo Tomas Internment Camp in the Philippines. Irene and her aunt are safe there, and she keeps busy with her duty of delivering censored messages to the camp’s prisoners, but like everyone else, she prays for the war to end and for her freedom.

Rand is a wealthy, womanizing American, whose attempted escape from the internment camp has put himself and others in danger. When Rand and Irene’s Aunt Anita meet one another in the hospital, Irene learns more of his story and her heart is determined to save his family. But the danger outside the walls of the hospital worsens every day, and life in this exotic place is anything but luxurious. Can Irene find Rand’s family before they disappear forever? And can a humble missionary woman and an arrogant man find common ground in the face of their biggest fears?

My Review:

published in 2015

I have been enjoying the host of Christian fiction World War II novels released recently and Remember the Lilies is another one going straight onto my keeper shelf. It’s an absorbing look into a very different aspect of the war and I really appreciated the fresh perspective.

Tolsma has done her research and brings the past to life in all it’s brutal desperation. This is a gripping read I found hard to put down…in places. Mind you, at other times I couldn’t close the book quickly enough to shut out the atrocities that burned heartbreaking images into my mind. This novel showcases both the very best and the very worst of humanity. A stunning tribute to the courage and tenacity of internment camp survivors.

Rand and Irene’s love story takes on a surreal quality set as it is against the stark background of a World War II internment camp. They come from extremely different pre-war worlds — his steeped in wealth and privilege — hers in a life of faith and service. They approach survival in the Santos Tomas camp in very different ways but as time passes, emotions and values shift and they find themselves gravitating towards one another. The incongruity of romance in the midst of such depravity sharpens the emotional impact of their story. 

A beautiful celebration of courage and honour and commitment to a God who has plans beyond our own understanding.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy and open to any reader anywhere in the world so, yay, an International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Remember the Lilies, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 23 2026

16 thoughts on “Remember the Lilies + Giveaway”

  1. Oh I love Liz’s books!! They usually make me cry(in a good way) and I think this is one of her older ones I’ve yet to read!! Thanks Kav!

    sarahdar0801ATgmailDOTcom

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  3. The era that REMEBER THE LILIES is set it is one of my favorites. I find it a way to understand the time my parents and grandparents lived through. It’s also a reminder of how we need to learn from the past in order for it not to be repeated.

    REMEBER THE LILIES sounds like a fabulous story mixing the romantic with the true to life events. Definitely one that I would LOVE to read or should I say absorb while turning the pages. It sounds like a book that I would feel the need to devour in one sitting.

    Thank you so much for the amazing chance to win a copy!

    We are enjoying the bit of rain we are getting while watching the critter out in it. I even think I can actually see the garden standing up straight thrilled from the little bit of moisture. 🙂

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  8. I have this book. Was an interesting and educational read. Perhaps I was even more interested as hubby’s uncle was part of Douglas MacArthur’s Army Corps that was involved in later liberating the islands. Unfortunately, he was killed in combat and is buried in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.

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    1. It’s such a unique setting for a WWII story. For some reason, the concentration seems to be o Europe for WWII fiction. I never even thought about what was happening on the other side of the world until I saw an Australian movie about women prisoners of war in Sumatra. It was eye opening. Happy Reading, CC!

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