AnytaSunday

This is my favorite chapter yet. The setting is unique and, at least the way I imagine it in mind, it's so peaceful and colorful. In particular, I liked the interaction between Blake and Haze without talking. That was really beautiful. I could still feel Blake's insecurites, but they seemed to be toned down underwater, which goes to show how much diving helps him. It was nice to see him calmer. Jeez-louise, I wish you'd write faster. Say, are you posting as you write? Also, have you written before? It reads like you have. Or perhaps you read a lot, or both. And, do you dive yourself? Or did you do a lot of research to write this? Thanks so much for the read, Your NZer fan, Anyta

OM freaking Lord, this is so exciting. It's not even happening to me, and my gut is all jumpy and excited! I'm just soooo happy for you and Mike. So very, very, very happy. *is jumping up and down, and crossing fingers and sending you the biggest hugs ever! I wished I'd seen this blog entry earlier!!!! I used to get email updates, not anymore, it seems. WooHOO!

Rrrr...darn it, eh. Look what you've done! I'm finished reading already BUT, but now there's no more left. Please don't leave us gaping with a hook in our mouths too long! The entire read was really enjoyable. I agree with Andy that you show Blake's anxiety well. Really well actually. It is something I have myself and struggle with, and I swear some paragraphs I was internally cringing at the way he works (but also sympathising). It's helpful to read a reflection like this--I think/hope we learn more about how Blake copes. Anyway, I like it when stories touch on issues. And I also really like the amount of detail you go into with the diving stuff--it gives the setting credibility. One thing: Man, why couldn't the New Zealanders be kick ass cool. 'cause you know in truth we all are. lol! hehe. Sweet, thanks for the read, Anyta

Wow. Okay. I feel like Alice tumbling into Wonderland, so much crazy and amazing stuff is happening. You write with much conviction and with a spicing of humor in places that adds a lightness to an otherwise dark story. Um... right, now, I sort of have to apologize to you. I'm LOL in a nervous sense. When I read chapter three it had been a while since reading chappy two, and *hangs head* I got your main character's names mixed up. So when I read three and Kian, I had all of Domani's previous character stuff in mind. Only at the beginning of this chapter did I finally click. I was just so focused on all the new aspects and fighting I--I got carried away. Oops. To that end, I'd rather like to take back my calling Kian a shit. Let me transfer that , please, to Dolmani. I might want to add he's a super shit. The way he made him eat that awful sandwich from his palm, ugh!!! That really made me gag, because as a teen I once let a sandwich go somewhat moldy (just a bit, but still) in the bottom of my schoolbag, and as a punishment I was made to eat it. To this day I can't stand anything remotely to do with mold. That includes blue cheese and reading about foul bread. Double ugh. hehe. Right. Nice work, Kavrik, Anyta

I intended to leave a message after finishing chapter three, but I was so hooked, I had to continue right away with four. Hehe, in the last chapter when I read the line: Not bloody likely. I had a moment of homesickness. It's just such a familiar saying that some of us NZer's use when 'being aussie' and I can hear down to a tee the accent with it. My mind jumped straight from that to: Throw a shrimp on the barbie. LOL. hehehe, I love it! People just rock there! I loved the mysterious elements that came up in the last chapter with Haze's father, that's curious. Also, the self-image issues he has is something very real and frightening. I like this aspect to the story, adds a real depth. This chapter was lovely, I especially enjoyed the moment at the end. Thanks so much for the read. Great stuff!

Well, well, well. What varied and pleasant responses I had to this. Ben is hilarious, sweet, and cute as help! I'm curious what difficulties he's been through, though--what his grandmother in her thoughts alluded to. Rick--hehe, what a guy! Clever, and suave, really. I get the feeling he's a bit of a charmer. But the cat! ROFL, hehe. Anyone walking a cat would have my brows at my hairline, but the way you described Rick, well, I was like hmmm freaking eh, how can that sound hot? lol. The two were fast to get right down to business, but somehow it didn't feel too soon. But I'm curious at where the story is going, what conflicts come up and how they'll be handled. I LOVED the pacing of the chapter and the descriptions. One thing I noticed, that made the chapter just a little tricky to read, is that the perspective jumps from person to person. A couple of times I had to re-read a paragraph to click what character we were getting he story from again. I'm curious why you chose to do it this way, and if you've thought about possibly having one scene from one character's perspective. I am impressed with what I've read so far, and I'm sooo excited to read on. I love it when I get that thrill of:don't want to put it down. Well, I'm strapped for time now, but I hope to continue very soon. Also, I read an interview you did recently. I enjoyed reading it! Thanks so much for writing and sharing it with us! Anyta

I have to agree with Clovis on this chapter--how on earth do you keep all the elements in your head? Yes, the fight was excellent. I did feel a little pummeled by the block descriptions of the group in the beginning of the chapter. There were some lovely descriptions of talents and we really did get a feel to Kian's attitude of them, however, the chunks of telling made it hard to read through. For me the chapter--that is my real engagement of it, came at the paragraph that started: Kian observed two cats squeak... The mixture of action and description together that you then upheld the remainder of the chapter was really, quite stunning. I still can't say I feel very sympathetic toward Kian. There is a part in this chapter where he says: First off-- I was curious. What? He'd loved? Shit, whatever happened to change him so. Then--(when I read the he wasn't a monster)--I don't know, something bugged me about this line. Obviously, at the moment it's exactly what I think he is, a bit of a monster. So I DON'T have any REASON to believe otherwise just because he said so. In fact, I'd say he's in serious denial if he believes this to be the case. Basically, what I expect as a reader, is for Kian to realize what a shit he is, and then his ACTIONS must show some growth and change for me to believe he isn't actually a monster. However, I just love the internal conflict you foreshadow in this sentence too--that is, he believes it good advice to behave the way he does, but something will test this. He will be challenged to change this way of thinking, and this hooks me to continue reading the story, because I want to know why and HOW. *sighs* I really do love your descriptions and the life you breathe into your characters. I admire it for the pleasure I have in reading it, but also in that I understand how hard it is to attain. The hardest part of writing, I find, is creating imagery that don't bog down, but rather enrichen and give more meaning to the story. It's something you do really quite well. Thanks for the read, Kavrik. P.S. Your chapters are loooong, hehe, that's why it takes me so long to continue, sorry, but I just like having a dedicated space to read an entire chapter in flow, and that means I have to find the right time to read this. I am very much enjoying myself though. Anyta

Hostage, I believe. Excellent story. Go Nephy!

I was totally planning on doing some of my own writing, eh. But I just got sucked into your chapter here, eh. Real good, bro. Liking it, eh. hehehe (It took me soooo long to break out of the habbit of saying 'eh' at the end of most sentences. (I mock my own accent, too) So, the main characters are sounding both intriguing and err, hot, eh! Looking forward to reading on, but I must get some stuff done first! Thanks for the read!

I really teared up in this chapter. I remembering going through it, and it started to get hard to read the sentences. They all blurred, and I had to keep blinking back the tears. Thanks for writing and sharing this with us. No need to reply to this, Andy, just wanted to say again how much your work gets to me. Sometimes I think these comments get overlooked while focusing on polishing aspects.

Just so you know, I heard about this via word-of-mouth. That's the way I like to get reading recommendations, because, in my opinion, it's the good stuff that gets talked about beyond the realm of written reviews. This first chapter was a good read. It held my interest, there is a thread of mystery too. It seems like the likeable Blake also has a flaw to contend with, which adds a nice touch of realism. Super. Also, it's just so cool it's set in Aussie. I can really hear the accents--but us NZer's love to mock it, lol! Nah, it's great, hehe. Thanks for the read.

Wonderful, Nephy, This was really touching. I loved the conflicting emotions each had. I was so in the mood for something this emotional and sweet. She couldn’t put her finger on it but it was there, hanging in the air between them; unacknowledged; unsaid. Loved that line.

Sounds good. Gonna put this on my read list after 'In Due Time' by J_Ross. (which so far is pretty damn awesome.) My favorite not-yet but very soon complete story is: Second Shot (Quonus10)

HOLY SHIT!!!!!!! ANDY!!!!! YAAAAAAAY!!!!! (but please try not to faint, or at least not the hitting head part!) hehe bbbbbbbbyyyyyyyyyy (or baaabiiieeeesss)

Um, this is extremely emotive. Wonderfully written. It makes me feel sympathetic for the main character, but also extremely worried. And hurts. It makes me think of my own son, and what that would do to me if he were ever suffering so much, and I was blind to it. I wish it doesn't work for this character. For some miracle to stop it happening.

I got teary a second time. I intended to skim read, having read the chapter already (hehe, I'm so lucky) but I got sucked into it again. Man, I feel for Jason. And Peter. I think you are going to have a hard time waiting very long between chapters before posting. At this point the gut is clenched, and I think you're going to have some readers demanding you post fast, fast and fast. Will Peter pull through? Or will Jason have a whole lot of heart ache to contend with? How will it reflect in his relationships to both friends and family? Ahhhhhhh... Good thing I don't bite my nails. I'm sure they'd be bloody by now, lol. Your really big fan, Anyta

Blue with the adaptable part ofyellow.

Good chapter. What you've achieved is super hard. Getting the balance of description right is tough. I really like how much of your description isn't just pointing out the way something looks, but adds to the atmosphere and feeling of the chapter by conveying some sense of emotion.It's really quite inspired. Now, I really like Kain as a character, he is sympathetic and that attaches me to him. Domani, on the other hand, well, I keep waiting for some redeeming quality. At the moment, he's a hard character to read. I think the 'bad' side of him is well done, and if he's intended to be the villian of the piece, then I expect to at least become a little sympathetic for how he got to be so cruel. Or, if he's meant to be a deeply flawed character, I certainly hope he develops in some ways over the course of your story. Anyway, I'm super impressed with your world and word-building. You're crafting something fascinating.

Happy Birthday Jake, hope you have a nice one!

Dark, delicious, devious, devine. Brilliant.

Yaaaaay!!! You know you left us on quite a cliff hanger there last chapter. It was good to finally read Dan is fine. I loved the tension I felt while reading this--firstly with the beginning where Matt is attempting to save Dan. I really was on the edge of my seat. Also, I like getting glimpses from both Dan and Matt's perspectives. The fantastical elements are getting richer as the story continues, and the world you've created is complex and fascinating. It was a longer chapter, but soo easy to read. Nice. Dan has a secret for sure, and this is mysterious and I'm excited to find out what it is, but I feel he's still a good guy. So nice the way he is with Matt,gentle, caring, patient. Lovely. Until the next chappy then, Anyta

Hehe, I remember reading this. Good story, I really liked it. Also, I noticed you love the name Jason, . I have names I unconsciously always use too--Lucas. The message is poignant in this, and I'm so glad the two didn't get together or anything to undermine it. Lovely work!

Hehe, tacky or not, too bad! I want to leave a review as well. The journey that Jason undergoes in this two-book story is touching. Sad, frustrating, unsure, happy, sweet, exciting. I love the different emotional responses I have while reading this. I enjoy the complex, but very real character's you've created. I can't say how lucky I am that I'm one of the first that gets to read this. Looking forward to more!!!

Hehe, wanted to be the first to say how much I love this story, and I'm so glad you're working on new chapters! YAY! Can't wait to get more involved again. Keep up the awesome work!

The magical feeling hits home in this second chapter--which was just brilliant, I think it had something to do with getting what the stakes were. I could feel how much Taylan dislikes Mitchell(yet still thinks is attractive) . Yeah, the flow and pacing in chappy two worked wonders for me. Loved it. I'm curious how you'll tackle the parenthood aspect! Looking forward to more...