Tim Hobson

Mark, I am binge reading nine years after your stories were first published, so I didn't comment or react as I made my way through them. However, this feels (a word that I strike out of everything I write -- "show, don't tell") like the time when I need to say something. In one sense, I'm glad I didn't see your works before I started writing my own because I would probably not have taken the plunge, knowing I could never write as prolifically or as well as you. Having the benefit of reading them now (and looking forward to continuing through all the others) is the equivalent for me of taking a Master Class from you. Thank you for inspiring me and showing me so much about good writing. I hope my readers can tell how much I have learned "at the feet of the master!"

Nature can be beautiful and vengeful. I hope you are safe and sound, and the property is still standing!

This was an outstanding story and an essential part of the multi-generational family saga. Mark, I absolutely loved the device of the journal and its ability to bring us back to the events in the several families in the 1940s. Kudos! I can't wait to begin the next part of the history, entering the 21st century - or maybe not, who knows what our author has in store for us! To anyone who wants to read a gripping and rewarding story: look no further!

As someone who lives in, and loves, Appalachia, I get so tired of the put-downs. There are shitheads in every region, as well as wonderful, interesting, and supportive people. Let's please get some perspective! I'm OK with Brian (the villain) coming from this part of the country, as long as we we all agree that he was no different than assholes from everywhere else in the country and the world. His character was depicted well, and he is someone we can all love to hate, but his origin does not explain his fucked-up evil behavior.

I am totally fucking awed by this great story. It has everything: love, hate, loss, tragedy, suspense, family drama, fear of HIV, coming out, dealing with family members who reject gay sons, and of course steamy, explicit, arousing sex scenes. @Mark Arbour is my role model as a writer of erotic stories, and I recommend this one, and all of the series to everyone, but be warned--you'll find it hard to put it down (and that's not the only thing that'll be hard!). Thank you for yet another knockout of a story, Mark!

I really enjoyed the contest and thank all the other secret authors for their willingness to contribute. It was fun writing in a different genre, too.

Heartfelt congratulations, Libby. What a touching story!

Loved reading all of them, although some were a stretch to my tastes (not a bad thing). I'm eager to see how the voting goes next Tuesday. How long will the voting last, and what comes after that?

Thank you to all of you. I'm sorry to bring a downer to this exciting Secret Author event, but this story just hit me hard. I appreciate all the support and care you're showing.

Thank you.

I can barely write this. The One I Love was diagnosed two years ago and is slipping away before my eyes. Thank you for the touching story. I can only hope my version ends happily, too.

I, too, thought that perhaps they were both ghosts. What a heartfelt story!🥰

This is my first Secret Author go-round (I assume there have been others before this one). I am grateful for the opportunity, and also the challenge, to read genres I would normally skip over or perhaps quit reading as soon as it became difficult. Some of these stories, and most of the comments, hit too close to home for me to respond more than generically, but I do thank @Cia for this opportunity to stretch my thinking. I'm looking forward to the continuation of the series.

Wow! What a great beginning. I, too, hope the Secret Author will take us further. Since Joel wasn't yet 18, in the state where I live his mother could be prosecuted for child abandonment. Unfortunately, that frequently means she pays the State for his foster care until he's 18,and then he becomes homeless or starts selling drugs and/or his body. There are so many ways this could turn out well or badly. I'm a crazy optimist, so I hope for the best.

I don't see anything more from the author. Do you think he stopped writing, or maybe something bad happened to him? Fingers crossed

I've been loving this story, but it seems to have ended a couple of years ago. What a disappointment!

I sure do! I just wrote a chapter where a character dies, and it makes me cry just editing it! I think that's the true test of honesty in writing--you feel what the characters and readers are feeling. Thank you for writing this delightful story. I'm looking forward to many more.

"it's all about Tommy and Matthew" -- say it ain't so! The anticipation is killing me, but the knowledge that we won't get scenes like this with all the other guys, in couples and maybe even all together, is unbearable. Please at least say there'll be a sequel.

Why do I think Tanner might be homeless?

Tanner is more common as a family name (surname), and of course it refers to a profession, as so many of them do - a tanner of hides. Sometimes, parents will use an old family name as a first or middle name, e.g., Grant, Hudson, Wilmer, etc. It does cause confusion because in some situations names are reversed, as in "Hobson, Tim." With two surnames, it might become unclear which is actually which.

I don't know about you, but I limped and jacked off through puberty confused, ashamed, and afraid. The rare actual encounter was over quickly and never spoken of again. I don't know if this story is indicative of the reality for gay teens today, but I wish it were!

Brian is off to a good, if awkward start. I hope he overcomes his shyness and makes some progress with Mystery Man soon.

Yes, we want to know what's coming--other than Andy and Wayne ... but then we kind of don't. We may be remembering how we felt when our "secret" was out, and we don't want these two great kids to go through all that shit. Of course, this isn't the 1980s, and things seem to have changed a lot, except here in Appalachia were we live.

Like you, I about jumped out of my skin at that little scene. I hope there's some way that the two boys can be together without losing their father's love.

A delightful, heart-touching story of first love and overcoming the obstacles that young gay men struggle with. The ups and downs had me worried, but the happy ending was well worth waiting for!