Cole Matthews

Thanks So much Gary! This story is kind of a character sketch for the three of them. It was necessary because I'm revising Barbed Wire Heart and planning a new Romer mystery. This allowed me to dig deeper into Ben's back story and Rush's history for more contex and texture. I think you saw that and divined Ben's issues. You are spot on. Ben is not one who takes changes or surprises well. I'm glad you enjoyed it and it worked. Thanks for the kind words!

Thanks Carlos! I'm glad the foreboding and indecisions created that atmosphere. I'm happy the descriptions worked. Now, I don't think you really want to torture fictional Cole. There will be more to come with the next mystery. It will be the first work of mine not set in the upper Midwest.

Thanks Tim! I believe Ben got it wrong as well, but then many times our insecurities get us to make misguided decisions. As for Clay, I'm not sure he isn't in love with Rush. It happens quite often. That doesn't mean it's quite what Ben suspects. Anyway, I didn't want to define all the blurred edges. Thank you so much for an insightful and kind review. Thanks for reading and enjoying.

Thank You AC! I guess what I was trying to do did come through. This is a bit of a set up. I'm rewriting BWH and this story is the set up for the next one. I'm glad some of my personal touches worked. I think the subtle things in life are sometimes the most powerful and speak to our real values. Anyway, I really appreciate the kind words. They buoy me when I'm deep in the revising process and ready to try something bold. You flatter me kind sir. Thanks!

Hahaha!!! Sorry about that Stephen! I'm glad you enjoyed IT. I will do so! Thanks so much.

Thanks Adi!!! There is more to their relationship with each other and themselves. More will be evident when you beta for more. Also there is another mystery coming up. I appreciate the kind words!!!

Very haunting and ethereal. I like the presence of the friend being real only to you and not others. sometimes it does feel that way. Good job and welcome!

I love that you are willing to challenge conventions with a piece like this. Life is messy and love isnt an easy thing to deal with. You presented characters who dealt with life's challenges and still managed to retain their dignity. Great job!

What a nice shout out!!! thanks Val! It's such a lovely story with great heart. Thanks for sharing with us.

Thanks Defiance! I did muddy the waters quite a bit. Ben is confused. Rush is struggling. I think Clay is coping. You did a great job summarizing. These are complicated relationships. Thanks for the comments. Much more will come.

This is a continuation of Barbed Wire Heart and Boy River. They are separate stories with the same characters. Clay was never with Rush. I don't think he knows what he wants. Clearly Rush is treading water. Meanwhile, Ben is lost trying to figure it all out. Thanks Lisa! I wanted to create a fuzzy situation building the next story.

Thank you Wayne. I wanted to blur the situation. There will be more to come. I think life gives us choices and we limit them. Life doesn't. There aren't two choices. Thanks for a wonderful review.

What a delightful take on the merman idea. Very well done and i love the heart you put into it. thanks for sharing!

I love it when a plan comes together!!! Thanks Val! It worked. there are many blurred edges to the story. Many questions are raised and few answers are provided. I agree and that was the point. These two stories, Boy River and Morton's Fork, are interludes between Barbed Wire Heart and the next Romer novel. Thanks so much!!!

Great job!!! This story does a really good job of portraying the main character. We also meet Ryan, a street kid getting by. He seems pretty independent and self sufficient. I wonder if he can settle with the couple. Wonderful first story. Very impressive!

That certainly is horror! I wonder if the idea was to have contest winners feed their pets. Seems like the plan. Great job!

I have always been intrigued.by the Nephilim. You did a wonderful job portraying a character whose life is naturally blurred. I would love to know more about him. i have a feeling he has some secrets of his own and doesnt know how to deal with them. Great job!!! Thanks.

I got goose pimples it was so moving. you really made this sing electric. The realism is so powerful and builds such tension. Awesome job and excellent interpretation of the theme.

Morton’s Fork “I’m dating the quarterback of the football team,” the teen said, smirking at Ben. “His name is Dez, and he’s such a stud.” The paralegal smiled back and nodded. “That’s terrific, Clay. When did that start?” “A few weeks ago. He finally asked me to the fall homecoming dance,” Clay said, clasping his hands in front of him excitedly. “We’ve been flirting and stuff and it happened. He’s the man of my dreams.” “That’s awesome,” Ben said. “I hope he’s good for you.” He looke

"Morton's Fork" is a false dilemma. Sometimes we must take an alternative path but that doesn't mean there isn't a price to pay.

Very well done and quite erotic. Fascinating take on the vampire ideal as well. Very powerful. Awesome!

Is this book done? I realize from the note and comments there is a third book but is this The End of this novel? Regardless, fantastic use of tension and the characters to build anxiety in your readers. I didn't need my coffee you had me so worked up before Charlie's grab! That was a masterful stroke of the imagination. Very impressive. And then you build up the emotions with Ty's reaction to the stress and Patrick and his birthday. I was in tears over the poor guy's up and down emotional roller coaster. We can also see they aren't ready to part. Deon, Ty, and Jim aren't ready to move on and we still have the problem with Neil's parents, Liam's future, and how that all pans out. I can't wait for more. I do not want it to end. Therefore it in incumbent for you to spend 24/7 in front of you're computer spinning yarns for us. No excuses kind sir! Back to the keyboard. Lol! Graeme, you are writing something very special. You should be proud. It is a joy to read a story this thoughtful and thought provoking. Thank you.

Thanks guys! Next up, we are visiting an old friend whose name you may not know.

Great job Graeme. You've built the tension perfectly. You've summed up the story with a succinct pep talk. Okay, now I'm going to scream. I NEED MY FIX!

On our recent trip, we did some antiquing and I found several fun old cookbooks. I think I will present some of my most interesting findings over the next couple of weeks. If you like cooking, eating, history, or goofiness, it should be enjoyable. Of course I am easily amused Let's begin our old cookbook adventure. I started collecting these chestnuts from history because I love eating, the past, and of course reading. Soon I found so many interesting things about how food, cooking, and the interaction with technology and sociology shape culture. My first example I present from this past vacation is a tome entitled 'Housekeeping in Old Virginia'. This book was first published in 1879. The copy I purchased is a reprint, but it's the content that matters to me most. This book is a compilation of many cooks' contributions much like a church cookbook from today. What's unique about this collection is the depth of its study into the recipes. Until this point, previous cookbooks were concerned about managing a household along with general food preparation. This book almost exclusively deals with actual recipes and not how much it costs to employ a maid or what silver to use with oysters. From Marion Cabell Tyree: "It will be seen that she is indebted to near 250 contributors to her book. Among these will be found many names famous through the land. Associated with them will be discovered other of less national celebrity, but who have acquired among their neighbors an equally merited distinction for the beautiful order and delightful cuisine of their homes." I find this fascinating for several reasons. Perhaps one of the most important is the author felt compelled to support her writing with celebrity endorsements. She is also concerned with pleasing others with her cooking. Not too much different from today, it appears. Anyway, here is a tasty recipe if you'd like. Brunswick Stew About four hours before dinner, put on two or three slices of bacon, two squirrels or chickens, one onion sliced, in one gallon of water. Stew some time, then add one quart peeled tomatoes, two ears of grated corn, three Irish potatoes sliced, and one handful butter beans, and part pod of red pepper. Stew altogether about one hour, till you can take out the bones. When done, put in one spoonful bread crumbs and one large spoonful butter. - Mrs. M.M.D. Now, I don't expect most of you to run out and trap or hunt down some squirrels for stewing. I also think it speaks powerfully of the era. Keep in mind, chickens for stewing weren't the nice, tender spring chickens we see in the grocery store today. A stew chicken would be an old bird that needed as much cooking as a stringy and bitter squirrel would to become tasty. Brunswick stew is a recipe to redeem rather marginal ingredients to become something sustaining. In addition, I love the fact we are using both butter and bacon in this recipe. Delish!!! Until later...