Topher Lydon

This book is very much Bobby Grady and Timmy McCormick's story, thus why they get the header photo. Also: jack would like to remind you all who the real star is.

Welcome to 1885 yeehaw

**Chapter 2: Shadow on the Snow** Merrickville, Ontario. Late January, 1885. The siege did not begin with a cannon shot. It began with the slow, grinding erosion of the familiar. Winter in the Ottawa Valley had always been a physical adversary, a brute force of wind and ice that demanded respect. But this year, the cold felt weaponized. It didn't just freeze water; it froze hope. The snow piled up against the clapboard siding of the town like the earthworks of an investing army,

Chapter 1: The Coldest Morning 1885 Merrickville, Ontario. January 1885. The cold in the Ottawa Valley didn’t just sit on the skin; it hunted. It was a predatory thing, a physical weight that pressed against the chest and tested the seams of the world, seeking out the weakness in a timber joint, a wool coat, or a man’s resolve. It didn't howl; it whispered, a low, sibilant threat of entropy and stasis. Elias Sawyer stood at the absolute edge of his world, where the cle

Elias Sawyer and Theo Harding attempting to build a life in Merrickville, Ontario, three years after the events of Buckshot. Their peace is threatened when the Canadian Pacific Railway, led by ruthless agents Brant McCulloch and Valance, attempts to seize their land for a new rail line.

Clovis Hickey. It's stated that Clovis shared his lunches with Jason. (capt vs Goofball). Brad would feed him. Blake before Brad. He had a support structure that got him through. But like most cases of neglect... having gone through it... at around that time... no one paid attention except your friends.

Blake is that guy at a gay bar, down the end that's usually there at closing time. He's someone that isn't too picky, a little dull but you've had a few drinks. He's sweet enough, kind enough... hot enough. But he's not the guy you date. He's not that type of guy, and he kind of gets it.

changes the perspective on the book

Peter is genuinely a pleasure to write. He's a little ball of funny rage, with a steel core when it comes to protecting his loved ones. His scenes with Ned in the later books are exceptional. His love here, is formative. We're seeing how he becomes the healer of the Carter family, the one who held Will together when he was young. The one who manages Jacob and Tommy through their trauma. Later how he cares for Ned after his trauma. He's written as extremely empathic, albeit a tired one at times. It's got to be exhausting being him, thus the rage that's one of his defining qualities. He's a little handgrenade without a pin, and we adore him for it. Chapters like this one show me where Peter came from, how he was built, why he is who he is. And I am loving the opportunity to explore these characters so young.

This is the reality of the future Will is walking into. Canada will want to be free, but Will cannot do that even as the President. The US will never, willingly allow Canada to be free after annexation, it's economy would collapse without access to the natural resources. The Path to statehood would be blocked by the Republican Party who know that 6 additional Canadian states would ensure they NEVER control the senate or congress again. (it's the same reason they blocked so many statehood's like Puerto Rico) The Republican States will resist Will, such as Texas and Florida, Will is a nightmare for them. The threat of a civil war is VERY real in the wake of such a divisive elections. There stands the issue of the Epstein Files as well that now sit squarely on Will's desk. There is the fate of Trump after the election, what happens to him. (the story version) He stands accused of ordering an extrajudicial killing/rendition of Andrew. The situation with Russia and Ukraine hangs over Will's Presidency, Gaza and Israel. There is a massive weight pressing down on Will now, and as a writer I know eventually I have to tackle these issues in a future book, but that's a future book. Right now I wanted to ended on a note of hope Happiness, and light in the dark dusted in snow.

It's funny, but I am now aware that Fitzy's death leading to Asset and Liability, and Lost and Damned, becomes more and more suspicious.

Peter is that kind of soul. He's in love with Jason, it's young love, it's burning hot and bright and won't last. But they're in the moment.

Hah, poor Matt, totally loves sex in all it's forms... far far far too much.

I am about 90% done it... I might release it when I am done Deed, which is a 20 chapter book... so 20-ish days?

Yes there will be more. I just need to figure a plot out for one. And yes, Ottawa is a Valley and often has dramatic weather patterns. Typically the big snow is at the end of November, but depending on the year, Early November snows happen.

Geek boy Kryptonite

As Riley is fond of saying "Right-then" before making you a brew.

I needed to show what makes Jason, and reinforce what he went through. And why he loves Peter the way that he does.

Chapter 13: The Architecture of Zero The afternoon sun in Scarborough was a pale, honeyed glow that didn't quite manage to warm the room, but it made the dust motes dance in a way that felt peaceful, like ash from a cold but comforting fire. In the guest room of Will Carter’s townhouse, the air was thick with the scent of sandalwood soap from their shared shower and the heavy, comfortable silence that follows a long-overdue surrender—not just of bodies, but of the last, barricaded bastions

West, hamfisting it as only he can.

Andrew is capable, willing, and considering. West is action. I have always liked his soul on the page.