ricky

Jealousy rears its ugly head. I wonder where this will lead. It was so long ago I read this that it almost seams fresh. One of the great things about being middle aged, it's all new after just a few weeks. lol Cheers r

Randy little bugger isn't he? Not much changed in that respect even later. Loving it . . . sir.

Exhillerating! The prospects of being lost at sea. Pretty scary really. I'd write more but I don't have to "wait" for another chapter. So I'm not.

I forgot how hot and awesome The Gunroom was. Loving it even more. Destined to be a classic. It will be interesting to see if he has tamed Iggy by morning.

Starting again just for the thrill of it. It's great to read in anticipation. this time I'm converting all the previous chapters to audio for my long drives to DC. An awesome chapter of course. Expect to hear that a lot. Cheers! R

A great chapter Mark. Good to have Mr. Roberts back. I think that perhaps Grainger might have a heart and transfer a certain someone to where ever Mr Roberts goes? I mean, he knows the seperation anxieties of the Navy. But seperation with the possibility of his lover being dead or lost at sea . . . A few days is not much in these circumstances. It's a miracle they didn't kiss the moment he came aboard. Right there in front of everyone.

**Sigh** Alas I am fulfilled. Or should that be, "Alad?" That was a bit unexpected and quite enjoyable. Especially when it became Granger's tight little bum stretched across the 18 pounder. (Hmmm I like the name of that gun. ) Always wondered where that emoticon could actually be used too. Damn, I feel like I've had a late Christmas! So I wonder, if he'll be back for a little private punishment. I knew there was a better reason to have that gun installed there. Nothing better than explosive recreational sex. And speaking of tight accommodations, I guess Granger will have to bunk with the midshipmen. He might get a taste of . . . welsh honey after all. And perhaps teach the lad a new form of enjoyable punishment. I may just have to print this out poster size and frame it. Well done. I've, converted this one to audio already, it will get a lot of play time I should think. Damn, Three rare emoticons in the same review. Well done Mark. And Happy New Year! You started mine off with a bang!

A MOST excellent chapter Mark. I'm salivating. It appears they are headed for home via Spain and France. So Granger will get to speak to his father unless the stress gets to him. And what of our new midshipman? Mr Llewellyn obviously was vexed to a point of disruption. Let's hope he has a good reason and a tough bottom. Cute though it may be. Shall we polish the caronades? And what of Mr Brookstone's choosing? Perhaps the prettiest peacock is not always the quietest! And since he did the choosing there certainly appears to be something of a responsibility that is accepted with that effort. Perhaps Mr Llewellyn was defending the ships honor! Though he had done it in a manner beneath his station, his heart could have been in the right place. But someone must pay the piper. What if Brookstone was to have to pay for Mr Llewellyn's misbehavior. Mr Llewellyn would certainly learn decorum and Mr Brookstone would age considerably in his knowledge of what constitutes a good choice. And Mr Llewellyn would have quite some time to live it down with the rest of the midshipman having caused the dishonor on their captain and then having brought the humiliation upon Brookstone. That could be a longer lasting, more memorable punishment than receiving it himself. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Both are at fault and have something to learn. Mr Llewellyn could only regain respect by a selfless act of bravery I think. Let's hope it is not terminal. Imagine if nothing were said to Mr Llewellyn at all but he was made to hold Mr Brookstone arms. Their eyes would be locked for every crack. Mr Llewellyn would feel the pain more keenly than Brookstone having caused it. And let's not forget that the commodore will be on board to watch the proceedings. This has some strongly emotional possibilities Mark. Quite a tapestry you've woven. So let's see who gets called out on the carpet. One of your best yet Mark. Loving it. Just don't wander off back to CAP and leave us hanging from the yard arms.

I think I have it figured out now. Billy's mom is mortgaging the farm to pay for college and an education in the violin. This would allow Billy and David to be near each other if she picked a college near where he lives. The old man I am sure will get his due. It might be the way you dispose of Elder. Maybe he tramples the old man and has to be put down. Or maybe he goes out to do Elder in and in the process of defending himself the shotgun goes off. Anyway it goes, Elder can not exist without Billy and Billy can't stay in the sticks. Too much talent and the city boy isn't going to stay. It will be interesting to see Seth's letter and the response. I wouldn't be surprised if Seth was gay and that's why he left and had limited contact. And mom knows. (Don't they always?) A brilliant chapter and hot. I mean really hot. Nicely done. And did I mention HOT!? Can't wait for the next chapter. Cheers, R

It was really good to get a chapter on this. It is certainly one of my favorites. I'm not sure what happened here to further the story any but I'll take what I can get and hope for some meat and potatoes in the next. I mean, a cliff hanger with his mom confronting him about being gay would have been pretty cool. She already prefaced it with the suicide bit, so we can pretty well deduce that she has figured it out. Couple that with the bullying angle we can guess what the talk is going to be like. I hope we don't have to wait a year to find out. Joel on the other hand . . . well that will be an interesting conversation won't it? Now the big question. Will Tanner make it home intact? Will Chris come to his rescue? Thanks Cosmie, I hope your focus stays here for a few chapters. We can't wait for more. It's too good to just let it sit.

A FANTASTIC Chapter Mark. Lady bitch is finally getting her comeuppances (Is that really a word?) And you have even lined up another candidate to kiss the gunnars daughter. And just for me? I'm blushing. I think sweet rebel Llewellyn will cane nicely. Thanks in advance. lol R

Another excellent chapter Mark. And I was glad to see that Granger finally got some. He will have to make it up to Gatling when he returns. A task I am sure he won't mind. I look forward to the next.

Another great chapter. Not many would know that Pie Jesu was a requiem for the bombing of an orphanage during WW II. Heart wrenching really but beautiful. It is obvious that Mrs Templeton was unphased. We always figured she knew what was going on. I really expected to find out why she had all the paperwork out on the ranch. An after thought, perhaps she took a loan out for Billy to go to college for the violin in California! They are getting closer and closer to old man Templeton finding out about them. I wonder if he is worried about being nailed down on "his" part of all of it. And for him to know about it means he knows about Billy being gay. Most stories that go this long between chapters you have to go back and reread to see where you are. this one is so unique that you remember exactly what is and has happened. That is saying something. Well done.

Wow, that was certainly a twist. I thought he was going to blackmail him into telling him and then manipulate things so that his sister-in-law's plan was foiled. I would think hanging oneself below deck quite a feat. Quarters were generally cramp with low bulkheads. And choking yourself is impossible. You stop when you can't breathe. One other thing that puzzled me about that and that is that he was not a naval officer. He was a reporter sent by Lord Spencer to write of Granger. He filled the position of clerk. He was in effect a guest onboard. Would a guest be held to the same standards? And on land no less. But the mystery still stands. What was to be gained if he was also exposed. He could not implicate Granger without implicating himself. And if it was not for implication publicly, then to what end. Perhaps she wanted to engage him in a mission to scew somebody else and she had to know if he would be willing. She obviously knew of Ramsey's disposition. So her need to know had to be more towards the goal of perhaps blackmailing someone at court. Perhaps she wanted him to get close to someone to blackmail them into doing what ever her plan was. :wacko: Too much thinking. So write it and I'll read it. Thanks Mark. Finally glad to see that he and Gatling got a piece of each other. We might have to change Gatling's name to Lay's. You can't each just one.

OG that was divinely humorous. Dust bunnies was always a funny term to me anyways. Wonderful! Thanks.

A chapter of great release for no one having gotten any. It was good that Winkler has been shown to be more than his valet but more of the confidant that we know him to be. Ramsey is certainly the snake we expected him to be. But now we know the impetus behind the man. It is obviously to have a go at Caroline. A mistake to be sure. But what to do, how to handle it. Perhaps hand him off to Nelson, a person more worthy to be written about. And what if I am wrong and it isn't to have a go at Caroline but something to do with the Wilcox clan? Could they be plotting a noose for Granger? He needs to find out who his family is. It may not end in a noose because he is so decorated and favored by the king but it would mean an end to his career. Perhaps Maurice could cook up a little food poisoning for him. One thing is certain. He owes Winkler large. :2hands: (I always wanted to use that emoticon.) Well done Mark. You remain my favorite writer for reason to obvious to mention again. You're just good and you can't help it.

A great Chapter Mark, Again, Mr Gatling shows his maturity. will we see Mr Roberts again? I was hoping for a white flag exchange. It would be a good maneuver as well. They could not give chase after exchanging for a significant period of time if at all. In effect, it would have secured their escape. But that may not be in line with history. Still, it would have granted more space for Nelson and Granger and perhaps even enough space for Granger to relieve his own personal tensions. I figure that Ramsey will be confronted and suggest it was Granger's fault as he excited him and then was denied. Mr Gatling however? Hmmm Perhaps he was hinting that he too was trying to be like Granger in every aspect! Short on shot and powder is never good. the need for spars too. And rope! Another good reason not to go hanging people. Until the next sir.

Another BRILLIANT adventure! Truly this is a masterpiece. So what is to become of Mr Roberts? I have not read the history provided in the link you gave as I want to be surprised in how it progresses. But it does seem hopeless doesn't it? Preston against the three, perhaps not even under her own flag at their very moment. Did Preston strike so easily when he saw how outnumbered he was? So many possibilities. And yet, what about Mr Roberts. Will he be sacrificed? Will he be the exchange for the Spanish passengers on Belvidera? And the loss of Carslake Brave but dead The chapter carried all the excitement of battle as we attended. I may have even received a splinter myself as I gripped my desk so tightly. I will hate to ever see this adventure end. But it is destined to be a classic. Well done sir.

An excellent chapter Mark. It will be interesting to see the honors Mr Carslake receives and to see how you write the moral boost that Nelson instills when he compliments the men. Nice that Mr. Clifton was elevated to his own command. He seems to have learned well from Granger. And what of Preston! Was he sunk with all hands unmercifully slaughtered? That would make for some angry and questionable emotions from Nelson AND Granger were they to go back to find the Spanish ship still there and disabled. What would happen in such a dastardly situation? Would the Spanish crew be sent to the deep in retaliation? And what of the guests on board? Would they be forced to watch or to join the others? And who else did Granger lose? So many questions you have yet to answer. It is still some time before sun up. And Mr Brookstone elevated in status! Sounds like a new midshipmen coming. I hope my blessed caronade wasn't damaged too badly for a kiss! Cheers. r

I loved this chapter Mark, it may be a favorite even though it lacked kissing a certain Gunnar's Daughter. The bit about the cow had me laughing out loud. A change of LOYALTY! And brought about by British gold. That gives new meaning to "a cash cow" doesn't it? The chapter set the tone and tenor for Nelson and Granger's crew and put them AND Nelson at ease with each other. Though the proprieties will continue as they should, they got to see a more relaxed version of him and would keep the midshipmen from being star struck. They were free now to enjoy the stories they were writing while in this great naval officers company. Something to tell their grandchildren about. Even Sir George respects the man. Well done Mark. That doesn't let you off the hook on the Gunnar's daughter though. At least ones in each book so far. So you still have time. And why the emoticon? Because "I" can.

Ok, confirmed. You ARE as good as you seem. But I would like to have them find some happiness in it. At least some dialog. I like how you flesh your characters. Enough to give them character and in such a way that the reader can give them life with their imagination. I also enjoy the rapid fire dialog between the characters. That is something that either flows or it doesn't and I don't know many writers that can write it competently. It is something I enjoy in my own writing because it's fun. I also enjoy writing circular logic which always raises an eyebrow from the reader. But you have that gift of rapid fire jousting and the flavor of it is wonderful as it sets the rolling wave of the story rolling unceasingly to the soft sandy shores. And if this is not one of your best as you said in your comments, then I'm in for a real treat. Thanks. r

A delightful story. Thanks so very much. I love the word-flowers you create to make the pictures come to life. The line I loved the most? "I'm not stalking you," Michael replied calmly, with that infuriatingly sexy grin. "I just happened to run into you in a premeditated manner." You have a delightfully warped sense of humor. A lot like mine. Loved it. Now I have to check out more of yours. I have to see if this is a "one off" or if you are truly as gifted as you seem. Cheers, r

The story was also becalmed in this one. But a good time for introspection. I little disconcerting about Ramsey however. He has been on board for quite some time and all of a sudden he is interested in Granger? I'm not so sure he is sincere. And that is a little disconcerting. Now, Nelson is to resume command. Granger seems to do better solo. He has nothing but problems in a group. And will there be anything said in the rumor mill when Nelson repairs on board? Will Jervis have anything to say before he is dismissed to return to his command? Is Calvert about to face the mast? Will any of the collateral damage fall upon Granger? It seems the fat is in the fire on that issue, so to speak. Perhaps Ramsey can save Granger's reputation. But will he be willing if he doesn't get to savor it just a bit? Let's just hope that the action ahead is against the enemy. But I see more than the coldness of the rough seas ahead for Calvert AND Granger. Perhaps Caroline will intercede in some fashion to quell the rumors. Perhaps find him a woman to be his front. Marriage could save his butt. Especially if it was a sister or relative of Estabon's. Then it could appear that the time spent together was yarning about her. A shame too. Calvet's love canal was an enjoyable navigation . And thanks for that bit of hope cast toward Brookstone and the gunnar's daughter. I thought that, that delightful treat was all but gone from the story. Maybe a new midshipman will show up. He still has one or two he hasn't tasted yet.

Lonliness? Call for Sommers! Call for Winkler and Jeffers! (Well at least he could watch!) And a good deck shower is ALWAYS good for the soul. Thank you for the great chapter Mark. It is helping me maintain my sanity at the moment. Cheers, R

You might say he has charted his course in a rather masculine way. Now if he could get Sommers, Calvert, the new guy, Chartly and himself all in his cabing they could be a floating brothel. How do I book passage? I mean, after all they are in Gibraltar and it's know for getting your rocks off. Or is that getting off at the Rock? Damn Dyslexics Another tasty chapter Mark. I shall dine on these words until better ones are delivered. And soon I hope. I mean, the main course was delicious, now I want some desert!