When my cousin, Gregg, finished reading Pentecost, he said to me: “I don’t know, TC, but it looks to me like you might have written yourself into a corner.” I didn’t admit he was right, but I have to tell you I was afraid of that too. Precipice and Pentecost have a lot going on, but they move inexorably forward to the event that ends Pentecost. On the ride to that huge climactic event, we were entertained by a host of characters that had become like family to me … and, I might add, to a lot of readers like my cousin Gregg. But the climactic event at the end of Pentecost wouldn’t be very thrilling if every character made it through intact.

Gregg’s comment hit home. When I thought about writing Penance, Book 3 of the This Generation Series, I was immediately wishing for life to be as it had been before Pentecost ended. My mind filled with conversations between characters that could now never take place. My heart longed for the world to be as it had been just moments before in the lives of the characters. To be honest, I delayed a return to the world of the This Generation Series because I thought Gregg just might be right.

Well, I’ve finally started writing Penance. I am so happy to report that the characters are as strong and the action as fun as they ever were. In fact, for me they may be even a little better because I’ve been away from them for so long getting Precipice and Pentecost into print. And, of course, there are new characters and new mysteries building as well.

I think one of the hardest things in Gregg’s estimation was the use of Michael as the main protagonist. Let’s face it: he was a pretty big disappointment by the end of Pentecost. I have to tell you, though; the sadder-but-wiser Michael is a very compelling character. He played an unwitting hand in bringing about the worst of the disasters coming on the world in Penance. The crucible of pain and self-recrimination give birth to the hero that has always been lurking just beneath the surface of Michael’s character. But penance isn’t cheap when you’ve gone as far afield as Michael. His only opportunity to protect his niece through the coming tragedies is offered by his greatest nemesis. So, with a heavy heart he takes the post of camerlegno for the new Pope Peter—a.k.a., his nefarious Uncle Benny. Of course, this puts him in the catbird seat to witness and maybe even sabotage the evil plans of Benny and Isa.

World events quickly force Michele to grow from awkward teenager to a dynamic young woman at the reigns of her grandmother’s businesses. Sparks fly when Gloria finally sees Zack for who he really is. And I don’t want to give too much away, but some of the new characters are pretty fascinating. The family took some serious hits at the end of Pentecost, but the Penance additions really pick up the slack.

As to the characters you thought were gone from the story … well, don’t be so sure they’re gone. They still have a role to play, and in a very real way, their pasts are still unwritten. A mystery is building about the early lives of Kim, Benny, Chris, Mack, Sarah, Fran, Tom, and Vinnie. What could they possibly have in common from their early lives? It’s a mystery that will nag a Michael for a while.

To sum it up, I’m happy to report to Gregg and the rest of you: I’ve rounded the corner and the view is pretty exciting from this side!

Check out Precipice at http://amzn.to/1CQOgpT and Pentecost at http://bitly.com/1G3D3SD.