Sunshine

Great chapter, great action, great characters. I just wish real life was as perfect as this (sigh) but I guess that is why we are all here to read these stories. Escapism is what keeps us reading good fiction, and this chapter was up there with the best of m/m romance.

Love the suspense, the drive into the city, the drama, and especially the last line of this chapter. Great. Now we have to wait for what happened next! It better be good (LOL - I know it will!)

Glad they talked - communication is the key to a successful relationship. But I have a bad feeling about Mike - he sure has plenty of motivation to skim off some funds.

Wow, that was hot.

I have just read all 32 chapters (so far) virtually in one sitting - it has taken me all day. And I am hooked by this story! Well and truly engrossed. After reading non-stop for hours, I now have to wait - impatiently - for days (weeks?) to find out what happens next. I am pretty sure though that Rick and Gus will have a HEA ending. I am looking forward to an invite to the wedding, along with most of the town of Eagle Lake. (I looked up Eagle Lake, Wisconsin, on Google Maps and was gratified to find that there is a real place by that name, although the geography doesn't quite line up with the book).

Great chapter as always. It always seems to be wet and/or raining at Camp Refuge. I presume the sun does shine some days? Maybe in the next chapter as things wrap up.

Great short story. Has all the build-up, the twists and turns, and the final climax and conclusion nicely wrapped up in under 6000 words. Just what I needed when I had half an hour to spare. Well written as always Wayne. Very good and satisfying read. You certainly achieved what you set out to do. And the poem is a perfect complement to the story. Thank you. Later: I just realised, as I was reading through some of the previous comments that I have actually read this story before, about a year ago, and had forgotten. No wonder I liked it! It was even better the second time around. LOL

I have been deliberately waiting for a month to start reading this book so that I could read more than one chapter, and now I have read five chapters in one sitting. Hmm, now I have to wait for the next one! How will I make it? 🤫 Like others have remarked, I had to smile at the bite marks! LOL And the vision of all those hunky officers in the changing room between shifts. (Really? Don't officers get dressed in their uniform at home before work, and then return that way?) I can empathise with the whole "coming out" to your work partner (boss?) dynamic. Been there, done that. This scene had me smiling all the way through. I actually thought that maybe Anderson would have admitted that he too was gay (but maybe that is a future story). And the thought of two young guys, watching movies, sitting on a futon with a comforter over them...the tension in the air...the "accidental" knocking of knees together...the rush of blood...the excited glances...the furtive and innocent touch on the leg. Takes me back to, oh whenever. Ah, young love is grand!

Hmm, do we see another romance developing? And is that good for two bruised boys who hardly know themselves or what life will throw at them? They're both starting off from difficult places, but surely with Greg and Clay's help, nothing can go wrong, can it?

I wish there really was a Camp Refuge to help people like Lee. I guess there are places and people who really do care for those who on the downside, but Camp Refuge just sounds like the perfect place to be. And - hey! - they are all gay friendly! At least, they all seem to have gay sex (blush). Must be a great, inclusive place to live.

I have actually delayed reading this series, knowing that you were posting weekly, I wanted to read a few episodes uninterrupted. I hate waiting between good reads LOL. Thanks for your efforts - I am now reading chapter 2 and can already see the beginnings of a truly well written, engaging and exciting story that is a slice of real life for many people (thankfully not me). Looking forward to the ride. David

It is great to be back at Camp Refuge. Hopefully, I will recognise all the old faces - and happy to meet a few new friends along the way.

Wow, just finished reading this story (over two days) and thoroughly enjoyed the roller-coaster ride. I was moved by the events that took place in Sam's life and glad that he finally found peace and love. Quite emotional to think that it is based on real-life events. Thank you Adam. All the best to Brian/John (my own husband is called John too!) and Chris, wherever you are.

Perfect story, well-told in your usual polished style. Definitely well paced and carefully plotted. Always enjoy your stories. Can't wait until the next one. PS The poem was well-written also but I felt that the poem was only meaningful because I read the story first, even though I know you wrote the poem first. One complemented the other beautifully.

Thank you and keep up the good work.

I have just finished reading the whole book (I am a latecomer, I know) and I can truly say I enjoyed the story very much. I am a great fan of romantic M/M fiction, and definitely insist on happy endings. This story has many happy endings (and happy middles and beginnings!). Thank you for an excellent story. However, I must confess I had to suspend belief more than a few times - I mean, really, who gets to have $10,000 a month income for life! Do such rich grandmothers really exist? If so, I want one! (Just kidding). And get given a house! Do people really have BJs on the highway? (Never in my life...) And we do have some very precocious children in this story who act way older than I remember from my days as a father. Either that, or they grow up real quick these days. As a foreigner, I read these stories as much for the different cultural take - food, transport, family dynamics, slang, personal interaction and reactions - as much as for the romance. Always interesting to see what life is like on the other side of the world. Just my feedback on a good story - and intended only in a positive and creative way to improve a good writer. (After years of being a "lurker" I am trying to have more input now).

Wow, marriage laws in the USA, or at least the part of the USA where this story is set, must be very relaxed! How come someone can become an "ordained minister" and automatically also be a marriage celebrant online - just like that! (Presumably someone at the other end is making money out of that scam!!!) No training, no expertise in the legal requirements, and no responsibility for pre-marriage counselling! Fortunately, in this case the celebrant is known to the couple and is responsible, but if this story reflects the reality of life in this part of the USA, I am really appalled. Where I live (Australia) all marriage celebrants (church ministers and non-religious celebrants) have to be properly trained, perform the pre-marriage counselling, and have to fulfill certain legal functions on behalf of the state. About 80% of all marriages are performed by non-religious "marriage celebrants" who have to be trained, registered with the government, and pay an annual licence fee. Which means that their credentials and work is monitored and checked. They perform marriages in a formal or informal setting that are considered equal in legality and function to church marriages. No reflection on the current story - just my reaction as a foreigner to the very different cultural world that I am reading about here.

Have just found this story in the last couple of days and read it all without having to wait for each successive chapter. Great story, and I can't wait to read the ongoing books in this series. I am a sucker for MM romance and happy endings. Congratulations to you Geoff.

Looking forward to the next chapter with eager anticipation.

Great chapter! Fireworks at last!