frosenblum

Great start. And such a different ambiance from Freshman, matching the different personalities of Travis and Will. Emily is mixed race with light brown skin. Maya has olive skin. The photo doesn't represent the diversity in the actor descriptions. What's up with that, Mark?

@Topher Lydon It turns out my memory, not for the first time, failed me. I'd read the "Falcon Banner" series many years ago and loved it. I'm a sucker for well-written sci-fi, especially if it's character driven. And every character in that series is fully realized and distinct. I'm reading the series again and it's just a great as the first time around. Thank you, belatedly, for the many of hours of joy you've brought to my life.

@Topher Lydon Such great writing. We're receiving the result of all your thinking and writing since you done since you were a kid. Bravo, sir. I haven't read any of your stories, the descriptions haven't been my cup(s?) of tea. Now I'm going to check them out, to experience more of your mastery as an author.

I'm enjoying the variety of situations in this story, something new and unexpected in each chapter. I would be super surprised if Anna hasn't already been checked out to the max, just to be working in the headquarters -- let alone once Hunter started a relationship with her, I'm sure Marc & Adam had her further vetted. BTW, @P. E. Knapp, that sneaky old double negative quicksand seems to have sucked you in: "Neither Hunter nor Faith had decided it wouldn’t be a good idea to speak." If neither of them decided it would not be a good idea, that means both of them had decided it would be a good idea.

The four vampires have not yet come alive for me. (pun intended) They have distinct personalities. They dress differently and present differently (snarky, intellectual, etc.). However, they seem to me to be types to fit the plot but not yet real people. I would be more drawn into the story if at least some of their back stories were presented. OTH, it agree with the above comments: it's your story to tell, and giving too much back story can bog the story down. Thanks for asking us what we thought.

Another great chapter. It's cool how the story title demands that one pronounce pirate to rhyme with mate and fate. And they all rhyme with irate -- which there's been a lot of in the story, from Marc and from those he sweeps out of his way. Probably a lot more of it to come.

How audaciously courageous of the two of you to create a particle to insert outrageousness into a (disc)world that is already totally outrageous!!!!

The way Dalton narrates after he leaves the U.S., it's it like he's a robot. No real details, no emotions. Acting like all that trauma, even getting shot, never happened. Sounds a form of PTSD. I wonder if he's headed for a major breakdown.

Wow, Quokka, you're really pouring it on in this jam-packed story. Starting out with a wonderful family vacation and a heartwarming reunion of long lost (and some newly found) relatives. Then out of the blue, wham bang nonstop, our hero suffers one disaster after another, unconscious most of the time. It's like a Hollywood action movie! We're left with a multiple cliffhangers. What's the going to happen next to Dalton, lions and tigers escaped from the zoo? Did the ambulance have any trouble getting to Tyler, and was he still alive when they did? Was anyone else injured in the grocery store and bank robberies? Oh my, oh my!

Confusing

I've been reading your stories since when you first started publishing on Gay Authors. The quality of your writing has gotten better and better and then even better over the years: character development, plot construction, pacing, dialogue. While you've kept your trademark tropes, like any successful author has: detailed architectural details, sudden serious illness or accidents, the protagonist up and leaving (running away) at the spur of the moment. Years ago, it was learning about Australia that kept me reading; now it's the high quality of the writing. Thank you for the gifts you keep giving us. I wish you a wonderful 2025.

Thank you both, Anton & Quoka, for quick and complete answer to my question.

What line of work is Carter's dad in? I've forgotten.

My silly thought was that JP could show Will which men's rooms, etc. he( JP) went to for sex in 1962.

I'm enjoying the calmness and good feelings of these Harvard chapters so far. Minor problems, quickly dealt with. I hope Marie is a major character this coming year. We've hardly seen enough of her. It'll be fun when Stef, JP, and Brad visit. JP can take Will on a tour of his favorite cruising spots when he was a student. 🙃 I'm really looking forward to Travis's first visit. The roomies will see a whole different side of Will.

It's a wonder that they thought they got to pick who the ambassador would be rather the Earth doing it. That's the arogant way a conquering government acts toward a newly acquired vassal state. I fear it doesn't bode well for the Earth.

I wonder if this also true for the Amixorpians?

The Amixorpians are smart to not share any advanced tech with Earth.

I'm enjoying this book more than your previous stories, Quokka. Possibly because I'm a sucker for science fiction. Time seems to be operate weirdly for Brett since he went into space. In the meeting on Titan, it was said the Amixorpians had five weeks to move or blast apart the asteroid, and that it in two weeks Earth would became aware of the possible asteroid collision risk. So how is it that Brett & Hugh spent several days (maybe a week) before returning to Earth; Brett spent a few days resting and then a few weeks completing his studies for his commercial pilots license, which happened in late August; and the meeting with the Australian Minister didn't happen till early October; and still no asteroid??? It seems that by that time the asteroid should have come and gone, and the Moon and Earth would have already had whatever disaster ensued.

This chapter reminded me of the scenes in the movie "Arrival" where communication was achieved with the aliens.

And will be learn more about Clare the librarian? BTW, I think there's a typo. Unless I misunderstand, "just a 4.5-kilometre drive or a four-minute walk...to Flinders University" implies that Oscar would be waking at nearly 69 km/hr.

I predict the two "brothers" will be married by the end of the story, Dio to Soriel and Raithan to Azula. It is shaping up to be a deliciously enjoyable adventure for us readers. Action, danger, romance, and one hilarious courtship.

Thanks Mark for launching 2024 with a new book in each of your series. It will be fun rides for your readers this year, as both George and the CAPers are entering new life situations

I am adding my gratitude for starting the year off with a Bridgemont book. With a surprisingly introspective George. I'm looking forward to what action you dream up for George. I was, however, struck by an anachronism: George thinks (in 1801) that "his hormones [are ]more controllable than they were when he was nineteen"; however, according to Merriam-Webster, "the first known use of the word hormone was in 1905."

A great series. (How did you jam in so much action, surprises/sharp turns, interesting/engaging characters, spectacular plot lines, terror and joy and sweetness into only three stories?!!?) You deserve a three month vacation at Nat's place in Brazil!! P.s. I was surprised that Nat's house in Portuguese BRAZIL had a SPANISH theme inside. But I've never been to Brazil so what do I know.