Book Review: What Follows After by Dan Walsh

Back Cover: In 1962, life was simple, the world made sense, and all families were happy.And when they weren't, everyone knew you were supposed to pretend.

For the past year, Scott and Gina Harrison have been living a lie. While they show up at family get-togethers in the same car, they've actually been separated for over a year. To keep up the charade, they've even instructed their sons, Colt and Timmy, to lie--to their grandparents, their teachers, and their friends.

Colt, for one, has had enough, so he hatches a plan. He and his little brother will run away from their Florida home, head for their aunt's house in Georgia, and refuse to come home until their parents get back together. But when things go terribly, terribly wrong, Scott and Gina must come to grips with years of neglect and mistrust in order to recover their beloved sons, their love for one another, and their marriage.

In this emotional story, bestselling author Dan Walsh takes you on a journey to rediscover the things that matter most in life--love, truth, and family. With profound insight into the heart of a hurting child, he reminds us that a time will come to look back on hard times and smile, because we'll know that what follows after . . . is not what we expected at all.

My Review: It's 1962 and the Cuban Missile Crisis is in the forefront of everyone's mind. Everyone except a little boy locked in a dark closet. As a parent, the events of What Follows After were chilling. I can't imagine the heartache of having my child run away and then get kidnapped. Walsh paints a vivid picture of the heartache these people experience through their ordeal. He takes the reader on an emotional ride that will keep you flipping pages. This book is not my favorite Dan Walsh book, but it does rank highly. It is hard not to notice the counseling influence of Gary Smalley, even though he is not a co-author on this novel. There are scenes reminiscent of The Dance, as the lead male realizes his failings as a father and husband.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to readers of christian fiction and fans of Dan Walsh.

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.

Book Review: The Promise by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley

Back Cover: One home, two hearts, and the power of a promise kept . . .

For the last five months, Tom Anderson has been without a job, a fact he's been hiding from his wife Jean--and everyone else. He leaves each morning, pretending nothing has changed, and spends his disheartening day rotating through coffee shops and the library, using their wifi to search job listings online. The stress of keeping this secret is beginning to put serious strain on his marriage.

But Tom's not the only one hiding something. Jean Anderson has a secret of her own--one that will seriously complicate their situation. Will the promises they made on their wedding day hold firm?

My Review: The Promise is the second book in the Restoration Series. I loved the first book in this series and was eagerly anticipating the second book, but I was disappointed. While there was nothing wrong with the story, it just didn't grab me and hook me the way that The Dance did. Dan Walsh is one of my favorite writers, so I was surprised to not enjoy this novel. The characters did not engage me like I wanted, and at times the story seemed contrived and forced along. While I understand the shame of the main character, I don't understand why he acted in the ways that he did - though the actions are justified by the authors. Still, that character motivation issue hurt the story in my opinion. I will be reading Walsh again, and I'm sure his next novel will recover whatever faith I may have lost reading The Promise.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to readers who enjoyed the first book in this series.

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.

Book Review: The Dance by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley

Back Cover: Love’s recovery starts with a single step . . .

After 27 years of marriage, Marilyn Anderson is tired of playing the role of perfect wife. Her husband Jim is a successful businessman who gives her everything she needs-a beautiful home in an upscale neighborhood, the financial freedom to be a stay-at-home mom, an enviable collection of stuff. Everything, that is, except what really matters: love.

After years of trying to connect with Jim, Marilyn has had enough. She longs to experience some measure of happiness before she’s too old to enjoy it. Needing some time to herself to sort things out, Marilyn leaves to start a new job and take dancing lessons-something she has wanted to do for as long as she can remember.

Shocked to find his wife gone, Jim Anderson must sort through the past to save his marriage. With a little help from an unexpected ally, he begins a campaign to win Marilyn back. What he doesn’t anticipate is how his actions will affect everyone around him-starting with himself.

My Review: Marriage is hard work. The Dance is a great example of what happens when one partner doesn't put in the work needed to keep a marriage strong. Jim has no clue why Marilyn left him. He doesn't see it coming, and at first he views things as completely her fault. Through the help of new friends, and his children, Jim begins to see himself through his wife's eyes, but more importantly he learns the lessons that he needs to be the husband that God wants him to be. This book is full of good advice that can be applied to every marriage, no matter how good things are. Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley team up to give us a story that will leave a lasting impression. Just a note, I needed a box of tissues by the end. This book moved me to tears. Praise God for friends who would step up and show Jim what it meant to be a husband like Christ. I can't wait to read the next book that these men put out.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to readers of contemporary Christian fiction, and fans of Dan Walsh.

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.

Book Review: The Reunion by Dan Walsh

Back Cover: Everything lost can be found.

Aaron Miller knows a thing or two about loss. He's lost love. Dignity. Second, and even third, chances. Once honored for his heroism, he now lives in near obscurity, working as a handyman in a humble trailer park.

But God is a master at finding and redeeming the lost things of life. Unbeknownst to Aaron, someone is searching for him.

With deep insight into the human heart, consummate storyteller Dan Walsh gently weaves a tale of a life spent in the shadows but meant for the light. Through tense scenes of war and tender moments of romance, The Reunion will make you believe that everyone can get a second chance at life and love.

My Review: I always look forward to reading books by Dan Walsh. Walsh's stories are unique, intriguing  and easy to read, showing the care that Walsh has used crafting them. There just aren't enough men out there writing Christian fiction with a romantic element. The Reunion touches on some difficult issues like war, post traumatic stress syndrome, unsung heroes, child abandonment  suicide, spouse death, and divorce. Though all those issues are woven into the novel, the story is really about second chances. Though not my favorite of Walsh's novels to date, The Reunion is well worth the read.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to readers of contemporary fiction and fans of Dan Walsh.

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.

Book Review: The Discovery by Dan Walsh

Excerpt: I scanned the dates, none older than twenty years. I spent the next thirty minutes lifting and thumbing through the photo albums. I could have spent hours there, reliving the memories. But I had seen them all before. I didn't see a single picture of find a single document that shed any light on my grandfather or grandmother's existence prior to a few years after they married.

This had never bothered me before.

After putting everything back as carefully as I could, I closed the lid and stood up.

It bothered me now. The Discovery, pg 52.

Back Cover: An Engrossing Story of Family Secrets and a Love for the Ages

When aspiring writer Michael Warner inherits his grandfather's venerable Charleston estate, he settles in to write his first novel. But within the confines of the stately home, he discovers an unpublished manuscript that his grandfather, a literary giant whose novels sold in the millions, had kept hidden from everyone--but which he clearly intended Michael to find. As he delves deep into the exciting tale about spies and sabotage, Michael discovers something that has the power to change not only his future but his past as well.

Laced with suspense and intrigue, The Discovery is a richly woven novel that explores the incredible sacrifices that must be made to forge the love of a lifetime. Author Dan Walsh delivers yet another unique and heartfelt story that will stick with you long after you've turned the last page.

My Review: I loved this novel! Dan Walsh does an amazing job bringing two stories to life in this wonderful book. I love the way that Walsh wove the novel together. The characters and plot were so vivid and exciting. I couldn't put the book down, and when I had to, it would call me from across the room. Walsh takes an amazing tale of spies and sabotage, and brings it home. The novel caused me to think about some deeper issues, like is it ever okay to tell lies to protect ones identity? If you want to read a great book, look no further than The Discovery by Dan Walsh!
My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this amazing book.

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.

Book Review: Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh

Excerpt: He knew the real reason for his lousy mood. It wasn't the president, the gas prices, or the Iran Hostage Crisis. It was being here. Not at the 7-Eleven. Back here in Seabreeze. Facing all this.

His mom, her crisis.

He should have been on the slopes all afternoon. Remembering Christmas, pg 27.

Back Cover: 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.

With skillful storytelling, Dan Walsh creates a Christmas story that will have you remembering every good and perfect gift of Christmas.

My Review: What would you do if everything you've believed about someone suddenly appeared to be false? How would you handle your memories being questioned, and found lacking? The main character in Remembering Christmas is faced with these exact circumstances. Forced to reevaluated everything that he believes and remembers about his mother, father and step-father, Rick Denton learns that there is more to life than the way he has been living. This is a story of love, forgiveness, and second chances. Remembering Christmas is a wonderful holiday tale.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to those looking for a good holiday read.

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.

Book Review: The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh

Excerpt: Yesterday, when it had become a certainty their ship would sink, Laura and John Foster held hands, as they had on their wedding day three weeks ago, and made a vow: when that moment finally came, they would leap into the sea together and slip beneath the waves. One quick inhale of water. It wouldn't be suicide. God had already determined it to be their last day on earth.

But that's not what happened.

Laura was still here, alive and alone. By now, John had most certainly perished along with the rest.

Her tears temporarily spent, Laura lifted her head and looked at the other women. Faces barely recognizable. Cold, wet, quietly weeping, or else staring at nothing, eyes locked in grief. All the men in their lives - husbands, brothers, fathers - were gone. The Deepest Waters, pg 9.

Back Cover: For John and Laura Foster, what began as a fairytale honeymoon in 1857 aboard the steamship SS Vandervere soon becomes a nightmare. A terrible hurricane strikes and the grand ship is lost in the murky depths of the Atlantic. Laura finds herself rescued with the other women and children, but how can she feel anything but despondent without her groom? Suspecting her John is gone but still daring to hope for a miracle, Laura must face to possibility of life alone.

My Review: Dan Walsh has taken an amazing moment in history and turned it into a wonderful novel full of heartache and hope. Ever the great storyteller, Walsh takes us through the painful journey of one woman leaving her beloved in danger on the open water. Danger finds her on board her own ship as she stands up for what is right, and makes friends with the "wrong" people. Questions of the future loom large as Laura Foster contemplates life without her new husband. She also learns an important lesson about freedom.

I only have one criticism of this story. I really wish that it would have been given exclusively in Laura's point of view, to heighten the emotional connection between me and the character.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction.

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.

Book Review: The Homecoming by Dan Walsh

"Shawn's insides were doing somersaults. He wasn't sure what they expected to hear. He had barely thought about his 'escape story' since it happened. How could he begin to explain what he'd been through? How much should he share, could he share? Their ideas about war, he was sure, were fueled by all the stupid Hollywood war movies they kept turning out. What he experienced was nothing like the movies; it was the difference between real life and comic strips. Shawn looked at their faces, all smiles and bright eyes. The only thing missing was the popcorn.

God, don't let me say too much. He knew he'd have to hold back most of the details. Some of the images were already drifting through his mind. There were some things that happened on that last mission that Shawn never wanted any of them to know.

'Okay,' Shawn said, 'where should I begin?'" The Homecoming, pg 34.

WWII was hard on many families, losing husbands, lovers and sons is never easy. Shawn Collins willingly faced those dangers everyday, knowing that his family was safe at home. Little did he realize that his wife would lose her life in an accident back home. A broken Shawn comes home to a heartbroken little boy and a father who hadn't talked to him in years. Shawn's faith crumbles as he deals with the aftermath of his wife's death. Too soon, he's called upon to leave his son and serve his country in another way. Will he ever get past the loss and see the future that could be? Will he realize too late what he has?

This is the first of Dan Walsh's books that I've read, and I really enjoyed it. Dan has an easily readable style and a plot line that pulls you along. I felt along with the characters and longed for things to work out for them. I was not disappointed in this novel, and I look forward to reading more of Walsh's work.

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.