Resending (sorry, can't seem to work out the family updates section)

My oldest came back from college (Univ of Arkansas) for the weekend, my middle daughter turned 18, and my youngest just about has her standing back-flip nailed. I haven't tried adding a video in a while... let me know how this goes.

Busy (but very good) family time, and busy with work, so my writing got the short end of the stick for a bit. But lets face it, that's the right call.
Click here to be removed from family content.

Shepherds of Truth — the last two weeks
Two fresh chapters landed. One more chapter and I have all the major threads of the story written. The new job’s using the same creativity muscles as the book, so I’m pacing for steady wins each week—and it’s working (more or less). There's definitely some holes in the story... gaps rather... not missing pieces so much as incomplete pieces.

Spoiler-safe taste
Think you know the POV—which two characters square off in this scene—without names? Let me know your guesses.

I rose slowly, keeping my palms open, giving him no reason to pounce, while my words told a different story. “Turn and walk away.”

“You won’t let them die.” He sounded certain. He sounded like the man who had once asked me to be his wife in a swamp blooming with white crowns.

I centered myself, using the time he gave me to consider his proposal, readying my magic. Then, I shifted my stance.

“Don’t,” he warned, voice rough with sudden anger.

I lunged for the gem, but he was ready. He caught my arm mid-leap, his grip grinding bone. He turned, dragging me against him—a parody of the wedding dance we never consummated. I wanted to plunge my dagger into his back, but he pinned my arms to the point where the best I could hope for was scratching him. The press of him against my stomach turned the moment cruel. The child inside twisted, alarmed, as if sensing the danger. Even breathing hurt.

All books by Steven J. Morris