Book Review: The Anniversary Waltz

Celebrating their 63rd wedding anniversary, Adam and Elizabeth Carlson share their customary waltz—then recall how their love began. Travel back with them to 1946, when war veteran Adam returned home to Reunion, Montana. You’ll be captivated by the story of how he revived his dilapidated family farm—and wooed Elizabeth away from his high school rival!

From Darrel Nelson‘s website:

I am a schoolteacher by profession and have taught school for (thir—ahem!) years. I grew up in Raymond, Alberta, and attended the University of Lethbridge after graduating from high school and serving a two-year mission to Japan. During university, I met and married Marsha Smith, and we are the parents of four children, which has grown to include their spouses and our ten grandchildren.

I have always loved to write. I started writing stories before I was old enough to realize I was writing stories. It seemed a natural thing to pick up a pencil and paper and create a world simply by using words—worlds of adventure in steaming jungles (Tarzan was an early influence on me) or realms of adventure in outer space (Buck Rogers). But as I have grown older, I have discovered that the real inspiration for me is exploring the theme of love and how it can make such a difference in the world.

I’ve had an article published in Lethbridge Magazine and have written several dramatic plays, two of which won provincial recognition and were showcased at a drama festival. I won the CJOC radio songwriting contest two years running, and have had one of my songs receive international airplay. I have written four novels intended for the juvenile market. They are unpublished as yet, but I read them annually to my fourth grade students and my students tell me they love them, the darlings.

THE ANNIVERSARY WALTZ is my first novel to be published and arrived in selected bookstores in May, 2012. It is intended for the adult readers’ market. My second novel, The Return of Cassandra Todd, is also intended for the adult readers’ market and will be available in 2013. I am currently at work on my third novel, A Wedding at Angelo’s, which like the other two is a stand-alone novel, not a sequel. I hope to write a sequel to each published novel sometime in the future.

My Impressions:

Darrel Nelson’s, The Anniversary Waltz, is his debut novel.  But you sure can’t tell.  It is a beautifully written love story that has the reader living within its pages.  The small town of Reunion, Montana comes to life — its small town charm, struggling farms and post WWII optimism.  The characters of Adam and Elizabeth left me feeling like I knew them.  This is one really good book.

On the evening of their 63rd anniversary, Adam and Elizabeth share with their family the events of their courtship as they have many times before. Adam had just returned to his small hometown following 4 years fighting in Italy unsure of the homecoming he may face.   His father remained distant and disapproving even after his 4 year absence.  But his mother, other family members and the town welcomed him as a hero.  Elizabeth Baxter is one of the townspeople who especially made him feel he was finally in the right place, yet she was the steady of Adam’s childhood rival.  Despite the hardships of farm life, the difficulties of other relationships and tragedies, Adam and Elizabeth’s love grew and flourished.

There are no chase scenes, mysterious happenings or supernatural visitations in The Anniversary Waltz, but I could not put down this lovely story of faithful love.  All the characters are believable; the circumstances true to life — I felt as if I was in the middle of the story myself.  Also if you like romance, you will love this book!   The emotions expressed are deep and real. (Some may compare it to Nicholas Sparks.  In fact I would love for this book to be made into a movie!)

So get a copy of The Anniversary Waltz and keep the tissues handy, because this one has a very happy ending.

Highly Recommended.

(I received The Anniversary Waltz from Glass Roads PR.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Tags: Darrel Nelson, historical fiction, romantic fiction