Author Suzanne Burke ends the year with a photo prompt of a rainbow. From her home in Australia, she sees in the heavens that which each of us sees across our beautiful planet. We are united through our hope as we are united in our sorrows. We are family.
As family, we leave this year transformed by the storms of chaos and fear. We have all suffered. We have all despaired. And yet, rainbows appear. Some fill our skies, some reach us through a letter or another simple act of kindness. Always, rainbows tell us there is a reason for hope. Love alone can guide us, and guide us it must.
My simple Haiku response to the prompt ...
As family, we leave this year transformed by the storms of chaos and fear. We have all suffered. We have all despaired. And yet, rainbows appear. Some fill our skies, some reach us through a letter or another simple act of kindness. Always, rainbows tell us there is a reason for hope. Love alone can guide us, and guide us it must.
My simple Haiku response to the prompt ...
Earlier this year, just as the virus reared its ugly head, I began writing The Culmination. The underlying theme of this story is family. Though a political/military thriller, the message is persistent. We have a choice, always, to become family - in our country, in our world. If anything, the threats of 2020 taught us this truth and it may be vital that we heed the message.
I share below a few of the five-star reviews of The Culmination. Through this month, the Kindle version will remain at .99 cents.
From author D.L. Finn: “The Culmination” is the third book in the Contract Series. I loved all the books, but this one topped them. It touched me on a level of reality and fear, bringing the idea of hope in our current cold social climate. It starts after the second book and an assassination attempt. There is a group determined to cause mayhem and stop anyone in their way, including heads of state. There's not only exciting action but developing relationships and political intrigue. I found a lot of what was going on in the story relevant for current times. Where Ms. Plano took this story is a place where I could imagine the right things being done in the middle of chaos. I loved the American Vice President with her logic and heart. Beautifully written and thought-provoking with scenarios all too familiar, some heartbreaking, and some tender. This book not only scared me but offered an optimistic option at the same time. I highly recommend it and the whole series."
From author John W. Howell: "I describe The Culmination as a political thriller with a strong military influence. There are many challenging situations presented in the plot by the author Gwen M. Plano. These situations are designed with action in mind and are very intriguing. The worldwide stage on which these situations play out serves to keep the reader riveted to the end. This story is a continuation of The Contract Thriller series and does reflect the title. It almost feels as if this book has been the end goal of the other two. I have read all three and can say that a reader must not have read the other two to enjoy this one thoroughly.
The scope of the plot is vast. The reader moves from what appears to be simple situations of trouble to complex machinations that could lead to World War Three. The story involves multiple nations and heads of state. There are some surprising moments, as well as a tender love story.
If you like a book with plenty of action, compelling characters, political intrigue, military maneuverings, and a compelling love story, this one is for you."
The scope of the plot is vast. The reader moves from what appears to be simple situations of trouble to complex machinations that could lead to World War Three. The story involves multiple nations and heads of state. There are some surprising moments, as well as a tender love story.
If you like a book with plenty of action, compelling characters, political intrigue, military maneuverings, and a compelling love story, this one is for you."
From author Jill Weatherholt: "Written by award-winning author Gwen Plano, The Culmination is a must read for readers who enjoy political and military intrigue. This book is the third in the Contract series, but it can certainly be read as a stand-alone. That said, I recommend the other two books as well. The characters in this third installment are well-developed. They take you through action-packed situations, relevant to our current world. This captivating thriller, along with a thread of romance, will keep you turning the pages."
From author Billy Ray Chitwood: "If readers like their thrillers written by a celebrated and deft author's hand who can craft her scenes with intensity and give the readers a rushing itch to get to the following culminating pages, who can take you from a Northern California assassination attempt to edgy 'De-nuclearization ' meetings with murderous implications, who can transport you from California to the Middle East for an evil conspiracy and more 'cloak and dagger' excitement. The author to whom I refer is Gwen M. Plano... You will want to read this book."
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