J.HunterDunn

Timid and shy ... and beautiful black is back. It invited me to read in a whisper. Thanks, Adi, perfect as always.

If only I would have had mathematical teachers with your wit, maybe I would have done better in their classes. I loved it.

Thanks for sharing this with us, Gary. Your poem conveys so well the feelings of dismay of being unable to help someone near to us, if only near in spirit. It doesn't matter whether it's called praying or something else. As long as it's good thoughts I'm convinced the energy will reach him. Your poem contributes to that. I's all we can do.

Recently I visited a museum with age-old statues. Most of them were damaged and chipped ... works of art nontheless ...

That was so worth the cliff-hanging, Adi. I’m glad that you included the last four paragraphs, for otherwise there would have been another cliffy. Thanks for having mercy on your readers (this time). A great chapter that gives great satisfaction seeing good conquering evil. Keelan will not have much choice now but to recognize his King, although he will always stay a person Diarmad and Noël will have to be on their your guard for. Lord Noël. That sounds good. Marked by his King with holly, according to old superstitious belief protecting against hits of lightning and hostile powers, like demons and witches, and ivy, symbol of loyalty and eternal life, it seems a very fitting emblem for our new Lord. Almost the end of book 1. I’m glad that there’s promise of more books in The King’s Mate series. Like Diarmad’s blood: it’s kind of addictive.

When we met the slightly deranged doctor for the first time I was afraid we hadn’t seen the last of him. Then he could be kept in check, now he has been given the reins. After the initial feelings of nausea while reading the first part, it was a pleasure to see Noël use his powers. Andra seems to be the white sheep of the McGill family. After helping Noël she will need shelter from her angry clan, though. I hope the tall dark stranger is Diarmad and Noël, being not aware of that, violently bites the hand held over his mouth. That way he can drink Diarmad’s blood, which would complete the mating. Or am I wrong again by assuming that ? Thanks for the suspense, Adi, I will resignedly undergo the torture of hanging on yet another cliff for a whole week.

I kept coming back to re-read your poem, Gary. Maybe it is because we’re the same age, that it appeals so much to me. The number of deaths and funerals take over the number of weddings and births in this stage of life. When decorating the Christmas tree I was wondering how many times I’m still allowed to do that. Not in a hypochondriac sense, but just as objective wonder. Even if the number of mountains to climb is not as infinite as it seemed before, I’m with you when it comes to winning the game. Thanks for another great poem !

Adi, you fooled me. While reading I thought we would be led to the tableau of the Prologue, for it felt familiar: church, Christmas, Noël not wanting to be there. But boy, was I wrong. The only comfort re-reading the Prologue brought was, that it showed Noël and Diarmad both will live to celebrate another Christmas, notwithstanding the cliffhanger. Diarmad saw a chance to complete his part of the mating ritual; will Noël be able to taste his Mate’s blood as well ? For after this chapter I have no doubt Diarmad won’t die for lack of love.

Diarmad is aware he chose a mate that balances him. It will keep him on his toes, for –king or no king- Noël isn’t going to take just anything. It dawns on Noël, however, that all the precautions are not superfluous. He should take his premonitions seriously. Ronan certainly doesn’t have the gift of premonition. Again he interrupts a tender moment. The attempt to meddle with the blood-samples shows Diarmad’s enemies will try anything to prevent Noël becoming a powerful mate to the King. Brute force or cunning intrigue: Noël and Diarmad be aware !

Noblesse oblige. Even without the sniper Noël would have to get used to more people around him, like Keith, to take care of his needs. But the sniper made tighter security necessary, which means even more people around. He will get used to it eventually ... being the King's mate also means making sacrifices. Thinking of summer, sitting on the veranda with Diarmad ... Noël is already starting to think long term. Good to see the two of them settle in a domestic routine. No better way to get to know each other well. Hopefully they don't get interrupted next time they get passionate. They have to develop that side of their relationship as well, hopefully leading to a loving mating that will unlock the slumbering mysteries. Listening to the 12th Piano Sonata I realized that Diarmad was already around when that fine piece of music was composed. Figure that !

A marvellous chapter, Adi. I think Noël got more insight from his talk with Simon than he got from is talks with Diarmad. Maybe that is because Simon can look at the situation a bit more detached, although he also has his interests to see more of his brother in Noël. Simon reacted very maturely in admitting he had been acting selfish. A man thinking like that could become a great friend for Noël. That Noël learned that neither Tristan nor Louis had romantic feelings for Diarmad must have had a considerable influence on his decision to stay. At least that part is truly himself. A problem all Seraei and their mates must face is that they outlive all humans. My grandmother, who lived to be 99, complained to me at the end of her life, that the people she grew up with weren’t there anymore. There were memories, but no one to share them with anymore. How much harder must that be when the difference in time will be centuries. Immortality long has been an ideal for some humans. I sincerely doubt immortals are to be envied. I was relieved to see that Noël “started to giggle uncontrollably” when he thought about his situation, for I felt a bit bad about my smile while reading the previous chapter.

Never a dull moment when designed to be Diarmad’s mate. It gets better and better. It must be quite a comfort for Noël knowing that Diarmad doesn’t drink around like any ordinary vampire. No, only Noël’s blood is good enough and then strictly during the act of mating. I don’t know whether I was supposed to, but I smiled through the whole chapter. Does that make me a pervert ?

“It made me want to run my hands all over it, move closer still to feel more of the heat coming off his body. I stepped back quickly, trying to stop those irritating thoughts.” Ha ! Irritating thoughts, indeed. Noël may not admit it yet, but there is attraction growing. He obviously turns Diarmad on, but Diarmad is turning him on as well. Thinking of a naked Diarmad in the shower. Wanting to run his fingers through Diarmad's hair. I’m pretty sure that attraction has nothing to do with either Louis or Tristan. And what better to strengthen a growing bond than a common enemy ? Maybe Keelan McGill unknowingly helped Diarmad with his conduct.

There is one line I kept coming back to: Turn on lights where shadows loom. You comprised the essence of friendship there, in my opinion. That is what real friends do for each other. I hope you can keep spreading rays of sunshine when your friend needs them and wish him all the best with his recovery. I have no doubt your poem contributes to that.

Another great chapter, Adi. I liked the quietness of the scene, just talk in order to understand and be understood. I don't feel so bad for Noël as other reviewers seem to feel for him. He's chosen for his strength. I'm sure he will cope with the gradual awakening of the other two souls in him. Already Diarmad profits from his presence. He deserves his mate.

An excellent short story, captivating from start to finish. You said it was a first attempt at historical fiction. I eagerly await the second, and the third, and ... Doubt be gone. Just write, write, write ... and keep bringing joy to your readers.

Undeserved pain is what this poem is about to me. If you agree on bounderies in a relationship and one of the partners crosses the line, the pain he's causing himself is self inflicted. But there's always the other one suffering as well, if not more. That pain is undeserved. One should consider that before crossing the line. Another much appreciated poem Gary.

Great chapter, Adi. What a dillemma, knowing that someone's life depends on you loving him or not. The question for me is -if hypothetially faced with a situation like that- would that knowledge put me off or be an incentive to try. Maybe another one of my personalities has the answer. Intrigued and eager for what is to follow.

A very lifelike painting of a charitable organisation that hasn't grown too big yet. These kind of organisations appeal because of their seeming unprofessionalism. Most of the time a person like Beck is the driving force. Morgan - Beck ... a possibility ? Kinney stole the show. You just have to like him. Looking forward to more.

I envy your ability to catch your feelings so well in words. Feelings that I recognize very well. When in such a mood the certainty that "the blessed dawn won't be long" is what keeps you going. Another beautiful poem, Gary.

I'm very impressed. I like you singled out the Sybils and focussed on them. This ballade shows the difference between a poet and a rhymer, you being the former. Applause.

Very impressive, Dolores. I can sympathize with the notion that the baroque decorations of the Sistine Chapel can fill a persion with repulsion, even when accomplished by a great artist.

Thanks Adi, you really got a colourful poem. I very much like the original twist you give to the ghazal formula by instead of repeating "rainbow" in the appropriate place, using the actual colours. It's printed out and pinned on the pin board behind my computer screen. I used a transparent pin for that .

A pensive and almost melancholy poem that immediately resonated with me. Maybe it's the same age that is responsible for similar thoughts. A beauty. Thanks for sharing. Peter.

I liked the way you make James and Faris interact. Not a dull couple and they're obviosly in love. The pushing of Faris seemed a bit inconsiderate, but as it turned out to be in a good cause, he's forgiven. Very comical and of course the choice for (Dutch) St. Maarten speaks highly in their favour.