Cia

I did a lot of research for this story. The location, the wildlife, the plants and fruits, even the rings that come into play later on are real things you'd find there. I may write paranormal fiction, but if it is something that exists in the world I typically make sure that I have my facts straight. I like research though, so it's fun for me. Thanks for reading!

I'm glad you like it! One of the things I try to focus on is really bringing the setting to life. Quick question, did you read Bonds Unbroken first? While each of these can be read independently, Bonds, then this story, then Hypnotic are intertwined. I'd start with that one, if you haven't, though it's not really crucial. You'll just get a bit of plot spoilers for Bonds if you read this first.

I definitely got the point of the character. Been there, done that, so it was a little too vivid. Excellently written Comic, and an eloquent series of haiku.

I'm ebil? No!!!! Well, yeah, I guess I am, LOL! Don't worry, a lot more fun to come!

Okay, so I rank the reading order of the Carthera stories, Bonds-1, ToaK-2, Hypnotic-3,IoY-4. Sort of. See, Inside of You takes place AFTER Hypnotic ends, it just hasn't ended yet. Also, 1-2-3 are a linked triology with a common story line threading through them. Inside of You is a short story set in that world with some characters you saw in Hypnotic, but not part of that story line per se. I have many characters in Hypnotic from other stories, but I only had so many people to highlight. If I give you all the ones you know, then I don't have new characters for short stories or a new triology in the world later. Inside of You actually posted here on GA before the Lit contest, but I'm glad you liked it, other than your lingering questions. I'm glad you like the pacing and the flow of Hypnotic. It's coming to an end, which is sad for me, but I can't wait to work more on other stories! Thanks for the comments, Rik!

Ahh, but as a reader, how do you determine that the character is acting OUT of character for that type of plot? The author has to decide how the events will shape the story, and the character. Will a character react 'in type' to the stimulus written, or out of type? Do people not change in real life depending on the circumstances they find themselves in? Can't a brave person, say a firefighter who is willing to risk his life to rescue someone in a burning building be unable to do face something that requires equal amounts of bravery, say rescuing someone who falls overboard a ship into shark infested water, due to a phobia of sharks? That characteristic of someone in that profession, bravery, is integral to many people's views of them but take them out of that type of 'adventure' plot and put the same character into a different adventure one and it's not the same thing at all, is it? What if that change in the perception of the character and how they react is exactly what the author wants, and he uses that type of character AND plot on purpose? What if that event is a catalyst to springboard another character you didn't think was brave, or as 'good', into the situation and change your opinion of them? I'll stand by my opinion that the plot and character in a story I think is GREAT should be interwoven together so that it wouldn't exist as one without the other. Yes, there are a lot of 'type cast' characters cookie cuttered out to fit the story the author writes in every genre, including lot of that in gay fiction I've read online too, but I personally tend to be drawn to the stories that aren't that type. I also like to think I try to avoid that in my writing as well. My preferences in those regards do heavily influence my thinking I guess.

I get it, lol. I'm glad you liked it. Not quite sure what the last bits of the story hold. There are still a lot of questions fans have. I have to get some peace and quiet to really get an idea of the big picture and how to bring it all to a close. I'm hoping to write it this week. Thanks for reading and commenting again hun!

Yes, I am giving out information in dribs and drabs, lol. I'm glad you liked it.

What is one without the other? Could a reader truly enjoy something a crime drama, for example, if he isn't drawn into the main character's drive to discover the culprit and bring them to justice? Can a plot actually EXIST without a character to bring it to life? Without a plot, some idea behind the story to influence their reactions and yours, do you care about the character? They are nothing without the events occuring in their lives and/or the emotional and physical responses they have to those events. The question here shouldn't be about which you prefer to 'drive' the story, plot or character, as if they are independent of each other in some way. In my case, I need both and I strive to write both. I want to identify with the characters in some way, to feel for them - like or dislike, love or hate, amusement or disdain; I also want to see more than them going about their day to day life. I want a reason to examine the essence of what makes them tick; it could be through a new romance, or an adventure they didn't expect, a tragedy they can't avoid . . . just about anything. A writer should bring their character to life through the story they tell OF their life; whatever that happens to be.

Ahh... THIS series. I always envisioned 3 parts to the plot that began with the attack on Velaku's father and culminates in the discovery of the psychotic mastermind. I'm not qoing to stop writing in this 'world' though, so never fear, there will be more to come. I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter and series, hillj69!

yay! (I'm assuming beck is neck, lol) I like the descriptions of the rope.

Good job Joe! Thanks for coming up with these Comic and posting it all Lugh. I like this feature!

I'm glad I kept the quality up and you liked it, Darkstar! I was hoping to get a good reaction to this chapter. Thanks for the review!

There's going to be a lot of clean up! I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for the review!

Yay! Thanks for the review. I fought hard for this chapter because it's the beginning of the end for the entire series. It has to be 'more'! I'm glad I didn't disappoint.

I do like to do the unexpected. He's not a fighter, or trained in self-defense. A lot of people would have forgotten about something like the knife for that reason, so I wanted to write that in. In a lot of ways, I think it has to be worse for Ellis my way. It's a very personal way to kill someone. I know, I'm evil. Poor characters! I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter, Ramon. Thanks for the review!

Yay! I'm glad you liked it. It was a bit of a bear to write, but I am happy with it now. Thanks for the review hun!

LOL. Well I'm sorry it wasn't quite tense enough, but I'm glad you liked it anyway! Thanks for reviewing Daddydavek!

Dav must have recognized my need for escape, but that didn’t stop him from following me. I was leaning on the counter in the bathroom as I stared at the first aid kit, trying to take deep breaths and calm down when he knocked gently on the door. It was disconcerting that I knew my mate was the one behind the wooden door because I could taste him; his musky scent mixed with a spicy cologne layered with a hint of the hospital we had left only hours before. This was not how I had expected to spen

I'm sure quite a few do change their exterior appearance in that way. I suppose I shot straight to surgical or chemical alternatives for someone who identifies as transgendered. Mentally, I would guess that the process for them is much like those of us of 'alternative' sexuality. It's a process of learning who we are and how we want to share that with the world.

Actually look at the latin root of 'trans'. It means opposite, across, or beyond. Essentially, the physical gender is one, but the mental perception of the person's gender is the 'opposite'. A person doesn't have to be transitioning to be transgendered. It simply means their mind and their body aren't in sync. Some transgendered people don't actually want to be physically changed. I'm not transgendered, but I think I understand the issue quite well. Basically, no one can tell anyone else how they feel. If a person tells me they are a guy, they're a guy. If they tell me they're a woman, they're a woman. No one is EVER an it.

I agree with you Option. Even within the US that comes into play, honestly. Schools in the south and very different from schools in the Pac NW. Small town Kansas versus New York inner city. Metal detectors, public transport versus school buses, football versus baseball (not every state is like Texas where football tends to be KING). I almost never set my stories in a place I don't know. That sort of thing is VERY important to get right.

Interesting story so far. Snickers. Okay, c'mon. You had to know I'd do that! Alright, my opinion since you asked for it. The characters are very solid; you write them exceptionally well. You introduced quite a few, and yet I wasn't confused at all. You made them individuals. That being said, I didn't like Elijah much. He has a LOT of flaws. Being a mom, I really disliked his shoplifting aspect as that drives me crazy in real life. Especially since you said he isn't poor. There's no reason for it. I fan feel sympathy for a kid who is really poor who shoplifts; a well off kid makes me want to grab him by the scruff of the neck and shake him. At least I have an emotion about him, though, right? I'd like to see the story liven up a bit. You laid the groundwork in the first chapter, which is good for a character piece, but it was very staid plot wise. There are a lot of high school/teenage coming of age stories out there. Make yours stand out.

LOL. Isitziu are the blue markings on their body. Isit, the palm marking on the 'dominant' partner, you might say. Tziu, the marking on the heart space that matches the Isit marking of their partner. They are also used as their 'title'. Seral is Ryker's isit. Ryker is Seral's tziu. Together, their markings are 'isitziu' and they are a matched pair. I hope that explains things a little better for you!

Same ole, same ole. I gave the hubby a card and a box of early easter peeps, his fav, apparently the little birds just taste better. *shudders* ew. Anyway, he opened it, looked at the picture, and then put it back in the envelope. I stared at him in disbelief. I spent a good 15 minutes finding a darn card with a reassuring message of, 'I have always loved you, so many good memories', that didn't make me gag with syrupy sweetness, and he didn't even read it! Needless to say my look had him opening up the card and reading it, his lips moving to prove he read each word. It's good to have the evilest stink eye in the land!!