kbois

@astone2292 takes us into one of his unique worlds. Be prepared. It's a weird place. (But so is he 😘) It seems that Orcs rule and humans are subpar in this world. That is until one of them decides his pet might not be quite so inferior after all! Thanks for an interesting story for the Secret Author contest. It was different..... in a really good way.

This is a good story that fits nicely into the mystery category. They're always fun to read. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the format was all telling, with very little showing. Other than that, you did a good job and this was solid contribution as a Secret Author

I think religious beliefs go back as long as man has stood upright on two legs. We all search for that inner peace whether it be in a church, synagogue, mosque, or the open air of a mountain meadow. @Mikiesboy has done a wonderful job of exploring one young man's journey to find his inner peace after surviving abuse. He teaches us that it doesn't matter what god you believe in, but rather your beliefs hold true to who you are. Excellent contribution to the Secret Author submissions.

If you enjoy mysteries definitely give this a go. Then start pestering the author for more. It's a great start to an excellent story. So grab your funky Sherlock Holmes cape and hat, magnifying glass and fingerprint kit and hunker down to start figuring out the clues!

Heed the trigger warning of violence. It's definitely graphic and brutal. That being said, this belongs to a genre I normally don't read. The author did do a good job of creating an alternate world with it's own rules and hierarchy. Justice may prevail, but the cost is high.

It's a dark tale that comes with a trigger warning of violence for a reason. I found it difficult to read, but that's how I am. The story does teach a lesson and does it in an undisputed way. Even though this was not the type of story I normally read, you should be proud of being a Secret Author.

You have a truly amazing husband. I honesty can't thank him enough for everything he did for me. Now that I know you wrote this I realize I should've known. I'm the worst at guessing games. It was a wonderful story tim!

Don't question

I'm just that good. 😉

Fresh pineapple. Not canned. NOT on pizza.

I could add the Cheetos on top of the pizza after it was cooked. I mean... wouldn't those pieces get rock hard if they were cooked? It would be like biting into burnt cheddar flavored stone. And yeah... no freaking pineapple.

Weirdo

Where is everybody?

Well, Kyan seems to have something up his sleeve. And...what the hell do they put in the water in Oregon? Cheetos on pizza?

Too many people are too quick to sweep their 'dirty laundry under the rug. NO. I think people need to be aware of these issues. Child abuse should NOT be kept behind locked doors. Abusers need to be called our and held accountable. Dealing with mental illness, or addiction should not be embarrassing or something to be ashamed of. My nephew died of a drug overdose. His obituary said so. My brother would not sugarcoat it.

That's one way to put it.

Secret Author, Anthologies, Theme Challenges... all the opportunities the staff come up with are great ways to stretch an author's literary wings. Go for it.

Avery's issues are the ultimate test to any relationship. All we parents can do at this point is cross our fingers and hope for the best.

There is a crisis in the US. It started in the 1980s when so many states closed their mental hospitals(granted many needed to be closed). There was nothing to replace them. People who needed treatment had nowhere to go. Then insurance companies got more involved in dictating who got coverage, for what, and for how long. How can an insurance company determine whether or not a suicidal teenager needs inpatient treatment? It's screwed up.

I'm glad he did too. It really opened my eyes.

I don't think any parent is capable of helping a child with any type of mental issue without professional guidance. A lot of parents don't or won't recognize the fact that their kid needs help. When they do? Good luck finding the right resources. Our entire healthcare system is broken and mental health is one of the lowest rungs on the ladder. Kudos to you for taking the opportunity given to learn how to help kids who needed it.

Thanks Raven. It is too common of a problem. I wish it wasn't.

I came really close to sending you a private message when I first read this comment. It blew me backwards on my ass. Thank you for straight up giving me a smack in the face wake up call. Avery’s perspective is something I didn't consider when writing this. I couldn't. I wouldn't even know where to begin. You brought up so many valid points and in hindsight, I can now see how they apply to my son as well. So much of what he says and does is a direct result of his mental status. Him being delayed in development.. check. He's 21 and has the maturity level of a 15 or 16 year old. Us not 'magically' understanding his thought process.. check. Him internalizing his feelings of not being good enough, not measuring up to his older brother.... check. Like Maverick, I was completely blindsided by my son. The fight they had in the car? Totally happened. Now I understand why a little bit better. Thank you for reminding me there are always two sides to every story. I'm working on having more patience when my son goes off on one of his tirades hating everything about life including me. Logically, I know it's the mental illness talking. Emotionally it still hurts.