
Blurb from Amazon.com
The Culmination, a new beginning is the third book in The Contract thriller series. After an assassination attempt on an Air Force base in northern California, tensions mount. Heads of state meet to craft a denuclearization agreement. The meetings between these nuclear powers take a murderous turn. A nefarious conspiracy re-emerges and leads the characters into the heart of the Middle East, where they encounter the unexpected and find a reason for hope.

Biography
Gwen M. Plano, aka Gwendolyn M. Plano, grew up in Southern California and spent most of her professional life in higher education. She taught and served as an administrator in colleges in Japan, New York, Connecticut, and California. Gwen’s academic background is in theology and counseling. Recently retired, she now lives in the Midwest with her husband and enjoys writing and travel.
Gwen’s first book is an acclaimed memoir, Letting Go into Perfect Love. Her second book, The Contract between heaven and earth, is a thriller fiction novel, co-authored by John W. Howell. It has received multiple awards and is an Amazon Best Seller. The Choice, the unexpected heroes is the sequel to The Contract. It is also a thriller, involving the attempt of an unfriendly nation to take over the world. The third book in the series, The Culmination, a new beginning is an action-packed military thriller that spans the globe and involves multiple Heads of State and the threat of World War III. Only love can change the fate of humanity.
When Gwen is not writing, she out and about in the beautiful Ozark mountains which she now calls home.

My Review
The Culmination opens with a terrifying assassination attempt on an airforce base hitting an Admiral and his girlfriend. An investigation begins and soon the tension escalates as world leaders work to draft a denuclearization agreement and factions step in to stop the negotiations.
The action takes a world stage with espionage, conspiracies, and intrigue. I enjoyed the author’s ability to create a complex plot relevant to current events. Though dire, the underlying theme is one of hope and optimism. A sweet love story gives a touch of softness to an otherwise somber tale.
An enjoyable read!
This is a lovely book review, Jacquie. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful week. Hugs xx 🙂
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Thanks, Harmony. Gwen picked up on the world tension perfectly in this tale.
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Thanks for hosting Gwen’s fantastic book, Jacquie. I really enjoyed reading The Culmination.
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It had a great storyline!
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Thanks for your thoughts, Jacquie. It’s a lovely review. “A touch of softness to an otherwise somber tale” really stood out to me.
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Kind of what we’re feeling with the world holding their breath to see if the vaccine works.
Thanks, Staci {{hugs}}
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Thank you so much, Jacquie, for your thoughtful review. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the book, even with the somberness of the story. Softness is a wonderful way to describe the love that emerges. 💗
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Thanks, Gwen. I really enjoyed Culmination and hope to read the others in this series soon.
I’m sorry I can’t post my review to Amazon (they’re so finicky), but I hit all the SM platforms 🙂
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Wonderful review. Congratulations, Gwen.
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Thank you, Craig. I enjoyed Gwen’s intricate plotline!
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A super review, Jacquie. Congratulations to Gwen.
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Thank you, John. This is a well-written military intrigue.
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Wonderful review, Jacquie – congrats to Gwen!
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I’d been reading so many great things about Culmination that I had to dive right in, lol
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Gwen’s book, Jacquie! It is on my TBR list and I am anxious to get to it.
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Well worth the read, Jan- enjoy!
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Great review Jacquie. I agree there was a touch of much needed softness in a chilling tale:)
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I liked the author’s ability to write believable dialogue and scenarios for this story. It could have been ripped out of the headlines!
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The realism is scarier than any horror book.
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Excellent review of The Culmination, Jacquie. Congratulations, Gwen.
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Thanks, Miriam, it’s a wonderful book.
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I agree, jacquie!
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I’ve read “The Contract” and wore the keys out on my laptop (i use my laptop as a kindle) clicking to get to the next page because it was so gripping. Count me in for “The Culmination”! Great review Jacquie! Congratulations to Gwen!
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I enjoyed The Contract, as well. Gwen and John make a dynamic duo!
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They sure do.
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Fascinating!🫖🕊🔔🍮🍮🍂
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I love that cover!
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