Anton_Cloche

An interesting story set in one of the smallest cities in NH. The timeframe, shortly after the Civil War, is one that has many stories of survivors, like Dr. Layne. Some moved to smaller towns and cities far away from where the fighting had taken place, to start fresh and leave that past behind. Let's see where this new friendship takes Win and Paul.

First, some of you (you know who you are) act like little kids hyped up on too much sugar from Halloween treats. Sheesh! Kaya sounds more 'gwown' up. Second, KH is a spoiled kitty, who's litter box is overflowing. KH needs to be 'calmed' with this device that kinda of looks like an angry robot face (black parts are ears, nose, open 'mouth' and weird chin). When 'crunch' time comes, everyone will want to be holding the handles to apply the appropriate force (without anesthesia) to a wide awake Kasar. He should be kept alive, for a long while, equal to the eight+ years the pups (girls and boys) suffered. As for various and sundry 'diversions' and 'distractions' all I can say is they are: Sorry, what did you say? I'm hard of herring.

Hmm. So much to think about in this chapter. Was GG's warning: “Armand, tomorrow you will be tested again” simply about Picasso's (and others) 'Cubism' vs Armand's 'realism' style of painting and take place in a museum, or is it going to expand into the greater public? Based on some of the comments by people is the museum, like: “I like this painting. It seems to be relaxing to look at it”, I think Armand passed the test. As the extended 'family' continues exploring, hungry stomachs are looking for food, and they get a true delight - paella. Shrimp & Mussel paella Chicken - Chorizo paella Served with some great Spanish wines like a crisp 'still' white 'Verdejo' by Castilla y León from the Rudea region; a sparkling white (champagne style) 'Cava' from Catatonia; or a glass of sherry from Jerez in southern Spain. Hmm! 😋 After another siesta, to let the meal 'settle', it's on to the next adventure stop.

Bit of a fishing expedition? Or just trying to lure in more readers to get them hooked? 😄

This chapter shows that each new day is like a mini vacation or 'day trip' for the boys. Even as they go to places they visited before, there is always something new to discover. The street artist is a good example of that, capturing a 'hidden' essence of each boy, and Armand, very accurately. I think if he draws Colin, he may be portrayed as a judge or perhaps with a toolkit, representing someone who 'fixes' things. As the family reunites in preparation of the next leg of their 'European Vacation' to Spain, everyone is eager. Thank you Cal for another memorable chapter. Stay well.

Good letter for Karl from Margaret, Robert, Paul and Emma. Hopefully in a while it will bring some comfort to our melancholy Dane who is still having too many conflicting thought and feelings. About his feelings for George, and his more complicated feelings about Jørgen. Speaking of complicated feelings, this thought from Paul shows his state of confusion: "What would his father think of him if he knew about what had happened between them? This was unworthy of royals". "Royals"??

You were this close to getting a ♥️ for this chapter, with 😥 'tear' a close second ... until Mama's phone call and that Tyler's 6-year old baby sister Kaya being kidnapped. By that 🤬 bastard K.H. (Kasar Huntington). It is time for Elijah to call in his favors with Cassiel and the entire Fae to join Sebastian and the pack to hunt KH down and deal with this once and for all. OR? can Cassiel call on some extrasupernatural to reappear / emerge from a heartfelt hiding place to help?

Blue Pencil traditionally used for editing or 'marking up' manuscripts, text or sketches, while visible to the eye, does not show up if scanned or copied, hence is more 'forgiving' and perhaps 'instructive'. 'Red Pen / pencil' used by teachers 'permanently' show your errors for all too see. (not related to Sister insert name) ...

Damned inquisitive kids! No simple answers suffice for the rugrats. It's always "Why?" or "How come?" Not to forget "Are we there yet?" And it's somehow worse when you're an Uncle (or Auntie), mainly because you can't scold them or say "go to your room" without coming off as bad or "mean". Uncle Nolan is lucky to have them, and equally lucky to have been Jensen's target of affection (lust, longing, pining also apply). By the mid-point of this lengthy story, I was practically yelling "Come on Mrs. G, get in with it, get to the point" and then I realized the point. (cue Etta James). Thank you for a very well written tale. One that didn't assault my 'editor's eye' or cry out for my 'Blue Pencil'.

After the darkness of the last chapter (and the fear that Karl had finally succumbed after yet another incident), this chapter offers a reprieve. Also an uplifting note to Margaret and Karl's thoughts of the family, friends, and especially the children. As his day draws to a close, Karl reflects again on Jørgen, on seeing him alive and well, and imagining happiness again in Denmark. Hopefully thoughts like this will help Karl's damaged mind, heart and soul recover. On this, like many previous Halloween, my thoughts are for all children. That they discover the 'treat' of peace, happiness and freedom from war and strife. While that may seem foolhardy to some, to a child, hope is what they need. 👻 🤡 🧚🏼‍♂️

Thank you, Grazie for this Halloween story. It's great that the whole family, including grown ups Alex and Nicolo, are going out Trick or Treating with Bryce, but after Alex said: "Nicolo and I always handed out candy..." AND "...dropped a couple hundred or so ... on decorations...", no one is home to answer their decorated door to all the little buoys & ghouls that will come for treats. 😦 This well written story continues to hold my attention. I notice there is still a temporary hold. Hopefully your muses are bringing you fresh inspiration for coming chapters, what with (U.S.) Thanksgiving and Christmas & New Years not too far away. Hmm, Alex getting costume revenge by having Nicolo as one of Santa / Babbo Natale elf? Bryce will be having giggling fits. 👻🤡🧚🏼‍♂️

@kbois Thank You for this wonderful chapter. You've given hope. Hope for Caleb to forgive himself and find a way back. Hope for a future for Ashton and Austin, now that they've found a way forward, reunited with their Mum & Dad, and with people they love. Hope for Elijah and Ty, in the strangest of circumstances, with unlikely and unimagined mates? And hope for Book 3. (consider this a gentle nudge, in the 'right' direction and not toward any ... You know)

WHOA. You're already late to the par-tay, and now you're putting others in the cross-hairs (pun for fur story? Oh wait, is that a new pun? HIStory, HERstory, FURstory? Haven't had coffee yet.) Glad to see @Mrsgnomie belated appearance. Thought I'd entered some alternate time zone / reality when you weren't first, or that you set your clock back a week early. It'll all make sense when Doc and Marty get here.

Something is amiss in all of these events. Karl repeatedly involved in incidents: shot down over the sea and plane sinks underwater (in planes that were not airtight and waterproof in WWII); rescued by Americans in submarine who saw him in the cockpit of his plane at the bottom of the sea; shot down over northern France survive that crash, and now this? How much bad luck and good luck can one person have? There's pieces missing in this story, or Karl has more lives than a cat. Time to re-read some chapters.

Ah yes, 4 young boys acting like a bunch of little monkeys having fun. I can see them now, and how much joy and happiness it brings to Armand, the grandparents and yes Marie as well. Hopefully the complete medical tests will provide answers about Colin's Dad John and his recent behaviour (and not more questions). Most everyone likes crepes, whether savory for breakfast, lunch or dinner filled with delicious foods, or for dessert, filled with fruit, drizzled with chocolate, or flambe'd 'Suzettes'. But as Armand thought to himself: 'Mental note, Christmas list, Mom and Dad, crepe griddle'? Marcel (and James) would be aghast! Why spend good money on a pan that only serves one purpose? With the right batter recipe, a 12-inch nonstick skillet / fry pan and some cooking spray or oil, anyone can cook crepes. It's all in the wrist. (Ps: 200ml water & milk is 1 U.S. Cup + 1 tbsp) https://youtu.be/uc4t3FBItbc Enjoy

Honestly, people struggling to be first to comment? Why bother when @kboisand @Mrsgnomie are so obviously joined (at the hip?) that the second one eats a jumbo burrito the other gets indigestion. You're pushing and shoving like panic buyers of TP (and everything else) at CostCo, Sam's etc without having a salient thought. Sheesh. Back to this chapter. I'm afraid that things like "Austin bumped Ashton out of his way as he shuffled over, so he was on Tyler’s right. His lightly furred arm reached between the bars...", while showing his interest in his 'mate', may lull Tyler because of his empathy into making a mistake and get dangerously close to the cage, (as opposed to Trevor who got 'Kaged' at the end). Is it possible Austin and Ashton can be brought back from being feral? Possible, but I sense a 'cliffie' coming soon with only five chapters until Shadow Effect 2, Hybrid Journey ends (and morphs - ooh - into 'SE3 - Rebirth').

@weinerdog said: "Forgive me if this is suppose to obvious but....WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?????", and it's an amarmadillo, but only football team I found with that mascot is San Antonio College, Texas. Unless... It's Ross' "Holiday Armadillo" for 7th day of Hanukkah 'Festival of Lights' on ancient Friends? M'eh, IMHO.

With this chapter we see more things coming together on this trip. Marie is joining for the Italy and Spain tours (and between Armand and the boys, they'll convince her of a return trip to America). Colin had successful court hearings that will benefit the 'Home' (new orphanage & farmland) in the country, and he persuaded John to have a medical checkup. And despite an attempt by a 'tart'* to lure him away (perhaps entrap him in a 'liason'), James is returning with Marcel to the U.S. * Not all 'Pâtisserie' (pastries) are a sweet treat.

With time and reflection sometimes things change. Sometimes because authors add additional details or nuance in later chapters that were not in the initial one. * Maybe everyone should read every chapter twice before hitting 'instant emoji' buttons, unless of course if you're perfect. * 100% 'continuity' rarely exists with even the best real or 'virtual' editors, beta and proof readers.

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As well as this series of stories has been crafted by @kbois , there are certain inescapable truths about wolves, of all types. They are 'pack' oriented. Their 'family' is everything to them. I am afraid that Caleb is not long for this world. When he accepted banishment from his Montana pack (versus being put to death) for his contributing role in the creation of the altered 'hybrid' cubs, I don't believe he truly understood what he had done (directly and indirectly) to the cubs, their parents / family but also to his Pack. Perhaps in his mind he believed the process could be reversed, and when he realized what he had done, it sank him into depression and despondency. Now, without the support of his pack, and probably being shunned by the one he is current assigned to, he is simply waiting for death. In his current 'existence', he is quite probably, "alone in a crowded room". Caleb is constantly reminded of the connections he no longer has, and likely will never have again. Unless ... unless Elijah and Tyler's can help him find a way back. But even IF they can, will he still be or feel ostracized?

I agree with @mikedup as the symtoms are familiar to me. It may be an TIA (transient aschemic attack) or mini-stroke caused by a buildup of plaque in arteries and/or veins that can lead to blood clots or decreased oxygen to the brain. It could be many other neurological issues including lessions, cancer etc. The definitive test would be for Colin's dad John to have an immediate MRI. Easiest way to accomplish this is for Colin to tell his dad "It's new mandatory annual health insurance requirement for the law firm's health care coverage, which is why I'm getting one too. It's only an hour, and after we can have lunch and a drink at your golf course". Sneaky, but it don't think John will be any the wiser, especially if Colin covers his ass and calls / texts HR from the plane while enroute to NYC. HR can book the appointments and send Colin a text or email 'reminder' ahead of time. Phew. 🤞🏼 Meanwhile, Armand can use the boys to woo Marie's heart into 'temporary' stays in the U.S.

Cal: Another wonderful 'recit du voyage' or travelogue, describing the places, sights and sounds of everything the Rowe-Roberts family and extended family are experiencing in Paris. Armand (and Colin) explaining to Ritchie the reasons for selling the only 'family home' he knew, may be a little hard for a child to accept. Point of clarification. When Jean drives Armand and Colin back the hotel after dinner on the Seine boat, they talk about Armand selling Ritchie's family home, and Colin says: “... Richard’s family has a beautiful home but it is too far from work for us. So I heard that the land behind the current orphanage is for sale. I’m going to buy it and have Richard’s home reconstructed there. The next time you visit us, you will stay there.” Since 'the City' is trying to seize and sell the current orphanage to developers, it is hard to believe there is any adjacent land behind the current orphanage available, as developers having bigger things in mind will want all the land. Second, why build in the City? It makes much more sense to replicate Ritchie's home near the barn 'Home' (no longer referred to as 'orphanage' they are building outside the city limits). Third, technically speaking, they are not going to have Ritchie's original family home "reconstructed" since it wasn't taken down nor is it being rebuilt after destruction. They are building a 'new' replica of the original. (Squeaky wheel or attention to detail?) 😉

I'm afraid Karl's momentary lapse of judgement is going to bring Manu's anger back, and angry men do bad things, especially to those already viewed as their (his) enemy. Manu may even throw Clément to the wolves (Nazis) if angry enough. Oh...

If "Little Marco" thinks his debate with Val was tough, wait until CJ gets ahold of him. Can you include 'R' and 'R' in that tête-a-tête? Although it might be unfair to try and have a 'meeting of the minds' with some participants unarmed. Another 'okay' 😉 chapter (or Prologue 4). Great to see how Liebe, Jeffer and Roo spent their formative years and all the great people they have as resources (examples to follow and emulate). Next comes the really fun part when their 'family' circus boards the Flying Circus. (Who has 'Sea Legs', and who fly's by the seat of their pants?)