Anton_Cloche

Hmm, HOT weather brings out the wurst in people (and shifters it appears). Knocking off characters on the verge of finding their deeply buried humanity and possibly becoming a hero (at least to Eli and Ty) is cruel and unusual punishment to loyal (for the most part) readers. Is our scribe who they appear to be, or is @kbois merely a nom de plume for a biker who's wilton from So. Fla heat? Is it a case of 'the vapors' or is the heat causing a sticky wicket / guichet collant? (a nod to both @Howzat & @Danilo Syrtis) Can @kbois possibly redeem their ? Eli stood as Kage's now dissolved body shifted to shadow and swirled around him, changing from dark into bright white as: "Everything good which resided inside Kage shone inside that brilliance. The white adumbration wound itself around Elijah and he felt an unusual sense of comfort from the touch. Then, like a ribbon rippling through a strong breeze, the dazzling brightness circled the room twice as Elijah stood in wonder. He gasped as the radiance punched through the front of his chest, leaving him breathless before exiting out the middle of his back. Elijah watched in equal parts awe and despair as Kage’s light faded, becoming transparent, before disappearing altogether. He felt something inside of him break. He didn’t need anyone to tell him it was his heart. Something hot, almost spicy-like, was lodged there, and it took a moment before he realized it was Kage. He left a piece of himself behind; a part of his energy, his soul. Something no one could ever take away. In return, he had also taken a piece of Elijah with him. It was a piece of his heart that would forever belong to Kage". WAIT! IF, as @kbois states, shifters can heal themselves, was Kage unable to due to the poison Trevor put on the blade that he stabbed Cage with? Did that act like an anticoagulent? Eli's touching and putting pressure on the wound should have been able to help stop the bleeding, but not with the poison in Kage. As Kage began his 'death spiral' as it where, he was able to cast off the (evil) darkness as an assassin, find his inner goodness, and as he 'ascended' he pierced Eli's heart to leave a 'good' piece of him in Eli, and take a small sliver of Eli's good 'shifter' with him... ... But is that small sliver of Eli's 'shifter' enough to save Kage and let him recreate himself? Not necessarily as a 'shadow', but as a different one, with the same body but for good? Who knows? The Shadow Knows

As boxing great Joe Louis said: "You can run but you can't hide!"

Seriously? Board knew and did nothing? Typical attitude of let's wait, hope no student(s) dies from an overdose - probably fentanyl or carfentanyl - in the meantime, while Board covers their asses.

No wonder Thomas is devastated with the only reminder of his deceased parents, the gallery painting, sold. 😢 Unthinking CPS and orphanages don't allow to children to keep photo albums or other 'reminders' of what they lost / had taken from them. They want to "create a (false) 'clean slate' so children are easier to 'place'". Tommy's parents would have had personal items, otherwise where did Tommy get the old faded photo? Hopefully Armand and Colin can find a better photo, perhaps from an employer of Mr. and Mrs. Chase, or their Driver's license photo! BTW, this 'wiping the slate' / deleting connections to a child's previous family (if there was one), continues to this day, including separating twins and other siblings!

Is it hot in here, or just me? My goodness, that chapter could spark a bonfire!

I agree with @drsawzall that the offender needs to be caught, charged with all the appropriate offenses and at a minimum spend 1 year of wknd in jail. It will give her a criminal record but she could seek a pardon (BTW, a Pardon does not necessarily expunge the arrest and conviction, and even if it did, your 'record' of having a 'pardon' raises its own 'Red Flag' when applying for jobs, international travel or even flying within U.S) She (?) may believe she was doing right by getting people to 'recycle' but only by sheer luck did she avoid harming or accidentally killing someone using a 'cocktail' of sleeping drugs. Sedative medications depress your breathing and in certain people can lead to asphyxia.

I recall a news story about 15 years ago where people were being shot with animal tranquilizing darts. BTW 'animal' tranquilizers in darts are normally Detomidine Fentanyl (by Farmos) and Carfentanyl (Janssen Pharmaceutica), so police need to be aware of 'doctored' illegal versions of those solutions. Dart guns allow shooter to increase amount of CO2 (or 'other' propellant) to fire faster, farther and with greater penetration force. Shooter can vary length of needle depending on target and necessity to penetrate thicker skin on animals (or clothing on people). When a dart hits a person, depending on where it 'hits', it can result in penetrating chest and back wounds that could puncture a lung or worse. Or it could puncture an artery, causing rapid and deadly blood loss. As a police Sgt says on an old time police show (I watch reruns NOT original), " Just the facts, Ma'am"

Odd start to a chapter. My first thought (as an editor and 'ghost') is that due to ongoing 'cache' issues with the site it was improperly posted with the lead paragraph was missing. Interesting premise, let's see where it leads.

Yay for Tommy! He's going to get two dads, actually one Dad and one Pop, finally! Nothing is going to stand in Armand way of adopting Thomas: " “I’ll fight and if necessary, I’ll take him and fly to Europe and have it done.” Nothing is going to stand in Colin's way of making Tommy their son: “No, if you want to do it, we will do it here and if we have to go to court, we will get the best lawyer and fight it.” And best of all Tommy gets a forever family, Grandmother Mary, and lots of Uncles and Aunts! Oh did I mention this is a really good chapter Cal? Somehow slipped my mind. 😉 Thank you, now let's get on to the adoption and see who dares try to stand in Armand and Colin's way.

Actually, even as an editor, with writing and journalism background, you can triple check things and still have something go sideways the instant you hit 'Post' or 'Add Comment'. Case in point, early I was commenting on another author's work (Sorry, you're not 'exclusive' 😑) , checked and re-checked, and the second it posted three typos appeared out of thin air. I went back in twice to 'edit' out somebody's computer generated 'fixes'. Other authors recount similar occurrences. Back to the important things. This is a very good chapter. This comment by Eli to Kage says so much: “Kage, if all we have is two nights, then I want tonight to be about us. Just the two of us... I don’t want to just fuck. I want us to make love,” Elijah declared, baring his soul with those words. Eagerly awaiting the next chapters. 🇺🇦

"Daddy's back!" With those words, the fear of losing their remaining parents will hopefully start to lessen for wee 5-year old Jamie and Fiona. It pulled at Andrew's (and Ryan's) hearts to see the look on Jamie's face. The appointment of 'Dr. Rebecca' will help the younger children with their tragic loss, but also give older brother and sister Cameron and Elizabeth guidance to help, beyond what they have done so far. With Andrew and Ryan expanding their hospitality operations, I think their trip 'upcountry' to look at properties may prove to be worth it. After viewing the accommodations, operations and financials of the valley resort, Andrew and Ryan agreed that "the resort was looking old, dated and tired, particularly in the bedrooms, and to a lesser extent, in the public areas. Worn, threadbare carpets, bathrooms that were modern in the 60's and 70's, scuffed, stained outdated furniture and tired decor". Not unlike the original Blue Bay they took over and remade. Tourism like Real Estate is very much about "location, location, location". But without proper amenities, funds resources and good management any property can and usually does fail. Devlin-Major (Pty) Ltd has the people and 'tools' needed to jumpstart The Drakensburg Resort, but one thing desperately needed is a minimum 1200m extension and hard sealed runway to accommodate larger STOL airplanes (DASH-8) and maybe 'small' private jets (Dan & Joan's previous Challenger 601) to bring more guests, without the scary landing and takeoff. I think Larry Goodman's surname is fitting to be a good 'general manager', just like Claude. (Having his half-brother Michael Bester already working for 'D-M' as Captain of the MY Amira and soon the Lady Janice can't hurt). Looking forward to upcoming chapters. A return (somewhat somber) to the highlands and the Royal medal presentation at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, (held annually at the end of June), just a 3 hour drive south of Achnacarry. Like your previous books on Andrew, Ryan and family, I recommend this to everyone! Thank you for sharing. 🫂 Ps: Some minor spelling and grammar errors Andre that slipped by in editing or posting, but that happens. (As it did to me just now when I hit 'post' and some bad 'Auto Correct' popped in and had to be fixed ... twice.) ac

Another great chapter with words painting images in my mind. It seems the furor over Armand's 'Village' mural has died down, in no small measure due to Carmella visiting and chatting with Tony. Experience with my Italian relatives shows an upset or determined Italian woman in a kitchen, (where possibly 'dangerous' wooden spoons and other cooking 'tools' abound), can either create or calm down any situation. 👩🏼‍🍳 😅 Eagerly awaiting next delicious chapter

Glad to see you back again Mac, hope you're doing well. As usual, when a @Mac Rountree story arrives, it brings three important things for avid (and new) readers. Well written, well edited and engaging characters. The title, Shoulder Season, is perhaps a strong hint of what is looming. From the start we know we are looking in on the lives of Pate and Timmy (and family) but the story starts out with Pate without Timmy and suffering for that. And whether Pate realizes it yet, he is in need of a Shoulder to lean on for support (hopefully friends and family - just not the docent and not FWB). Or a Shoulder to cry on and let all the sadness out, because once that is done he can see a way forward and perhaps a path that leads back to Timmy. Speaking of the not doting docent, I love that he has to sail past Nags Head water tower to arrive where she is ensconced. She is most definitely a nag. As summer winds down (for us in 'real' life), is it time to snuggle in for another wonderful Mac Rountree novel? I say yes! Eagerly looking to next chapters and Books 2, 3 and more. ( pushy?)

Said Col.Mustard, Hercule Poirot and Inspector Clouseau. 🔎

OR, 'B' is trying to tie up a lot of loose ends by killing 3 birds with one stone? Huntington for being arrogant and sloppy with his involvement in the missing and exploited (or worse) 'Pups'; Kage for everything he knows about 'B' and his 'Murder for Hire' business, and Elijah whose inquisitive nature might stumble across 'B's own involvement with the missing 'Pups'. But has 'B' forgotten (or not realized) that Elijah has Seb and 'pack' on his cellphone speed dial at 1-800-Mac-Tire?

A remarkable revelation about Tony's angry reaction to the mural of his 'home' village. This new information and understanding of Tony's feelings is unlikely to have Armand alter the mural, but perhaps with Carmella and Marie's help, Armand and Tony can be friends again. As for 'new friends', Carmella letting the info out to Colin about Armand (finally!) signing adoption papers for Thomas, reveals Colin's hesitation has to do with infants and toddlers and hopefully not children like Tommy. That and some 'gentle persuasion' by soon-to-be Grandma Mary, will see Colin change his mind. 👨‍👨‍👧 Thank you Cal.

"I know many of you have mentioned the calm before the storm. You may want to grab your life preservers..." Seriously? I'm beginning to think that inside your 'heart of ... bronze (?)' is something more twisted than Oktoberfest pretzels. I mean here's Elijah trying to do his shape-shifter best to help Kage, so he can return safe and sound. At the same time Kage is trying to keep Elijah safe and feel useful. Now you're going to be worse than sidneyland who left terrorized children and their parents dangling 4 stories on a broken down splishsplash Mountain ride for 1/4 hour without bringing help or advice. (And NO life preservers are provided on that ride). Elijah, time to call 1-800-Mac-Tire!

Very good closing chapter Preston (I'm not focusing on spelling or grammar 'oops'). It wraps up Zac's initial friendship with Jordan who quickly becomes his "best mate", and introduced us to his sailing and joining up with Jordan to help crew his new yacht the Stingray. Now that initial stage comes to an end as Zac must return home to Geraldton for his final year at high school, while Jordan continues journeys on Stingray with Carter and Beatrice's family members, before having to decide whether to return to the Station or Uni, while trying to fit in weekend and holiday charters. (Hopefully with Zac?) Really looking forward to book 2 ... Stingray at Sea.

Another chapter that truly captures all the issues at play in the Devlin-Major family. The naming of their newest sailing yacht as Lady Janice is a lovely and fitting tribute to Ryan's Mum. Will the 'tender' be called 'Lord David'? As much as things seemed to settle down a bit in the previous chapter thanks to Granddad Jamie and Grandmum Iona's visit to the "wee bairns", Andrew's 2-day business trip to visit 'upcountry' lodges dislodged a fear deep within Jamie Jnr and Fiona. A fear that with Andrew leaving in the early morning like Beth and Nicky did, he too might not come back. I had thought in the last chapter they would have exhibited some issues getting on a boat going to sea. While Andrew and Ryan have dealt with that for now, I foresee a need for the younger children to have some counselling. Hope this finds you recovering from your chest infection Andre. Those can be tricky, but if you've had all your Covid shots and boosters it should prevent anything more. 🙏🏼 Although it is 'winter' in Cape Town, your +11° temp is much better than my average winter temps of -6 to -14°. Just a reference. 😉

Andre, I'm a bit slow in commenting about the last two chapters, having been otherwise occupied. Both chapters, as usual, are very well written (and edited). In Chapter 17 we see Jamie Jnr and 'Fi' getting used to their new home and surroundings, but not without some some issues along the way. It appears that some lasting effects of losing their mum Beth and Nicky may require some professional help. The visit of Jamie Snr and Iona from Scotland appeared to be not only what Jamie Jnr and 'Fi' need to reassure them that their greater family will be with them, but also to assure Jamie Snr and Iona that the children will stay connected to them as Grandparents and to their heritage as members of Clan Cameron. There is an unsettling feeling as this chapter closes with the Grandparents leaving to return to Scotland. It is in the words that Iona says to Ryan and Andrew: "My heart is at peace. Beth made the right decision to let you have the bairns. I was not so sure, but having seen them here with you, I know now that she was right. It is for the best that they are with their fathers. They are happy and contented. I have seen they lack for nothing and they get a lot a love and attention. So I am happy! Thank you both for everything. For giving us our grandchildren, for caring and loving them as you do, and for this lovely visit. I am forever in your debt, both of you." Those words, and the 'tone' behind them, are ones that I've felt before. Part of it is that parents don't expect to bury their children, that it's supposed to be the other way around. Many parents in their 50's or older, don't expect to have to raise a second family with toddlers, but they are prepared to do whatever is required for their grandchildren. That however weighs heavily on them both in body and spirit, as they've not been free to grieve for their own loss. Iona (and Jamie Snr's) words convey a certain weariness, that having secured Jamie Jnr and Fiona's future, she can now let go. Sincerely hope it's nothing more than that. 🙏🏼

http://www.spitfiresite.com/photos/historic/uploaded_images/SupermarineSpitfirePRMkXI-725363.jpg

Finally getting some 't' crossed and 'i' dotted ( for those unfamiliar with that saying, it means everything done properly). Carmella is going to set a few people straight. First off is Tony who only banned Armand from his restaurant after seeing the Village mural. Something or someone in that mural upset Tony. Perhaps Geno stealing his first girlfriend? Carmella is also chastising Armand, as only an Italian woman can, about adopting Thomas, DIGIUNO*! * Faster than fast.

Aye aye Commodore & Cap'n J.

Even though it is the Australia Day long weekend, most resort locations have some VIP accommodations held in reserve 'just in case'. Obviously Port Lincoln didn't, and VIPs didn't plan properly. While the newly vacant Owner"s and VIP Main Deck suites are available, Jordan will need more information about them as paying guests, and whether it's just for two nights or longer before he agrees. Some (?) VIPs can be APITA*. * A Pain In The Ass

With apologies to Alfred Tennyson (although I think Charge of the Light Brigadeis is apt, considering what Kage is going into)... "Half a mind, half a mind, half a mind onward, into the Valley of Death rode Kage". As for a 'macguffin', isn't that a breakfast sandwich at some fast food place that clowns around? Don't want anyone getting cheesed off, so I gouda stop. 😑