The Anniversary Waltz, by Darrel Nelson (Review and Giveaway)

3 Stars

ABOUT THE BOOK -
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.

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 They are unpublished as yet, but he reads them annually to his fourth-grade students.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.

MY REVIEW -

This book got a lot of really good reviews. It was a sweet book, it did have some gasping moments, and it did have a good ending... but... I thought it was very slow. The whole first half of the book was about Elizabeth being with the wrong person - Nathan the jerk (and he was a jerk!), and Adan having feelings for her.  This was a very slow going relationship. Maybe things do take their time like this in real life but it doesn't really make for a very interesting story.

I also wasn't feeling the character development. I didn't really care for Adam, didn't feel like I knew Elizabeth and hated Nathan. Even towards the end I didn't really like or have a feeling for them.

Some others reviewers said that this was good right from the beginning and couldn't put it down, I did not find this to be so! I actually had a hard time picking it back up after putting it down! I forced myself to finish it. It was not a bad story - I just don't think it was the story for me! Not my "cup of tea" so to speak.

Please please do not base your interest on my review solely, this did get great reviews from other people. I really think it was just me! For some reason I just was not connecting with it!

Thank you "Glass Road Publications" for sending me this book to review (even though I didn't like it, LOL).

THE GIVEAWAY -
  I am giving away one copy of this book. 

* To win a copy of this book, please fill out the form below.

* Please US & Canada only.

And please only enter once!

* Winner will be chosen on 6/14/12

* Winner will have 48 hrs. to respond