Dan,
I wanted to write you and tell you how much I am enjoying DOR. I have been a reader for...goodness...before you finished DO...say March, maybe. I am embarassed that this is my first responce to you. I remember waiting with anticipation as your chapters would come out, checking back once or twice a day to see if I could get my fix. You are, simply put, an incredible author. The characters are developed, and seem to pop up out off the screen and into the room to act out a scene. The way that you have portrayed all of the actors through two stories reveals to the reader the simply power that choices have. Not huge choices, like leaving one's husband, but the little choices, stopping a bully, spitting something back at someone, or taking responsibility for your actions.
In other words, a fantastic story. I love the blend of romance, realism, politics and culture into a big story. You are not afraid to kill off characters, to cause them pain, to sugar coat anything - and that's awesome.
Yours,
C.