The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh

The Unfinished Gift

written by Dan Walsh

Published by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

ISBN:  9780800719241

http://www.revellbooks.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=0477683E4046471488BD7BAC8DCFB004&nm=&type=PubCom&mod=PubComProductCatalog&mid=BF1316AF9E334B7BA1C33CB61CF48A4E&tier=3&id=225E28E53CC94FB9A8DEB69592618AD5

http://www.christianbook.com/unfinished-gift-dan-walsh/9780800719241/pd/719241?item_code=WW&netp_id=625966&event=ESRCN&view=details

I just finished reading the book, The Unfinished Gift, by Dan Walsh.  I am reviewing this book on my own.  I borrowed this book from our local library. 

The story begins a week before Christmas in 1943.  Seven year-old Patrick Collins has just lost his mother in an automobile accident.  His father, Shawn, is a fighter pilot, serving his country in the war overseas.  Patrick is brought to stay with his grandfather, Ian Collins, until his father is notified and returns from Europe. Katherine Townsend is the social worker assigned to Patrick's case.  Although she is trained to be objective, she finds her heart warming to the young Patrick.  Patrick has never met his grandfather due to a falling out between Shawn and Ian Collins years before Patrick's birth.  Ian is bitter and blames Patrick's mother for coming between father and son.  He sees Patrick as an inconvenience, and is cold and unfeeling toward him.  Ian is a widower, and made a deathbed promise to her that he would reconcile with their son.  However, he is stubborn, and has become comfortably numb in his bitter state.

While searching for Christmas decorations in the attic, Patrick finds an unfinished, yet beautifully carved wooden soldier.  He is scolded by his grandfather and warned the object is off limits to him.  The wooden soldier becomes a desire of little Patrick's heart, right next to seeing his father again and leaving his grandfather's cold and unloving home.  Patrick does find comfort and nurturing from the next door neighbor, Mrs. Fortini, and his caseworker, Miss Townsend.  Katherine knows she is risking her job by getting emotionally involved, but she is willing to risk it for this little boy who has captured her heart.

Then, terrible news from overseas rattles both Katherine and Ian.  Ian, in a quest to know his son, reads Shawn's letters to his wife.  He learns that all was not as he had always thought, and is confronted with his own stubbornness.  His heart begins to thaw, and he wants to make things right with his grandson. 

He then learns that Patrick has run away from his home, right in the middle of a blizzard.  Desperate to find him, he offers a substantial reward.  Katherine, who has come to the Collins' home to check on Patrick's welfare, bands together with Ian and Mrs. Fortini in an effort to bring Patrick safely home. 

I don't think I should share any more details, except to say that the remainder of the story is beautifully written, and touched my heart. I don't want to be a "plot spoiler", even if I am not sure exactly what that means!  :)  I felt the book was wrapped up well, and enjoyed the addition and portrayal of Ezra Jeffries and his family.  I would love to see how they prospered after these events.  I also felt that this story is not over.  I would love to see more of Katherine Townsend's story, and to see her find happiness.  This is going to be one of my new Christmas favorites!  Be sure to have tissues nearby.  You WILL need them! 

Review of Gone to Green

Title:  Gone to Green
Author:  Judy Christie
Published by Abingdon Press
ISBN:  978-1-4267-0024-8

http://www.christianbook.com/gone-green-judy-christie/9781426700248/pd/700248?item_code=WW&netp_id=621010&event=ESRCN&view=details

http://abingdonpress.com/forms/fiction.aspx?pid=3561


I am reviewing this book on my own.  I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library. I am reviewing this for my own benefit.
First, I want to say that I really enjoyed this book.  I thought the author did a wonderful job!  The characters were well-developed, and the storyline fascinating.

Lois Barker is an aspiring reporter for a large midwestern paper.  She is preparing for a promotion when she learns she has inherited ownership of a small town paper in Green, Louisiana.  Her beloved friend and former co-worker, Ed, has passed away and left her with his dream.  She decides to accept the challenge and moves to Green to take ownership.  The stipulation is that she has to stay a year before she can sell. 

She finds that living in a small town is rarely dull, and the people of this small town are multi-faceted.  Some good, some not so good.  She is dismayed to learn that prejudice and discrimination still exist, and works through relationships she has developed to try to break through the racism, and help make Green a better place to live.  As the reader, I began to fall in love with these people, and found myself mentally chastising Lois when she decides to sell the paper at the one-year mark. 

I know I am not doing this story justice!  I cannot wait to read more of both Lois and the people of Green, Louisiana.

Thirsty

Book Title:  Thirsty
Author:  Tracey Bateman
Published by Waterbrook Press
ISBN:  978-0-307-45715-8





First of all, I am reviewing this book on my own.  I have not received payment to review this book, nor have I received a free copy to review.  I borrowed this book from our local library.

Thirsty grabbed me by the throat from the beginning chapter.  (Pardon the pun!)  I would have passed on reading this book, since it has a vampiric theme, but I have enjoyed Tracey Bateman's other works, and trusted I would not be disappointed.  And I am not. 

Thirsty tells the story of Nina Hunter, a recovering alcoholic who moves back to her hometown after running away seventeen years earlier.  Due to years of living in the throes of alcoholism, she is left to start over without her marriage, custody of her children, and her veterinary practice.  She returns to Abbey Hill, Missouri to wait tables at the local cafe and live with her sister, Jill, the local sheriff after a stint in rehab.  Nina brings her angry and conflicted teenage daughter, Meg, with her to spend a week with her, hoping for reconciliation.  Upon their arrival, they learn of a murder that is similar to a rash of ritualistic killings of animals in the area.  The small town is left to wonder what is really going on...are these killings the work of satanists, witches, or...some other supernatural beings?

I appreciated the fluctuation between explaining Nina's childhood, right up to her leaving town, the present, Hunt's point of view, Meg's point of view, and lastly, Jill's mysterious and handsome neighbor, Marcus.  Who and/or what is he?  I found the story line fascinating!  Having experience dealing with and loving someone with an addictive personality, this book gave me a new understanding of what my loved one experiences.  I loved the way the author, Tracey, paralleled alcohol addiction with a vampire's bloodlust.  Interesting.

There were many twists and turns to this plot that I will not address due to my current fatigue,  but are well done. 

I WILL recommend Thirsty to anyone who asks.  Well done.  Not many books keep me awake all night!  I think a nap is in order this morning!!!!

Intervention by Terri Blackstock

Book Title:  INTERVENTION

Author:  Terri Blackstock
Publisher:  Zondervan
ISBN:  978-0-310-32198-9

I want to state that I am reviewing this book on my own.  I have not been paid to review this book.  I have not received a free copy from anyone.  I borrowed this book from our local library.

The book begins with a mother, Barbara Covington, staging an intervention for her 18 year-old daughter Emily.  Barbara is a 43 year-old widowed mother of two children, Emily, and 14 year-old Lance.  She takes out a second mortgage to pay the exhorbitant fee the rehabilitation clinic requires.  She also pays an extra fee to have an interventionist from the clinic, Trish Massey, travel to their hometown, lead the intervention, and accompany Emily to the clinic. 
Something goes terribly wrong once the pair are in Atlanta.  Trish is found murdered in her car in the airport garage, Emily is missing, and considered the main suspect in Trish's murder.  Barbara and Lance travel to Atlanta, desperate to find Emily and the answers to this mystery.  Barbara develops a rapport with the lead detective, Kent Harlan.  He begins to doubt the initial suspicion that Emily murdered Trish to hold on to her drug addiction, and begins to listen to and work with Barbara and Lance. 
This book was a typical Terri Blackstock plot, full of action, twists and suspense.  This is by far my favorite, however, because I strongly sensed her heart was in this book.  After reading the Note from the Author at the end, I was correct.  She has experienced the pain, frustration and heartbreak of having a child in the throes of addiction.  I strongly identified with Barbara.  In fact, she seems so real to me that I would love to read a follow-up on her life!  I guess that is called a sequel.  :)

What I am currently reading....

The past few weeks have been so chaotic I have been unable to read OR review. I started reading Intervention by Terri Blackstock this morning. I borrowed Intervention from the library. Terri's books are always a great read. I will review when I am finished.

I also wanted to say "hi" to my friends...I found your blogs!  (YAY!) 

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Found in Him,

Liz Johnson
Publicist
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group
12265 Oracle Blvd, Suite 200
Colorado Springs, CO 80921
e: ejohnson@randomhouse.com

-----Original Message-----
From: randenlee2000@aol.com [mailto:randenlee2000@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2009 6:50 PM
To: Johnson, Elizabeth (CS)
Subject: Blog for Books Information

Life's Disappointments

I desperately want to gain perspective on the specific disappointments and failures of the past couple of weeks. I fear if I cannot, the weight will crush me.