Susan Thode lives in Enumclaw, a small town at the base of Mt. Rainier in Washington State. She enjoys the rural setting dotted with many horse farms…and the beautiful mountain.

A former high school English teacher, Susan has been a licensed mental health counselor and certified trauma/crisis counselor for twenty years. She helps people answer tough questions about God’s plan and purpose for their lives in spite of pain and confusion. She also gives them tools to navigate emotional journeys of discovery through trauma and crisis.

As much as Susan enjoys her writing and counseling responsibilities, her greatest joy is being Grandma to her 14-year-old granddaughter, Moxy, from whom she is learning Tik-Tok dances.

Visit Susan at

Instagram       doyoumatter1

TikTok              suethode

Web page        doimatter.org

Facebook          Susan Thode

For parent or youth group speaking engagements, please contact the author at thodesm@gmail.com

Sara is a champion in the horse show ring…but can she conquer the obstacles of high school?

Although Sara Mitchell is on her way to winning another championship jumping title with her flashy Appaloosa, Star, she’s plagued by feelings of inadequacy. Her self-doubt increases when, instead of making her popular as she hoped, becoming a cheerleader ends in disaster. Sara is then diagnosed with a chronic illness and her sense of not belonging skyrockets.

Her illness also causes the end of a relationship with Travis, the only hot boy she’s ever dated.

With Travis out of her life and illness preventing her from riding Star, life becomes unbearable. The victim of mean girl treatment, Sara’s despair increases until she considers, and acts upon, a drastic and permanent solution.

But when Sara’s despair runs smack into a boy who says he loves her, and a God who vows the same, the troubled girl must reexamine the life she’s decided she doesn’t want. AMAZON

 

Sara’s rival, Robyn, has always been on the cutting edge of popularity. But can she keep life from cutting her to shreds?

Sara’s senior year forces her to make difficult decisions: college, horse shows, friends, boyfriends. One of the toughest challenges involves her horse, Shooting Star, who developed a fear of water after rescuing Sara from her ocean suicide attempt at the end of her junior year (Riptide). Jumping events are out, but can Sara compete in a new trail event that includes a water obstacle if Star is terrified?

Last year, gorgeous newcomer Robyn stole Sara’s boyfriend, Travis. Bitter enemies, Sara was not brokenhearted when both Robyn and Travis left town in the wake of a sexting scandal. But now Robyn is back and Sara has to figure out how to handle her anger. Forgiveness feels impossible. But when Sara learns Robyn cuts herself, Sara wonders why and softens towards the girl. Can enemies become friends? AMAZON