I haven’t written to my readers for quite some time. I do apologize for the long delay. I guess you can say with that pandemic and all that we had to go through as a society, some things got put in the wayside. But, I am glad to return to my writing and am glad to share my thoughts in these articles.
My latest book is a crime fiction novel titled Retribution. As a writer, I believe in being honest with my readers about my work. I truly believe that no matter how hard writers try, they are unable to keep their personal feelings separate from what they write. Believe me, my personal feelings and thoughts are all over the stories that I create. No matter the characters, settings, etc., the writer’s life is embedded in the deep fabric of the story. Therefore, whoever reads Retribution may conclude that there are or have been conflicts in my personal life and relationships- I mean, who doesn’t, right? We all have our moments of trials, triumphs, drama… you name it!
I identify with the protagonist of this story- Joan Harrington. She just got married to the lover of her life. Within the relationship, she’s the stable one (the one who is established in life) and the one who wants a family. Although Joan has known her better half for quite some time, there are personality traits that she did not know about him… things about him that he had hidden from her. Sadly for Joan, when she came to learn the truth about her husband, it was a bit too late.
I am not a marriage expert. Although I have been married for a long time, I am still learning; some lessons are very hard and heartbreaking. One of the key truths that I have discovered (after being married for over two decades) is that one cannot change the other person. All one can change is oneself. The sooner one realizes that the happier they’ll be. It’s all about finding one’s peace and at the same time speaking that peace over the other person. The only person who can make you happy is you. Knowing this is quite liberating because then, there is no expectation. I love my better half, but I have come to realize that it’s okay that he’s not perfect.
Retribution has an intricate plot- one of love, passion, sex, lies, betrayal, and murder. The story has many twists and turns but ultimately leads to the truth. What does the truth do? It sets us free. In this case, it is spiritual freedom from sin and bondage.
I enjoyed every moment that I spent writing this book. As I put words on the pages, many times, I found my heart racing. As I wrote the most intimate details of the relationships between the characters, I thought of how I felt if I were in their shoes. It was so exciting!