Moments for the Heart

Well here we are Christmas Eve and Day. Merry Christmas Weekend Writing Warrior family, friends and all those just dropping by to read my novel snippets. I hope you received all you wanted this year. I hope you were able to find a service to attend and celebrate the true meaning of this season; the birth of our Savior Jesus. I couldn’t do half of what I do without the strength He gives me. I talk about you guys being a source of strength, well my writing cocktail is a blend of sources. But my works would be bland and everyone would spit them out without God behind every word I write. He is the source of my strength and He is behind every word I write. He is my strength, you all keep me going on. Thank you for your support. You remind me to keep going back to that source. God bless each of you. It has been an amazing year for me and for all of us.

On another note. Little Reminders of Who I’m Going to Be is now under review with my publisher. Semantics, but I am excited for the process to be finally getting started.

Now let’s get to this week’s snippet.

Synopsis:

Stephanie Marshall is the owner of a successful Charlotte, NC writing firm. She and her staff advertise for some of the biggest names up and down the east coast. Even though the writer’s life is exciting, and her company is in demand, she struggles with the monotony of home life. Stephanie is on the verge of an affair and has chosen to take the next step in that relationship.

… And then there is Carter.

Our angelic friend is back, and he visits Stephanie to teach her three lessons about her life. One that involves her past, one about her present life, and one that will challenge her to the reality of the choices she makes.

SNIPPET:

Summary:
Last time we found Stephanie meeting Carter, our angelic character, although Stephanie doesn’t know this at this point. She is handed a newspaper with her article, with a cryptic message from Carter. Could this mean something? Perhaps in today’s snippet we will find out. We are now back at Stephanie’s office. She is passing out coffee’s to her office staff.

First a bit from last time:
“I find out what they need and help them meet that need.”

“Mmhmm,” Stephanie said, nodding.

The barista called her name, and Stephanie turned her head, “Well, Mr. Jennings, it was a pleasure talking to you. I need to get going.”

“Pleasure was mine.” He smiled. “Oh, and you may want to take this.” Carter handed her his paper. You may find something of interest here.”

“Yes, I know my piece came out today,” Stephanie said.

“Well, take it anyway. I insist. It’s always good to hold onto something special to us. We never know when what we hold dear to us will be lost. Then when it is found again, our joy will be inexplicable. Have a pleasant day, Stephanie.”

Now here we go with our new snippet: (skipping ahead a few paragraphs. Stephanie arriving back at the office and office banter. She expresses some nervousness about delivering Kenneth’s coffee, but he is not in his office. Now she is back in her office. NOTE: We are introduced to many new names this week. These are Stephanie’s staff members. As a reminder she owns a writing agency. )


Stephane removed the lid of her coffee and the steam was still there. She shivered wondering how hot it would’ve been if she had tried to drink it at the shop. It then occurred to her she hadn’t taken a sip talking with the stranger. She also remembered his bizarre goodbye as they parted. She picked up the newspaper and opened it. As the paper unfolded, something fell to the floor. It was a simple single laminated sheet: it was a menu, but not just any menu, her menu. And it wasn’t a photocopy of it; it was the one Jason used to have hanging on his wall, the one he had cherished for years. She knew because their menu had a distinguishing thumbprint stain in the upper corner that a lazy staff member overlooked before the company laminated it. They joked about it all night; it made it unique–it was their menu.

There is your ten (or so). And now we continue on to finish out the scene:

Stephanie nearly dropped her coffee. Then it hit her, “Carter.”

She must’ve said it loud enough because Vanessa stopped at her door, “Who?”

Great, another name to add to the supposition of her philandering. “No one. Someone I met at the coffee shop this morning gave this to me.” She handed her the menu.

“What is it?”

“It’s the menu from the place Jason and I went on our first date,” Stephanie said, her voice still floating in wonder.

“Wow. That’s nice. How did he get it?”

“No, you don’t understand. That menu used to hang in Jason’s office. It was taken in a robbery two years ago.”

“Oh my. You don’t think….”

“No. I don’t know,” Stephanie said, grabbing her wallet, “But I’m going to find out.” She headed toward the door. “Make sure everything is on my desk within the hour. I’ll be right back. I shouldn’t be long.”

“Gotcha, boss,” Vanessa said.

Stephanie darted past a confused Lauren and didn’t even notice Kenneth, who had come out of the conference room. She had little time to talk to anyone. Her mind was set on finding Carter Jennings.

So, Carter has given her something she used to own. This is part of Carter’s job as an angel. And there is a purpose in what he does. For those new to the series, Carter Jennings’ job is to bring people back to God from their troubled lives. He does this through dropping items that have had significance to their life in their path, Little Reminders. So, this menu has had some impact in her life at some point. You can tell somewhat from the content above. It does go deeper though. This is just the beginning for Stephanie. Will these work to bring her back in right relationship with her husband and God?

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Monday is Memory Monday
We remember an important event that occurred on that Monday or sometime that 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.

Wednesday is when I will post my blog for the week.
I speak from my heart on various topics from writing to faith.

Thursday is This or That Thursday
A weekly two-option poll that raises the question, do you like this, or do you prefer that?
I host this on this on Twitter, IG, and Facebook.

Friday is Fun Fact Friday
I find and share interesting or obscure facts on my pages.

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!!

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Thank you for visiting my page this week. I pray you are having a blessed Christmas. Even if you do not celebrate the holiday, I desire for you to understand that God is real. There is a purpose to all of this and if you have been hurt for whatever reason, I pray for your healing and to find comfort in His arms today. If you don’t know him, I pray for His story to become real to you today. I have written a blog all about it. You can find it here. God bless you my friends and writing family. I love you and know that I pray for all of you every day. Go chase and accomplish your dreams. They are there just waiting for you. Never give up. Keep on keeping on!!

In His Exciting Service,

Jeff S. Bray

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.