travlbug

"It's ironic - - I really do think": While the flamboyant but evil Mommy Dearest does her best to get rid of Drew, he refuses to budge. However, when Dumb-ass Dad asks him to leave by invoking the Daddy Card (poor father that he is), Drew folds immediately. What's wrong with this picture?

"...Jeff laid a fatherly hand on his shoulder. 'It was for the best, Drew. You know that.'” (What a crock!)

A poignant reminder that bad things can happen to good people and that self sacrifice can be its own reward.

Glad to see that the author and his characters are all in a good place right now! (Of course, it's an author's obligation to torture his characters, but every so often, it's nice to pass around the tissue box instead. 😘)

In CVID, the knife wound is tantamount to injecting bacteria directly into the bloodstream, and Milan now faces the real possibility of sepsis/septic shock. (He has been treated with tainted wolf's blood instead of immunoglobulin, but even that treatment is waning, leaving Milan's body more stressed than ever.) Strong IV antibiotic therapy is called for, but now we are in a race: How long will it take for sepsis to develop? How long will it take to provide Milan with therapy (as the family is in no position to provide that therapy)? How much tainted blood is still in Milan's system, and how fast will it clear, as Rory has been told not to turn Milan while he is still "infected" with the tainted blood? (Also, what will happen to Milan if Rory is forced to try turning him before the tainted blood has cleared?) Come on, Sui, write faster!

"The only one allowed to eat me is Rory." Somehow, I don't think Milan has been traumatized for life by finding out that his love is a wolf. (He also has his priorities straight. ) Our first real introduction to Nisin is sympathetic, and it wouldn't surprise me if he is ultimately turned into a werewolf to cure him as well. (Who needs doctors?) Also, Milan, to this point, has been shown to be a sheltered boy with an overprotective family, but when it counts, he really shows his mettle: He has the intelligence to call Rory surreptitiously, and he has the bravery to save Marie and Ayu from grievous bodily harm. (I have a feeling that Rick will soon be living a Jim Croce song: When Rory finishes with him, he's going to look "like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone.") As for the cliffhanger, I have consulted Nostradamus, Pythia, and Edgar Cayce. (Don't worry, Sui, we let you live! )

Freck's marriage proposal to Ky may not have been the most romantic I have ever heard, but it is certainly the most geeky (and clearly necessary to prevent Freck from being charged with a crime). Good going, guys! What a great New Year's eve party! (They must have misplaced my invitation. ) Jake's backstory was a revelation. (Of course Ky was already aware...) His decision to become a real parent to both his own brood and Freck makes all the difference to Ky and Freck's future. Can't wait to read more of our heroes' adventures as the new semester at Stuyvesant begins. (Please!!!!)

This family truly knows love. Jay will always remember his brother's gift as a gift from the heart. For Jerry, his parents' willingness in making the gift possible, as well as his brother's joy in its receipt, are the gifts that he will cherish. For the parents, seeing the love between their sons is the real gift. A perfect Christmas story. Glædelig Jul!

This is the first Christmas story I've ever read that involves a mad cow wearing antlers, but she's Santa's helper all the same: Jezebel and Ryan, as an unlikely team, have reminded John--and us--of the meaning of Christmas. Thanks, Geron, and Happy Holidays to all!

Carter, it's amazing how much smarter you sound when you let your brain speak for you. Aron, kudos for finally realizing that Alex doesn't deserve your love. (What he deserves is herpes. ) Alex, by telling Aron to go away, you lost the best thing in you life. (Good. Enjoy your herpes.) Carter, Aron makes much better rules than you do. I particularly like the one where you should both “always play before sleeping.” (I know what you'll be playing with. 😂) Simon, you're a bit of an airhead, but even you can see that Carter and Aron are made for each other. By telling this to Carter, as an independent party, you've made him very happy. (I hope Alex gives you an extra doggy treat!) Carter, when it comes to being happy, you don't have to practice: Just tell Aron what you're feeling, and then you'll both live happily ever after! 😊

Now to convince Kiyo that he's been treating Milan with poisonous werewolf blood and that Rory can give him a better deal. (The best way to reach Kiyo is through what's best for Milan.) Then, Kiyo might listen to Rory when he tells him that his whole family is now in danger.

Jordan was right to see his father, but he was also right to leave, with no relationship there to salvage. (The worst part about his father's selfishness is that he's absolutely clueless about it.) I love the juxtaposition between his father's lack of caring and the love/support he receives from Noah, his mother, and even Aiden. And now, Jordan can live with himself because he tried.

Lewis and Stephen are not just any port in a storm: They seem the perfect fit for Daniel's needs. Despite all the turmoil, Daniel remembers to text Michael good night. He has yet to ask his foster parents the rules for sleepovers, but I'm sure that subject will be high on the next day's agenda. 😊

Synthgar: Synthetic guardian? If the synthgar can connect two minds to the point where they share the same signature, can it exclude any mind outside of the bond? (As a biological analog, when a sperm enters an ovum, a new entity is formed of the two previously separate units, and a barrier is formed to prevent further sperm from entering: I wonder if Kohen's mind is now shielded from intrusion because of the synthgar.) Kohen explicitly thinks that Danie is trying to enter his brain to take control, but because of the synthgar, he may find it booby-trapped!

These stories prove that the most important sex organ is the brain. GEEKS RULE!

Jay is a true friend to the twins, and their insistence on going to the hospital to be near Amara is heartwarming. Love is a many splendored thing: Jeff tells Drew in so many words that his emotional attachment to the twins requires him to withdraw as a guard. Then, Jay tells him that the twins need all the love he can give them. Finally, Henley confirms that Amara loves him. (I wonder how that came up in conversation!) While Drew is clearly too involved with the twins to remain Aria's bodyguard, that doesn't mean he has to withdraw from their lives. Rather than the floor dropping out from under him, his horizons have just expanded--if only he'll take the opportunity! (Ok, Drew, if you don't listen to Jay, at least listen to your heart.) 😊

While I don't feel that having a "type" is wrong, everyone--regardless of gender--deserves respect (at least until proven otherwise!).

Gavin's character comes through in his interactions with his "little" brother Xander and his concern over Josh. ❤️ Joe needs a ball gag. Josh was wrong to leave the hospital without a word; and hopefully, Gavin will help him to see the light! 😊

Jordan and Noah have finally said the "L" word to each other, and they've sealed the deal with a passionate kiss in a highly public location. Somehow, I think that Jordan will find it harder to come out to his volleyball team than to his family (but he'll manage). I'm actually more curious to see how Noah comes out to his family, though his mom has probably just been waiting for him to tell her (since grade school 😂).

Rory has gained a new mama and big brother, with Iliana and Ayu not simply bowing to the inevitable but embracing Rory into their family. (A leaf should have fallen off his bracelet right there!) So, when Milan sees a naked Rory arise from the wolf, is his first thought, "Eek, a werewolf," or "Dang, boyfriend, you look fine!"

At least Jason is still trying and Aiden is still listening (though Aiden's maniacal laugh at the end of the chapter does not bode well).

Kudos to Burrimul and Woorawa for saving the day! (🎵 Thanks for the memories....🎶) The mystical powers attributed to opal are front and center in this chapter, even its effects on desire/eroticism (sadly, I have yet to find an opal that acts like a tasp, so I'll have to keep looking ). While I'm happy that our heroes' minds are being healed/restored, I agree with @Geoffrey257 that the Elves are not so easily thwarted--that repercussions are certain. As Burrimul and Woorawa have sided with Kieran et al, I am concerned that any reprisals may also involve the First Australians. Time will tell how keen the Elves may be to escalate the situation.

I love the descriptions of the costumes, car, and venue decorations (if this were a movie it would break the bank)! I wonder if Drew brought the twins any presents? Henley sounds friendly enough--and contrite enough--but words are cheap: He has not been a good father, and if he wants to prove his worth, he can do no better than to protect the twins from Mommy Dearest when she arrives with her broom and cauldron. Hmmm. Perhaps Amara really is interested in Drew. When Alice asks if Drew is going to "sweep me off my feet today," the response is telling: "'Not a chance,' Amara said, a hard edge to his tone. 'He's gay and out of bounds.'" (A rather harsh reply to a good friend who is only flirting--unless, of course, Amara feels threatened by the flirting [and maybe a bit jealous or possessive ].) No mayhem yet, but the party has just begun!

Noah did not make a mistake by suggesting that Jordan and he go slower: He spoke his mind. The mistake would have been in letting the situation fester without telling Jordan. Honesty helps to build solid relationships; and if honesty destroys a relationship, then the relationship was not worth having. (Sorry to sound preachy, but I feel very strongly on this issue.)

Drew is falling for Amara: “Left alone in the kitchen with Amara, Drew felt suddenly awkward. Something had subtly changed….” Further, “...to be the one who wiped that smile off his face was painful in a way Drew would never have expected.” When Amara talks about wearing a “naughty” cowboy outfit with “parts missing,” Drew has to turn “to the counters, hoping to hide the effect that image had on him.” When Amara's stretching reveals “a strip of creamy white skin...this unexpected peep, combined with Amara’s closeness and the smell of lemon and honey that could be anything from face cream to shampoo, did crazy things to Drew’s body that no amount of mental scolding could drive away.” Just watching Amara “pad away” with an “easy grace sends Drew into “shivers.” He asks himself, “What the hell was going on?” The answer: “Ah shit, I’m in a heap of trouble.” So, how does Amara feel about Drew? While Amara likes to touch Drew, he seems to do so more for protection and comfort than for the purpose of seduction. He allows Drew to think that he is Aria so that Drew will treat him more “softly” but knowing that Drew is aware of Aria's asexuality (i.e., he does not pretend to be Aria to obtain a sexual response from Drew). However, Jeff tells Drew, “I see the way Amara looks at you...,” suggesting that there may be more in Amara's gaze than his actions have led us to believe. At this time, Amara's feelings for Drew are less clear than vice versa, and only time will tell. Despite his feelings, Drew intends to remain professional. The question is, can he do it?