The Dancing Willow Tree by Anita Ballard-Jones
The sequel to the acclaimed novel, Rehoboth Road
In 1950, fifteen year old Elizabeth Turner was raped by Reverend Oliver, the assistant pastor of her father’s church. After a hidden pregnancy she gave birth to her son, Johnny. Reverend Turner, Elizabeth’s father refused to believe her story of being raped and disowned her and her baby. He forced Elizabeth and his wife, Loretha to hide the identity of the baby’s father, and live the next thirty six years with lies and secrets.
In 1986, Reverend Oliver was forced to confess to his family as well as the Turner family, but before he could leave Rehoboth he became seriously ill. The ripple effects of his confession touched everyone causing them to experience an array of physical and emotional reactions.
Thea, Reverend Oliver’s wife, could not escape the guilt and shame she was feeling. She watched painfully as her son, Malcolm tried to forge a relationship with his brother, Johnny, and she never knew Malcolm was struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. Thea’s most plaguing dilemma had to do with her husband. Her only consolation was an old weeping willow tree in her front yard where she would watch its graceful branches dance on the mild summer breezes. Thea called it her ‘dancing willow tree’, and she would sit under it daily to pray and receive guidance from the Lord. She knew if her husband was to be saved she had to give him a life threatening ultimatum.
Top Customer Reviews
Anita Ballard-Jones has the ability to pull you into her stories and keep you captivated until the last page. Another brilliantly crafted novel.
–J. J. Michael, bestselling Karibu author of, It’s Not Over Yet and Life is Never As It Seems
By Deonna J. Mcclendon on Amazon
I am very pleased with the sequel. I was so disappointed with the way the first book ended. This second book put everything in perspective. The characters were alive and very moving. I felt like I was right there with them. The best thing is you see how a wrong can be made right no matter how bad it is. Forgiveness is the best medicine.
By Lilly Engleman on Amazon
This is one of my favorite books. I waited so long for it to become available. I stayed up all night reading it. Ms Jones gives all families in tumult hope. I was happy the way the book ended but do hope she will write a sequel. I would like to follow the families into the third generation. This is one of those special books that one hopes will never end.
By Amazon Customer
This book picks up with the lives from Rehoboth Road. Everyone is older now and things really start to change. The pastor has to answer for his sins from his childhood; the father has to answer to the abandonment of his child; a son has to answer for his sordid lifestyle and all of this is centered around a heinous act. This story line shows us that all actions have repercussions that sometimes last a lifetime. Although bad things happen to good people, and bad things happen to bad people, it’s the good that comes from it that keeps the balance in the world.
By Sistah Social Butterfly on Amazon
This book was very inspirational. It showed the forgiveness and the hurt shared by the characters. It felt like the story was real to me. I have her new book and can’t wait to read it. Ms Ballard-Jones had me asking myself do I know these people and what church did they belong to. Truly a good read and would highly recommend this book to all.
Purchase The Dancing Willow Tree by Anita Ballard-Jones
Link: http://amzn.com/0972945520
Author Anita Ballard-Jones 