The Pink Bonnet: Historical Stories of American Crime Book 2 By Liz Tolsma

I received this book this from Celebrate Lit Blogger Program and the author for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Description: 

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?

My Thoughts: 

The Pink Bonnet is the latest book of Liz Tolsma's and it is just WOW. This book is part of a new series, Historical Stories of American Crime, where each book is about a different crime and written by different authors.  Liz Tolsma is one of my favorite authors and I am a huge fan of True Crime books so this was a perfect combination. Liz Tolsma writes with authority about the US during 1932 especially Tennessee, Georgia Tann, the Memphis Tennessee Children's Home Society, the legal system in the 1930's, and the corruption that went on during that time. The Pink Bonnet is based on the true facts of Georgia Tann, a corrupt woman who illegally took children and sold them on the black market to families, especially ones with farms who needed help. These children were abused physically, sexually, and mentally by Georgia Tann and the families who bought them. I learned so much about this time in our history and that is something I find appealing about Historical stories.

 The cover of this book felt very haunting to me, setting me up for what was inside this book.  This cover is something that will stay with me for a long time. In this book, Cecile Dowd is a struggling widow, working to take make sure her and her daughter, Millie Mae, have what is needed. A neighbor taking care of Millie Mae called Georgia Tann to get "help" for the child, under the premise that it was temporary. Now Cecile is desperate to find her daughter and ends up having help from a lawyer that works for Georgia Tann.  The first few pages of this book was pretty tame but not far after that this story took off. I could NOT put this book down, stayed up late and read it in just less than 2 days. As I read, I felt all the emotions in this book. Liz Tolsma definitely put me right there in this story. The characters in this book are well written and some actually real people. I really found myself drawn to Cecile. Her despair and desperate need to find her child. As a mother I could relate on that level. Her faith and hope were admirable. This is a fast paced, action packed story. I cannot describe adequately the emotions that ran through me throughout this book. This book is one that will stay with me for a LONG time.  This book is the second in this series but each book is about a different time and crimes in many different places. I have the first book that I need to read next and then I cannot wait for the rest in this series. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical True Crime, you will NOT be disappointed. I give this book 5+ STARS.

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.

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.

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

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 link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/e331/the-pink-bonnet-celebration-tour-giveaway