Reading about the terrible deeds of Georgia Tann, the corrupt Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society director, is both painful (for me, as a mom) and informative in this historical fiction book by Liz Tolsma.
It is painful due to the plights of the innocent children stolen in order to sell them for a large sum of money to strangers. All this took place from 1924-1950. It’s startling to me when I think about my parents were born in this era and they could have been victims!
As I read this story about a widowed mom with her only child, a three-year-old little girl named Millie, I could feel Cecile’s pain of losing her child, then her struggle to try to find her, not able to escape the dangers involved. The lawyer who worked with Miss Tann actually helped her steal Millie but he saw the terrible suffering in Millie during the abduction and his thinking started to change in working with this woman.
The lawyer, Percy, became the advocate for Cecile and together they experienced very exciting events in their pursuit!
Many children need to be adopted in today’s world. I am thankful to have grandchildren who are adopted. My heart loves them as if they were blood related. This book is for anyone who wants truth-seeking, adventure, love and anyone who wants to know about the history that was made.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Author
beccaweidel
3 years ago
Wow! Talk about a book that will grip you and hold you captive from cover to cover! I started this too late into the evening to read in one sitting, but believe me when I tell you I cam home from work today anxious to finish. This book had me hook, line, and sinker! By sharing several points-of-view throughout the novel, Liz Tolsma was able to hold the reader in suspense not only to show how events would unfold for each character, but keep them wondering if one of the voices belonged to Cecile’s daughter. Everything was masterfully woven together to form the perfect narrative. The best way I can explain how I feel after closing the cover is that I’m caught up in a book fog.
Last year I read the book Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate, and that was my first introduction to the madness of Georgia Tann and the Tenesee Children’s Home Society. Knowing how many of the people’s stories actually turned out, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be digging into a book with a happy ending or not. I will not spoil this for you, but I will tell you that the mystery held me captive with an anxious heart. Sometimes history hurts, but it’s history. While the majority of the characters in this story were fictional, Georgia Tann was not. She was a real woman who was responsible for countless kidnappings and murders.
To say that I felt emotionally connected to this story would be an incredible understatement. Do yourself a favor and start this book in the morning on a free day, because this is one you won’t want to put down! This one is absolutely a must-read!
*I received a copy of this book through CelebrateLit. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
Author
conniesaunders
3 years ago
Before reading this book I was vaguely familiar with the story of Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children’s Home Society but I had no concept of the evil that occurred in this agency over the course of 26 years. There were over five thousand children kidnapped during that time for the sole purpose of being sold to the highest bidder. Parents in Memphis had to make sure that their children weren’t left alone because of this dangerous woman who wasn’t above kidnapping a child as they walked down the street or played in the park. Georgia Tann somehow convinced the public that she was acting in the best interest of the children because of neglect from their natural parents and she and her crooked allies terrorized Memphis and the surrounding area from 1924-1950.
Author Liz Tolsma uses these true facts as the basis for her new novel, The Pink Bonnet. It is the summer of 1933 when widow Cecile Dodd leaves her three year old daughter with a neighbor for a few hours and returns to find her daughter gone. Over the course of the next few months Cecile desperately searches for Millie Mae and it appears that she may never find her little girl again. With the help of lawyer Percy Vance, Cecile follows clue after clue and each time that she thinks she may have found her daughter, another roadblock appears.
The Pink Bonnet is fiction but it is based on the historical facts of this horrendous crime spree and the author really kept me in suspense . There are three different families with little girls who had recently been adopted and I was kept guessing until the very end to see if one of them was actually Millie Mae Dodd.
This story is filled with terror, human suffering, and intense mental anguish but it also shows the fierce determination of a mother desperate to find her little girl. It also reminds us that the deepest childhood hurts can be reconciled by the mercy and peace that comes from knowing a loving Heavenly Father. Percy Vance realizes that ‘For the first time in his life, that heavy weight of not belonging, of not having a family, lifted from his chest because he belonged to the family of God.’ (p. 239)
I recommend The Pink Bonnet to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction, mysteries and true crime stories but I must advise you that this isn’t always an easy book to read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Author
mepinkham
3 years ago
This heart-stopping, “Fiction based on Strange-But-True History,” by Liz Tolsma, will keep you on the edge of your seat from the moment you start reading it.
The Pink Bonnet is a fictionalized account of one mother who refused to give up until she had her daughter back from the clutches of Georgia Tann. Tann ran the Tennessee Children’s Home Society in the early to mid-1900s. During this time, thousands of children were kidnapped from their parents and sold to the highest bidder. Tann had lots of “friends in high places,” so was able to pull off these egregious acts for many years. Non-stop suspense with a little bit of romance will make you forget about whatever tasks are waiting for you when you finish.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Author
christiflores0420
3 years ago
Memphis 1933. America is still in the throws of the Depression and Cecile Dowd is trying to make ends meet after her husbands death, fighting to support herself and her rambunctious three year old, Millie. During this time in Memphis there existed the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, a real organization that served as a type of social service, that was ran by a woman named Miss Tann. On the outside she donned the disguise of an angel that rescued children out of dire and desperate situations and put them in safe, nurturing homes where they would be better cared for. The reality was far more sinister and Cecile is about to find out Miss Tann’s true mission.
From the beginning this book is an emotional rollercoaster. When I read what happened to Millie I was shocked that this actually happened to families in Memphis and was allowed to continue for 25 years. Anger and frustration coursed through my veins at every dead end and every time Miss Tann got her way, craving for justice to be served and all the wrongs being made right. The ending was pretty much what I expected and was a mixture of happiness and sadness.
Loving historical fiction like I do I am enamored by the True Colors series though it is heart wrenching that these events, to some degree, really happened. The writing is gripping, like any great suspense, the depth of the characters perfection, and the imagery incredibly vivid. I devoured this book within hours fighting, like poor Cecile, to see how it would all end. A wonderfully, gut-wrenching story that will keep you on the edge ’til the bitter end.
*I have reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are completely honest, and my own.
Author
sarahsnider
3 years ago
After finishing Liz Tolsma’s “The Pink Bonnet”, book two in the True Colors series, my opinions are mixed. This story needs and deserves to be told, and yet the grimness of it is oppressive, truly making it difficult fodder. Prior to this novel, I knew of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society by name only, so this story was shockingly enlightening. As with so many appalling events throughout history, this one seems incredulous in its scope and longevity. Targeting victims who were poor and vulnerable forms a sadly effective modus operandi, indicating the ongoing need for reform. In seeking to dispel the evil associated with this organization, the depth of complicity becomes evident and has far-reaching consequences that echo still today.
“The Pink Bonnet” opens innocuously enough, with a mother and her three-year-old daughter struggling to make ends meet in 1933 in Memphis, Tennessee, low on money but rich in love. Almost immediately, however, foreshadowing forms storm clouds on the horizon, and soon events come to a head. Entrusting little Millie to a neighbor for a few hours, Cecile Dowd returns to find her daughter gone, given over to the custody of Georgia Tann, the unscrupulous director of the Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society. What follows demonstrates the lengths a mother will go to in order to recover her child.
Incredibly pervasive, the extent of the corruption demonstrates the result of crony politics and the danger of being a parent in Memphis during this time period and also serves to remind us that such threats continue now as well. Child trafficking is an insidious business, and in this story Miss Tann is truly diabolical. Because of the guise under which she operates, a moral dilemma emerges: Is the child better off in an adoptive home? If the birth parents find their child and the child has a good life with their adopted parents, who gets custody? Pearl’s and Fanny’s characters offer a good balance by showing both sides of the adoption issue.
Harrowing and sinister, “The Pink Bonnet” merits words of warning. There is very little humor or lightheartedness to relieve tension, and due to the nature of the subject matter, there is mistreatment and physical abuse of a child as well as domestic violence, albeit with no graphic details. As such, I would not recommend this book for everyone. A few unanswered questions raised during the story remain, and the conclusion was more open-ended than I prefer, although part of this is attributable to the historical event itself. Faith in God does not truly become a strong contributing factor until the denouement, a fact which I found disappointing but which does point to the characters’ spiritual growth. One of the characters sums it up best: “The life, welfare, and happiness of children and their parents was priceless. Jesus had already purchased their lives with His blood. They were no longer up for sale.” Thank the Lord that none of us are orphans and that we will always be at home in Him!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and CelebrateLit and was under no obligation to post a review.
Author
bettimace
3 years ago
‘Love. Compassion. Kindness. Those constitute a parent whether blood or not.’
This book vividly portrays the darkness in some souls. Meet Miss Georgia Tann, director of the Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society, who kidnapped and sold over 5,000 children during the years 1924 – 1950. These children were stolen from their families whether well cared for or not. Very few, if any, were ever returned to their families. One can’t help but wonder if they ever connected with those blood relations again.
The author has taken this dark point in history and fashioned the fictional story of one such child and her loving mother. I must admit I sat at the edge of my seat, had tears in my eyes and even held my breath at times while reading this book. Wow! You really want to be ready for the emotional reaction this novel will stir up in you. Under the best of circumstances, adoption can be difficult for all parties. Imagine if you are torn away from your parent(s) without consent! Millie experienced just that. How was she to ever find her momma again? Cecile, Millie’s momma, wondered if it was even possible for her to locate her daughter in the midst of all this horror.
The anger I felt with this injustice was alleviated by the time I reached the ending of this incredible book. Would that there had been justice for all those children.
I had the privilege of receiving an ARC through Barbour Publishing, NetGalley and CelebrateLit. This review gives my personal impressions and opinions.
Author
dixiegran
3 years ago
My first book to read by this author who has based her “True Colors” series of historical stories of American crime on true happenings. While the main characters are fictional, the books are based on actual events. “The Pink Bonnet” is based on the Tennessee Children’s Home Society and Georgia Tann, the woman who ran it. The year is 1932. It is hard to believe that this woman could actually get away with the crimes she committed and the people who helped her. This story will touch your heart as a young mother frantically searches for her child who was taken by this woman. There is much suspense and dangers as the plot thickens and you keep turning the pages to see if the child is found. I was given a copy via Netgalley and the publisher and the review is my own words.
Author
nancym
3 years ago
This was a very emotional read for me. But once I got past the first few chapters I couldn’t put it down. It was filled with heartache. Especially knowing that this was based on a true story of Georgia Tann and that this took place in Memphis, TN. Knowing and reading about it are two different things. The author said it well, “Adoption is messy” It is hard on all parties involved. There was mystery involved with this book as well. I received a copy of this book from the author. All views stated here are my own.
Author
paulashreckhise
3 years ago
The Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma is the second book in the series True Colors, Historical Stories of American Crime by Barbour Publishing.
Liz Tolsma has captured the flavor of 1933 Memphis, Tennessee and has built a story around the scandal that rocked many people’s lives. She has brought to life the despicable acts of the infamous Georgia Tann of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society.
This book is like watching an old black and white Film Noir, complete with a shiny black Cadillac limousine and a chauffeur with a nasty pistol. There are many tense moments for our hero and heroine. Ms. Tolsma has us rooting for them as they try to get the stolen children back. An emphasis is put on the spiritual condition of the characters and the reliance on God by the hero and heroine.
Get caught up in a bygone era and learn the history of a child adoption conspiracy that was far reaching in political circles.
I thought it especially interesting that the author has three adopted children. She wrote that she didn’t want to discourage anyone from adopting. In fact she encourages us all to ponder the plight of the many children who are in need.
*I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
Author
deannastevens
3 years ago
Georgia Tann, a corrupt Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society director is suspected of the disappearance of hundreds of children and this story takes you right into the thick of it! Georgia is described as a terrible person and you can almost smell the stench of her evil as the author introduces us to the main characters. When I finished reading this book I just felt heartbroken for all the parents whose lives were forever changed by this woman. If you like fictional stories based on true crimes.. read this one. “I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.” My review is voluntary.
Author
charlenecapodice
3 years ago
I loved this book. It is full of historical facts and fiction. A time in our history when women lost their children to underground adoption The children were stolen and sold This story is of a woman who fought back and found her child after going through some heartbreaking situations. She has an unlikely ally who helps her find her little girl. This is a moving interesting heart wrenching story. I could not put this book down! I had to find out what was on the next page.
Author
kathychurch
3 years ago
This is based on a true story. The Children’s Home and Ms. Tann were real. Cecile & Millie are fictional but that’s not to say that their story isn’t real. This woman impacted many, many lives and a lot of them not for the better. The story is good as are the characters. There is mystery, romance and lots of angst. If you like historical fiction and true crime then I think you will enjoy this book.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley & the publisher and voluntarily chose to review it.
Author
annerightler
3 years ago
The Pink Bonnet, by Liz Tolsma, is part of the True Colors series which are fictional stories based on true American crime. Having read the first book in the series, The White City, I was looking forward to reading The Pink Bonnet and was not disappointed. The author drew me in immediately as, in the first few pages she describes the kidnapping of a three-year-old little girl, Millie, and the horror, grief, and desperation of her mother, Cecile. Set in Memphis during the 1930s, the book tells the heart-wrenching story of a persistent mother’s search for her daughter and the lengths she would go to get her back. The book tells of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, run by Georgia Tann, where over a number of years, it is estimated that thousands of children were stolen and sold. Politics and riches seemed to trump everything even the welfare of innocent children. The author brings a turbulent time in Memphis to life with finesse as she portrays the terror that families must have felt as children continued to disappear, the desperation and determination of parents who tried to find them. The characters are realistic and either likable, relatable, or despicable. Dialogue flowed seamlessly without sounding forced. I had a hard time putting the book down and pretty much read it in one sitting. The story pulls on the reader’s emotions, shock and horror, anger and revenge, sorrow and compassion. It is a thought-provoking book and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.
Author
mthoms84mte
3 years ago
The Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma, writes a captivating history of american crime set in the 1930s. Very descriptive and well written, the activities of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society is brought into the public eye. The depression era was difficult enough, but Georgia Tann, who runs the Children’s Home Society, has made a healthy profit from taking custody of children from parents she deems unfit, too poor or too unintelligent, then “adopts” them out to the highest bidder whether they want to be a parent or need a laborer, she does what it takes to keep everything hidden from the public. It is amazing how much power she had over the police, employees and politicians. No one dared to expose her except for one desperate woman. She eventually finds she is not the only one, which helps give her the strength to endure impossible odds and even risk death to save her child and other children. I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing & was under no obligation to post a review.
Author
joanarning
3 years ago
Emotional! Liz Tolsma has written a fictional story of Cecile Dowd whose three year old child, Millie, was stolen by Georgia Tann of the Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society! My heart went out to Cecile and Millie as well as the other mothers and children involved in this true scandal. Cecile’s husband has passed away and Millie is the only family she has. You will also meet some of the adoptive families who unknowingly adopted a kidnapped child who they love. The story moves quickly and keeps your attention. I recommend The Pink Bonnet to others. I received an advance copy of the Pink Bonnet from NetGalley and Barbour Books. This is my honest opinion.
Author
faithhope75
3 years ago
The Pink Bonnet is a gripping story that kept the pages turning and tugged at my emotions. This fictional historical book is based on the horrendous crime of Georgia Tann in Memphis, Tennessee when she ran an adoption agency. She obtained children by kidnapping or having birth parents sign papers when they did not understand they were terminating their rights.
Liz Tolsma brought Cecile Dowd, a young widow, story to life with the kidnapping of her child Millie, after a neighbor forged her name on documents that Tann had her to sign terminating parental rights. The realism of her fight to have Millie returned from Tann and her cronies gave way to discovering others were involved in the operation to the point that law enforcement and the judicial system would not assist Cecile or even listen at times to explain the truth. Percy Vance provided legal assisted to Tann, but Millie’s kidnapping and Cecile’s pleas tug at his heart. Will Percy and Cecile be able to overcome all the obstacles, threats and be able to expose the truth of Tann’s action?
Tolsma vivid descriptive flow of all the drama, heartbreak, anger and threats on lives along with fictional character Cecile Dowd’s fortitude, tenacity and faith in God has remained with me since I closed the book. One cannot fathom the agony and desperation of the parents when their children disappeared by Tann and her partners not only in this story but in America history from 1924 – 1950. The Pink Bonnet is a true picture how an injustice can infiltrate a life and even reach those who are to serve others, while the innocent ones are suffering.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All thoughts are my own sincere ones for this heartbreaking book in the series “True Colors–Fiction Based on Strange but True History.” I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Author
chessie92
3 years ago
I received an ARC and really loved this book.
I enjoyed this book from the first psge to the last. Based on true story during the depression about Georgia Tann in Memphis Tennessee stealing children and selling them black market.
One brave mother would stop at nothing to find her child.
This is the first book I read by Liz Tolsma and I will definitely read more of her books.
Author
lisa
3 years ago
As I read The Pink Bonnet, I thought that this story could have really happened in Memphis back in the 1930’s. only to discover that it was based on factual events. Reading about a mother having her child taken from her wasn’t easy as Liz Tolsma writes in such a way to make you feel as her well-developed characters do. I did find it to be a very satisfying story. I received an ARC from NetGalley. I chose to write a review and share my opinion.
Author
jenniferk
3 years ago
Liz Tolsma chose such an interesting topic in writing historical fiction about the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. Truly these criminal activities affected so many people. Because of that, I liked how Tolsma created several scenarios depicting people who were affected differently by the actions of the director of the society and her cohorts. Of course, all these adoption stories involve some level of hurt which the author balances well in the novel by adding a romance in the mix. Overall, The Pink Bonnet was a quick suspenseful read with history that we need to watch for in today’s world. I am looking forward to the next book in this true crime series, which is also a stand-alone book but written by a different author. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Reading about the terrible deeds of Georgia Tann, the corrupt Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society director, is both painful (for me, as a mom) and informative in this historical fiction book by Liz Tolsma.
It is painful due to the plights of the innocent children stolen in order to sell them for a large sum of money to strangers. All this took place from 1924-1950. It’s startling to me when I think about my parents were born in this era and they could have been victims!
As I read this story about a widowed mom with her only child, a three-year-old little girl named Millie, I could feel Cecile’s pain of losing her child, then her struggle to try to find her, not able to escape the dangers involved. The lawyer who worked with Miss Tann actually helped her steal Millie but he saw the terrible suffering in Millie during the abduction and his thinking started to change in working with this woman.
The lawyer, Percy, became the advocate for Cecile and together they experienced very exciting events in their pursuit!
Many children need to be adopted in today’s world. I am thankful to have grandchildren who are adopted. My heart loves them as if they were blood related. This book is for anyone who wants truth-seeking, adventure, love and anyone who wants to know about the history that was made.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Wow! Talk about a book that will grip you and hold you captive from cover to cover! I started this too late into the evening to read in one sitting, but believe me when I tell you I cam home from work today anxious to finish. This book had me hook, line, and sinker! By sharing several points-of-view throughout the novel, Liz Tolsma was able to hold the reader in suspense not only to show how events would unfold for each character, but keep them wondering if one of the voices belonged to Cecile’s daughter. Everything was masterfully woven together to form the perfect narrative. The best way I can explain how I feel after closing the cover is that I’m caught up in a book fog.
Last year I read the book Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate, and that was my first introduction to the madness of Georgia Tann and the Tenesee Children’s Home Society. Knowing how many of the people’s stories actually turned out, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be digging into a book with a happy ending or not. I will not spoil this for you, but I will tell you that the mystery held me captive with an anxious heart. Sometimes history hurts, but it’s history. While the majority of the characters in this story were fictional, Georgia Tann was not. She was a real woman who was responsible for countless kidnappings and murders.
To say that I felt emotionally connected to this story would be an incredible understatement. Do yourself a favor and start this book in the morning on a free day, because this is one you won’t want to put down! This one is absolutely a must-read!
*I received a copy of this book through CelebrateLit. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
Before reading this book I was vaguely familiar with the story of Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children’s Home Society but I had no concept of the evil that occurred in this agency over the course of 26 years. There were over five thousand children kidnapped during that time for the sole purpose of being sold to the highest bidder. Parents in Memphis had to make sure that their children weren’t left alone because of this dangerous woman who wasn’t above kidnapping a child as they walked down the street or played in the park. Georgia Tann somehow convinced the public that she was acting in the best interest of the children because of neglect from their natural parents and she and her crooked allies terrorized Memphis and the surrounding area from 1924-1950.
Author Liz Tolsma uses these true facts as the basis for her new novel, The Pink Bonnet. It is the summer of 1933 when widow Cecile Dodd leaves her three year old daughter with a neighbor for a few hours and returns to find her daughter gone. Over the course of the next few months Cecile desperately searches for Millie Mae and it appears that she may never find her little girl again. With the help of lawyer Percy Vance, Cecile follows clue after clue and each time that she thinks she may have found her daughter, another roadblock appears.
The Pink Bonnet is fiction but it is based on the historical facts of this horrendous crime spree and the author really kept me in suspense . There are three different families with little girls who had recently been adopted and I was kept guessing until the very end to see if one of them was actually Millie Mae Dodd.
This story is filled with terror, human suffering, and intense mental anguish but it also shows the fierce determination of a mother desperate to find her little girl. It also reminds us that the deepest childhood hurts can be reconciled by the mercy and peace that comes from knowing a loving Heavenly Father. Percy Vance realizes that ‘For the first time in his life, that heavy weight of not belonging, of not having a family, lifted from his chest because he belonged to the family of God.’ (p. 239)
I recommend The Pink Bonnet to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction, mysteries and true crime stories but I must advise you that this isn’t always an easy book to read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
This heart-stopping, “Fiction based on Strange-But-True History,” by Liz Tolsma, will keep you on the edge of your seat from the moment you start reading it.
The Pink Bonnet is a fictionalized account of one mother who refused to give up until she had her daughter back from the clutches of Georgia Tann. Tann ran the Tennessee Children’s Home Society in the early to mid-1900s. During this time, thousands of children were kidnapped from their parents and sold to the highest bidder. Tann had lots of “friends in high places,” so was able to pull off these egregious acts for many years. Non-stop suspense with a little bit of romance will make you forget about whatever tasks are waiting for you when you finish.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Memphis 1933. America is still in the throws of the Depression and Cecile Dowd is trying to make ends meet after her husbands death, fighting to support herself and her rambunctious three year old, Millie. During this time in Memphis there existed the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, a real organization that served as a type of social service, that was ran by a woman named Miss Tann. On the outside she donned the disguise of an angel that rescued children out of dire and desperate situations and put them in safe, nurturing homes where they would be better cared for. The reality was far more sinister and Cecile is about to find out Miss Tann’s true mission.
From the beginning this book is an emotional rollercoaster. When I read what happened to Millie I was shocked that this actually happened to families in Memphis and was allowed to continue for 25 years. Anger and frustration coursed through my veins at every dead end and every time Miss Tann got her way, craving for justice to be served and all the wrongs being made right. The ending was pretty much what I expected and was a mixture of happiness and sadness.
Loving historical fiction like I do I am enamored by the True Colors series though it is heart wrenching that these events, to some degree, really happened. The writing is gripping, like any great suspense, the depth of the characters perfection, and the imagery incredibly vivid. I devoured this book within hours fighting, like poor Cecile, to see how it would all end. A wonderfully, gut-wrenching story that will keep you on the edge ’til the bitter end.
*I have reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are completely honest, and my own.
After finishing Liz Tolsma’s “The Pink Bonnet”, book two in the True Colors series, my opinions are mixed. This story needs and deserves to be told, and yet the grimness of it is oppressive, truly making it difficult fodder. Prior to this novel, I knew of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society by name only, so this story was shockingly enlightening. As with so many appalling events throughout history, this one seems incredulous in its scope and longevity. Targeting victims who were poor and vulnerable forms a sadly effective modus operandi, indicating the ongoing need for reform. In seeking to dispel the evil associated with this organization, the depth of complicity becomes evident and has far-reaching consequences that echo still today.
“The Pink Bonnet” opens innocuously enough, with a mother and her three-year-old daughter struggling to make ends meet in 1933 in Memphis, Tennessee, low on money but rich in love. Almost immediately, however, foreshadowing forms storm clouds on the horizon, and soon events come to a head. Entrusting little Millie to a neighbor for a few hours, Cecile Dowd returns to find her daughter gone, given over to the custody of Georgia Tann, the unscrupulous director of the Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society. What follows demonstrates the lengths a mother will go to in order to recover her child.
Incredibly pervasive, the extent of the corruption demonstrates the result of crony politics and the danger of being a parent in Memphis during this time period and also serves to remind us that such threats continue now as well. Child trafficking is an insidious business, and in this story Miss Tann is truly diabolical. Because of the guise under which she operates, a moral dilemma emerges: Is the child better off in an adoptive home? If the birth parents find their child and the child has a good life with their adopted parents, who gets custody? Pearl’s and Fanny’s characters offer a good balance by showing both sides of the adoption issue.
Harrowing and sinister, “The Pink Bonnet” merits words of warning. There is very little humor or lightheartedness to relieve tension, and due to the nature of the subject matter, there is mistreatment and physical abuse of a child as well as domestic violence, albeit with no graphic details. As such, I would not recommend this book for everyone. A few unanswered questions raised during the story remain, and the conclusion was more open-ended than I prefer, although part of this is attributable to the historical event itself. Faith in God does not truly become a strong contributing factor until the denouement, a fact which I found disappointing but which does point to the characters’ spiritual growth. One of the characters sums it up best: “The life, welfare, and happiness of children and their parents was priceless. Jesus had already purchased their lives with His blood. They were no longer up for sale.” Thank the Lord that none of us are orphans and that we will always be at home in Him!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and CelebrateLit and was under no obligation to post a review.
‘Love. Compassion. Kindness. Those constitute a parent whether blood or not.’
This book vividly portrays the darkness in some souls. Meet Miss Georgia Tann, director of the Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society, who kidnapped and sold over 5,000 children during the years 1924 – 1950. These children were stolen from their families whether well cared for or not. Very few, if any, were ever returned to their families. One can’t help but wonder if they ever connected with those blood relations again.
The author has taken this dark point in history and fashioned the fictional story of one such child and her loving mother. I must admit I sat at the edge of my seat, had tears in my eyes and even held my breath at times while reading this book. Wow! You really want to be ready for the emotional reaction this novel will stir up in you. Under the best of circumstances, adoption can be difficult for all parties. Imagine if you are torn away from your parent(s) without consent! Millie experienced just that. How was she to ever find her momma again? Cecile, Millie’s momma, wondered if it was even possible for her to locate her daughter in the midst of all this horror.
The anger I felt with this injustice was alleviated by the time I reached the ending of this incredible book. Would that there had been justice for all those children.
I had the privilege of receiving an ARC through Barbour Publishing, NetGalley and CelebrateLit. This review gives my personal impressions and opinions.
My first book to read by this author who has based her “True Colors” series of historical stories of American crime on true happenings. While the main characters are fictional, the books are based on actual events. “The Pink Bonnet” is based on the Tennessee Children’s Home Society and Georgia Tann, the woman who ran it. The year is 1932. It is hard to believe that this woman could actually get away with the crimes she committed and the people who helped her. This story will touch your heart as a young mother frantically searches for her child who was taken by this woman. There is much suspense and dangers as the plot thickens and you keep turning the pages to see if the child is found. I was given a copy via Netgalley and the publisher and the review is my own words.
This was a very emotional read for me. But once I got past the first few chapters I couldn’t put it down. It was filled with heartache. Especially knowing that this was based on a true story of Georgia Tann and that this took place in Memphis, TN. Knowing and reading about it are two different things. The author said it well, “Adoption is messy” It is hard on all parties involved. There was mystery involved with this book as well. I received a copy of this book from the author. All views stated here are my own.
The Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma is the second book in the series True Colors, Historical Stories of American Crime by Barbour Publishing.
Liz Tolsma has captured the flavor of 1933 Memphis, Tennessee and has built a story around the scandal that rocked many people’s lives. She has brought to life the despicable acts of the infamous Georgia Tann of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society.
This book is like watching an old black and white Film Noir, complete with a shiny black Cadillac limousine and a chauffeur with a nasty pistol. There are many tense moments for our hero and heroine. Ms. Tolsma has us rooting for them as they try to get the stolen children back. An emphasis is put on the spiritual condition of the characters and the reliance on God by the hero and heroine.
Get caught up in a bygone era and learn the history of a child adoption conspiracy that was far reaching in political circles.
I thought it especially interesting that the author has three adopted children. She wrote that she didn’t want to discourage anyone from adopting. In fact she encourages us all to ponder the plight of the many children who are in need.
*I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
Georgia Tann, a corrupt Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society director is suspected of the disappearance of hundreds of children and this story takes you right into the thick of it! Georgia is described as a terrible person and you can almost smell the stench of her evil as the author introduces us to the main characters. When I finished reading this book I just felt heartbroken for all the parents whose lives were forever changed by this woman. If you like fictional stories based on true crimes.. read this one. “I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.” My review is voluntary.
I loved this book. It is full of historical facts and fiction. A time in our history when women lost their children to underground adoption The children were stolen and sold This story is of a woman who fought back and found her child after going through some heartbreaking situations. She has an unlikely ally who helps her find her little girl. This is a moving interesting heart wrenching story. I could not put this book down! I had to find out what was on the next page.
This is based on a true story. The Children’s Home and Ms. Tann were real. Cecile & Millie are fictional but that’s not to say that their story isn’t real. This woman impacted many, many lives and a lot of them not for the better. The story is good as are the characters. There is mystery, romance and lots of angst. If you like historical fiction and true crime then I think you will enjoy this book.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley & the publisher and voluntarily chose to review it.
The Pink Bonnet, by Liz Tolsma, is part of the True Colors series which are fictional stories based on true American crime. Having read the first book in the series, The White City, I was looking forward to reading The Pink Bonnet and was not disappointed. The author drew me in immediately as, in the first few pages she describes the kidnapping of a three-year-old little girl, Millie, and the horror, grief, and desperation of her mother, Cecile. Set in Memphis during the 1930s, the book tells the heart-wrenching story of a persistent mother’s search for her daughter and the lengths she would go to get her back. The book tells of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, run by Georgia Tann, where over a number of years, it is estimated that thousands of children were stolen and sold. Politics and riches seemed to trump everything even the welfare of innocent children. The author brings a turbulent time in Memphis to life with finesse as she portrays the terror that families must have felt as children continued to disappear, the desperation and determination of parents who tried to find them. The characters are realistic and either likable, relatable, or despicable. Dialogue flowed seamlessly without sounding forced. I had a hard time putting the book down and pretty much read it in one sitting. The story pulls on the reader’s emotions, shock and horror, anger and revenge, sorrow and compassion. It is a thought-provoking book and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.
The Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma, writes a captivating history of american crime set in the 1930s. Very descriptive and well written, the activities of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society is brought into the public eye. The depression era was difficult enough, but Georgia Tann, who runs the Children’s Home Society, has made a healthy profit from taking custody of children from parents she deems unfit, too poor or too unintelligent, then “adopts” them out to the highest bidder whether they want to be a parent or need a laborer, she does what it takes to keep everything hidden from the public. It is amazing how much power she had over the police, employees and politicians. No one dared to expose her except for one desperate woman. She eventually finds she is not the only one, which helps give her the strength to endure impossible odds and even risk death to save her child and other children. I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing & was under no obligation to post a review.
Emotional! Liz Tolsma has written a fictional story of Cecile Dowd whose three year old child, Millie, was stolen by Georgia Tann of the Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society! My heart went out to Cecile and Millie as well as the other mothers and children involved in this true scandal. Cecile’s husband has passed away and Millie is the only family she has. You will also meet some of the adoptive families who unknowingly adopted a kidnapped child who they love. The story moves quickly and keeps your attention. I recommend The Pink Bonnet to others. I received an advance copy of the Pink Bonnet from NetGalley and Barbour Books. This is my honest opinion.
The Pink Bonnet is a gripping story that kept the pages turning and tugged at my emotions. This fictional historical book is based on the horrendous crime of Georgia Tann in Memphis, Tennessee when she ran an adoption agency. She obtained children by kidnapping or having birth parents sign papers when they did not understand they were terminating their rights.
Liz Tolsma brought Cecile Dowd, a young widow, story to life with the kidnapping of her child Millie, after a neighbor forged her name on documents that Tann had her to sign terminating parental rights. The realism of her fight to have Millie returned from Tann and her cronies gave way to discovering others were involved in the operation to the point that law enforcement and the judicial system would not assist Cecile or even listen at times to explain the truth. Percy Vance provided legal assisted to Tann, but Millie’s kidnapping and Cecile’s pleas tug at his heart. Will Percy and Cecile be able to overcome all the obstacles, threats and be able to expose the truth of Tann’s action?
Tolsma vivid descriptive flow of all the drama, heartbreak, anger and threats on lives along with fictional character Cecile Dowd’s fortitude, tenacity and faith in God has remained with me since I closed the book. One cannot fathom the agony and desperation of the parents when their children disappeared by Tann and her partners not only in this story but in America history from 1924 – 1950. The Pink Bonnet is a true picture how an injustice can infiltrate a life and even reach those who are to serve others, while the innocent ones are suffering.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All thoughts are my own sincere ones for this heartbreaking book in the series “True Colors–Fiction Based on Strange but True History.” I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I received an ARC and really loved this book.
I enjoyed this book from the first psge to the last. Based on true story during the depression about Georgia Tann in Memphis Tennessee stealing children and selling them black market.
One brave mother would stop at nothing to find her child.
This is the first book I read by Liz Tolsma and I will definitely read more of her books.
As I read The Pink Bonnet, I thought that this story could have really happened in Memphis back in the 1930’s. only to discover that it was based on factual events. Reading about a mother having her child taken from her wasn’t easy as Liz Tolsma writes in such a way to make you feel as her well-developed characters do. I did find it to be a very satisfying story. I received an ARC from NetGalley. I chose to write a review and share my opinion.
Liz Tolsma chose such an interesting topic in writing historical fiction about the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. Truly these criminal activities affected so many people. Because of that, I liked how Tolsma created several scenarios depicting people who were affected differently by the actions of the director of the society and her cohorts. Of course, all these adoption stories involve some level of hurt which the author balances well in the novel by adding a romance in the mix. Overall, The Pink Bonnet was a quick suspenseful read with history that we need to watch for in today’s world. I am looking forward to the next book in this true crime series, which is also a stand-alone book but written by a different author. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.