Moments for the Heart

Hey Writing Warriors. We are back for another exciting week of snippets. I feel I did better this week of making rounds to visit y’all. You have some amazing works. I am honored to be part of what each of you is doing in the literary world. We make a great team. I look forward to taking on the world by your side.

I am excited to announce that this novel has now been submitted to my publisher, WordCrafts Press. This will be the fourth novel they will be handling for me. I hope to hear from them soon. With The Transference coming out in May, I would think this wouldn’t see the light of day until 2023. But I have suggested a Thanksgiving release timeframe given that the book takes place during that holiday. We shall see.

I have also started my next project. If you’ve been around long enough you’ll remember The Five Barred Gate. Well, I’m writing its sequel. The Five Barred Gate II will take place roughly 20 years after the events of the first book and follow the life of Michael; Jacob and Renae’s son. He was two in the first novel. The U.S. has grown much darker and the action will grab from the get-go. I am excited.

Anyhow, just a reminder, The Transference will hit shelves on May 11. This is the Crime Thriller I introduced you to last year. I should be getting the cover soon, I would like to get onto promoting it.

Okay. Here we go for this week’s snippet.

SYNOPSIS:

Derrick Anders is a college student who works in a Houston chain bookstore. He struggles between his studies, work, and a recent loss in his family. Derrick has little time for friends much less a love life, in spite of Breonna, a coworker who has her eyes set on him. And then there is Carter. He is sent to do what he does best, bringing two hearts together. But there is something unique about Derrick that Carter will not be expecting. Something that will bring back his past and he may need an old friend to help him get back on track.

SNIPPET:

First, here is a bit from last time:

“It’s about time. I was about to give up on you,” Carter said without turning around.

“I was about to say the same thing on the street until I realized where you were going.” Aaron stopped behind Carter, just out of view.

“We all circle back to what’s familiar.”

“What was wrong with your library?

“All I could see was that boy’s face. And that boy’s face led me to his mother’s.

OKAY LET’S GET YOU TO THE NEW SNIPPET:
I am gong to jump ahead a few paragraphs. There is a little bit of small talk that doesn’t further the story much. So instead of wasting a snippet word count, I am choosing to skip a bit.

Carter nodded and was quiet. He sipped his coffee, then looked down at the cup, “I don’t know what you want from me, Aaron.”

“I think it’s more about what you want from me,” Aaron clarified.

Carter looked up at him, his white brows furrowed.

“You know what I’m talking about. What brings you here?”

Carter shrugged. “Familiarity, I suppose. It’s the last place I felt I belonged.”

“Can you elaborate?”

“I’m not sure if I can in terms you could understand,” Carter said, looking up to the ceiling.

“What, is it an angelic thing?”

“In a way.”

“I think I can try; go ahead.”

“In my position, when I’m sent to help individuals, a level of connection is made. Call it spiritual if you want. I suppose that would be the closest explanation I can compare it to. It helps God work within each heart. But it allows me to see into people to know just how to react and help them. That connection runs deep, and sometimes it’s harder to let go once the assignment is complete.”

“Because of your duality; your human side here, versus the angelic side you gave up to remain here.”

Carter eyes sqinted. “Precisely. How you know that I don’t know, but that’s right on the money. For some individuals, it’s harder to break that bond. That tie remains. I’ve experienced it just a couple of times.”

“And the reason you are here is that Deborah was one of them.”

“It’s why you and I are sitting together now, yes.” Carter said, sipping his coffee.

“And Derrick Anders is the other. Or rather Angela Robertson.”

Carter nodded.

“And what happened with Angela Robertson?”

Carter, this time shook his head. “She died.”

“I know about that. Derrick has told me all about it. He told me about the night he saw you three years ago with his mom before she died.”

Carter’s head shot up, “What have you told him?”

“Nothing,” Aaron said, holding up his hands. ” He doesn’t know who you truly are. All I’ve told him is that he needs to talk to you and follow your instructions. That’s all.”

Aaron again felt studied through Carter’s glare, “You can’t tell him the truth. It will ruin everything. He needs to draw closer to God of his own volition. Telling him could drive him further away.”

“Then you need to get back to work, Carter,” Aaron said, pointing at him. “Sitting here sulking only gives the enemy time to drive him further from God. Remember, this is your task to complete.”

Carter’s eyes went back to his cup, rotating it in its saucer. He exhaled, “I’m not sure if I can, Aaron.”

There is your snippet Writing Community. I had a little bit of difficulty at first writing Carter troubled since he was so confident in the first installment. But the more I began to write him, the more natural it became. I did have to be cautious about how far I went with it, though. So, not only is this installment a love story, it is as much about Carter finding himself again. Aaron is his past success story that aids him in finding himself again. And he will be the bridge that helps Carter and Derrick mend the issues that exist between them.

Visit Jeff S. Bray Facebook and Twitter pages for more

I have a Facebook and Twitter page that has something going on every day of the week. I’ve also started to build my Instagram page as well. Come on over, follow, and interact with my pages and share them out!! Here’s 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 Two Twenty-Two Tuesday – I post a weekly video where I talk about writing or something that’s been on my heart, all in two minutes and twenty-two seconds. This will be posted on my YouTube page and shared on Twitter and Facebook.

—Wednesday is when I post my blog for the week. – I’m attempting to make this regular, but it is sporadic at best.

—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 interesting or obscure facts.

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

I’m trying to make my site and pages fun and engaging. Something that people look forward to visiting. It’s been something that has been on my heart (pun intended) for a long time and I’m now acting on it. I’d love your support!! I’m also finding ways to link these over to Twitter because I’ve been more active on that platform lately than on Facebook.

Important Links!!

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

–The Five Barred Gate is 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.

–You can see all updates regarding the progress of The Transference, publication dates, and appearances.

Little Reminders of Who I Am

The Five Barred Gate

Elissa the Curious Snail Series

Fellow Warriors, I also have a somewhat weekly blog that is posted in between these snippets. I would love to hear your thoughts. You can also follow me on Twitter as I am a regular over there.

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

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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 into how the mind of a writer works and a behind-the-scenes look at works before they hit bookstands everywhere.