Anton_Cloche

Thank You for this wonderful gift. Home Away From Home concluded as I thought it might, and despite a few tears, both in sadness (for Nick and Billy) and in happiness for many 'family' events, Home became a refuge. Stay Safe. Good Health. Peace and happiness. Tony Ps. Now it's time to enjoy reading it a second time.

Some authors write stories that just come to a sudden end. Others add an epilogue to wrap things up. And then there are those few who take us on a journey with them. They create a story like a tapestry maker weaves. They start with main characters then they add new people like a weaver adds threads of different colors and shades. Making a stronger more vibrant fabric. Binding things together. Making the whole thing more than just the sum of its parts. CL has done this with Home Away From Home. We've been welcomed into a family and into a home. And now, as time goes on, we are transitioning towards a closure. One that feels natural, and while we may not welcome it, we know it's time. While readers might (do) want more, maybe a HAFH Book II, Carlo and Puppy's children (and extended family) have grown and (twenty plus) years have gone by. CL, I look forward to the next chapter (or a few), and I thank you for this well written book, knowing that like a Home Away from Home, I can always come back and revisit it / read it again. Thank You. Tony

Not the first time the military buried the wrong remains. Sometimes it can be helped We'll know soon enough, but why the need for ALL the First Responders?

Drew: And so concludes Days Like This, a well written, thoughtful , engaging, and thoroughly believable story. As a freelance editor ( writer / journalist) , I'm always hungry for something new to read, even more so during this ongoing pandemic. After the first month of lock down , even online streaming, (NetFlix etc) became boring. But Days Like This, was a breath of fresh air. Yes, there were a few parts that seemed slow to develop, and some that made me go back to read again, (that's not a knock against you, but more my 'editor's eye', looking for errors that weren't there. It's an 'occupational' thing. Some editors refer to it as an itch). Thank you for your Afterword. IMHO more writers should use them. Some feel it let's too many people learn the writer's thought processes (like learning a magician's secrets). I disagree. In your Afterword you write: "Though I have started to write several novels in the past, I've never been able to finish... and I'd get 'moralised' (I'm certain you meant 'demoralized'). Don't be. And I'm glad you've found a home for your writing at GA. For your unpublished works, take a fresh look at them and see if they can be tweaked. Or publish and ask for reader feedback/suggestions. I look forward to reading more of your works. In the meantime, Stay Safe, Socially Distant (adults should do like little kids and 'helicopter', putting your arms out and spin around without touching whoever next to you), and oh yes, #WearTheDamnMask. Tony

I recall a saying (at sporting events), "You can't know the players without a program". I think we need another reminder from author/guide of who's who and how they're related. Perhaps at the start of the next chapter (or when he knows the chapter's going to be confusing?). As for how TJ got his memory back (with Dame re-enacting events), there's a psychological concept that says in accidents the memory leaps into a safe place to protect itself. Kind of like when people say their soul (temporily) left their body.

Been there, done that, two surgeries, both torn rotator cuffs with tendon split & torn (one length way). Tramocet is one nasty Rx narc that can have harsh side effects so watch out. Nearly killed me. Docs put me on closely monitored reduced dose Oxy and Perc (separately in rotation to avoid allergic reaction). What really helped with pain both pre and post surgery and with physio was a Cryo-Cuff (R). Looks like 1 gal Igloo water cooler with neoprene sleeve and tubes. Fill cooler with ice and water. Manual or battery-pack pump circulates ice-cold water around shoulder and biceps. I suppose you could fill it with your favorite drink, just not with narcs, or you risk 'dirt nap'. Good luck.

Wow! I have to pay more attention to the evening news anchors, especially the hotties! Not only are there some VERY HOT men reading us the news, and there's no doubt some hot bodies behind those desks, that challenge Greyson.

Bloody 'ell. You've killed off HM Elizabeth II, Charles & Camilla? William is King and Harry ditched Meghan which means Archie's now 8? Brilliant. Wots next? ;-

Another great and educational chapter Bill. I remember how Josh's trips with his boys (especially in the first two books of TCH) focused on both fun and education aspects. This was like a trip down memory lane. I'm looking forward to coming chapters. (and hope you don't run out of stories to tell for years to come). Tony

According to the Army Military Burials Commission, approximately 38% of the coffins buried at Arlington (and other military cemetaries) are "vacante" or empty other than weights used to approximate a body. So Tristan Sr being alive is possible, but wouldn't 'little man Tristan' 'know' that and tell his Brudder T2? Unless Tristan Sr knows how to block his thoughts from being read So the Carousel. Things just keep spinning around.

Thank you for this good story. The 60's Draft ripped apart the lives of so many. Your interpretation of this conflict (the unnamed Vietnam war) and how it affected Arik, Ethan, Eddy, Earl (and family) is touching. I'm looking forward to more of The Farm at Maple Hollow.

The last two paragraphs sounded like an epilogue. Although I'm not ready to see HAFH end quite yet, are you planning on wrapping up soon, or are there still a few monkey wrenches (things that go boom?) to throw in?

Covid-19 has me searching for stories I missed reading or overlooked the first time it was posted. Something to help pass the time, but ideally some comfort in difficult times. In finding and reading Apple of her Eye (a year late), I realized it's never too late to read a well-written, thoughtful and engaging book. This 'coming of age' story is one I'd recommend to everyone! Thank you for this bit of comfort food, for the brain, the heart, and the soul. Now I'm going to search for your other stories, to see what else I've missed. Thank you. Tony

That's a terrible thing to call Emily. Or BHO really stands for Black Hole Organization ? Maybe Emily had a secret liason with the 'Grey Men' from Area 51 and explains the telepathy with Teej/T2, his late father, Tristan and the twins? Firing Jack wasn't necessarily the best idea. Perhaps Jack and Emily had a tryst of the own. Something rotten for sure, but TJ's rush for justice (?), could cost him his relationship with Beau and Grayson.

Yes please, continue the story. Maybe after senior year of school in Buenos Aires there's a chance for university or college back with Noah? Or did your own (forced?) repatriation trap you? Good story so far... but it really cries out for continuation, even if it's more novella than novel.

Ahh. Life at home. Things going pretty well for everyone. Except for not being able to finding a cook/housekeeper. (With a large U.S. military base, you think there would be spouses looking for jobs). Grandparents Tony and Rita due shortly, what could go wrong? Indeed.

Per previous suggestion that la famiglia is behind trying to take down Tony Sr and then anyone and everyone in his family who would avenge his death, there is a wrinkle in that process. Sometimes they take out wives, children and other family members first and leave Sr for the last so he suffers the most. Or...

Awwww. Where's the damn kleenex? After all the angst, anger, acrimony, etc., we get a good happy ending. So the new book - TJ's Journey (insert additional title hear), will be available when? CCM (Covid Confounded Minds) need more.

But what is Tony really involved in that puts a target on everyone in the family... Oh wait it's La famiglia that Tony is tied up in, and an old battle that won't end until the entire 'family' is gone, with no survivors to seek vengence? Tony needs to come clean to Anthony (not "the paws that refreshes" aka the dog) and Carlo.

And the butler says, "Lord Grant"? Since 'Titles' aren't legal for Americans (yes Bush42 was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II but it's an 'Honorary Knighthood), is the butler mistaken?

I spell 'his' name correctly, butt I change the emphasis to the ending...tRUMP. Writers take liberties where they can. (puns if you find them, intended). As for 'writers', It looks like Link found the right star to hang his future on as a songwriter/singer. Stay Safe, Well, Distant and #WearTheDamnMask. As of today 12/08/2020 reports over 100,000 children are 'positive' with Covid-19 (or MIS-C). Proof that 'kids are not immune'.

I'm certain you mean segue, as making a smooth transition from one topic / theme to another. A good writer knows how to do this so smoothly that most readers won't notice the change. Or I'm completely incorrect and this damnable pandemic has lessened my editorial skills, and made me no better than a cheddar head of state. Hmmm

Is there a book II on the horizon?

Wait, What? CC told Jack to sweep ALL the houses, condos etc for bombs. Either BHO stands for Bozos Hunting Ordinances (aka thing that go BOOM), or there's more rats in the maze. So, Jack, Kellan, Jordan, Emily (don't forget TJ re-divided up BHO and her share greatly dimished). Also, Tristan told TJ "I sorry about yous friend see-see", but didn't say about her dying, (or he doesn't understand death at age 5?). CC said (narrated) "I arrived home... and let my guard down; I wasn't thinking when I entered the house until I felt the explosion". While it's not unusual to have a character recall an event 'post-mortem' is it possibile her 'death' was faked to draw out remaining killer(s). HOW? Remember: • NY State Police and Jack said blast was contained to house, which was completely leveled. But NYSP did not mention finding a body (assumption a blast of that magnitude that a body wouldn't remain). No one's gone into debris and remains of house, as unsafe. • CC had the Victorian country house completely remade to her specifications. As someone who'd been a target before, those specs likely included blast-proof doors and windows, or at the very least a 'safe room' or two. Victorian homes feature enclosed entrance foyers with large walk-in closet, which could provide a safe space that could 'drop' intact into a basement. • Just saying, house was just leveled, smoke rising, no mention of body. People often survive deadly explosions only to be found days later underneath rubble, that dropped into basement. Or, did CC take ALL of BHO secrets to her grave. Tony

Thank you for the latest chapter of TCH-4. I'm glad to see the changes in all the Currie boys as they grow up, and into people that honor their Dad Josh and their family. The strange lights in the sky. Well after a Stones concert there's usually 'something in the air' . As for 'Time, is on my side (yes it is), well we all get older, and I'm pretty sure I've seen my last LIVE Stones concert. If good comments from your loyal readers helps fire up your synapses to produce more stories, consider me signed up! Tony