CassieQ

OMG, that's adorable. Thanks for sharing!

I'm glad you liked it. I really liked the characters in this story and I'm glad they were able to have a happy ending.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Sounds like Brayon has had a rough time. Hopefully his life is now moving in a newer, happier direction with Chandon and his amazing mother!

I don't know if I would even post a warning. I think a lot of it is about context and characters. If the characters that Sam wrote want to have unprotected sex, that is fine. That is a choice that his characters made. People can debate that as being a good or bad choice, but I don't think an author has a moral responsibility to write "safe sex" into a story where sex happens. I think the only responsibility a writer has is to tell the story that they want to tell.

Alannah wasn't snooping when she found the scrapbook, but sharing it with Galen was kinda iffy. Josh is very private about his past, but I think talking about Blackjack was very good for him.

Josh's behavior in this chapter is appalling. For an older guy, he is really acting immature. Whenever something doesn't go his way, he projects it onto other people. I'd be surprised if Galen would want to date someone who acts this way, no matter how strong their chemistry is. Moreso, I think this has a possibility to strain their friendship. Josh is pissy about Galen being happy with another person, and sabotaged their dinner, which Ethan and Galen were both looking forward to. That is not the way a friend should act. And poor Ethan.

Ugh. Roger pressuring Josh into sex when he said he didn't want to makes me gag. I wonder what Josh is getting out of this relationship? "Loyalty" is not a good reason to stay in an unfulfilling relationship and it is clear from this chapter that a LDR isn't something that Josh wants, though maybe Roger does. There nothing wrong with wanting a close everyday relationship, nor is there anything wrong with having a LDR (in my opinion) but their needs and expectations in a relationship seem so different that I don't see a lot of compatibility. This relationship is doomed.

I'm totally psyched.

I look forward to reading Forging Turst when it is republished. I'm sure I'll like it as much as I did the first time around.

Damn, Galen sure knows how to set the scene. I know he is still pining over Josh, and I worry about Ethan, but all the same, I think this relationship is good for him. He is thinking about Josh less and less and they seem to be getting on fine as friends at the very least. Some reviewers think that Galen is using Ethan but at the same time, I think that Galen shouldn't have to live a monk-like existence while pining for someone he can't have. But, I think if Galen is planning on letting their relationship deepen any further (I don't recall either of them dropping the L-word yet), he and Ethan might want to have another relationship "talk".

Ugh. I hate that “sex on the third date” nonsense. Who puts a timeline on sex? I worry about Ethan. At least Galen didn’t fantasize about Josh during sex, but I can’t help but feel he is eventually going to get his heart broken. I love their dates, though, they are very cute!

Galen sure does like big words. I had to look up Troglodyte. Buying Buck was such an amazing gift for Galen. I don't know much about horses, but I imagine losing Buck would have been like losing Tigger or some other pet. I'm glad it turned out the way it did, even if Galen had an attack of the hormones and almost made out with Josh...again! Someone needs to hose those two down!

Ethan sounds adorable and like a total sweetheart. I hope Galen doesn't break his heart.

I know there was a thread on this a while back, but I wanted to ask again. What kind of music do you listen to when writing? I tend towards classical or any kind of instrumental music. I used to be able to listen to anything, but I've gotten more easily distracted with age and can't listen to anything with lyrics or I'll end up focusing on that instead of writing. Anyone else?

This was delightful. I, like the woman on the plane, am not a fan of math. I have dyscalculia, and struggled with math all the way through school, but this was still very enjoyable to read and I am actually interested in the topic that Oliver talked about. I also really liked the mix-up, though. “You’re a math teacher?” “Of course, I’m a math teacher.” It made me laugh once I figured out what was happening. It all worked out well for Oliver in the end, I think. Martin is adorable. The way you write and choice of words is very interesting, and enjoyable to read. I especially liked your use of the word anodyne. I use that word at work quite a bit, but I am referring to infrared light therapy, so it was neat to see the word in a different usage.

I feel bad for Ethan. Galen needs some friends like Jody, who are not connected to Josh.

The more I read, the more I like Galen. He is finally showing some real maturity in dealing with Josh, and I think it's good for him that he is picking up more hobbies and friends. Of course, I doubt that fragile friendship is going to last forever.

I think Roger is a dud, lol. The comment he made about Alannah joining them is disrespectful not only to Joshua but to Alannah as well. He knows how to play Josh, giving him just enough sex and affection to keep him tethered to him, but no more than that. It's selfish to the extreme. No wonder Joshua is attracted to Galen, who treats Joshua as someone who is wanted and desirable. Joshua's current LDR with Roger sounds miserable.

I feel like Galen, and possibly Alannah are the only ones in the story that have their heads on straight! Galen is smart enough to know that he needs some space from Josh, and Liam should really stop throwing the two of them together just because he wants to spend time with the lady. Galen and Josh have obvious chemistry but their relationship is far from healthy at this point. Of course, if characters acted rationally all the time, we wouldn’t have a story, would we? I’m hooked!

The mystery thickens! I will say that for someone who doesn't want to be "the other man", Galen sure has no qualms about kissing making out with Joshua whenever they are alone together. Many people (myself included) consider that cheating. Josh's mac and cheese sounds very tasty! I have an aunt that makes incredible mac and cheese every Thanksgiving and it sounds like her recipe is very similar to Joshua's.

Wow...I actually kind of liked Josh in the beginning. I don't know how I feel about him now. He was kind of a jerk...sending mixed signals. (I can relate to Galen when it comes to cooking, though. I'm uncommonly delighted when I try to cook something and it comes out edible).

I'm looking forward to it.

Poor Galen. Moving is hard and I would hate to move from someplace warm to Boston. His new home sounds very lonely, I hope things improve for him!

I hope he gets well soon, I wish for a speedy recovery!