Cane23

Why—oh why—does the SA competition always happen during the summer holidays? The Wi-Fi on Greece’s beaches is so lousy… when it even exists!

Good question. I keep wondering what the endgame is for each of them. What’s the real aim of this confrontation - and what comes after? Is it about salvaging pride, reasserting dominance, reclaiming property, changing ownership… or, in Riley’s case, finding some kind of closure? They’re not the same men they were at the beginning of the story (or at the end of the prequel). Will any of this actually satisfy them, or would they be better off walking away and not looking back?

Get out. Before Benjamin calls the police. Or worse, the Albanians. The Lady is magnificent! 🙂

More troubled than this...?!

Raithion is finally confronting Dio… he once sacrificed his life for the Basileus, but now his son’s life comes first. Fortunately, Dio recognizes his most loyal man and grants him a document that may give Raithion an advantage in negotiations with Azula. Let’s hope he does not come to Sura Island with threats, because now is the time to beg - even if you are a prince and Grand Commander of the Empire. In the presence of something sacred, such as the gift of healing, even the bravest and strongest must remain humble. And Azula… he is no longer the same young man from years ago. He is a leader now, yet his heart still seems pure. He may feel hatred toward the Empire and Raithion at this moment, but he will not refuse to save the life of an innocent child.

This sounds so...kinky!!!

I love the ending… This reunion had been waiting to happen for so long. It feels like they both needed this closure - not to forgive each other, but to forgive themselves. The hint that they’re connected not only by a destiny shaped by narcissistic, abusive, and selfish adults, but by their own DNA gives a powerful turn from tragedy into a story of love and redemption.

Ben’s eyes might be blinded by the new experience, but I have a feeling another pair of eyes - the “Hawk eyes” - are seeing better, farther, and deeper than ever before. In general, I’m not as intrigued by the final encounter between Kieran and Ben as I am by the encounter between the King and the Hawk (the “new” Riley).

Cheetam Hill excursion was amazing-adventurous, funny… haha. “Fake originals” cracked me up - I once saw knockoff Snickers where instead of Reebok it said Reabok! 😁 The appearance of Lee and Kieran’s shadow is unsettling. It was expected but orchestrated by Ben and Riley...this isn’t a controllable variable. Hmm… could Kieran be behind the Montague business?!

I’m not a violent person and I don’t believe violence is the solution, but in this case… it’s really hard not to feel like someone should put that manipulative bastard Sam in his place!

I had to check Go Home, and then I remembered I’ve read both prequels. Great stories - hot, kinky… a bit controversial, but more as a psychological dissection of the characters than for its own sake. I didn’t know there was a Jake’s Story… eagerly waiting to see his closure.

Kieran too - he was his king, never a partner. He never saw any potential in Riley beyond emotional refuge. When those emotions became leverage, he discarded him.

A lot of interesting characters in the Poisoned Place… Even though everyone seems suspicious, I still can’t tell who the Monstrum is. Or is it person at all...

Well, that's already half chapters of the book five... What are you waiting for?! 😂

At first, I wondered if it echoed The Picture of Dorian Gray - that split between surface and soul. But now I’m also seeing shades of The Wizard of Oz - the Tin Man in search of a 'heart'. Kieran leaves his behind, and Ben carries it forward. In the end, maybe it’s only the one who still has a 'heart' who can be saved.

But he's still legally married!

Wow - three in one. What a great ending, @Topher Lydon! But you have to come back to Charlie’s world - eternity is far too long to leave him without his soulmate.

Of course he is...he's Mr. Shaw after all! 🙂

You are amazing Chris, this place would not be the same without you!

Interesting idea @BendtedWreath, I’m curious - how did you choose the stories? Was it a bit of “eenie, meenie…” or something more deliberate? 😁 I’ve read at least one story from each of the authors you mentioned, and for one of them I’ve read literally everything they’ve published here on GA. That’s partly why I’m so interested in your selections - because for most of the authors on your list, the story you picked wouldn’t have been my first recommendation. With the possible exception of @Rob Colton —his Timber Pack Chronicles is a classic. It was actually the first shifter story I ever read, and it sparked my love for the genre, which I later expanded with works from @kbois, @WolfM, @astone2292 and more recently, @Laura S. Fox. You chose poems from @Parker Owens but if you ever feel like trying one of his novels, I’d strongly recommend A to Z. It’s another GA classic - an absolute must-read. @Wayne Gray's Curing Humanity is one of his newer stories and definitely a great read, but I’d still suggest starting with his masterpiece, Ash and Ember. As for @LitLover - another author who’s no longer active on GA - my first pick would be Unforgivable. It’s a different genre (romance), but a very good novel. For @Arch Hunter, I’d go with Dark Star. It’s one of those high school coming-out stories that really stands out instead of blending into the crowd of similar works. I saved @CasualWanderer82 for last, since he’s already said plenty about Wicked Games. Should I recommend something else? Honestly, I’m not sure - I’m one of those readers who’s gone through everything he’s written. I could, probably, go on but...I'm eagerly waiting to see your A2 list! 😁

And end the story... 😁

I love Jung! Wrestling with the Numinous in order to achieve integration. Riley has fought the fear, now he has to fight obsession... To heal, Riley has to "kill" the myth of the King (Protector) just as he watched the reality of the stepfather die. He needs to see his protector not as a savior, but as a man - perhaps a flawed or even manipulative one.

“270275” Ben said softly. “Deal?” Is this the date of birth?! 🤣 It is so...I don't know...Ben?! 😂