Carlos Hazday

Thanks, Dave. Sorry about the tears. In the interest of avoiding a lynch mob, I'll take this opportunity to announce the next chapter will be the end of this book. The following one is being edited and the hiatus between installments should be a short one. Please don't hate me.

@dughlas Writing an entire chapter about a trip isn't easy. In this case more so because CJ was traveling with two people we've met before but don't know ell. Glad I could keep you interested. AS for the ending, I've choked up a couple of times while reading through my revisions and edits.

The Middle East in general, and Israel, in particular, are chockful of history. At each turn, you find something new and interesting. Thanks for the compliment AR.

I love to hear that. Fiction can be a teaching tool and I try to do a little when appropriate. Traveling is one of the most educational things we can do, it's why Cesar at one point said he wanted CJ to travel as much as possible while he had the time to do so.

Thank you! After the confrontation between CJ and Cesar over the prenup, I wanted a 'fun' chapter but couldn't resist a little drama at the end.

I can imagine how Ozzie feels. His sister's illness returns and his rock's halfway around the world. At least it sounds like Brett and Cesar are taking care of him.

Tired of arguing, CJ threw a hand up in frustration. “Fine, you win. But not entirely. Here’s my final offer. We do it my way or I leave and go out on my own. And you know I can do it.” “Damn, you’re a pain. What’s the offer?” The question, posed humorously, elicited a chuckle. “I won’t insist on paying Ezra for his time, but I take care of all expenses while the three of us travel together. We can use his car but I buy the gas. And once we leave Tel Aviv, I cover hotels and everythi

@Potterslashfan I definitely didn't word that properly! LOL Think of ocean waves cresting. Some are mere ripples and some are monsters. I try to do the same with emotional content. We had highs with CJ's proposal, Brett's reaction was a lower-level excitement, and Cesar's birthday was another mid-height event. The prenup conversation was another high one. I think when I meant by slowing the pace down was a reference on highlighting everyday events in their lives instead of shocking ones. The overall pace I've want to get them into a bar without having to use connections or IDs! Anyway, the next two chapters are a little different. They both focus on one event. Multiple scenes but all spinning around a trip or event. I look forward to hearing what you think of them.

I may as well join my fellow beta readers: Outstanding story. Gripping and at times scary, there's hope beneath the drama. Parker does redemption better than most.

@Mikiesboy Last I heard he was having furnace issues. His fingers may be cold and typing could help warm them up.

It feels lonely @ the bottom level. @Caz Pedroso, @Mikiesboy, and I wouldn't mind some company...

Thanks, bud. I've said before speed reading this story isn't a good idea. I tend to embed little details and hints in the most innocuous spots. All the initial scenes were designed to focus a bit on Ritchie and update us on some of the characters we'd not heard from in a while. They also helped me avoid jumping ahead in time too quickly. Sort of slowing the pace after the proposal and Brett's mini-meltdown over it.

You captured the essence of the chapter perfectly. MUITO OBRIGADO!!!

@JeffreyL CJ does control his temper often and maybe that's a reason why when he does blow up the explosion's so large. No matter how mature and smart he is, he's still a teenager and conflict between those critters and parents is to be expected. The way I look at it, even though it was loud and contentious, they're talking. And that's a heck of a lot better than kids who shut down and go along with anything to keep their parents off their back. When Brett went a little nutso after CJ's first trip to Chicago, the kid called him out for being a hypocrite. He just did the same with his other father. He can deal with a lot but hypocrisy is one of those buttons that when pushed send him into a fighting mood.

@Boybig007 I try to balance the drama chapters with more placid ones allowing me to move the story forward (and do some travel descriptions lol). We know CJ has a temper but I'm trying to find a happy medium between physical and verbal confrontations. This chapter was a verbal one. As for Harley and other characters absent in recent chapters, remember he's in Orlando right now and they all have busier lives after the carefree high school days. I wanted the last book to focus on CJ and this one on him and Owen. The next two books will re-integrate the missing men into the story.

Dark and disjointed are the two adjectives that first come to mind. A goodbye letter in which the protagonist complains about always being upstaged is the precursor to another event drawing attention from him. The main character has issues upon issues and at the end we're not quite certain if his solution works or not. Not the type of read I seek out.

@danield I kinda miss my Rolodex. LOL

Well written, "Ice Blink" explores the fate of Greenland's Norse colonies through historical records and speculative fiction. Although engaging and informative, the story's reliance on narration can make it a dunking chlleng to read. It lacks the connection dialogue and other character interactions provide. Some readers will find the author's approach interesting but many will find it hard to connect with the story.

Thanks, Tor!

@Parker Owens Thank you, Parker. CJ will always be a kid to Cesar and Brett. No matter how mature the guy is, they'll always see him as the scared boy they took in. Parent-child dealings can be rocky and Cesar just threw a big boulder on the path to further growth. Let's hope it can be pushed out of the way before it interferes with their relationship for real.

@BlindAmbition Brett reminded Cesar how they've raised their kids. Parents forgetting their grown children can make decisions is not rare. Particularly with a smart one like CJ. This is a perfect example of how money can interfere with family dynamics, let's hope CJ and Cesar reconcile or the big wedding may never happen.

LOL Cesar doesn't have a lot of support from readers and I don't think he's going to get much from anyone else. No saving face with this one, he screwed up and he's in deep poop right now.

Hey, Chris! Yep, you're correct. Even if well-intentioned, Cesar crossed a line when he talked about a prenup as if it was a done deal instead of bringing it up as something to discuss. I wouldn't wish an upset CJ on anyone

You make it sound like another week is a long time LOL I mentioned before one of my brothers had to sign a prenup because his wife had a large trust fund. Twelve years and two sons later, it's not something on their minds. My brother makes a hell of a lot of money and they both focus on their kids. Were they to divorce tomorrow, the prenup may direct how certain assets are divided but in the long run, my nephews will get it all anyway.

@Sweetlion So you're saying I should watch my back? And if I see torch lights reflecting off pitchfork tines I should run? As of the date of this chapter: Ritchie - 15 - born 7 Jul 2002 Lucy - 14/15 - born 22 Jul 2002 Silas - 15/16 - born 1 Aug 2001 Charlotte - 13 - born late 2004