The Watermark [Hardcover]

Travis Thrasher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 2001

Fans of The Promise Remains will love this contemporary redemption story from up-and-coming author Travis Thrasher. When Sheridan is offered a second chance at life, he struggles to release his past and embrace the future.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Give Thrasher credit: his debut novel, The Promise Remains, was one of the nicest surprises in CBA fiction last year, and this second offering is a notch above the first. Here, he tackles the question "Is anything we do too awful for God to forgive?" Former music prodigy Sheridan Blake is afraid of holding his life up to the light thus the watermark because of a tragic secret in his past that he refuses to examine too closely. The 28-year-old senior at Chicago's Covenant College and his aged, diabetic mutt, Barney, share digs with the party-hearty Erik Morrison, who's on a crash course to repeat the mistakes Sheridan has made. When Sheridan falls for the feisty Genevie Liu, an attractive graduate student, he must face his past or risk losing her. "But maybe God can work miracles even out of horrible mistakes," Sheridan muses. Thrasher expertly paces the story, blending touches of humor (as when Barney throws up on Genevie on their first date) with poignant moments that avoid being cloying. The novel is spritzed with plenty of Scripture and prayer as Sheridan gradually works his way back to God, but Thrasher carefully avoids the trap of tying up all the loose ends. It feels awkward that Erik's frequent curses are not actually on the page; however, these omissions will likely smooth the book's entrance into CBA retail outlets. Thrasher's solid writing is beautifully packaged as a gift-sized hardcover, which should make it almost irresistible to Christian fiction readers.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Sheridan Blake's life changes for the second time when he meets a beautiful Filippina girl named Genevie Liu at a college movie night. Having left the college seven years ago after an accident almost ruined his life and destroyed several others, Sheridan has returned, but he is still trying to cope with his feelings of guilt. Unfortunately, the secrets from his past and his inability to talk about them destroy his budding relationship with Genevie. Sheridan turns to his newfound faith to help him overcome his fears and reach out to the best person ever to happen to him, but will she give him another chance? A beautiful, sometimes whimsical journey to faith as a man grapples with feelings of unworthiness while learning that God has been there all along. A highly recommended work from the author of The Promise Remains.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (September 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 084235445X
• ISBN-13: 978-0842354455
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,620,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Critically acclaimed and creatively diverse novelist Travis Thrasher has made a career out of defying expectations.Writing stories that have moved, haunted and provoked readers, Thrasher has told tales in a variety of genres. His one common theme is brokenness, and his one common tactic is surprise. He lives with his wife and three daughters in a suburb of Chicago.

For more information on Travis, go to www.travisthrasher.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new fan is born!, December 1, 2004

By 

Cathy Elliott "Crafting Mysteries & Suspense" (Northern California, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Watermark (Hardcover)

When I opened The Watermark, I wasn't sure what to expect. But from page one, I was intriqued...even hooked. Thrasher's thoughtful tale about forgiveness and second chances is a story for anyone who has lived, loved, lost, or made a terrible mistake. Covenant College and the surrounding Chicago settings lent authenticity to the work, since the author hails from that city. The concerns of college life as Sheridan and Genevie are readying themselves to move out into the world, their conversations, etc., feel real...as do Erik's season within the party scene.

It wasn't until Sheridan revealed the truth about Amy to Genevie that I also discovered it; Travis's ability to expose the mystery surrounding Sheridan's past was masterful. I learned enough to keep me flipping those pages and then had to discipline myself to keep from peeking in the final chapter. It was worth the wait. The story unfolded beautifully, giving the reader a wonderful, if sometimes bumpy, journey alongside Sheridan to healing.

If you are looking for a book with a haunting voice, compelling story, and nuggets of truth throughout, try The Watermark. It is a great read!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet without syrup, September 11, 2003

By 

N. J. Steere (Sunny Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Watermark (Hardcover)

Some might find a male romance writer a little odd, but the jests will fade when they read this book. As a male reader, I was surprised how drawn in I was by the characters' story. These are real people with real emotions, the sort you squeeze past at the coffee shop, not the sort that wear hoop earrings while riding horses bare-backed across the cover of more "die-hard" romantic fiction. I found myself rooting for Sheldon to take the risky step of moving from living in his head to involving himself in the lives of others. Intelligent, believable, touching even, and altogether enjoyable.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Simple Story of Love, August 1, 2010

By 

Joshua Olds (Indiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Watermark (Hardcover)

Watermark - A mark impressed on paper that is visible only when the paper is held up to the light.

Sheridan Blake is finally getting back to life. After...an incident...that caused him to not finish his degree in music at Covenant, the now 28 year old Sheridan is returning for his senior year. His wild days of his early twenties behind him, Sheridan is now back in school intent on finishing his degree.

One night during a movie matinee, he runs into Genevie Liu and is instantly smitten? interested? in love? Sheridan's not really sure which, but he does know that he wants to get to know this lovely lady better. Maybe it'll help him move on from his past.

In The Watermark, Travis Thrasher gives us a story of love that leads to redemption, calling the prodigal son to come back home and forgiving him of the sins of the past. Sheridan's life holds a horrible secret. One that too many know but are too kind to tell. A secret he's been forever haunted by. Each chapter begins with a letter to a girl named Amy, someone who has something to do with the secret of Sheridan's past.

As Genevie and Sheridan grow closer, Sheridan struggles with sharing his secret. His sin was too great, too heinous, unforgiveable. But through the power of Love, Sheridan learns that God can work the greatest of goods out of the most horrible sin and bring the chief of sinners back into his arms.

Travis Thrasher follows up his debut novel, The Promise Remains, with another simple love-story undergirded with a solid spiritual theme. The suspense of slowly figuring out about Sheridan's past stands in contrast to the story being told from Sheridan's first person perspective, but it serves as an interesting device that heightens the book's emotional tension. Blending humor with intensely serious moments, Thrasher finds the perfect balance and creates a love story all can enjoy. The Watermark is a testament of the forgiveness of God wrapped in a story of love.