A Note from an Old Acquaintance

by Bill Walker

Brian Weller is a haunted man. It's been two years since the tragic accident that left his three-year-old son dead and his wife in an irreversible coma. A popular author of mega-selling thrillers, Brian's life has reached a his new book is stalled, his wife's prognosis is dire, and he teeters on the brink of despair. Everything changes the morning an e-mail arrives from Boston artist Joanna Richman. Her heartfelt note brings back all the poignant the night their eyes met, the fiery passion of their short-lived affair, and the agonizing moment he was forced to leave Joanna forever. Now, fifteen years later, the guilt and anger threaten to overwhelm him. Vowing to make things right, Brian arranges a book-signing tour that will take him back to Boston. He is eager to see Joanna again, but remains unsure where their reunion will lead. One thing is the forces that tore their love asunder will stop at nothing to keep them apart. Filled with tender romance and taut suspense, A Note from an Old Acquaintance is an unforgettable story about fate, honor, and the power of true love.

Genres: Fiction, Romance

410 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2009

About the author

A graduate of Emerson College's prestigious film school, Bill wrote and directed his first feature film, Pawn, while still a student. After graduation, he co-founded Newbury Filmworks, Inc., an award-winning production company renowned for making high-quality corporate films and commercials.

In 1990, Bill relocated to Los Angeles, and began a freelance story analysis career for various studios and independent production companies, while devoting his spare time to the writing of novels, short stories, and screenplays. He is also a highly-respected graphic designer, specializing in book and dust jacket design. He has worked on books by such luminaries as: Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, Dean Koontz, and Stephen King. In addition, Bill is a member of the Authors Guild.

He has won awards for his screenwriting, his two short story collections for Mid-Graders, Five-Minute Frights and Five-Minute Chillers, are perennial Halloween favorites, and his first novel, Titanic 2012 was enthusiastically received by readers. His second novel, Camp Stalag was released in 2001. Bill lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Debbie, and their sons, Jeffrey and Brian.

Reviews

[Misty · Rating 1 out of 5]

I give up. I still don't care about the characters, and I find the MC irritating. It's not that it's a horrible book, I just don't care what happens, so there's no point in wasting any more time.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written love story that draws the reader in from page one. The characters felt so real that I was instantly drawn into their story, feeling their ups and downs, highs and lows. The author truly has a gift for words that kept me furiously turning the pages, eagerly anticipating what would happen next.


The story begins in 2006 where we meet Brian Weller, a bestselling author who recently lost his son in a terrible accident that left his wife in a coma. As he struggles to cope with the loss, an unexpected e-mail changes everything. It is from Joanna Richman, his first true love and, arguably, the love of his life. As e-mails are sent back or forth, Brian decides to head back to Boston for a book signing and to reconnect with Joanna.


The story then shifts to 1991 when Brian and Joanna met. It was love at first sight, but Joanna isn't available. She is engaged to another man, Erik Ruby. He is mean, manipulative, and egotistical, seeing Joanna as a possession that he must own, flashing his money and stature at every moment. Even though I knew the outcome, I was rooting for Brian and Joanna, hoping things would have worked out and they could have been together. I could feel the emotions between them and truly believed that they are soul mates. Erik, learning of Joanna's affair, manages to force Brian out of her life. Although I did not agree with how Erik handled things, I can understand where he was coming from. I think he did love Joanna, but was more concerned with having a "trophy wife" than actually loving her for who she is.


The story then shifts back to 2006 and Brian and Joanna's reunion. It is heartfelt and full of emotion. But, will anything change? Will Joanna learn the truth about her husband? Will Brian and Joanna get another chance?


I was impressed with how well this story was written and how much I cared about the characters. This is truly a remarkable love story that I would very highly recommend. I am definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.

Jennifer
http://www.crazy-for-books.com

[Cheryl Masciarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Posted here
02/25/10

A Note from an Old Aquaintance A Novel by Bill Walker (Rating 5)

At the request of The Book Trib, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: Its 1991 in Boston, MA and Brian Weller and his business partner are invited to an associate's party, a party that he attends out of obligation. Once there he meets a young, beautiful artist, Joanna Richman. He knows that he wants and needs to see her again. Brian and Joanna's friendship grow and then there is no denying that they are falling in love. But how can that be when she is engaged to an older, influential, rich and controlling man, Erick Ruby. Ruby finds out about their relationship and he is not going to lose her to Brian, a nobody, with a struggling PR production business and a want to be author. Ruby demands that Brian never see or talk to Joanna again or he will ruin him and his parents. With a broken heart, Brian walks away, never telling Joanna why, and moves cross country. Then 15 years later, he receives an email from Joanna. His past becomes his present. Do people change? Does true love endure?

My Thoughts: I had trouble putting this book down. I don't usually read romance novels but was pulled in to the plot from the beginning. The way the author wrote about the thoughts and emotions of all the characters gave this reader the ability to feel those exact same emotions. Not only between Brian and Joanna but the love of parents and the ugly traits of someone ruthless.

My Opinion and Rating: This is a tender and emotion packed love story. At times this reader was laughing and the next grabbing for the tissue. A contemporary love story that even in certain scenes, the author chose to communicate the true definition of love between two people and allowing the reader to use their own imagination and visuals. Well written !! Fantastic !! Awesome !! This reader will be looking forward to Mr. Walker's next novel. Highly recommend (Rating 5)

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

From my blog...[return]Some stories stay with the reader long after the reader has finished the novel. Such is the case of Bill Walker's A Note From An Old Acquaintance, a novel of astonishing depth and breadth, of love and loss, and the universal question of what if, which makes Walker's beginning quote about chaos theory all the more apropos. The reader is introduced to Brian Weller and immediately learns four very important things; his young son is deceased, his wife Penny is in a coma, Brian is suffering from writer's block, and he has an email waiting from his old love, Joanna Richman who he has not seen in 15 years. It is safe to say Brian Weller is a man with an extremely full emotional plate compounded with his deep love for Penny, who has spent the past 2 years in a coma with a negative prognosis. Brian's re-emerging feelings for his ex-lover Joanna provide him a certain strength he needs, but is it possible to erase the mistakes of the past and find love again? Without giving anymore of the plot away, Walker takes the reader from present day then back 15 years to when Brian and Joanna first meet when Johanna was an aspiring artist and engaged to Erik Ruby, back again to present day. The characters are very realistic and quite likeable, which surprised me a bit, since one normally would not care for Erik Ruby. While I did not like the things Erik Ruby did and continued to do, I did find his character to be exceedingly realistic. The storyline flows smoothly, even with a lengthy, but necessary flashback. A Note From An Old Acquaintance is a beautifully crafted story of hope, determination and the belief that love can conquer all.

[Laura de Leon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a good read, and I enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I've heard the story too many times before.

The initial setup was very well done. I was drawn into the story, and to Brian in particular. I really liked Brian, both as a person I'd like to meet, and as a well drawn character. I wanted to follow his story both in the initial 2006 section, and when we went back to 1991, when Joanna and Brian initially met.

Unfortunately, I can't say the same about Joanna. I was intrigued by her in the beginning, but one we went back to the beginning, I didn't understood her character and the decisions she made.

I did want to say that I loved the descriptions of her as an artist, and of her art. These felt very real, and like they were written by someone that really understood art and being an artist.

When the story started, I honestly didn't know where it was going, and I liked that. In the 1991 section, it didn't take long to figure out exactly what was being set up. Knowing what was coming didn't make it unreadable-- the book was well written enough that I enjoyed watching events unroll.

Still, I was relieved to return to 2006, where the book had been going so well. It wasn't as clear to me where events were leading.

I don't want to say too much, so I'll just mention that there were two places I was afraid the story was leading, and both of those possibilities were avoided.

The ending was weaker than I was hoping, but I ended up satisfied.

[Freda Mans-Labianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those romantic stories, that I can actual picture being adapted into a major motion picture. It's that good! The characters are intertwined so nicely, and the story was very well written, it was easy to read it in a day. I honestly had to know what happened.
This wasn't one of those hardcore romance novels, equipped with heaving bosoms, this was more of a story of a love that should've been. A couple valuable lessons can be learned from this book. One, greed gets you no where, and two, stolen moments can be priceless.
As you may already suspect, I am recommending this book. It will be on my list for a long time!

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brian receives an email from Joanne, a woman whom he had an intense relationship with 15 years ago but was full forced to let her go. Now, filled with guilt, he sets off for Boston to set things right with her no matter what.

I'm not a fan of romance and honestly thought I would dnf this but I figured I had it on my shelves for a reason. I'm pleasantly surprised to find this a mature romance centered, in the middle of the story, of vengeance. It was well written, gripping and had a powerful drama involving the powerful and rich. I thoroughly enjoyed the read for what it was.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional, passionate and poignant, A Note From an Old Acquaintance is a striking read about the power of love. With starkly contrasted characters, touching and fluid writing, and a bold storyline of passion and decision, this book holds many elements that grab the reader and pull them in from the start. Divided into three sections, the book first sets the stage of the present before transporting them back fifteen years, building the characters at that time and showing what has brought them to the present, before moving back to tie things up and reunite these impassioned lovers.

Brian is intuitive and insightful, coming from loving and strong parents who have passed much of that strength down to him. Falling for Joanna from the first time he sees her, Brian takes many risks to be with her despite knowing she’s engaged. There is a spark and connection between the two instantly, something almost tangible to the reader. As things progress, however, and Joanna’s fiancé becomes aware of the swift moving, intense affair, the potency of Brian’s character comes through in stunning ways. There is a shift between the late twenties boy of the middle section of the book and the broken, lost man of the first and final. Having always regretted letting Joanna go- something clear from the start even as he sits by his wife’s comatose body- Brian’s pain and confusion is palpable.

Joanna is a character as complex as Brian, creative and wild yet holds a potent ability to love once the right flame comes along. Despite her feelings towards her fiancé, she cannot deny the way Brian makes her feel and the freedom he gives her. While Eric keeps her restrained and on a pedestal, Brian encourages her to push her art and branch out. As a writer, Brian understands the creative freedom and constraints that come with an artful lifestyle and it is this deeper connection that also pulls the two towards each other. Her character grows and changes as strongly as Brian’s, a woman as broken over losing Brian as he was her.

Eric is a seemingly vicious man, ruthless when it comes to getting what he wants by way of business but much of that same pushing transfers into his marriage. His views of what love is and how to show it are skewed, a few well placed scenes providing some sympathy but overall the decisions this man makes, while providing a large driving force for the plot, is a hard man for the reader to like. Instead, he shows even more boldly how well suited for each other Brian and Joanna are, as well as the strength of their connection. The contrasts between Eric and Brian are innumerable, with little cross over and an easy understanding to the reader about their true selves.

The plot is, in its simplest form, an easy one- an affair during Joanna’s engagement in which she finds a man better suited for her and to whom she loves far more passionately. Yet Brian walks away, leaving her with Eric and breaking them both. When Joanna contacts him out of the blue fifteen years later, at a time when Brian’s writing career is hot despite his struggle to write his latest book yet his personal life is in shambles, the trepidation and desire he feels about replying to Joanna’s email comes through boldly. Both the past and present sections are strongly well written, building the characters and their motivations.

Though the book is written in third person, the reader slips into the minds of Brian, Joanna and Eric, learning what drives them and forging a unique connection with each. Walker’s writing is very poignant, painting vivid pictures and inducing strong emotions. There is something unique about the relationship between Brian and Joanna, a certain intensity to their affair that isn’t always present in such situations. There is a distinction between each character’s mentality despite the third person perspective, each focus tailored to the character and creating more of a first person bond.

While some events of the book are predictable and there are hints laid throughout out to explain things in advance, the main driving force of this book is what causes the lovers to separate and what they decide to do once they are back together fifteen years later. Walker includes enough subtle mystery to make the reader want to keep reader for answers but the intensity of the writing, emotions and characters keeps them hooked in a far great manner.

Overall, this book pulls the reader through the same journey the characters go on, twisting in surprising ways and instilling a flurry of emotions to different situations. The writing is strong, the plot smooth and well paced and the ending a very well done one with an understandable and explainable reason for its outcome. The strong differences in the characters- not only between each but also the past and present selves of them- create a memorable dynamic. For anyone who has ever experienced any sort of love, this is a fantastic read and an alluring one.

[Farrah · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do I describe a book that touched me on different levels? How do I share a book without giving too much about the story? As I read I couldn't help but wonder "what if that was me, would I have felt and acted the same in the various situations"? Walker had me sympathizing with Brian, Joanna, and Erik. I even felt sympathy towards Nick, Mosley, and Zach for their roles in the love triangle's life. Each character had a part that made you think about their situation.

Joanna contacted Brian after the loss of his child and his wife is in her last bit of life on earth. I could feel his mixed emotions between his current life and his past. After a long 2 years of his wife in a coma with no hope for waking, his wife, Penny, passes away as if she knew it was time to go without worry (yes, I believe people sometimes hang onto "life" as if to wait for when a loved one is ready). As we prepare for Joanna and Brian to meet again, we're brought back to the past when they first fall in love 15 years ago and we witness Brian make the choice between his love for her and those around him. You feel his guilt and pain as he "signs" his life away believing it was for the best for all involved.

Walker had me feeling mixed emotions about Erik, Joanna's husband. I felt sorry for him, sorry that his wife did not love him as much as she loved Brian, sorry he could not seem to truly love those in his life. His past trust issues seem to keep him at a distance and not able to feel or give unconditional love to his wife and son. Erik physically had what Brian did not yet was not able to emotionally love them like he should have. When Erik just gives up in the end you're left wondering if he even really loved her or just tired of fighting.

I felt Joanna's passion for her art, Brian and her son. When she held her breathe, I held my breathe. When she felt giddy, I felt giddy. When she was lonely I felt her loneliness. And when she discovered why Brian left and got angry, I got angry.

I don't think either Brian or Joanna could have helped how they felt for each other when they met, over the years, and even when they got reacquainted. Love can be a mysterious thing and while I know cheating is not good or ethical, can true love really forever hide from it? Even emotionally? Can we truly get rid of a past love, a love that had such impact on our lives?

Great thanks to Bill Walker for sending me his book to read after I mentioned I wanted to pick up a copy. :-)

Mr. Walker was at The Book Faery Reviews not too long ago;, be sure to stop by his guest post (a href="http://tbfreviews.net/2009/10/23/a-no... he shares a bit behind his story.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I say anything, since I really liked this book, I want to get one small thing I disliked out of the way. There were some points at which I felt slightly awkward reading the book because the dialogue just seemed so outdated. Which is weird considering it's a new book. There were times when I literally pushed the book away from me thinking "WHO says things like that?!?" Maybe it's me. Maybe I just talk differently. Also, Joanna, who is supposed to be a vegetarian Buddhist, wears fur. Which I thought was weird.
Anyhow, now that THAT's out of the way, I can say that this book really was a diamond in the rough. Bill Walker's beautiful and descriptive but simplistic prose brings alive the feelings Brian, the protagonist, suffers in the face of the tragedy through which he suffers. More than anything, though, it brings alive and renders believable the idea that two people could really love each other eternally, even if circumstances change or aren't what is needed to fuel a romance.
Brian Weller, a writer, and Joanna, an artist who is engaged to another man, fall in love, and while the story of them isn't necessarily something special, Bill Walker's telling of it is. So much so that their separation (no, I promise, that's' not a spoiler), when it occurs, is heartbreaking, leaving the reader wondering why life just has to be unfair like that sometimes. Both Joanna and Brian are endearing characters that the reader can't help but care about, and their relationship is so sweet and fresh and new that the reader can't help but smile.
Still, the afore-mentioned fiance, Erik, is a problem. How are we supposed to feel about him? I, for one, was torn. He loved Joanna, and I felt horrible rooting for Brian, knowing how Erik felt. He wasn't necessarily a bad guy; he just didn't understand. It seems to me that even Walker had mixed feelings when it came to him.
And that's one of the things that made this story so touching. Throughout the majority of the book, the reader is torn and twisted in every direction, wanting to feel one way but also wanting to feel another. Wanting at the same time to be okay with something that, in essence, is just not okay, even though it seems to be the only way.
I realize it's kind of cryptic to put things like that, but I don't want to give away anything about this heartwarming, touching, gem of a book, a book that will make you genuinely believe that true love can exist even at the worst of times.

[Bookventures Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend told me that I would enjoy this book and I totally did. The story gripped me with its romance and suspense from the get go. Admittedly I am not a fan of romance novels because I find many of them are unrealistic and simply just too mushy but there was something about this story that resonated with me. The characters, the plot and the story were all developed tactfully and made for a truly beautiful story that I simply could not put down.

There were several themes in the story but the one more central to it was that of true love and having second chances. Since this is the author’s first attempt at this genre, it was difficult to reference his writing style to the theme. Would Walker continue to write contemporary romance stories? I sure hope so because he has certainly used his training as a writer to create a really good piece. His writing style is also something to comment on. It is basic but yet effective. No grandeur statements or phrases to evoke a particular emotion for the reader. It is obvious that Walker used what he knew (and used it well) to help portray his characters and the emotions that they felt.

The way he told the story was another important point worth mentioning. The book is broken up into the present (2006) and the past (1990), a tactic that helped to place the whole story in perspective. The suspense was evenly distributed throughout these different periods which made that the transitions between both periods seamless and it kept the reader glued to the story.

I thought that the characters in this story were a bit different to most stories that you read. There is no clear antagonist or protagonist since every one of the characters was a victim in some way or the other. You felt sorry for the bad guy because he lived the only way he knew how to, by possessing the things that he wanted. If that statement suggests that my favourite character was the bad guy, then so be it because I connected with his character the most. Joanna, who serves as half of the protagonist in the story was my least favourite. She came across as a whinny, confused young woman who constantly complained about being misunderstood. She is a true Idealist, subscribing to all the hard and fast rules that come with the territory.

I did not want this story to end and for a new novelist to grip you in that manner it can only suggest two things, A Note from an Old Acquaintance is a really good book and Bill Walker is a novelist to watch.

[Alexia561 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story started out in the present, where Brian is trying to deal with the aftermath of a horrible accident that left his wife in a coma and his little boy dead. Although it's been almost two years, the pain is still fresh and he's having a rough time. That's when he receives an email titled "A note from an old acquaintance," bringing Joanna back into his life. Then after about 50 pages, the story turns into a flashback of when Brian and Joanna first met. There's even a flashback during the flashback! I'd say that the bulk of the book is their back story, then we finally come back to the present.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. The flashback is a nice love story, but I didn't feel that it really connected to the first part of the book. The book started off with Brian dealing with his grief, then that's it. His wife and son rarely get mentioned in the rest of the book. And I would have really liked to have known more about Penny and how they met. I realize that this was Joanna and Brian's story, but I hungered for more.

Think I liked Brian more than I liked Joanna. He seemed nice and easy-going, even if he did get over his grief awfully fast. Joanna was supposed to be this beautiful, vivacious, talented woman who had men falling in love with her at a glance, but I thought she came off a little immature and selfish. Did not like Joanna cheating on Erik, but that's a personal quirk. Tried to understand Joanna's point of view but again, I never really warmed up to her. Also thought that the ending was wrapped up a little too fast, and was too nice and neat. A little disappointed there, but still okay with it. And without giving anything away, I appreciated that Walker resisted the urge to go down certain cliched paths with Zach.

Walker is a very talented writer, but some of the passages were a little too descriptive for my taste. Don't really need to know that many details that do nothing to move the story forward. And whenever someone mentions a brand name, I feel like it's product placement. I know that some readers really enjoy overly descriptive passages, but unfortunately, I'm not one of them. So now you know some of my reader pet peeves. That being said, I thought that all in all, the writing was well done and it was a nice story. Gave it a 3/5 rating, and would definitely read his future books.

[DKAY · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost didn't get a chance to read this book because there was a mixup and I didn't get it on time. I had written and said that I would pass this one up and thankfully they didn't pass that along to the author and he e-mailed me unaware that I didn't receive it, he was so nice and went ahead and sent a copy out to me anyway just to read when I got a chance and I am so glad he did. To think I almost missed out on a great book. I spent a little bit of time getting into this story and getting used to the way the author goes back and forth with the characters and then the story just kind of took off full speed ahead. He is a very strong writer and knows just how to put you in the emotional situations and feel what these characters feel. It was a very emotional read for me and really makes you think about what you would do if put into Brian and Joanna's positions. The details of the characters in this book are very good and you get a chance to know and understand them. I was reading this book with the kids around making noises and distracting me and I had to move to another room because I really felt like I needed and wanted to put my full attention into this story. I didn't want the extra distractions because I was getting so involved in the story and at this point I just didn't want to put it down. This is a very believable love story that pulls at your heartstrings. You won't want to miss out on this one.

I would like to thank the author Bill Walker for his quick response with sending me his book. Thanks so much I am glad I didn't miss out on this one.

I was provided this book from the author Bill Walker to review. This review is of my own honest opinion on the book that I have recieved from this author free of charge to do this review and that in no way influences the way I do my reviews. I am under no obligation to give a positive or negative review. All reviews are of my own thoughts and should not influence a non-purchase on any item soley based on my reviews as these are only my own opinions.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thoughts:

From Merriam-Webster
Main Entry: soul mate
Function: noun
Date: 1822
1 : a person who is perfectly suited to another in temperament
2 : a person who strongly resembles another in attitudes or beliefs soul mates


We hear a lot about soul mates in romance novels and on television. How many of us truly believe in them? I can tell you that I do, and an informal survey of friends and family reveals that I'm not the only one. The difference between fiction in reality is in how those relationships are portrayed. Most fiction leads us to believe that soul mates are perfect beings and these relationships are without issue. While it is a work of fiction, A Note from an Old Acquaintance portrays the idea of a soul mate much closer to those of reality. It tells the story of a man and woman who meet and immediately "click". They understand and complement one another. This is what soul mates are to me, two people who complement each other. Is it possible that we have more than one? I'm not sure, but I firmly believe that each of us has one out there, we just have to be patient while we find them.


I enjoyed this story. I liked the characters that you were supposed to like and disliked those that you were supposed to dislike. The pace was perfect. Walker didn't really linger in any spot for too long. I noticed on his website that he has written several other books and states that this one was a bit of a departure for him. I hope he departs again as I would pick up another book like this in a heartbeat.


Visit Bill's website to find out more about his other work. I think I might have to check out Titanic, 2012.


Disclosure: I was provided a copy of this book by the publicist in exchange for my honest review. Receipt of this book did not affect my opinion in any way.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bill Walker’s novel, A Note from an Old Acquaintance, tells a story of past love and present pain filled with questions about the future. His protagonist, Brian Weller, is the sort of author who gets half the town queuing around the block for his booksignings. But an accident has left his small son dead and his wife in a coma when this novel starts. The reader is quickly and very effectively pulled into an emotional rollercoaster of love, sorrow, determination and despair that had me eager to know more. Added to this mix is Weller’s overreaction to a rose in a vase, and the mystery of an email from an old acquaintance.

Joanna is a successful artist who once was in love with Weller. In the second part of this novel, the story slows down. The author unfolds Brian and Joanna's past romance from gently humorous dialog to mystery, consummation and despair. Vivid descriptions bring buildings, conversation, bedroom scenes and sculptures all to life against a convincing depiction of Boston’s musical and architectural heritage.

A particularly nice touch is Joanna’s Buddhism which feeds very naturally into the story, giving a sense of things happening not entirely by chance and of the importance of faithfulness to self. Relationships are well-drawn with a nice mix of light and dark in each character and a good sense for internal motivation. The ending felt slightly rushed and I found myself feeling I didn’t know the characters as well as I should, Joanna fully sculpted and real but Weller still a mystery with an unfilled hole in his past. Perhaps that just proves the author did a great job of creating Weller's present in those earlier chapters. I certainly enjoyed the book, just ended with a feeling that I’d missed something somewhere.



Disclosure: I received a free ecopy of this novel from World Literary Café in exchange for my honest review.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really skeptical about reading this book. The cover art didn't sway me, but the book summary made take a second look. I've only read a few romances written by guys, so I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to get into it. But, as soon as I started reading, it was hard for me to put it down.

A Note From An Old Acquaintance is a story about love and dealing with the consequences of it. It wasn’t a fast paced story, nor was it too slow. The story did flip back and forth between the past and present and between Brian and Joanna’s point of views. I was confused at first, but as the story progressed, it was easy to catch up.

The romance between Brian and Joanna was sweet. It was obvious that they were soul mates, but I had major problems with the way they choose to carry on their relationship. It wasn’t that it wasn’t believable, because it was. I just felt that they should have dealt with the romance openly instead of sneaking around. It would have made their romance a lot easier, but then the story would have been a whole lot shorter and l would have missed out on some great drama.

I wanted to like Joanna but found that I couldn’t. She seemed like a greedy person to me. Things were already iffy with her fiancee, Eric, but when she met Brian, it was clear who her heart belonged to.

Brian, I felt was caught up and greedy at the same time. He knew Joanna belonged to someone else and was just happy to spend whatever time with her that she allowed. He made that mistake once and still allowed himself to make it a second time.

[La Femme Readers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Note from an Old Acquaintance was a great love story, it had drama, romance, deceit, everything you'd want to read in a fiction novel! I was intrigued by the first page and quickly became engulfed in the storyline. I absolutely loved the characters and through Bill's extraordinary writing I learned to care for them. My favorite character, Brian was an accomplished author however tragedy hits his life when his son passes away and his wife is left in a coma. However, one day he received an e-mail from an old flame that changed the current of his life. He was brought back to the first time he led eyes on Joanna and quickly remembered how much he truly loved her. It was sweet how Bill Walker expressed how love can last forever with certain individuals. But don't get me wrong the whole book wasn't only focused on love, their was also suspense especially when it came to Joanna's rich husband Erik. A selfish man at heart who supposedly loved Joanna but treated her as a trophy wife. He took it upon himself to be the person to try to ruin their relationship but the question is did he succeed or did love overcome every obstacle? You gotta read the book to find out! :) Overall, amazing, poetic like writing with detailed descriptions. I recommend it not only to Adults but also to Young Adult readers. It was so tastefully done that sexual content was not needed in this novel, the writing stood for itself.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brian Weller is a book author. He took some time off when his life was turned upside down by an accident that left his wife in a coma and his son dead. That was two years ago. Since than Brian has tried to move on with his life but he is at a stand still. He is currently working on his next novel but having much motivation. Brian finds his motivation when he receives an email from an old flame.

Joanna Richman is a famous and talented artist. Years ago, Joanna and Brian had a good thing going on between them till he left her. She sends him an email just to say Hi. Brian writes back. They start communicating for months. They decide to meet up. Brian has completed his novel and is getting ready for his book tour. He plans a stop in Boston to see Joanna. Flash to the past when Brian and Joanna meet.

There seemed to be some missing pieces in this book that I would have liked to have had answered like…what happened to Brian’s wife and son? Or how did they meet and did Brian really love her? Just these few unanswered questions left me a little disappointed, only because I never found resolution. On the other hand I could let these questions pass because I understood this story was coming from the angle of long lost love between Brian and Joanna. I did enjoy the love story that Brian and Joanna shared together. I thought Mr. Walker did a mildly nice job on this book.

[Paige Prince · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book begins as Brian is trying to pick up the pieces of his heart after his wife is seriously injured and his young son dies in a car crash. You can feel his heart ache and the loneliness he feels as he struggles to deal with the fact that his wife will never wake up from the coma she’s been in for the past two years. When he receives an email from someone he knew many years ago, you can tell that there’s something more than just an old friend getting back in touch, but the author does a spectacular job of leaving just enough mystery to keep your interest piqued.

Brian and Joanna met 15 years ago, and it was love at first sight. Just one (major) problem… Joanna was engaged to Erik. I’m not one to condone an affair. In my opinion, if you’re unhappy enough to cheat, then you should just walk away before anyone gets hurt… well, before there’s any more hurt. But that’s just my personal opinion, and if that had happened, then there wouldn’t have been a story to be told.

I loved watching the feelings develop between Brian and Joanna, both in the flashback and when they reconnect 15 years later. Theirs was a touching and beautiful love story, and I happily cheered them on.

If you’re looking for a love story that will touch your heart and give you a hint of suspense, A Note from an Old Acquaintance is right for you.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Weller had it all; a beautiful wife, son, successful career. But then tragedy strikes and his son is dead and his wife is in a coma. He is a writer and since the accident he has been unable to create. The doctor is telling him that there is no hope for his wife's recovery. In the midst of all of this he receives an email from his first love.

Why now, he asks?

Joanna was the love of his life and she does not know why he abruptly broke off their relationship. She SEEMS to have it all; powerful, wealthy, charming, good looking husband, loving son, a creative successful career. But she is not happy so she contacts the love she lost.

Brian arranges a book tour to visit where Joanna lives but his wife dies and it is postponed. He finally does go and finds that love is never lost. But that sometimes love can be dangerous.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. From the moment I picked it up I felt like I was living within the lives of the characters. The writing style is easy to read but not dumbed down. The plot builds to a very satisfying conclusion with plenty of suspense and romance to keep you turning the pages. I was really rooting for the characters. Decisions made for good reasons can have long lasting impacts.

[Karen S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Note from an old Acquaintance by Bill Walker is a romance where love gets a second chance. Young sculptor, Joanna Richman surrenders to a persistent courtship by older, successful businessman, Erik Ruby. He treats her acquisition like one of his many treasured possessions, relentless during the pursuit, but lacking in devotion after she has been acquired. After Joanna agrees to marry Erik, she meets a young aspiring writer, Brian Weller, who shares her artistic sensibilities. For the first time, Joanna feels as though she has met her soul mate.

This book is fun to read, like nibbling on chocolates in bed! I especially liked the insights into how Joanna and Brian found inspiration for their creations, while remaining vulnerable to feedback from their audiences. On the other hand, I felt that characters were underdeveloped. Erik is a bit too much the evil businessman who only cares about money, while Joanna and Brian are granted too many free passes to pursue their vision of being soul mates without regard to the effect on others. I wasn’t completely convinced about the enduring value of a love match that didn’t account for ethical obligations. Still, the novel is a fun love fantasy and will be enjoyed by those who seek a good ,romantic read.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the premise of the story--that true love doesn't die, and I especially loved the fact that true love won out in the end. The characters were well-written and I was able to connect to them easily. I liked that the story began in the present and then flashed back several years to take the reader back to the beginning of Brian and Joanna's love affair. It helped me understand the depths of the character's emotions.

The one thing that I had a hard time with was how Joanna's son dealt with the fact of his parent's breakup. Even though he was a mature boy, I don't know that a fifteen-year old would have been fine with it and made some of the statements that he did. And that Joanna would allow her son to be a witness to the final argument between all of the adults seemed a little off.

Other than that though, I thought this was a wonderful story. The author was able to describe emotions and feelings so well, that at times it was hard to believe this book was written by a man. The pace and flow of the story seemed so natural. I look forward to more books by Mr. Walker!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

a littel gem--smart people and loved the romance between 2 characters , some parts seem cliqued but good story-don't know I took so long to read this book.

This is little gem of lost love , and finding it again. Joanna has been following Brian's career , and after his wife dies, she sends him an email of wanting to catch up.

Joanna is married rich man, who likes to have control of situations. This book has 2 time periods of present and 1991. I did like that most of the book was the past because it helped show the situations in the present time and how it affected both of them.

Joanna & Brian meet by chance and connect on so many levels and there is friendship too. Joanna is engaged to rich man , but she only likes him. Rich man pulls some strings so that they can't be together and they are apart for 15 years. They catch up when she sends her condolences for the loss of his wife.

This book is a little gem and such a great story of the characters..but my beef is with artist and writer--that's seems cliques and over done with many books. There is always someone trying to break up a couple.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quickly became engrossed in "A Note from an Old Acquaintance", a novel sent to me free for review. The story unfolds around three main characters. Brian is an aspiring writer with a strong personality, a big heart and a witty sarcastic sense of humor. Joanna is a spunky, confident artist with a captivating personality. Erik is the rich and deceptive businessman who is used to getting what he wants. Together these three form a fragile love triangle of sorts.

Opening with a tragedy this tale morphs into into a passionate love story. A mix of past and present, this novel is comprised of both heartache and pleasure. Though at times the story veers towards overly sappy and far-fetching it never ceases to remain enjoyable. Walker's writing hooks the reader with life-like characters and continues to reel them in throughout with a balanced bit of suspense.

Overall this is a novel about second choices and being true to yourself. The book relies heavily on the old cliche "money can't buy you love". There may not be much meat to this book but the storyline is strong and entertaining.

[Kristin (Kritters Ramblings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent read and a great way to start my book touring adventure. I was provided this book for a tour and my nerves went crazy wondering what in the world I would do if I didn't like this book - shouldn't have worried.

I am always hesitant when I read a romanticsh novel written by a guy. Being a female - I enjoy reading when it is from the female's perspective. I am a changed woman! I loved reading how this man cherished this woman his entire life and how when she was torn away from him he never was able to heal and live fully.

My one moment was - there is a pause where we go back in time to see how this whole situation came to be. WELL I got a little confused when we went back to real time where in real time we were. Not to worry - a few pages in and I found myself!

Again - I am not one to spoil a good book - so I will say this. Go find this book. I am passing my signed copy - thanks Bill Walker - off to my mom to borrow. She has received clear instructions to return upon reading.

[Staci · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect when I opened the pages of this book. At first I couldn't really make any sense of the Buddha and the rose, but after the first 75 pages that mystery was easily solved. This is the debut work of Walker and I think he did a pretty decent job. I'm not sure that he struck a chord with me as a female reader though. I found myself at times thinking the plot was a bit hokey and the characters very typical of this sort of storyline. I knew exactly how this story was going to end and nothing was a surprise..which I have to admit was a bit of a letdown. The description on the back mentions the word 'suspense' to describe this book....that is wrong. There wasn't anything suspenseful going on, in my humble opinion. In the end, I felt so-so about this one...I don't think it's horrible, but nor do I think it's one you need to run out and read immediately. Even with that said, I would give this author another try as I think he just needs time to find his voice!

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feeling about this book. On the one hand, its a love story, and I love a good love story. I love a romance that lasts forever, and in the case of Joanna and Brian, it lingered for years even when they were apart. But in this story, Joanna cheats on her fiance and then again after they are married. I can understand that she and Brian had feelings for each other that never went away, but I just don't condone cheating.


That said, I liked the characters, even Erik Ruby, the husband who paid Brian off so he would leave Joanna alone. Even though Ruby was controlling, he seemed to be truly in love with Joanna. I would have liked to know more about the life between Brian and his wife Penny. If he was so in love with Joanna the whole time, how did he end up married to Penny.


Overall, I thought the book was well written.

[Ziaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! It grabbed a hold of me from the beginning and never let go. I fell in love with Brian and Joanna's story of how the met, what tore them apart, and how they met again. I hungrily read through 80% of this book in one sitting. Once I started reading, I just couldn't stop. I wanted to know how it ended and I wasn't let down.

Such a fantastic story!

The characters were well written and believable. I found myself feeling a wide range of emotions while reading this. Anger, passion, love, awe at the characters obvious talents, sadness, loss and many more. This was a heartfelt read that had me tearing up and smiling at the same time in more than one spot. I think a book that does that to you, it well worth the read and I will be recommending this book to anyone who asks. (publisher for review)

[Davyboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm thinking guys are a bit outnumbered here but I recently read Walker's book and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I won't take the time to wax as eloquently or in as much detail as some of the other reviewers except to say the book has a timeless theme, a refreshing pace and it certainly hit me where I live.

I don't know a single, solitary guy who hasn't experienced that one special girl who got away. To be able to find oneself in a position to recapture that lost love is unique, exciting and not without some rather interesting, provocative twists and surprises the way Walker weaves the tale. This book is not a "chick" book. I too have a "Joanna"
in my past and find the appeal of this book to be eminently universal.

I'm hoping there will soon be some sort of sequel. I'll buy it.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian has been hit with life's most devastatingly tragic event a parent can encounter. Not only did the horrible accident leave Brian to mourn the loss of his son, it also put his wife in a coma. Brian is left to face this life alone.

But then, one day he receives an unexpected email from someone in his past. This someone is Joanna, a woman he was once in love with. At that time the two were thrust apart by circumstances beyond their control. Fifteen years later the two are given a chance at a second shot at love. Will the past years make a difference and allow them to find happiness together or will Brian have to deal with yet another disaster?

A very touching novel that will make your heart ache.