Cole Matthews

Yes, Ray isn't exactly a Boy Scout. I had fun writing this very different kind of story. Not all characters can be nice or moral. Thanks for the kind review.

Thanks Mikiesboy!!! I hoped to write this genre in a way that's true to form, with a difference. I appreciate the lovely review.

I'm so glad it worked for you. I didn't mean it to be so obscure, but then the genre tends to be a little abstract. I'm thrilled the compelling anticipation worked out and the characters were interesting. I can't believe I missed responding to these reviews until now. I love it!!!

As I said to William, thanks so much!!!! I was trying to do exactly that, re-create a film noir setting and tableau for the reader. This is awesome. Yeah!!

Awesome!!!! That's exactly what I was going for! Thanks so much William. I was channeling my inner film noir when I wrote this. Yeah!!!

Yes, Timothy, you are absolutely right. If you're going to fall in love with a hit man, don't piss them off. It's really good advice and I started giggling when I read your review. I didn't think of it that way, but yeah. LOL!!!! Thanks so much for the lovely review.

Thanks Valkyrie!! It's a particularly fun story for me. I love hit man tales and this is my first attempt at such a genre. I think Ray is a survivor and yet he still loves Morgan. That he couldn't kill as much as he'd like to. Morgan is also a fiend, but don't we love villains regardless of how it pains us. Lovely review for a very icky story. Thanks!!

This was my attempt at doing hard-boiled mystery. I love hit men stories, and so Ray Smith became my vehicle for an ugly jaded killer. Of course, there had to be lots of ugly jaded killers as well. Thanks for the compliment! The secret hit man isn't quite as cold as he'd like the reader to believe. Logan has a place in his heart. Thanks for the lovely review.

Yes, you are absolutely right. But, aren't we constantly trying to fix our past sins? In a way, we all avoid our mistakes, and yet it is part of our psyche that attempts to heal and make things better. That's what is haunting Dalton, because he kind of knew something was up with Bauer. Yet, he didn't know, and didn't really want to know, what it was. After Bauer was gone, he was driven to find the truth. The ghost of Spencer finally revealed what had plagued Bauer and continued to haunt Dalton. Thanks for the wonderful comments. You've connected my obscure dots quite nicely. Yeah!!

Yes, Bauer had a couple of health issues and eventually he was tormented to flee this world. He was young when the hazing tragedy happened. Bauer was chased by the event throughout his life and Dalton didn't know about it until Spencer's ghost came calling. The three of them do have peace now. Thanks Lisa for your wonderful and insightful comments. I appreciate them!!!

Bauer was revealed to Dalton through the library, the librarian, and his own memory. Dalton obviously was dealing with the death in his own way. Something about Bauer haunted him in both obvious and otherwise obscure ways. The ghost of Spencer finally revealed what parts of his partner he'd suspected. This is a tale of release and realization. Thank you so much for your insightful comments. I really appreciate them.

Thank you so much. It is the story of three people who are somehow hung up by the past. Even though Dalton isn't really sure what's preventing his moving on, the ghost and his deceased partner are holding up the works. Ghost stories to me are always wistful and require something to release all the characters. I'm happy you saw my attempt to do so with this story. Thanks!!!

Yes, it was a moment that still thrills me. I think of my heated anticipation to have my first kiss, the one with someone I really cared about, and feel it's impression on my memory. That first kiss was so powerful, it lives with me still today. Thanks for the remark!!! It brought back that saved tendril of thought to enjoy again.

Bauer carried a huge burden with him. He had health problems, and in the end it did take him. But, now Dalton is figuring out just how awful the sins of his partner's past were. Everyone has secrets and everyone has hurt others at one point or another. It's how we deal with loss which tells a tale. Thank you for some very interesting and insightful comments about the story. It made me squeal a little at the impact my story made.

Bauer had a heart attack, followed by a diagnosis of liver cancer. He was plagued with illness, horribly sick, and therefore he committed suicide. His cause of death may have been guilt for what he'd done. Dalton never knew what kind of ghosts haunted his partner in life. This is how he found out. Thanks for the insightful comment.

We all have pasts we deal with and sometimes there are people near us who also have unsavory actions. That's part of what haunted the characters in this story. The house and Dalton both struggled with Bauer's actions and finally Spencer could be laid to rest, so to speak. Thanks for the lovely words which really touched me deeply.

Thanks Tim!!! I'm thrilled you found all my hints throughout the story to be useful. I read a story about a death at a frat house and connected it up with my own remembrances of a cistern on the old farm. It is a sad haunted house story, but I think most are. I really appreciate the kind words. Thanks so much!!!

Boy River and Morton's Fork are two anthology stories with Ben, Rush, and Clay's continuing story. No need to read them. Their stories will be part of this novel. You have met the people texting, however, they're identities have been redacted. This is the kind of evidence we often see in a civil matter. Twyla is Jake's sister and Steve is her husband. You'll meet them next chapter. I'm thrilled to read your great observations and questions. Lots more to come! Thanks Lisa!!!

I'm glad you remember Ben, Rush and Clay. They are the main characters in this story finding out what happened to Jake. It's not as intricate a plot as Barbed Wire Heart. You'll find it's more straight-forward, however it is a mystery to be solved so there are pieces of evidence that aren't clear until later. That's half the fun, I think. Thank you for the wonderful comments Gary.

I'm thrilled you're on board! The connections between the characters are quite important. These keys will eventually unlock the mystery. Thanks for the lovely comments!

Building a Case - Chapter 2 Twyla Sizemore picked up a jar of peanut butter, checked the ingredient list on the label, and placed it in her shopping cart without remembering what it said. Usually she loved grocery shopping. It was a chance to get away from the boys, let Steve spend some time with them, and think about the week ahead. She’d peruse the produce looking for deals and the freshest fruits and vegetables. Often this would be the theme of her meals. It used to be meat, then St

The best rendition of a closeted gay virgin's first time I've read in quite a while. You capture the essential emotions perfectly. There is the fear of discovery, the excitement of the moment, the intense let down when anonymous coupling isn't all its cracked up to be, the loneliness of the isolation, and finally, the doubt it even happened. Without another person to share it with, the experience feels almost dreamlike or imagined. Yet, there is also a sense of regret and you do feel a bit dirty, or slimy, as you react negatively to the event. I remember my first time was also anonymous and closeted and the only thing I concretely remember is the faint smell of baby powder he wore. It's a distinctly powerful memory which is both wistful and a little embarrassing. Really well done!!!

You wont need to read the other stories. Their relationship will develop in this novel. Rush and Ben were a thing and it fell apart. This is their reconnection. Well, is Eddie good? You will have to read. He truly loves Jake. I will admit that. Thanks so much! Cole

Thank you. Jake’s story isnt over. This is finding some solace for his family and discovering what happened to him. Jakes story isn’t over after he’s gone. I appreciate your comment. 😘

Wild guesses are definitely allowed. Welcomed! Please keep observing the events because next up we will see a family seeking solace. We meet Twyla, Jakes sister and she’s got her own problems. Thanks for your insightful comments. 😊