Sunday, November 13, 2011

Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh~A Review~


ABOUT REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS
Rick Denton lives his life on his terms. He works hard, plays hard, and answers to no one. So when his mother calls on Thanksgiving weekend begging him to come home after his stepfather has a stroke, Rick is more than a little reluctant. He's never liked Art and resents the man's presence in his life, despite the fact that his own father abandoned the family when Rick was just twelve. When what was supposed to be just a couple days helping out at the family bookstore turns into weeks of cashing out old ladies and running off the homeless man who keep hanging about, Rick's attitude sours even more.

Still, slowly but surely, the little bookstore and its quirky patrons--as well as the lovely young woman who works at his side each day--work their magic on him, revealing to Rick the truth about his family, his own life, and the true meaning of Christmas. With skillful storytelling, Dan Walsh creates a Christmas story will have readers remembering every good and perfect gift of Christmas.

Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Revell (September 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800719794
ISBN-13: 978-0800719791
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 1 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces


ABOUT DAN WALSH
I was born in Philadelphia in 1957 (guys don't care if you know) to a mostly
blue-collar, hard-working Irish family. My Dad was the first person on either side of the family to earn a college degree. It took him nine years, working during the day, going to college at night, using the GI Bill from his war days in Korea. In the mid-sixties, General Electric hired him as an engineer for the Apollo space program. We packed up and moved to Florida, which is really where I grew up.
I spent my childhood years playing basketball and surfing. In the spring of my senior year in high school I met the woman who would become my wife, Cindi. We dated for a brief period. I asked her to marry me and, to my great surprise, she said yes. We were married near the end of 1976. We have two children, now grown.
The desire to write novels first began in high school. But I didn't have the time to pursue this passion until 2007. To find out more, visit my website at www.danwalshbooks.com

MY REVIEW
  Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh is the best Christmas book I’ve read this year. In this book you really find out what Christmas is really about.
  Remembering Christmas doesn’t have one, but two wonderful, tender love stories and also talks a lot about the love of family, but the most important love is the love Rick’s mom and stepfather, Leanne and Art have for other people, especially those who aren’t Christians. It shows how Rick learns what is really important in life, not your job, money or fancy vacations.
  The most tender part of the story is when Rick finds out he was the one who made life difficult, not his mother and stepfather, not anyone, but himself.
  What brings Rick home? His stepfather has a stroke and his mother needs him to help run their store. She can’t leave her husbands bedside and she finds out her husband is worse than expected.
  I like the days and weeks and how they change Rick from being a self centered, egotistical person. I also like the homeless man and how he works into the picture. It was a shock to me the way the whole story turned out.
  A very beautiful, tender story full of love, forgiveness and hope. I highly recommend this for a fantastic book to add to your Christmas shelf. Five stars for sure!

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I received my free copy from Donna Hausler from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

2 comments:

Lady DragonKeeper said...

Reading the summary, it reminds me of Richard Paul Evans's books.

Dan Walsh said...

Wanda, loved the review. So glad you enjoyed the book. Hope you and your family have a great Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Lady DragonKeeper, after my first Christmas novel came out in 2009, The Unfinished Gift, a lot of reviewers compared me to Richard Paul Evans. So I went out and bought a few of his Christmas books. Loved the ones I read, honored to be compared to him.

Dan