Gandalf

I have banged through half the epilogues to Black Widow and somewhat sadly am now caught up to the present and have to wait like the old days here. I must say that as much as I love this series I also have come to enjoy the Arbouristas comments after the chapters. It is such a long standing and interesting way to gain different perspectives on these people we have all made part of our lives. The Australian jaunt has indeed been a pleasant way to renew and reflect on the changes in Will and also the profound changes, in some ways, of J P and Stef. I also had been waiting for Brad to show up and see how that skewed things, I will await further adventures with the rest of you. Fortunately I have some catching up on the Gay Hornblower saga. Hornblower might be t he only series I have reread as much as CAP. Pax and thanks, Steve

I had been away from GA for awhile apparently longer than I thought as this chapter of the new Novel was posted on my birthday last year! I have enjoyed working through the last pieces of Black Widow and am now facing this Gap Year. Will is always fun(except for his Dad or others he is pissed at). Part of me was hoping we would move further ahead in time but this will be fine I am sure. Will may be central but I am also interested in the entire panoply of the CAP family. Pax Steve

Having enjoyed this long multi volume saga for years it is great to reach the end of this particular novel. It was delayed for long periods due to events beyond the author's control and as such became hard for me to follow even with the re readings which I was glad to do. For those that follow it can now be read in one reading and will be a pleasure for anyone connected to this saga. This chapter moves the family into a new position and prepares us for the next historical drama. I suspect that I will enjoy the next adventures as well. I hope others will join us Mark Arbour readers in this and the other fine historical adventures which are some of my absolute favorites over my many years at GA. Pax Steve

It is so cool to see JJ act like an older version of the person he was before his life turned to shit as an early teen. Kinda early for the meds to be making that much of a change I would think but nice whatever the cause. Glad to see B moving forward in a good way. It will be interesting to see how It all settles out in your next book. And where in time that book picks up. Part of me wants to follow chronologically and part would enjoy a bit of a jump. You have done both effectively. Or we would all be happy with addendums until Trump... not. Pax. Steve

It seems to soon for the meds to be working but JJ sure was mellowing out and fitting in with the plebs(guess that comes from reading the two together.... how the fuck do you keep these guys all uuum in their proper centuries? Two great chapters. Thanks as always for your work. Pax. Steve

I had not been on GA for several years, in part due to your absence, so have spent the last few days following JP and Family in their dramas and now back to “the Gay Hornblower.” I realize that I first read Hornblower nearly 60 years ago and in my adolescent mind always hoped Hornblower and Bush would get it on it was of course unspoken of in that time. Thank you again for tweeking my adolescent fantasies. And of course Lord Grainger is way hotter and more accomplished in many ways. Great to have You and His Lordship back. And von Clausewitz! Thank you for these hundreds of hours of fine reading over the years. Pax. Steve

I came back to this Drama after several years away two days ago. It is a pleasure to reconnect not only with all of the denizens of JP’s world almost as importantly Mark’s denizens here in the comment section. Thanks to Mark and all of you. So glad all are surviving this insane year. Wish I were to be around if Mark ever got to the Trump era and this year. Pax. Steve

Just wandered back to GA and saw this new story by You. I’ve spent the last two days reading the quirky, wonderful, hard story I expect from you. Wow! Thanks. Steve.

I enjoyed the first two books a lot but really had to work to finish Brisinger. Unfortunately it was long enough ago that I don’t remember the specifics that got in the way.

I hadn’t caught this story until now but saw your name and the updates and have raced through it. Wow! I sure am hoping this stays high on your list. I’ve been reading your stories since before the internet and not found one I haven’t enjoyed but this is a bit more focused than Kandric as much as I have enjoyed......and enjoyed that. Lol. Thanks so much all you have done. Pax. Steve

I only just found this thread. I’m so happy to hear that you have moved through your rough time. I’ve often felt this system of connection between writers and readers has sucked writers into more than is realistic and may have been one of the reasons that several of my favorite prolific writers have disappeared from the board. Hope you can find your way back at a level of endeavor that works for you. Pax.

Used to go to Montreal but way earlier. Oooh lala. Thanks. I’m aboard.

Wondering if our friends at Goodwell are connected to the cartel? So good to have this moving. We know Zack isn’t a dumb jock butttt. Hope Your Holliday went well and that 2018 is kinder to You. Pax

Were we that young? Amazing clip. Just the beginnings of all the crowd mania to follow. Thanks.

Hard time of year to sail that direction. Really fun to watch the homecoming as the kids grow and the home fires mature. I will await the cliff harpies by dredging Hornblower out of wherever he has sailed in my library. Thanks as always.

I read and re reread Hornblower and did book reports from eighth to twelfth grade on Forester. I refer to this as the Gay Hornblower series. They are from such diverse social spheres that it is hard to get beyond a "Harrumph" in their relationship. Yet you are correct that Horatio did earn support from powerful and well connected colleagues, so George's support and friendship is not surprising. Thanks for his presence. Hornblower has been somewhat overshadowed by other and I find that unfortunate. Pax. Steve

It is good,to be back reading your adventure. I do wish you had an editor as many of the paragraphs have their sentences reversed for some reason.

I wrote book reports on Hornblower from 8th grade through twelfth. My twelfth grade teacher thought I ment E.M. Forester. He later suggested report on Evelyn Waugh. I think he knew I was gay long before I was ready to admit it. I am so very glad to see George and especially you back, Mark. Pax. Steve

A well developed tight short story. Like several others have expressed, I would enjoy following these two further. But thanks for this. I wanted to write adventure here. That speaks well to your skills given the fairly non adventurous subject. Thanks for your work.

Having raised my sister's kids after her death as well as two foster kids and my own daughter I can really identify with the parent part. As a bi man I raised most of the kids with my partner involved. I also was a Child Welfare worker(as you showed it doesn't have to be an oxymoron) most of my life. I always have enjoyed your stories but understandably this really attracted me. I felt you really hit most everything on the mark. Thanks for all your work. Pax. Steve

I was thinking that this chapter was like when friends I haven't seen in a long time come by and we can pick up with time being meaningless. I'm a geezer so health issues surround me. Hope yours only slow you down temporarily. I will truly miss the thought of not following these friends you have given us into their future lives. Wish you well. Pax. Steve

Is this the OSS Donovan? Suspect our General's star will rise soon. I love your characters and find it sad more are not following you. Pax. Steve.

Thanks. This holds up and is as painful but human on this re reading as the first time around. I hope I am wrong that this Inauguration Day does not join your title Day or November 23 1963 in our collective memory. I am hoping to move through the next books and read the chapters you have added while I've been rereading. My family and friends will be glad not to constantly see me crying or chortling or trying to explain what is going on in these books I'm reading. Thanks to you and your team for all your work. Pax. Steve

I remember how rough my job was and how my three teens were driving me nuts...and how rough that all was. Then none of that was important any more. How nice that for the moment Robby is in his corner. I've now been rereading CAP for a solid month. I so don't want to face what's coming but am such a fucking addict. So glad Mark is better moving this along. I think! Pax. Steve

In my mad re read of the series I think of this as one of my least favorite books, thinking of the Brad/Robby bullshit. I forgot about the Mission and emergence of the boys. I could stand for a few less tears for a bit too.