Carlos Hazday

@markM LMAO Yes, you hit a nerve. Not because we disagree, I welcome this type of discussion, but because I dislike generalizations. What you describe is abuse, not use, and there's a difference. Mistreatment of children's never acceptable, but you can't lump in everyone with those who do. Marijuana use is one of multiple controversial issues I tackle in the series. Wait until you read the heated discussions about gun control and motorcycle helmets. I've tried very hard not to make CJ perfect. I prefer him to be realistic. And the fact is a large number of teens use drugs and alcohol, usually hiding that usage from their parents. I think it's healthier for parents to acknowledge reality and guide their children instead of issuing blanket prohibitions. Those rarely work and may actually exacerbate the situation. It hasn't gone too far. If it deescalated to name calling, then it could be an issue. I try to refrain from personal attacks. LOL

A little too much energy. CJ and his posse will stand out when they walk into school as a group.

Do you drink alcohol? Why would smoking pot be different? And before you answer that, read my response to the previous comment. Opposition to marijuana seems to be ingrained in some people, many of them older. Whereas my parents would have never partaken, their sons and grandchildren do. It's generational. For the record, I'm 64. Last May I was at a party celebrating a law school graduation. Sometime after midnight, there were a handful of 20somethings (a few graduates, their significant others, and their parents) sitting in the backyard after lots of alcohol consumption. At that point, anyone walking by the cluster of people on Adirondack chairs could have gotten high from the smoke cloud. Attitudes evolve and if we ignore changes we can become obsolete ourselves. A long time ago, the couple with season hockey tickets behind mine, admitted they encouraged their 16yo daughter to smoke pot at home. The mother claimed kids would do it anyway and she felt safer if her kid was at home when doing it.

CJ was bullied by his step-father, and others have tried to. He's learning to fight back. The fight against bullies will be a recurring theme. Pet peeve of mine along with any sort of discrimination.

Now and then I get lucky and write a good line like that. It actually fits in well with CJ's developing fixation with churches. Because of their architecture!!!! LOL

Let's hope the dads learn their lesson. Parenthood's not easy and having a kid who can stand on his own makes some of the old cliches obsolete. You can't tell CJ something and not back it up because he will call you out. None of the do as I say, not as I do crap with him.

If I get a cease and desist order because the store chain objects to their name being associated with this guy, I'm blaming all of you.

Did you just say CJ's stupid? He'll show you. It has NOTHING to do with being cool. Maybe that was the goal for any kind of smoking years ago, but society has evolved. So you're advocating sobriety the same way so many misguided people did leading to prohibition. We know how that worked. You seem to equate use to abuse and they're entirely different animals. Re-threading the old arguments about pot leading to use of other substances is not going to work. Those claims are made without solid scientific proof. You hit a hot button the same way other readers have. I reject your arguments because some are irrelevant, some are unproven, and all judge how others should live their lives.

CJ may not have realized it, but he opened a can of worms by dismissing Tom's parents and their priest. I might be his first lesson in how actions often have unintended consequences.

I read this chapter now and realize how different CJ's reaction to his arrest would be if it happened a couple of years later. Those cops would have been in trouble for real. As is, however, it works well for his age. I tried to thread the needle with him, showing his maturity at times and a scared boy at others.

Thank you. I've learned if the first chapter hooks the reader, it'll be a good bet they'll keep going. A good opening line is also important. I haven't gotten it right all the time, but lots of drama/action seems to work.

I don't want her hands anywhere near his nuts. Let's wait until she's a little taller and she can kick the F out of him.

As they grow older, I try to show how their views/feeling evolve concerning their mother and Ritch's father. I think a 15 yo and a 25 yo will see the same circumstances from a different perspective.

Def wasn't thrilled when she read I'd killer her namesake.

You've got to be shitting me. You're THAT old? Happy 18th Baby Cia.

I like Mazdas. My Mom owned a couple of them and my brother owned an RX7 for a while until he totaled it.

The comment, intended to dismiss Northman, was based on him not having been cleared to hear about the Russian. CJ, whether he has a high clearance or not, is part of it all. Hell, he's the primary player, the CIA's reacting to Domogarov's actions and making use of two willing participants in CJ and Owen.

And it serves as background for when they go-- oops, never mind. I'll just say butterflies play a part in another chapter.

Thank you. I am. But writing continues to serve as therapy just like my first motorcycle did years ago. CJ and his friends have helped me through hard times more than once, including both my parents dying in the past couple of years. It's easy to escape into this world when the real one gets overwhelming. LOL

Your complaint's valid. Summer was the first thing I ever wrote even not the first I shared with readers. My writing has evolved. Hopefully you'll notice.

One more... my niece turned me on to this guys during a road trip last May...

I include little things in chapters that often resonate with readers. While there's been a lot of reaction to Mr. Northman, our wild and crazy guy, nobody has mentioned this. I think you'll find it interesting and the pictures in the gallery are pretty cool. Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve

See? I knew you'd like him.

Harley will be one of the primary supporting characters; he'll make repeated appearances. Hell, some readers are so infatuated with him, they keep clamoring for a Harley spinoff. Maybe one day.

@Bft If we stick Northman in the basement, we might not get to enjoy his stupidity! Alternatively, he could wander into the Marines training room by accident and never be heard from again.