Remembering Christmas -- and the things that make it special!

I just finished Dan Walsh's Remembering Christmas, and my reaction was, "What a great book!"  This is a beautiful story, full of reminders about what is really important at Christmas . . . and at all other times of the year!

Rick Denton is living the life he loves -- good job at a CPA firm, nice condo, good car, good times -- all with no strong personal connections or commitments.  A few times a year he makes an obligatory phone call to his mother, but he has pretty much left his home and family behind in his quest to follow his dreams.

On the day after Thanksgiving comes a call from his mother that disrupts Rick's good life and fun plans.  His stepfather has suffered an aneurysm and is in critical condition.  His mother asks him to come help with the Book Nook -- the small Christian bookstore Leanne and Art own.  The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the busiest season of the year and they can't afford to close the store.  Rick reluctantly gives up his ski trip to go to Seabreeze to help his mother out through the weekend.  He is uncomfortable dealing with the people connected with the store and is anxious for the crisis to pass so he can get back to his life in Charlotte.

As Rick's time in Seabreeze stretches into weeks rather than days, he begins to notice a change in how he feels about his stay and the people around him.  Then he stumbles upon some shocking information, and he realizes he may have been wrong about the people and things that are important.

Rick's journey through his memories and his priorities was heartwarming and thought provoking.  The plot and characters drew me in from the very first page and kept me to the very end.  And the big twist in the story was a masterpiece!  This is the first book I've read by Dan Walsh, but I'm definitely interested in going back for more.  I would recommend this story to anyone interested in being reminded of the things that really matter at Christmas time.

Dan Walsh is the award-winning author of The Unfinished Gift, The Homecoming, and The Deepest Waters. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for 25 years. He lives with his family in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel.

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

This book was provided free from Revell for my honest review.