Cia

1 full-sister, 2 step-sisters, 2 half-sisters, 2 half-brothers, and 1 step-brother. My ex-stepdad remarried and he has 2 new step-daughters. We remained close to my stepwitch's ex before she married my dad, and I'm friends with his step-daughter. We're spread out all over though, so for the most part it's cards and calls and there we go. *shrugs* I slot my dad and the step-witch when I can as we visit my hubby's dad and his wife, his mom and her boyfriend, and his brother and his family. I much prefer my mother in law to anyone else, though. That's fortunate for me, since we spend the most time at her house during visits and holidays. Because of certain past events I don't spend more than a few hours in my dad's home, and I'm good with that. Much like Matt, I can and easily have cut family members out of my life. I stopped talking to my Grandad at 16 and that lasted until he died. Sometimes people just don't deserve a place in your life and sharing some DNA certainly isn't a good enough reason to take any crap from people. My mother gets the bare minimum of my time via phone, and that only because she lived with my Grandma before she died last year and I couldn't avoid talking to her. Why make myself unhappy to please some societal expectation? Family should be people that love and support you, and who you love and support in return. Those are the folks you should try to spend time with around the holidays. Everything else is bunk.

Hi Ron. Thanks for the review! There is a lot I didn't know when I wrote this story. I love my Carthera world, but the stories could use a lot of work. I'm looking forward to the thoughts of commenters on the blog for my files. I'd love to revamp these... sometime. LOL Thanks so much for reading! I hope you were intrigued enough by the world to keep going with the series.

Glad to see you're still around Tomas!!

No Flag by Liz Borino My rating: 4 of 5 stars I tried to read this, stopped in a few pages, tried to read this, stopped in a few pages... The early hook with the dramatic scene into the past plot line drives me bonkers. It colored the story for me and let some of the initial romance down. That being said, I'm so glad I read the story. Once I got to a certain point the character's bond and the pain/drama they went through reached me and kept me reading. I've had a bit of a thing for military fiction lately, and this fit the bill, but by and far the story focused on Will and Mike. Domestic discipline stories aren't my usual fare when I read bdsm, but when in context with a loving relationship, it can work. The power dynamic always feels a bit... childish to me, though. But, it works for Mike and Will. It doesn't work for the supporting characters. Wow. I really felt for Will. He had no true support network, and the very beginning when we hear him say that no one will call him from the military because he isn't Mike's family was very telling. The fact that his friend didn't see through his ruse was telling. I am a big sick of the shrewish/evil/conniving chick character trope, but Casey was a character I'd love to bitch slap, again and again, so her behavior did get a reaction from me. Overall... smooth reading with a good story pull once you get into it. If you like DD style BDSM, military, hurt/comfort stories or any combo of the above, check out No Flag. I think you'll quite like it! View all my reviews

IN YOUR

Why exactly is an argument spreading over a label? Is it really that important? Everyone can lump sexualities however they want... the only person's opinion you need to worry about is yours, for yourself. You wanna be gay, lesbian, straight, bi, trans... no one but you can decide that. I'm with a man, that doesn't make me straight. If I was with a woman, that wouldn't make me a lesbian. I'm bisexual. I like both, depending on the person I'm with. But you can be damn sure I get people who make their own judgments from the outside. *shrugs* I know who I am, though, so it doesn't matter. Without knowing Daley personally we can't say how he identifies, and truthfully... it doesn't matter anyway. One day people will see that. At least I hope so.

Or maybe they just like needling you.

Or maybe the guy is just old for his age and associates better with a stable man who is in a different place in his life than 20 somethings who aren't always the most level-headed. Sorry, but you guys know it's true. Or maybe he does have a daddy kink. *shrugs* I will admit... until this topic came up, I didn't even know who Daley was, lol. I really do think people focus way too hard on the personal lives of celebs and athletes. Ah well, at least we know he probably won't come across this topic.

That is a thought that I think many of us have had, in one form or another, at some point in our lives. It certainly seems applicable to both Velaku and Natham at this point in the story. I like how the two Cathera, who met only briefly once, have not forgotten each other over time. Interesting story so far, Cia. *continues to read* Thank you, Ron! Fate can be a fickle bitch, LOL, I just want to point that out. Of course, the Carthera know that more than most. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.

I think we ALL put too much focus on worrying about what anyone else is doing in their relationships. None of us should care what Mr. Tom Daley 'identifies as', if he even worries about labels, or who he's doing. I think if we all focus on who we are doing, and how much we both/all like it, and do it more the world would be a happier place real quick. Or maybe I'm just a nympho who thinks athletes and celeb's fishbowl lives aren't nearly as much fun as living my own.

Wow, last month of 2013! This month our book club selection is one of my stories. Thank you Renee, Mann, Jo Ann. I hope you enjoy this story. It is part of a contemporary paranormal series that can each be read alone, but they are interconnected so they read the best in order. So, this month you can read the first, and shortest, of my Carthera Takeover Tales, which is handy with the holiday and all. Bonds Unbroken By Cia Word Count: 37,760 Description: The Carthera are a violent race, never failing to respond to battle, they nevertheless are a proud and honorable people. Except for the ferals. Battles for territory, fighting persecution from the humans, for the right to rule, have echoed down through the ages. In these modern times things are different, easier. Laws are made--and enforced--and peace, of a sorts, is possible. Some seek to end that. What a Reader Said: It was a beatiful story, it makes me want my boyfriend, and makes me wish humans had a bond like the Carthera. Also makes me want a kitty boy. ~ Celethiel Our discussion day will be Monday, December 30th. **I am open to ANY and all comments. This story was written a few years ago, and I am constantly learning. I'm not easily offended, so really feel free to tell me what you think about the writing and the story.**

Happy Birthday, Andy. I hope you have a great birthday!

Happy Birthday, Lisa! I hope you have a wonderful day, hun.

Relationships, even friendships, are about communication. You cannot ignore the feelings and hope to have a romantic relationship with him. If you want that, you will have to speak up eventually. How, when, and where you do that is something you need to give a lot of thought. The other choice is to say nothing and remain friends only. I don't see any reasons to give up your friendship altogether, though. In the end our thoughts are just our opinions. No one can make these decisions for you since you are the only one who truly knows what you want.

Catch a Ghost by S.E. Jakes My rating: 4 of 5 stars I hesitated to read this book based on the cover title. I adore contemporary paranormal, but I have a... bias, we'll call it, about ghosts. I'm glad I gave Catch a Ghost a chance, however, because it's nothing like what you might expect. I adore military fiction lately, especially anything that throws in otherworldly info for effect. The spit and polish is missing from the story for the military vibe... but that's because these guys are as far from soldiers as you can get. Prophet and Tom are rough and tumble guys ready to do things THEIR way. Fortunately Phil doesn't micromanage them, as if he had a shot. Prophet and Tom are off on a mission that is oddly geared toward their strengths. I thought that element of the plot, with the fighting backgrounds, to be almost too coincidental. Of course for Prophet, it fit because the whole incident they're investigating is tied intimately to his past. We get to meet several of the people who made Prophet who he was. It was good to see that background fleshing him out. Tom's background felt a bit more vague. So much of his motivation, partnering with and without Prophet, was based on his fear that his intuitions had caused a miasma of bad luck, not for him, but for anyone stuck being his partner. That led to an angry, closeted man... even if his sexuality wasn't what he was hiding. What threw me was the ending of the story. It's not over. I know there's a sequel... but I'd have liked more resolution. Knowing the sequel is already out, though, takes a bit of that dissatisfaction away. The writing and flow of the story was definitely enough to keep me reading and make me want Long Time Gone. I'm hovering between 3.5 and 4 stars on the review, but that need to read more hiked me up to 4 stars for my rating. View all my reviews

I got one, I got one. Pick me, pick me! *waves arm so you can't possibly miss me!* You said Little Man was based on some of your college experiences... so were you the Marker or the Markee?

Mann's writing was always compelling, even when it was a tad rougher in the beginning. Great questions, Myeige, and I really enjoyed learning more about how the little men running Mann's brain keep him writing. LOL

I see so many sides of this and all I can say is that abuse is about power. Sensation isn't the be all and end all with sex, though for teens that's often their impetus for becoming sexually active. There are emotional sides to it that come ito play for them, and other consenting partners. But rape... that's about control and power and often hate. There's no logic to it, no understanding it when you're not that type of person. Thank heavens, right? While it is sad that there are those in the public eye guilty of this, in some ways, it helps the cause of finding and prosecuting more of the creeps preying on others. It brings the issue into the public spotlight. But we can never forget the quiet victims who could still need help. Always keep your eyes open, be aware of those around you and their actions. I'm a mama, and I'm a force to be reckoned with when it comes to my kids' safety. The world is a scary place for a kid because of their lack of power, so I try to be there to help shield some of the scarier things.

Aww, you guys are sweet.

Wow... the next to last CSR for 2013. I can't say how much I've appreciated the readers who stuck with our book club and have helped keep it going this year. This month we have a great review from Renee Stevens about And0grene's story, The House Always Wins. Share your thoughts about the story. Don't forget to suggest a story for December!! The House Always Wins by Andr0gene Review by Renee Stevens Before I became a beta reader for Andr0gene, I first read his story The House Always Wins. While I have read all of his stories since then, this story remains my favorite. Though, “Colorado Games” and his “Confounded” series remain a close second! When “The House Always Wins” was chosen for the CSR’s November story, I decided it was high time I re-read the story, for probably the tenth time. The story “The House Always Wins” follows Jason Carter, or JJ, in the days after he has been kicked out of his home for no other reason than he was gay and was caught in a very compromising situation by his ultra-religious step-father. With very little money and nowhere to go, he points at a map and catches a bus to wherever his finger points to, Las Vegas. After being accidentally injured just outside of a casino, JJ finds himself a guest of the hotel and casino. He’s given time to mend, but eventually he has to be on his way. Before leaving, he decides to try his luck with the slot machines, only to find himself much worse off than he was when his journey began. Now, not only is he homeless, but he’s also completely broke. An unfortunate string of events leads up to an offer that is just too good for JJ to refuse. Michael Black, the owner of the casino that JJ has been staying at, has found himself in a peculiar situation. He needs a boyfriend, yet had neither the time nor the inclination to find one. He proposes a business deal that sounds too good to be true; pretend to be his boyfriend for a month and JJ will walk away with a cool twenty thousand. JJ quickly accepts, after all, he doesn’t really have any other options at the moment. Besides, how hard can it be to pretend? Actually a lot harder than he thought. The story follows the month that JJ spends with Michael. When Michael’s nosy mother shows up, JJ has to make sure she believes that he’s in love with Michael and Michael is in love with him, which includes sharing a bed with the man he’s supposed to love. Lines become blurred to the point where it can be difficult to distinguish exactly what is the truth and what is the lie. “The House Always Wins” in an interesting story and I quickly became engrossed in JJ’s plight. Andr0gene shows his skill with this story in that he hooked me from the start and refused to let go until I finished reading, as evidenced by how many times I have re-read this story. It has quickly become one of my go to stories when I want something that I just know I’m going to enjoy. Thanks for the review, Renee!! Okay guys, share your thoughts AND include your suggestion for next month's CSR!

OKay, so I like the update. I enjoy the way Tate is upfront and blase about his sexuality. I see things that way. Men, women... doesn't matter. I don't like to label myself either. Bi is the best description that others can understand, so I guess I see Gavin's point as well. I do hope you don't draw out the misunderstanding between them too long though. I hate when miscommunication is the main issue between two people and it would be a shame adult men can't talk things out and find a middle ground. Gavin's thought about how 'gay' is just how he says he likes men, and doesn't define him, needs to be spoken out loud. As to your writing, I like your plot arc and the way you're introducing your characters bit by bit. I would suggest you check the Writing forum for the dialogue punctuation topic. We have some good informationthere about punctuation and dialogue in general. I noticed you missed a few commas with speech tags, and you used a hyphen to indicate an interruption instead of an em dash. Also, stutters are often indicated in the dialogue itself, rather than tagged. That can clean up your speech tag area if you have it too so you only use one or none at all. For example: “What?” He half stuttered half whispered. would be: "W-What?" he whispered. “You’re gay?” Gavin stuttered, and then became aggravated with himself. would be: "You're g-gay?" Gavin became aggravated with himself. Anyway, keep going! I want to see how Gavin and Tate find what they need in each other.

8 year olds have such a unique viewpoint. I am glad you took the time to explain the hate being spewed at your grandson and his friend, though I am sad kids that age face it. While hitting will not change much, and is rarely advisable against a group of bigger, possibly stronger kids, I do hope he holds on to that understanding and has a variety of tools to reject their hate and not back down or internalize being gay as a bad thing.

Be nice Yang. I think our way of life, and the way the US views our 'safety', was impacted in significant ways on each of those events. We were never threatened at home during war before Pearl Harbor and that had a huge impact on the way our country then responded to the threats of the time. The idea that our president, the person who essentially embodies democracy, was killed in the midst of the cold war climate of the early 60s was a huge impact on the way our country viewed our political and militaristic stance again. Then consider the ways political and militaristic stances shifted, once again, after 9/11. Look at the changes in policy both at home and abroad in the way we view and respond to home-grown and foreign terrorist threats, and the way our society accepted those shifting policies yet again. All you have to do is walk into an airport, in fact. Dave's point is not necessarily the way the generations regard the sanctity of each event, because face it, today's generation is pretty irreverent as a whole compared to earlier generations. His point is that each and every one of those momentous events changed the way our society (the US) perceives itself and the way we respond to threats because in the end those were all attacks on the US way of life.

LOL Mann! I'm that tall, I'm that tall! Great job Daemok and you can certainly keep that story going. Thanks for all your hard work on the prompts each week Wayne!

Schools are pretty serious nowadays about nutrition. What I've found is ridiculous is how the schools have begun to limit caloric intake. For the elementary school kids, it's not too bad but a lot of high school kids, especially athletes, are being restricted from even making additional healthy choices because they've had 'too many calories'. My kids are fortunate to not be in that school or the one JJ was in. I'd flip my gourd. For example, tomorrow my daughter plans to take meatloaf, a cheese stick, a yogurt tube, a orange, and flavored water. Occasionally I do allow the kids to take small candies, especially around Halloween. No one's ever said anything. Now, I do know that a few times the school's told kids getting hot lunch that they have to go back and get some veggies or fruit. Considering my kids' school offers 4 entree choices, both meat and meat alternatives/free, 2 kinds of fruit, a hot veggie and a salad bar... it's not hard to find things the kids will eat on a daily basis.