empath

Thanks for all you do! I appreciate you!

I tried to edit a typo in a published chapter this morning. After correcting the text and clicking save, the page refreshes without saving the change. It reloads the edit screen instead of returning to the chapter reading view as it has in the past. Guessing it is related to the anti-bot security patch(es).

It is now open, as well as saved to my reading list. I can see, tagged with aliens and group sex, how it could be considered similar to this tale.

Many characters return (read BEAU if you haven’t already) in this emotional full length novel which follows Andre and Chris as they explore life, love, relationships, challenges, and commitment together. @Paladin tells a compelling story which keeps the reader engaged. Much could be said about the characters and plot of this slice of life, first-person narrative, but it would be better to simply select “Chapter 1” and explore this story yourself. I recommend grabbing a sweet snack (maybe some Tim Tams or some Slices) and a glass of something cool (a nice sparkling red or a lemon lime with bitters perhaps). A box of tissues is also advisable, but optional. You could just let the emotion flow freely as you devour this hope-filled tale.

What a lovely story full of emotions, new words (lugubrious!), and some unforgettable make believe friends (and enemies). Thank you @Paladin for sharing! I’ve ordered some Tim Tams to celebrate the wedding and the happily ever after! ❤️ (I hope I don’t break out in zits @Summerabbacat!)

🤚 but i will investigate.

I’m hoping the reverse with @chris191070 and @Cane23. She’s caring for Toby and wants Chris and Andre to take Toby. Mostly because I hate Ruby, even though we’ve only just met.

I hate the bastard too, Ollie. Hang in there. You’ve got a great family and good friends.

Disagree, even at the risk of pissing off a diva or two. Bring on the tears, happy, sad and mad. Keep making me feel, @Paladin!

This! Thanks for covering the topic. You should share the link to Chris’ channel so we can watch it! Seriously though, loved the chapter and various conversations and relationships explored.

I love this observation, especially in contrast with Rebecca Renkin. Both are strong women, but one is self-absorbed while the other is selfless. Each will leave a legacy, but their impact will be worlds apart. Thanks for fighting through the long and dense chapter! ❤️

I had flashbacks when they took Oliver shopping for bedding, but alas, the “bedlinen affair” was not resurrected. Life has progressed from parties to parenting. Chris and Andre’s lives have changed drastically as the above quote illustrates so well. ❤️ Again, not a Tim Tam in sight? hehe

I have such a list (for my own sanity). Perhaps I'll spend some time cleaning it up and updating it. I'll need to think about where/how to post it, as I don't want to accidentally provide spoilers about relationships or details that are either unwritten or unread. Great suggestion though. There are a ton of named characters to keep track of across the Land of Lincoln stories, many with nicknames and other titles that get added or changed over time.

All those teenagers and not a single Tim Tam? Carol and Ashley should be ashamed. 😀 Fun party, and bonding through a family crisis at the cemetery. Four in a bed sounds a bit cozy, but at least they all like each other. Great chapter!

I'm with you @Cane23, but I like cats as well. As for the story, 13 years isn't nearly enough for all the pain he's caused. 😢 Make him pay for the victims' therapy bills... Glad Oliver is home!

That sounds like a spoiler... Just saying. 😉

I know who to call if I need a beta reader for the gory stuff. 😉

No such thing as too late @mayday! Apologies for the gore. I decided early on to write the characters and scenes vivid enough to evoke the appropriate emotion, even the vile ones. 😢 My plot, characters, and inspiration file is... extensive. I'm glad it appears that I have a proper plan. Sometimes I actually do, but not always.

Thank you for the glowing encouragement! I am glad the hope is balancing out the pain. As I get older, the things I care about have changed drastically. Admitting where and when I focused on the wrong things is painful, but good. Peter is living that process. I love the parallel you have drawn @Cane23, between Dom and Peter! Profound observation! Definitely a theme. This chapter contrasts Rebecca with Rosa & Sandra. Mom’s are special, as are dads, but blood relation, gender, or even titles aren't required to play either role. This is such a witty and observant comment. Respect to the good doctor! 😆 ... Thank you to all who are reading, and especially to those that take the time to react and respond! I appreciate every piece of indirect and direct feedback and encouragement!

Technically, Roger and team are officially consulting with the FBI, but the Mob is not.

Take care of yourself my friend. That is a lot to handle. I’m glad you are finding pause and release in this story! ❤️

Pain. The sharp, prolonged, and excruciating pain is what brought Joel Mark back into the conscious world. His head pounded in time with his rapid heartrate. The smell of burning flesh made him pitch forward, emptying his stomach as he struggled for breath. Slowly, the world came into focus. The sight of a severed arm laying on the plastic covered floor next to his splattered vomit caused the room to spin. It took his groggy, pain-overloaded and concussion-swelled brain several momen

I knew Oliver was a victim who would show up eventually. How he was found in his father’s former apartment, and that it was his mother’s new fling who was the same man to abuse Andre were both surprising and sad. That man left over a decade of broken boys in his wake. It is hard to even fathom such evil, but it is sadly not farfetched.

I had to look up Tim Tams and Slices in previous chapters. I feel educated but inexperienced. I’m not sure I want to chance the apparently inevitable zits.

yep, I cried a little. It was fun to see Chris sharing his channel as they dream about sharing their life. Great chapter, full of realistic hope!