Moments for the Heart

Hey Writing Community. Holy guacamole what an eventful week. My head is still spinning. First of all, I spoke with my publisher, WordCrafts Press, and they gave me a release date for Little Reminders of Who I Was. — October 6, 2022. I can’t believe it!! I will have two novels released this year!! It’ll be perfect timing too because Little Reminders takes place during the Thanksgiving holiday. Keep an eye on FB and Twitter as well as the Little Reminders of Who I Was tab here for all the latest info.

In other news, I’m getting back into my Freelancing career. I picked up a client and am diving back into Insurance Copywriting. If you remember, about a year and a half ago, I was a Copy Editor for an Agency. Well, I look to head back to working for them as well. I am excited for that opportunity.

Finally, I am well into The Five Barred Gate II. This sequel takes place roughly 20 years after the events of the first book and will follow the life of Michael; Jacob and Renae’s son. He was two-years-old in the first novel. The U.S. has grown much darker and the action will grab from the get-go. This should get interesting.

One final reminder, The Transference will hit shelves on May 11. This is the Crime Thriller I introduced you to last year. The cover is a bit behind, but will be coming soon, I am eager to promote it.

Okay, we are all caught up. Here we go for this week’s snippet. If you missed any post, you can catch up here.

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:

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.”

Here we go with the completion of this exchange and the chapter:

“Then perhaps you need a little help from a friend.” Aaron placed the Bible that was at his side on top of the table. Carter’s neck cocked to the side as his eyebrows furrowed, then a burst of recognition lit up his face, “Derrick’s Bible? But how…”

“Don’t worry about how I got it. Just know that you are not alone now. You and I will work on this together.”

“This was in my—”

“Shoebox. Yes, I know.”

Carter looked down at the Bible. He picked it up and held it with familiarity. Aaron remembered that Derrick said his mom and Carter had a discussion in his living room. If his mom was an assignment, could there have been more than one? This Bible could have more of a history than anyone knew.

“Again. Let’s say we’re in this to help Derrick together. You don’t have to do this alone. You helped save my life. The least I can do is help you save another.”

Carter looked up at Aaron, and for the first time, a smile peaked across his face. It wasn’t the glowing beam he was used to, but it was a hint of the Carter that once was. Maybe it was the hope Aaron was giving him. He had made the effort that the visitor had instructed him to, now the results seemed to be taking effect. Aaron just hoped it would be enough to reignite the fire that was once in Carter to complete his assignment and save Derrick’s soul.

There is this week’s snippet Writing Community. I am one tired mongoose. (that’s my wife’s saying) I’m just glad to get back in the swing of things. God is good and I am blessed. It looks like Carter is ready to get back into it as well. This closes this chapter and snippets for Little Reminders for a bit. I am considering dropping a few snippets from The Five Barred Gate II for the next few weeks. I am two chapters in right now. And this book, like the first gets going from page one. — See you next week warriors. Be blessed.

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.