Friday, December 4, 2009

Review/Giveaway: The Unfinished Gift

A WINNING READINGS GIVEAWAY!

Title: The Unfinished Gift: A Novel
Author: Dan Walsh
Genre: Historical Christmas fiction (WWII)
How to enter: Leave a comment on THIS post right here! If you're a subscriber or a follower, leave a second comment for a second entry.
Entry deadline: December 10, 2009
Restrictions: Open internationally

That's right, enter right here for this giveaway. Please note: we are giving away our review copy, so it has been gently read.

Overview

The Unfinished Gift: A Novel is a 256-page Christmas story set in 1943, authored by Dan Walsh. With a list price of $14.99, this hardcover book is currently available for $11.99 on Revell's site.

Here is the publisher's synopsis of the book:
"Can a gift from the past mend a broken heart? Ian Collins is an old man without his son. Patrick Collins is a young boy without his father. On his Christmas list are only three items. He wants the army to find his father. He wants to leave his grandfather's house. And he wants the dusty wooden soldier in Grandfather's attic--the one he is forbidden to touch.

Set at Christmastime in 1943, The Unfinished Gift is the engaging story of a family in need of forgiveness. With simple grace, it reminds us of the small things that affect powerful change in our hearts--a young boy's prayers, a shoe box of love letters, and even a half-carved soldier, long forgotten. This nostalgic story of reconciliation will touch your heart."

My Review

Take a bright, beautiful 7-year-old boy who has lost his mother, add in a crochety rich old grandfather, some love letters, Christmas, and a wartime setting with a father who is MIA, and you can't fail to get a heartwarming story.
Seven-year-old Patrick is definitely the star of the show - you fall in love with him immediately as you realize how much he misses his mom and how well she brought him up. And it becomes entirely plausible that such a boy will be the key to bring together a father and son who have let years of grudges tear them apart.
While I don't entirely agree with the author's theology on the state of Patrick's dead mom, I much appreciate the role she plays in convincing both her husband and (posthumously) her father-in-law to forgive with God's help.
Will Patrick get the three items on his Christmas list? You'll have to read and find out... But I will tell you there's a happy ending as God works in the lives of one family and their cast of incredibly supporting friends.
Thanks to Baker Publishing Group for the review copy of this book.
---------------
The Unfinished Gift

62 comments:

Jennifer said...

A Christmas book and a period piece!

Jennifer said...

I'm a subscriber too.

Milka said...

A christmas book set in WW2, I would love this one. Please count me in!

milkavainamo@lyseo.edu.ouka.fi

Milka said...

I am a follower.

Annette W. said...

I've heard about this book and really want to read it!

Anonymous said...

please include me in your drawing...thanks.

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(Dot)Com

Anonymous said...

I'm a subscriber :)

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(Dot)Com

wmmahaney said...

I love Christmas books.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

wmmahaney said...

I subscribe.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered in this wonderful draw. Thanks!
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am a follower of your blog.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Beth (BBRB) said...

I'm a follower.

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

Ticia said...

Hits two of my interests: Christmas and history. Nice.

Ticia said...

I follow.

409cope said...

Ahistoric Christmas book,sounds great this time of year. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

I subscribe and follow through google friend. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

Merry said...

I'd love to win The Unfinished Gift, toss my name in the drawing. Thanks!

worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot}com

Merry said...

I'm a follower.

plb8156 said...

Please enter me. I love Christmas stories.
plb8156@aol.com

plb8156 said...

I follow & subscribe
plb8156@aol.com

mverno said...

i love to read mverno@roadrunner.com

Sue said...

I'd love a chance! Thanks for the giveaway.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

abfantom said...

This sounds like an interesting book that I'd like to read. Please enter me in the giveaway.

abfantom at yahoo dot com

McKim said...

Sounds like a good read that would be great for a snowy day in front of the fireplace!

Melissa said...

I love books centered around Christmas!

melissamcnicol at yahoo dot com

Brenda said...

I would love to read this myself. It takes place in 1943, the yr I was born.

Brenda said...

I am a subscriber:

misskallie2000@yahoo.com

Brenda said...

I failed to leave my email above on #30 & 31.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

mariska said...

i love to read this !

uniquas at ymail dot com

mariska said...

this book sounds great ! please count me in.

uniquas at ymail dot com

LoveMyCoffee said...

This book has been on my wish list for awhile now. Please count me in.

Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

Nicole C. said...

I would love to read this!!

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

D Q said...

Thank you for the review. This sounds like a great story.
djeanq(at)gmail(dot)com

Ellie Wright said...

Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway.
eswright18 at gmail dot com

Ellie Wright said...

I'm a follower.

eswright18 at gmail dot com

Cherie J said...

I am a follower.

Tammy said...

This book sounds like a winner.I love stories set in war times

gsm57 said...

enter me please

Jan said...

This story sounds great, I would love to read this book. Please count me in.

alongtheway(at)telus(dot)net

Renee G said...

I would love to read this. I love books from this era.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

Rhonda said...

I would love to read this christmas story. Please enter me

rhondastruthers at yahoo dot ca

julied said...

Aren't historical fiction books the best!! I love them.

AmandaK said...

This sounds like one fantastic read!

orchestratenoise0726[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Would love to read this.
shawnac68@hotmail.com

mindy said...

this sounds like a fabulous read thanks minsthins at optonline dot net

Anonymous said...

Happy December!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

reddon30 said...

I would like to read this...thank you for the contest

Hotsnotty2 said...

I'd love to read this, thanks for the chance!

Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

Ahsun said...

Sign me up! Merci!

Syed Ahsun Zafar
essogasstation@hotmail.com

Ahsun said...

and guess what? I follow!!!


Syed Ahsun Zafar
essogasstation@hotmail.com

Terri Dell said...

This sounds wonderful, a very heartwarming read

Terri Dell said...

Follower

Anonymous said...

Oh YES! I really would love to win this book.

May Schultz
may041827@yahoo.com

Maja said...

smeems great

Nickolay said...

I like Dan Walsh. Thanks for the chance

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

Carol EL said...

A WWII era Christmas story piques my interest. jelly15301@gmail.com

Carol EL said...

GFC follower. jelly15301@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I love Christmas stories! Thanks!

sherri419 at gmail dot com

Jinxy and Me said...

Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!

Jinxy and Me said...

I'm following your blog in Google Friend Connect.

Linda Kish said...

I would love to win and read this.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

cman said...

Please enter me :)