Canuk

You write so well. The events that pull the action along may be really out of the box, but somehow you make them work. Bloody good read. Looking forward to the next episodes!

The problem with bills like this is that the authors think they can limit "discrimination"to the specific category that the authors choose: gay, black, female, religous, non religious, specific religion, outsiders, recent arrivals, the list of possibilities is endless. However, times have changed, there is no one group that has a monopoly on political or e onomic power. Back in the day when WASPs controlled all it was somewhat easier (if you were a member of that elite), now power is spread further (not far enough, but definately futher than it was) 1)society is a better place for all of us, and 2) the bizarre legislation proposed by Arizona et al is less likely to get implemented. This is in part because people realise that if we agree to discriminate against one group its is just as easy to discriminate against another.

marvellous to see Grainger back and with a decent reward. I can imagine that the social circle would have been boring in the extreme - no wonder the regency is known for its interesting twist on morality and the penchant of many of both sexes for gambling; there was three fifths of bugger all to do otherwise! i look forward to a post a week - no idea how you find the time, but believe me it is much appreciated!

Glad you are back! great beginning; you have created variable and generally likable characters, that are not too saccharine. BTW I think you'll find its "speak (or say) my piece". in that context "peace" doesn't work!!

Great story! I have just read all 25 chapters (my tablet battery just held out!) Excellent characterisation, cunning plot; all in all a great read. I have never known anyone that was so weirdly affected by tequila, but it certainly adds an edge to the story. I am a little confused how the "baddies" expect to take over paraguay (mnd you i can't imagine why anyone would want to take over paraguay - or any other country - for that matter; perhaps i just dont have any ambition.....) look forward to the next chapters :-)

Like Centexhairsub, I really don't understand where the characters are going and while I am willing to accept that 9/11 affected us all differently (yes I did have relatives physically affected), several of the characters seem to have become completely unattached from their former pre 9/11 characters. .

I do so love my Grainger fix! While i have thoroughly enjoyed the naval battles and journeys, i foresee the next story being more of a political drama before dear grainger returns to his beloved sea. If so i am sure it will be just as thrilling! Write on! Mr Arbour, write on!

The twists and turns of 18th century politics make todays childish weeners look truly amateurish. Granger, while so good at the deringdo of the high seas and foreign ports is lucky to have such a useful coterie to look after him and his interests during his absences. Mark, i thoroghly enjoy the plots and characters of this story and look forward to the updates. Personally, while 911 is as well written as any story on this site, the characters just dont grab me like your Odyssey chraracters do. I suppose this could reflect more on me than you; is it suprising that haveing reached my 50'sI find the exploits of an all round (gay) masculine hero far more satisfying than the snivellings of spoilt 20 somethings! That said, i am always up for a well written story and you have not failed me there yet!

bloody marvelous!

Dearest George has the most amazing luck when it comes to lovers: periods of his lifevthat could have been frusrating and utterly miserable he finds out that his companion is sexualy insatiable. Ican imagine if it was me, i would be hosted by a aged haridan with rats for company. But then i don't have half the endearing, engaging and just plain luck of our hero!

So great to have our hero back! Whil e i am pleased that he got to enjoy himself both at the soiree and at Marly (albeit in very different ways!) i have a feeling that neither will advance his cause. I have more hope that tha Spanish connection will in some perverted way provide. More satisfaction.....

Back after a bit of an absence There were definitely Ambassadors and as a consequence of the communication delays mentioned above they had considerably more power than their successors today. In times of war they had to play a complex "game" where their behind the scenes activities had to be very discrete while maintaining the diplomatic niceties above the surface. Some of the activities of Ambassadors in this era have written interesting diaries/published letters that describe this in all its messy detail.

Great tension between the two main characters. Well done. Thoroughly enjoyable read

Excellent chapter. Mr Arbour, this is why I like your writing. You manage to advance the plot in an interesting and thrilling way that holds our interest but importantly fits with the characters you have created. Caroline is one hell of a gal, and the perfect partner for our hero. Moving things forward today's Congress could do with a shake up by Caroline Grainger! Thank you.

So one fictional character meets another! At least we know Mr Aubrey survives as we have read his exploits elsewhere. It will be interesting to find out how our hero gets out of this.....

what a turn!! that magnificent ship wrecked, Tobias skinned and eaten and the correspondence destroyed! Now we can only hope that our hero gets to hear of this!! Mr Arbour; you certainly have the capacity to amuse and entertain. congratulations!

I agree that it is probably way too early to tie Will down to one person, but I can imagine that he ends up with someone he already has met (my guess is Alistair) ultimately getting together years or a decade further on. Will is going to need an intelligent partner, he is going to need someone who is not his lapdog, he will need someone that keeps him interested, physically and emotionally. No matter how good the sex is with Tony - it is no basis for a long term relationship.

I have so missed reading this forum - while i have managed to find enough time to keep up with the story, I never had enough time to include the Forum debate in my reading. I am dropping in now to add to the chorus of people expressing their enjoyment at the direction this story is taking. It is so good to read a story where it all seems real, played out by real characters doing realistic things. I also like the title - when my Minister (of the Crown, not the pulpit) found me reading this, she assumed I was reading Homer - so my reputation in the office has gone up several degrees!

This chapter is a classic case of only write about what you know or intrinsically understand. The gay teen relationship stuff is written well, the family dynamic is written well. The half baked politics is crap, the adoption plotline is plain wrong. tex, you write well, just stick to what you know and there will be great stories.

I have read the last 28 or so chapters over the last few days and have enjoyed them, while at this point i am not going to critique the writing or editing, (i will write some comments on the most recent chapter when i get there), but at this point i must most fundamentally disagree with your comments about trust. Trust is the basis of any relationship and if you give advice provided they dont discus it with their partner you are niaeve and sowing the seeds for the destruction of that relationship. Added to that there was the truly appalling nature of the advice: no sex till your married! This is the late 20th century. How dare he be so blatantly hypocritical.

Kai is managing to improve my view of Will! 5 or 6 chapters ago, i would not have believed that to be possible.

I do enjoy your writing. The story has enough of everything to make me want to keep coming back - surely a good sign! The bits of back story helps build character and the history is detailed enough and accurate enoug to provide an interesting setting. Well written hot sex rounds it all off nicely!

excellent story - the abuse of Australians, our language, customs and general behaviour was unrelenting and inventive but did add to a great story. I was concerned for a while that Bridget was going to survive, I am bloody glad she didn't. Thanks again

Fun chapter. Playing the wife obviously agreed with our hero! I look forward to Georges participation in the battle of the Nile! (or is my chronology wrong?)

Mr Arbour and Mr Sandrewn, how can you possibly have a conversation about this chapter without mentioning the absolute VISION that appeared in the middle? and it wasn't a bloody epaulet! I can understand that our hero is having trouble with his facepaint, but that, frankly would not be the only part I would be having trouble with....... praise to what ever god applies that we get to see a lot more of this wraith from the desert!