The Reunion by Dan Walsh is a story of an Vietnam veteran who has been all but forgotten. After returning home from Vietnam, Aaron Miller loses everything, his family, his home and his old life as he struggles with depression while the whole country turns their backs on the war and the soldiers who fought in it. Aaron turns to the streets and drugs and alcohol. After several years he finds God and gets himself cleaned up but his family still refuses to accept him.

Dave Russo is a reporter who is writing a book about Vietnam vets. He contacts a famous vet to interview him for the book but the vet, John Lansing, tells Dave that the story should not be about him but about a war buddy who had saved the lives of three men in their platoon and who had won the Congressional Metal of Honor. His name was Aaron Miller. John and his two buddies insist that Dave find Aaron and bring him to their reunion.

Dave agrees to search for Aaron and is excited about including such a hero in his book. But what he doesn't know is that his life and the rest of the men's lives will be forever changed. Especially Aaron Miller.

Dan Walsh pens a story as if he is telling it to his best friend. There is heartbreak, love, and faith and eventually hope which will pull at your heartstrings throughout. The book left me with such a good feeling that I highly recommend it. I couldn't put it down. I love a good book that captures your interest right away and captivates you until it's all you can think about until it's finished. I cried and I laughed. I really loved it! I hope you check it out!

Published in September 2012 by Revell. ( )

Aaron Miller is working as a handyman in a trailer park in Florida. Living in a rundown shed, he quietly goes about his days fixing things and helping the manager and residents of the park. No one knows much about him and his life before this time. The years after he had come home from Vietnam, wounded in body and mind—how he lost his family, and ended up living on the streets till one day God touched him and showed him that there was hope for a new life. Most of all no one knows the secret he hides about his time in the war. That is until Dave Russo, a journalist who wants to write a book about the soldiers who were in Vietnam, hears about Aaron and goes searching for him. That journey will change both of their lives.

This is great Christian fiction; the story will touch you on many levels. The core of the story is people and families with secrets, hurts, and walls around their hearts who struggle to do the right thing even when faced with overwhelming fear. Once I started it I couldn’t put it down, it is a five star story about love and restoration. ( )

This was an enjoyable if somewhat predicable story of a Viet Nam veteran who had won the Medal of Honor and then came home to disaster in his personal life. He lost his family and was living on the streets until he discovered God's love for him. Although poor he lived well and continued to 'do good'. The story is about the veteran (Aaron) but also many other people whose lives his actions changed. There is some romance to round out the story. I think the Christian message is low key - the story is about redemption and forgiveness - very Christian messages. The Christian aspect of them is not thrown in the reader's face. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend to others who enjoy inspirational stories. ( )

Being from a military family myself, I always love reading Dan Walsh’s novels. He incorporates the love of a wonderful Heavenly Father, with emotional family drama and military. Those things alone are enough to call me to his books, but that’s not all. The characters are amazingly create and really make their way into my heart. The writing style is beyond skilled…he’s supremely talented and each book just gets better and better. I love the feeling I get when I read a Dan Walsh novel.

The Reunion is an intense story following Aaron, a Vietnam vet who, by any other standards, would have nothing to live for. Loosing all sense of dignity, his family and his hope, he is shown through the love of God that all is not lost. Through God, Aaron learns to put his hope and faith in Him and is guided into a better way of living. Aaron is shown that there is more to life and that he is truly wanted and needed by others.

God uses Aaron to show others that there is hope. He uses Aaron to provide the knowledge of sacrificial love and unending faith. I loved following Aaron as he worked in the trailer park, befriending others with his love and honor. While each character represented a different walk in their faith, I truly loved each one. But, my heart goes out to the biggest testimony of the story, and that’s Aaron, a broken man who was renewed by the grace of God.

Through laughter, tears and joy, this book brings the reader so much meaning and enjoyment. As with all other Dan Walsh books, this story hits home no matter who you are. Worthy of so much more than a simple 5 Book praise, this story will surround you with amazing characters, God’s love, and an authors talented writing. I can’t wait for another amazing heart-warming story from this incredible author! Well done, once again, Mr. Walsh! Bring on the next . ( )