W_L

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56804771-the-necromancer-s-dance I have a special place in my heart for S.J. Himes and this series, this book was my first published gay urban fantasy novel, when I bought it back in 2017 on kindle and later on audible. I was attracted to the premise, because it deals with magic and vampires, both fun topics in on themselves, but it also has the grand idea of worldbuilding around Boston, Massachusetts, a place I know intimately. It’s a unique gay romance

Yes, it's very true. As the author, I can confirm the shortsighted reactionary moves by Gary and the Dean to bypass the Contract, to the point of not finishing a full legal review, was due to Brad's reveal of his presence on Thursday to Gary Gaston in protection of Beau (back in chapter 1). People like Gary may be smart sociopaths, but they are still bound by human instincts. Making rushed decisions upended his plans, too. This will not stop Gary Gaston and I promised you all a re-interpretation of Beauty and the Beast, there's a major scene from the movie that I want to re-interpret for modern readers. Brad's long-term solution to end Gary Gaston's reign of terror and his family's influence will be revealed in the coming chapter as well. Side Note: We are 5 chapters away from the Finale

@chris191070 It's an important milestone for Brad and yes, it's important to the progression of the story. I can reveal this spoiler to you we're pretty close to the zenith of Gary's power

Chapter 15 is now live, here's some author's notes -Finally, a direct confrontation between Brad and Gary -Gary's recent moves weren't just random pieces of malice, they were all calculated plays after discovering Brad's presence on Campus, most likely Thursday night -Brad through Cook called in his lawyer, Peter Brownlow, to assist in the legal issues -Dean William Sikes is the husband of Melinda, older sister of Gary Gaston, and petty power broker seeking to become President of the University -First setback for Gary, $405 million in penalties, plus a possible Conservator takeover of the University by Brad due to his recklessness -Brad and Francis finally have their emotional release in this chapter, both guys placed it all out there -Warren slapped some sense into Brad, literally. Sometimes, you need that friend in the group who will slap some sense into you, the no-nonsense type of guy, who can the world clearer than you can at the moment. -Translations of Japanese and South African Xhosa swears (Don't use in polite language) Shine E = "Die"/"Go Die", Japanese Hambo kunya = "Go and Eat Shit", Xhosa -Translation of Japanese word Mikata = Ally, supporter, to denote someone who shares your values and ideals -Beau is open about having sex with Brad, but Brad is keeping to his promise to Beau. It's making quite a fun little bit of foreplay between them. (Yes, they will have sex sooner rather than later)

Chapter 15: There are no words to convey the fear and despair that I felt at these pronouncements from Gary Gaston. In less than 24-hours, I have had to mourn with a grieving friend, be a witness to a horrible sex crime, and now told I am to be rooming with a monster. Unlike Brad, who’s features may be hideous at first sight, Gary was the epitome of male beauty. However, despite his good looks, Gary is the ultimate narcissist. His only goal in life appears to be self-gratification a

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39926005-heartsong I love asexual gay male characters, it’s rare in fiction to find them. Writing a character that is attracted to someone of his own gender, but sexually not interested in general, it is a challenge for a writer. I think asexual characters in general are complex and requires an adept hand. T.J. Klune made a good effort with 3 books developing Kelly Bennett’s relationship with Robbie Fontaine. I also love the idea of an amnesiac/Manchurian

I think of Gary more like a Hydra than a fish (Greek Monster) And the proverb for a Hydra, "Cut off one head, two more shall take its place.” Hercules might be able to cut off one head, but the hydra is too adept to kill that easily and he grows stronger. In the legends, Hercules called in the assistance of Iolaus (sometimes best friend and other times boyfriend) to help by cauterizing the heads from regrowing before going after the immortal head in the legend. That's what you need to do against monsters that adaptable.

Against Gary, perhaps, but how about his co-conspirators... How do you deal with a corrupt system? What justice can be delivered against that? Everything he has done is done with the direct or indirect tacit assistance or approval of others with some position.

Maybe to show evil never truly dies, like Michael Myers in the current movie Halloween Kills, Stabbing, bullets, age, and a fire couldn't do it. However, he gets more powerful with each victim. Gary deserves a horrible fate.

It was an eventful chapter, I agree 🤯 Gary inspires a lot of fear, but no one has ever caught him doing anything wrong, since he plans all his criminal acts out in advanced or he has accomplices.

Thank you for reading, I can't say if Brad listening on everything or not, but I can easily tell you he's prominent in Chapter 15. One of the problems with a lot of modern universities with people like Gary Gaston, there's way too many cover-ups and rationalizations as long as this person brings money, name, or glory. Gary has the money and family name, plus he's a star athlete, who's ruthless efficiency can probably give them glory as well. Taking him down will not be easy...

I follow Anton Chekov's rule in storytelling, never bring something up unless you are going to use it in your story. We're in the heart of the conflict right now, Gary has the upper-hand, but there are things Gary doesn't know about and a backstory that I have yet to reveal.

Thanks for reading, I see you deeply care about Beau.

Thank you for reading Gregory, I hope the next few chapters will be to your liking. There's good and sad parts coming up, so it depends. My plan was to end this book at around chapter 20, we're at the heart of the conflict right now.

He was Wait for chapter 15

You're learning my ways padawan Brad was out doing more than checking up on Beau, there's more to it. You will need to read on to find out, though Gary is a monster, whether his victim is a male or female, neither sexuality nor gender matter to him. I wish the lax nature of the investigation and the events in the library were completely fictitious, but it wouldn't be the first time a major university has seen something like this, nor covered up the event. There's a lot of stuff in this chapter about the consequences of rationalizing bad behavior by individuals and institutions.

Chapter 14 is now live, here's some author's notes -Morris and Beau are still close friends, even if they're no longer roommates. Morris also recommends the same thing Brad did, Beau should attempt to hide from Gary Gaston. -Yes, I am a fan of Squid Game and its social commentary on the moral relativism and money -As for the library scenes, I've worked in a library before, when I attended university, so I know a few things about some oddities that are kept. VHS tapes probably still exist in a limited fashion as not all video has been converted to digital records. -Brad's presence in the library and his possession of an university Administrator's Red Access card should be remembered. Brad is keeping an eye on Beau, he probably saved Beau in this chapter from sharing the female student's fate, but he also is starting to leave his room and had a reason to head out today. -Yes, Gary Gaston is a piece of work and his ambush was meant for Beau. I don't think of Gary under Bisexual/Pansexual identities, like Beau explained Gary just wants his own personal pleasure. Gender and sexuality don't play a part in it. -South African Xhosa terms ifutha- White clay worn as a sign of mourning ukuzila- "To Mourn" -I added the Japanese superstition about wearing black explicitly in this chapter. There are certain mourning customs that must be observed by different cultures and peoples; it's quite an interesting concept.

Chapter 14: The exhaustion did not set in until an hour into my shift. Having not slept well the previous night, while I and the other residents of Keller Hall, along with Chip, were present around Min to offer support was exhausting. I don’t regret what we did for Min, but I did feel the weariness from that choice as I could barely keep my eyes open during my early morning rounds at 7AM to get the library set for opening. Thankfully Morris was there with me. His work study hours in the lib

Thanks for reading, funny you mentioned each of them was there for Min in different ways. Forgot to mention this in my Author's notes on cultural idiosyncrasies, Japanese mourning rites includes the wearing of Black being part of the tradition, which Chip unknowingly is doing, along with White (immediate family members and close friends of the deceased should wear only Black). However, it is also considered bad luck to wear Black, Japanese superstition holds unfortunate events will transpire on those who wear it. (Is WL foreshadowing something will happen to Chip? His clothing is the only one I described ) Black is the color of misfortune and depression in Japanese tradition White is the color of Happiness, Spiritual Completion, and in terms of Marriage, "Death" and "Rebirth"

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16281053-hunter-of-demons A gay romantic paranormal investigation procedural story set in Charlestown, South Carolina between an exorcist and a possessed telekinetic human with a vampire spirit with a distinct personality. The premise is interesting, the setting is unique in the contemporary American South, and the characters are very complex. Jordan L. Hawk is also a unique gay fiction author, being a trans-male writer from North Carolina, I did not kno

"United we stand, divided we fall", I think was derived from the concept you speak of I think at the heart of this story is one of trying to create comfort.

That's why it's an unorthodox approach, it's something that if ever used in real world settings would likely not be a psychological standard. A confrontation with a neutral group would help Brad far more than individual confrontation, because what Gary did to him was done under the presence of a group organized by Gary Gaston. Cook, aka Dr. Evan Hooker, is hybridizing two concepts : Group therapy with positive social interactions through the theoretical presence of the residents of Keller Hall and Attack Therapy, an aggressive form of confrontation therapy where the patient is directly challenged by stimuli. These 2 things work best in tandem with Brad, because despite his words and behavior to everyone around him, readers learn as the book progress through the patience of Beau's own selfless comfort that Brad is highly empathetic. Part of Brad's current issues and behaviors stem from prolong interaction with Gary Gaston, who is a textbook sociopath. Interesting note is that Brad being very empathetic, like Gary being a sociopath, work best in group settings rather than alone, when it comes to how he operates seeking approval or emotional support. There's a similarity and difference between them. Ultimately, I think Cook's therapy probably would have failed without Beau acting as a catalyst to activate his dormant empathetic instincts. Cook set everything up hoping to stimulate Brad's empathetic nature through one of the residents, but outside of Chip's non-sequitur encounters, he never connects with any resident.

Thanks for reading, Grief is a complicated issue and sometimes personal desires are messy line in the sand. Informed consent and friendship do not always match up in the real world, being human is not something easy.

Aye, the heart of their connections and their friendship though is based on something far more significant for all of them. I also liked showcasing a small glimpse at each of their personal lives. -Paki being into art was hinted at earlier, it fits him -Francis' lack of interests except exercise reminds readers that he is still stuck on Brad, who motivated him to exercise and become the gentle giant we know. -Warren's sterile room with only textbooks and photos from his boyfriend, Noah, punctuates his life. He's afraid of attachment, so his interests are solitary and requires a bit of active vetting. -Brad's reading interests in non-fiction books and his gay porn collection was hinted in chapter 2. -Mentioning Beau's horse mucking reminds readers of his rural background in Minnesota.

Good friends are hard to find, good connections are forged in the heat of adversity and challenge.