Keeping Christmas

Keeping Christmas
Dan Walsh
(Revell)
ISBN: 978-0800721190
August 2015/224 pages/Hardcover/$14.99
Stan opened the ugly ornaments box and pulled out the top three ornaments, the ones wrapped in green paper, the kids' favorites, and set them on the coffee table. He picked up the first one, the biggest one--Anna's blue pinecone--and began to unwrap it. Without thinking, Judith walked up, stopped him, and gently took it out of his hand. She wrapped it back up, set it carefully in the box. Then picked up the other two ornaments, put them in the box, and closed the flaps.

"What's the matter?" Stan said. "Did I do something wrong?"

"I don't think I can do this."

Nothing is more beautiful than family

For the first time since their children were born, empty nesters Judith and Stan Winters spent Thanksgiving without the kids, and it's looking like Christmas will be the same. Judith can't bring herself to even start decorating for the holiday; her kids always hung the first ornaments on the tree, ornaments they had made each year since they were toddlers. Sure, the ornaments were strange-looking--some were downright ugly--but they were tradition.

With Judith refusing to decorate the bare spruce tree in their living room, Stan's only hope for saving the holiday is found in a box of handmade ornaments . . .

Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of several books, including The Unfinished Gift and The Restoration Series with Gary Smalley. He has won three Carol Awards, and three of his novels were finalists for the RT Book Reviews Inspirational Book of the Year. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for twenty-five years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel. Learn more at www.danwalshbooks.com.



MY THOUGHTS

Dan Walsh is known for well-crafted books that touch the heart, and Keeping Christmas continues to meet that description. Expert character and story development results in authentic personalities and situations that will resonate with many in the empty-nester years, as well as serve as a cautionary tale for those with children still at home. (In fact, at times, I became a bit annoyed with Judith's despair and complete obsession over her children's absence and the fact that she had developed no interests outside of her family. I only get annoyed with realistic people in the books I read!) Walsh skillfully highlights the different perspectives and reactions of Judith and Stan as they approach the upcoming holidays: Judy laments, paralyzed by grief, and Stan continues his normal routine, secretly enjoying the peace and quiet. From the beautiful cover to the final page, Keeping Christmas is a wonderful way to start the holiday season. Don't miss it.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Revell Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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