HappyReader Posted October 30, 2009 Posted October 30, 2009 Great to read more of the exploits of the Vegas/Splash crew! Thanks for bringing them back. Small correction: the city where the University of California is located is spelled Berkeley. Looking forward to more, and hopefully some better news in the romance department for Cray.
theschnauzers Posted October 30, 2009 Posted October 30, 2009 (edited) I've tried twice to post my thoughts on this chapter, and both times Windows Vista seems to cause Firefox to freeze up. (This problem only showed up a couple of weeks ago when Microsoft issued a massive 17-part security bulletin, so I'm pretty sure it's them.) Anyhow, I enjoyed this start, andI'm curious to see how the background events (the recession in LV, which took one of the worst hits from the collapse of the mortgage market and the mega-banks); I can see how that can introduce all sorts of conflicts in the story that would be unexpected. (Not that LA would be any better off which tells me you might have fuel for another Splash novel as well.) It will be interesting as well to see how Cray meets the added challenges created by Michael. (I hope Michael finds his new plans backfire a little, no make that a lot.) I have a feeling Spile is going to be in a better position to help Cray deal with the relationship challenge more than Drew and Bob. But that's just speculation on my part, and I'm usually off-base, so I'll shut up now. (All those typos fixed-- that's what happens when I type after 3 am.) Edited October 30, 2009 by theschnauzers
Jack Scribe Posted October 30, 2009 Author Posted October 30, 2009 Small correction: the city where the University of California is located is spelled Berkeley. Whoops...my apologies to that city! BTW, it's great to see two more newbies - kitterykid and HappyReader - posting. The economic situation in Vegas and elsewhere is an undercurrent that runs through the story. No reason to think you're off-base, theschnauzers, speculating about Spike's friendship helping Cray work through his angst. They have a very solid relationship and Spike's a big part of Cray's support system. BTW #2. Was at a screening last night of Up In The Air- George Clooney's new film that will be released in December. In the midst of a background that features company downsizings and staff reductions, this will be THE comedy of the year. You heard it first here. It's the latest film from screenwriter/director, Jason Reitman. His last hit was Juno.
MikeL Posted November 3, 2009 Posted November 3, 2009 Chapter 2 is great, Jack. It seems times are tough all over. I know I'm glad to be retired. I'm thinking Cray has some good friends including Spike and Henry. Look forward to seeing what happens there. Memphis pizza! Mmmmm! Haven't had that in a while.
Conner Posted November 3, 2009 Posted November 3, 2009 Another great chapter, Jack! I know it can't be easy depressing your readership the way you did in this chapter! I'm glad Spike is back into the story already. Missed him. More love lost. Really a lousy way for Lou to handle the breakup. You do really great dialogue, Jack!
Tiger Posted November 3, 2009 Posted November 3, 2009 It's perfect. Now that Lou and Michael are history, maybe Cray and Spike can pick up the pieces together... just a thought.
amBIguoustwo Posted November 3, 2009 Posted November 3, 2009 It's perfect. Now that Lou and Michael are history, maybe Cray and Spike can pick up the pieces together... just a thought. I had the same thought (and the thought of it is pretty hot!). Spike could teach Cray a thing or two, I bet.
Jack Scribe Posted November 3, 2009 Author Posted November 3, 2009 Chapter 2 It seems times are tough all over. I know I'm glad to be retired. I'm thinking Cray has some good friends including Spike and Henry. Look forward to seeing what happens there. Memphis pizza! Mmmmm! Haven't had that in a while. It must be a little scary, MikeL, for students coming out of school and finding out that jobs aren't that easy to come by. Memphis pizza is an item on the Metro Pizza place in Las Vegas. Sounded yummy! Yes, Connor, Lou was rather cowardly about the way he broke up...but Spike wasn't too surprised. Lou means well (most of the time) but suffers from a big case of silverspoon-itis. I've always liked Spike and it is good to have him around again. He and Cray have been close friends from the beginning. Hope I didn't depress the readers too much by starting this volume with a series of downers. Tiger proposes a possibility...but don't count his younger brother, Henry, down for the count. And don't forget, amBiguoustwo, that Spike did teach Cray a lot in the love department - verbally - in the previous volume.
Kev de Cauchery Posted November 4, 2009 Posted November 4, 2009 Glad Spike is back. Love him in his series. Another great chap. Jack. Can't wait. BTW, i think i love the downers for the opening. Things can't get worse. LOL.
Tiger Posted November 4, 2009 Posted November 4, 2009 Tiger proposes a possibility...but don't count his younger brother, Henry, down for the count. And don't forget, amBiguoustwo, that Spike did teach Cray a lot in the love department - verbally - in the previous volume. Ah yes. I can see the possibilities with Henry. However, I do recall that Cray was only interested in him purely as a f**k buddy before. Things could change, but if that does not change, it's likely that Cray will look elsewhere. He's legal now, and he seemed to take a liking to Spike.
theschnauzers Posted November 4, 2009 Posted November 4, 2009 Another great piece of the set-up, as I don't think we're quite done laying the groundwork for the story. Looks like to me that Spike and Cray are in very similar circumstances being dumped on little notice by their ex-es and having to rebuild their lives. Maybe there's more to this big bro - little bro thing they have than we had thought.
Jack Scribe Posted November 4, 2009 Author Posted November 4, 2009 Maybe there's more to this big bro - little bro thing they have than we had thought. We'll see. As Tiger points out, Cray is 100% legal to follow his heart with anyone...but there'll be a lot of guys out there when the time is right.
amBIguoustwo Posted November 6, 2009 Posted November 6, 2009 I find it so amusing that these artificial characters can mean so much to me. It is a testament to the author's skill. Lou's shabby treatment of Spike doesn't bother me, because I don't expect much of Lou. Michael, however, is a little shit and it will be a while before I can forgive him!
theschnauzers Posted November 7, 2009 Posted November 7, 2009 We'll see. As Tiger points out, Cray is 100% legal to follow his heart with anyone...but there'll be a lot of guys out there when the time is right. Actually Jack, I had intended a different meaning than what you took from my earlier comment, but that's OK. Both of them are in similar situations right now, and how they'lll likely get something from each other in dealing with their similar circumstances. What that something is could be anything.
Jack Scribe Posted November 7, 2009 Author Posted November 7, 2009 I find it so amusing that these artificial characters can mean so much to me. I grow attached to the characters of the stories. It is fun to revisit them in follow-up volumes. theschnauzers is correct - Cray and Spike can help each other in dealing with the "dumpee" situation.
Conner Posted November 11, 2009 Posted November 11, 2009 I really had a tough time getting through chapter 3. The good news is it wasn't because of your writing ...which is always superb, Jack. I was not impressed with Jack Gamble's reasoning around leaving his son. Yes, his ex was a total bitch, but even with that there's no justification for leaving his son the way he did. Sons need their fathers. I guess that's a pet peeve of mine. The other thing was Drew's concept of being more a best friend to Cray, rather than a "parent". Again, a pet peeve of mine. Cray has friends. I don't believe he needs another friend in Drew. Yes, he's an adult, but just barely. I believe Cray still very much needs the "rock" that Drew (and Bob) have been to him. I hate getting emotional.
Librent Posted November 11, 2009 Posted November 11, 2009 Hi JacK, great to see you continuing this series. i was suprised by breakup of Cray & Micheal but not so much at Lou & Spike. Hopefully both Cray and Spike can move forward and find partners/ boyfriends that have the same goals in life as they do. Nice to see Jack Gamble enter the story so soon as well. I agree with Conner on both cf his pet peeves. Boys do need their fathers even if the situation is difficult some sort of contact should be maintined. Also I think Drew is trying to let go of the apron strings a little too quick Cray may have turned 18 but it would still be beneficial to him to have a father/parent figure in his life. I'm 44 and I wish I had either of my Dads still alive. Woops didn't mean to to get so serious Conner Posted Today, 02:56 PM I really had a tough time getting through chapter 3. The good news is it wasn't because of your writing ...which is always superb, Jack. I was not impressed with Jack Gamble's reasoning around leaving his son. Yes, his ex was a total bitch, but even with that there's no justification for leaving his son the way he did. Sons need their fathers. I guess that's a pet peeve of mine. The other thing was Drew's concept of being more a best friend to Cray, rather than a "parent". Again, a pet peeve of mine. Cray has friends. I don't believe he needs another friend in Drew. Yes, he's an adult, but just barely. I believe Cray still very much needs the "rock" that Drew (and Bob) have been to him. I hate getting emotional.
Jack Scribe Posted November 11, 2009 Author Posted November 11, 2009 I knew this chapter would cause some controversy. Jack's decision to leave/desert Cray obviously wasn't the fatherly thing to do. He was swayed by the wife's threat to falsely accuse him of child molestation...which would have meant being thrown in jail for several years. That decision, however, has haunted him forever. Drew and Bob are still there as loving adults; to support Cray as situations arise. Whether they're called 'dads' or 'best friends', I felt this would be a natural transition period in this nuclear family relationship. I hope that this will come through better in chapters ahead. 1
Tiger Posted November 14, 2009 Posted November 14, 2009 That was a good chapter. I think people should refrain from raking Jack Gamble over the coals. That is a difficult situation. Prison time is a scary thought for anyone, and having a conniving bitch of a wife/ex-wife isn't easy either. I happen to know of a situation where a woman actually had charges brought against her ex-husband accusing him of molesting their daughter. The allegations were false, and luckily, the case was eventually thrown out. I suspect that Jack Gamble will have a chance to clear things up in the near future. He's definitely not the bad guy. People should cut him some slack.
Jack Scribe Posted November 14, 2009 Author Posted November 14, 2009 ...I suspect that Jack Gamble will have a chance to clear things up in the near future. He's definitely not the bad guy. People should cut him some slack. Thanks, Tiger for your comment. Jack didn't undertand the ramifications of his flight those several years ago. That the wife would continue to hold this threat over his head and cut off any communication with Cray were situations he didn't anticipate.
MikeL Posted November 17, 2009 Posted November 17, 2009 Just read Chapter 4...another good one, Jack. I would say Spence is an interesting addition to the cast of characters. I look forward to how he eventually relates to everyone else. I could speculate, but I'm usually wrong when I do.
Conner Posted November 17, 2009 Posted November 17, 2009 A much happier chapter, Jack! Really enjoyed it! I like the new character, Spence, too. Seems really hot...always a welcome addition. He comes off a lot like Spike for some reason. So now Drew sees himself as the good samaritan. That's funny. That was a good scene - between Drew and Spence. Looking forward to the Spence - Brad "interview" in the next chapter.
Tiger Posted November 17, 2009 Posted November 17, 2009 Spence sounds nice... a bubble butt and a big dick. I'm also wondering how he fits into this new story. That should be interesting to find out. I hope we see a LOT more of him.
HappyReader Posted November 17, 2009 Posted November 17, 2009 OK, so I was going to say that Spence sounds like a really nice guy and a wonderful big brother, but Tiger posted what I really mean.
Jack Scribe Posted November 17, 2009 Author Posted November 17, 2009 A much happier chapter, Jack! Really enjoyed it! I like the new character, Spence, too. Seems really hot...always a welcome addition. He comes off a lot like Spike for some reason. So now Drew sees himself as the good samaritan. That's funny. That was a good scene - between Drew and Spence. Looking forward to the Spence - Brad "interview" in the next chapter. I think, Connor, after three rather somber chapters, it was time for a little fun. And you picked up that samaritans come in different flavors...expecially in Las Vegas. As HappyReader pointed out, Tiger made some very astute comments.
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