Moments for the Heart

Hey Weekend Writing Warriors. Well here we go. Another week, another snippet. Only this week will be a bit different. I will be on the road while you read it. I am taking a much needed break from it all. Heading up to Dallas then hooking around to Jackson then down to New Orleans and then back to Texas. We had planned a much larger trip up through Tennessee, but it just didn’t work out this time. It’s all good. Getting away will do all of us some good. Just glad I found the time to get y’all this snippet!! You can catch with past entries here.

The Five Barred Gate is a Dystopian Suspense novel that takes place about 20 years after the events after the first novel. It surrounds the life of Michael, Jacob’s son. He faces the same, but different challenges his father faced. Times are much more difficult. I am excited to revisit this world. I love my characters and getting to revisit the Dystopian genre.

SYNOPSIS:

Still working on a full synopsis:

Michael Andrews is Jacob’s son. He is now the main character. His wife has been arrested for talking to someone on her trip to the store about God. Now he must find a way to fight for her release and raise their twins. He has the help of Rachel’s grandfather Frank Dunham, his parents, and a supportive attorney that will do their best to protect Rachel. But they must fight Federal and local laws that are even more strict than what his father had to deal with. They must also struggle with a corrupt accuser and an old family adversary to ensure justice is served and Rachel is able to come home to her family.

>>>If you are curious about the first novels snippets, I have them archived: Here is a link to them if you want to read up on The Fiver Barred Gate <<<

SNIPPET:

Summary:
In this week’s snippet we are still with Johnathan and Xavier. Dr. Houston’s attorney has just dropped the bomb that his client wants Rachel to spend serious time in jail and want money as well. We pick up from there. You can catch up with the past snippets here.


—First, here is a bit from last week:


“All because my client invited her to church?” Johnathan asked, grateful that he was able to maintain his composure.

“It seems that way,” the opposing lawyer nodded. He pushed a file folder across the table. “I’m afraid this deal is non-negotiable. The ink was dry even before I touched it. I’m sorry.”

“Non-negotiable?” Johnathan said.

“The only two who can alter the document are the client and the judge at sentencing.”

We pick up in the middle of Johnathan and Xavier Ford conversation in a conference room.

Johnathan snorted. He knew how likely either of them was likely to budge. Not only in this case but in any case, brought to trial. It was the entire reason cases went to trial, to exact justice. Or rather the form of justice that fits the day’s definition. That, too, was ever changing.

 “Can Mrs. Andrews be released on her own recognizance?”

“I doubt my client will go for that, but I can ask,” Xavier shrugged.

Johnathan sat back in his chair and sighed, “You know this was much easier when judges could handle stuff like this. Laws have gotten frustrating.”


::There is your ten (or so). Here is a bit more for good measure.

“For you and me both. JSI2399 and the Anti Discrimination Act took a lot of power away from the system and put it into the offended party’s hands. Heh. Even I have to watch what I say to my client. She’s a feisty one. And please don’t repeat that, or I will be on that side of the table with you.”

“I’m not looking to get anyone in trouble. I’m just trying to get Mrs. Andrews home to her children and husband. Even if it is temporary.”

With a sigh, Xavier Ford removed his glasses and placed them in his pocket. “Understandable. But I have my client’s best interests to represent, even if they are contrary to my own beliefs in what’s right. I’m sorry, Johnathan, my hands are tied. The only hope your client has is if the judge is in a forgiving mood or my client gets on her bad side. But either way, this goes to trial.”

“I get it, I do. But don’t think I won’t go down without a fight. I will dig into your client’s past and uncover anything I can to get this thrown out. False accusations or a history of abuse of the system.”

“She’s not a plant, Johnathan, if that is what you are hinting at. They don’t exist anymore. And don’t even try to bring that up. I know about the ‘Andrews family history.’ Jacob Andrews is a well-known name; don’t think we aren’t privy to his connection to Rebecca.”

Johnathan squinted at the mention of Jacob, “Why would you bring Jacob into this? What does his history have to do with Rebecca?”

“C’mon, John. Do you think I’m stupid? Everyone knows about what happened in this town twenty years ago between the Andrews family, that pastor, and Official Nathan Edwards.”

“I’m afraid you’ve lost me,” Johnathan said. He had heard the stories but wasn’t quite sure the connection Xavier was trying to make.

“You still think there are plants out there and that Rachel is being targeted by one of them. Mind you, perhaps not because she is an Andrews, but because she was forced into a situation she was unprepared for.”

“That’s insane. I thought no such thing. I’m trying to defend my client from an outrageous law that shouldn’t be on the books to begin with.”

Here is where we get a bit into what occurred in the previous book. Jacob Andrews had a history in the town with being arrested for speaking his mind against an Official named Nathan Edwards. While in prison he met a pastor named Eric Lassiter. The three of them… have a history. Plants were used to infiltrate the pastors church to make false accusations against him that he said things in his sermons in violation of the federal laws that existed. This was one of the reasons he was in prison with Jacob in the first novel. Now you are up to date and this snippet may make a bit more sense.

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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. — I am way behind on this… sorry.
This is posted on my YouTube channel.

Wednesday is when I 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.

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Featured Titles

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THIS WEEK’S WRAP-UP

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT:
Thanks for reading this week. And for your continued support.

Well I hope this posted correctly. I wont know because I will be somewhere between Dallas, TX and Jackson, MS. So, I won’t be able to comment on anyone’s posts on time. I will try on Thursday when I get back into town. I do hope y’all will comment below on Michaels and Rebecca’s journey. Talk to you next week.

I was not able to get a blog written this week, nor a vlog. I was too busy working to get ready for this trip. You can still see my latest blog and vlog. I keep those up indefinitely.

Here’s to living the dream. God bless Writing Warriors!!

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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.

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