84Mags

Very sweet of you to say about writing, but my talents and gifts lie elsewhere. I can’t even begin to fathom the imagination it takes! You might find me a tad bit less likable when you hear this: I really am team ReMax ☺️ You are right, Sven deserves his day. But…Reid is from Texas. Cowboy country. And if Reid can pull some of the starch outta Max’s chinos and cause him to forget a bit of his charming veneer, I think we have our man.

Yes, please.

I had to edit my comment because when I used the hashtag this site came up! 😂😂😂

Well, that chapter didn’t go the way I was thinking! My heart is still pounding!! I started out all warm and cozy, sipping my coffee, drifting along on Kyan and Perry’s love pheromones. I’m smiling and happy as important words are said and feelings are expressed. Max calls and I take a moment to mentally check in and realize just how much I like the guy and comment on him. The only other character of a story that’s not about ‘them’ who I have done that with is ~CALEB~ so I’m asking myself, what the heck? Then, my eyes are bugging out and I’m screaming WHAT THE HELL as this Ron Stoppable person emerges in the form of Max, our sexy, button down broadcloth, chino wearing, alluring, potential Black Ops, lock picking, seductive security entrepreneur, rich boy next door. Whoa!!! And yes, I caught how smoothly Max went from charming, to “threatening”, right back to boy next door smiles all in a breath. Reid and Max have history. #ReMax anyone? I am all in! Any which way, I cannot wait to hear his backstory. Oh, and yay for Kyan and Perry. The L word is out there in words and deeds. Great chapter!!

Yep, I noticed, that’s why I said Caleb chose flight. Hope everyone else got that, too. 😉It’s no wonder Caleb took off. He’s depressed, disgraced, been shot, suffers nightmares, and wishes for death. There is no way he can process MATE. I am equally as certain that his wolf is as tired of Caleb’s depressive state as some of the commenters are. Glad to hear you also think his wolf won’t be putting up with it for much longer. As I said earlier, you write depression and the resulting distress very well. It’s frustrating to be a friend or love one to someone with depression. It takes a massive amount of patience and emotional strength to help a person gain clarity and build back their mental resistance. Add to that all that is going on with Caleb and we most likely have a bit to go before he is able to turn a corner. The possibility of his wolf coming forward and (hopefully) asserting a will to live will make a positive difference.

… and first on page 2 😛

Fighting depression is exhausting all on its own. You’ve written the ravages very well. Having friends like Luke and someone in your life like Giles who stick by you while you are at your sullen worst is oftentimes necessary to break out of depression’s clutches. Caleb’s guilt compounds everything. I hope he does actually consider talking to a therapist or trusted friend. His nightmare was foreboding and speaks to past trauma outside of his recent betrayal(s). I am not surprised that Caleb chose flight for his fight or flight response, but something tells me that his wolf will no longer be reacting passively now that Caleb’s mate is within touching distance.

Oh, wow!!! THANK YOU! And…. Welcome to the Korner. ❤️❤️❤️

Well darn, that means I’ll be waiting for @raven1 to re-explain it to me.

Caleb knew he was badly injured and dying. He would have known he was healed from a mortal wound. Asa knew Caleb was a shifter and rightly assumed Caleb was part of Giles’ pack. Asa has not told Giles or any member of the pack that he is also a shifter. So by healing Caleb completely he would have blown his cover. Same with the horse. If you heal all animals you come in contact with, folks start to talk. It’s better to let the vets do their job. But I’m kind of with you. I think there is also more to Asa we will find out in the future. I cannot believe we are on page 9 of comments!

While it’s still slow and steady progress between Lucas and Jubal, a few bigger steps were made. Jubal asking about Reid and Lucas sharing a little bit, as well as Lucas addressing the marks on Jubal’s neck and learning the origins of the rope marks, are important for mutual trust. Jubal is still quick to overthink situations, but in unguarded moments like with the herd it becomes obvious that the internalized worry is a result of his past. One would develop that after suffering trauma and I can’t think of much worse than being drug by the neck behind a horse. I’m sure the ‘why’ plays into it as well. Jubal’s personality shines through with the herd and it feels natural for Lucas to notice and appreciate the view!

Welcome back! Stop worrying. We just wanted you to know we were thinking of you while you flew home 😂 Keep reading comments. @raven1 set me straight and quite brilliantly found the passages to explain not just to me but a couple other commenters. You’ve covered everything. He’s your hero! But I am still keeping him in the Korner with me, thank you very much.

Oh! Excellent!!!! That makes so much (better) sense. THANK YOU ❤️!! As we both found, it takes awhile to go through the chapters and pluck out the important pieces that are laced throughout. I truly believe the Guardians will be a key part of defeating Huntington and his villains. And learning about Asa has really gotten my imagination going.

@raven1 for some reason I can’t get your quote to load. Asa isn’t an elemental shifter. Shadow Effect: Chapter 12. “Kage blinked. A fire shifter? Fuck him to hell. In his thirty-eight years he’d never come across an elemental shifter. Although no one knew for sure, it was believed that elemental shifters totalled less than a thousand. In a population that numbered in the billions on this planet, what were the chances that Huntinton managed to recruit an elemental shifter? Infinitesimal, that’s what. Air. Water. Fire. Earth. It was thought elemental shifters could not only shift into their element, but they could also control that element as well. So in other words, an air shifter did not have to actually shift into a form of air, such as a wind storm, they could control the very air that surrounded them. It added a whole other dimension to shifting abilities.” Asa is not an elemental shifter, but he is a shifter like Kage. This universe has many types of shifters. For example, Elijah and Trevor (may he forever rot) are both shape shifters. What we don’t know is who are descendants of or part of the Guardians or Sentinels. Here is a part from my lengthy comment from Shadow Effect Chapter 34, page 4 (top of the page) for my working theory. This current book will have a lot of twists and turns before we get to that mangy lion. “…made me think about Maven, so I wasn't surprised to see them pop up in today's chapter. While Maven may be dead/defeated, that doesn't account for any Fae descendants (I am looking at you, Trevor) who might also be trying to impact knowledge of the Veil/wreak havoc on humankind. The King created the Guardians from a league of Elemental Shifters. …Kage was/is a Shadow Shifter, so not Elemental, but perhaps a descendant of a Guardian. The story name suggests his importance… Based on the twins eyes, they seem related somehow to the Sentinels. I think the Sentinels and the Guardians are both needed again.”

Learning the unimaginable trauma Micco suffered was compounded by the brutal nature of Calhoun’s interrogation. He re-victimized Micco. Later, I noticed most commenters used ‘Micco’ instead of ‘Micheal’. There’s something about hearing the devastating details of Micco’s mom and sister’s murders that brought us all back to that younger, tragic time with him. The connection between Chase and Micco is profound. Chase could immediately sense Micco’s emotions. Chase was able to comfort and soothe, without words, allowing Micco to regain his equilibrium. This connection brought me back to last chapter and Michael briefly sensing the intense wave of feelings. I believe Michael can sense and project human emotions, yet perhaps his traumatic experience repressed his insight and lead him away from unguarded human contact. It was a good sign that Michael emerged from the panic attack and finished the interview. For a brief moment, early in the interrogation, Michael questioned whether there truly was an earlier altercation with Sam. He is learning to believe more in himself and trust his instincts.

Yes 🔥🔥🔥! Caleb is gonna give Asa hell, but something tells me that Asa is up for it. Just met Asa and can’t believe I considered anyone else as a possible mate for Caleb. Asa really is perfect.

Asa sounds pretty dang perfect! I hadn’t even considered that Caleb’s mate might be a different type of shifter. I had actually assumed a human. While we don’t know specific details of all a light shifter can do, based on Asa saving Caleb’s life by stopping a mortal wound we do know that his touch brings a glow of light and at least a measure of healing. We also know that for some reason Asa hasn’t told Gile and the pack about his ability. Just as Kage was (is????) one of a few, it makes sense that a light shifter would also be one of a few. What further caught my attention was not just MATES but how well Asa already suits Caleb. Asa appears more in tune with his feelings. He’s not as closed off, but he is a bit of a loner. It’ll be interesting to see how their first meeting goes once Caleb is awake.

Roger that! Made me smile I wasn’t the only one who caught it. “Be My Little General” is the easiest way to remember. 🪖

That was a tricky way to start this chapter! I re-read Reid’s name as my heart sank thinking it was a date, but then the business deal gets mentioned and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding in. Should have remembered they had exchanged emails in Hawaii. Whew! And, now that I am no longer irrationally angry at Reid, I want him as a possibility for Max. But that’s for the future. The present has me very happy for Kyan and Perry. Especially for Perry because he deserves to be cherished. In this moment Perry is learning that he can have it all, a family and true love. My heart is full ❤️

Oh I know the ride is going to be majorly bumpy, but check my comment to @drsawzall (who at this moment might be contemplating trying on a pair of polyester bell bottoms.) I am totally here for Cowboy Caleb! Today was the looooongest day knowing the first chapter had posted and I didn’t have the time to read/comment. This chapter did not disappoint! You dove right on in. My Wednesdays just got brighter. ❤️❤️❤️

It’s the move. Try on those Saturday Night Fever pants and you’ll be right back with us! Seriously, Caleb is imperfect and has a lot to atone for. I understand not really liking him right now. But, this story starts in an exciting spot. Caleb is lost to his depression and separated from his wolf. As a shifter he should be one with his wolf, yet he’s created internalized emotional and physical distance. Caleb did the same with Vann, his pack, and during the sexual relationship with Vann’s mother. He is doing it with the current pack. It will be fascinating to learn what is behind all of the life long emotional distancing. Caleb’s betrayal weighs heavily, except there is more to all of this. If nothing else, for now, enjoy the thought of Cowboy Caleb. Well worn Wrangler jeans, snap button shirt stretched tight over untamed muscles, rugged physicality, sweaty brow, the creak of a saddle as he rides… yep, I’m here for it. And let’s not forget there is a mysterious farrier who is probably just as fire. 🔥

I honestly didn’t think I’d start my comments pretty much the same way I ended my comments in Spirit Wolves but here I am, once again, saying Oh, Caleb! What an exceptionally well done opening chapter; it pulled us all right back into this exciting world. Last week I read over the first two stories and the comments. Initially there were only a few readers on @Mrsgnomieand my team wanting Caleb to live and have a chance for redemption. Well, and, @CincyKrisrecommended considering some type of shifter community service 😂!! By the time Shadow Effect was completed, Caleb had pretty much won over everyone. So no, just no, he is not gonna die in chapter one. It’s time Caleb figures out that he’s got to fight for his life, not just in this situation but in all situations. I’m taking this cliffhanger as a challenge to Caleb. It really is his time to look for that light at the end of the tunnel.

⬆️ I agree and was also just coming back to clarify that I am not asserting Reid is someone to be overly worried about. In my mind he’s actually a bit like Mitch in Larkspur and will need the time and wisdom that comes with age to better understand himself. We don’t really know much yet, but it seems that he’s putting being a good sheriff ahead of his own personal life. And there’s nothing wrong with that. He and Lucas obviously have some sort of history and I believe it was more than friendship. His term for Lucas, along with that young man hanging out after midnight, leads me to believe he likes men younger than himself. Maybe he sees himself as a mentor, but whatever the situation Lucas is clearly a bit chafed. Happy birthday @FanLit I think you’ll like your 50’s.

I went back to chapter 4. As several commenters mentioned, the hints are there that Reid and Lucas have a past which perhaps Reid isn’t ready to be over. Even so, Reid was at ‘work’ after midnight with a younger man, who kept his hat pulled low and was not Deputy Samuel. Seems Reid might like his partners a bit younger than him. From this chapter’s interactions, it doesn’t necessarily make trouble for Lucas and Jubal, but jealousy can grab ahold of some. It’s not a situation where Lucas has enough trust yet in Jubal to fully disclose what’s going on. But, they will get there. I’m more concerned about the rope mark on Jubal’s neck. That speaks to what could have been a very dangerous and agonizing ordeal.

I agree. What grabbed my imagination is Michael thinking to himself that wolves didn’t typically feel hate and they’d all just been fed. But your point is well made. Is there another animal nearby and if so what would cause such strong emotions?