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Who would know that a battle , wounded leg and being robbed would bring these two together. This is the beginning of a bond which will only grow stronger over the years. Other than George, Winkler is my favorite character in this story. He is loyal, brave and trustworthy, without question. As I have said before I love both of them. Thank you for giving us our brave naval hero and his faithful steward.

As I reread this saga and this chapter, I like many of your readers know what will happen. We along with this family will lose this good and caring man, Robbie Hayes. Along with Tonto seeing him alive again is very bitter sweet. Many times I stand and wonder about these characters and this story of a family not much different than many of our own. And when I do, I can not express the thanks and joy this story has given me over these many years

At the end of this chapter, Brad thought about his relationship with Will, the father son bond. As we know that bond will be tested a lot but even with all the fights and trials to come that bond, that relationship will not be broken. In many ways that is what this saga is, the bond between fathers and sons. Again, Mark you have shown us what is important in this world we live in. We may have lost some freedom but we still have these relationships which comfort us and make us stronger in this weird world we find ourselves in. Thank you again.

It is interesting how George comes across as a much more honorable person then Daventry. We are only about a month away from the deed. I hope George and Charles will remain safe. It will be interesting to see how Mark weaves the story as the assassination grows closer. Thank you Mark for this gift and the other chapter too. Have a blessed New Year

Now we know why Will is here. This chapter also shows us that Will is playing this smart too.

As Miles says we know the ending that Steven is dead. However we don't want to believe it. As we read, we grow to love Steven. In some ways he and George Granger are the same, both in war, both gay and both alone. It breaks my heart to know this wonderful man is dead. The only good thing is that we got to see Tonto again. She was a remarkable woman in a day it was hard for women to be that way. Mark has forced us to care about these characters and even better to love them. Seeing them die is painful for all of us.

It has been said that dinners at Escorial are always interesting and many times exciting. This one, however, takes the cake. Two things come to mind Brian's action and Matt's parents reaction and maybe even more important the actions of Matt's adopted family. Their love and acceptance over shadows everything else. Their love is like a warm blanket on a cold winter night. Warming all who are covered by it.

The old saying THE SHIT IS ABOUT TO HIT THE FAN. You can feel the tension and the drama building. Little do these characters know what is to come, both at dinner and in the next book of this saga

After rereading this chapter and the next book I was able to guess who was Matt's father. That is when I began to comment on Mark's stories

I have learned over many years that secrets are bad for those who don't know them and maybe even worse for those who made and have to keep them.

And as Miles said that is what this saga is all about. The family we create around us

This is the beginning of Will's story. Naming him after three of the most important men in Brad's life was priceless. Thank you Mr. Arbour.

The problem with this is that we will never know what caused Billie to act the way he did. I know this will bother Brad for years to come. All of them will play the what of game. As they will again 21 years on 9 11.

Again Mark shows us Brad can be a caring person. Saving David shows us the good person behind the teenager. Mouse is one of my favorite characters. With the guys befriending him I know he will shine. Good job Mark and good job Brad too.

This is the beginning of the rollercoaster ride which was Brad and Robbie's relationship. As JP asked Brad so many years later were the highs worth having the lows? I believe they were.

This may not fit this story but today during a Christmas Service I thought of something. Un this year in which we seem to have lost so much, many things we all love doing I think we must remember what we still have. Whether it is a beloved Christmas hymn, holiday decorations, dear friends and relatives, All of those we still have, The last nine months have been to many of us a bad dream. As 2020 ends and 2021 begins remember all we have and treasure the hope of a better year. Blessings and happiness to all of you.

This maybe the beginning of the many secrets which plague JP's life. As we know JP is much greater than his parentage. Being a gay man in 1962 was even harder and now this. But JP is a very strong person. I think he has to be. As we know both secrets will come out in IF IT FITS. Again this is a contrast between him and Will. Will who was out and proud at a very early age. Brad fits in the middle still hiding in high school. I wonder if things have changed or if it is more the difference between Will and JP. The more i read these chapters the richer the storyline is. As I've said before only a master storyteller could create this saga.

After rereading these early chapters one of the problems is we know what is to come. However, we can also see how most of the members of this family have gone through the same trials in order to learn and grow. I believe this saga is about a family not as much united by blood but by love. Where there is love there is also sadness. Both joy and pain. Doesn't Will and Brad go through many of the same trials JP is going through? And If I may add, what makes this saga so good is that all of us go through the same troubles.. Mark has created a story and characters which reflect real life.

l believe it was Scott Slater who told Will about summer loves. Will Connie be one of many or the real thing? Only time and Mark will tell us. I think Connie has the possablity to be more. Of course I am hoping for that Mr. Right. JJ has found John why can't Will find Connie? Things where getting dangerous before Connie appeared to save the day. Now the ages are out there. The rule has been broken and for the next three weeks I think Will will be safe. It will give both of them time to see how things will go. I am glad Will didn't have to press the button. Adding Brad to the mix would have spoiled the trip. I think Connie cares for Will and Will feels the same. Who knows. One thing I find interesting about this storyline is how Will is out there in this new world, Away from family and friends, having an adventure seeking the unknown. In a sense testing himself who he is what he can do.. How he needs be on his own. His own man. It is part of who he is. The independence he has always needed. As we have seen it can be dangerous but also exciting too. It is like speeding down a road not knowing what is around the next bend. Hopefully the car is not going to fast and the brakes will work. As always thanks for this saga and this new chapter and for Will. Seeing him grow is an adventure in itself. Stay safe and Well.

Again Mark, you have brought us to the Russian court and made us see the pit falls. We are now only a little more than a month away from the death of the Tsar. I love the growing friendship between Pavel, Sophia and Alexi. I once thought of George at the edge of a cliff about to fall off. I see things somewhat safer. Thank you for this new chapter to this wonderful saga. I pray you are well and all is good with you and your family and wish you a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year

For awhile since you started this new book, I've been worried about Will alone in this foreign land. I've thought of all the bad things that could happen to him. However now I am feeling much better about this trip. First Will is practicing safe sex. He has done his research and planned this visit out. And lastly Will has asked both Stef and Jake for advice. If you add to that his new phone, I believe he is relatively safe. Mark please do not think of this as a challenge. As I've said before I believe Will is the future of this family. One of many things which impress me about your writing is how you can bring the reader not only into the story and characters lives but into the locations, no matter where they are. I lived in Ohio for some years, I visited Chicago a lot, I lived in California and traveled up the coast to San Francisco a number of times. Even the cities of Paris, Rome and London, and now Sydney are so real like we are there with Will. I believe that is a gift and why we love you and your stories. Thank you again for sharing your talent with us!!

After rereading this book a number of times, I can honestly say this is your best work! That is saying something. As most of you know, I have followed this saga since the first book on nifty. Over the years my opinion has grown. At first I was not a fan of 1968, Summer Love and Poor Man's Son. However, after reading those books over and over I have changed my mind. As good as Mark's work is, this book lifts the bar. Maybe it is the mystery of who the black widow was, but it is so much more. At the beginning of this book everything seemed to be good, but under the surface trouble was hiding. The family was divided. Relationships we thought would last were not as solid as we thought. Now this family is healed, really healed. And the new relationships are really solid. I believe Jake and Brad are a forever couple. The relationship between JJ and John could grow into something that will last forever. The relationship between Zach and Will is broken. However, maybe Will will find his soulmate too. Beyond all this is the growth of JJ, Brad and Will. Add to all this as the solid relationships of JP and Stef, Wade and Matt, and Isidore and Frank we are left with a feeling of happiness. I have said this before but THIS IS YOUR BEST WORK EVER!!! Thank you for this saga, this book and all of these great awesome characters.!!

I have followed this sagas and Mark for about 10 years. I found him on Nifty and then here on GA. Over those years a number of questions have come to mind. Back in 2013 I was attending a convention in St Louis and hoped to meet and talk to Mark about his stories. However, that did not workout. So I am posing those questions now. 1. What was the inspiration for the CAP saga and for your characters (JP, Brad and Will)? 2. How far ahead do you plan your stories ( Did you know what will happen and then write about it)? 3. And lastly, you have told us your characters live in your mind. Do they guide you in your writing? As you can tell these questions are all related to the creation process. It is my wish you are well, healthy and happy as you can be is this weird world we live in.

In this saga there are some awesome priceless lines and this is one of them. “Because I knew that no matter what, even though I treated you like shit, you’d have my back,” he said sincerely. “That’s how you are.”

LOL This reminds me of the friend of mine. Back in High School, Jeff was a very book smart person but his common sense was not as strong. I believe George has the great ablity to read people. Rarely his he fooled. Add to that his handsome looks and his charm, he can out think or win over almost anyone. This is what we love about George.