Cane23

Loneliness has brought Tara and Max closer together. They are amazing, selfless friends. But doctor cannot heal himself and therapeutics cannot treat himself. As Ben and Sam have moved on, Tara and Max have to move on too. They are so desperately in need for their significant other!

This family is completely insane - Jeremy is making drama over his dead husband (who died of terrible disease btw), for not telling him he was the Leo's son!?!?!?! Grow up man! I just don't understand, what are Carter and Leo arrested for?!

Very tense chapter. Hope the boys from the farm will be saved. Interesting how complex characters you are drawing. The first time Billy occurred in the story; I was not very much impressed with him - conservative redneck militia leader! But now we see this veteran, suffering from PTSD is ready to help the boys get free and FBI catch the bed guys.

"It cannot be too greatly emphasized that the most important role in pawn endings is played by the king." (Siegbert Tarrasch) “Pawns: they are the soul of this game; they alone form the attack and defense.” (Philidor) King is dead. What is left is kingdom without crown, men without leader, lover without heart, son without father… Three men, united in their grief and mutual memories, make a trip to King’s ranch to make it his final destination. King's son is with them, making connection with his deceased father, he couldn't do while King was alive. Lost in delusional, after suicide, King's soul finds peace in eternity of metaphysical, riding as a black stallion through the green fields and forests of King's ranch. His friends find their own peace, knowing that they love, and they have been loved. Pawn, the King's son, emerges from the deepness of the forests almost ethereal, as mythical being, becoming what he was destined to be since he was born. Ranch hidden deep into wildness, a refuge from hardness of the life in reality becomes a place of legends as Valhala or Olymp… In @CasualWanderer82's own words, spoken through the voice of King (Omar): "This place, this ranch... it's more than just a piece of land. It's a place where they can come to be free. To feel, to grieve...to love. A Kingdom...of Men." This story could be read as fairytale, legend...or story of finding peace and freedom. @CasualWanderer82 brings another masterpiece that won't leave you indifferent. Read it and find your own decrypting code of this epic tale.

This is very extensive and emotionally stuffed chapter! Especially because this is the first chapter in series seen from Max's POV. Once again, we see how complex these characters are. We might be annoyed by Max's stupid stubbornness to show his real emotions during the years but yet, we cannot be indifferent and not to see how much he suffers aware what he has lost. Interesting but, willing to take a bullet for somebody (phrase mentioned many times about relationship between Sam and Max) might be not enough! It seems like ultimate sacrifice, and it is in combat but in life willing to give a heart is ultimate sacrifice. For the first time in the story, I've seen how strong connection between twins is. No matter how selfish and broken Connor is, he has analyzed Max and Sam's relationship deeper and clearer than those two could: It's easier to see the other's life than our own sometimes: Finally, that's what happened! As for the Connor, there might be forgiveness for many things he did but, domestic violence is unforgivable. The scares he left on his family is red line that should have never been crossed! Unfortunately, he was his father's son...

That was a serious homework Sam did to learn the symbolism of the roses' colors. Yes, choosing Max for a best man was tricky - whatever Sam did, Max would be hurt. But Sam has chosen wise - choosing Max to stand by him at the wedding he avoided hurting him, all the hurt came from Max's own heart. Sam cannot help with that, someone else will have to fix Max's heart... 😉

Left me speechless again... @Myr has posted a Blog yesterday - General Fiction Deep Dive 5 - Gay Authors News - Gay Authors Two of your stories has been listed among 10 most read General fiction - Experimental. Description says: Stories that explore new directions and don't fit into an existing genre or several genres. I don't know about 'experimental' thing, but description says a lot about uniqueness of your stories. I need some time to think before I leave any Review! Bravo @CasualWanderer82!

This is @JJ Quinn's big entry to the GA author's stage with extended and polished, new version of her epic story "Halos & Heroes". As part of Finding Home series, this tale is homage to American veterans, a truly monument to heroes and patriotism. But it is also the story of dysfunctional family, damaged people with serious issues developed by war trauma and family legacy. And yes, this is a love story. Author tells the story of identical twin brothers, Sam and Connor Trammel with same look but different personality. Raised by abusive alcoholic father they become soldiers and national heroes. Sam is coming home, honorably discharged due to PTSD complications. Connor is coming in a coffin. Connor left family behind – wife and two daughters. Although not alive, his shadow covers the lives of characters. We discover how deeply damaged person he was, prone to self-destruction. Sam has to face the family he has abandoned, starting the process of healing the scars of the past. Somewhere in between funeral, horrible nightmares and drowning in alcohol, Sam meets Ben, episcopal priest. Sparkles are there since the first encounter, but Ben is not for a one-night stand, he wants something more with Sam as he sees deep into his soul, finding more than handsome man... Deep and profound story with multidimensional and complex characters brings fantastic dialogs and monologues (as story is written from Sam's POV - we follow him through the deepest labyrinths of his mind). Author reveals human psychology in a manner of some grate classical writers. The intelligent banter between characters and genuine humor, often colored with fine irony are @JJ Quinn's trademark. Finally, I'm really proud if I made even a little contribution in @JJ Quinn's decision to become GA author. She's amazing addition to this community.

You did it @JJ Quinn and I'm so proud of you! Fighting MS, administrative obstacles, site rules, erased files, impatient readers (sorry about that) - you've brought this amazing story to its conclusion. During the previous months, I've embraced Sam (or Sem in my interpretation ), Ben and other characters, accepting them not as fictional, but as real friends. Thank you for this masterpiece and thank you for your patience for reading my, occasionally overanalyzing comments! As for Sam and Ben, this is not the end but start of their mutual journey. It is not going to be flowers all the time, but they will be together to face all the obstacles. And family is there to support them...

The first chapter already promises this is going to be one of @Ronyx classics! The Barn door, as Pandora's box, has been open...a heavy fight is waiting for our protagonist Neil till he closes them!

I don't remember anticipating new chapter with such a fear! Yes @Ronyx, already in first chapter, you've made me feel like Neil, entering the school scared as hell. The fact he has already thought of suicide speaks a lot!

Luckily, no experience with STD but very bad experience with anal fissure. It wasn't anything dramatic as rape or assault, just inexperience. Didn't need stitches but still, hurt as hell, lost weight so quickly that I still have wrinkles on my face as 'proud' reminder of my own stupidity! Grayson was 'lucky' Mike went first, otherwise, the wound might be rather serious!

Carter has made a difficult but right decision. It reminds me of Lt. Col. Slade's speech (played by Al Pacino) at the end of the movie Scent of a Woman: "I have come to the crossroads in my life. I always knew what the right path was. Without exception, I knew. But I never took it. You know why? It was too damn hard." Carter is going to suffer but he is the one who will come out as moral winner and Jeremy is going to apologize a lot!

It's Jeremy's younger brother who was also killed with their father: Jeff and Carter's conversation in Chapter 17.

Does it end with Ralph's parents getting a Christmas card with signed picture of Ralph & Nolan? 😉

Shane is a beast, no doubt about that BUT, for me, Mike is worse. He was supposed to be some friend, or at least colleague and this is betrayal! Grayson might be naive, but Mike is a scum!

He is. There is something transcendental in the relationship between those men. The same feeling I had while reading the Men Of Honor. Fantastic sex in final chapter which culminates in Jeffrey and his friends' passing and Jackob's embracing the immortality. So deep, almost philosophical dilemma - is eternal life curse or a blessing?! Both MOH and KOM explore the deepest and the most amazing relationships between men. We are never completely sure are sex, lust and passion cause or result of their complex relationships. You write fantasy @CasualWanderer82 but it touches so deep all our senses and emotions that, beside all the feelings, it brings out the melancholy for the days which are gone.

Now...I left an angry emotion! Angry of Carter! He didn't learn anything from the way he has treated Simon and regret he felt when he died. He didn't give Leonardo at least a reasonable doubt. He has already come with verdict and nothing Leonardo said was heard. I really do hope that it will not be too late when the truth comes out!

There are, but Michael and his parents are not one of those. Reciting memorized verses from Old Testimony is not very clever. Parrot can imitate the words it has heard many times...it doesn't make it genius! Btw, reading stories, mostly by our American authors, I'm always surprised how much their Christian denominations are focused on Old Testimony. In Eastern Orthodoxy, we are more focused on Gospels and stories of Jesus. Not that there is no bigotry - there is, a lot... but still, I've heard quoting St. apostle Paul on that matter but almost never stories from the Bible. The only part of the Old Testimony that is regularly used on Services are Psalms.

It was fun...till it wasn't anymore! First time shouldn't be like that! It can be insecure, clumsy, too fast...but this is assault and I'm sad Gray had to go through this awful experience.

LONG LIVE THE PRINCE! Well @CasualWanderer82, when you said Pawn will change the game, I've been thinking of new chess game, not completely NEW game with new figures! Amazing! Prince awakened a beast in Bishop. I wonder, how did Bishop survive suppressing this enormous (sexual) energy for years?! With wife?!? It must have been frustrating! Yet, staying with King was impossible! Bishop was torn apart and now he is whole again. Now come the days of The Prince, may they be blessed!

O.M.G.

Furthermore, what if Laura is involved in her husband's murder? Her unconditional support of Dexter already looks suspicious. By Jeremy's theory, that would mean that 'Jeremy is not clean. He carries her legacy. He and his brother are living reminders of the pain she caused'. 🤪

Jeremy has proved once again that in pain and anger, he makes rush and irrational conclusions. After all, he is Laura's son. By his own theory, he must be crazy, narrow minded and judgmental as she is... Oops, maybe he's not so wrong about that... This theory additionally complicates their relations. Not only that it puts stigma on Carter, but on Jeremy and Ethan's children as well. If the evil flows in the murderer's son blood, it flows in the blood on his grandson(s) as well! Right?! Finally, I'm not absolutely convinced that Leonardo is murderer - at least not first-degree murderer. Carter confronting his father might bring some answers...or new questions. We'll see...

Amazing story indeed! But what a journey it was reading the series... I would really like to read a sequel about Leon and his new adventures!