Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and very sensitive middle-age love story
Review: I liked the book from the very beginning, reading it in one "shot". It is an excellent love story, very sensitive, with beautiful descriptions of the characters and events. The campus-life descriptions bring many memories, and the love scenarios are touching. The two parallel lives of Jellie Braden are beautifuly described, and Mikel is a real "character" (maybe like the author...?, definitely like his "budy"/"prototype" Robert Kincaid). I liked the flow of events, the jump between present and past, the description of life in a small campus-town, the life in India, and especially the love-related events. I liked the description of the "ever increasing" relationships between the two main souls - Jellie and Mikel, especially the "swans in the pool" scenario and the follow-up....where the "slow waltz" is becoming a real love.

But, I felt that the author went "one bridge too far", with the end of the book. It could have as well been finished one chapter "earlier", after Jellie and Mikel were re-united in India.

I enjoyed reading the book, and definitely rate it as one of the good ones I ever read.

Rating:
Summary: A Challenging Love Story
Review: I started reading this book with a preconceived notion that this story would be exactly like Bridges of Madison County (I almost was not let down); I was sure of another tear jerking unhappy ending, so I was happily surprised when I got to the end of this story. I rated this book with three stars. I would have rated it two and a half; you can only rate by whole stars, because I liked it as much as I did not like it. I wasn't sure if I would like this story when I first started reading it but who doesn't love a good love affair, especially if it involves infidelity and a few good sex scenes? If you can overlook the infidelity, you can tell that the author seems like a hopeless romantic and that this story comes from his heart. How refreshing to know that someone from the male gender can be such a romantic! It was a little difficult to really get into reading this book at first, so thank God! it wasn't too long. After getting farther into the story, the more interesting it became. The duck rescue was a very touching. I really enjoyed how Michael went to India to prove his love for Jellie, and how his elderly mother encouraged him to chase after his love (that part also touched my heart somewhat). I also liked how the author tried to make this story seem real to the reader. He used good foreshadowing. I liked how the scenery was always changing. The accident was good because the plot kept you guessing. I had a few tears at this point. One thing I really wish was that if Jellie's name was pronounced Jah'lay, then that should have been how it was spelled. I wonder what the author was thinking when he came up with that name.

Rating:
Summary: MAN FROM "VILLIPURAM"
Review: IT ALL STARTED EXACTLY 20 YEARS AGO.ROBERT J WALLER WAS INVITED BY A MANAGEMENT COSULTANCY FIRM TO BANGALORE IN INDIA TO
TEACH A NEW MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE BASED ON AN ANCIENT VEDIC PHILOSOPHY "EVERTHING IS CONNECTED TO EVERYTHING" TO CORPORATE
MANAGERS.SINCE I WAS A FACILITATOR FR THE SEMINAR, I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO BEFRIEND ROBERT.

SINCE THAT EVENTFUL ASSOCIATION WE WERE IN CONSTANT TOUCH (HIS WIFE AND MY WIFE INCLUDED). AROUND THE YEAR 1990 ROBERT AND GEORGIA VISITED US IN PONDICHERRY,30 MILES AWAY FROM VILLIPURAM.I HAVE LOST TRACK OF THE EVENTS THAT LED US TO THE VILLIPURAM STATION TO BOARD THE TRIVANDRUM MAIL. I WILL COME BACK THAT AFTER I CHECK WITH MY WIFE I HAVE BEEN URGENTLY SUMMONED BY MY STUDENTS WHO ARE LEARNING ENGLISH FRM ME TO CLARIFY SOME COMPLICATION WITH AN ESSAY COMPETITION DEADLINE NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.
I WANT TO SHARE WITH READERS OF THIS BOOK MANY MORE DETAILS. AND PROMISE TO COME BACK ON THAT AS SOON AS I CAN.

I AM REACHABLE ON THIS ADD. kleep50@

Rating:
Summary: POIGNANT AND SENSITIVE READING!
Review: While this book does not bring forth the strong, charismatic emotion as "The Bridges of Madison County," it does contain the same gentle flowing writing style and vivid drama. From Iowa to spectatular India, the author weaves a tale of love and loss with a blend of strong down-to-Earth characters and a sense of mystic wonder. "Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend" is not a deep, intense read, but it is still enjoyable and can easily be read in an evening. I have been hoping it would eventually become a movie, but to date, I do not believe that has happened. The setting would make for some breath-taking photography, particularly those scenes shot on location in India. Waller's writing style is somewhat similar to that of Nicholas Sparks; however, Waller writes with more passion, realism and conviction.