ReaderPaul

I read the first three of the Wheel of time series, then lost interest. I tried to read book 4, but ended up giving it away. I have read passages from the Sanderson books written after the death of Robert Jordan, and I have thought again about reading the series. The series might be easier to follow than the books. I will watch this topic to see reactions of others before deciding whether to watch the series and/or starting the series again. When I read it the first time, I was working 55+ hours a week at a quite physical job, and might have been too tired to properly appreciate it.

From the teaser, @Wombat Bill, it sounds like you've been taking courses in applicable, applied, and able alliteration, alloyed with joking jocularity and jesting, with added caprice, contrariety, changeableness, coyness, and a touch of capriciousness of capable word wizardry, wisdom, whimsy, and wildness -- but not yet any sign of a walrus. Warily, we watch you and our fellow CWB commentators, as we are entertained and more. Good chapter. I agree with @quttzikand @chris191070. In talking with those who sometimes take in foster kids, they can be scared, unpredictable, cooperative, withdrawn, and many more possibilities. It depends on the kid and the background. PLUS, in the US, a lot depends on the state in which the fostering is done. Some states help foster parents much more than others. I also know two couples who worked with kids in group homes, and that is often a very challenging task, no matter how capable and caring the group home supervisors are. One couple lasted eight years; the other couple about ten. All kids should have a loving and caring home. However, many kids are not so fortunate, and that is sad.

Interesting. I think I like Candy's offbeat sense of humor. I think bringing James along on a date, even if for a few minutes, is a mistake. Maybe Wanda has a younger gay brother he could date? Probably not, but I thought I would ask. The teaser for the next chapter indicates to me that Dante will be back as a featured character in the next chapter. @Wombat Bill, another chapter that seemed shorter than it really was. Well done indeed! I look forward to any analysis and comments regarding the chapter from @chris191070, @quttzik, @Summerabbacat, and any other person who might comment.

Bisexual erasure is real. I have been told to "pick a side already." Many bi men take a long time to admit it to themselves, if ever. I have seen other stories in which sudden wealth makes the story less believable. Once in a while, I have read a story where a family seems to be just a bit above middle class, income wise, and gradually things happen such that the boyfriend realizes gradually that the other's family is almost as rich as his family is. @W_L, this is a well written review.

I foresee problems for Alex and Wanda if James starts preaching to the circus about animal rights. James needs to learn discretion and not always speaking his thoughts aloud. He needs to learn how to mask his feelings at times, so he can learn more and accomplish more with fewer initial (and proverbial) waves made. When do we learn more about Andy and Dean as sperm donors?

A very interesting visit. Good to see Virginia and Desmond again.

Wow, what a chapter! I so look forward to the dinner with Virginia and Desmond. I doubt that the girls would have stimulated them to ejaculation after they fell asleep, but it is possible in theory, IF they were not too drunk. I am sure our own @Wombat Bill, author of resourceful renowned reasoning and superlative surprises will enlighten, elucidate, educate, edify, and illuminate us soon.

@Summerabbacat and @quttzik and @chris191070 have wonderful commentary on this chapter. What I noticed and has not yet been specifically mentioned, Carol and Jonathan had the least satisfaction of the evening. I think Cook had the best evening of any of them. Jonathan is becoming a better person in many ways. Lachlan has been very good for him. But Jonathan still has some -- understanding -- to gain. But he is definitely headed in a better direction than he used to be. He needs to show more appreciation to Carol. There is a saying in the USA among some teachers that -- "It is never a good idea to get a maintenance person or librarian upset with you. You never know when you might need their help, and suddenly, it is not available when you need it." I don't know who said that first. It seems to me that Carol is very versatile and capable at what she does. Will we every learn Carol's last name? (Though I have met persons with the last name of Carol or Carroll.) Loving the story and each chapter, @Wombat Bill. This chapter especially shows so much, and opens even more possibilities than you already had! Thanks for bringing Andy and Dean into this one.

On this particular thing, I tend to agree with @James K, up to a point. There is quality control on GA, but much of it is seeming to be more of a committee structure than a one-person-rule. The site guidelines are stated in various places; some of your dissatisfaction probably comes from the fact that your tastes (and mine) often differ from that author. That does not mean that, if you or if I dislike a story, that it is a bad story. But it may not be to our personal taste or tastes. There have been times I disliked a story and did not finish it. Then things in my life and thinking changed, and I was able to start the story again and enjoy it and finish it. The story was the same; my understanding of some things had changed. At least two of the sites which publish gay and/or erotic stories have to pass "the taste of the website owner" test. At least two of the sites I frequent, the owners have said, almost in these exact words, "If I don't like a story, or it does not meet the stated guidelines, sometimes both, it will not be published on my site." In addition, it can be very easy for an author to be too argumentative with and too disrespectful toward other readers of that site, and leave a foul taste in the proverbial mouth and throat of those who run, manage, or own the sites, or those who have great influence on the owner or owners of the site. So, @Cris L, I think if you do not like a particular story, do not comment -- and do not post negative stuff on a public board, unless of a minor nature -- and also do not push for types of stories which are banned by the stated guidelines of the site. Any criticism which might be considered major should be in private to the author, and in as diplomatic a form as you can possibly make it. If the story violates the stated guidelines of the site, then report it to the webmaster, site owner, or oversight committee in private. I have found these methods to be most effective in dealing with such situations.

@quttzikhas done a good analysis of the chapter. I think Lachlan and Jonathan will have to have more discussions from time to time. Jonathan is learning, but has more to learn. There are times when things other than money are important, both in a relationship and sometimes in business dealings. @Wombat Bill -- you always give us interesting chapters. Very few authors manage to do that. I look forward to seeing any analysis @chris191070 and @Summerabbacat have. I also miss seeing @NimirRaj weigh in on the chapters.

Interesting chapter, @Wombat Bill. I wonder if the error of which Romel speaks is that the story is too much like the real life happening. I read a story by another author (not on GA) in which he admitted taking a real life incident and drastically changing to a different plotline after about the tenth paragraph. Edward is not doing that enough. If enough persons keep reading the story, someone will recognize that Edward to describing a life incident with names changed. Once again, the chapter seemed much shorter than the word count would indicate. Good writing, Wombat Bill.

As usual, Geron Kees has presented us with a great story with an interesting plot. There are some twists and turns which surprised me at first. But it is great to see Rick showing more confidence in several things, even if he could at times use more tongue control in his speaking. We also learn what jobs the guys -- Charlie, Kippy, Adrian, and Ricky -- are doing, and how it fits in with their adventures. In addition, we learn more of the growth of the abilities of Frit, Pip, and Keerby, and how Horace has assisted the guys in understanding more of the world around them. I look forward to seeing of Kiernan Willman in future stories, as well as Professor Dithering and Costel. Overall, a very good story. It opens a plethora of potential plotline possibilities. Well done, Geron.

Edward still is not disguising the story enough, at this time. I hope he can wise up and change more details than a slight spelling difference the the name. It was a good chapter.

Interesting, @Wombat Bill. This has opened up all sorts of additional possibilities in this story. I'm sure, as the author, you are aware of even more than I am. I was trying to remember if Jonathan is aware that Dante is Bernard's nephew. My memory is giving trouble this week. While most of the chapter was serious, the last two lines caused me to give it a laugh. Good chapter.

@Wombat Bill, I just figured out how I missed this chapter. My spouse was very ill the day this came out and the day after, and we were occupied with medical issues. I'm glad to catch up now. @Summerabbacat, @quttzik, @chris191070, and @Howzat, great comments. I also liked this chapter, and some things were explained. I have never been interested in sounding, but had a friend who liked it. To each their own. Rosemary seems to be a good sort. I hope we see her at least be mentioned once in a while, should Craig decided to get away from nursing again. Good chapter.

Wow, @Wombat Bill, the chapter was so well written I thought it barely over a thousand words, until I looked at the word count. Lots of stuff happening in a very short span of time. I don't blame Craig for going on the reserve list. At times, one can like the type of work one does, but feel surrounded by non-friendly co-workers. Sounds like Edward and Justin need to do more talking, just the two of them. Looking forward to seeing what others say. Good chapter, Wombat Bill.

So, @Geron Kees, Pacha has learned to read the elf location guide! After all, he had never been to Kinniston before. Or has Mike or Bobby learned to read it and translates it for Pacha? After all, they, especially Mike, has been around Pacha for years now, and also have been exposed to Moth, elves, Ragal, Casper, and probably other power users as well, not to mention Charlie, Kip, Adrian, and Rick. Good ending for the story. So does that mean only Keerby (and possibly Nicholaas) can get the guys to and from the alternate universe of Costel and Pilfer, at least at this time? Does Max need to work with they guys (including Horace) to upgrade their shields in a major way, so that sensitives cannot detect them?

Seeing Chapter Nine and Chapter Ten shows how much power Pip and Frit have gained in the last year. It is really great to see. And, at least for now, Keerby has a time ability that (for now) only he and Nicholaas share. Although, Max will probably try to catch up with Keerby on this one, and Max's brother (Jakos?) might as well.

Whoa, wait a minute! Is Blinken the same as Ethelbert, which Keerby referred to in a previous chapter? And if vampires have shown up, why couldn't werewolves, werewhales, werebears, Bigfoot and more show up? Next question would be, how complete is the change? If Charlie turned into a dog, and a female dog was in heat, would his body want to breed it? Some cautions are hopefully at work here.

There is an old poem, which goes -- The difference between -- the men and the boys / is the length of their hair, and the price of their toys. The PG rated version is, "The difference between -- the men and the boys / is the size of their [four-letter word {plus an "s" added on the end} for the male organ of generation], and the price of their toys."

@Geron Kees, you said in the comments a few chapters back that "Amy will be along shortly." Could you have been thinking about Abby instead? If you meant Abby, could we briefly meet Amy in the Christmas story, when the guys go to check on things at their office downtown?

So, @Geron Kees, there is one adult the guys could discuss things with -- Bob Travers. After all, he has met the elves of Twombly, Nicholaas, Pacha, Kontus, Auggie, Frit and Pip, Ragal, Casper, Max, and Ronja. and possibly others by now. For the Christmas story, how about taking Uncle Bob, Keerby, Mrs. P, and Ronja and Auggie (or maybe not Auggie), to Engris for Christmas shopping? Keerby, of course, has been there before, so could transport them. And I'm sure Mrs. P could use the location guide just fine. So could Frit or Pip or Max transport them. And, has Pacha figured out how to use the elf location guide yet?

Great going, @Geron Kees. Charlie's talent is obviously growing. I think the growth may have also been influenced slightly by contact with not only the elves, but with Pacha'Ka, Sefton, Durapar, Ragal, Casper, Nicholaas, the Moth, and the peripheral contact with the Beltracians. Each has a slightly different take on power use/magic, and the impact on the guys' skwish would be slightly different. In addition, the "wish magic" Kiri and Kiley gave them could be influencing their growth, even without the guys knowing it. I think Rhea is not sure what to make of the talents Keerby and company and Charlie and company have. The way things are going, the guys might end up in a universe with vampires, were-whales, Bigfoot, and moveable versions of Gretchen! I'm loving it. Can't wait to see comments from @chris191070, @Ivor Slipper, @drpaladin and more have to say!

As @drpaladin said, we have not yet met Amy, who runs Third Planet Inquiries (TPI) for the guys. Abby of the boarding house seems to be an energetic and fascinating person. As the four guys grow in skwish, @Geron Kees, could Keerby or Max enable them to add to the location guide for elves for location and teleportation purposes? Or maybe that's a talent Pip has, that is not common among elves? Charlie as M? @Ivor Slipper, that is a great thought! Geron, this keeps getting better and better.

Oh, that was good, @Wombat Bill, and what a great chapter comment, @Summerabbacat! Loved all of it! Edward need to do more disguising of details. There needs to be enough difference in details to really disguise the crime. Really good chapter.