Distant Relative

by Joseph Helensky

What do you owe your past when you've ruined someone's present? And their present includes your child?

Jeffrey Weston is a wealthy mid-forties sales manager in Seattle. Bridgette Davis is a mid-forties drug addict in Baltimore. Twenty years ago, they were a couple. Jeffrey's brief dalliance with cocaine led Bridgette--an innocent grade schoolteacher--to dark drug addiction, a life of poverty, and raising their child, Catherine, whom Jeffrey never learned about.

Catherine--a girl of grit--has survived several stints in foster care because of her mom's addictions.

Jeffrey must confront his past and what he was--and wasn't--responsible for. He must also balance what he owes to his past--including unresolved guilt over a failed adoption--with what he owes to his present, that includes a successful marriage, work, and life.

Distant Relative explores this balance, the mistakes that one makes being resurrected decades later, and the choices you make. Can you make something right years later? Would you make the same choices?

312 pages, Paperback

Published June 28, 2024

About the author

A native of Baltimore, Joe Helensky has worked for many years in the insurance industry. Prior to that he worked for eight years in sports marketing with three Baltimore-area sports franchises.


Joe and his wife Sue live in Seattle and have proudly served as advocates for foster care and adoption, especially of older children. Joe & Sue have one daughter and three grandchildren.

Distant Relative is Joe's first novel, to be followed by two novels in 2025 and 2026. He is eager to build a career as an author and share stories with his audience.

Reviews

[Cait Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written story answering the question of what influence we have on others and what our responsibility is toward them. The characters were believable and well written, lots of messy relationships and conflict, and I cared for and rooted for each person. The author handles delicate family drama and past relationships in a meaningful and real way that had me in tears at some points. Very thought-provoking, and certainly stirred compassion for those who have lost their way. Looking forward to reading more from this author!

[Casie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book from a first time author. Highly recommend

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time author hit it out of the park! Nice job.

[Maryann Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting story about lives and the choices that affect the characters for better or worse and one character’s blaming everyone else for her problems not recognizing that she herself is to blame
Some positive outcomes and one not positive