The Homecoming in Christian Fiction Devourers

Jun 23, 2017 Kate rated it liked it · review of another edition

This book begins pretty much right where 'The Unfinished Gift' left off, and the beginning, especially when Shawn recounted his experiences after his plane was shot down was my favourite part. I also liked the interaction between Mrs Fortini and Katherine: how she took her under her wing and encouraged her, especially to seek God's will for her life.
The other parts of the book didn't shine quite as brightly for me, unfortunately. There wasn't anything *wrong* with them, per se, but to me, it had ...more

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Jun 04, 2010 Carly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2010-favorites

I think Dan Walsh must own stock in the company that makes Kleenex because he sure can write a tear-jerker! I read The Unfinished Gift last year and fell in love with Dan’s storytelling and the family he created. I could not wait to read the sequel, The Homecoming. This book was written in the same tender and heart-warming way, but it also had a much more romantic feel to and the historical details made for an all-around delightful book. Patrick was his usual adorable self and I enjoyed spending ...more

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Jun 15, 2010 Ruth rated it really liked it

In The Homecoming, Shawn Collins is a newly-minted war hero, recalled home to grieve the sudden loss of his wife and to care for his young son, Patrick. Shawn is a man adrift, lacking focus and purpose since learning of his beloved wife’s death – an event that occurred while he was halfway across the world in a war zone, attempting to evade capture by the Germans after being shot down in enemy territory. Forced to face a life he’d never imagined living, Shawn battles coming to terms with the ove In The Homecoming, Shawn Collins is a newly-minted war hero, recalled home to grieve the sudden loss of his wife and to care for his young son, Patrick. Shawn is a man adrift, lacking focus and purpose since learning of his beloved wife’s death – an event that occurred while he was halfway across the world in a war zone, attempting to evade capture by the Germans after being shot down in enemy territory. Forced to face a life he’d never imagined living, Shawn battles coming to terms with the overwhelming changes life has thrown his way in the span of a few short weeks. The death of his wife, a near escape, reconciliation with his father, and the demands the Army continues to place on his time leave Shawn grappling with his grief and question his faith in the God who would allow such heartache to rain down in his life. From the glamour of an all-star war bond tour to life in London under the threat of German rocket attacks, Shawn must decide whether or not to accept God’s offered gift of second chances and new beginnings grown from the ashes of wartime heartbreak.

Dan Walsh’s debut novel, The Unfinished Gift, was a sweet story of forgiveness and reconciliation set in the American homefront during World War II. While stylistically Gift was not my usual read, I enjoyed Walsh’s nostalgic recreation of WWII homefront life and was curious to see the resolution of the Collins family story. Homecoming contains all the strengths of Walsh’s first book – the evocative, nostalgic sense of time and place, and an emphasis on faith and family - and improves on them. The book’s greatest strength is Shawn’s spiritual and emotional “homecoming” journey. Shawn’s character is well-drawn and the emotional roller-coaster he experiences throughout the novel is realistically portrayed, particularly in how he confronts questions of faith. I really enjoyed reading the sweet wartime romance Walsh creates in this novel. I love how he shares Shawn’s wartime experiences while still giving the story a unique homefront perspective, this time seen through the eyes of a soldier on a war bonds tour, witnessing the sacrifice of those left behind to support the troops. Sure to appeal to fans of Richard Paul Evans or Nicholas Sparks, The Homecoming blends wartime romance with a dash of faith and is a satisfying conclusion to the Collins family story of heartbreak and restoration. These stories would make wonderful TV movies – keeping my fingers crossed that they’re brought to life on-screen someday. ...more

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May 15, 2010 Michelle rated it really liked it

Shelves: blog-tour-book, christianfiction, historicalfiction, forreview, forpleasure

This sequel to The Unfinished Gift was heartwarming and sweet. I am a real WWII fiction buff so the scenes that involved war I found particularly interesting, like the bombs being dropped on England toward the end. I found a lot of the material to be interesting and perfectly suited to the era. The author had obviously done his research and had me solidly grounded in the 1940s while I read this novel, especially when it came to lingo, popular music, and the current "stars" of the day. This story ...more

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Sep 19, 2011 Shari Larsen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

In this sequel to The Unfinished Gift, Shawn Collins has just returned from serving his country fighting the war in Europe. He's not home for long before he is called upon to join a USO tour; they want a war hero on board to encourage people to help the war effort by buying war bonds. While others might jump at the chance to travel around the country with attractive Hollywood starlets, Shawn just wants to stay at home with son Patrick, his aging father, and to grieve the loss of his wife in priv ...more

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Dec 10, 2011 Barbara rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shawn serves in the war while mourning his wife's death. He has to raise his young son and take care of his father who is dying from heart disease.

He realizes that the nanny he hired to take care of his son he is actually in love with although he doesn't want to admit it till months later.

Shawn and his father reconnect throughout the book and Shawn learns a valuable lesson in the long run.

I really enjoyed listening to this book on audio since the characters were really acting out the book in ...more

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Mar 12, 2024 Linda rated it really liked it

The Homecoming is the second book in a duology, but is easily read as a standalone. The author does a good job of sprinkling information into the story from book 1. I related better to Shawn Collins than Katherine Townsend who several times jumps to conclusions that create issues, but I enjoyed the story of watching them figure out what to do with their growing feelings. The relationship between Shawn’s son and his father is sweet after having a difficult beginning in book 1, and it was interest ...more

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