Hey Writing Community. Here we are with a new week and snippet. AND a new appearance to my blog. I’ve been meaning to do this for a LONG time. This last week I finally got to it. I’d love your impression of it and thank you to those who gave me advice on getting it this far. I’ve been made aware there is an issue with reading it on iPhones because the background image does not appear as intended. It’s supposed to be all sky, when somehow the background image slips into the ground and it shows up, thus washing out the text. UGH, iPhones. Had that issue with the old style not showing my black background and just showing the yellow text, washing out everything.
Well, enough of that, here we go with a new snippet. Hope you enjoy it and the new look. Thanks again for your support.
SYNOPSIS:
Current Expanded Novel Synopsis:
Detective James “Grady” Gradiosa, is a Savannah, Georgia detective who recently transferred from Atlanta. He relocated after his wife, Elizabeth, was promoted with her real estate firm. He is placed under the charge of Lieutenant Daniel Masters, a gruff 27-year Major Crimes veteran. They are immediately handed a case that will change their lives. Grady is the first to see the abnormalities. But will the rest of the team listen in time? There is a murder on the loose in South Georgia. For some reason, the killer leaves their final victim alive just before committing suicide by cop. But why? Masters and Grady must find out before it’s too late and the killer strikes again.
SNIPPET:
— For this week’s snippet we will continue from where we left off last week.
First a bit of last week’s snippet.—
“This may be speculation, but when we were passing a dock earlier in our approach to Tanner’s cabin, we spotted a lone dock with a boat tied to it.” Nettles began.
“And now it isn’t there?” Grady asked.
“No, sir. It isn’t,” Nettles said.
“Have you witnessed any activity on the water?”
“No sir, nothing at all?”
“Understood,” Grady said. “Return to Tanner’s dock. But proceed with caution. Then head up to the house and meet up with LaCrosse and Branson. Keep eyes and ears open, Nettles.”
“10-4,” Nettles replied.
WE PICK UP RIGHT WHERE WE LEFT OFF:
Well sort of. We are jumping ahead a few paragraphs. Ryan and Nettles make it to the dock and exchange in a bit of conversation that is BG info on characters and not pertinent to the scene so I’m jumping ahead a bit. They’ve reached the shore and are now splitting up to search the shoreline.
NEW SNIPPET:
“Understood,” Ryan said, unholstering his weapon and heading off. He scanned the tree line on each side of the shore. On his side of the cabin, his walk led him up a small incline. He was able to see through the tree line in front of him. While he couldn’t see a path in the distance, he was able to make out the dock where the boat had been.
Nettles’ path was flatter. Ryan could see her the entire way. He nodded as she made a gesture toward the house. The two officers crossed a hill covered with dead grass, their weapons facing the ground. They met at the center of the path that led from the deck.
“See anything?” Nettles asked.
“Nothing other than the deck where the missing boat was at,” Ryan said.
“That confirms our theory. Thoran must have escaped on that boat.” Nettles said.
“Damn,” Ryan said.
“You took the words out of Masters’ mouth.”
Nettles keyed her radio, “We’re approaching the house, Grady. We’re on top of a knoll and have a pretty good view of the dock where that boat got away. Good chance it was Thoran.”
“Damn,” Grady said. letting the radio squelch. “Alright, proceed with caution.”
“Understood.”
“Do you have a visual on LaCrosse and Branson?”
“Not yet. We’re approaching the house now,” Nettles said, stepping up to the rear entry.
Branson opened the back door. “Welcome to the party, gentlemen.”
Nettles cleared her throat.
Branson lowered his head and corrected himself, “Sorry, gentleman and lady.”
Nettles laughed, then pointed to the water. “There was a boat tied to a dock about a quarter-mile upstream when we approached earlier. It was still there when we retreated. When we were asked to return, it was gone. We believe it was part of this property and how Tanner slipped out of here.”
“Damn,” Branson said.
“Seems to be the phase of the day,” Nettles snickered.
Ryan stepped onto the deck, catching his breath. He held up a finger and took a deep breath, then exhaled. “There are heavy footprints heading in the direction of the pier leading from the house. He—”
“She,” both Branson and Nettles say in unison.
“Yeah,” Ryan said. “Well, whoever made those prints was running fast. They left here and went to the pier. If it was her, Thoran left on that boat.”
Yes, Writing Warriors. It appears Thoran has slipped through their fingers. He, rather she, has escaped once again. There is an interesting clue there about the overall premise of how this killer functions. (And before I get concerned mail about the overuse of ‘Damn’ in this scene, there is a purpose to it. One has to take previous scenes into account. It’s kind of explained through our character’s reactions to its use.) Ahh, I am immensely excited for The Transference to be released. I’ve noticed that my publisher has begun to tease it on Social Media. So that’s an encouragement. There was one on Instagram today. That tells me that the cover designer is working on my cover as we speak. I can’t wait to get it and share it with you guys. Thanks again for your support. AND please let me know what you think of this new design. Even if you don’t like it. I have been wanting to redesign it for a while now.
Visit Jeff S. Bray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more!!
Head on over to check out my Facebook and Twitter pages and follow them both. They have something new and exciting happening every day of the week. I’m also building up my Instagram page.
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Here’s what you can expect to find there:
Monday is Memory Monday
We remember an important event that occurred on that Monday or sometime that particular week.
Tuesday is Two Twenty-Two Tuesday
A weekly vlog where I talk about writing or something that’s been on my heart, all in two minutes and twenty-two seconds. This is posted on my YouTube channel and shared on Twitter and Facebook.
Wednesday is when I will post my blog for the week.
I speak from my heart on various topics from writing to faith.
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Make your choice on all my social media platforms.
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I find and share interesting or obscure facts.
Saturday is for Weekend Writing Warriors
Saturday is for Snippets from a current piece or past work.
I do my best to make this site 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 love your support!! I’m also finding ways to link these over to Twitter because I am more active on that platform than on Facebook.
Important Links!!
– Little Reminders of Who I Am is available 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 Little Reminders and TFBG direct from me on my Home Page. The benefit of buying direct is you will receive a personalized signed copy!! Great as gifts for the reader in your family.
–My Children’s series, Elissa the Curious Snail is also on Amazon. There are 4 books about an adorable snail teaching children about prayer and believing in themselves.
–You can read all updates regarding the progress of The Transference, publication dates, and appearances. The release date will be May 11, 2022. Visit the link ^^ above for where I will be appearing and other release info.
Elissa the Curious Snail Series
Fellow Warriors, I also have a weekly blog that is posted in between these snippets. I would love to hear your thoughts. You can also follow me on Twitter. I am a regular over there. I do have a Medium page that I post from time to time. I mainly talk about Children’s Learning and am currently posting my Children’s stories there.
AND for your little warriors running around I now have many of my Children’s Short Stories on this website. These 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. They make great bedtime or anytime short stories.
Thank you for visiting and for your support. God bless you!!
In His Exciting Service,
Jeff S. Bray
Check out Weekend Writing Warriors!!
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.
Moments for the Heart 
Word of the day. LOL! This moves wonderfully, Jeff. I was looking for more . . . but I’ll have to wait. Hurry up, next week.
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I am hurry up for three weeks. Release day!! Although, as I’ve posted, no cover yet… sigh. We shall see what happens. They haven’t publicly announced the release date. So that’s always fluid.
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Enjoyed the snippet – their professional frustration came through loud and clear. Congratulations on the spiffy new website decor too!
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Thanks. And thank you. I have friends in high places with good eyes. Although, I have been told that it looks odd on iPhones. The background image slides and the ground shows making the words unreadable. 😦 Not sure what to do about that. It doesn’t do that on my Samsung.
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God looking website. Easy to read on my computer. I don’t read blogs on my phone. This snippet makes the reader ask questions–always a good thing. More, more, please. 🙂
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Thanks, Diane. I appreciate the feedback. We will have two more I believe.
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All I could think by the end was, find that boat! Great snippet! And the background looks amazing btw!
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