In recent weeks, some of
you have asked about my second book. I am
happy to report that on July 1, 2013, I finished the first draft of a 55,000
word novel. The working title is A Door
Unlocked, but this could change. In
fact, I’ve gone through several working titles over the course of writing this
book, but I must say, A Door Unlocked gets to the heart of the message.
It’s a Supernatural/Suspense about a two-bit convict
named Bobby Ray Ledbetter who served two years at Parchman Penitentiary
and is due to be released. The prison psychiatrist
isn’t convinced of Bobby Ray’s rehabilitation, but is powerless to
intercede. Here’s a excerpt:
“You’re a free man, Bobby
Ray. Free to make your own
decisions. Free to start all over
again.” The psychiatrist shifted his feet on the floor, hands resting on the table. The serene disposition masked his concern. In his mid-thirties, but only a few years
removed from his doctorate, he realized no one needed a college degree to see
that Bobby Ray Ledbetter was a firebrand.
Combustible. A first-time offender
waiting for a place to repeat.
Indeed, Bobby Ray does
repeat, but this time his crime is murder, rape and kidnapping.
Standing
in a dim pool of light cast by another nightlight at the top of the stairs, he
bent over to pick up his cap and gloves.
That’s when he heard a click.
A
bedroom door opened to his immediate right.
Looking up in time to see the baseball bat bearing down, Bobby Ray’s
massive forearm deflected the brunt of the blow. His other hand grabbed the man wielding the
bat and separated him from his weapon.
Swinging the homeowner against the banister, he pushed with every ounce
of his considerable strength and sent him tumbling over the railing and down
the staircase where he landed with a heavy thud on the carpeted concrete slab.
Without
as much as a moan coming from below, he turned and started in the direction of
muffled, feminine gasps inside the bedroom.
A
Door Unlocked is about shattered innocence and the struggle for one
family to find its way. It involves political intrigue on a local and
state level followed up with supernatural gamesmanship. As of this
writing, I’m working on the second draft, which involves editing and
rewriting to insure flow, continuity, consistency and comprehension.
After that, a beta reader or two will advise.
(If you’d like to beta read, give me a jingle.)
Of course, there’s never
a guarantee, but I’m leaving the door open for a November publishing date. Please visit this blog for updates.
