Dan Walsh

Dear Readers,

The Discovery is Dan Walsh’s latest book.  It came out in April and I kept meaning to read it and just never got around to it.  You know how that goes.  When I found out I was going to have a chance to meet Dan a couple weeks ago I took that as a great reason to read the book.   I am glad I got the chance; it is my favorite one of his to date.   I will explain why the “to date” later. 

After Michael’s very famous grandfather passes away, he discovers an unpublished manuscript that would be worth millions.  Fans of his grandfather’s writing would love to read one more book by the literary giant, but Michael wants to read it first. 

The story is very different from anything that Grandfather had written before, but Michael finds himself drawn into the story.  As he gets deeper and deeper into the story he begins to wonder what is fiction and what is the truth. 

The book is still very much in the southern genre that Dan is well known for, but this one goes from contemporary to WWII, and I think that is what I find so interesting.  I really did enjoy the novel inside the novel; it would make for a very interesting story on its own.   That Dan included it as part of a story line that included the main character finding out his own family history just added something to the whole story.

Dan has two new books coming out in the next year.  This fall he has The Reunion which is the story of a Vietnam vet who is just struggling with life.  Then next April Dan and Gary Smalley are releasing the first book of a 4 book series on marriage.  In the Dance you will meet Marilyn and Jim who have been married 27 years and yet not everything is perfect.   I am looking forward to both books, but in the mean time the Discovery is a good one to read.

Happy Reading

Dan Walsh

Dear Readers,

Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh is based on a real shipwreck.  There really was a paddle-wheel steamship that sank in 1857 off the East coast.  All the woman and children were rescued but most of the men were lost.  There are several other parts of the story that Dan included in his work of fiction, but I don't want to include here as it is much more interesting to find them out as you are reading. 

John and Laura decide to take their honeymoon by traveling back to John's home in New York from California by boat.  He wanted to try to reconcile with his family and to introduce them to his new wife.  He just leaves that little part out when he tell Laura he wants her to meet them.  This isn't a problem when he was going to be there to introduce them to each other, but when their ship runs afoul and they are separated, then it becomes a problem.

Laura must now try to reach John's family and they are not expecting John, let alone a wife they didn't know about.  John tells her this in a note he gives her when they know that their ship is going down.  Will John's family accept her?  Will they believe that she is John's wife?  Laura must continue on her journey as she has nowhere else to go.

Over all this was an interesting story because it is based on a true story and I encourage you to read the author notes, but after reading the book as several of the notes should have a spoiler alert on them.  I also found the outreach from the cities and town where the rescued survivors arrive amazing.... okay I hear you, I won't say any more as you can enjoy that for yourself.

Happy Reading 

Dan Walsh

Dear Readers,

Christmas novels are not my favorite. For one thing they are usually very sappy and way too short to really give the characters a good chance to develop. Some years I do have to read one to get in the mood. This year I read The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh mostly on the recommendation of a couple different people that made me just curious enough to read it. I have to admit that because there is a sequel coming in 2010 also kind of pushed me to read it. The Homecoming is going to be a regular fiction release and I thought maybe I should read the first one so I know what is going on so I can read that one.

Patrick lost his mother in a tragic car accident. To make matter worse, his father is off fighting in the war against the Nazis. Child Protective Services has no choice but to bring him to his grandfather who has never met him. Ian Collins hasn't spoken to his son since one terrible day when they fought and Ian told his to not come back.

Shawn is over in England flying missions into Germany. He has no idea that his wife is gone or that his son is now living with the man he has refused to forgive even at his mother's pleading.

I don't want to give too much more away. This is not a huge stretch away from "normal" Christmas books. It is a plain and simple feel good book. There is not any plot twist that you won't see coming, but it was a very good book to read this past weekend while the wind was blowing and the rain was coming down. It is that kind of book.

I am very interested in where The Homecoming will go. I do have a couple guesses and I enjoyed "Gift" enough to want to know the end of the story.

Happy Reading