FanLit

This chapter was sheer delight!! Thank you for the double chapter, O Esteemed Author. 😊 As wonderful as it was to see Jubal and Lucas’ relationship progress- “Jubal smiled at his words, and got close enough to wear the man’s skin. He was rewarded with a big sigh.“ (I mean what an intimately erotic turn of phrase) it was the practically instantaneous friendship between them and Reid (Jubal and Reid in particular) that sprung up after all the misunderstandings were clear what had me cheesy grinnin’ from ear to ear. Reid is great. Reid is great….oh and um, Reid is great, lol. While not quite the hedonist, Reid is definitely “experienced”….he is a man who enjoys and appreciates pleasure, he may not be reckless in its pursuit but I reckon he’s taken more chances to score than Jubal, Lucas and Billy combined. Reid is willing to have fun with Mr. Right Now while being open to Mr. Right….if sexual fidelity is part of whom he is, he’s damn near perfect, from what we’ve seen, of course. Is Billy Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now for Reid? As much as their relationship intrigues, it reminds me that every lover is not a forever love….while Billy has his sights set on Reid (and Reid seems reluctant yet reciprocal in his interest) what they may be may not be forever and that’s okay, you’ve got to crack more than one egg to make an omelette. Speaking of Billy….what an impressive amount of courage and formidable will he already possesses- to declare to his father that marriage to a woman is not on his life docket & that he’d leave if the issue was forced is not a frivolous choice to make; it seems William Sr. at the very least tolerates his son’s preferences, which is definitely more than most. Whatever relationship Billy wants between he & Reid, I reckon he will have. The threads are being stitched together for a very safe and secure corner of Bearpaw for a body to “spread out” & be its natural self…. I truly hope prying eyes don’t cotton on to Bachelor’s Corner. What will Jubal name his new piece of land? What will Reid? Will all that testosterone draw the wildings back? Find out next week when we check out “Bearpaw: An Old West Tale” 🐾 🍻

Aww, don’t be like that, lol. It’s your dadburn good way with letters that done got people to figgerin’ about stuff.

I’d be down to see his whole journey: what made him the player he became, how Lucas challenged him, (was he the first to do so?) as well as how his current relationship with Billy evolved & where it might lead. Billy is also a curiosity….he seems softer, dare I say more effeminate than most of the men made this way that Gary’s introduced us to; (bearing in mind that not every effeminate man is gay)….that’d be a conundrum for a man in the macho Wild, Wild, West; was that the source of his “troubled” path prior to Reid’s intersection in his life? Secondary and other supporting characters are just as important as main characters in a story….it’s a testament to a well done job by the author if they engender their own interest.

Me too? Three? 😊

I remember from “Endings”. Funny and insightful.

Prime, Grade A, Choice Cut. Yum. 😋 I LOVE this!!!! LMAO!!

I was trying to stay away from salacious admiration but I concur, lol!!

The clutching, fevered touches and kisses that signifies the end of a very long, lonely, emotional drought….or being “happier than a hog in mud”, lol. I got the impression that Jubal’s detour to tend the skins (while practical) was a needed step back for him from the realization of all his hopes and dreams….while Lucas is absolutely priority number one, having him accept Jubal’s orientation and returning his feelings is more good fortune than he’s had in a long time and the acceptance of it needs some time to digest. “Got plenty of sweet in me. Not used to speaking my feelings, not since Vincent, but I surely like doing it for you.” Let’s see if these two’ll give Boone and Coy a run for their money in the sweet talking stakes because Mr. Dixon and Mr. Diamond surely know how, lol!! Acts of service are truly Jubal’s love language; it wasn’t enough that he built Lucas a better cabin, he fusses over his love having the best of the best-wanting to buy dining chairs (I’m surprised he didn’t want to make them), as well as building a fire pit & turning the hay. “I sure was hungry,” Jubal said, finishing the tin plate of a stew what tasted better than it had the day before.” Now, certain meals do tend to taste better the next day….or it could be the added flavors of being happy and being in love that did it, lol. Their mutual physical admiration for each other is a nice reminder that lust can go hand in hand with love, that it actually can enhances it….It also speaks to how brave Jubal will be for this love and life with Lucas that they make love “in the bright light of day”. The beginning of new relationships is a heady, intoxicating time, especially when it feels like coming home…. I’m so happy for these two!! ❤️❤️ Will Jubal’s carry Lucas over the threshold? How long will they stay isolated in their new cabin? Will the new lovebirds’ luck extend to catching the wildings? Find out next week when we check out “Bearpaw: An Old West Tale” 🐾 🍻

@kbois, you’ll likely have your own critiques of the development of your story telling abilities from “A Tattoo for Lex” to now, I will leave you to that and simply thank you for ALWAYS introducing compelling characters grounded in storylines that intoxicate and captivate our imaginations. There are many people you’ve introduced me to that I like immensely, yet one that I dare say I love, who ultimately winds up my favorite of all your characters for me….Thank you for the perfectly imperfect Kage, a seductive, heroic, sentimental reminder that a book should never be judged by its cover and that there can be the brightest light within deep, dark depths. ❤️💔❤️‍🩹💝 Thank you so very, very much for sharing your ability to spin a yarn, I look forward to the next journey you take us on.

When I saw T.L.A.T.E.O.T.T. update in the story list, I saw an update I hadn’t seen before, “Complete”….it was with that sobering realization I went into Reilly’s story. Nat Chusi generously rewarded the pack with this well earned vacation via the beautiful home he lent them for use. “Sebastian stood in the kitchen leaning against the counter, wearing nothing but low-slung jeans….” This quote shows how comfortable Reilly is in his own skin, what a far cry he is from the timid, broken Reilly we first met, (who resorted to parading as a woman in order to hide his identity)….there is no need or desire for him to do that anymore. “When Kellan rescued me after my sperm donor and his spawn beat the shit out of me,…” That is exactly who those creatures related to him were, Kellan was always more brother to him and together, they found their forever family. A previous comment in the last epilogue touched upon the similarities of Reilly and Elijah’s journeys….their respective tragedies catapulted this series; these two quiet protagonists also had their one true loves with them throughout their sojourns- Kellan and Tyler respectively, as true love encompasses more than the romantic variety. This last epilogue seals the deal on the Happily Ever After this brave, daring and intrepid wolf pack deserve.

“It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.” That quote has been attributed to Rose Kennedy, someone who knew a thing or two about loss, lol. Love open us up to hurt….

“hardened to loss” and “luxury to grieve”; Those phrases fit & exemplify the difference between times past and times present (even though there are many places in the world where life’s adversities still require an inurement to loss). 😔 I wonder if our modern day luxury to grieve is to our betterment. 🤔

I’m lookin’ one mo’ gin at the yarn that done brought Boone and Coy into my life and as per usual, a second look highlights things not noticed afore. 😊 My thoughts focused on Ms. Maysie in this chapter, a woman who lost her husband, brother and three of her five children by the time of her passing. Large families were common back then due to lack of birth control, yet the death of babies in infancy and childhood was high, due in no small part to the ravages of disease and the general dangers of life….in some ways it seemed that one had to give birth to their own workforce, as there was always much to do. Multiple pregnancies and miscarriages took a further toll on the female population, who in addition often worked as hard as men; did any or all of these factors contribute to Mrs. Diamond’s frailty? I wonder also about the emotional toll children’s deaths had on their parents: did they emotionally invest in them, knowing they were not likely to make it to adulthood? The role of physical provider often took precedence over the luxury of being a stay at home parent, so children likely didn’t see parents when they were awake….with all this being said, I know there were families full of happiness and love, as will endure in every time through history. Did Ms. Maysie have her own blinders on where her n’eer do well son was concerned, just being glad he was alive after losing so many? With the way she alienated Boone after his return home, I sadly think it so.

She doesn’t, actually. 😏

LOVE this.

Nope, lol. He cast a long shadow. 🙂

“Eventually, Mama wanted to replace their bedroom furniture, too. There was not one among them who dared to say anything about the usage that furniture had seen.” No matter how old we get, no one ever wants to imagine their parents bumping uglies….with the amount of siblings Tyler has, thoughts of the minimum amount of usage would have them bleaching their brains, lol.

“I’m not sure any of us will ever fully comprehend how much he loved you.” Oh Kage. ❤️💔❤️‍🩹 This was beautiful. Thank you and Happy New Year.

Sugar Honey….thanks for the reminder.

Thank you for your beautiful tribute. As usual, your heart beats in every line you write. Wishing you and your husband the very best in the new year, tim.

Lucas taught a masterclass in patience, trust and respect.

With reciprocal love and the piece of heaven he and Lucas hopefully will carve, he will allow himself to thrive instead of survive. I can see him building homes and buildings in Bearpaw, among many other potential occupations he could have.

One tough man who was still able to have love in his heart….given what he experienced, that makes him stronger than all who set hurt upon him. Thankful for Vincent and Boone in his life before Lucas. 🎁 Edit-thank you @drpaladin for the reminder that Boone was Lucas’ lover and not Jubal’s….it makes the gift of Vincent and his love all the more poignant for Jubal.

Happy New Year, Gary. Happy New Year to all….wishing great blessings & looking forward to sharing exciting literary journeys with you on this site this year.