The Unfinished Gift: A Novel by Dan Walsh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Little, seven-year-old Patrick Collins is on the verge of becoming an orphan with a newly deceased mother and his father now missing in action. His fate rests in the hands of a tenderhearted social worker and a cranky, old grandfather he has never met.
Dan Walsh takes you back in time for a heart-wrenching Christmas story set in the early 1940's during World War Two. It's the story of a brave boy, a grumpy old man, a caring neighbor, and an unfinished gift.
Will the last wish of a a wife, mother, and grandmother actually be realized? Will the untimely death of a beautiful, young mother bring over due reconciliation or create a greater family divide? And will a hand-carved, wooden soldier become a cherished keepsake or continue as a symbol of conflict?
This book mixes a little bit of history with sad a tale of father-son conflict, and adds Christmas cheer to make it a story you won't soon forget. I enjoyed reading this book with it's honest characters and tear-jerking story line. Walsh has written a story that both young and old, male and female, will enjoy.
A sequel is scheduled to be published in June of 2010.
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The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Christmas Dog is a delightful book that will spark your Christmas spirit!
Melody Carlson had written a sweet and sassy story about Christmas and life through the eyes of a widow. When Betty's routine life suddenly gets interrupted by suspicious neighbor, a runaway granddaughter, and a mangy mutt, it looks like Christmas might just crumble.
However, by "killing with kindness", Betty overcomes frustration and fear and to find the heart of Christmas once again. This story will stir the tenderness of your heart and have you laughing at the same time. I enjoyed a good does of Christmas cheer with this relaxing and easy read.
To read my interview of Melody Carlson please visit this post at To Read, Or Not To Read.
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Thank you to Donna Hausler and Revell for the review copies. These books are available at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
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This post is part of my Christmas Theme Week here in the trenches. You can click here to view past posts and come back tomorrow for the next new one!
