Northern Dutch Guy

Another nice chapter Mark, thank you. But ... Sadly Odyssey will come to an end soon. Fortunately Mark has built in enough leads to make a new story in the Bridgemont series to continue.... even without a ship for Granger. The last few sentences of chapter 76 is I think already the opening of the coming story, where Grangers father says : “We have fought a battle with them, and thanks largely to you, we have won. There are outward signs of that, in the form of my award of the Garter, and my appointment to the Privy Council, not to mention your appointment as Governor and Constable of Windsor, and your appointment as a Colonel of the Marines.” The Earl paused for a second, and then continued. “So they will leave us alone, unless they perceive we are weak. We must be civil to them, and avoid creating a problem, but we must be wary.” So I guess Granger will not have to start finding them. They will not leave him alone ...

Mark wrote again a very clever chapter (in 9.11 the 70th)... I think. Relationships can have bad times and when you are young it often means a break... for you have to digest things that you never met before.... Matt and Wade are having a bad time. A break would for them ...(I do not mean... a permanent break) could be even good for each other... They have to solve some private things .... and solving them makes them mature... And makes them again more attractive for each other. My youngest sister married when she was 20 yo with a guy she knew from 'kindergarten' . They broke up several times between being 12 and 19 yo and... often I was ... the in between guy... they gave messages to ... to transport to each other.... that they wanted to be together again.... I will be with my partner 25 years together this year ... but before that we broke up 4 times in 5 years.... But we learned a lot about each other during our break ups ! So much that we .... got together again and now permanent.... Now back to why I think Mark wrote this clever chapter. .. All options are still open. So... even a break between Matt and Wade... could be still ... just temporary. Mark wrote about Will that he needs time .... to ever be on acceptable terms with Matt again... but.... I guess that is the same for Wade ... towards Matt ... and some other people in Mark's story... Mark I love your stries ... So Keep writing love NDG

Mark, thanks . I had again fun reading this chapter. Things like : “I said everything that happens to you is extreme,” he corrected. “A lot of kids run away from home. Most of them don’t fuck up a Ferrari and a Porsche first.” That actually did make me laugh. It made me laugh as well . Also the situation with the mother of Chris in the restaurant speaking Spanish to the owner .. about her son and a few other situations ... brought a smile to my face ...

Aaaahh nice chapter... for it opens up a lot of possibilities for future chapters. Mark... I was not really disappointed with your last chapters of Odyssey ... but... the character of George, his friends, his lovers and officers ... in my opinion you usually make them much more alive when something... worthwhile/deep/threatening/exciting goes on. Please do not see my reaction as being bored... But I think your writing gets better as you make it more complex. I think you can masterly shape characters and combine the conficts and longings... Arthurs and Cavendish comments ...hmm... I think I see a beautifull future for some exiting new stories.... So now ... this Guild thing may be I hope will be a trigger for .... As always keep writing love H&M

I really liked the 66th chapter Maybe Mark could be a good soccer coach... (or a coach for any other sports) ... For in my opinion, the talks from JP vs Matt and the talks during dinner looked to me like the talks a coach has in the half time break with a non functional team. Pointing out what were the weak points but also clarifies/enlightens them what could be the winning moves for the second half.... I think Mark created in this story again a spirit in this family that will make them move forward like a team ... hmm... maybe ... a bit ... more... as a functional family... instead of ... we are living together , but individually we are all so lonely... Again... after this chapter all options are open again. For the good... or the worse...

OMG, Beautifull chapter. I hope, if I ever run into a situation with my kids, I have the controlled openness and clarity from JP as you wrote this in this situation with Matt ! All the other discussions as well you did them from a characteristic point of view from all your characters in the story... Man... How many points of view can a guy succesfully create (!!!) and combine into a combined point of view for the future !!! Really, I think ... you did well ! and a little more... Maybe you could be a good soccer coach... (or a coach for any other sports) ... For the talks from JP vs Matt and the talks during dinner looked to me like the talks a coach has in the half time break with a non functional team. Pointing out what were the weak points but also clarifies/enlightens them what could be the winning moves for the second half.... I think you created in this story again a spirit in this family that will make them move forward like a team ... hmm... maybe ... a bit ... more... as a functional as a family... instead of ... we are living together , but individually we are all so lonely... I really liked this chapter As always.... keep writing

Hmmm Private Tim I do agree with you ... that Will's action is immature and does interfear with what his parents wants... but do understand that I'm not 15 any more... that was a long time ago... But I might have thought different when I was like Will 15 yo. Learning about responsability and being mature and responsible takes time. Will is young and makes mistakes like anyone did when being his age. I disagree with you that it is a character flaw. No I do not think it is not a character flaw... in my opinion. He will learn from this... well hmmm... Mark will write it that way I guess... His character is develloping... and yes he is 15 yo and is immature and behaves like that. So.... he behaves like that in this story ! So I think it is good writing from Mark and he will make Will's character evolve in the future ... I think. Your other point that you work with guys who are rich and have Will's background and behave superior is what I understand very well. It is in my opinion a very good point. Some children grow up in a world of abbundance and... have no idea of what happens outside their rich family and friends lives. Others grow up abbandoned or poor... Realise I know for this is how I grew up. But Mark created a rich family with children growing up rich and... I hope my kids will not have to endure my poor state ever... but I would prefer it to be like Will has it. His environment makes things open for discussion... mine never did. His environment makes him think beyond rich and poor. Will did react when Noah who did not come from a rich family was excluded from a party (by his cousin Marie... and aunt Claire). So understand I realise your point as Mark probably will ... But the character of Will is just now a 15 yo guy/boy who makes mistakes... and learns from them and his character will grow during the story... ( I hope ! So please Mark make it happen !). Private Tim I think I understand your comments but do not share all of them. I like the characters... the way Mark makes them grow... And for Mark, as always keep writing NDG

I liked the story, The main issue is I think for most guys (I only know that way of thinking) clear. Sometimes there is this in between girl/guy that is attractive for gay/straight men. And if you fall in love... it is OMG he is not a boy or she is not a girl... but yes you are in love and it makes it more complex. You wrote about this very well I think. The gender issue is I think always there for guys/girls struggling to accept their own sexual identity. The mixed feelings for an in between girl or boy make it even more complex So yes the gender issue you bring out in this story was very well done and makes I think the reader think more about it. Well done.

My eyes flew over the story longing for more and more longing to learn the outcome of the story. So yes... your story captured me. Unfortunately it ended sadly but... I think I will remember it for a long time. The longing, the love and the loss when a lover is no more. I liked the story .

I was glad to find and read another beautifull Odyssey chapter ! I do like the reaction of Caroline... not how she reacted but... in the heat of the moment she showed she cares for Granger... but... only I think this way she showed she does not know him any longer so well.... Her affair should have been a warning for her... that she lost contact with him... and now she interferes in Grangers relations with his friends/lovers ... and she does not understand these affairs... so I guess this will mean troubles/more drama for Granger in the future... Though Granger did well on his trip, the loss Of his loved ship Bachante and a lot of his crew I think will have an impact on him.. Caroline's action will not help him I guess... for... For Granger ... I think his friends and lovers are very dear to him and... he knows that he will see them only for a short time as he is a Captain and most of his sexual friends are officers on other ships... And that there is so little time they can be together... Now Calvert is a Captain... Granger and Calvert are/will be ... no longer a couple... and I think that is what Caroline missed.... I hope Caroline will see her error soon... but... I guess that is more for Granger to find out and correct... But as long as this is not solved... I guess this will be a sad time for Granger, Calvert and Gatling... And Winkler what will he do if he sees Granger being so sad about losing contact with his loved friends... His loyalty is part of Grangers story... and well being. Again a very good chapter and the way you made Caroline act ... It will add more personal views, conflicts and some extra drama to the story... I guess as Granger will find out why his friends are.... unreachable for him... Keep writing I hope you'll have a new chapter soon

Hi Mark I was glad to find and read another beautifull Odyssey chapter ! I do like the reaction of Caroline... not how she reacted but... in the heat of the moment she showed she cares for Granger... but... Also this way she showed she does not know him any longer so well.... Her affair should have been a warning for her... that she lost contact with him... and now she interferes in Grangers relations with his friends/lovers ... and she does not understand these affairs... so I guess this will mean troubles in the future... For Granger ... I think his friends and lovers are very dear to him and... he knows that he will see them only for a short time as he is a Captain and most of his sexual friends are officers on other ships... And that there is so little time they can be together... Now Calvert is a Captain... Granger and Calvert are/will be ... no longer a couple... and I think that is what Caroline missed.... I hope Caroline will see her error soon... but... I guess that is more for Granger to find out and correct... But as long as this is not solved... I guess this will be a sad time for Granger and Calvert and Gatling... Again a very good chapter and the way you made Caroline act ... It will add more personal views, conflicts and some extra drama to the story... I guess as Granger will find out why his friends are.... unreachable for him... I hope I'll find a new chapter soon... Keep writing I hope you'll have a new chapter soon

Ricky... I like your pov. The royalty or part of them making sure their offspring is doing well and socially not being ridicualised but seen as okay for the royal family.. And since Lord Grangers last actions known to the public were very ... very ... succesfull... I think it would be a very reasonable thing to do. But Mark might see this different.... though I think/I hope he would like your point of view ... I also hope he will continue this story a lot faster... for since Lord Granger was taken hostage... his story... has slowed down a lot... But maybe Mark is building up a series of new chapters... or a new story... !

9.11 50th part was again a nice but sad and almost tear jerking part for me. Beautifull written from Mark's pov. A nice find to have him couple with Marcel, who reminds him of Robby but... also showed him he is a good sexual partner. A longed for sexual partner. The good sex he had with Marcel may help him with growing over losing Robby.... and make him realise sex can still be great with another partner .. For Brad it might be one of the first steps realising there is another lifetime after loosing Robby. As always ... keep writing... NDG

Ahhh how could I forget that in my reaction. Probably the most important thing for kids/girls/boys is that they need to feel loved and told to be loved !

hallo Mark Paternity.... I sometimes forgot that the title told it all. Had no idea where you would let the story end. Or how it would end as there was not one but more main characters from whose POV this story was told. But again in your last chapter ... Paternity told it all... And was a well chosen title. Yes this book was that struggle about being a father and the feelings and develloping relationship kids have towards them. There is strong interaction. And those feelings can be much more stronger for the kid ! Because also he as a father is the strongest male role model. And that I only know since my partner helped some girls... yes lesbians like in this story to have children. For him and me it was him just helping them having kids... when they asked. Not with fatherly feelings. Just... amazed that they asked us. But for those two kids.... OMG I was so... amazed that they wanted him (us) in their lives after they started asking why they had no father but two mothers! And they are just 7 and 5 yo ! Mark, you captured in this story a very good picture of conflicts and feelings from the POV of a young guy in... the develloping relationship with his father(s)... and how both sons and fathers can do react stupid though they still think they are doing things right ! Conlicts and handling them... how bad they will get...I can only hope when we have conflicts so deep with our kids ... I hope they will end this way. Basicly it is about learning to see it and understand it from each others POV. Dare to be open and trusting and honest... It sounds so simple... ! loved the sory ! :worship: Ahh Mark please.... maybe this is too personal... but I think you were reacting on this site some two years ago... you had troubles with... Is this/was this your way of describing a personal strougle with a puberal son ?

Mark another good chapter. You write stories in stories. Most of the characters are developing are... changing with age. Boys become men and I think you do this very good. I like the way you describe conflicts and how to handle them when it is between people you do not want out of your life. You show in this story the struggle how to see things from someones other pov. Like the conflicts between Will and Brad and Robby. Though they were at a point where they would have liked to kill... Also Matt and Wade are very good developing characters. Young adults who learn that trust is one and honesty is essential. Also learning that the most times hidden kinky sexual fantasies can really deepen a relationship. Yes basicly, I think, you find this kinky stuff out when you have sex with someone else . Learning that, as long as you are honest about your sexual activities with others, sex between the two of you can get better and better. What you describe here is basicly how things work between me and my partner, though I do not think you had us in mind when you started this story . ... and we never exchanged rings... when we decided to be together forever ! So there were no tear jerkers here like you describe on 01-01-01 though we are Dutch and could have.... I also liked the way Matt got (from Brad) the entrance to their sex... cellar ! That means a way of trust and intimacy ...! But I do not think I let my son have entrance there yet ! Love your stories...

Jeff being a 'spring off' from someone in the Hayes family seems logical. In (almost?) every book of the CAP Saga they turn up. I would be more amazed (I think it would be a nice twist) if this time it was coming from Brad's familyline. The family they fought so hard in Millenium. Whatever Mark has in for us in the next chapters he knows how to keep us looking out for next ones! Love your Stories Mark and especially the way you can combine facts from earlier stories with the new ones

An absolute good story. Yes with very shocking parts, sadism and abuse. Sometime hazing in the worst ways, sexual exploit of the youngest highschool girls and boys or totally respectless behaviour towards those younger kids.... It was why I sometimes had to put the ook down. But also with a good main character and his friends strugling in this environment. Full of love and compassion. In my opinion a very very good and complex story with very good develloped characters. Would like to read a follow up ! As the main characters just were in their first year of highschool.

Thanks Mark, another nice chapter. I did like Granger reacting to Calverts needs. The way you wrote it, George was really reaching out to Calvert. This could have easily resulted in a bad break up if he had not responded. But because of Grangers reaction... I think ... most of the damage was reapairable and that was what Calvert needed. So again yes a very good captured situation. Calvert needed to know George still was there for him. He was sent away... but not... because he was not loved.. And also... George gave him a good crew as well... probably to support he meant the best for him..

Mark again a very good chapter. Will must have been shocked seeing the boys.. he knew from a picture. The sons of a guy they wanted to kill. Will is in a lot of ways old enough to handle things for himself but this ... The way you wrote Will behaving when he saw those boys was I think was very accurate and very much to the point. Boys this age can be brave and look and can act older but when confronted with things about life and death. Will realised a few days ago that some boys were gona loose their father and he pointed that out... to the others when having "that" talk. But I guess he then never thought he would know theese boys so close ! So yes he is also young and he can act as an older boy ... and he looks like an older kid... but emotional he still is that 15 year old kid. So seeing these boys... I think you wrote perfectly how a boy his age could or would react. But I also guess your next chapter is also about this. About Will seeing this happening. Ahh... for the benefits of the main heroes in these stories... I do hope it was an accident and not a killing...

Again a beautiful chapter... and again I like it that the historic features are good and well thought of. Although hurting ... the more romantic me.... was the reaction towards Calvert. But ... Yes... Calvert should have learned and understood years ago.. that he lives in a period and a setting with strict hierarchical rules... and behaviour. Like when a more senior guy is coming aboard... so you have to step down... Also...Calvert knew from the beginning of this voyage what would happen if another ship was captured... So... don't whine... So yes... even I can see the logic in that ! Like to see what is coming and learn how his former midshipsmen were prisoners. I think they will have a role in this story... I am amazed how you can write chapters after chapters and stories after stories with facts so... perfectly fitting and combined....

In my way of thinking I can only hope JJ clung to Robbie knowing he had been in the same kind of situation he was. But Mark has made this story ... so amazingly... complex... and still he can write the next chapter so easily... different from my and probably a lot of peoples thoughts... Love your stories...

Thanks for another great 'Grainger' chapter. I really like to read the Bridgemont series. I felt a bit worried you had put the Bridgemont series on hold. I admire the way you can handle the big picture and the way you can combine the facts from earlier 'books' and chapters... A new chapter usually makes my day ! Thanks ! Keep posting.

... Love is in the air... and in your story. I'm over 20 years with my lover and still wonder how to excite him again and again.. Just the way you wrote this story. Thanks. A nice short story.

A well written plot in a dramatic and sad story. I liked your story. Keep writing..