Unedited and rough as always. It’s a bit past 40k words.
………..
“Lee’s learning to speak so pretty and tactfully,” Gordon said, amused. “I’m sure the message was more like, “If you think you can cross me on this I’ll have Gordon skin you out and make a hand puppet out of you.”
Lee didn’t dignify that with a response, but there was no embarrassing silence to cover, because the Mothers were all laughing.
“Don’t look so serious and offended, Dear,” the first Mum said. “We have Garrett easing into his role as Champion, and I think he’s going to be a fine one, but if I wanted to scare the Fargoers spitless I’d threaten them with Gordon myself. You shouldn’t need to, if only they knew you better, but it’s not a kindness to threaten people with something they might ignore to their peril.
“Know me better?” Lee asked.
“Yes, the Badgers didn’t see you sit there and tell the First Mother she was flat out wrong, and offer shoot it out with her with hypervelocity pistols,” she said making a menacing gun with her true hand. “As much as I’m glad you are both alive and well, there’s still the occasional thought that creeps in when I remember it, that we missed a major spectacle. You were ready to DO it. Little thing you were,” the Mother said, acknowledging her growth spurt, “you scared the snot out of half the clan that day.”
“I can get carried away when I’m indignant,” Lee admitted. “I’ll be sixteen in a few days. I’m aware I have to work on some maturity and dignity.”
“That’s good. You can keep working on those qualities when you go represent us to the Lunar governments,” the first Mother said. The other two nodded like this was already expected, though they hadn’t had any privacy to discuss it among themselves.
“I what?” Lee protested, mouth hanging open.
“Well, it was your idea. You said we need to go there or send an emissary. Didn’t you?”
“Yes, but I wasn’t volunteering,” Lee said, looking stricken.
“No need. That’s how we Mothers are. If a fellow comes up to us and says, “We really need a new drainage ditch running out of the east pasture.” We hand him a shovel. Who better than the guy with mud on his boots? He knows where to dig, and has an interest in doing it right. Your clan can call on your services. Consider yourself called.”
Okay, I’m sold. Where’s the purchase now button?
Yep, me too. Ready to buy, right now!
If I remember correctly, there’s a stand-alone book coming out first, before FL4. Any thoughts on when that might be?
Not sure. I go back and forth between them according to which muse is poking me.
I’m eager to see either or both! Thanks for all your hard work; I know I speak for many.
Just waiting and checking your website frequently ?
Take my money!
Please! Take my money!
Mac when is the expected publication month? Rough guess acceptable and subject to unanticipated changes
Still several months is as close as I can say. Probably going to have two or three pretty close together.
Whether it’s this one or the standalone, I’ll buy anything Mac publishes. Since I’ve picked up April, and subsequently everything else, he hasn’t written a bad book yet. Take your time and get it right like you always do. I can wait patiently.
Ah, I’m normally not one giving out animal sounds – but I’m certain there was some purring to hear from me just now 🙂
Thanks for the teaser!
Very nice! Looking forward to whatever the next book is.
Looking forward to the finished product.
I’m glad I put my drink down before I laughed. It would have hurt to blow it out my nose. +1 for looking forward to your new books.
I am glad to see Mothers have a sense of humor to go with their assertiveness.
From their behavior so far, they seem more managers than leaders; people do what Mothers say, but they want to follow people (Derf) like Gordon. Or Lee.
Any hope for another snippet soon?
Yes. : )
So there was a chance but not much of one?
not soon
Only one small comment – Louisiana doesn’t use front license plates.
Great little story. Thanks.
The things that trip you up . . . . .
Does this one have a name yet?
Loving it so far
I’m thinking of – “A Hop Skip and a Jump”
Will the April series make it to audiobook sometime soon?
I have a fellow interested. He does regular editing and has been busy getting that established. He asked for a couple months before we talk about that, and it’s been a couple months. I need to message him.
That would be outstanding! I currently re-listen to the April books as I fall asleep using TTS software!
Huh, Mal just read my thoughts.
I was pondering of asking the same just this week.
Would love to hear&buy your books as audio edition too.
And if there is somewhere a suggestion button, I would really love it with different voices (until now I just own books of M.K.Eidem implementing that) ^^
If there’s a money issue here – I’m sure a kickstarter would get your bills paid pretty quickly. I know I’d donate for an audiobook.
I love this series enough I’d put some SERIOUS money down for all of the April and FL books in audio book format with a decent narrator.
A recommendation to my fellow fans who are looking for something to read while we’re waiting for the next April installment to come out: Tanager’s Fledglings by Cedar Sanderson. I found it enjoyable and will certainly read book 2 when it comes out.
Cedar is a friend.
Thanks Joyce, I tried Tanager’s Fledglings and it’s prequel. I enjoyed them both and look forward to her next book. Still waiting for next Family Law and next April, when Mac says we are close I will reread all the books leading up to the new one
We are all being very quiet so as not to disturb you while typing …. click click … howz ya doin?
Iz doin’ fine.
Mac I really like your balance of Hard Sci build explanation and plot pace. Its not so far in the weeds that you need to get out a physics text book. You do a great job of showing development that then contributes to a rising action in plot pace. Most Sci fi fails here, its either in the weeds (overly detailed) or might as well be magic for its connection to reality. Thanks for the good work. I look forward to your next book.
^ what he said.
Thank you.
Snippet please
soon
How soon is soon?
It is probably relative … depends how close to light speed your generational sub-light ship is.
I’m so massive time is warped around me….
Can I use that line on my wonderful spouse when she gently encourages me to lose weight?
No copyright.
quoting the donkey: are we there yet?
Is it now soon? Or still too soon?
Snippets please
1 thousand years is soon when you know that the solar system is only some billions years young.
Mac, its been 67 days since the last snippet and your MTBS (mean time between snippets) this year is 31 days… I’m getting a bit snippy. :-))
Please calm down, don’t do it. Mac needs his fingers to write, you mustn’t snip them off :O
The little section I’m doing right now can be a snippet without giving away spoilers. Will post some of it when it’s done.
Dear friends, let’s remember that Mac is a writer of BOOKS and he is working hard to produce the books we enjoy so much as quickly as possible. He doesn’t actually owe us any snippets! Whining at him like kids in the back seat may distract him from the books—-as my mom said to us kids more than once, long years ago: “Don’t make me stop this car!”
Joyce you are spot on.
Hey Mac,
Any time frame on when the next book is coming out?
2/3 done so looking at 2 months I’d guess. Never any promises. I don’t pre-sell and set deadlines. I don’t do this to eat. Although I am enjoying the truck it bought.
Thank you for the update it is appreciated.
Thanks you Mac. Looking forward to it.