Timothy M.

what is he going to do? well, that's easy. he's gonna go over to his friend and kiss him and he'll either find out he likes it and loves him that way too, or he'll be able to tell him that he's straight, unfortunately, and while they can be best friends forever, nothing more is possible. and afterwards, he should go back and thank his dad for pointing out the obvious. (and hopefully inform him, that they are now boyfriends, lol.)

Well better a cute boyfriend and a sharp sister than stupid bigoted parents who didn't understand they were the ones who'd been given a second chance.

well by now we all know this small snippet turned into the most amazing story ever. And there were even real bunnies in it *snicker*

aww sasha why do you make me sad on a Sunday morning. well, I guess you can't be blamed for me trying to avoid catching up with work. I'm not sure whether to ask for this to be made into a longer story or just try and push it out of my head with the convition that he did manage to get over his broken heart and the loss of a friend.

A selective survival trait ! Wow that was a clever explanation of why sex plays a huge part in the lives of every human. And it certainly seems to have released a few inhibitions in Abel and caused a new sensual awareness and need for intimacy. Not that I'm complaining, I think it will strengthen his bond with Dennis, and the images you create are rather hot. Plus it's nice to see Dennis assert himself.

Oh Simon, how did you come to this moment of betrayal? Especially since your year started out so bright and happy with meeting Dustin. It's a puzzle we want unravelled, please. But I like sister Jodie, and the fact that she gave sister T the boot and even tried to make amends to Simon for any hurts he might have suffered.

Ahh the innocence of childhood, and the silliness of girls (god I hated them sometimes), and the coolness of eighteen when you're twelve, and the joy of having a friend - even when he confuses you. Again we know what is going on, and why Dustin reacts the way he does, and we half want Simon to know and half want him to keep his pure child's view for a little longer.

Very touching - for a moment I thought Trey had the cuff links converted into rings, but they worked as a gift too. The shock therapy was brutal but effective. I loved the description of how they met.

I can't quite say your story had me 'in stitches', but it certainly made me smile several times, and I liked the gentle flow of happiness in between all the bleeding, lol. I guess not all scars have to be connected to sad memories, and this was a very clever way of reminding us.

Thank you for expressing just what I felt, Gary. Somehow, the sad guitar music from Brokeback Mountain kept playing in my head as I read. I'm so grateful you didn't turn the story into a full tragedy, by having Chaz die. The realism of the story was a major part of the attraction. If they had run away together, we'd have forgotten it as a pleasant tale. But the choice of Del rang true for the day and age, and he lived his life loyal to his wife and his first love (I bet he never strayed). The reward is the chance to seek out his one and only love and hope they could build a life together for their remaining years - as long as Chaz does not reject him in return. I'll keep hoping they reunite.

At first I thought it was his parents and that scared me. I can't say it was a relief to find I was wrong, because it was still sad and I spent time wondering what he had a grudge about. Was the quarrel with both of them, or only with the husband or maybe it was a work related problem involving the wife? Will he keep in touch with the widover or will he revert to being a 'coward'? (I know that's not a fair epitet.) I'm glad not all stories have me speculating this much (with my guts all twisted from sadness), but I guess it's OK to be shaken once in a while.

Somehow the story left me with the hope that the attention from Mr Ross bacame a turning point for those kids. The rock which changes the flow and directs the lava in a harmless path. I've read several real life stories of what we call 'pattern breakers' - kids who managed to break away from a family history of abuse or alcoholism or non-education, and all of them share the same fact of another adult, often a teacher, showing interest in the kid and giving them faith in their own abilities and human worth.

I liked the initial scene in the bar and the stalking of Sal and Gary. But the fight wasn't really my thing even if it was well depicted. I was confused by the ending at first, but worked out that he turned Gary and thus enabled him to survive his wounds. I'd have liked a longer denouement, since the interaction between the new couple was wonderful and indicated a bright future with healing of internal wounds as well. Was Gary kicked out by his family for being gay ?

At least they only scarred one poor tree, so the damage was contained, rather than wounding multiple trunks with carvings in the bark. Over here, foresters take a dim view of this behavior, but then again most of our forests are managed, and the trees destined for timber and other uses. One carving like that will ruin a valuable veneer log forever, so if you have to mutilate trees at least choose the ugly, misshapen specimens with plenty of low branches. *rant over* Otherwise, the story was sweet.

I love watching thunderstorms and being pelted by warm rain (and I've actually experienced this in Florida). I love pancakes and bacon, but I've never tried them together. Must do so asap. I'm fascinated by twisters and hurricanes, just like lightening they represent forces of nature destined to humble humans and our desire to control our environment. I like versatile guys who do their best to satisfy each other. I love reading Sasha's stories. I'm so lucky to get all of these cravings fulfilled at the same time.

Naturally, the focus is on Toby, but he isn't the only person with scars. The child from the orphanage is another, but for some reason my sympathy also goes to Toby's old partner / boyfriend. He got ripped open the scars of his loss and of living ten years without knowing what happened, and he has to deal with having to hurt his old lover by choosing his new commitment. I guess both good and eveil deeeds spread the consequences like ripples in a pond.

Brilliant third chapter, Cia. I loved hearing Moshe's take on the situation, and it served to underline how the shifter couple was desperately eager to win Miah's heart and approval of a three way relationship. I also liked how you showed they'll be working partners as well as lovers, each of them contributing to the life on a farm and loving the land as well as ech other. Now I'll have to join your other fans in waiting for the final chapter and begging for you to continue writing more stories in this setting.

Reading this chapter I went back and forth between feeling sad and angry about all the hardship Miah has already endured and expects to face, including how other people treat him badly, and feeling happy about him having two great guys who are obviously devoted to helping him and loving him and caring for him in every way possible. All he has to do is follow his heart and his instincts and say YES. It says a lot about Miah's intelligence that in spite of his very natural hesitation and doubt he gives up his pride and fear for a leap of faith and a chance of true love and companionship. Awesome!

In a way I'm glad I didn't become aware of this story until the third installment, since this meant I didn't have to wait after reading ch 1. I was hooked immediately. I loved the way you made us side completely with Miah, whether in his disgust at the stupid room mate or his determination not to let the hunters beat him in the game he was trapped into playing. And at the same time, I was keeping my fingers crossed that he'd understand how the two shifters were actually nice guys who were courting him and trying to make amends. I hope you'll keep going with Miah's story and maybe even find new characters in this setting for other human / shifter entanglements. Oh and the triangle concept was fine wih me, I could see Miah was going to fit perfectly between them.

At the end I wasn't sure whether to wish for him to die, so he could be at peace, or for him to live in the hope he could find Joy (both the dog and in life). I guess I'll try to imagine him getting well, meeting his brother again (and talking about their childhood), getting Barry thrown into prison (shame the cop didn't shoot him in the head), and finally finding a few friends (maybe in a support group for abused people) and having a better life. He certainly deserves a bit of luck.

The ones I've read so far were great. It's a cool way to be introduced to new authors, encounter old friends (whether stories or writers), and even become aware of stories I've missed - like Cia's Maze series. I may have to try and write something for the next Anthology - off to check and vote on the themes.

It was interesting that Zach had this impression of Will being 'a slut' who'd be with lots of guys just for the sake of sex. I think there's plenty of readers who feel the same and the list Mark wanted of his liasons sort of worked as a confirmation of this image. But my impression as I read through those stories where Will has been sexually active was that he has used sex as a way to connect to people and express affection or attraction, and in a few cases to deal with a emotionally difficult situation (like the taxi driver at the end of his run-away episode or just now with the hook-up with Carullo). So it's not surprising to me that Will is ready to be in a monogamous relationship with Zach. But I'm glad he told Zach and that Zach really understood the importance of having Will's heart and that while Will may occasionally have sex with someone, it's never going to be a threat to their love. Plus knowing that Will always thinks of Zach when he's not with him and even when he does fuck around, may help Zach deal with the situation. Just as Will has to deal with the fact that Zach has to be in the closet. Thank you again for an awesome chapter, Mark. It was well worth the wait.

Such a jolly chapter ending with Granger and Lord Elgn conspiring to curb Lady Elgin's plans and the influence of her father. I'm sure Granger can sympatize with having an obnoxious father-in-law.

Dear Mark I wish I could send you a huge box of Danish goodies (beer, chocolate, cakes etc) to thank your for my favorite chapter so far. It's so nice to see Zach turning into a wonderful guy from the parental love of Frank and Isidore, the support and caring of a good coach, and of course most of all the unconditional and devoted love of Will. Even if things go wrong later, we'll always have this chapter to look back on as the birthday where Will was happy and made his love feel great too, in spite of being injured. This chapter was so delightful, I didn't even mind the kinky sex parts.

I loved the first story and it's nice to see Max and El again, doing well together. I hope El makes a career out of defeating Pete and his dad, it would be such a wonderful revenge.