“The Reunion” by Dan Walsh (A Revell Blog Tour)

EVERYTHING LOST CAN BE FOUND

The Discovery By Dan Walsh
978-0-8007-2121-3/$14.99 Paperback/304 pages/
Pub Date: September 2012/

Expert storyteller Dan Walsh pens a new tale filled with the things his fans have come to love – forgiveness, redemption, love and that certain bittersweet quality that few authors ever truly master. Fans old and new will find themselves drawn into this latest story about restoration for the broken and ignored.

Walsh brilliantly weaves together two stories of men embroiled in turmoil – Aaron Miller a Vietnam vet who returned from war only to lose everything and of Dave Russo, a writer unable to love again. The Reunion opens with Aaron, 40 years after the war, slowly putting his life back together. Dave uncovers his heroic actions during the war, leading both men to find a second chance in life and love – if they’re willing to take a risk.

Walsh captures genuine emotion in his writing, and according to RT Book Reviews, he “demonstrates that, like Nicholas Sparks, men are capable of writing romantic fiction.”

Walsh has mastered telling stories set in separate time periods. The Reunion is a contemporary story with flashbacks to Vietnam. When Walsh was young, he hated history until he discovered a few non-fiction history books that read like page-turning novels. “They made history come alive,” says Walsh. “Reading became a joy. That’s my goal now, to create that same experience for my readers. I hope they get inspired and thoroughly enjoy themselves.”

BIO:

Dan Walsh is the award-winning author of The Unfinished Gift, The Homecoming, The Deepest Waters and Remembering Christmas. He lives with his family in the Daytona Beach area, where he’s busy researching and writing his next novel.

Visit www.danwalshbooks.com for more information.

Praise for Dan Walsh:

“Dan’s books grab your heart and don’t let you go until the last page.” –Dr. Gary Smalley, bestselling author and speaker

“Walsh [makes] the reader feel like a dear old friend.” –RT Book Reviews

“Dan Walsh’s novel-within-a novel is rich with the intrigue, history and romance.  Character-driven and wistful…a sublime delight that shouldn’t be missed.” –USA Today on The Discovery

My Review:

Aaron Miller is a Vietnam veteran who’s lost love, respect, his job and his family–barred, even, from seeing his two children.  Suffering from what we now know as PTSD, shame, and guilt, he became a homeless drunk.   Once honored for receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism in war, he’s now a simple handyman in a trailer park, clean and sober.

Unbeknownst to Aaron, one of his fellow servicemen, John Lansing, now a multimillionaire, is searching for him to thank him properly for all he did for him and his two buddies in Nam.  The three men had a reunion every few years, but had lost track of him.  Without Aaron’s intervention in Nam, they wouldn’t be alive today, have good jobs, or their families.

Dave Russo, a wire editor for a local Florida newspaper, is writing a book on Vietnam in honor of his father, who had died in the war.  One of the people he’s interviewing is John Lansing.  But instead of talking about his war times, John talked about Aaron Miller.  John then made Dave “an offer he couldn’t refuse”–find Aaron Miller in exchange for a large chunk of change.  Dave takes leave from his job and pursues any and all leads in his search for Aaron Miller.

For anyone who’s never served in war, you will get an eyeful.  It’s not pretty and it’s anything but safe, and I’m sure that’s only the tip of the iceberg.  But you will come to understand how some men come home with PTSD.  Dan Walsh doesn’t mince words when it comes to the descriptions of the war.  It’s heart-wrenching to read about those who were killed and those who suffer from physical and mental health issues due to the war.

This is one author I’ve come to thoroughly enjoy as a writer.  He’s engaging in his storyline, but he’s also realistic in his portrayals of the characters.  He has a sense of warmth and empathy that hooks you emotionally into the circumstances and lives of each character.  His inclusion of a gentle romance helps compensate for some of the harsher realities of life.

Though Aaron lived a humble life, he was also self-deprecating.  But God had a purpose for his life that would show him who he is in His sight and the sight of others.   The author demonstrates how God is intertwined in his life whether he realized it or not.  It’s the same for you, if you are willing to look for Him.

For an emotional, yet heart-warming look at how important God, friends and family are, this is one book for you to pick up and savor.

This book was provided by Donna Hausler, Publicity Assistant at Baker Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.  No monetary compensation was exchanged.

10-Book Giveaway by Dan Walsh in Celebration of “The Reunion” Release!

GIVEAWAY Opportunity From SEPTEMBER 10-17, 2012!!!

For the for the next week, starting today and running till next Monday, September 17^th, Dan Walsh is celebrating the release of his new novel, The Reunion, with a 10-book giveaway contest!

Five winners will each receive a signed copy of The Reunion, as well as his third novel, The Deepest Waters. (He’s  including this book because it was named a finalist for an ACFW Carol Award for book-of-the-year).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on the link below to see how easily you can enter the contest!

http://danwalshbooks.com/the-reunion-book-giveaway-contest/

You won’t want to miss this opportunity!  Enter today at the above website for a chance to win.  Dan Walsh is a great novelist!

Revell Blog Tour: “THE DISCOVERY” by Dan Walsh

THE DISCOVERY

By Dan Walsh

 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 readers long after they turn the last page.

The Discovery tells the story of Michael Warner, whose grandfather, literary giant Gerard Warner, leaves him his Charleston estate. An aspiring writer himself, Michael settles in to write his own first novel and discovers an unpublished manuscript his grandfather had written, something he’d kept hidden from everyone but clearly intended Michael to find. Michael begins to read an exciting tale about Nazi spies and sabotage, but something about this story is different from all of Gerard Warner’s other books. It’s actually a love story.

As Michael delves deeper into the story he discovers something that has the power to change not only his future but his past as well.

Click HERE to Read the First Chapter.

Dan Walsh is the award-winning author of The Unfinished Gift, The Homecoming, The Deepest Waters and Remembering Christmas. He lives with his family in the Daytona Beach area, where he’s busy researching and writing his next novel. Visit www.danwalshbooks.com for more information.

The Discovery By Dan Walsh/978-0-8007-1981-4/$14.99/Paperback/304 pages/Pub Date: April 2012

Endorsements for Dan Walsh:

“The Discovery is a masterful bit of storytelling. It is, above all else, a love story for the ages, one of sacrifice and devotion that will leave readers with a renewed passion for their loved ones.”– New York Journal of Books

“Walsh demonstrates that, like Nicholas Sparks, men are capable of writing romantic fiction.” — RT Book Reviews

Thrilling, romantic and intriguing. In The Discovery, Dan Walsh takes a fascinating sidebar of World War II history and crafts a suspenseful, beautifully written, and deeply satisfying story. This is his best novel yet!” –  Sarah Sundin, award-winning author of the Wings of Glory series

“You don’t often find a novel that appeals to men and women alike–but Walsh delivers one here! Taking you on a scavenger hunt leading to mystery, romance and intrigue, this book-within-a-book will tug at your heart and keep you in suspense. You’ll get so caught up in the WWII thriller you’ll forget it’s also a contemporary story. A feel-good read that commemorates the courage, integrity and sacrifice of the ‘greatest generation.”–Christianbook.com

My Review:

Well-known writer, Gerard Warner, died and left half his estate to his son and aunt Fran, giving the four grandchildren an equal amount of the second half, making them all millionaires. However, Michael Warner, one of the grandsons, inherits millions minus the appraisal price of his grandfather’s Charleston estate as his inheritance. As the family’s aspiring writer, his grandfather saw potential in him as a writer and knew he would appreciate the house the most.  Any future royalties from Gerard’s books would be dispersed as they came in.

Michael searches the whole house for anything, pictures, photos, newspaper clippings, letters, etc., to uncover his grandparents’ pasts, but he comes up empty-handed.  That is, until he was sitting at Gramps desk, now his.  Michael finds a hidden, unpublished manuscript and partial journal—which were left intentionally for him to find.  His grandpa knew Michael would know what to do with it.

Michael delves into the manuscript mostly because it was written by Gramps.  It was an exciting tale set around WWII, with episodes of suspense, spies, sabotage, Abwehr commanders, and FBI agents.  He soon discovers the manuscript is a love story wrought with joy, pain, loss, faith and personal sacrifice to bond with the love of a lifetime.  As he voraciously continues to read the manuscript, he realizes how it will change his past and future, as well as his family.

Knowing that German agents hid out in America after WWII to avoid being caught, brought to trial and possible put to death, this story, The Discovery, is so credible.  I was so absorbed with the caution and white lies Ben made to cover his tracks.  I found myself lost in the joys of Ben and Claire’s new love.  The danger that the different characters would be caught was always in the back of my mind.  The patriotism that poured forth to save American lives was astounding when compared to today’s lack thereof.  The sacrifice of two families caught in the bulls-eye of a deep, longing love is astounding.

As with previous books, Dan is able to draw you into the personal lives of the characters, sensing the depth of feelings flowing between parents and child, as well as Ben and Claire.  The depths of danger are palpable, as agents triangulate into position to take down the perpetrators.

One gets so caught up in the intrigue of the manuscript, that one is jolted back to real time when Michael and Jenn correspond about what he’s found and what he thinks it all means.  It’s basically two stories in one, which is my favorite style of writing.  The point of view is mostly through the eyes of Michael in the main storyline and Ben in the inner story.  Michael definitely ascertains the ramifications of what he is reading.

Now, most covers do not necessarily catch my eye, but this one does.  Mostly because of the floral parts, but also because I now know it’s a part of the country I’ve never seen in person.   As great as the cover is, though, it’s the novel’s content that kept me engrossed in the story lines.  Another great book by Dan Walsh!

This book was provided by Donna Hausler of Baker Publishing Groups in exchange for my honest review.  No monetary compensation was exchanged.

Revell Blog Tour (with review): The Deepest Waters” by Dan Walsh

Inspired by a true story…

Dan Walsh Returns With A Story of Love That Defies the Odds

“I’ve written you a note, inside the pouch,” John yelled. “Don’t read it…unless you hear word that I – that I did not…” Tears poured down his cheeks. He looked away. “John!” she screamed. “I must go back…”

Award-wining author Dan Walsh brings a powerful love story reminiscent of the Titanic to readers. The Deepest Waters (ISBN: 978-0-8007-1980-7, April 2011, $14.99) is a masterpiece of historical fiction set in 1857 when newlyweds John and Laura Foster set sail on the SS Vandervere for their honeymoon. Soon, their fairytale becomes a nightmare when a hurricane causes the ship to sink into the depths of the Atlantic. John and Laura are separated not knowing if they will ever see each other again.

Walsh was inspired to write The Deepest Waters by the true story of the sinking of a paddle-wheel steamship laden with gold from San Francisco, California. The SS Central America, bound for New York City ran into a hurricane which sealed her fate around September 11, 1857.

Walsh takes readers on a journey through troubled waters as they discover the treasure hidden in The Deepest Waters, a story full of action and suspense. Through the Fosters, Walsh creates an amazing love story about what happens when miracles do come true.

Dan Walsh is the award-winning author of The Unfinished Gift, and The Homecoming. 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.

Endorsements

“The Deepest Waters is a story that’s been waiting to be told for 150 years. What a blessing Dan Walsh is the one to tell it. It is inspirational, spiritual, and miraculous–a hopeful message when the world needs it most.”–Jason F. Wright, New York Times bestselling author of The Wednesday Letters

“A delightful story that took me back to an era when men were gallant and women were virtuous. Dan Walsh fully immersed me in a fascinating world from 1857 and left me longing for the movie.” –James  L. Rubart, Bestselling author of Rooms and Book of Days

My Review:

Dan writes about a deep, personal love story that turns into anguish amidst the tragedy of the SS Vandervere caught in the middle of a hurricane in the Atlantic.  My mind immediately conjured up the horrific story of the Titanic.

In The Deepest Waters, Dan Walsh vividly writes about the grief-stricken emotions of the women being rescued by The Cutlass while the SS Vandervere is sinking with their husbands and remaining crew aboard.  The voices of the men and women cry out to you as you read–haunting cries that are real and heartbreaking, touching you to the very core of your being, pulling on every heart-string.  So realistic that you feel you are there with them.  Eerie, when compared to the Titanic sinking.

Since we live in such modern times, with radar, weather forecasts and storm tracking, it’s hard to comprehend what goes on during desperate times such as these.  Dan brings to light the loss of life and livelihood, food deprivation, lack of communication, and greed, while contrasting those who hang on to faith, hope, encouragement, self-sacrifice, and love—even the miraculous.

Dan Walsh wrote a great story inspired by the true story of the SS Central America, a paddle-wheel steamship that sank in the waters off North Carolina in September of 1857. An inspirational story of chivalry, Divine intervention, and faith.  Don’t miss it!

This book was provided by Donna Hausler, Publicity Assistant at Baker Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life.  They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.

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

For more information, visit http://www.RevellBooks.com.