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The Walnut Tree: A Holiday Tale    by Charles Todd Amazon.com order for
Walnut Tree
by Charles Todd
Order:  USA  Can
William Morrow, 2012 (2012)
Hardcover, e-Book
* * *   Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth

It's holiday time once again. Time for another Christmas story from the mother/son writing team of Charles Todd, who intrigue us with a short tale of war, addressing the impact it has on those on the home front.

Lady Elspeth Douglas is visiting her friend Madeleine in Paris when Germany invades Belgium. Elspeth manages to make her way to the coast of France but cannot find transport to England. She watches as Madeleine's brother Alain leaves to join his unit. At the last minute, Elspeth agrees to marry him when he returns.

She studies to become a nurse and is sent to the front. There she meets a soldier, Captain Peter Gilcrist, who makes her heart flutter. But what about her fiancé? She discovers that Alain has been severely wounded.

This is where Elspeth realizes she must make a decision. Can she turn her back on a man to whom she has promised her heart? A good man who is devastated by his wounds. Could she be happy with Peter knowing that Alain needs her?

Read on. We all realize that life is not easy. Decisions must be made and acted upon. What would you do? Think about it before you finish the book. Do you agree with Elspeth? The ending surprised me. How about you? Whether or not you agree with the outcome, this is a good little book by a pair of talented writers.

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