Moments for the Heart

Howdy from South Texas, Weekend Writing Warriors. Here we are a week into NaNoWriMo and I have officially only written about an additional 2K new words to my WIP. But, I’m current with NaNoWriMo because I’m ahead of the game due to what’s already written. I have been going though the most recent writing and familiarizing myself so I can move on. I did find myself falling into the trap of editing what I have written. (Bad Jeff) That and I’ve been so focused on these snippets, I’m a bit off track. But, now I am caught up and ready to jump back into the game. And boy am I excited because I have hit a turning point where the reader gets their first “Aha!!” moment.

Last Week in Review

As for where we are now in our snippets, Grady is with LaCrosse waiting for the keys to Nelson’s car. He was recounting the statements of the two officers and the death of the Tanner and the missing weapon. Here is a bit from last week:

“The officers who shot him say that he was mumbling while he was standing over Nelson. Crazy stuff, they could not make any of it out,” Grady explained. “Then he raised his hands over his head, and it appeared that he had a weapon in his hands. They thought it was the knife. But afterward, they found his hands empty, and there was no sign of a weapon anywhere.”

There was a rap on the window that made LaCrosse jump. He turned, and Nettles was there with a Fob in his hand. Both men exited the car, and LaCrosse took the key.

SYNOPSIS:

Lieutenant Daniel Masters is a 27-year veteran Savannah Georgia Major Crimes Detective. He has seen many crime scenes like the one he saw last February. Little did he know this one would change his life. Grady, the newest addition to his team, is the first to see the abnormalities, but will the rest of the team listen in time. There is a serial murder on the loose in South Georgia, and for some reason the killer leaves their final victim alive right before committing suicide. But why? Masters and Grady must find out before its too late and the next killer strikes again.

SNIPPET:

“I hope this is it.” Nettles said. He pushed the button, and a musical chip came from the car, and the lights danced, showing it was safe to proceed.

“Anything upstairs?” Grady asked.

Nettles looked up at the apartment, almost like he was nervous about revealing a secret. “Nothing really. Still a bit messy up there. Residual blood, scratch marks from what appears to be a knife, but no knife.”

LaCrosse looked at Grady, then back at Nettles, “Bag and tag every piece of cutlery in the kitchen similar to our suspected weapon. We may have a courteous felon here. Hotshot over here thinks he may have cleaned up after himself.”

***That is this week’s ten, or so. Here is a bit more to complete this scene. ***

Nettles started to say something but thought otherwise. He turned and headed back toward the building. LaCrosse laughed to himself as he walked away.

“Well, thanks for that. Branson has it out for me as it is. I haven’t been here a day, and even I can tell that.”

“You’ll be fine. He’ll get over it. He just doesn’t like it that the new guy gets to call the shots on his first day.”

“How long has he been with the force?”

“Couple of years as a cop. Almost a year as a detective.”

“Well, that makes me feel a little bit better. At least I carry some sense of seniority.”

LaCrosse chuckled opening the passenger side door. “Let’s see what secrets this oversized battery is holding.”

An hour later, they discovered two things about Stuart Taylor Nelson. One, he has a serious gum fetish. The seat was littered with scrunched gum wrappers. Orbit seemed to be his preference. And two, he was not a drug runner. The car was entirely too clean, and there were no places to hide drugs. Most drug vehicles had hollowed out compartments to hide as much product as possible. Door panels, under seating, under the hood, and the obvious trunk compartment was all thoroughly searched. Nothing. No drugs, no money.

“So now what?” asked LaCrosse.

“Lock it back up and go see what Branson found,” said Grady trying not to let the defeat reflect in his voice.

Well, drugs were not the reason Nelson was targeted. So, why was Tanner so interested in him? And why did he allow him to live? Now Grady has to go up and live with hearing from Branson that his first hunch was a washout. The boss gave him a chance and it does not look good so far. Maybe Branson will find something in the apartment the original search team overlooked? We will see next week.

Elissa Learns Thankfulness

Thanksgiving is coming!! A great turkey day read for your little one!! Check it out!! On sale now!! $4 off regular price when you buy from the publisher!


Elissa Learns About Thankfulness
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, consider this charming story for your little reader. Book 4 in the Elissa the Curious Snail Series finds Elissa living with her human friend Francine. Elissa is sad because she cannot do some of the things her friends can do like fly or run. She eventually learns to be thankful for who she is and what she can do. Find out what that is when you cuddle up and read this book with your little one. It is available on Amazon at the link above.

Visit Moments for the Heart Facebook page for more

I have a Facebook page that has something going on everyday of the week. Come on over, follow, and interact with my page to check it out! Here is what you can expect to find there.

—Monday is Memory Monday – I share an important event that occurred on that Monday or sometime that particular week.

—Tuesday is Talk About it Tuesday – I post a weekly video where I cover a topic that has meant something to me over the past week.

—Wednesday is when I post my blog for the week.

—Thursday is This or That Thursday – A weekly two option poll that raises the question, do you like this, or do you prefer that?

—Friday is Fun Fact Friday – I find and share an interesting or obscure fact.

—Saturday is for Weekend Writing Warriors – This is when I post my 8 Sentence Snippet from a current or past work.

I really am trying to make it fun and engaging. Something that people look forward to visiting. It has been something that has been on my heart (no pun intended) for a long time and I am now acting on it. I would love your support!!

Important Links!!

– Little Reminders of Who I Am is now available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers.

–The Five Barred Gate is still available on Amazon in Hardback, Paperback, and Kindle versions.

–You can purchase TFBG direct from me on my Home Page. The benefit of buying direct is you will receive a personalized signed copy!!

–My Children’s books, Elissa the Curious Snail are also on Amazon. There are 4 books about an adorable snail teaching children about prayer and believing in themselves.

–Finally you can see all updates regarding the progress of this current Untitled work in progress.

Fellow Warriors, I also have have a weekly blog that is posted in between these snippets. I would love to hear your thoughts.

AND if you have little warriors running around I now have many of my Children’s Short Stories on this website. They were originally on my Elissa the Curious Snail publisher’s website, but I now control that domain and have moved that content here. There are many stories for your little reader. These are great bedtime or anytime short stories.

In His Exciting Service,

Jeff S. Bray

Little Reminders of Who I Am

The Five Barred Gate

Elissa the Curious Snail Series

Check out amazing established and emerging writers at Weekend Writing Warriors. Each week we post new snippets from either published works or works in progress for each other to comment on. Gain insight of how the mind of a writer works and a behind the scenes look at works before they hit book stands everywhere.