Today I’m starting a new series here on the blog that will take us through the release of The Melody of the Soul. There are four main characters in the book, and I’m going to give you a chance to get to know them a little bit before the book releases. And if you read all the way to the end, you will see an opportunity to win a music-related item.
The first character I’d like to introduce you to is the heroine, Anna Zadok. At the opening of the book in 1943, Anna is a Jewish Christian living in Prague. She comes from a very musical family and was studying to be a concert violinist when the Nazis invaded in 1939. After the invasion, the Germans closed all of the music schools and prohibited the Jews from owning instruments. That didn’t stop Anna, and she bravely continued to play her violin even when Nazi officer moved into the flat below hers.
Even more important to Anna that her music is her family. Her parents have charged her with caring for her elderly grandmother, and this is a responsibility that she takes very seriously. She grew up in a very happy home with her father, mother, older brother, and two younger sisters. She also spent much time with her grandmother, who was herself a pianist. The one heartache for Anna and her family is the fact that her brother, David, has wandered from the faith and has been influenced by the liberal philosophers that filled Prague at that time.
More than anything, Anna wants her family to be reunited someday. Until then, she loses herself in her music. It is her escape, her comfort, and her reason to keep going. But when she is faced with losing her music, she must find her hope elsewhere.
You’ll have to wait until the book comes out and read the dedication to discover why I chose to name my heroine Anna. I’m very excited for you to read more about Anna’s journey of hope in The Melody of the Soul.
Follow the directions below to be entered to win this musical notes scarf! And if you haven’t already subscribed to my newsletter, please do so! It will earn you an entry into the contest, and you’ll get to read the prologue and the first chapter of The Melody of the Soul.
Thanks for stopping by!
Diana Lynn Montgomery says
I want to read this sounds so good! A chapter leaves ya hanging for more 🙂 I think maybe you had a relative back then named Anna.
Blessings
Diana
liztolsma@gmail.com says
I hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to read the entire thing. Good guess!
Dianna says
Maybe after Anne Frank?
liztolsma@gmail.com says
Good guess!! Thanks for stopping by!
Claire Sanderson says
I wonder whether you have chosen a popular name for a young girl in Prague. I also wonder whether you have chosen a name which is close to you.
liztolsma@gmail.com says
Both good guesses! Glad you stopped over 🙂
Jan Hall says
A music teacher?
liztolsma@gmail.com says
I like that guess! I’ll have to tell you all at some point, but not until the person who I’m trying to surprise with this finds out. Hopefully by next week! Thanks for stopping by!
Melanie A Rebro says
As a music lover, I’m looking forward to this book. My guess about why you picked that name is because of the meaning of the name – favor, and grace.
liztolsma@gmail.com says
Hi, Melanie! I like this guess! Thanks for stopping over.
Kate Sparks says
It must be important as a name to you, maybe a grandmother?
Jaime Jo Wright says
Anna … hmmm….I’m guessing a relative.
Amy Kittel says
Hi Liz,
I can’t wait to read this book. I’m guessing Anna is for one of you grandmas or great-grandmas.
Thanks for the contest.
Caryl Kane says
You have a personal connection to someone names Anna that you want to honor.
I’m so excited to read this one!
Paula Shreckhise says
I can’t help thinking about Anna the prophetess that was in the temple when Jesus was brought to be circumcised. Maybe Anna was the name of a special person in your life.
Ronnell says
Anna has to be a special relative. Grandma, I’m thinking.