Anton_Cloche

What could possibly go awry "on a 3 hour tour*" @quokka ? Looks like Myles, Grant, Ashton and Jonah are about to discover their new sailing charter cat yacht, thanks to Grant's honourary 'Uncles' (and Myles' business partners) Alister and Hugh. Along with 'Adelaide' Stew Chad and Chef (boyfriend) Kingsley. Let the adventure begin on Cowell Island (no Simon 😆). * (A reference to theme song from old U.S. comedy show called 'Gilligan's Island' in which 7 people, including the Skipper and First Mate Gilligan, board a small motor yacht for a brief cruise, only to get stranded on a deserted island after the boat is damaged in a storm at sea).

Thanks, I was trying things I've never attempted to do. I hope it translated from my head onto the page. Indeed it did transfer from your 🤯 to the @Jason Rimbaud, and very well. Surprised that a man of Lonnie's size and 300lb weight was able to squeeze himself though small openings to gain access to the "catwalks", hidden amongst the roof supports. Anyone who has been on those 'beams' in real life (and not wound up afraid of heights), realises there are usually no safety nets. At best there might be a 'safety wire' but 300 lbs is pushing the limits. Tom, is headed for a fall, in more ways than one.

So @Laura S. Fox, your chapter closing note tells us: "... Jack and Vee are now in 'witness mode' (better than a 'witless mode', although some of Jack's 'bon mots' might suggest otherwise 😅), ... and they will have to see and understand the past as it happened". Then you close with: "This story has an end, I swear - fewer than 20 chapters, so you know what to expect!" But 20 chapters from this point (potentially to Chapter 58 🤞) or 🤔? Personally I'm good with that scenario, which gets them out of their current quagmire and back to their future? But better, with Theodore's 'lost' tribe restored? Sometimes if the right questions are posed, an author can 'tweak' the plotline and get a different / better ending (or a 'lead-in' to the next book in the series 😳). A thoroughly enjoyable read.

As I am scrolling through your listed 'works', I come across "If Furniture Could Talk" and I immediately think 'does this story, with talking furniture reminising, involve a certain Vice President who appears to use "guyliner" and has 'activity' on unsuspecting un-Scotchguarded sofas (couches) wrapped in clear squeaking vinyl' ? Just asking because, 😳

Sorry to hear about your ankle injury Jason. Hopefully if surgery was required, it went well, your physiotherapy and recovery is well underway, and that you have (or soon will have) full ROM without any long-term issues. 🦶 (From experience, plates, screws and assorted bits and pieces are a PITA - NOT the edible kind. Let alone when Ortho's "go back in" to take them out once "full recovery" is achieved. Swimming, once I was allowed in the water, was a godsend. Getting an "Airport Screening Medical Card" to explain BEEPS, helps, somewhat 😳. Take care, Be well.

And a couple of FAKE HS homans, I mean barely 'humans' take Sean hostage?? Did Mike fail his shooting training / proficiancy course? Something tells me if Gabriel doesn't find him 'downrange' first, Lonnie will. It's been almost 8 weeks waiting for "Chapter Twenty: Clarity of Gabriel's Gambit: Contract Terminated". When will MIA, change to ETA and then OTA @Jason Rimbaud? Suspense is killing the wrong people. 😳

Wow @quokka, in 4 chapters you've thrown everything against the wall to see what sticks. From Myles and Grant's losing wife and Mother Johanna to cancer, selling up one home while planning to build a larger one. Then their trip to Canada, where the house swap / vacation let was broken into before they arrived in Sooke BC, And RCMP police haven't figured out who broke in and why, when Myles gets news from South Africa that his long estranged father (who abandoned him as a young boy) has died in a plane crash with wife and daughter, leaving Myles as the only family connection for his father's now orphaned 17 year old twins boys in South Africa. Their literal ".. full circumnavigation of the world” covers some 42,500 kilometres before they get their now expanded family, including Ashton and Jonah, home to Adelaide. I hope Myles has several "air travel rewards" memberships to take advantage of these kilometers. But before they leave South Africa, Myles needs to find out the cause of the plane crash and whether his father had life insurance that benefits Ashton and Jonah? What else can hit the fan? Thanks Preston.

Oh wow @quokka ! Seems my comment in chapter 2 was a bit prophetic, but I still can't guess lottery numbers 🙁? "With side trips including the Rocky Mountaineer train, there will be lots for Myles and Grant to see and do, UNLESS there's an (only one?) unexpected and unintended event? (What? Not like that's totally outside the realm of a @quokka travelog right?) This could just be a safe, relaxing international houseswap / vacation. No landslides to trap the 🚂🚃.? No 🇨🇦 version of Murder on the Orient Express? Not discovering the Sooke hosts Mike and Sarah have hidden bodies in the chest freezer? Nope. Nothing to see here 🧐 folks. Just move along. ..." 😳 I suspect Myles will soon be changing his and Grant's return flight home to include a stop in Joberg to meet his suddenly orphaned young nephews (his estranged father’s twin sons) Ashton Henry and Jonah Hugh Gregson, and determine what's next for them. But that still leaves the mystery of the break and enter into the Sooke, BC vacation let, and the attempted break-in on the catamaran. 🧐 Something more amiss.

Absolutely no apologies needed or necessary Bill. And "Thank You" seems insignificant in light of the tremendous gift you have given "us" throughout all the stories you have told and the entire 'Secrets' series of books. Every time my phone or email alerted me that a new chapter from @Bill W was available to read, it was all I could do to calmly set aside whatever I was doing in order to read it. If I was having an off day, it was a "pick me up". As a reader (and an editor) I can not recommend your stories highly enough. I am thrilled to see you are planning ahead for Secrets 4: A New Generation. While there are some others things you are working on: "I have several other projects I wish to complete first and health issues that I have to deal with.", I thank you for your consideration of readers when you say: "I’ll try to proceed as quickly as I can, since I’m getting up there in years and don’t want to leave you hanging". We'll be waiting to catch up with Dev, Mac and families. Bill, I sincerely hope you find relief from your health issues, and was sorry to see your recent 'mood' had you listed as "😫in Pain+". As for "...getting up there in years...", you have company there Bill as we're all treading that path. Just take one step and one day at a time. I believe comedian George Burns said, "We haven't found the Fountain of Youth, and if it happens, you know they'll tax the heck out of it". 😳 Take care and be well Bill. 🤗

So wonderful to have you posting again Preston / @quokka. I was afraid that we'd lost you when you last signed off. Aside from the death of Myles' wife and Grant's mum Joanna mentioned in chapter one, this is turning out to be a new beginning for Dad and son. Just a couple of interesting get away adventures for them. The brief Tas vacay and now a house swap trip to Canada. With side trips including the Rocky Mountaineer train, there will be lots for Myles and Grant to see and do, UNLESS there's an (only one?) unexpected and unintended event? (What? Not like that's totally outside the realm of a @quokka travelog right?) This could just be a safe, relaxing international houseswap / vacation. No landslides to trap the 🚂🚃.? No 🇨🇦 version of Murder on the Orient Express? Not discovering the Sooke hosts Mike and Sarah have hidden bodies in the chest freezer? Nope. Nothing to see here 🧐 folks. Just move along. ... "It was a dark and stormy night. A shot rang out. A scream, and suddenly ... "

Exceptional authors have a way of weaving (and if necessary re-weaving) the threads of their story, often many times, to achieve their final unique creation. In an editor's humble opinion, @Laura S. Fox has proven to be an adept weaver, over and over again. At the very least, she has much more than concepts.

Or, have Mac and Dev learned how to increase their human/ animal 'lean' muscle strength without the need to 'bulk' up and be visually obvious? For example, a female Harpy Eagle is the strongest bird in the world, able to lift 18kg / 39.6 lb - twice its body weight, but not bulky. A mountain lion / cougar can lift up to 135kg / 300lb - twice it's body weight, but again all lean muscle. Even in human body builders, the "all natural" vs "enhanced" ones have shown that in pure "lifting" capability they can lift up to 2.5 times their body weight and mainrain a lean not bulky appearance. Ooh. Thank you @Bill W for another great chapter!

@Laura S. Fox, another wonderful and enticing chapter, that leads to where? In one moment, Theodore is in 'a' past, drawn in by a voice that tells (demands?) that he strike the flint to light the Embercast. When he looks down, he sees he has changed from his grown Alpha of Whiteflame wolf, to a young boy whose small hand holds his dead (?) Father's flint - a sign of His authority. In another, (simultaneous) moment, Jack and Vee, seemingly with their (wolf) paws stuck in mud, see 'a' past taking shape around them, with someone seeing and approaching them. A man who says: “Strangers,” he boomed, “I am Tharion, the alpha of Whiteflame. What brings you here?” Theodore's dead father, his pack and village, come back to life, filled with family and friends? Which past is correct? Can Jack and Vee, meeting a young Theodore at the family dinner table change the future? Restore the missing Whiteflame pack? Or will all three suddenly 'awake', before Theodore strikes the flint that destroys his pack (again?).

@Laura S. Fox, "Two Stupid Dogs" were initially a Hanna-Barbara throwback style of 1993-1995 cartoon (like Ren and Stimpy); "that was deliberately absurd, focused on a large, soft-spoken dog and a small, hyperactive dog". I'm guessing you see the larger (sheepdog?) dog as Vince, and the small hyperactive (dachshund) one as Jack. But in trying to be a 'bigger' wolf than a white pup, has Jack suddenly biting off more than he can chew, truly taking on more than he can handle? I'm rooting for Jack as the small white pup taking on the world. And I believe his grey 'wolf' coat indicates "Vee" as a 'Sentinel'?

"Atsa" some interesting hint you're dropping there Bill. (Bad pun intended 🙄). I do hope you're keeping well Bill, and that you have a Happy Easter (if you celebrate it 🐇). As for any delay, my Mom often reminded impatient children that "Patience is a virtue" and that "Good things come to those who wait." As you might expect, those sayings meant nothing to kids (myself included), and I'm not sure how virtuous I am 🙄. But I will wait, as I'm one of those who asked (bugged) you about Atsa, on occasion. Take care Bill. 🫂

From beneath a barren land, a sprout pushes up through the ground seeking the light, and a chance at rebirth. Seeing such a miracle beyond the veil, Jack, Vince and Theodore walk ... "... the path where stands the wisdom tree. There waits the pack, forgotten yet alive, In twilight’s glow, their unbroken souls revive". 💕💕💕

Pegged it 🤣

So instead of kissing like a cold fish, they would be carping about something else?

Another great chapter Bill. It seems Clint has done a lot of learning and maturing since he first met Mac and Dev. Now he's sharing that "growing up" with his new friend (boyfriend) Daniel. Also interesting was the chat Mac had with Daniel, discovering more about his relationship with Clint and where it might lead, especially with Daniel almost 1 year older than Clint and one grade ahead of him. We see that Mac and Dev have been a very good influence on Clint and now Daniel. Looking forward to the next chapter .

I have to re-read this chapter Tim, because there's a lot to sort through, and out. Does the saying "Good things come in three's" really happen? Does it apply here, for Lonnie, Leo and Ty? The interaction between Lonnie and Leo in the bathroom, is unsettling: 'He appeared dimmer somehow, like he was fading away. ... I sighed. "How long will this go on for, Leo? It feels like, like…" His mouth opened and then closed. "You think I like this? Being stuck here in this death-life? I can feel what you feel. I'm drawn to you because I love you." I closed my eyes and sighed softly. I knew he was in pain. "I'm sorry. I don't know how to help you. What can I do?" "I don't know. I am glad you're happy. I'm jealous, but glad. I know we can't be together… but I don't understand why I'm here." The song says, "Breaking up is hard to do", but it doesn't have to contend with a 'final' break up. This, is why I need to re-read. 🤞

It's a bit of a shame that @Kristacompletes this good story of Elias here, just when a potential new 'act' is hovering (like Elias 👻) right in front of us. An 'Elias, Book 2 - Into the Light'? Or Rhett saying to Asher: 'Frankly, I do give a damn', (Sorry, couldn't resist 😄 ). after hearing from Asher of how he learned the true story of and from Elias. 👻 😢 Ps: Writers often surprise editors (including this one) with a 'Book 2' years later, so you never know ...

Is Leo 'stuck' between being 'here' and moving on, and that's why he keeps showing up when Lonnie least expects it? With Lonnie selling Leo's truck, house and business thete's no place left for Leo to hide from moving on (to wherever). And indeed what about Keve?

Honestly @Mikiesboy I can t believe no one 🤔 has commented yet. This first chapter is more than "a tug at the heartstrings", it like someone reached in with both hands and yanked. (anyone who has endured such loss has felt that). That Lon still feels and has speaks with Leo is not a surprise, it's part of a process. Lonnie visiting the LL coffee stores, (Church 🦏 and dwtn, as an early ☕ is like a 🐓 ), is a good start back into life. Let's see where it leads.... Thanks Tim.

Holy cow, where did that ❤️‍🔥🔥 come from; that no mere 🧯, 👨‍🚒 or 🚒 brigade can hope to extinguish? Surprised Theo's "Alpha of Whiteflame" didn't spontaneously combust. @Laura S. Fox

As you've told us throughout this tale, Pops (Gramps and others), really have been around for ages. The 'Agricultural College' was founded in 1870, some 13 years before Fort Collins was officially founded in Feb. 1883. (although originally founded in 1864 as a 'military camp' called 'Camp Collins'). According to the College history, while they "outgrew" their A&M origins and changed name to CSU in 1957, they retain their "Aggies" nickname in honor of their proud history. @Bill W Your tale has encouraged "digging" ⛏️ to unearth hidden gems of knowledge.