Former Member

Especially when Orson and Joseph get to cuddle (and more) right on the other side of the curtain! ;–)

So Karl and Andreas have discovered the same image of Fenice that Serge noticed. So many connections hinted at, but not necessarily explained. So many details I forgot about when I read this the first time. ;–)

It’s no wonder that Bailey’s injury devastated him. To have a singing voice good enough to nearly sign a contract. Will the guys be able to hear Bailey singing via his CD?

…and it almost sounded like the conclusion to the story. But there are too many loose ends that need to be resolved. I’m glad that it’s clear that we have more to read! I’m still hoping that Wayne will feel compelled to extend this story to the 30+ chapters that it obviously deserves. ;–)

The premise was that the Charlie Boone series would end when the characters aged out. We are just providing you a way to economize and rationalize. Bilbo didn’t disappear from Frodo’s life, but he did become a very minor character in the Lord of the Rings.

How many straight couples have been caught doing the deed at “Lover’s Lane” or an isolated scenic view lookout by cops? There’s a popular little parking area with a beautiful view on Grizzly Peak above the UC Berkeley campus. Many couples who leave the car to find more space to stretch out end up with Poison Oak in rather private places… No, I’ve never gotten Poison Oak. I’ve been up there, and not for make-out sessions either. The police now chase you out at night (and that was before the lockdown). ;–)

Willi not only apologized, he managed to turn everything around and make Aloysius the guilty party! It’s no wonder he has survived despite the disadvantage of his parentage. He knew Aloysius would be too stubborn to accept his apology. ;–) It amuses me that even in the past, troublesome or aimless young men were sent to the military to rehabilitate their lives, provide direction, and give society value for their otherwise worthless lives. Of course, that also means that there are times when those trait resurface at importune times, causing rapes, pillaging, and other undesirable or heinous crimes. The control the military imposes is sometimes a thinner veneer than the rest of us would wish when we send our dregs to be reformed. And, naturally, not all who join the military are there for the same reasons.

That's the spirit! ;–)

In my second reading of this chapter, I’m picking up even more details that escaped me the first time! Again, lots of foreshadowing. Lots of hints at future events. ;–)

In my rereading of this chapter, I can see the foreshadowing and hints of future events. ;–) Boromeo has met Jonas. Serge misses Willi. Karl is exuberantly pleased with the gift of his new suit (which sounds like a frightful combination of clashing colors). ;–)

But combining series would lessen the number of sequels you’d have to write! ;–)

I only speak English, but have vague familiarity with a few other languages primarily because their words have entered into use within English itself. But California English has more of an influence from Romance Languages due to the fact that Spain was the original colonizer before the US stole the northern third of Mexico. I have little familiarity with German because of the Norman French overlay that disguises much of the Germanic origins of English. Jonas Niemand always vaguely reminded me of no-man, but I didn’t realize that his last name actually translates to ‘nobody’ in German! It never occurred to me that Karl would be so clever! ;–)

Ah, the unnatural mysteries of Ruritania! Once again we encounter the specialness of the Kingdom. ;–)

When the signed, limited edition, leather-bound collector’s set of the Ruritanian Saga is eventually published, there will need to be extensive appendixes detailing the family trees and chronology of the various events that are described in this and so many other of the stories. There will need to be entire sections full of maps illustrating the changes over the centuries, showing how cities and towns grew and expanded, perhaps even a volume of its own. Another volume would cover the symbology and meanings of various things mentioned. ;–)

With our help, @Geron Kees could link his series the way Asimov did with his Foundation, Galactic Empire, and Robot series! Now to come up with a suitable name for The Unified Worlds of Geron Kees… Boors (Charlie Boone/Doors), Chores (Charlie Boone/Doors), and Doone (Charlie Boone/Doors) all seems completely inappropriate! ;–)

So we meet Gottlieb and Karl’s Ghost friend. Serge buys Erebus and Acheron. More pieces of the puzzle are appearing… ;–)

And eventually Charlie & Kippy’s adopted children could have their own adventures with the elves! Narnia (by the religion-obsessed CS Lewis) didn’t go away because the four Pevensie children got to be too old. Elderly Bilbo Baggins didn’t go off to dispose of his ring, he gave it (under pressure by Gandalf) to youthful Frodo who set off accompanied by faithful young Sam and Frodo’s adventurous younger cousins. ;–) There are also two young boys (along with a grandfather) who could enter the correct doorway to encounter the elves or Engris… ;–)

Yes, his performance is lovely to 'watch' too

Well, I know those are not anything I’d be good at either. Unlike Richard Hatch, I’m not good at reading other people, manipulating them, or persuading them to do what I want them to do. I also don’t have the confidence to walk around in public totally naked. Quite obviously, not all LGBTQ+ people are either. (Of course, If Richard were part of the royal entourage, he’d have gotten in trouble for his financial shenanigans there too.) ;–)

You don’t trust Serge too? ;–)

You, sir, have a fine memory. I struggle to remember details from the story I’m reading without getting them confused with the one I just finished reading a few weeks ago. Not to mention the Rothenian stories I read years ago! ;–)

And we’ve learned a lot about Wilhelm in this chapter. A couple of mysteries about him have already been revealed. We now know that at least two characters in this story are Gay (although I suppose ‘sodomite’ was probably the most common description at the time). We also learn that naïve Jan is clever in his own way and street rat Karl is very useful. ;–)

By the time I’d gotten a few chapters into this story, I’d forgotten that Serge was Second Groom of the Bedchamber while Wilhelm von Strelsau was the Third Groom. But I’d forgotten that Serge was blond as well. I’m starting to wonder what exactly I retained! It wasn’t that long ago that I first read this, but I clearly forgot an enormous amount! ;–)

Considering that King Rudy of NATO-member Rothenia is a redhead, you’d think I’d remember that Prince Henry has red hair too. (Many people are well aware of my attraction to redheads and blonds. The topic has come up in the context of many different stories.) ;–)

This is a stunning arrangement and a great performance