Rkench

Many here have understandably latched on and felt for Cyrus as you masterfully spelled out not just his pain and why and how it scourged his body and soul, but also for showing Kaplan rising to the occasion to empathize and comfort in a uniquely intelligent way. I certainly echo those sentiments. Truly. But it also reflects back, to me, on how poetic Cy spoke and acted on Vincent’s Turning Day. He clearly wanted, perhaps needed, the young wolf to have the Turning Day memories he wishes he had. Even before knowing the details, I figured that had something to do with revealing the scars to Mason alone that night. Some of your best work lies in this chapter, Kaplan’s reaction in the next and, much later, when you clarify what truly unfolded. It shines through in your writing how much you love this nascent couple.

Another wonderful tale from @astone2292, Cernunnos features one of the most unlikely protagonists in a shifter story: a Deer-shifter saved from a vicious wolf attack by a good-lookin’ Lycan. Cyn’s vastly different mindset makes his story unique, yet it also helps him overcome understandable fears of a former prey now navigating how to live amongst the same predator pack whose rogue members tried to end his life. His growth has a ripple effect on key members of the pack, going right to the top. While suspenseful, dramatic and at times quite sensual, once again compelling characters and a lot of heart are key to the success of this story. Highly recommended.

While it may not have been your initial intention, bringing Chris and Tucker back not only brings a nice closure, it symbolizes Cyn truly is rejoining/regaining “humanity” after more than a decade as a feral deer. As for a sequel, Detective Cyn is a good place to start: beating eggs by morning with a nose to collar crime after brunch. Besides, we must see if he learns where else to put ranch dressing.

If there is one thing @Jwolfhas masterfully done (and I propound there is far more that one thing)it is to encourage the audience to identify and root for a less-than-reliable narrator and an often less-than-sympathetic protagonist. Once again, it feels like Dom is playing solitaire while Corbin plays tri-dimensional chess. Yet, the sense of hurt and betrayal is still palpable. To Hutch, this may not be that big a deal. CC almost always sees the bigger picture.

A great end to the “shadows” trilogy with many surprises playing out along the journey, despite some inevitability to where this had to climax. I love these characters so much I’d like to eventually see more of them. That’s good writing. The death of a trusted ally prompts Vincent to double down on his shadow affinity training, leading to sacrifices even before his clash with the murderous mage Stefan. A story of love and loss balanced with hope from unexpected places, and not just for Vincent and Mason. Highly recommended, however it’s imperative to start with “Love in the Shadows,” then “Rising in the Shadows,” otherwise the stakes and situations won’t resonate with the reader. It also helps to read “Cernunnos” for one section, but that passage could just as easily inspire you to read another worthwhile story afterwards.

An addictive read that is simultaneously a beautiful love story and an action-packed tale of a young man growing into his new powers while finding family along the way. All of this comes for Vincent in the wake of tragedy that has scarred him and set him on a path of destiny and determination. You’ll find scarring is a theme that subconsciously unites several of the characters. It’s also funny, and sexy. Most will enjoy how the inner wolf expresses itself. Vincent’s mate, Mason, is also a complex character and worthy protagonist. Highly recommended. Looking forward to starting the second part.

In the new “Meeting Mike” saga, you’ve already significantly deviated from the events of this story. Love both. Love your writing. Not complaining. But as an actual professional journalist, I’d love to pick your brain privately sometime after this wraps up.

You did. Textbook perfect foreshadowing. Still was happy when it paid off.

Fun exercise. Kellan and Ben are astonishingly close to what I picture. Zev’s close. Your Sebastian is hotter (not that I pictured him ugly). I like your Hunter, but for some reason he was the hardest of your mains for me to picture. Reilly may be the most different, but I see how “he” matches your descriptions (even though what I picture does too).

Great story, beautifully plotted and populated with rich, funny and complicated characters. Jay and Loren both would seem to outsiders to have everything they need. Jay knows from the start it’s not true. Loren takes more time. From the awkward “meet cute” opening, you’ll quickly learn it’s one heck of a curvy, bumpy ride to true love. Throw in some childhood trauma, role reversal, and shifts in perspective and you have a somewhat romanticized, yet ultimately warts-and-all look at two extraordinary men forging a one-in-a-billion life together. @Mrsgnomieis skilled at creating characters who seem real. That you root for even when they completely mess up. Very much worth your time. While technically a “sequel” to Boss Nanny, I read this one first as it was posted and didn’t feel lost. In fact, I think I appreciated Boss better this way. It was fun finding a few overlapping chapters and anecdotes told from a different viewpoint between both stories.

I’d be interested in how you envision Sebastian, Caleb, Hunter, Zev and the other set of twins as well. It’s fun to see how what I picture matches (or doesn’t) with the author's. I pictured Elijah slightly differently. Tyler I was thrown off by all the times Elijah calls him fat. Your Kage pic is even sexier than what I imagined (and what I imagined was pretty hot).

“Don’t you growl at me” was probably my single favorite line in that chapter.

An addictive read, full of suspense, shifting loyalties (no pun intended), varying perspectives, danger, unexpected twists, and sometimes off-beat humor. Most of all, this story has a ton of heart. I loved Spirit Wolves and @kboisunique take on shifter Mythos. In this part two of her saga, Shadow Effect starts with unfathomable trauma and loss for a minor, but lovable character from part one. On the way home from triumph and playing a crucial role in a very good deed, our shapeshifter’s life is shattered. Elijah’s struggles lead to a murder mystery, deeper ties to his best friend/brother, the passionate love of a sexy bad boy, and incredible growth out of loss. And that doesn’t even get you through the first half of the story. Highly recommended. It’s a page-turner (screen-scroller??) that rewards more than one pass through each chapter. Clever writing plants hints and Easter eggs that lead to payoffs down the road. If I were to level a criticism, it has a frustrating cliffhanger of an ending. But if this is her Empire Strikes Back, I’m eagerly awaiting Return of the Jedi. (final note: the user chapter comments and guesses are a lot of fun I’m in her Korner now)

Great spending a little more time with such rich characters. We gain a few answers and insights about Loren’s past, and see how the fatherhood he always ran away from allowing to happen now fits him perfectly as life, love and time help him evolve. This short addition also underscores a big theme from both LoeLife and Boss Nanny: family doesn’t have to mean — or even include — blood relations. I look forward to what @Mrsgnomiecooks up next.

I admire the shift in perspectives, allowing Ashton to tell his own story gives him emotional agency he’s lacked since his wolfnapping. It also helps the readers better empathize with just what these poor hybrids have been living with. None more than the twins, since they were the first successful hybrids to live.

Yes. But (mostly) In a good way.

Thank you for that. And for your stance on how graphic things need to be to get your point across. I recently was reading a story over at nifty. Started great. Interesting premise. Decent characterizations. Had potential. Then a couple of chapters in, something got sooo twisted out of nowhere I had to quit right then and there. I’m far from a prude, and can handle a lot. But the intensely graphic details of abuse to one character just threw me out of anything I could enjoy. A shame. If the point was made differently I’d still be reading.

It took some time to allow myself into this story past the prologue. I’m glad I did. I feared I’d struggle relating to a non-binary protagonist. Instead, I left rewarded for opening myself up to their journey. As usual, @kboispresents layered main characters. Shay’s relationship with their dad was especially nuanced, and allowed to grow as both navigate years with a loved one in a spiraling mental crisis. Yet the tale plays out with heart and humor. I hope many of you will enjoy.

Oh, the struggles are always real. And weight is one I relate to. Thyroid disease prompted both sudden and unexpected weight gain and my clinical depression many years ago. Paradoxically, most antidepressants exacerbate the weight gain that I was depressed over. Keep striving Happy to Post a recommendation and review.

I think this story goes far beyond the simplicity of “Age is just a number.” Both main characters had growth arcs here and they often weren’t in sync. That’s realistic and may be what I appreciated most. Jay and Loe had that as well. Very different stories, but in each, value was gained by allowing the characters to lead each other towards a shift in perspectives, without it seeming a trite case of “walking in another’s moccasins.”

It took me quite some time to work my way up to reading this story past the prologue. I feel rewarded for opening myself up to the journey. We all have our things that make life less than sparkly all the time, me included. My mental journey through self acceptance was very different than Shay’s and was more like Griff’s. He made it to the end zone much faster. To that I say thank God for the progress of acceptance since my childhood. As usual, you present layered main characters. Shay’s relationship with their dad was especially nuanced, and appreciated. I hope more people come to understand the need for therapy and therapists without stigma or shame; yet your story points out the need for the right match of patient and counselor. For the same reasons you are frustrated at the medical insurance situation, I never found mine. I’m blessed. My story turned out ok, but having an objective, empathetic someone to listen and challenge and push back would have made everything much easier and likely more complete.

As much as we all are eager to see your saga keep unfolding, nothing is more important than your health. I’m in Orlando. I work in tv news. The devastation in our area is immense. Flood waters still rising in many spots to the north of me. Finally receding to the south. Tens or even hundreds of thousands of homes damaged or destroyed. And we are the lucky ones. I just can’t fathom what people in the Cape Coral/Fort Myers area are coping with. Take care of you and yours. The shadows and Lycans and shifters and Fae and humans will all still be there for you to write and rewrite when life calms down. I think we are all glad you had a wonderful cruise.

I was a preemie. Nearly 2 months. 3lbs. 6.5oz. In 1970 my survival was improbable. I still have flashbacks in the incubator. I’m now the runt at 6’3.” In vitro’s tend to have more complications. I’m beyond lucky. I’m blessed. My very few, minor lingering issues remin$ me how lucky I am.

Seriously. One of the best retorts to Corb. Even If the guy didn’t turn out to be crazy for him.

It has to be tricky to be going back into a story you started so many years ago and trying to make it feel consistent when life experience can’t help but change your writing style. So many people are on “Team Mike” because you did a splendid job delineating his character; gradually revealing more about who he is to the reader as he learns about himself. Amanda’s been gone a while too (other than a couple of brief mentions through “Finally”). Hope she comes back too.