Dan Walsh is the senior pastor of Sovereign Grace Church in Daytona Beach, Florida, a church he helped found 23 years ago. Walsh lives with his fam...
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Jan 11, 2010
Becky
rated it: 
I won this book through Goodreads First Reads.
Okay, I finished this book a few weeks ago but I was unable to jump on and update/review.
I really loved the story behind the book, some parts of it felt a little "preachy", but the novel was written by a preacher!! Really, the book is great and even though parts of it feel "preachy" the story isn't lost. It's a great story, especially around Christmas.
The book is about a Grandfather/Father t More...
Okay, I finished this book a few weeks ago but I was unable to jump on and update/review.
I really loved the story behind the book, some parts of it felt a little "preachy", but the novel was written by a preacher!! Really, the book is great and even though parts of it feel "preachy" the story isn't lost. It's a great story, especially around Christmas.
The book is about a Grandfather/Father t More...
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Dec 10, 2009
Ruth
rated it: 
It’s December 1943, and seven-year-old Patrick’s world had been rocked by the sudden death of his mother in a car accident. Sent to live with Ian Collins, the paternal grandfather he’s never even met, and who disowned Patrick’s father for his marriage and renewed faith in Christ – Patrick’s wishes are simple. He wants his father to come home and save him from his cold, unfeeling grandfather, and he wants the unfinished, hand carved wooden soldier hidden in his grandfather’s attic. The wooden sol
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Nov 14, 2009
Mandy
rated it:
Little, seven-year-old Patrick Collins is on the verge of becoming an orphan with a newly deceased mother and his father now missing in action. His fate rests in the hands of a tenderhearted social worker and a cranky, old grandfather he has never met.
Dan Walsh takes you back in time for a heart-wrenching Christmas story set in the early 1940's during World War Two. It's the story of a brave boy, a grumpy old man, a caring neighbor, and an unfinished gift.
Will the last More...
Dan Walsh takes you back in time for a heart-wrenching Christmas story set in the early 1940's during World War Two. It's the story of a brave boy, a grumpy old man, a caring neighbor, and an unfinished gift.
Will the last More...
Nov 27, 2009
Renee
rated it:
This was a poignant Christmas story where my heart broke for Patrick and I shook my fist in anger at the way his grandfather treated him. The ending didn't surprise me as I knew things would get worked out or it wouldn't be promoted as a book about redemption and forgiveness.
I'm not sure why the author felt it necessary to have Catholic characters in his book especially since he doesn't seem to understand our faith. During a conversation between Shawn and his dad, Shawn feels he didn More...
I'm not sure why the author felt it necessary to have Catholic characters in his book especially since he doesn't seem to understand our faith. During a conversation between Shawn and his dad, Shawn feels he didn More...
Nov 27, 2009
Cindy
rated it: 
Dan Walsh
2009
Revell
Fiction/Christmas/Christian
Reviewed by Cindy Loven
Set in World War II, The Unfinished Gift is a wonderful story of family redemption. Little Patrick Collins is taken to stay with a grandfather he has never met. A grandfather, full of bitterness, anger and sorrow of all the things he feels had gone wrong in his life.
Patrick's mother was killed in a car accident, and his father is in England fighting in the War. Patrick More...
2009
Revell
Fiction/Christmas/Christian
Reviewed by Cindy Loven
Set in World War II, The Unfinished Gift is a wonderful story of family redemption. Little Patrick Collins is taken to stay with a grandfather he has never met. A grandfather, full of bitterness, anger and sorrow of all the things he feels had gone wrong in his life.
Patrick's mother was killed in a car accident, and his father is in England fighting in the War. Patrick More...
Mar 09, 2011
Dailycheapreads
rated it:
Traditionally, the Christmas holiday is a time of family and togetherness. Tragically, Christmas can also be a time of uncertainty and anxiety.
Dan Walsh’s novel, The Unfinished Gift, is the story of Patrick, a seven-year-old boy whose mother has died in an automobile accident while his father is serving in the Army Air Corps in England during World War II. Christmas is just a few days away when the social worker is forced to leave Patrick with his only relative in Philadelphia – his es More...
Dan Walsh’s novel, The Unfinished Gift, is the story of Patrick, a seven-year-old boy whose mother has died in an automobile accident while his father is serving in the Army Air Corps in England during World War II. Christmas is just a few days away when the social worker is forced to leave Patrick with his only relative in Philadelphia – his es More...
Dec 04, 2009
Lori
rated it:
I wasn't sure what to expect when I agreed to review this book for Revell, but it was a Christmas-themed book, so I decided I couldn't possibly go wrong. Well...I was correct...this is an awesome book!! It's my favorite Christmas book, so far, for 2009! If you haven't read this book yet...I highly recommend it. It will bless your heart as it has blessed mine.
The Unfinished Gift is a very heart-warming, emotionally-charged Christmas book. There was not a dull minute to be found, and i More...
The Unfinished Gift is a very heart-warming, emotionally-charged Christmas book. There was not a dull minute to be found, and i More...
Nov 29, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
Dan Walsh's debut novel was impressively written for a first book. The story reminded me of one I'd read several years ago by Tracie Peterson that took place during WWI. It was titled Silent Star. That story also made me tear up toward the end. I really enjoyed this book and the author's characterization of Patrick and his grandfather even though I'm not a big fan of Christmas stories. The WWII setting, including the role of the social worker and the police in the story, felt genuine to me. Whi
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Jun 02, 2010
Kaylea
rated it:
I really liked this book. It carries a simple, yet timeless message regarding the importance of family relationships.I also liked having the chance to step back into time, to when life seemed "simpler."
Through the book, Walsh has developed a cast of characters that you'll feel like you know - a woman who has a passion for helping young children, a little boy facing a devastating loss, a grandfather who has to face his past to move into the future, and a neighbor determined More...
Through the book, Walsh has developed a cast of characters that you'll feel like you know - a woman who has a passion for helping young children, a little boy facing a devastating loss, a grandfather who has to face his past to move into the future, and a neighbor determined More...
Dec 21, 2009
Tarissa
rated it:
I really enjoyed reading this book! It's a Christmastime story that takes place during World War II.
Little 7-year-old Patrick only has 2 Christmas wishes. He hopes his dad comes home soon from the war. And he wants that handcarved wooden soldier that he found one day in his grandfather's dusty attic. He's sure his grandfather doesn't want to keep it, but why won't he let Patrick have it?
Patrick has had a lot to happen to him recently. His mother just passed away. He was s More...
Little 7-year-old Patrick only has 2 Christmas wishes. He hopes his dad comes home soon from the war. And he wants that handcarved wooden soldier that he found one day in his grandfather's dusty attic. He's sure his grandfather doesn't want to keep it, but why won't he let Patrick have it?
Patrick has had a lot to happen to him recently. His mother just passed away. He was s More...
Feb 23, 2010
Casey
rated it:
Just the title alone is enough to strike a cord of interest. A little boy without a home, being sent to a surly grandfather, who wants nothing to do with him. A father hundreds of miles overseas fighting for his county, trying to survive for his little boy. The common, fragile thread holding this family together? An incomplete wooden soldier, nestled under dust in the attic and the catalyst that draws them together again.
This is Dan Walsh’s first novel; I found the story intriguing a More...
This is Dan Walsh’s first novel; I found the story intriguing a More...
Dec 04, 2009
Clockstein
rated it:
The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh is an unexpected treasure. Patrick Collins is having a terrible Christmas. His mother killed in a car accident, his father fighting the Nazis overseas, he's sent off to wait for his father's return with a grandfather, Ian, he's never met. Ian is Scrooge personified: angry at the world, curmudgeonly, stingy, and holding on to a burning anger at Patrick's father that spills over into his relationship with the seven-year-old Patrick. Kathleen Townsend, Patrick's soc
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Jan 25, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
Set in 1943, 7 yr. old Patrick's father is a fighter pilot in the war, and his Mother dies in a car accident (that's on the first pg., so not really giving a lot away!). The little boy finds himself very alone after being placed by Children's Services with his elderly, grumpy grandfather, whom he had never met before. A story of an estranged relationship between the fighter pilot son & his father unfolds. Patrick, feeling very unwanted and unloved, decides to change things for himself. The b
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Nov 24, 2010
Brian
rated it:
I would say this was a pretty decent read. It was not the best, but it was definitely not the worst. When I read Christmas type books around this time of year each and every year, I expect up-lifting and heart warming stories that just make me feel happy and content. I will say that this was overall a very decent book and I do not regret reading it in the least, however it just was not very developed character-wise and I just did not leave with that 'happy, warm' feeling. I still gave it 4 s
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May 17, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
This book is about a little boy named Patrick who loses his mother and his father is now missing in action in Europe during WW2.
I could not believe the way the grandfather treated him, an innocent child who played no part in the separation between his father and grandfather. I started to cry at how spiteful the grandfather was toward Patrick, while he was actually angry at Patricks father.
While the ending is predicable, it does remind us that we need to forgive just as More...
I could not believe the way the grandfather treated him, an innocent child who played no part in the separation between his father and grandfather. I started to cry at how spiteful the grandfather was toward Patrick, while he was actually angry at Patricks father.
While the ending is predicable, it does remind us that we need to forgive just as More...
May 07, 2011
Nenette
rated it:
This book comes before The Homecoming which I read before I picked this one up. I agree with the comment that though the second book can stand on its own, this book should be read first. There's just this tiny bit of regret that I bought this book. If was good but not quite as good as the second book; it's probably because I read them in reverse order. Lesson learned; just don't grab any free book; always do some research.
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Aug 16, 2010
Beth
rated it:
read this book as a possible choice for our December book for book club. There were parts of this book I really liked. Overall it was a quick read, and a good story, although a little predictable and your typical Christmas read. Liked the religion aspects, but wish it would have delved into them more.
Feb 02, 2012
Elsie
rated it:
This was a wonderful story of a child's faith in God. A story of families effected by WWll, angry words and everlasting love of a child beyond death, this strengthens my faith in God and the bonds and ties of families. After reading about a fourth of the book, I stayed up until I had finished it!
Dec 02, 2010
Michelle
rated it:
I enjoyed this one very much! Dan Walsh has certainly created a wonderful debut novel. The story is well written, the characters endearing, and the setting so well written that I felt like I was right there along with the characters. It's a story that will stick with me for a very long time. Though much of the story is predictable, it doesn't take away from the fact that this is a very satisfying read. I recommend it without any reservation!
Dec 17, 2009
Heather
rated it: 
The story of a young boy who loses his mother and his father is a WWII fighter pilot, who is sent to live with his estranged paternal grandfather. Very cliche and totally predictable. Meant to be a tear-jerker, but because it is so cliche, it's just contrived. Not a bad read for a "feel good" Christmastime story.
Jan 27, 2011
Kathy
rated it:
There is a follow up to this book coming out in June of 2011. (Good!) This is a WW II era book. A father and son are estranged but when the son is shot down during the war, the grandfather must take in the young grandson. This is a good Christmas story.
Jan 11, 2010
When Patrick's mother dies in a car accident, a social worker takes him to his nearest relative, his grumpy grandfather until his father can return from the war.
The author takes you to 1940s Philadelphia, complete with racial tension, rationing, and radio.
The author takes you to 1940s Philadelphia, complete with racial tension, rationing, and radio.
Jan 11, 2011
Acarrawa
rated it:
A sweet story, although somewhat predictable. I look forward to the sequel. This novel provides a good example of what can happen if bitterness, anger, and unforgiveness are fostered and nourished in one's life.
Feb 11, 2010
Jere
rated it:
The book was ok. I give it a 2 1/2 because we did have a good discussion at book club about forgiveness. The ending was predictable and not believable for the time frame in which it was to occur.
Dec 12, 2009
Carolyn
rated it:
Loving and sweet about a grandfather's new love for his grandson after family disputed divided the whole clan. I liked it and there was a good ending!
Jan 31, 2011
Nan
rated it:
It was okay for a quick read. The happy ending came too quickly and conveniently as the "villian" changed his outlook without sufficient motivation and agonizing. But other than that, it wasn't too bad.
Nov 29, 2010
Julie
rated it:
I read this to kick off the holidays. I think a friend had suggested it. It was OK. I think I will keep looking for a better Christmas themed book.
Dec 16, 2011
Nicolas
rated it:
Another good Christmas read. As can be expected, it contained a fair amount of schmaltz, but not too much to ruin it. Good characters, interesting story. It wrapped up a little quickly, and you could see the ending a mile away, but overall a good holiday book.
Jan 24, 2010
Melissa
rated it:
This book teaches the lesson that family feuds should be worked out because life is too short for anger.
