Ms. V

Yes, Isaac needs to go back, yet also, Conner will have an opportunity to see how Issac deals with the injustice of his past. It's going to be very different than the methods Connor has been using to fight his own hurt and injustice. ~ Ms. V

As dark and torturous as you can make it for your characters you have an amazing ability to create a space for them to have rare and wonderful connections and relationships, too. To be perfectly honest, I have to prepare myself before reading one of your works because it can take me to dark places. I have to be intentional about working my reading of your wonderful stories around my work schedule so that I am not stranded in emotional turmoil before stepping into the dark places of those I work with and mentor. Honestly, though I am careful, I find your writing very therapeutic in that you give us such superlative restoration and relationships to counterbalance. Gifts I don't often get to see in the reality of my work. Now, I know you're not done with wringing me out like a rag emotionally yet, so onward I go. ~ Ms. V

It is so often true in life and not just your stories that crisis is what can make us see through stress and shared experience the character of others and weaknesses that must be let go from within ourselves. I'm not so sure you're not a little too good at putting your characters through the wringer and us right along with them. ~chuckle ~ Ms. V

My heart cries for Issac's belief in the good of mankind being put through such a grinder. There is a line in a song by Jewel that comes to mind. "Innocence can't be lost; it just needs to be maintained." Rick is right in sharing that it is only in deciding against healing and opening up again in the hope of love and relationship, that our failing courage can cripple us. It is a harder, braver thing to know that the world is full of shadows and men that seek to do harm and choose to keep our hearts soft to the possibility, though tempered by experience. In such things, wisdom is far exceeding to knowledge alone. The waters of this piece run deep indeed, so onward I go. ~ Ms. V

Relationships and connections are key in recovery, I believe. I think Jayden and his grandma are a new key to understanding for Issac. Love has many faces and feelings, not all passionate or Eros, but also Philia or affectionate love, as the Greeks believed. Ruth and Issac may have deep feelings, but I don't feel it is the natural assumption of Eros. You're often tricky in your plots and wording around this so I am eager to see where you are leading. ~ Ms. V

Due to the field I work in, I'm connecting to those trying to help Issac. My fascination and compulsion in continuing the story is in wishing I could have such incite of the thoughts that run through someone's head and heart when I'm gently trying to break through to them. No matter, either way, both Issac and Rick are compelling in this scene. ~ Ms. V

What is an enemy but someone we think we know? One we judge by their actions, words, or deeds, without knowing them or their journey. I'm not saying all are innocent and that in knowing them there isn't consequence or division. Yet, how often so we hate and create evil in a lack of understanding or desire to not become known and to know another?

Ah, the curiosity of children. I don't think it's about innocence and honesty, or any trite comments people usually tag on children. I've seen them lie like anyone else. To me, I guess it's the lack of filters on what they are seeing, saying, interacting with human or animal. Not to mention the latitude we give them for their "innocence and honesty." Every kid has a different personality and way of engaging in the world around him. This beginning has captured my imagination, not for the pain, but for the potential of an unfiltered response that could lead to a new perspective for Issac. I'm buckling in to see where you're leading me. ~ Ms. V

This makes even the cold sound appealing (from my comfy chair & blanket). Tomorrow is soon enough to brave my own snowy walk, hoping for a blue jay. ~Ms. V

Worth every tear. A gem. -Ms V

Just Wow! For a second I was worried it was going to dismantle its self into some awful, "it was all a dream" sequence, but no! I really enjoyed it! Really, really. Thank you for sharing such a cool original tale! -Ms. V

I really enjoyed this. It felt real in a sense that I could know them and hang out with them. Thank you for sharing such a great tale. -Ms. V

Enjoyed this piece and the world you shared with us. -Ms. V

It's a mark of how great the timing and flow are in this energetic and thoughtful piece that it took me until the re-read to ask a cultural question. 😉 Towards the beginning of this chapter there is a line of dialog: “You know, Dad, the three of us could probably figure out how to replicate it, if you’re able to help?” Maybe it was a Canadian thing, however, it was "replicate" rather than "renovate" that caught me up. Maybe because I'm doing a renovating project with my dad at the moment. ~chuckle~ When I read it the picture popped into my head that Michael was offering to make a second house to match the original, rather than renovate the existing place. If it is annoying to get feedback after so much time is past, just let me know. Regardless, your work is a favorite and feels like a home to come back to and re-read. 💖 Cheers, Ms. V

It might sound strange, but your forgiveness has felt like a kind of permission. I have started at the beginning, finding echos of the similar and the different. I'm looking to know more of you and to see better the light you are to so many. -Ms. V

I really love this tale, Sasha! It feels visceral and real on a street level. I work in the inner city with homeless, runaway, and street youth and the hormonal and emotional lack of maturity you're using is spot on similar. I've actually told a few kids over the years that I don't have to believe in vampires and werewolves because I've seen the violence that humans employ against each other which is worse than the animal kingdom. I don't know if you meant to but the unconscious choices and imbalances you describe that Kurt makes against his human aspect have triggered every self abuse alarm I have since the last chapter. This character seems to be actually killing his other half from neglect and denial. I see it a lot in our trans kids. @Tazzle001 comments were spot on for wanting councilors or psychologists, and I concur. It's just such a shame that street kids and the critically poor youth rarely seek out even the free resources in an effort to show no weakness that could be preyed upon. So many have ruined chances for adult opportunities and lives before they even have a chance at maturity. I chose the anger icon because your writing is so good, that it is the emotion I'm carrying for the abuse against Tahryn. Yet, I find hope in the role they have chosen for Kurt. Can't stop reading now! 😳

How cheeky! 😂

Now, I know we're all just bunch of romantics on here, but I wasn't even thinking about Miller & Zef. (And not just because of the vast age difference.) I figured the whole Miller sniffing Jed was about the stab wound and silver poisoning. Wasn't the rogue wolf in book one throwing other lycan off his trail by ingesting silver to change his scent which eventually made him even crazier? I figured that Miller was confused about Jed's smell being off because Jed was still recovering from the silver poisoning.

😊 "Yeah. Beat that ass. Beat it like a piñata." LOL 🤣

I really enjoyed this piece! I almost didn't read it because it still reads "In process." For an older story, I worried it might have been abandoned. Yet, I'm drawn to stories with older characters. You reflected perfectly how the insecurities are often the hardest obstacle no matter what our age. ~chuckle~ I'm so glad I took the chance and found it wonderfully complete. 😊

Wow, I was sure that the picture took at the swim competition would be the vehicle that exposed him to Officer Ambrose, in a local paper on local sports or something. Then the whole 'walking up the driveway' maneuver. I'm biting my nails to see how the Stevensons handle helping him start to dig out from this mess of misunderstandings surrounding Andy's dad being killed and Stephan/Eric/Andy running. 😬

sent a PM instead

The biggest speed bumps in relationships is when the communication shuts down or fails. I just want to cry now.

I think the line goes, "Hold on to sixteen as long as you can. Change is coming 'round real soon make us women and men." I think the boys are getting started early. Love the characters, and the thinking and circumstances are so real that I can't help but shudder at the storms of life that are coming for them.

I screamed! I come from a large military family, and I instantly knew what it meant. Now I get why you were spending so much time and detail on Ryan's dreams. Actually, it's just about Memorial Day in the US as I'm reading this, which is a huge deal in my family. Grandparents, uncles & aunts, cousins & close friends, fill our cars with buckets and buckets of flowers from our gardens, load up the kids and have a huge gathering at the cemetery. The retired generation leads us through the family gravesides and tells the stories of our families' lives and service to their country while we decorate with homegrown flowers. The huge cookout comes after, and the stories continue from every branch of service, and minor engagements through all the wars. Though we're told each year during Memorial and Veteran's Day, we couldn't imagine not hearing them again and reconnecting the family. You have such a gift for connecting us to your characters and the places they inhabit. I'm bursting with pride for Ryan, too, and want to brag about him to my family. ~chuckle~ I did go so far as to call and tell my daughter (who just enlisted in the Navy this last fall) about this wonderful story I'm reading. If you're going for realism, now the circus will start, yet Clayton's background and resources should help them navigate the storm to come for one of these medals. 😃