The Anniversary Waltz
4.8
5
13
13
Tenderness With Hope
The Anniversary Waltz, by Darrel Nelson
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 storyâÂÂa story of love and courage overcoming adversity and thriving in the face of overwhelming odds.
ItâÂÂs 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.
This was a sweet little book, since I was ready to read a piece of period fiction and I wasn't disappointed. The characters seemed very real to me. Adam, who had just come back home after serving in the Army, was eagerly greeted by his mother, but his father refused to acknowledge his return. As the story continued, we learn of the burden his parents carried when Adam enlisted and left his parents to work the farm.
And then we learn of Elizabeth who was raised by her aunt and uncle. She works at the smal dry cleaners at the time Adam comes home. When he comes in to have his uniform cleaned and pressed for the town festival, they begin a conversation that leads to an invitation for Adam to come for dinner. This excerpt gives you some thought as to the challenges that faced Adam that afternoon.
"I enjoyed your contribution to the service today," she said. "Thank you," he replied. "The music was inspriring, and the company was exceptional." He winked at Elizabeth. Wil noticed but said nothing. Lenora noticed too and asked, "Do you plan to make regular church attendance a part of your life?"
The correct answer was yes, of course, Adam knew that any other answer would end his chances of ever being around Elizabeth with Lenora's approval, however slight it might be. But he answered honestly, without pretext. "I admit I didn't attend church much before the war. Somehow in my youth, it didn't seem important. But in Italy I got back in touch with God. We all did. I made a deal with Him. He kept His end of the bargain, and I intend to keep mine."
"What deal did you make, if you don't mind my asking?" Lenora inquired.
So, now I won't share anymore of the story. But it's a book I recommend to encourage you. A book to give you hope that when you're discouraged not to give up.
This is the first novel by Darrel Nelson, and I hope he will give us more stories.
I'm sharing this review free without any obligations to the publisher.
January 20, 2013
EMOTIONAL AND COMPELLING!
THE ANNIVERSARY WALTZ by Darrel Nelson is an interesting christian romance/fiction. It interweaves past with present memories as Adam and Elizabeth Carlson celebrate their sixtieth anniversary. It is an emotional story that transports the readers back to a time following World War II as love,courage,faith,healing,tragedy and adversity comes to past. A story filled with a wide range of emotions emerge as you read this heart wretching story that transcends sixty years of romance and love. *Be warned you will need tissues handy* A wonderful story! If you enjoy Nicholas Sparks' stories you will enjoy "The Anniversary Waltz". Anyone who enjoys bitter sweet emotions in a story will enjoy this read,along with anyone who enjoys romance,and World War II drama. Received for an honest review from the publisher. Details can be found at the author's website,Realm and My Book Addiction and More.
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews
October 25, 2012
Love's Memoir
âÂÂAt their sixtieth anniversary, Adam Carlson asks his wife, Elizabeth, for their customary waltz. After the dance they gather the family and share their storyâ¦âÂÂ
ItâÂÂs 1946, the end of WWII, when Adam Carlson returns home to Reunion, Montana. HeâÂÂs met at the bus depot by his mother, Maude, but his father, Hector, is still angry and estranged from him for going off to war when he needed help on the farm. Adam, however, picks up and starts to fix up the farm, though his father remains aloof.
Elizabeth Baxter works at YangâÂÂs Dry Cleaner, owned and operated by âÂÂLee Yang. She has a charming manner with the customers and is promoted accordingly. The work is hot and miserable, but she needs a job. SheâÂÂs dating young Nathan Roberts, who is the loan officer at the local bank and Adam CarlsonâÂÂs high school rival.
Nathan is an overly possessive man, and doesnâÂÂt let her out of sight at the town festival. His possessiveness was difficult to read about. He was so puffed up about his shooting skills that he offered a kiss from Elizabeth to the winner of a gun shooting game. What a hair-brained idea! Men and their physical prowess! He was bested by Adam. And Elizabeth made good on the kiss!
Darrel Nelson, in The Anniversary Waltz, writes a heartwarming, sweet romance story between Adam and Elizabeth that is mixed with love, fun, anger, fear, and courage in the midst of tragedy, overcoming and thriving through devastating times.
The tender and romantic story of Adam and Elizabeth was exciting to read, as you felt a romantic camaraderie on their behalf, especially with AdamâÂÂs dad so gruff. Their berry picking time was embellished with stories of their lives in order to get to know more about each other. Typical lovebirds before their wedding.
Elizabeth shared that Ty, AdamâÂÂs close first cousin, and Julie planned a shivaree the day of the wedding. So Adam and Elizabeth planned how not to get whooped. The hilarity of trying to outsmart Ty and Julie was comical. All the planning and sneaking. And then the tragedy. It hits you right between the eyes, as you were anticipating a beautiful wedding, with Adam and Elizabeth outwitting the two.
AdamâÂÂs overwhelming emotions of anger, fear and outrage were predictable and maybe even right. Yet AdamâÂÂs faith couldnâÂÂt leave him there. God used his time in Germany, when he was almost blinded, to help him calm his emotions enough to talk to the others. It was heartwarming to see how God used what he learned.
ElizabethâÂÂs recuperation time was difficult. It was easy to relate to her feelings. But Adam knew they needed to stretch, grow and not get bitter. To follow through with their wedding despite the tragedy. It would have to be the grace of God that propelled them forward. He did, and we have this story today.
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole story. It is well written, real and personable. Though this book is fiction, it is based on actual events in the authorâÂÂs family as indicated in the authorâÂÂs notes.
This book was provided Althea Thompson of Charisma Media in exchange for my honest opinion. No monetary compensation was exchanged.
October 4, 2012
Anniversary Waltz-book to share through the years
The Anniversary Waltz
by Darrel Nelson
The Anniversary Waltz is by Darrel Nelson and it is a charming debut work. The Anniversary Waltz is the story of a sixty year marriage. But it is not the marriage that comprises the story, but rather it is the story of the love before the marriage. Join Adam and Elizabeth as they share their story with their family. The story behind their waltz...
Adam Carlson has been away from Reunion, Montana for four long years. Years of war and years of pain. But pain has touched Reunion as well - sixteen young men lost to war and the loses suffered during the Depression are threatening to rob many of their homes.
Elizabeth Baxter was just a girl when Adam went away and for the last year she has been going steady with Nathan Roberts, Reunion's loan officer. Elizabeth lives with her Aunt Lenora and Uncle Wil, who raised her after her parents died in an auto accident.
When Adam and Elizabeth meet at the Heritage Days celebrations neither of them expected to fall in love. But when they share a secret dance in the pavilion they soon realize that they are developing feelings for each other. But Elizabeth is torn between her new feelings for Adam and the security a future with Nathan guarantees her. But when Elizabeth follows her heart her choice is made.
But the path to their wedding day will soon test the depth of their love when tragedy threatens to destroy them. "For better or for worst," takes on a new meaning for both Adam and Elizabeth.
The Anniversary Waltz is not to be missed and a thoroughly delightful story.
I received a copy of this title through Glass Road Public Relations for the purpose of this review.
September 16, 2012
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