One Last Dance: It's Never Too Late to Fall in Love »

Mardo Williams began his writing career in 1927 as the only reporter at the Kenton, Ohio daily, The News-Republican, eventually writing a daily business column with byline for The Columbus Dispatch. At age 89 he wrote a book about his mother, Maude (1883-1993): She Grew Up with the Country, an intimate look at the woman, the country, and the times. Two years later when Maude was published, he toured with it, traveling extensively for book signings, speaking engagements, and interviews. A favorite with book discussion groups, Maude has been adopted by several colleges for use as a supplemental American history text. 
 Next, after penning a whimsical book of children's stories, Great Grandpa Fussy and the Little Puckerdoodles, Mardo decided to try something completely different-a novel. He completed the first draft-all but the ending-of One Last Dance in January of 2001. His daughters, Kay Williams and Jerri William Lawrence, revised the manuscript for publication.
 Kay Williams is a writer, editor and actress in New York.  She belongs to a writers group who meet regularly to discuss each other's work. The group made valuable suggestions as the manuscript of One Last Dance was revised. Kay's suspense novel about the theater, Butcher of Dreams, is currently making the rounds of New York City publishers. Jerri Williams Lawrence is a former master English teacher, editor and writing teacher.

A story about finding love at any age, One Last Dance is the delightful tale of Morgan, aged 89, and Dixie, 79, two "mature" individuals on seemingly divergent paths. Despite their disastrous first meeting, complete with a ruined birthday cake, broken eyeglasses and insulting remarks, it was obvious to bystanders, even then, that the two were fated for each other. 
      Dixie and Morgan begin to date and ultimately decide to move in together-for economic reasons, they agree.  But the business-only relationship changes and strengthens as the couple unites to combat illness, scandal, and a near-fatal accident. The story also reveals how past insecurities, humiliations, and fears can haunt a person throughout his days.  Dixie fears intimacy.  Morgan has concealed important details about his divorce, his estranged children, and his lost job.  And all the while, a mysterious intruder lurks, bent on vengeance for past wrongs. He invades their lives, exposing their most intimate secrets and lies.
      Written with great humor and a deep understanding of the challenges associated with aging in America, One Last Dance is a joy to read and an inspiration to all generations, reminding us to live every day and always be in search of new experiences, regardless of age.  Author Mardo Williams lived that philosophy by writing this, his first novel, at age 92. 

Authors Comments

 When our dad, Mardo Williams, was 92, he sat down at his computer and began his first novel. How hard could it be? He'd been a writer for over seventy years, first as a journalist, then as a teller of tales. He was writing One Last Dance, he said, to inspire old folks not to sit in a corner and wait for life to happen, but to go full speed at life, and yes, even have a love affair.

 At the time he was a widower, living with a "significant other," a woman he'd become reacquainted with while touring with Maude (1883-1993): She Grew Up with the Country, his biography/memoir about his mother.
 Dad wrote much of this novel between media engagements, book signings, and hospitalizations. He more than believed in the book. He was consumed by it. He had a great deal he wanted to say about the landscape of aging, and what it means to be in your nineties with the body failing and the mind and spirit still wanting it all. And he wanted to say it as humorously as possible. Blind from macular degeneration, he was forced to dictate the last chapters of the first draft.

 He insisted we, his daughters (both writers), finish the book if he couldn't. We promised. Dad died two weeks before we were to start revisions. He was 95.

 The two main characters were 100% there. We fleshed out a few others. We completed the ending using his notes.  If we reached an impasse, we reread his manuscript and found the clues we needed to continue. Dad's presence was palpable. He was our guide and our inspiration. This is his story, the way he wanted to tell it. 

 "There's no such thing as being too old," Dad once told an interviewer. "Life is for living, no matter what our age or condition. If we can sing, we should sing. If we can write, we should write. We should always be in search of a new experience, always be ready to commit ourselves to a new interest."

 He lived this philosophy right up to the day of his death, February 3, 2001.

ArmchairInterviews.com - Debra Kiefat

"Harlequin romance comes of age! Anyone under the age of 60 who believes romance is not alive at 80 should read One Last Dance. The Williamses introduce us to Morgan, a handsome curmudgeon, still running from his past, and Dixie, a lovely social butterfly, who is still grieving hers. Their disastrous meeting started with smeared cake frosting and developed into a moving tribute that love conquers all pain. Williams and his daughters have achieved a thing of beauty. Do yourself a favor, snuggle up in a chair and enjoy this magnificent hallmark of senior romance."

Foreword                                                                               
Acknowledgments                                                                      

Book I  -  Getting Together
1:  A Violent Encounter          
2:  Mixed Messages         
3:  The Inspection         
4:  Royal Flush                                
5:  Breathless         
6:  The Proposition        
7:  Indecision         
8:  Running the Gauntlet                                        
9:  The Kiss                   
10:  This Will Never Work       
11:  Boot Camp        
                                         
Book II  -  Staying Together
12:  What Could They Have Been Thinking?   
13:  Strange Doings       
14:  The Playboy of the Midwest    
15:  Secrets, Lies, and Tears     
16:  Battle of Wills       

Book III  -  The Intruder
17:  What a Mess     
18:  The Police     
19:  The Contract      
20:  The Cleanup     
21:  The Blow-Up     

Book IV  -  The Hospital
22:  Tests and More Tests    
23:  Prayers and Apologies    
24:  Hospital Horror Stories    
25:  Uncertainty      
26:  Doctors' Conference    
27:  A Change of Attitude    
28:  Their First Rendezvous    

Book V  -  Family Business
29:  Apologies All Around     
30:  Deception      
31:  The Confession    
32:  The Unexpected Guest    
33:   Leave It to a Banker    
34:  A Very Special Day    

Book VI  -  The Accident
35:  Panic       
36:  The Heroes     
37:  The Unknown     
38:  You Used To Be So Full of Life  
39:  Almost Like Old Times   
40:  The Wanderer      
41:  Bring Him Back     

Book VII  -  Other Arrangements
42:  Get My Suitcase    
43:  Do You Want to Dance?   
44:  Where Have You Been?    
45:  We Can't Put It Off    

Epilogue - Five Months Later
Christmas Joy