Title: The Reunion
Author: Dan Walsh
Pages: 304
Year: 2012
Publisher: Revell
Note: I received a
complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely
my responsibility. Other reviews can be
read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/
. Also follow me on Twitter
@lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457
The
Reunion is a wonderful work of storytelling that will grip the heart of the
reader and make a fan of those who aren’t already of Dan Walsh novels. I am always inspired by authors who have a
heartfelt reason for writing their stories.
When you finish reading this novel, there is a note from Dan Walsh that
expresses his heart and reason for writing The Reunion.
The
story begins with introducing Aaron, who works as a handyman in a trailer park
in Florida. Aaron lives in a small room
on the premises and works to do any jobs that will help make the residents
lives easier. He is a Vietnam veteran,
who was decorated for placing his life on the line in order to save three other
soldiers. As we read more about Aaron’s
everyday life, we meet a character who lives his life to serve others, though
he is sometimes unaware of how. What has
the Lord saved Aaron from that Aaron couldn’t do for himself?
Dave is
a journalist who has the desire to write a book about Vietnam vets as he lost
his father during that war, and considers them all heroes. His son, Jake, is in high school learning to
draw near to his dad while still processing the grief he has over losing his
mom four years prior in a plane crash.
When Dave begins interviewing various veterans, he meets a man named
John. John offers him a job he can’t
refuse. After hearing John’s war
experience, Dave is offered something beyond his wildest imaginations. Where was Dave in his life as a man, husband
and father when his wife died? Did any
area of his heart remain the same after losing his ex-wife?
Steve and Kathy are only eleven months apart
and are very close even as they grow older, working in separate careers. They are Aaron’s children. What happened to Aaron when he returned from
his second tour of duty that affects his children even in adulthood? It took many searches and calls for Dave to
find the right Steve Miller, who is a practicing attorney. How would Dave ever locate the son and
daughter of Aaron? Would they even be
willing to talk about their dad?
A
particular patrol in Vietnam to check the perimeter for the enemy included guys
with code names like Tex, Hammer, Cracker, and Redman. The lead man was Redman, and under heavy fire,
Cracker runs from the rear of the patrol to return fire to get the injured guys
to safety. Now, forty years later, the
three men want to locate the fourth man and thank him because they know that
without him none of them would be alive.
In this
book, the reader has a great story about forgiveness, courage, reaching out,
and truly living everyday like Jesus. I
couldn’t put it down; it was just captivating to read.
My rating is 4 stars.
