Mancunian

I hope that you find my thoughts about stories in the archives useful and find something of interest. As for my review on your story, Subconscious Mind, I mean every word I said and it is a story I recommend to other readers wether they be members or guests, I definitely enjoyed it. I only leave a review if I feel a story deserves it.

Phew, that's one hell of a read. Yet again you've written a story with meaning and packed it full of emotion, you had me on the edge of my seat and then some. I'm happy that the Brian in this story did not take that final step, unfortunately there are those that feel so desperate that they do. So let's do as @Marzipansaid and look out for each other, let's also look out for those who have no-one to look out for them.

Thank you for the recommendation @Carlos Hazday I'll be sure to look out for his stories as I travel the archives. I'm sure other members will benefit from this and any other recommendations.

Nice little story that brought a smile to my face. It's a shame we don't get to read how the friendship moved on after that experience.

I may be stating the obvious and suggesting something you may have already tried, if so I'm sorry about that but here goes. You might find something that appeals to your tastes by searching through the archives, or even something that expands your tastes. There are many stories in the archives I find are a good read and actually have a story that is not literary porn. I've just posted an entry about it in my blog which you might find interesting. What ever you find let us know we may enjoy it too.

I mentioned in a previous blog entry that I was reading my way through the archives and enjoying some of the previously written stories. I was going from present day backwards but decided to change tack and went back to day one, I'm now reading from the earliest entries working my way forward. This is turning out to be a great experience which I am really enjoying. We all know that there are a lot of really good stories currently being written, for example CDMX by @Carlos Hazday is a great story and part of the CJ series is definitely a recommended read, as is the whole series. But most of us, new and older members, tend to ignore the archives. This means that a lot the older stories are not being read and enjoyed. There are some great stories stories in the archives just waiting to be read and enjoyed, one of the bigger stories Working It Out by @Don H in three parts is a great piece of work and there are many more longer stories by other authors too. There are also many shorter stories some only one chapter in length that very good and well worth reading, The Boy Next Door by @PlugInMatty, A Ghost Of Christmas Past by @Codey, Beneath The Surface and More Than I Remember both by @Comicality are just a few that I've read and really enjoyed, I recommend them to everyone. Of course there are a great many more by other authors that are equally as good a read but there are just too many to mention. What I'm trying to say is yes let's all keep reading the newer stories and those still in process, but let's not forget the gems that exist in the archives. Some may not have been read by many, they may not have many reactions, chapter comments or even reviews but they are still good and worth taking the time to read, you can still leave comments reactions and reviews for them if you want to. Try reading something that has not been written by one the popular authors and give a lesser known author a try, if you do I think many of us will be surprised at how much there is to enjoy. I think it will also give an understanding of how much many authors have improved over time and how much hard work many authors put into their writing. Well I hope at least some of you have read and enjoyed this post, if you have maybe you can recommend a story from the archives, if you have read something you have enjoyed share it and let us all know. Thanks for reading.

No sex, no dramatic events or cliff-hangers, just a beautiful story of a lasting friendship. The introduction of Connor and Mrs H to each other is typical of how young boys are. Reading this shows how valuable their friendship is to both of them. Well worth the read.

Just as the friendship of Connor and Mrs H stands the test of time so does this short story. Friendship is one of the most important part of our lives and this story tells it in a beautiful way.

A well written heart wrenching story that reminds us just how valuable children are. It should be read by more.

Wow, you know how to tell a story this one brought tears to my eyes and made the hairs on my arms stand on end. It reminds of why my parents fostered and why I had so many foster brothers and sisters. Hopefully they now have better lives, luckily none had the ending that Ricky did.

Can love exist where and when we think it doesn't? Well I'm giving nothing away. I recommend to everyone, read and enjoy I definitely did.

You have shown us that love really can get you when least expect it. This story is nothing short of brilliance, you are a true wordsmith. I salute you.

This is not just a good story, it is a great story, one with a message, a message that packs powerful punch and well worth taking the the time to read. I definitely recommend others to read.

1) You only get out of a relationship what you put into it. 2) If you truly love someone you don't look for what you can get out of a relationship, you look for what you can bring to it to make your other half happy and feel loved. I feel that that is the message behind this story and the way you wrote and told this story you put that message out very well. This is a testament not only too you writing skills but to you as a person. Thank you for this insightful gem.

“I know what you mean Kev but unfortunately we can't always have what we want. This is a chance to start a new chapter in our lives. We need to start planning for a house warming party, I was thinking about a barbecue at the weekend if this good weather holds up, what do you think?” “Yeah let's go for it and if the weather does take a turn for the worse, like a typical British summer, we can use the electric griddle and bring it indoors.” ***** As Kevin lay on the sofa with his he

Hi @matcha and welcome to GA, I hope that you will continue to read and enjoy the talents of many different authors here. Now you're a member you can leave your reactions and comments on the stories that you read, all of the authors look forward to read what the readers think of their hard work.

“I like this.” Kevin lifted his head from Ian's chest tilted his head and placed a short loving kiss on his man's lips. “Yeah I know, I do too.” Ian returned the kiss with equal love and gentleness. “Sometimes I still have trouble believing that we have come so far and are still together.” “Why? I've never doubted our love or commitment for each other.” Kevin was curious about what was going through Ian's mind. Wistfully Ian gazed across the room toward the TV but not really seein

This is Ian and Kevin's story it is part of the Lost Souls series and part of The Boot World. Ian and Kevin have moved into their new house, they have a good future to look forward to if everything works out how they have planned. As part of the Lost Souls Series and The Boot World readers may benefit from reading the other stories previously published, although it isn't necessary it could help you to enjoy this story more.

@Mike53 welcome to GA I'm sure that as you explore the site you enjoy reading from the many different genres as well as the varying styles of writing from many authors on the site. There are some very good stories currently being written and a vast amount in the site archives so I'm sure you will find a lot that you will enjoy reading.

@Zuri I can honestly say that in the opinion of my brother sisters and myself we had the best parents anyone could wish for, we all still miss them and always will but we still benefit from the way we were brought up. They gave me the courage to accept myself and admit that I am bisexual and accepted it in the the same way that they accepted my hair or eye colour, it was just a non event. I put that down to the fact that it was the way my father was brought up. I don't remember his mother, my grandmother, but I do have some memories of his father, my grandfather, again he was a wonderful man. I had positive role models as I grew up and I think that that is what is missing for so many people, they lack those positive role models and relationships. My best friend and hero was my father, his best friend and hero was his father, unfortunately I have no children to pass that legacy on to but I hope that along with my siblings we can pass that on to my nephews and nieces, if we could all do that this world would be a much better place. Sorry I'll now step down from my soap-box.

WOW! What an ending to CDMX and to this part of the CJ series. I've loved the story and all of the other parts to the series but I have say that it leaves me feeling a little sad, that's because I've looked forward to each chapter and reading more of this fantastic story. Thank you for all of your hard work, if there is any more to add to the series I'll be more than happy to continue to read.

A lot of society's attitudes are so ingrained that some find it impossible to let go of those so called 'norms'. Possibly one of the first places to combat these antiquated attitudes is change part of the way we bring up our children. I and my siblings were brought up with the attitude and belief that to be my friend only one qualification is necessary, that is to be a decent person, nothing else matters. My parents were more accepting of differences and admittedly that is probably due to the fact that my father was gay and felt forced into marriage by the 'norms' of society in general. When he 'came out' later in life and separated from my mother they remained good friends which I believe had a good impact on my siblings and I. My point is that yes society needs to be more accepting but it can and should start within families and the way children are brought up. That's my opinion, some may agree others may not, but until society is more accepting there will always be the attitude that none heterosexual people should come 'come out' which I believe is completely wrong.

Has anyone ever wondered why some stories make us emotional, you know what I mean it's when you feel choked up or the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, or maybe cloud your eyes with tears. That's not the only emotions that some stories make us feel emotions can be positive or negative, good or bad or any way you want to express the range of emotions. I've just read a story that made me feel emotional, the truth is it actually made me cry. It sounds silly doesn't it and probably makes me sound like some kind of wuss. The story brought back memories from my childhood and no I didn't have a bad childhood, my siblings and I were privileged and grew up with good loving parents. The story reminded me of the last child that my parents fostered, as I stated in my chapter comment I'll only refer to him as P. P was the same age as me and when came to live with us he was very quiet and shy, daily he spent hours just sitting and looking out of the window and at night he had some of the most terrible nightmares, he often woke up crying drenched in sweat and urine. Although over time he opened up more during the day and often socialized with us, at night his nightmares lessened but never went away. During the times that my health wasn't so good P spent a lot of time with me reading, playing board games and just being there like a good friend. When P 'left us' I missed him and yes I cried, I'm not ashamed to admit it. He was the first boy I 'experimented' with and I was very fond of him. After living with us for five years and at fourteen years of age unknown to us he made his 'decision'. I've never really understood until now, not until I read this particular story and in some it has been quite cathartic and has given me some closure to his 'leaving'. It's an emotional read for me, if you want to read the story It was written by Tiffani Chin, @Tiff and is called Screams Taste Like Nectar. It is not P's story but there are a lot parallels to his. I don't know if this story or this post is of interest to others but I wanted to share this very insightful story and why it affected me.

No one really knows the full extent of lasting damage that the trauma of abuse and loss does to a child, but this gives an all too realistic idea. It's a really good and tear-jerking read. Just remember it is brilliantly written fiction, not fact, as it's easy to be drawn in reading this.

OMG this didn't just tug at the heart strings, it wrenched them. Reading it felt like going back in time as it brought back memories of one of my foster brothers. My parents fostered many troubled youngsters, after P - I'm not giving his full name - 'left us'. He didn't kill the man that killed his mother, but after years of living with the pain he took his own life. This was hard to read but easy for me to understand. At least Utah will be at peace now as is someone I was once fond of. No one truly understands the damage they do to kids and how it affects them in later life.