Headstall

Lol. You are funny indeed, sir. Yes, fluttering eyes have been casting longing looks for quite a while it would seem. Don't know if August allows himself too long on it though... that river in Egypt thing. Denial is easier than facing your truth. Isn't Albert a complete gem, so kind and understanding... caring too. He could win Pa of the year. Rob is pretty much a carbon copy, doing anything to please such a great man. As far as the Crawley girl, I don't believe Rob or Albert thinks she's too young, but August surely does. Yes, there were young girls getting married during frontier days, more out of necessity, but this is an established, church-going community. There's no shortage of women and no need to marry off children. Lol. Bulge. That's hilarious. Them fluttering eyes would have to behave... so would any bulges. Thanks for this, friend. You made me laugh. Cheers! G

Hey, you made it! Welcome to "Roping the Moon", Jason. Yep, this one starts out with a bang... well... almost a bang. This one is actually a little different for me. I believe I replied to one comment that it is kind of inverted... another challenge to write. At this point, though, who knows who's the top. You're right about August's confusion, though. Remember, he's been taught his whole life never to trust a Crawley. He is surprised, embarrassed his secret has been revealed, and confused at what game Fletcher might be playing. Is this just more of trying to get the best of him, the one upmanship that has been their dynamic for years? Yeah, if Fletcher is being real, he's way farther along than August in accepting who he is and what he wants. Not even going to touch that snake thing, buddy, but a fella's got to do what a fella's got to do. So pleased you checked this story our, Jason. I do appreciate it. Cheers! Gary

Yeah, that was a terrible idea, and Fletcher realized it right away after he suggested August move into the Patrick house where the sheep are. It sounds as if, according to Fletcher, his family would never stand in his way... unless they are worried for his safety. They do want him to be happy, and they already know how much he cares for August. Albert poses a big problem to their happiness... so can it be resolved? Stay tuned, my friend. The next chapter is an even longer one, and it's an eye opener. Who the oldest Crawley sibling is, is not important, you're right, but there is a written line that I don't want to ruin.

Hi, Neal. Yes he did, and yes, we don't know yet where Fletcher fits in the line up, but we'll know soon enough.

Don't see the reason for fuss, y'all... it just be a little rain and a little swim....

Bring it on, buddy. Silly comments are my jam.

No worries, friend. Happy you might check out the new one.

Well, I do whizz a lot.

I did a lot of research and came up with a brand of western speak that seems to work, one I find myself thinking in now. If you're going to write a western, try mixing up the tenses first of all, use double negatives which appears to have been really common, and research the origins of words you use. You might find out some are inappropriate for the time... same with colloquialisms (y'all) and sayings and cuss words. I know I often find ones that don't fit with the time. Another suggestion is to use the same language in narration that you do in dialogue. It's too jarring if you don't... can't have a character thinking one way and speaking another. Try a short story first maybe. As far as "Sidewinder", yes it is the first one, and "Larkspur: A Sidewinder Tale" is the sequel. There is a third loosely tied to the first two called "Bearpaw: An Old West Tale" (and a couple or three shorter stories) and they all have sex in them, again, tied to characters in love. I often make you wait for it, though. "Roping the Moon" started posting 3+ weeks ago. It posts every Monday, and there is a fair ways to go. I've been a vampire fan since I was a kid. Anne Rice, Brian Lumley, and many many others.

Fair enough. We all have our preferences. I love vampires, just for the record. Werewolf stories are often more of a trope to me, so I set out to write something different, and I believe I succeeded. My shifters are more about magic... and just another fascinating form of humanity. Ah... Sidewinder... I don't know what you read, but there is definitely graphic lovemaking scenes. I don't write over the top sex scenes for the sake of it, but I don't shy away from writing sex when it involves love. I've been told many times I have a knack for it. I'm posting a new western myself called "Roping the Moon" (shameless plug). I just posted chapter four, and it, like most all my stories, does not shy away from sex. Cheers!

I like that you capitalized WESTERNS! it's kind of been my thing the last few years. That said, I have to say that though I wasn't a werewolf fan per se, I wrote a shifter story I spent years working on. Why? It came to me out of the blue and I like a challenge, and truly believe it is my best work. It's a mystery, an adventure, a romance, and is one that keeps on giving. If you ever get the urge.... AI makes me sad. I see the point on the horizon where human authors take a back seat to it. I abhor the idea, and hope I'm wrong, but it has already taken away my daughter's livelihood. Cheers!

Greetings from Hogwart.

Just reread this, and it is a stunning story. Parker does an incredible job on this one. Thanks, Parker, and thanks @Cia for featuring it.

Just reread this beautiful story. A masterpiece, Parker, one I never really forgot. Thank you for the tears.

You do you, @Luca E, but just think of all the great stories you might be missing because of this name bias of yours. I read what I like, when I can find the time, and don't mind a bit checking story descriptions, reviews, views, comments from readers... and of course reputation. Does this author have a following? Does this particular story have a following? Have I liked a previous story from this author? Does he or she work hard at their craft. I can usually tell in the first few paragraphs whether that is the case. If I see a lot of mistakes, I might leave the story until the author has had some time to improve. That said, I will read new authors who are trying their best, and I try to offer my encouragement. All of these things, these tools GA provides us, help me decide, not someone's GA handle. There is one more thing I pay attention to now. Does it exhibit signs of being AI assisted? Maybe it's just me, and maybe I'm alone in this, but I have no interest in those whatsoever. Cheers and good luck to you. Gary

Yes it was, a surprising breakthrough where August learned to trust the man he wasn't supposed to trust. That first kiss... imaginge how powerful that was for them, after years and years of mutual attraction. It is pretty awesome to have your very first kiss be with the person you've loved since adolescence. They want a future... can they have it? There is a path, but how perilous would it be? And yeah, from what we know of Gran, she's a heck of an improvement over her son-in-law(past tense). The next chapter just might be a doozy... it is longererer for sure. Cheers, my friend, and thank you for your support. Here's the link in case you want to leave a Story Like and Story Recommendation of the front story page... it would mean a lot to me.

Lol. Sounds like he has a few rattlesnakes working for him. Moving might not be in the cards just yet, but we'll see... time will tell. I will say this. Declaring love early on, in chapter four of a longer multi-chapter story is something I usually don't do, but I wanted to give it a try. There's lots ahead, my friend. Thanks for this, Doc. Speaking of Doc, I miss the other one. Hope he's doing well. Cheers! Gary

Awesome, Kris! I got you in the feels. Yes, Albert is evil, but doesn't it make you wonder why? I mean, we may never know the reason, but at this point we certainly don't know enough. Was he always this way? Fletcher says his pa is a smart man, so let's hope he has some idea how to protect these two young men in love. it's a tall order. We know Augusr wants to write that letter, but will he now? Just between you and me there is a longerer double chapter this coming Monday. I don't think you'll want to miss it. And what literal cliffhanger? I have no idea what you mean. Surprises? Stay tuned. Thanks so much for your support, my friend. Wish this story had a little more interest, but fingers crossed it will build over time. Cheers! Gary

Hello, brother B.

The heart wants what the heart wants.

He wants you to share his cabin.

That actually made sense, Tink. *high five*

Yes, dugh, the air has been cleared enough they can share it. The do have the makings, but they might need a miracle for it to happen. Thanks, bro. Appreciate you.

It is sad, and it comes back to the fact men were hard back then... even expected to be hard in some families. Gotta wonder what Albert's father was like. August comes across to me as being worn down, and maybe the big storm/flood contributed to that. Physical exhaustion can lead very easily to emotional exhaustion.

Nah, we encourage every bit of discourse. I love the interaction between readers, and I believe everyone does.