raven1

My eyes are to the point I won't drive at night, and it is hard to read signs that are at a distance. Irritating, but not a large inconvenience, yet.

Hi Albert Doing anything special today? I got the chores done yesterday, but one of the doctor's took a long time. It looks that I may need to have cataract surgery soon. The other doctor had to blast some precancerous cells off my face with nitrogen. That was painful and today I look like H..l It could be worse. At least I got my new air cons installed. Heaven! They are so much quieter and work more efficiently. At least today I got to rest up and be lazy without the guilt.

Marta was a surprise, a very pleasant surprise. She lends support to Toto, and good advice. I was glad Toto got to spend some time with Claudia. He needed her comfort when they both overheard Michele and the girl Michele called Bella. Whether it was a name or a description we can't know. I see two main possibilities for what she said to Michele. She could be a friend or relative that Michele feels he can confide in and talk about his feelings. If so, her advice might be for Michele to talk with Toto to let Toto knows how he feels now. It is two years after the kiss, and Michele may feel nervous about revealing what he has decided. We do have more evidence that Michele wants to be closer. He definitely was flirting with Toto and there is the gift of a matching pendant. One the other hand. Bella may be Michele's girlfriend and wants him to tell Toto about her relationship with Michele. This chapter has some muddy water to settle before we can clearly see what is happening with Michele. Great job keeping up the suspense.

I loved spending the day on the beach with Dani, Toto, Claudia, Angelo and Gianni. It was filled with fun and humour. I also liked the hints throughout that subtly foreshadow the future of Toto. With the title of the story, the addition of Dani's observation, the superpowers discussion, Michele's gift and the flashback we have hope that Michele will finally understand his feelings for Toto. Superb writing!

Enzo's story now it has been told is a sad tale of sexual molestation and abuse by his father. His anti-social behaviours and disrespect for authority is understandable. That it occurs in this caring community is surprising. Where will help come from for his healing? He has no real support from true friends or family. Michele is keeping his distance and the girl Toto sees him with appears to be competition for Michele's affection. Toto needs to realise that Michele is still trying to identify his own feelings and sexuality. It will be a struggle for both boys and a test of their friendship. Dani is intelligent and a bit hyperactive, but also vulnerable. How the pieces of the story will fit together is very unclear at this point. Hopefully Gianni, Angelo and Claudia will find a way to provide some of the support for all.

Poor Dirk. He is devastated after killing his destined mate Sarah. I also hope for divine intervention to help him deal with this. It is encouraging that his bear is handling this more logically. Also having Mason and Vincent there will help him. It is important that he decided to distract himself by working on the case. Sarah is still a mystery that needs to be solved. I believe that she was an active member of HA, and the shifter community will soon be in danger from the HA. Vincent's decision to work for the EC is a good way for him to get experience in real life and death fights. It will also help him with his assignment from Yakob. Great chapter! Again!

Michele displayed a great deal of courage to face his fears and tell Toto the complete story. I remember the anger I felt when Enzo left Michele hanging on for life. Now Toto in his compassion has help Michele once again to heal. I feel a great deal of sadness that Toto's love for Michele is unrequited. Daniele is an interesting addition to the characters in this village. He is definitely lonely and feels alienated from his peers. Toto and Michele understand his loneliness and offer to be friends. Dani may have a crush on Toto, but I think he will be treated more like a little brother by them both.

Another wonderful beginning to a Ravello story. Toto is doing well, but still is in love with Michele. Michele has grown some, but still seems to not have figured out his own sexual identity. Angelo and Gianni have settled into a very laid back lifestyle and fit well into the community. Sweet Claudia is back with all her humour and liveliness. Thanks James for continuing this marvellous series.

Michele is a young, shy and reticent teen who has grown up with his best friend, Toto. Together they explore and play in the beautiful hill side villages overlooking the Amalfi coast. Michele's life is idyllic until it is shattered by a kiss, and he begins a dangerous journey to protect his friend. James Carnarvon creates a beautiful picture of the setting with his skilful use of words. His characters are engaging and will capture your heart. This compelling story is unique in that it is only one half of the same story from Michele's point of view. The other half of the story is found in the short story,Toto, told from Toto's point of view. Michele is the second short story and I heartily recommend reading it. To truly appreciate this story of friendship fully, I highly recommend reading read Toto first. However, for the best experience I would start with the first novel, The Summer of the Firefly. I am sure you will enjoy and love them all.

Being abandoned by Enzo and crew while hanging on for his life was a very good way to create a lot of anxiety for both Michele and the readers. Toni was a complete ass! They all were cowards to run off leaving Michele facing death alone. Being able to talk with his mom and reveal the truth must have been a relief for Michele. His reconciliation with Toto was sweet. I hope that time will help Michele grow to the point he can recognise how he really feels about Toto. I look forward to reading more.

Michele is a very conflicted young boy. He was not yet ready for Toto's kiss. Being shy and reticent he has not matured to the same point as his more outgoing friend Toto. He is probably a late bloomer who hasn't reached the point of sexual development that Toto has reached. He does care very much for Toto, misses him, and is trying to protect Toto. This is leading him into a dangerous situation. I wish him well.

Michele's day was one of torture for him. Enzo and his goons expose the innocence of Michele to cruelty, bigotry and disregard for other humans. His guilt is crushing him, and seeing Toto having a good time with Claudia only makes it worse. Enzo is dangerous, as Michele realises. Not talking to his mother is not a wise decision. Michele is isolating himself from the very people who could help him protect Toto and himself.

While loving and having a great deal of empathy for Toto, I never felt close to him. Michele, however, struck me close to my heart. I have experience many of the insecurities and confused ideas and thought he is experiencing. I wish I had a Father Stefano in my life. It is so unfortunate that Enzo was there when Michele was so vulnerable. The gossip and bigotry will spread quickly and bring hurt to Toto. I hope that Michele's regret will for talking to Enzo will be resolved when he talks with Toto. They have been great friends for a long time and still need each other.

Toto, is a short story sequel to The Summer of the Firefly, and is a bittersweet tale of a young teen who has fallen in love with his best friend. His world is shattered by discovery and rejection by his father. Gianni and Angelo, two slightly older gay men, help him rebuild his strength and confidence to once again face the future. James Carnarvon is a highly skilled wordsmith that has created a beautiful world of verdant mountains and valleys along the Amalfi coast of Italy. Ravello is a town high in these hills that seems remote from urban life and its rush. The story is compelling and the characters engaging, fit for a lazy summer afternoon in the shade with a glass of Italian wine. Excellent reading to gauge the wonderful skills of this writer, but a spoiler if you don't read The Summer of the Firefly first.

Gianni's inspiration on the mount proved true. Marina had to deal with the same set of circumstances that Salvatore is dealing with now. With her help, Salvatore can now give Toto the love and support Toto needs from his father. Michele has sought out Toto and has cried in pain for what happened. I see hope for them now to be at least best of friends, hopefully more. We are now left with the mystery of Michele's bruise. Thanks for this brief but beautiful story that has caught us up in the lives of our friends in Ravello.

Salvator is much more mellow after a few days have passed. I hope that means he is thinking more about his actions, beliefs and the importance of his son to himself. The camping trip is a good way to get away from the problem, without running from it. Claudia's kiss caused a definite negative reaction from Toto and helped him to accept his own desires as the truth for him. I like that Father Stefano is true to character and providing support gently to Toto and letting him know that Michele is also having difficulties. The chapter gives us hope for a better future for Toto.

Toto at least has a place to stay for a few days while things settle down. He also has the support of Gianni and Angelo. Angelo's offer to provide company for Toto is very considerate, and I was surprised when Claudia showed up. Her timing was perfect as she put the bully, Enzo in him place. She has no fear! It was interesting that Michele has joined Enzo's minions and I fear that he may have told Enzo about the kiss. I do hope he didn't. Enzo has or will bully Michele I am sure. The day with Claudia was great as she helped distract Toto from worrying and distressing thoughts. I thought his reaction to being called "cute" was Cute!

I remember Toto as the speed demon on a tricycle running down people in the church square. His shy and retiring companion/shadow was Michele who would chase behind him. It is sad that the village social milieu did not change much since Gianni and Angelo and Toto finds himself in the same situation as the two older boys were years ago. Gianni seeing the distress was so kind in offering help. At least Toto has someone he can talk to and maybe help him. Salvator is not a bad man, but has many of the same jaundiced beliefs and obstinate traditions that Marina had when Gianni came out. I am hoping that Gianni, Angelo and the family will help Toto find a way to be true to himself. I am glad to see another Ravello story. Again, you have created some great pictures in my mind with your eloquent words.

Gianni is a west London teenager who has tragically lost his parents, and no must relocate to a mountain village on the Amalfi coast with his grandparents. There he will spend the summer exploring the villages and villas in the area with another lonely young teen, Angelo. The author has created with wonderful details the sights, sounds smells and tastes of this beautiful part of Italy. He captures the innocence of youth as well as the rigidity of traditions and bigotry of beliefs held for a millennium or more. He handles delicate and sensitive issues and relationship with inspired love and care. This is not high adventure, but a realistic modern romance that stretches the bounds of belief and acceptance. I recommend this book with all my heart.

This is a beautifully written tale of love. The ending so fitted the story and characters. I found hope in how the Angelo, the family and village responded to Gianni's disappearance. I hope this bodes well Gianni, Angelo and their future together. I look forward to the sequels generated by this romantic story and its characters. Your command of words, especiallly the landscapes and dialogues created, was exceptionally great. I saw, heard and felt all the environmental and emotional highlights in the story. Thank you for working so hard to create this tale.

I am not surprised at the initial reaction of Gianni's family. He didn't give them enough time or preparations for the impetuous act that revealed his homosexuality. I do believe he has misread Angelo and truly believes that Angelo has also rejected him. Father Stefano's talk did help, but Marina's rejection has him with no alternatives and I am sure he feels hopeless. I do fear he has been pushed to the brink one more time. I only hope he can make it through this one more time with the help of Angelo.

A beautiful wedding followed by an emotional explosion. I have to agree that Gianni, Angelo and Pietro's reactions were out of character and very unexpected. This was an unusual plot twist. The only reason I see for this is the desire to resolve the point of Gianni being gay in this small town in one quick swoop, not the usual long term one on one resolution. I'm anxious to finish the next few chapter to see how everything settles.

It was so sad to see Loren break down and cry. Jay did the right thing by just letting Loren cry out his pain. When he told Jay what had happened to him at seven years of age, I was first stunned then outraged at the idiocy and cruelty of his parents. Corey's folks taking him in and trying to adopt him at least gave him the chance to grow up in a caring environment. Since Loren's parents spend time in jail, I wonder what happened to Lars. Jay's reaction and pledge to Loren was what Loren needed. I am happy that they were able to both tell each other of their love. Jay's suggestion for both of them going to therapy was so thoughtful and great foresight to anticipate problems as take action to prevent them from affecting their love. This was an extremely well written chapter that flowed well to the dramatic conclusion.

Jevikel and Kadin are working to help their hold, but Vikkel still stubbornly refuses to believe that thread will return. It kind of make their hard work seem useless. The hold and all the people in it will be in great danger when thread comes. The dragon riders' visit was exciting as Jevikel and Kadin were both told they were candidates for the Search when the next eggs were laid. I was also good to have confirmation that Kemi made it to Benden Weyr. The boys' are still going, but their duty to help rebuild the hold is very strong. They too want their hold to survive. I feel that they will do all they can to protect the hold as long as they remain there. I do wonder which will come first, the thread or the Search.

Going to bed early tonight. Got to go to the bank, 2 doctors' appointments, then back to the condo to get my new air con installed. All before 11 AM. Enjoy the day!