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15 June 2012

Guest Review by Nora St. Laurent of Dan Walsh's "Remembering Christmas"

Remembering Christmas
Published by Revell, 2011

This is reposted by permission. Review by Nora St. Laurent.

REVIEW: This is a warm, cuddly, feel-good novel sure to become your NEW family favorite. I'm thankful for the review copy of this book. It reminds the reader that God uses all things in our life for His Glory and our good. You may not see it at the time because of all the pain and drama but when you look back at the situation you can see the situation didn't take God by surprise. He used the event to change the course of our life. No easy task to get us to change the path we were headed down.

Rick Denton’s life is interrupted when his mom calls and asks him to fill in at the Book Nook. His stepfather is in the hospital. She needs to stay with him and can’t be at the book store.

Rick’s lived life on his own terms after his father abandoned him. He made a point to not get tangled up with his mother’s husband, so that he wouldn't get hurt again. Life was humming along nicely. He was climbing higher and higher on the corporate ladder; he didn’t have time for family, because he was on the pathway to greatness.

Now his mom tells him his stepfather has had an aneurysm and there was no one to run the store. His mom had never asked for much so when she tearfully asked for his help he reluctantly said he would. He got off the phone with her but hadn’t fully grasped what he just signed up for.

His parents went to church and read the books they sold at the Christian book store they ran--he didn’t! He gives his mom a week. He could only take a week away from his clients! That was as much as he could sacrifice. Then when Rick gets there and realizes all he’d have to do--maybe he should reconsider. This was going to take longer than he thought.

The people that show up at the Book Nook sure felt the need to talk to him about Art, his stepfather. All this talk was beyond him--he had work to do. There was No time for chit-chat, didn't they see he had a business to run?

“The Book Nook seems more like an enchanted cottage than a bookstore. It’s a harbor from the cares of life!” Rick was beginning to see why his parents loved their business so much.

Dan’s characters were endearing and I was drawn to them instantly. I enjoyed the fact that most of this novel took place inside a small sweet book store called the Book Nook, and last but not least I liked the way this author showed how only God can bring the miracle of Christmas to our lives. He’s the light in our heart that shines for the whole world to see! This is a novel that will get you in the Christmas Spirit on so many levels. I highly recommend it as a book that will get you ready for Christmas and as a Book Club Selection for your group.

Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network
www.bookfun.org

36 comments:

  1. Nora, this review is fabulous!!! I love Christmas books any time of year! I hope I win :)

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  2. What a wonderful review, NORA, and thank you for being one of our lovely guest reviewers this week. I'm with ANNE--love those Christmas books! I especially love the cover on this one; very cozy! This sounds like it would make a nice made for tv Christmas movie. I love watching those almost as much as I do reading-almost.

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  3. Sounds delightful! Wouldn't that be a dream to run your own bookstore... In this day and age there arn't many of them around.
    Patty
    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  4. I am a big fan of Dan Walsh's books...and would love to win a paperback book of any of Dan Walsh's books......I have shared on facebook and twitter......babyruthmac16@yahoo.com

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  5. Thanks NORA. Loved reading this review again. And thanks so much to CARRIE, DIANA, TERESA, and MARIAN. It was great spending the week with you, loved interacting with you and all your readers and guests.

    You all are wonderful hosts!

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  6. DIANA - I agree about the movie! And working in a bookstore can only be a book lovers dream :) I guess NORA is living the dream job ;) My BIL owns a used/new book store and I love going in there to browse and buy books!

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  7. NORA, great review!!

    DIANA, I agree the cover is very cozy!

    ANNE, I also love to browse books in the book store. There's one very close to my home, so I go there at least once a week.

    DAN, I'm sorry I wasn't around as much as usual. I've been busy this week as it was our anniversary and hubby's birthday yesterday. I hope to read one of your books someday!

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  8. MARIAN, Do you have a Kindle? I have Dan's book, The Homecoming, on mine and I can loan it out :)

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  9. Oops...the book, not the Kindle ;)

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  10. I am a big fan of Dan Walsh's books and would love to win any one of his paperback books.

    Robert DeYoung
    rdeyoung@cinci.rr.com

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  11. Hi, ROBERT! Thanks for coming by and showing your support and love of DAN's books. I know he appreciates that!

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  12. Hi, PATTY! Yes, that is a nice dream to be sure! Only I would want only Christian books in mine. I love our Family Christian Store here in Lexington!

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  13. EYEBALLLUCY-thanks for sharing about our week here with DAN in cyberland! That is so kind of you.

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  14. DAN, you are so welcome, and thank YOU for spending the week with us, and for being such a charming guest!

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  15. ANNE, I'll take the Kindle! I can always use a backup. lol!

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  16. DIANA, If I could, I would gladly loan it to you for a backup! Now that I have one, I'm not sure if I could do without it. You know, the game apps are a must, according to my husband ;)

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  17. Lol! ANNE, isn't it amazing how everyone hesitates b4 getting a Kindle, and then once they get one it's something they just wouldn't want to be without!? I love mine!

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  18. LOL ANNE! Yes, I have a Kindle. I also love it DIANA. Can't think about life without it anymore. ;)
    I'll make a mental note of your offer ANNE. I first want to finish some NetGalleys. I'll contact you when I'm ready for it. :) Thanks for offering!

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  19. Nora GREAT JOB on the Review! I lOVE Christmas books anytime any place! :) It's my favorite time of the year.

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  20. NORA,SOLD!!! Which really wasn't too hard of a sale because I just flat-out love Dan Walsh, but this sounds like a must-read to me! Great review!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  21. JULIE, Good to see you here! Sounds like all the women at Revell think very highly of Pastor Dan!

    TERESA, me, too--I love Christmas stories any old time!!!

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  22. MARIAN, the Kindle saves eyesight in my opinion--at least I avoid a lot of eyestrain with it. Plus I can listen to my audiobooks on it (but it isn't very loud.)

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  23. Nora, what a beautiful review of Dan's "Remembering Christmas." The cover is lovely and so inviting, and after reading all of the reviews this week regarding Dan's books, I'm sold! He is one author that I will definitely be following, and now I need to find a job to help pay for my voracious habit! Thanks for offering a giveaway once again.
    Nancee
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  24. CARRIE - Thanks for having me review Dan Walsh's Christmas book for you. I really enjoyed this book and it's characters, lets not forget that this book takes place in a book store! A subject near and dear to my hear. I just got off of work and I'm checking all my web stops to catch up on the day. You all have been busy.


    Nora St.Laurent
    The Book Club Network
    www.bookfun.org

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  25. The book had a surprise ending- but I absolutely adored the book- got me to reading all the other books that Dan Walsh has written- and all his books are wonderful!!! You can really tell that what Dan Walsh writes comes from the heart!! I just cant wait for his new book The Reunion to come out!!!!

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  26. ANNE - I Love Christmas stories all year long too. I loved that Dan's Christmas came out in July. It gave us plenty of time to read it before Christmas activities started. Grin!

    DIANA - I too liked the cover. It does set a mood and feel for what's inside. Thanks for your encouragement and for having me here.

    PATTY - I have worked in a Christian Book Store for 10 years. The thing that makes it a dream job is the fact that I don't own it and I work part time. I can keep the fun in the job because I'm not worried about paying the bills and the face that people are buying lots of things on-line and not in the store! Grin! I also hold book club meetings at the store - which is one of my favorite things to do! Grin!

    MARIAN - Thanks for your encouragement I'm glad you liked the review, I really liked the book!! Grin! I'm glad it shows. I know you'd love the book!

    TERESA - Yes, Christmas books are good ALL YEAR LONG. It's a good thing too because who has time to read them at Christmas time??? I know I don't!! Dan's Christmas book came out in July - So, I started the Christmas early!! LOVED THAT!!

    JULIE - Yes, I know you'd love this book girl!! His characters will touch your tender heart and it takes place in a book store!! What's not to love!! It was funny for me because several of the things Dan talks about in the book I've had happen at the store!! Grin! Thanks for your encouragement and prayers as always!!

    DAN - I've read ALL your books except The Discovery and The Reunion. I would have read them by now but I could not meet the deadlines for the tour dates this book was offered!! They are on my wish lists!! This book is near and dear to my heart because I work in a book store!!Grin!! I'm glad to know more about you Dan!! Looking forward to reading more of your books!

    NANCEE - I too loved the cover of this book. It's warm and cozy!! I also like the gifted way DAN writes where he instantly makes you connect and care about his characters!! This one is special because of the Book Nook book store!!

    THANKS everyone for stopping by to read this review and encourage DAN WALSH!! You'll really enjoy this book!! It will get you in the mood for Christmas!!

    Blessings

    Nora St.Laurent
    The Book Club Network
    www.bookfun.org

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  27. NANCEE, we are bookaholics and proud of it! :) Nice to see you here, and hoping you will get a copy of one of Dan's books asap!

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  28. NORA, I was pretty sure you worked outside the home all day and when I got home from our appts. your darling husband confirmed that you were just finishing up work! Now, take a deep breath and enjoy that dinner that Fred is gonna cook! Who is grilling for daddy Fred this weekend?

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  29. NANCEE - doesn't that cover remind you of that crazy thing at Christmas, The Yule Log?!! Our friends put that on their tv while we had dinner!

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  30. Thanks for the review Nora!! I will definitely have to check it out. Sounds like a heart warming story.

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  31. It is a FUN, Heart Warming Story for sure!! You'll like it Ladette!

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  32. Oh and I thought I would mention that you can buy the book here (and support what Nora is doing at TBCN) There is a 20% discount too Coupon Code: TBCNMEMBER
    http://www.thebookclubnetwork.com/item/walsh-dan/remembering-christmas/4175238.html

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  33. Thanks, Fred!!! We appreciate that very much!

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  34. Love the Christmas books that come out - and I can't always get them from the library at Christmas time - so I usually opt for summer. Christmas in summer;)

    Sounds like a delightful book and I am going to HAVE to read some of his books!

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  35. Thanks everyone who posted after my last one last week. CARRIE emailed me to let me know there were some more. Loved reading them. So encouraged.

    Keep me in your prayers. I've been having some hand/arm problems lately related, I guess, to writing too much and without taking proper care re posture and such. Working on getting my new laptop up to speed so I can use the voice-recognition software on it (I've been using it and it really works, helps give my hands time to heal).

    You all have been wonderful. Feel free to stop by my website/blog from time to time.

    Thanks again, CARRIE, for the invite and all the hard work you did on my behalf. Much appreciated.

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