Customer Reviews

The Watermark

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

this would be a great book if it werent so predictable. by pg 12 i figured out the whole plot...so the rest of the book wasnt intriguing.

Another great book by Travis Thrasher. I like how this book has a love story but also shows how past mistakes interfere in present life. Faith def plays a big part in this book and it's almost a learning experience for readers and helps them think about how to make wise decisions. The reader is allowed to see how the main character grows and as always, Travis throws a couple twists in there.

This is the third book I've read by Travis, and I'm thoroughly convinced he should be a number one best selling author. Each one I've read, Sky Blue, The Promise Remains, and now, The Watermark, are incredibly written, and inspirationally moving. His written words and story ideas blow me away.

Sky Blue, shocked me and moved me to tears, several time. That doesn't happen too often.

The Promise Remains still resides in my soul. I don't know if I'll ever leave. It's one of those books that will remain with you forever. It's that moving.

And now, The Watermark...Once again Travis had put an amazing story on paper that you almost forget you're reading a "story", you get so involved with the character and their lives. And that's not to mention the message of God that he intertwines throughout in a subtle, yet explosive way.

As I read the last page through tear filled eyes, I closed the book and wept. It was that moving.

I'll soon be reading, Three Roads Home, and have no doubt that once again I'll be blown away with this mans amazing writing.

My second encounter with Travis Thrasher. This book is a real tear jerker, and sometimes sappy. The pace is very slow, almost sluggish yet and almost feels like it is meandering, yet you don't feel like rushing it along, you quietly float with the pace the book out and you find that the meandering is intentional; you lose yourself in finding redemption. The central character's journey toward redemption isn't an easy one to forget. Very well written, almost poetic.
The hard back cover of this book is also very gorgeous; that shade of blue just steals my heart.

This book is funny and serious at the same time! He makes you believe the characters and he is not afraid to write about real life issues. It is a good read.