Book 3 of the Echoes of the Past series.
Split time, Historical Fiction, WWII

I want to thank Liz Tolsma for allowing me to be on the Launch team.
I have learned so much history I didn't know about through your books (echoes of the past series)
A great storyteller. I have never heard of the Lemkos. Hardworking, Courageous, and Religious people are proud of where they come from and how they were persecuted for who they were. The author's notes at the end are a must-read!!
Another best seller!! You will not be disappointed!!

Have you heard of the Lemko people? You won't want to miss this dual time book as modern day McKenna goes to Poland to learn more about her ancestors. Before the leaves on the trip, her grandmother tells her to "find my sister". What sister? No one knew she had a sister! McKenna learns much more than she ever expected.
1939: Helena Kostyszak is lecturing at a university in Krakow, Poland and sneaks to the country of Lemko with a dying Jewish friend's baby when Jews are forced into the ghetto. Helena is certainly a brave woman as she faces so many dangers but she never gives up on protecting the child.
I was born at the end of World War II but have learned so much about what Europeans faced through reading the Echoes of the Past series. It makes me have a new appreciation of living in the United States. I encourage everyone to read What I Left for You and the entire series. I received a complimentary e-book through Barbour and NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

“ No matter what, God.” “My peace comes from the assurance that God overseas all things.”
In this dual time book, we see McKenna search for her roots and the missing parts of her ancestral story. It is steeped in the chaos of World War II in Poland, and a little known people group known as the Lemkos who got lumped in with another group and targeted for annihilation. What was fascinating was that the author drew on her own background and researched her own family origins. This was yet another story in the complex and gut-wrenching history of World War II. This tale showcased not only hardship, but also resiliency, remarkable courage and resolve in seemingly desperate situations. The writing style was eloquent, persuasive, and powerful depicting people of great faith.
What I Left For You brought the story of Helena to a new generation, when McKenna found the links to her great grandmother.
Ms. Tolsma is a distinctive voice in World War II fiction. I am always glad to read her perspective.
* A complementary copy of this book was provided by Barbour Publishing on behalf of the author and through NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

4.5 stars

This emotional dual timeline novel (1939 Poland during WWII and 2023 Pittsburgh and Poland) is the third installment in the Echoes of the Past series, but it could be read as a standalone novel.

I have read numerous books in the genre, but I have never read one about the Lemko Jews. As is standard for this author, Tolsma writes about a difficult time in history with sensitivity, shedding light on the hardships, but also showing the light of God's hope through those situations. She weaves historical facts with fiction to create a compelling story that quickly pulls the reader in. The author also includes a note about how she has a personal connection to the Lemko people, a group that is often overlooked. Characters in both storylines are realistic and well-developed, and you can't help but connect with them. While this is a story that is quite heavy at times, it is also very uplifting with a strong faith element woven throughout.

1938-1949 Poland & 2023 Pennsylvania & Poland

This third in a series shines a light on a Polish subset I had never heard of...Lemkos. Lemkos were largely poor and lacking advanced education. Helena Kostyszak was an exception having gone on to college and worked as a college lecturer.

In the current day thread, McKenna Muir goes through a devastating loss in her work as social worker and questions her profession and her fit for it. Taking a sabbatical to research her family history works out to be a blessing in addition to a break.

While most of the novel is heavy, there are glimpses of light throughout. I love the way the author unfolds the story through the neatly woven timelines that complement each other so well.

I hope I can do justice to this poignant tale that rather reads like an opera on suffering, of love won, lost, nearly regained, but lost again.

It's also the story of a little known ethnic group of people called the Lemkos who inhabited the tiny region of Lemkovyna for centuries. Located in the Carpathian mountains near the borders between southern Poland, northern Slovakia and the western parts of Ukraine, the Lemko are a proud race with a rich Greek Catholic Orthodox heritage, their own language, customs, culture, dress.

Helena Kostyszak, a Lemko is highly educated and teaches at Jagiellonian University at Krakow, Poland when the Nazis goose-step into Poland. The intellectuals are herded to a camp, Helena escaping because a fellow professor Jerzy Bielski swore she was not a professor. The only other female professor, a Jewess- Risa - is imprisoned in the ghetto. Helena saves Risa's child as she lies dying and spirits her away to Lemkovyna along with Jerzy whom she marries.

You get an insight into the hard lives of the simple, largely uneducated Lemkos where Helena and her husband are the educated oddities. But Jerzy, a Pole, takes the Lemko to his heart and becomes one of them. His activities land them in a Nazi work camp, torn from each other and from Teena, their adopted daughter. Does Helena ever reunite with her husband and daughter?

Half a world away both in time and space, McKenna Muir is struggling to come to terms with her broken engagement, her boyfriend's perfidy and a horrific murder. To help her heal, her family and friend, suggest she visit Poland to discover her ancestry - she is part Lemko. As she's readying to depart, her grandmother throws a bombshell. What will McKenna discover?

The novel swings between war torn Lemko lives and the present. Almost every chapter begins with hauntingly beautiful Lemko poetry, hailing Lemkovyna, its beauties, bemoaning their suffering before and during World War II, their love for their land, their families and the final, ethnic cleansing they face. Is there any end to the sufferings these little known people group face?

The novel ends on a note of optimism and triumph in the midst of so much loss, tragedy, sorrow and unimaginable hardships, all by the grace of God who has never forsaken or failed the Lemko, even though they were forsaken and failed by man.

I loved the characters of Helena, Jerzy and Paul Dudiak. You can see them grow visibly in their faith in the midst of the worst atrocities man can inflict on his fellow human beings. You see the same resilience in McKenna as she navigates life in midst of the harsh realities she faces as a social worker faced by personal loss and tragedy. You see the growth in her faith arc and her healing springing forth with each discovery she makes while in Poland.

A beautifully written, evocative, haunting novel - a mini opera, you will carry it in your heart for days to come.

I was given an e-ARC for my reading pleasure. The opinions expressed herein are my own.

I absolutely love this book. I’ve always enjoyed books by Liz Tolsma, but this is her best. She weaves back and forth between World War II period and present day. McKenna lives in western PA and works as a social worker. She is of Polish heritage and was very interested in finding out more about where her family came from as well as finding out more about a long-lost sister of her great grandmother. So, she along with a friend head for Poland.

There is so much tragedy in the book as the family goes through imprisonment, loss and starvation throughout the war. McKenna finds out that one of the reasons her descendants located in western PA was because it reminded them of the countryside they lived in before coming to the US.

If you enjoy historical fiction, you will like this book. I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing and Net Galley and was under no obligation to post a review.

"What I Left For You" by Liz Tolsma is a phenomenal novel. It's a dual timeline, set mostly in Poland and is so well written and researched! In the present timeline, a woman experiences a horrible loss and at the same time is looking for information on what may have happened to her grandma's sister during and after WWII. In the past timeline set in WWII, we hear her great-grandmother's story of what happened to her and the Lemko people of Poland.

This book brought out so many feelings and I was so invested in it I actually cried (in a good way). The descriptions of food made me, who is of Polish descent myself, crave pierogi and paczki which I never great to eat much anymore.. The book is also filled with so much encouraging and thought provoking faith content (mostly towards the end).

I felt a connection to this story through what I heard from my grandpa of Polish descent and while I don't believe he was Lemko, some of what happened to Helena in the story happened to his family. I do think anyone that reads this story will learn a lot about Polish WWII history. So much of what is written here in a fictional book is based on true history and Tolsma's epilogue explains fact from fiction very well.

Thank you to Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

"No matter what, God"

I have just finished reading the last sentence and the author's notes on this book. As I try to write this review my eyes are filled with tears. What a powerful story. Liz Tolsma has hit me right in the heart with Helena's story. It is so much more than the heartrending story of a fictional character who suffered atrocities of World War II Dubne, Poland. This is the story of the Lemko people who were nearly wiped from the earth and taken from their homeland during the war and the days of occupation afterward. This was a reality that Lemko descendant Liz Tolsma has deeply researched in her own quest to know her background, ancestry and the incredible story of her people. This is a sad story but one that shows the strength, faith, love and devotion to God and community of the Lemko people.
To me Helena Kostyszak, one character, is representative of a very poor people who are rich in love, bravery, intelligence and character. Over the decades she knows intense sorrow and enduring friendship. There are precious characters and men who love her that add intensity to the suffering, sorrow and endless love in the story. Jerzy Bielski is one of them. I want you, the reader to experience them yourself.
I received an e-copy of this beautiful, heartbreaking story from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley. This is my heartfelt personal reaction and opinion of this story, a masterpiece in honor of the people of Lemkovnya, past and present.
There is also the story of modern-day character McKenna Muir, who after the shocking murder of a toddler, breaks away and travels to Poland in a search of her ancestry. This journey is reflective of Liz Tolsma's own research trip with her daughter.
I rate this story a five out of five. I recommend it for readers who enjoy learning more about history, World War II, faith-based fiction, and incredibly strong women. There is a vein of sadness throughout which is what the time period and world has given us in all reality. It is a terrible part of history that we need to be aware of. We can learn from the strength that was drawn upon with a drive and faith to survive.
Thank you, Liz Tolsma.
Triggers, while written in good taste there is, of course, violence, death and an 'unseen' rape in the story.
This book deserves to be an award winner.

In 1939 WWII, Helena rescues her dearest friend's daughter from the ghetto and certain death. She does all she can to protect her new daughter and her own mother, but it may not be enough.

In 2023, McKenna is devastated when one of children on her caseload is murdered. To try to assuage her own guilty feelings, she travels with her best friend to Poland to try to discover her family's hidden past.

When the past and the present collide with what McKenna learns, will all be well in her world now, or is the past too much to bear?

I highly recommend this book to anyone who love dual timeline, WWII, suspense, and a surprise HEA!

I received an early copy of this novel from the author. However, my review is my opinion and done of my own volition.

This dual-timeline story is heartbreaking. Full of the sorrows and brutality of man in both timelines; but also full of hope and peace. It reveals the ugliness of WWII and the suffering of the Lemko people. Helena and McKenna are both fantastic characters.
I loved that even after all the evil Helena saw and endured she could still say, “No matter what, God.” Such a beautiful reminder to us all.

This ARC was provided through NetGalley by the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review, rating and opinions are my own.

Echoes of the Past, Book 3, entitled "What I Left For You" by Liz Tolsma has got to be her best book yet. I have read several of her books, but this one really pulls at your heartstrings. This dual timeline of WW2 Poland & the present day begins with Helena & the terrifying events that take her through WW2 & the invasion of Poland. She suffers so much loss & almost loses her faith as well. In the present day, her granddaughter McKenna goes to Poland in search of family history. What she discovers will change all their lives. When you read about the present day Poland, it is so descriptive, its hard to believe what had happened there. It is truly a story of human endurance, forgiveness & faith. I couldn't put the book down, it is that good. "No Matter What, God." I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing & was under no obligation to post a review.

No Matter what, God.

Two little girls - one in the Jewish ghetto in Krakow, Poland and one in Pittsburg, PA. Against all odds, one survives and the other does not.

Helena is a well-educated lady originally from the Lemko region of Poland. Her Jewish coworker is in the ghetto dying needing someone to step forward to care for her infant daughter. A choice must be made, but will it be the right one? Only time will tell.
McKenna is a social worker in Pittsburgh when one of her young charges is murdered. Hoping to deal with that sorrow as well as a broken engagement, she explores what she learned from a DNA test. Could this possibly give her a new direction for her life?

This incredibly well researched book will take you to places you might rather not learn about. However, looking back at history gives us the opportunity to change the choices we make today, ever remembering that God is in charge, whatever the outcome may be. An early copy of Echoes of the Past #3 was received through Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.

This dual time story was a page turner for me. Helena went through so much living in Poland during World War II. Her life was in upheaval and the loss of those she loved was always heavy on her heart. In the current time, Helena's great-granddaughter McKenna searches for answers about her family's history while battling her own turmoil. A trip to Poland for McKenna will result in some uncovered secrets, some suprising discoveries and quest to grant her grandmother's wish.
Admittedly, some of the parts of cruel treatment were unsettling, but the strength it took to overcome the evil around her was Helena's greatest attribute. These same portions of the story were what made it a powerful and memorable novel that gives much historic information and firsthand experience of those affected by the oppression of war.
This is definitely worth reading. You may even stay up too late to reach that final page!

This book will tug at your heartstrings.
Set in WWII and present day, the author guides you through the tragedies of the past as well as the heartaches of the present.
I learned something new in this book, the history of the Lemko people. The author has Lemko descendants making this a personal book for her.
I highly recommend this read. It will teach you a lot.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

What a difficult story to read! My heart was continually breaking for Helene and the trials she faced in her life. Helene constantly makes choices to help others to her own detriment but continues to trust in God. As other reviewers have mentioned, her statement “No matter what, God” is a running theme throughout the book. The author weaves Helene’s story into the story of her own great-granddaughter, McKenna, who is facing troubles of her own. There is so much heartache and loss in this story, but an underlying theme of redemption and hope.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The author does a fantastic job of intertwining the past and the present to make sure that the reader isn't overwhelmed by the story. I love that McKenna in the present day has such a desire to learn more about her genealogy. Her friend Taylor is such a gift to her. In the past we find Helena who is a heroine like no other as she combats the heinous acts committed during WWII. Jeezy, Pawel and Teena were also wonderful characters.

One of my favorite quotes was, "no matter what, God!". I love it and it reminded the characters in the book that no matter what God is with us.

Thanks to netgalley and Barbour Publishing for the arc. The review will be posted on my blog and netgalley 30 days prior to publication

This is a riveting page turner, I had to know how things turned out. A dual time, a great granddaughter in the present time, and her great grandmother living in Poland during the time of Evil, WWII.

We are with this young woman, as she tries to put her life together after devastating happenings, she and a dear friend journey for answers of what happened back during this horrible time, they head to Poland, and are looking for answers, including some surprise information from the Baba looking for someone very special!

This an eye opening read, and once they were safe, were they? This is also about the author and her family heritage, a small group of Polish Greek Russian, and how persecuted they were.

Be sure to read the extensive author's notes, insight as to where she come from!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbour, and was not required to give a positive review.

Helena rescues a friend's baby from a ghetto, but life is so uncertain for the Lemko people. In a dual timeline, the woman's great-grand daughter McKenna travels to Poland to find out more about her family. It’s a war story, so of course it’s grim, but it was a little too oppressive for me.
Helena has lots of questions about God’s fairness and love, but she learns that trust and faith are important no matter what. Good thoughts.

This is a very touching story though it can be difficult to read at times. It follows the lives of two women, Helena during World War II and McKenna in 2023. Helena is in Poland and her journey takes her from being a lecturer at the local college to traveling back home to being captured and sent to a work camp.Will she survive the war? McKenna is a social worker who has just learned of the death of a former child client, devastating her and wondering if she missed something. Her boss agrees to her taking a sabbatical. Feeling at loose ends she decides to trace her Polish heritage. Her grandmother drops a surprise on her when she asks her to try to find her sister that no one knew existed until McKenna’s great grandmother was dying. What will McKenna learn about her family? What surprises will she uncover?
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.