Hey, Readers. It’s my pleasure to host Gwen Plano today. She is a friend and fellow Story Empire colleague. She writes fiction and poetry and is here to talk about her latest release, Redemption A Father’s Fatal Decision. Please welcome Gwen.
Thank you, Joan, for inviting me to your site today. It’s a pleasure to visit your readers and share a bit about my new release.
Redemption, A Father’s Fatal Decision is a mystery thriller that takes place in the Southeast corner of New York state, in the towns of New Rochelle and Cortlandt. The characters occasionally travel to Old Lyme, Connecticut, but for the most part, the drama is in New York. Having spent about twenty years in and around that area, it was exciting to visit as a writer.
The book tackles themes of forgiveness, redemption, and absolution through suspense. We accompany the son and daughter of the deceased as they try to uncover the reason for their father’s murder. What they discover prompts them to ask if they even knew him.
Sometimes complicated situations help us see our own challenges in a different light. That is my hope for this book. Most of us won’t experience threats like those of my characters, but pain is universal, as is joy. Seeing either in the extreme helps us recognize our own—and severe or elated, those emotions are impactful.
In the excerpt below, Lisa and Trace Holmes meet with the New Rochelle police captain. His team had searched a secluded cabin owned by their father and found both damming information and important documents for his two adult children. The captain presents a deed to a property in Connecticut.
Excerpt
“Take a look at this and read the note. There’s a key taped to the paper.” The captain pulls the deed from a file and hands it to Trace.
Their brows furrow while they read:
Trace and Lisa, your mother loves this area of Connecticut. She dreamed of having a cottage of her own. Please, take care of her when I’m gone.
Trace covers his face with his hands and fights tears. “I’ve hated him for so long.”
Lisa rubs his back and wipes away tears.
The captain waits a few minutes before continuing. Once they compose themselves, he tells them a story. “A while back, a preacher talked to me about redemption. He said it’s like clearing debt. Action or actions a person takes to free himself from a burden. Sound familiar? I believe your father tried to redeem himself by taking actions he thought would clear his debt. I suspect that intention lies behind his final act of refusing to hand over the crown jewel. In his mind, it was payment.”
Trace’s lips tighten, and he thinks about what the captain has shared. “So, the jewel and money absolve him of thirty-five years of abuse?”
“No.” Davis shakes his head. “But, in his mind, he saw it as payment. Absolution is another matter entirely. That’s God’s work, not mine or yours. I’m not a preacher type, but I’ve lived long enough to put pieces of a puzzle together. I conclude that forgiveness is our responsibility, and I’ve arrived at my own definition, which I’d like to share with you.”
Blurb
Family secrets can be deadly. When Lisa Holmes visits her parents one fateful Saturday morning, she hugs her father and walks to her childhood bedroom. The doorbell rings. Her father opens the door, and one minute later, he lies dead on the floor—three bullets to the chest.
The Holmes family lives on a quiet street, but no one really knows Eric Holmes. He travels for business and comes home a few days each month. Unbeknown to all, Eric has multiple lives.
In this fast-paced psychological thriller, Lisa and her brother, Trace, embark on a quest to solve the mystery involving the murder of their father. The journey takes them into a secret world where nothing is as it seems. As the puzzle pieces begin to coalesce, they discover the meaning of Redemption.
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33 Responses
Thank you, Joan, for inviting me to your lovely site today. Your kind endorsement and support are both heartwarming and appreciated. Hugs from afar… 🤗
You are most welcome, Gwen. It’s a pleasure to host you. I’m almost halfway through the book, and I’m enjoying it immensely.
Enjoying your tour, Gwen.
Thank you, Craig. I’m happy to hear that. 😊
Thanks for stopping by, Craig.
Thanks for hosting Gwen today, Joan. I hope to start her book soon. It sounds like a great read.
Thanks so much, Jill. Hugs from afar… 🤗
Another great post for a great book. Wishing you every success, Gwen! Thanks for sharing, Joan. Hugs 💕🙂
Thank you, dear Harmony. Your good wishes are much appreciated. 😊
It’s a wonderful book. Thanks for stopping by, Harmony.
Really enjoying your tour, Gwen. Loved the book and wishing you much success with it.
Thanks for hosting, Joan.
Thank you, Staci. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the book. 🤗
Thank you for stopping by, Staci.
Good excerpt. I recently read Redemption. It’s a fast-paced, fun read!
I’m so pleased you enjoyed it, Priscilla. Thank you for the support and encouragement. 😊
Thanks, Priscilla. I’m reading it now.
Ooooh for more Reading Time! I know I’m falling farther and farther behind on things every day, and it’s frustrating me no end, as my TBR pile keeps on growing. I’m DYING to read this one, and simply have to find a way to get to it SOON!!
Great excerpt, Gwen, and super post, Joan! And continued best wishes for many, many sales, Gwen! 🤗❤️🤗
Thank you so much, dear Marcia. I feel the same about my TBR pile — it grows daily and demands attention. 😊
Why can no one figure out a way to cram more hours in a day? That would make our problem SO much easier, wouldn’t it? 😁
I know what you mean, Marcia. There are only so many hours in a day!
I knoooow. We need to do something about that!! *goes off pondering this idea**
😂
It’s great to see Gwen here, Joan. This book is still fresh in my memory. I enjoyed this scene and all the clues that kept coming together for Lisa and Trace. Congrats, Gwen, on another wonderful tour stop and an excellent book. 🙂
Thank you very much, Diana. I’m elated you enjoyed it. ❤️
I’m reading the book now, Diana. Really enjoying it. Haven’t got to this part yet, but I can see me shedding a few tears along the way.
Good to see Gwen here, Joan. Congratulations on the tour, Gwen. Thanks, Joan, for hosting.
Thank you, John. I’m grateful to each of the hosts for this tour.
Thank you for stopping by to lend your support, John.
😊
This is another fantastic stop on the Redemption tour! I love the quote from the police captain. I tend to agree with him. I am SO looking forward to opening this book tonight! I’m definitely taking it with me on my trip. Thank you, Joan, for hosting, and congratulations, Gwen!
I’m reading Redemption right now. Almost halfway through. I’ve certainly enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by, Jan.
I’m starting the book tonight!
You’re in for a treat, Liz.
I read almost half of it last night because I couldn’t put it down. Talk about a page-turner!