Anton_Cloche

Ah yes, but what has proven to be the unfortunate case in virtually all of these situations, there are people 'higher up' involved in slave trade and other crimes, who will do anything to protect their 'property'. Billy and his 'sons' haven't seen the end of this, nor the worst. Very good development chapter. Tony

Geoff: What a remarkable chapter to close TBC5- Beautiful Boy with. Thank you! Your continued ability to build stories around endearing, true-to-life characters like Noah and his entire extended family, and the situations they find themselves in, is what keeps bringing me back to read your stories. As I've mentioned previously, I have my own real Noah (my nephew Noah) in our family and who is on The Spectrum, and just approaching college, and understand all the challenges that brings. But as your Noah said in his speech to his graduating college class, "A disability is actually a different ability". So now, Noah's life goes on, with him in a unique position to share his education, experiences and life lessons with a younger AS person in Jonah Prescott. I'm sure at some point (in book 6, 7, ?) you may give us a brief glimpse into Noah and Billy's ongoing married life. And I look forward to that. But for now, it's on with Greyson's story. Thanks again for your great writing. Tony

Okaaay: Thinking about investing in a "Way Back Machine". First, although Chapter 57 of Peter-Charles says "The End", the story is listed as 'In Process' and not 'Complete' (says he with baited breath). Still a good chapter, wrapping things up, and bringing us forward to? New book titled Grandfather II, which had me look for a book called Grandfather I, until I realized it's the boats name. Boat's in the (south) Pacific where Scuffy & Peter-Charles hailed from. Boat owner/capt in Chaz (shirt for Charles. Hmmm? Plot thickens? Please Sir, can I have some more? ;-)

Thank you so much for another wonderful chapter, (with another 2 dozen to come?), and a very special one. Although the boys are growing up, each holds a special place in Kevin and Glen's hearts (and in mine too). But especially the youngest, first with Peter and now with Adam. But with Adam, there is something extra-special that was revealed when his brief life history became known ; that for the first three years of his life Adam was not just unwanted but was also unloved! When I read that my heart wept. Adam's one small word - 'Pappy' - meant, and means so much. All his hopes, his need for love and acceptance in a real family and home. One he's found with Kevin and Glen, as well as his brothers. While this story is fiction and therefore 'imagined', there's not much that feels 'real' in a pandemic. I hope and pray that there are 'real' Kevin and Glens out there, for the all too real millions of children in need of food, shelter, love, and caring, and sometimes a safe lap to cuddle into. Thanks again for your writing. Stay safe. tony.

Wow. Another fantastic chapter in Jexon's continuing story. At times he's an 'old soul' in a young man's body, (essentially his late father's wisdom and motivation, endowed in his children, but especially in his eldest). Jexon's building his Vet version of the multi-station business model his parents created, and that his Mum continues to work. And on the 'personal' front, we're seeing that side of Jex as he sizes up a potential 'special' mate. Aug, Marcus, Pete (only a few years younger) or the soon to arrive Seamus? The coming chapters (15-20?) will they bring disappointment and excitement?.

Don't see more than a few years difference between likely 'more than mates' for Jex. Marcus 1 older, Auggie the same, Pete about 3-5 years younger which makes him 2 years older than Rhodes (if Rhodes leans that way). Can we get a clarification on ages? If Jex isn't hung up on age maybe it is 'type' or 'demeaner', and if the latter I think we'll agree that Jex is the 'alpha'. Hmm, Vet's practice getting very interesting! ;-)

Another great chapter, but I think you're leading us towards the 'wrap up' of 'The Peter - Charles', Book I. Oh my goodness, am I giving you enough 'slack on the line until the hook is well and truly set'? A temporary reprieve so you've got 'dry dock' time to get story outlines done and drafts ready for editing of 'The Peter - Charles Book II, A Fishing Village Takes Shape' ? Hmm? The baits in the net. Ready to bite? Don't flounder, because Adam's relying on you! Tony Ps - apologies for the bad fishing puns, Cod help me.

Familiar with the 'desk' from both sides. AHIP (Anchor Has Its Privileges), including private jets with bedroom and private shower for one! Not big enough for even 2 really skinny people to 'Mile High' :-( but with grab handles and fold-down seat for turbulence. As for your absent Chapter One... ARGGGH.

Great new book Bill. It's strange catching up with Joshie all grown up, yet Andrew and Sammy still are as close as ever. Graham using Cody's portrait to summon his help, 15 years on, is different. I really look forward to keeping up to date with CH. I note that some of your CH Books appear on another site (CR) but I'd like to assume yours on GA is the most recent. (I try not to 'assume' for the usual reason). In an earlier comment you mentioned Covid-19 when speaking of your vision issue and concern over seeing doctors. A Dr friend of mine said hospitals, urgent care clinic (incl opthamalogists) are being overly cautious in taking extra steps to protect patients. Just to let you know. We ALL want and need you around, and in good health a lot longer! (Until after the NEXT President has left office in 8 years!) Speaking of POTUS and Covid, it seems tRUMP may support wearing masks, after overhearing someone say he looked like The Lone Ranger (EGO?). Rumors are what they actually said was "he looks like a bank robber, or a loans officer who keeps raising your interest rate... the Loan Arranger". All the best for a safe, socially distance and Happy 4th. Tony

Bill: I'm so sorry to hear about you ".. having vision problems and would like to get this posted before the situation gets worse". It sounds like AMD or RP and while I'm sure you got a 2nd opinion, I hope that whatever the cause, you're being taken care of. As for CHG4, (as an editor) I'd like to suggest that you consider dictating / recording the upcoming chapters & volumes/Books so that when the time comes where vision is an issue, someone can transcribe your recordings. Your writing is a gift to all of us, and (perhaps) hearing you* do 'books on tape' would be an even greater gift. By the way, I often suggest that writers create a chapter / book outline (like Cliff's Notes) so stories aren't lost when... Thoughts and prayers are with you. (there's no emoji). Tony Ps * You reading your CH series HAS TO sound better than Wm Shatner (aka Capn Kirk) singing. Figured new Ps ends on a lighter note or at least with a chuckle for you.

No, No, No storm or any other 'incident' at sea. Not with the boys on board. They've ALL had enough bad things happen in their young lives! They don't need any more adversity. The old lines about "building character" or "turning boys into men"? As a Russian friend once said "Bolshoi" (think he missed translation). To quote a favorite song lyric, "Leave them kids alone!". Would be bad if the author has to be keel hauled.

Jexon is definitely going to have more responsibilities put on him as his Mum recovers. Between selling up the stations, and deciding where to settle, down for short term and long. But, don't forget his Dad approved of Rhodes foregoing college or Uni to work on, and eventually take over, their station / farm. Packing it in to stay on the airbase takes away Rhodes' future. As for the accident, it happened as I suspected, with Jexon's Dad swerving to save his Mum. Hopefully it will be many years (in a far distant epilogue) when she rejoins him in a Willy Willy over Riveren. (I just hope that when they use the plane to scatter his ashes over Riveren that some cremains don't get blown back into the Otter as happened when my cousin's ashes were disbursed from his plane. His wife said "That's the pilot in him, wanting to stay airborne". True story!).

I'm a little late in finding this gem. Very good. Would like to see what happened next with Charlie and Tom. Finding out the Tom is not so "simple" as that school cleaner claimed. But she sure 'cleaned up' after 'hooking up' with the principal. ;-p

Charlie may learn (to his chagrin) on his next shopping trip that 'sounds' seem to travel farther in the quiet country. That's a reason to keep the car to visit other shops.

Good but difficult chapter, one I didn't see coming. It is indeed 'sorry business' for Jexon, his Mum, brothers and sisters. Sudden and tragic loss at any age is hard, but worse when you don't have a chance to say 'we love you' or 'goodbye'. It's somewhat inexplicable as to why such accidents occur, especially in a country (such as Australia) where sight lines are assumed to offer plenty of reaction time. But where the normal reaction is to drive to the shoulder of the road for safety, when dealing with drivers from 'off side countries' that natural response acts in opposite putting everyone at risk. And, Jexon's Dad (and best mate in this case) would have steered to save his wife. Sad times ahead, and all the more mental / emotional strain on young Jexon. Too bad he doesn't have a really good mate to lean on.

Another great chapter! Glen & Kevin almost have enough 'boys' to make up a hockey team (an east coast winter staple for exercise), where "you can't tell the players without a program" (hockey version of a 'crib sheet' ). Speaking of which. Perhaps you could start a new chapter, outlining the characters? Til next time, stay safe, well and like a superhero (wear a mask). TTFN

Don't think Harry can jump. Something about an equation... too much mass = no energy. I think Harry's going to flounder about. If he complains about his accommodations there's always the stern 'hold', although he definitely over the size limit. Poor Travis, but the boys will look after him (and wee Adam), and at the end of the day, they'll have a 'whale' of a tale. As for 'the good Sister'? Her attitude makes me recall 'Sister Mary Yardstick' who took pleasure in rapping (only) the little boys knuckles in class. But as the saying goes: 'there's a special place in Hell for those who harm children'. Okay boys, it's time to haul in the nets, with the 'Catch-O-the-day'

‎First, I want to thank you for a truly engaging story. I began reading Do You Remember as a diversion when I reached the 8-week mark‎ of this damned Covid-19 Pandemic‎. Which has become a real life nightmare version of the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray.‎ The idea of jumping into a story that begins10 years after summer camp ‎seemed a perfect refuge from a planet being turned on its head. A chance to see how 4 boys, Alex, Jeremy, Niall and Richie weathered the changes to their lives as they grew up. It has been a wonderful ride, complete with ups and downs, twists and turns, surprises both good and not so good‎. Now, all praise aside, the editor in me is chomping at the bit. There hav‎e been more than a few red pencil moments (using the editor's favourite 'tool', and the nemesis of all authors). These included spelling, grammar and context errors, but none that detracted from your story. I look forward to reading more of your stories, and if I may suggest a topic, why not a sequel - 'Do You Remember, the Next Decade' ? A post graduate look at the lives of JARN (sorry, it's late, oh1:19 ). Perhaps some children enter the picture, either planned or rescued. The growth of the bakery. In the meantime, stay safe, stay well, stay 3 cookie sheets apart (= 6 feet social distance), wear a mask but not to rob anyone. Tony ‎

'Nana' would work. I had both and us kids had no problems as to who was who. Some of the adults had problems. There's no way Nan - a lighter in a fireworks store - could be confused with a more 'gentile' Lily Waters. Plus the younger children and grandchildren have little or no memory of Nan. As for Blu's reaction when he learns Bella's condo roommate Tracy is a "... hockey-stick wielding Norwegian god..." aka Thor, aka a 6'4" Norwegian oak (pun intended)? where do I buy PPV (Pay Per View) tickets to this 'event'. Although I think Tracy will just wrap his arms around Blu in a bone-crushing hug that knocks the stuffing / anger out. Plus, Blu now has something other than the cat to hate.

First of all, another really good chapter! Thank you for that! As for how this chapter, and the story of Rabbit/Ron/Sam makes me feel... Ooh, let's see how many feathers I can ruffle before the day gets started and summer (in the northern hemisphere) begins. First, just to be clear, (after all I am also an editor), I'm not a 'tree-hugger, Bernie friend, red hat wearer, right to bear arms (although 'Right to Arm Bears' sounds like fun), or easily malleable person. I do vote because as my grandpa said "If you don't vote, you don't get to complain about government picking your pockets", but I choose person before party (first time) until they start to lie, obviate, and brown-nose to serve themselves over those (us) who pay their salaries. FiBbIes (FBI), DOJ (Department of Justice -There's an Oxymoron), 'cops' and ALL other legal / quasi-legal entities, lawyers et al, who subvert the laws to serve their own (or their bosses) interests? Well, if Kevin, Glen or the boys put the FBI overboard (in International Waters) , holding a bucket of chum and told them to swim to safety, would I be upset? Really looking forward to (PLEASE, I'm begging ) another chapter or two this weekend. Especially if the boys celebrate Father's Day to honor Kevin and Glen!

So, 5-ish days since Kev and Glen snared Rabbit sneaking in for shelter. Tells them his life story: • that he woke up in hospital (with amnesia?) after an accident he can't remember. • told his latest name is Ronald Smithers, and is taken to a home and introduced to parents he can't seem to recall. Lives with them for 5 years but comes 'home' from school to find men emptying the house and he runs, winding up at Kev and Glens. Glen thinks Rabbit / Ron is 10 or 11 (based on his small size). Kevin thinks maybe 14 due to peach fuzz above his lip. CPS DNA test to find out more about Ron determines he's almost 15 and he's really (?) Samuel Joseph Addison and computer files are blocked. Witness Protection gone bad? 'Mob' involvement or something worse? All Ron wants is to be adopted by Kevin and Glen and "be one of the boys". Awwe. Please let this work out!

There seems to be a recurring problem thoughout all your stories, of principal characters who fail to recognize or acknowledge close 'mates' with potential interests in becoming more than just that. Here again we have Jexon failing to recognize Auggie's interest in perhaps a closer relationship, certainly more than vet colleagues. I've suggested in previous stories the need (at very least the potential) to revisit those stories 'x' years further on, not only for an update, or epilogue (as the case may be), but see where interpersonal relationship may have sprung up. For example, an Earl and his longtime mate Jake. Just an observation.

Bitter Captain of 'not so Jolly' Roger behind scuttling of boy's dreams! But hell-LOU still involved? I hope they both get keel hauled and royally scrod! (a heavy east coast accent 'screwed' sound like Scrod). God bless little Peter's BIG heart! (please don't let his heart get broken. Keep Gram well). Tony Ps: https://newengland.com/today/living/new-england-history/the-legend-of-the-sacred-cod-or-haddock-or-scrod/

Freddy the pool 'boi' has some serious Daddies issues! But catchy biz card. Good thing César is limber enough to fold his 6-3 frame into the Beemer's letter slot back 'seat' like an 折り紙 (Origami) Bear. Great chapter to wake up to. Tony

I've binge-read Scuffy so far and it's been good. Nice short chapters make it easy to read. (not to mention easier to write and post with quick editing). However, (Spidey / Editor's sense tingling), I'm not generally fond of foreshadowing especially when it's a trail of crumbs Hansel und Gretel couldn't miss if they tried: • Gram in good health but getting paperwork prepped for guardianship; • winches squealing / straining under loads (multiple chapters); • New 'deck boots' to prevent Peter and Charles (and others) from sliding overboard; By the Way, no mention of at least the four/five 'kids' being reminded every time they get on board to put on their PFD. USCG-approved and required self-inflating PFDs are NOT bulky at all, feels like a safety vest. FYI 95% of all boating fatalities, including commercial fishing boats did not use PFDs! • Bad maintenance records including engine; • Winches lifting floorboards; • (not specifically mentioned) Old maritime tradition / superstition, 'renaming ships mid-season is bad luck. 'the Peter-Charles' is a great name, but... Please DON'T create a Perfect Storm! It would spoil your well earned good rep (IMHO). Stay Safe & Well - everybody (including the good crew of PC) Tony