The beginning of a beautiful friendship. The start of one long story.
Ette Durand’s plans for the summer of 1964 take a surprising turn when an Olympic swimming hopeful arrives to wait tables at her parents’ lakeside Vermont inn. Dieter Norden attracts attention in more ways than one, and when he and Ette spend time together, her friends take notice. Throughout the summer, their common bonds are tested. As Ette and Dieter’s unlikely friendship grows, she comes to the crossroad of choice. She can go the way of the world and fit in, or she can count the cost and take an unexpected journey of faith.
Neston is the first book in The Neston Novels Series, and each novel thereafter continues the story in chronological order. Set in Wortham County, a fictional locale in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, Neston also is undergoing change from timber town to tourist destination. Follow Ette Durand and Dieter Norden throughout series as they navigate the choppy waters of the 1960s and beyond.
When Ette Durand enters junior high school in the fall of 1964, the perils of fitting in and doing well pale in comparison to discovering the emerging counterculture, race riots across the United States, and combat looming in Vietnam. War isn’t just on the other side of the world.
The Dragon of Neston—that ancient foe called the devil—is alive and well and on the prowl in the least expected places. The battles start at the bus stop, inflict injuries in the gym, and take captives in the classroom.
Dieter Norden warned her that her new faith would be tested, and Ette wants to take him up on his promise to help her, but between his Olympic swimming trials and the pressures he faces before graduation, how can he find the time?
Ette needs to find a way to slay the dragon, and for that she must take up the shield of faith and rely on The Helper who will never leave her nor forsake her.
Dieter Norden must overcome resistance to return to Neston for the summer of 1965, but when his delayed vacation starts, it includes unexpected company and a change of circumstance.
Ette Durand has her own surprise, and she must face far more resistance to see it through. The startling consequences are among many changes weaving into the social fabric of Neston.
While the rest of the Northeast is suffering through a severe drought, the lush landscape of Neston puts it on the map as “an emerald oasis in a sea of straw.” But there’s trouble in paradise, and it hits close to home.
Together, Ette and Dieter make waves when they challenge tradition.
Susan Price, introduced by Jane Austen in Mansfield Park, comes of age in the stand-alone sequel Respect and Respectability: Susan Price at Mansfield Park.
Susan is ecstatic about joining her sister Fanny to live at Mansfield, but Susan is no Fanny. Two wars are raging, and three Price brothers are at sea, but distractions include newcomers and neighbors and new-found luxury.
By the time of her glittering coming out in the summer of 1815, Susan is enticed by testimonies, envious of others’ exploits, and entangled in love. Shedding her old life to accept the new one of faith offered to her is the first—and final–obstacle.
