by Dan Walsh
And although everything that happened to Art and Leanne Bell is fictitious, the inspiration for this couple came from a real-life couple who ran that little bookstore in Daytona Beach, out of the basement of an old church. All the other characters in the book, including Rick and Andrea, JD and Taylor, Father Charlie and all the customers who came in and out of the store, were products of my imagination.
The real-life couple I’m referring to were two of the sweetest, kindest, most caring, generous, and thoughtful people I have ever met. Before we had kids, my wife had the privilege of working for them at the store. It was actually a conversation with her over breakfast, recalling those wonderful days, that gave me the inspiration to write this book.
Acknowledgments
This book is about remembering. I want to take a few moments to remember those who’ve helped me craft this story and get it to print.
Starting with Cindi, my wonderful wife and greatest friend. She gave me the idea for this book after an enjoyable breakfast together at Cracker Barrel, where we talked about some of the jobs she had in the early years of our marriage. And, as always, she served as “first reader” as I wrote Remembering Christmas, offering a number of suggestions and insights along the way.
Then there’s my agent, Karen Solem, of Spencerhill Associates. With each year and each book, my respect and esteem for you grows, not just the way you help manage the business side of my writing life, but for your friendship and advice, as well. I also want to thank Andrea Doering, my editor at Revell. I’m so glad to have you as an advocate and advisor. You constantly improve the quality of my stories with your thoughts, ideas, and input. Far from dreading the editorial process, you make it a joy. So glad we have many more books to work on together in the days ahead.
Thanks to Kristin Kornoelje for your keen eye. Thanks to Twila Bennett, Michele Misiak, Karen Wiley, Claudia Marsh, and the whole marketing/publicity team at Revell. You all work so hard to get my books on the shelves and into readers’ hands. I can’t thank you enough. A special thanks to Cheryl Van Andel and the team responsible for the cover of this book. As soon as I saw it, I wanted to be right there.
Finally, I want to thank Dr. Richard Mabry for answering a number of medical questions. If you find any medical errors in this book, they would be mine, not his. Dr. Mabry is also a fine writer with several medical suspense novels to his credit. You can find out more about them at www.rmabry.com.
Dan Walsh is the award-winning author of The Unfinished Gift, The Homecoming, and The Deepest Waters. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for twenty-five years. He lives with his family in the Daytona Beach area, where he’s busy researching and writing his next novel.
Books by Dan Walsh
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The Unfinished Gift
The Homecoming
The Deepest Waters
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Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
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51
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Other Books by Author
Back Ads
Back Cover