Get in the Christmas spirit and read this book! My review of "Remembering Christmas" by Dan Walsh

Publisher: Revell (September 1, 2011)

Book Synopsis as provided by the publisher:

Can one Christmas change a life forever?

Rick Denton lives his life on his terms. He works hard, plays hard, and answers to no one. So when his mother calls begging him to come home after his stepfather has an aneurysm, Rick is more than a little reluctant. What was supposed to be just a couple days helping out at the family bookstore turns into weeks of cashing out old ladies and dealing with the homeless guy who keeps hanging around the store. The one bright spot is the lovely and intriguing young woman who works at his side each day.

As Christmas nears, Rick's old life beckons, the hurts from his past loom large, and the decisions he makes will determine more than just where he spends Christmas Eve.

MY REVIEW

My first thought upon closing the pages of this book was why on Earth have I never read a book by Dan Walsh before? Walsh is clearly a gifted author, one who immediately drew me into his powerful story. The characters are beautifully developed, with a host of quirky people providing moments of hilarity in the midst of the adversity the main characters are experiencing. Rick is completely believable in how he is portrayed, from his moments of humor, sarcasm, and yes, times of being overly judgmental, to his transformation towards being a better man, brought about through his journey back to belief in God. While sometimes I find contemporary dramas to be a bit slow, I found that this story simply flew by and I enjoyed it from start to finish. Walsh throws in some unexpected surprises near the end, and the result is an absolutely heartwarming conclusion that is sure to please readers.

I highly recommend this book, both for reading during the Christmas season and for reading year round. Get in the Christmas spirit and read this book. 5 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.