The Anniversary Waltz by Darrel Nelson

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 Review: The Anniversary Waltz is one of those sweet never ending stories.  A story that grabs the heart and then the reader realizes this was. well. fiction.  (but based on events in the author's family history).

The Anniversary Waltz is not only a sweet story but a love story filled with struggles and  that.one.of.a.kind.courage that seemed to come with the World War II era.

Adam has been to the war and back.  Elizabeth is dating, Nathan, who seems controlling but Elizabeth has her eye on Adam.  This is their story.  From 1946 to 2006 Adam and Elizabeth give their family and friends the story of their life. 

The telling of the kissing game where all the single men and single women play for kisses is where, I think, Elizabeth lets Adam know she would REALLY like his attention.  An interesting game.

The relationship between Adam and Elizabeth reminded me of George and Mary in It's A Wonderful Life.  A husband and wife team, working together against all odds to bring not only unity in their marriage but to help others.

There are family issues that aren't neatly put into a box but could be real life issues that we all might face.  The story of real men and real women!

Life challenges will either make us or break us and as Darrel  Nelson so aptly writes..."I would never have given up on you, Elizabeth." {p. 284}

A heart warming read!

*This book was provided for review by GlassRoad PR*

Meet the Author:

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. 

If you'd like to read the first chapter excerpt of The Anniversary Waltz, go HERE.