Carlos Hazday

LOL - I did think about having them ride off into the sunset, but timing interfered. I didn't want them hanging around all day and waiting for twilight to get on the road. The cowboy movie reference might be appropriate considering they're in Colorado. However, what I was shooting for, with the car, Ritch's gloves, and Lucy's outfit, was something out of the 1960s romantic comedies or even from a James Bond movie. I do use Italy as the setting for a story I'm working on, but I had to use the imagery here. I'll come up with something else for the Italian setting.

Thank you, sir. Hopefully, the next one will be even better. My goal's to always improve the quality and not to repeat myself too often. The situations I place my characters in and the challenges they face are hopefully sufficiently different to keep the stories fresh and interesting.

Thank you!!! I have a tendency to drag out stories when talking which often leads to listener's eyes glazing over. In writing, I discovered I could be long-winded with impunity. Of course, I do try to limit wordiness, while still providing sufficient detail for readers to capture whatever it is I'm trying to say.

LMAO I think I've pointed out I dislike stories where people meet and a day later are all but married. In my book, guys usually have sex first, then build relationships.

I love the black sails...

@Anton_Cloche Thanks, Tony. I don't name the president because considering Biden's age and the belligerence against him from segments of the population, it could be President Harris delivering the speech. Interesting you bring up motorcycles, I decided to keep them out of this story, but I'm itching to write a ride out somewhere. Hopefully some time soon. Cadets tucking money to match their graduation year is an Air Force Academy tradition. Not sure if it happens at other military schools. I'm sure not all of them do it, but if they did, that means over two thousand dollars flying though the air.

Thank you! For sticking with me and for the great insight. I think my writing has improved since those early days and the stories are tighter and better thought out. Even when writing improbable events like CJ meeting celebrities, I try to provide logical reasons for it. And as far as the angst goes, I explicitly set out to have as little of it as possible. My attitude was CJ would encounter a problem and deal with it head on instead of agonizing over it endlessly.

I think I keep the foot on the accelerator for a couple of chapters.

LMAO I did turn the heat up, didn't I? I wanted to show CJ faces HS bullshit just like most kids do, but he reacts differently than most of us would. There might be more of that coming soon.

Talk to me after you read the next chapter.

LMAO Fine, here's a bit more...

I think CJ's acknowledged his privilege and being part of the 1% before. I don't begrudge them their wealth, whatever was inherited was mostly in trust for future generations or the foundation, and I've mentioned Cesar's capable handling of finances. Being the son of immigrants who had nothing when they arrived in the US and survived with the help of family, friends, and hard work, I'm a huge believer in capitalism. As an accountant, I dealt with rich people on a regular basis. Some were more inclined than others to share their wealth. I've shown the fathers and CJ using their resources to help others and in this book tried to have Ritch follow their example. Now, you want to talk money... Because I'm using a sailing yacht as the setting for a future story, I've been tracking developments in the industry. Jeff Bezos commissioned a sailing mega yacht for 500 million. Because the masts interfere with landing a helicopter on board, he's also having a second "smaller" boat built. It has a landing pad (his girlfriend's a helicopter pilot) and will carry trinkets like cars and motorcycles. Jeff gets mentioned in the next book.

Do you remember how long it took for CJ and Owen to get engaged. By now y'all should be used to me not rushing that kind of development. He;;, I remember how surprised some readers were when I posted that proposal. All in due time. Hang in there, mate. The clan will return soon enough.

Thanks, JR. Mexico's what next. As soon as I'm caught up with a little editing, I plan to crank out CDMX chapters ready for whenever my editor is again available.

Did you have preconceived notions when you started reading? I know a couple of people started Cadet, decided they liked my characters/writing and binged on the entire series. I'm always curious about what attracts readers. I plan on tightening the ensnaring web with future books. Resistance is futile. @WolfM I got my Star Trek reference in! LOL

It's not nice to make me blush. Although the David Letterman beard I'm sporting helps hide the flush. Thanks, again, my friend. For everything. It's truly a pleasure to work with you.

Thanks, Wolf. Your insights were invaluable to help make the story better and to correct my military mistakes. I was just thinking of you. After two complicated weeks, I'm hopefully back on track. Expect something from me later today or tomorrow.

No more stand alone books featuring Ritch, but he'll be an integral part of future CJ and Owen stories. A wedding will have to wait. I don't think it's realistic for educated kids these days to marry as young as CJ did. Most want to establish themselves in their careers before settling down. I foresee lots of traveling by him and Lucy whenever he gets leave.

I watched a couple of graduations on YouTube for inspiration. Last year, the Academy kept seniors on campus when they sent everyone else home. Graduation was masked, socially distant, with barely anyone in the stands. What I wrote is based on previous ones. I think graduations bring out strong emotions. I know I shed a few tears last weekend at my niece's.

I may have been the first one to use it just above.

CJ does keep track of where he's been. He and Owen will compare notes in the future. And although I never mention it, I imagine him doing just that: a map on his bedroom wall full of marker pins.

Thank you, Dave. I hope the snippet I shared from the next book's prologue wet your appetite for time in Mexico City.

Thanks, Tony. Although I address varied, important issues, I try not to take myself to seriously. And I try to infuse each story with humor when appropriate. Life's too damn short not to laugh.

You're welcome. And my thanks to you for the support since the first salvo.

CJ started out hating all Republicans. He's mellowed a bit, but he'll always be a liberal with centrist tendencies with a dash of libertarian thrown in. I envision him following policies similar to Bill Clinton's but without Monica. Once again, his fathers' set the example. They voted for Biden, but I had them trash Bernie and Warren in Malibu. I guess I'm too used to political discussions being frank and open. You should have been in the car with me and my niece last weekend, I picked her up at the University of Florida for the drive to her sister's graduation in Atlanta. She's the most liberal one in the family but smart enough to listen to opposing arguments without shouting or getting overly flustered. She and her sister give me hope for the future.