Book Description:
At their sixtieth anniversary party,
Adam Carlson asks his wife, Elizabeth, for their customary waltz. After the
dance they gather the family and share their story-a story of love and courage
overcoming adversity and thriving in the face of overwhelming odds.
It's the summer of 1946, and Adam has
just returned from the war to his home in Reunion, Montana. At a town festival
he meets Elizabeth Baxter, a young woman going steady with his former high
school rival and now influential banker, Nathan Roberts.When Adam and Elizabeth share a waltz in a deserted pavilion one evening, their feelings begin to grow and they embark on a journey, and a dance, that will last a lifetime.
My Thoughts:
The Anniversary Waltz is the debut novel of Author Darrel Nelson and it's a great one! As a fan of Christian Historical Fiction I was drawn to this beautiful story about a couple married for sixty years and how they met and came together. This story takes place in 1946, just after World War II, in Reunion, Montana. Adam Carlson has just returned home from the war to his childhood home. He meets Elizabeth Baxter who is engaged to Adam's high school rival and a very influential banker in their small town. Nathan and Adam make a bet over a carnival game with a kiss from Elizabeth as the prize. Adam wins and things go from there. Adam and Elizabeth find themselves thrust together in many different situations after that including a hayride in which they wander away from and have a dance in an empty pavilion one night. This waltz is the start of everything.
Darrel Nelson writes a beautiful story of love, tragedy, faith, and trusting in God's plan. Darrel Nelson writes with authority about this time period, Reunion Montana, and farming. The characters in this book are real, they have their ups and down and messy lives. I really felt like I was watching the events of this story unfold as they happened. This story made me laugh and cry. It truly touched my heart especially since I personally could relate to Elizabeth's tragedy and how hard it is to believe that someone can love you after such a tragedy. I highly recommend this book anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Fiction. You won't be disappointed. I look forward to reading many more stories from Darrel Nelson.
About The Author:
Darrel Nelson is a graduate of the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, with bachelor's degrees in English and education. He is a schoolteacher by profession, with thirty-three years of teaching experience, and currently teaches fourth grade at Raymond Elementary School. Nelson has had an article published in Lethbridge Magazine and has written several dramatic plays, two of which won provincial recognition and were showcased at a drama festival. He won the CJOC radio songwriting contest two years running and has had one song receive international airplay. Writing has always been a passion, and over the years he has written four novels intended for the juvenile market. They are unpublished as yet, but he reads them annually to his fourth-grade students. The Anniversary Waltz is his first novel intended for the adult market.
Beth:
ReplyDeleteI wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your review of The Anniversary Waltz. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. My second novel comes out next spring, and I sincerely hope you enjoy it too. Thanks for the kind words in your blog.