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I could agree with you Mark is a master and this saga is unbelievable. As for the storyline, you never know what will happen, that it the reason we came back over and over again.

I have been looking forward to this new chapter. Honestly knowing that George will be going home is a gift to us and him. I can only wonder what will happen to him when he gets there. George has a close relationship with the new Tsar. He has a loving wife and children. How will this new government receive him? Maybe even more important what about Lord St. Vincent. I hope that Spencer will pave the way so he is welcomed home with all the honor that he deserves. I can not see a captain like George being sidelined during a war. The masses will not let that happen. I am hoping the king will help too. Even though the government has changed Pitt is still in the background. I am looking forward to that happy ending that Mark so loves. In some ways this has been one of the most dangerous books. I have wondered if the saga would end if we lost George.. Thanks God that did not happen. I pray you let George and Charles have a happy and safe trip home.

As you have said here Mark, Will is enjoying his freedom which is natural for a soon to be college freshman. Going to Harvard filled with hot, smart college boys are more his style. I have a feeling that Marie will help him along the way too. This Gap period is a time of exploration, adventure and learning who he is and what he is capable of. He will grow and understand himself so much better when he starts school in the fall. I am hoping he will find someone who can understand him, love him, and maybe more important compliment him. Someone who is both out and can be strong when he is weak. Someone like Jake is to Brad. His soulmate, A person who is his equal both in life and in the bedroom.

God I hope so!! Will deserves that. We all do!!

This is a most interesting chapter. On the surface it would seam just a hook up ( Will and Patrick) but it is much more than that. We get to look into Will's thoughts and mind. How he thinks and maybe even more important how he feels. At first we see him reacting to rejection. For a young man that is a very hard thing to live with, but after the storm passed we see him thinking and sharing his thoughts with the two people he trusts the most JP and Stef. I think it shows us that Will has grown into a bright, caring, thoughtful young man. And that is something that hopefully will guide him the rest of his life. Again this is a very thoughtful chapter. Only four characters and just a little drama but very powerful and moving.

After rereading this chapter again, I am amazed by the person George is. He stands up for what is right no matter what. Admiral Dickson didn't know what hit him. I have the feeling Dickson will be beached. However, We also see George's love for Freddie. Giving him a place to land when he returns home is the act of a true friend. And finally the restored relationship of George and Caroline is priceless. Another awesome chapter. Mark

I just found this new chapter. Just a few things come to mind. First Will doesn't take shit from anyone. It is who he is. The other thing is how he interacts with Steph and JJ. It looks like the problems of the past are gone and they are all close again. I think the relationship with Will and JJ is really sweet. Then how Steph looks after Will is awesome too. I think this Gap time is good for all of them. Sometime we forget the love which binds this family together. Again thank you Mark for another awesome chapter in the life of an awesome person WILL. As for the Donald you captured him perfectly.

i have awaited this chapter with awe and wonder. To hear Chartley''s story and to know what trials he had to suffer was sad. But to see his devotion and love for Batu is heart warming. To hear of their plan for escape is touching. This also sets the plan for the long awaited homecoming. Honestly. I would hope Chartley would recover soon enough to leave with George and Charles. All of them need to be home and safe. I long for that. Mark, promise me next time George goes to see he will be in a warmer climate. I am sick of the cold. I want to tell you that this new twist ( saving Chartley ) is awesome. George has amassed many good friends along the way and Chartley is one of them. Bravo Lord Arbour. Another awesome chapter.

As Mr. Will points out, one of the many things about Mark and his writing is that no matter where his characters are the reader feels he or she is there with them. That is a gift and the reason we come back over and over again. Mark has created these characters and made them so real that we can not help but care about them ( even love them and worry what will happen to them). That is a truly precious gift which brightens all of our lives. Thank you Mr. Will and Thank you Mr. Arbour for the joy you have given me over the years.

After rereading this book again and knowing what is going to happen. I am wondering if this is the beginning of JJ returning to his real self. . I believe he is looking outward and seeing how he can help others. To see that transformation is heart warming. It will take time but it is worth the journey.

I agree with everything Mr. Will has said. As for Bantu I can only wonder at the devotion he has for Chartley. Like George and Winkler I think they would give their lives for each other. I find that heart warming. I am eagerly awaiting the next chapter to find out the full story.

I believe Zach is not awful but confused and trapped. I think we judge him in the lens of Will. Remember he is only one year older than Will. Other older guys ( Tony and Kai ) both failed Will. The question comes to mind is Patrick one of then too?

I try to do as little as possible on Friday the 13th, because long ago my mother died on Friday the 13th. However. receiving a new chapter of the Gap Year is a great present. After getting a new Granger chapter this is even a bigger surprise. It was interesting to see the interaction on the plane and even better the talk between JJ and Will. A few chapters ago I hoped that we would hear from JJ, and here he is. What is even better is how much I like this new ( or restored ) JJ. It was heart warming to see the bond between the two brothers. I feel sad for JJ. Both brothers need someone to love and even more someone who loves them. I hope they can find that person. Both of them deserve that.

One thing about Mark's work is that each chapter raises more questions than it answers. That is the mark of a true bard.

Who would have thought that Chartley would be in Russia and in prison. Again George and his Russian friends have saved the day. There is so much to discover. How did Chartley get here? What is the relationship with Peter and Batu? And lastly, when will they go home? Honestly, I am awed by your imagination creating this tale. You start with a young 15 yo boy awed by going to sea. Over the years he has traveled around the world and met many of the famous people who lived at this time, from royalty to prime ministers, and admirals. But even greater than that you have given us great characters like George, Winkler, Chartley and Charles to care about. Every chapter is a gift to be treasured. Thank you, Mark

I agree with David. Rereading these chapters and knowing the future is both sad (loss of Robbie) and interesting (seeing the relationships and bond between these people grow). I think as these chapters pass the reader can see the true nature of Brian and Matt. Matt is basically a good person finding his way in this new life in CA. Brian, however, seems to become more and more evil as the story unfolds.

Reading these early chapters make me so sad knowing we will lose Robbie on 9 11.

They had JP, their grandfather, they have Wade, Will's big brother. I think having Marie and Will will be awesome!!!

It is good to see Will home even if it is only for a short time. Having both Marie and Will going to Harvard is an interesting twist. I feel even better with both of them there. They will have each others backs. As for the boy band, I am sure Ryan will do fine, but am not sure about John. Only time will tell. Now the trip to NYC is looming in the near future. How will it unfold? Will that happy kid of old still be there? I truly hope so. I love the restored JJ. Thanks for this new chapter. Your readers have the trip and NYC and George's homecoming to look forward to. I hope you are well and all is good for you. Here it is hot, dry and smokey (Canadian forest fires). As Daddydavek would say more please.

Interesting I just finished rereading this saga, and was hoping for a new chapter, and here it is. There are two very interesting parts. The first is what I expected with an added twist ( the budding relationship of Granger and the countess. The second part is even more mysterious. Why is this Mongol here in St. Petersburg? The answers has got to be to meet George. We know Chartley has not been heard from in sometime. I can only believe this man was send to George by Chartley. At this point so many thoughts are going through my mind. Is Chartley here in St. Petersburg? Maybe in prison? And maybe even more important why? Mark of all the cliffhangers, this is the most puzzling. Waiting for two weeks is cruel. I hope you know that. Will this keep George in Russia longer? And how does the situation with St. Vincent play into this? I can't see George beached, not during a war. Again this chapter raises more questions than it answers. On a personal note I hope Mark, you are well and everything is good for you. Please get the next chapter posted as soon as possible. Again thank you so much this awesome saga.

I do love you Frediie. Knowing what will come those words will remain strong and true though all the troubles of the future.

I strongly agree. Mark always said Wade was closest to George. All thought we must remember Will is 17 and evolving into the person he will become.

Both of those comments point out some interesting thoughts about the differences between Will and his father. I believe in many ways they are the same but as this saga developes we see the differences too. 1. Both of them were shy as children. Brad was abused by his mother, brother and sister, only his grandmother protected him. It wasn't until he moved to Escorial that did he feel safe. Will was never was abused like that. I believe being gay and knowing it from an early age had something to do with the shyness. Since I to was very shy as a child. 2. One of the major differences between them is the control issues. Because of Brad's abuse he needed to control his world to survive. Will, however, only needed to control his own life. 3. Another major difference is how they look at the world. To Brad he sees the world in many shades of grey, with Will it is mostly in black and white. 4. I believe that Brad tends to be more selfish were Will thinks of others more. That is not to say Brad hasn't done things to help people ( Mouse) but Will seems to constantly help people along the way (Kai, Kiki, the horse, John, Devon Cam and many more). 5. The one way Brad's life is now more stable than Will is I believe Brad has found Jake Pike ( who I hope will be his forever partner.) Will is still looking for that person. I understand if everyone would find their soul mate the story would be more boring, however, I am hoping Will will find his partner for life. 6' As for Will reaction to Keith, it is that black and white outlook at life. Will sees something wrong and corrects it. It is that simple. As I have said before, Will is developing into n awesome person. Yes will stumbles along the way but still progressing, growing and maturing ( remember he is only 17). As an aside: Mark it is a tribute to your writing skills that these characters live for us too.

Two things come to mind. The first is again Will is leaving a friend and lover behind. I am not sure if Connie will be more. He could be. Again Will has shown he is NOT a person to be trifold with. I find it almost unbelievable that some one who works for Stef would even think about doing that. The second thing is (yes I am really saying this) I am missing JJ. Since the last book JJ has made it to one of my favorite characters. If someone would have told me that before the last book, I would have thought they were crazy. I understand this is Will's Gap Year so we are not going to see JJ, Wade, Matt and even Brad and Jake as much. Mark you have created these characters and developed them so much that they live for us, your readers. Once you said they live in your mind. I believe they live in our minds too. When I saw this new chapter I was happy almost beyond words. Honestly, I eagerly await the new chapters. Hoping for a new chapter either in CAP or in the Bridgemeount saga Thank you Mark again you make my boring life so much better..