Remembering Christmas Book Review

SUMMARY:  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 suppose to be just a couple of 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.
     With skillful storytelling, Dan Walsh creates a Christmas story that will have you remembering every good and perfect gift of Christmas.

REVIEW:  Rick does not want to be in Florida helping his mom with the family bookstore while his step-dad is in the hospital. He would rather be skiing with his friends.  Rick doesn't like Art, his step-dad, and doesn't want anything to do with his religion.  But, with the help of Andrea, the woman helping him in the store, he gradually begins to see that Art isn't such a bad person after all and Art's religion is more of a relationship with Christ.  I love the way the author wraps up the book, tying up all the loose ends, and giving us some surprises along the way.  This is a great book that is perfect any time of the year.
     Set in November/December 1980, the author reminds us of "a time not so long ago in 1980 when IBM had not yet launched the personal computer; the Boombox was hot; Reality TV was unheard of; MTV was just launching; Ronald Reagan was president; the Winter Olympics witnessed the USA team defeat the favored Soviet team and win the gold." 

Available September 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Dan Walsh is the award-wining author of The Unfinished Gift, The Homecoming, and The Deepest Waters.  A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan serves as a pastor for 25 years.  He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel. For more information on Dan and his books, check out his website at www.DanWalshBooks.com.