Remembrance

Remembrance #1

by Suzie Waltner

Leah Waters enjoys her career as a high school teacher. For the most part she loves her students and spending her time with them but she misses having close relationships with family and friends. When she stumbles upon the Graham family and their church she starts to build the relationships she's longed for and maybe more.

Mark Graham is hurting from wounds from his past when Leah shows up at his mother's house. After a rocky start, he finds they have a lot in common and they become friends. Can he let go of his past enough for more?

237 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 2014

About the author

Unlike many authors, Suzie Waltner didn’t grow up dreaming of bestselling novels. For most of her childhood—and well into college—she planned to become a veterinarian. Caring for animals was the goal. Writing was simply something she enjoyed.

That plan changed the day she fainted in biology class. Apparently, compassion and weak knees don’t mix.

After two and a half years of science courses, Suzie traded lab work for literature, graduated with a degree in English, and eventually moved from Idaho to Tennessee. What began as a temporary assignment clearing fax machines turned into a twenty-two-year career in the mortgage industry.

Writing, however, refused to stay buried.

In 2014, a coworker mentioned National Novel Writing Month. Suzie accepted the challenge—and finished a book. Then another idea followed. And another. What started as a creative experiment quickly became a calling.

Today, she writes contemporary romance that explores faith, redemption, and the transformative power of love. Her novel Midnight Blue was a finalist for the Holt Medallion and the Maggie Award and won the Angel Book Award in 2023.

Two years ago, after her division was shut down, Suzie made a deliberate career change. Rather than returning to a field she wasn’t passionate about, she stepped into editing and mentoring full time. She now helps authors strengthen their stories and navigate the business side of writing with clarity and sustainability.

Currently living a digital nomad life, Suzie travels the country pet-sitting and gathering inspiration from new places and new people. Wherever she lands, you’ll likely find her reading, editing, plotting her next novel, or savoring a quiet moment that might just make its way into a future story.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable story. I really liked the interactions of the main characters, Leah and Mark, and the teenagers of the youth group they lead. The story was interesting and the characters had issues to work through. I really enjoyed the strong spiritual thread in the story. This is a self-published book, and there are a few editing errors, if that sort of thing bothers you. I was so engrossed in the story though, I could hardly wait to get back to it when I had to put it aside. The author shows promise and I look forward to reading more of her work.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leah Waters is a high school teacher living in a new town. When her car breaks down in the country, she walks until she finds a house. There she meets Anna Graham who allows her to spend the night when she can't get a hold of any of her roommates. The next morning her sons, Chris and Mark react very differently to Leah's presence. Mark, who has been wounded by past relationships and the loss of both his sister and father, is furious with his mother for allowing a stranger to spend the night. Chris, wants to get to know this cute, young lady. Leah becomes friends with the Graham family, starts attending their church, working with the youth group and becomes part of the community. As she and Mark start getting to know each other, they realize they have feelings toward one another, but can they get past their previous hurts and mistrust?

This is a very sweet, simple love story with a few roadblocks along the way. This is a Christian Romance where it seems almost all the characters in the story attend the same church, that is the unrealistic part of the story for me. Yes, the characters they interact with are all friends, but the story is somewhat insular. The characters were interesting, kind to one another, helpful and the teens were too good to believe. I enjoyed this story, it was a quick read and very sweet. I would recommend it to those who enjoy Christian Romance and Second Chance stories. I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway a few years ago and apologize to the author for taking so long to read it.

[Alyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised to learn recently that a friend from high school has written two books. How cool is that? It's my dream to write a book one day. I am so impressed that she did it. The happy news is that I also liked her book. It was odd at first because somehow knowing the author made me feel like I was suddenly an editor. Once I got passed that misconception I was able to just enjoy the book.

I enjoyed the plot of the story . The characters and their reactions were realistic and believable. I liked the healing journey that the two protagonists made. Both had struggles they had to overcome to be able to build a relationship. I liked that the story didn't feel rushed. I found I really like the youth group that Leah and Mark worked with. I enjoyed the sneak peak into what a youth group might look like in another Christian domination. The reference to the book, Pride and Prejudice, and the signatures in the book saying "I met my Mr. Darcy . . ." was clever.

I feel like I should says something like, "I was given this book for free for my honest opinion" just for the fun of it! :) Good work Suzie. I am looking forward to reading your second book.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book free through Goodreads first reads in exchange for a review.

Leah Waters is a high school teacher and her car broke down in the country and she ends up walking for a long time before finding the Graham's house where she phones her roommates and lets them know what happened and she ends up spending the night at the Graham's house.

Leah starts attending church with the Graham's and starts forming relationships with the Graham family and other members of the church. She and Mark Graham start getting to know each other and it starts out rocky but they ended up falling in love.

I highly recommend this book.

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yawn...This book is about Leah and Mark's relationship from when they first meet till when they get married. Nothing exciting. You experience the ups and downs of all relationships. Especially the beginning issues.

Both Leah and Mark have issues from their past which cast shadows over their relationship. Learning what those are and how they effect the relationship is what this story is all about. Really stuff we all face with differing spins based on our own past experiences.

I do like how the characters are good Christians and turn to God in prayer throughout.

A few editing problems.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that I won on Good Reads. I enjoyed this book.
The book keeps the reader interested and is a very easy read.