Moments for the Heart

Hey, Weekend Writing Warriors. What a slow week compared to what I have been going through. Thank the Lord for that. I am feeling blessed about one of my sons. He is taking a huge step and relocating. He had moved to Idaho some years back. Now life is taking him in a new direction and he is moving to Missouri. Wow. Just wow. From freezing his tail-end off to making sure his hatches are battened down.

I am excited for him and seeing what happens next. I would have stories about my other kids, if they would keep in contact… but if you are parents of adult kids, you know how that goes.

Well, let’s see how it’s going for Johnathan back in the courtroom.

**If you’ve missed out on anything and want to can catch up on past snippets, you can click here.**

SYNOPSIS:

Michael Andrews thought he was far removed from the events his father experienced twenty years ago. He heard the bedtime stories so often, he had driven them out and was barely speaking to his dad. Religion was the last thing he wanted, until it became the only thing that mattered.

A new threat arises; his wife is arrested for talking about God to the wrong person. Now Jacob Andrews may be his only hope. He must lean on him, Rachel’s attorney, and those who understand what occurred twenty years ago and may be happening now when an old adversary returns to wreak havoc, using federal laws to exact revenge on the Andrews family.

Will he succeed, or will justice prevail to set Rachel free?

>>>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:
This Five Barred Gate sequel, is a Dystopian Suspense about what would it be like if freedom of expression liberties were taken from us. In this installment laws have gotten more strict. One could be arrested for simply speaking their mind if another chose to press charges. This multiplied for the Christian community. The laws were strict for Jacob in the first novel, now twenty years later, his son Michael must face his own battles.

Here is a bit from last week:

“I would expect not, gentlemen. Please clear the courtroom if you do not have business here.”

“I am Johnathan Clarke, Your Honor, attorney for Rachel Andrews,” Johnathan said, as apologetic as he could manage.

Judge Charlene Ellison picked up the case file on her bench, lowered her glasses, and read it over. “I am aware of who you are, Mr. Clarke. Please step forward. The accused will be in shortly.”

–We continue in Chapter 15. I am skipping ahead a few paragraphs. We are still with Johnathan in the courtroom, only everyone is now in place. Most of what I passed over is Johnathan’s thoughts as everyone gets into place. However, the attorney is Xavier Ford and the witness, Dr. Marsha Houston have taken their seats.–

“Are we ready to proceed, gentlemen?”

“Yes, Your Honor,” Jonathan and Xavier said in unison.

“Mr. Ford. We heard from you and your witness yesterday. Do you have anything further before we proceed?”

“No, Your Honor, but I would like to refrain from resting with the option for rebuttal.”

“Granted, Counselor,” the judge said. She turned to Johnathan. “Are you ready to present your case, Mr. Clarke?”

“Yes, your honor.”

“If we are ready to proceed, you can bring in the accused and jury, bailiff.”

::There is your ten, but let’s continue on for a little bit.::

On cue, the side door opened, and the jury entered and took their seats. The courts had done a decent job mixing juries, at least at face value: both men and women, a decent mixture of color and race. Johnathan felt encouraged by the faces he saw. However, if a doctor could be bought, a juror would be much easier and for a lower price. He prayed that at least they would be able to see through the game being played.

Once the jury was seated, another bailiff entered, escorting Rachel by the arm. Her wrists were cuffed in front of her, as were her ankles. The shuffling of chains echoed through the room. Jonathan fought off another reaction, but when he saw the fresh bruise across Rachel’s cheek, he could no longer keep silent.

“Your Honor, what’s happened to my client?” Johnathan stood and said a bit too loudly.

“I’m not your client’s keeper, Counselor.”

The bailiff spoke up, “Be wary of your tone when addressing the judge. You can and will be held in contempt.”

“I mean no disrespect. However, I would like answers regarding my client’s condition.”

“Perhaps your client is an instigator just as she has been accused of, Mr. Clarke? Do we need to take this into consideration?” the judge inquired.

Ugh. The urge to continue grows. I loved writing this chapter. I loved writing this book. It was funny. It did take me a minute to get it written as this was the book I wrote and then took a break from it, then sporadically touched here and there. I thought I had rambled in the end. But when I finally edited it, I found there wasn’t much needed. I was excited about it again. And now, I am excited for January 5th when it will be released.

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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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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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