Cole Matthews

When a crime is committed, it isn't just objects that are stolen. Trust and well being are also lost. For Dewey and Malcolm, they must figure out how to wash away the fear.

I'm so glad you like it. I wanted to be as brutally honest yet keep it fresh and likeable. Thanks tim!

I'm glad the duo worked for you. I like to try different things with the anthology themes. I enjoy the dynamic of a mentor and a student as a relationship of sorts. I also tried to practice writing a little action/adventure. thanks for the kind words and I'm thrilled you enjoyed it.

I just saw this! What a lovely surprise. I'm glad you could identify with the absence of a sense. It's kind of a challenge to portray a deficit like that. It feels great you found it real. I like my stories to reflect the world and entertain. Thanks so much!

Congrats Carlos! Well done!

Let your Geek flag fly! The story is affirmation we nerds rock, and stumble around finding love. Amazing story!

I was near tears from the point Jim was made an AFL player and then when Ross came out, the weeping began in earnest. They are happy tears because the characters you've created became like friends.. Each chapter was a wonderful snippet of their lives. What a magnificent storyline you've created over the three books. I will miss it, though I am looking forward to your next endeavor. Thank you!

How frightening and wonderfully creepy! I LOVED the story Val! You are such an amazing writer. I remember the horse and that is such a cool treatment. Fantastic! Ran is sleeping right now but he will love it. I was giggling about the spiders. He's such a chicken. I mean, the character is such a chicken about spiders, in basements, and cars, and...the character is scared of spiders and not Ran. Wink, wink. Wow! Thanks for mentioning us and I can't wait to see you again.

You had Jackson use the plural pronoun when referring to he and Luke. Huge.

You did a fantastic job of tying up loose ends while being true to the characters. I think I love Paddy even more now. We know Ty's in good hands. Jim's issues are resolved. Ross gets to be a Leopard, which continues on the tradition they've started. That being said, one of the strongest parts of this eve before the ending is the story isn't static. This isn't a happily ever after. The guys are still in flux, still alive and kicking, and they have futures ahead of them. You indicate this is the finish, but it's not the ending of the characters. I love that. Too many times, the story ends and you think that's it for these personalities. You've instead put the stories to bed, however Ty and Jim, Ross and Warwick, Clarissa, Neil and Liam will continue on with their own lives. At least that's how I feel about it. Great job and thank you for sharing with us.

Congrats and well earned!

I didn't expect to get so choked u for Ty and Deon, but I did. I was battling tears the last few paragraphs. You've crafted such remarkable characters. I could feel Ty's elation, Deon's warmth, Clarisaa's excitement and Ross's disappointment acutely. I could also see Paddy cheering The Brat after tweaking his father's nose. It made me smile. Wonderful job!

I think the Phil Hughes inclusion was a powerful element in the overall storyline. It's a good reminder how delicate life is, how precious connections are and how decisions aren't always our prerogative. As the Leopards come to the draft, their final entrances and exits will matter to themselves and their loved ones. However, it isn't their call necessarily. In the end, things may pan out quite differently. Brilliant addition to the story. You made this story more powerful, relevant and thoughtful with its inclusion. Bravo!

Happy Birthday! Hope your day is special!

Thank you so much for the comment. It really makes me feel good I moved you. It's much appreciated.

I think you being tim is just perfect. There is an art to being gay, and its not particular to some of us. It's an art for all of us. Thanks for the review!!!

Here's a couple of confessions. First of all, Harrison's reactions to things are pretty close to how I see, and feel, things, especially when I was younger. I'm not diagnosed as anything. I probably could have been in this day and age. Also, I had a student I tutored who I could identify with. He wasn't exactly a social butterfly either. He wasn't labeled as he could have been. Second, I am working on the story, but it keeps stalling. I think I know why. Your contributions with these comments have helped me view the story as of two years later with another perspective. For that, I thank you Lisa. I've said this before. Writers need readers as much as readers need writers. The feedback loop informs us as to what works, what doesn't, and more importantly, how it affects us. Perhaps I'll jot a note about that concept. Lisa, I adore you!!!

So glad you liked this segment. It's the natural end to the tale. The songs in my head really drove the characters and the emotions. Thanks Lisa. You are such a wonderful supporter and commentator because you see things we are trying to do. It encourages us. I thank you for that.

Lisa, this review is so poignant to me. This chapter is so moving to me. It's about how love, family, and connections transcend the other things. There is so much love around, so awkwardly conveyed, and yet we need to see it. Peterson is flawed, but he is trying. Chad is struggling, but he's doing his best. Madeline mourns yet she also forgives herself as she needs to. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I love it and even though the next chapter is the 'heart' of the story, this chapter is the soul.

Thanks so much Lisa. I love how you analyzed this chapter. This is an enactment of the right people being a boon to your life. Kendra's there for Roy. Angus is there for Wes. Madeline is there for both Roy and Chad. Blackie and Snowball were there for each other. I'm thrilled you saw it. Thank you!!!

Thanks Lisa. I felt it was important to make a point. Just because we find a cute, interesting gay guy, doesn't mean we love them. They may not be right for us. In fact, the perfect person may be someone who grows into the role. Anyway, Angus is at the plate. Chad had a history with Morgan and will he get past it, for his own sake. Great points Lisa! As always, you make me think which I love!!!

To some extent, I agree Peterson is a coward. However, he isn't a coward because of what he feels. He's a coward because of what he refuses to face. I used the distance to show how mortified and repentant Morgan was. Chad knew and he grudgingly accepted what Morgan did to make amends. I'm not sure any of it was enough, quite yet. Sometimes it takes time and energy to make things right. Thanks Lisa for the awesome comments.

Lol! That's what happens when using an iPad to answer reviews!

I'm glad you made your comments. I love this chapter and think your comments point out issues. This story was one of my favorites. (Randy doesn't like it) I await your further suggestions. I think it's powerful how we feel the ebb and flow of the emotions. Thanks Losa!

Thanks Lisa! The convo with Tyrell was quite the challenging feat. It seems to have worked. However, I wanted to convey how scared they both were. It wasn't about them walking out on each other. It was how they felt about themselves. Perhaps that wasn't clear. We are our own worst enemies. In this case, they survived it. Thanks Lisa. I think I may need to add something to make it clearer.