I’m excited to have fellow Story Empire author and friend Gwen Plano, here today to talk about her latest book, “Redemption.” I’m reading this amazing book right now and loving it. The review will be posted very soon!
Thank you, Denise, for inviting me to your site today. It would be fun to join you for a cup of coffee in your magical Sierra foothills home. Since that’s not possible just yet, I’ll sip alone and share a bit about my latest book.
The story takes place in the Southeast corner of New York state, in the towns of New Rochelle and Cortlandt. The characters drive to Old Lyme, Connecticut, on occasion, 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 and redemption through the mechanism of a family thriller. What does it mean to forgive when we’ve been deeply hurt? Is it possible for the culprit to be redeemed? What does that even mean? How do we create our future if we have an unresolved past?
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 pain, just as joy is joy. One may be more obvious than the other—but not less impactful.
In the excerpt below, the protagonist, Lisa Holmes, acknowledges that she sometimes knows things that others do not. At times her dreams/nightmares become a reality. This special gift plays an important part in the story.
EXCERPT
“Sometimes, I sense things. I can’t explain it. Since I was a kid, I knew things—about people, about places. Sometimes I had dreams.”
“Did you have a dream about this murder?”
“Yes and no. I dreamed of someone murdering Dad. I had the same dream several times, and that’s why I agreed to drive down for a visit. The nightmare didn’t tell me where or when, but I decided to tell my parents of my concerns. I never got to do that. The doorbell rang. I was too late.”
“Did you recognize the man?”
“No. A hoody covered his hair and face. I was in another room and could only make out his nose and hands. Nothing that would help identify him.”
“Your mom?”
“She can’t speak. Can’t move. I don’t know what she saw or if she can remember that day.” Lisa shifts in her seat, uncomfortable, and avoids eye contact.
“I’m deeply sorry, Lisa. This isn’t something you can forget, forgive, or even ignore easily. It will live in you until the mystery gets solved and there’s justice. Because of what you’ve seen and experienced, we might be able to help with that process. Are you ready to begin the work?”
Lisa purses her lips and stares at the psychologist. She doesn’t want to proceed, but given the circumstances, she agrees.
Dr. Schultz picks up his pen and moves forward in his seat. “When you think about your dreams, do you drift into that space?”
“Sort of. I just focus on it as though it were real and don’t pay attention to anything else.”
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.
PURCHASE LINKS:
Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3RebK0W
Amazon Purchase Page: https://amzn.to/3XKiLJn
Barnes and Noble: bit.ly/3JGgdbl
CONTACT INFORMATION:
BookBub: bit.ly/3Y26EI5
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3XIe6Yu
Story Empire: https://storyempire.com/gwen-m-plano
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gmplano
Blog: www.gwenplano.com/blog-reflections
Wow! The excerpt is very good. Good luck with this one, Gwen.
Thank you, Darlene. Your encouragement brightens the day. 😊
I just finished it last night, Darlene, it was a great read 🙂
Thank you, Denise, for inviting me to your magical site. Your gracious and warm welcome touch my heart. 🤗
I’m so glad to be a part of your tour. Finished your book last night and loved it! Hugs xo
Congratulations, Gwen, on your new release. I am anxious to start reading it
I hope you enjoy it, Karen. Thank you for your support. 🤗
It’s a good one, Karen. Just finished it last night.
I’ve got my copy. Oo, this is going to be such a good read!
You’ve prompted a smile, Priscilla. I hope you enjoy it. 😊
It sure is, Priscilla!
The tour is gaining speed. This excerpt also has intrigue.
Thanks so much, Craig. 😊
Lots of intrigue, Craig 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for hosting Gwen today, Denise! I enjoyed the excerpt. I’m excited to read this book! Congrats, Gwen! xo
Thank you, Jill, for your encouragement. Sending a hug… 🤗
I’m so happy to be spreading the word about Gwen’s book. I just finished last night, it’s a good one, Jill 🙂
Congratulations, Gwen. I the I’m reading ahed of the excerpts which is a good thing. Thanks, Denise for hosting Gwen today.
Thank you for your good wishes, John. I hope you’re enjoying the parts you’ve read. 😊
Yes indeed.
That helps, John 🙂 Its sure a good one!
Another intriguing excerpt!
Thank you, Liz. All the best to you. 😊
You’re welcome, Gwen. 🙂
It is, Liz 🙂 Its a great read! Thanks for stopping by!
My pleasure, Denise!
I can’t wait to start reading this one! Congratulations, Gwen. Thanks for hosting today, Denise.
Thanks so much, Joan. When that time comes, I hope you enjoy the read. 😊
It’s a good one, Joan. I just finished it 🙂
Pain is pain, and joy is joy. I’m really looking forward to this one, Gwen. Best wishes with it.
Denise, thanks for hosting.
Thank you very much, Staci. 😊 I hope you like it.
Happy to spread the word, Staci 🙂 It’s a good read
Congratulations! It sounds intriguing!
Thank you, Merril. It’s always a joy to set a story free. 😊
You’re very welcome, Gwen.
(Sorry to be so late with this comment.)
It’s an intriguing and exciting read, Merril 🙂
🙂
Forgiveness and redemption … two powerful themes, Gwen. Wishing you all the best with your tour for this wonderful new book!
Denise, thanks for hosting Gwen today. I look forward to seeing your review for Redemption.
Hugs 💕🙂
Thank you so much, Harmony. 🤗
They are powerful themes, Harmony, in a story. I hope to have the review up today if all goes well. It was a good read.
💖
Gwen, congratulations on your latest release! The excerpt is fabulous, had me hooked and I love the blurb.
It’s a good one, Annika 🙂 I just finished last night.
This is another compelling excerpt, Gwen! I know I am going to enjoy this book and will be reading it very soon. Congratulations on the release! Thank you, Denise for hosting!
Thrilled to spread the word on Gwen’s latest, Jan 🙂 It’s a good one that kept me up past my bedtime.
Congratulations to Gwen. I’m definitely picking this one up. Redemption and forgiveness are such powerful themes.
They are very powerful themes, Pete. This one kept me up way past my bedtime. I couldn’t put it down.
Congratulations Gwen, your book sounds interesting. I am looking forward to reading it soon.
I just finished it last night. It’s a good one, Balroop 🙂
This is going to be a page-turner; I can feel it already. Congrats to Gwen on her new release!
It is a page-turner, Jacquie! Kept me up way past my bedtime 🙂
Congrats on the book.
It’s a good one 🙂 xo
I haven’t started reading yet, so I’m skipping the excerpts, but this is going to the top of the stack. Congrats, Gwen!
Smart to skip the excerpts, Dan. This story pulled me right in!
Congratulations on this new release, Gwen. I am looking forward to reading this one. Great show of support, Denise! Thanks for hosting.
Happy to be a part of spreading the good news, Beem. It’s a fantastic read 🙂
Gwen, Congratulations. Wishing you much success.
Denise, Thanks for introducing us to what sounds like a fascinating read.
scoxox
Thanks, Sandra. Yes, it is a good one 🙂 xo
What an enticing excerpt! Good luck with this book, Gwen!
It sure was, Jacqui and a good read too!
Congratulations, Gwen, on the new release! I look forward to your review, Denise,
Thanks, Mark. It was a great read 🙂
Wonderful news to share, Denise! Cheers to you, Gwen. Wishing you continued success! 🙂
It is wonderful news and a great read 🙂 thank you, Natalie!
It’s great to see Gwen starting her tour. I loved her description of the theme of the book. I have this in my Kindle and will start it tomorrow. I can’t wait. A lovely post, Gwen. Congrats! And thanks for hosting, Denise.
I love her themes in the story, Diana. It was a good read. Happy reading xo
I’m about halfway through the book and hope to finish it tomorrow. A great read.
Sorry I’m late to the party. I just finished this fantastic book last night. It’s a great story with wonderful characters. I’m wishing Gwen all the best with her release.
Thanks for hosting, Denise.
Never late here, Mae 🙂 Yes, wasn’t it a great read?
Hi Denise, this good sounds wonderful. I already have a copy.
You have some good reading ahead, Robbie 🙂
Gwen is an amazing writer! I’m happy to see her here promoting her newest book. Thanks for sharing, Denise! 🙂
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
You are so right about, Gwen! It is a fantastic story, Yvette xo
How awesome is that! Thanks for sharing, Denise. Congrats to Gwen. Hugs all around.
It is a good one, Teagan 🙂 Hugs back xo
Great post, Denise & Gwen! Please forgive me for skipping the excerpt, but I just (finally!) downloaded my copy and want to read in contest with the rest of the story. I’m very much looking forward to this one, Gwen, as it sounds wonderful. Now to find more time for both my reading and my own writing. (Always a challenge, isn’t it?)
Congratulations on what sounds like a real winner, Gwen, and best wishes for a kazillion sales! 😁💖🤗