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Mark, A great story and I'm loving every word of it. Keep 'em coming (double meaning fully intended!) Bryan

Mark, Work has kept me from posting (all my parents' fault; they should have made me a trust fund baby!). As we're allowed to be honest here, I wasn't a big fan of The Gunroom. Suck, f**k, shoot, over and over, with not a lot of character development or sailing or battles at sea. With the characters introduced in The Gunroom you've hit your stride and I love The Wardroom. Bryan

An absolute blast from the past. I really zoned at one point. Fortunately, I didn't make the mistake of begin fully honest when my wife asked what I was thinking!

I tried to post this from my phone last weekend, but it failed. (I'm not as techno-savvy as I think I am.) I was in Palo Alto for Memorial Day weekend. While driving around, OMG!, that's Gunn High School. All of a sudden Scotty has beamed into Be Rad and then as I head up into the hills and pass gated entrances, I wonder, which one would lead me to Brad, to nirvana.

"I headed out to the beach, to the ocean, to surf. Now I was swimming with my fathers, Armand, and the crew of the Challenger, seven people who had just fallen from the sky." I hate it when you make me cry, Mark. Very powerful writing. As always, thank you. Bryan

I'm with Red_A on this: If you can pull it off, it will be fantastic, but the bar is high indeed. I particularly love Bernard Cornwell and his character, Sharpe. The Hornblower serialization was very good. And I can watch the scene with what's his name getting hosed off over and over.

Well, it looks like Neil will be with us for only a short while! The murder as bathroom accident is very plausible. Neil was already naked. Post-sex he would have wanted to clean up. He gets in the tub, slips and falls, knocking himself unconscious. The only potential problem is whether there is any skin or blood on the toilet from the first fall. Back in Be Rad we discussed how Brad's behavior is very JP-like. In this chapter Brad takes the last, ultimate step to becoming JP: Brad will kill to protect his family. The timing in this chapter is not clear to me, however. Was Robbie preoccupied and distant before Neil came back into his life? I think so. Taking care of Neil may not take care of all of Brad's and Robbie's problems. I failed to post a prediction some time ago, so I'll post it now. Brad and Robbie's relationship won't last and Brad and Max will get back together with a relationship that stands the tests of time. Bryan

Mark, You've outdone yourself. Chapter 15 if un-f**king-believable! What a great story. Bryan

Mark, Your writing is fantastic and improves with each story. There is a downside. Since reading your stories I find I am much more selective when reading erotic stories online. Your's is the standard by which others are judged. Bryan

JP's t-cell count is a positive indicator that he will survive. I have a nephew who has survived despite a life style I suspect was similar to Mouse's. The drug cocktails worked wonders.

Mark, Some time ago, we discussed off line that if your historical story line progressed it would run into HIV/AIDS. Today I read the latest installment and Armand is dying. I prayed for those I once knew who are gone. I thanked medical science for a family member who has survived (his white cell count is now normal). I was grateful for my friends who, for one reason or another, dodged the disease. As always, thank you for sharing your writing. Bryan

Mark, I'm 55 now, so what do I know of 17 olds? However, I think it is perfectly in line with your character. It is what Brad would do. He is a believer that the best defense is a strong offense and he employs that rule whenever he (or the family) is threatened. Bryan

Mark, I love this story more with each chapter. There is no question that the emotional highs and lows are taking their toll, but, what the hell, I love roller coasters! As always, thank you for sharing your writing. Bryan

Just started Chapter 17 and I had to post about this line "We screamed over the mountain at Sunol then down into Milipitas. What kind of name was that anyway?" Mark, you stories are just full of these details that make it so real for me. EVERY teen aged boy (girls, too?) has/would have that reaction. Every teen aged boy at heart would have that reaction. I had it the first time I saw the sign for the exit. Thanks. Bryan

Mark, Another fantastic chapter. I can't believe where the characters are taking this story. As always, thanks for writing. Bryan

Pu-leese. I've got 10 years on Mark (turn double nickels this month). I'm holding out on going back until I can have abs and buns of steel.

Mark, B Rad is your finest work so far, and each chapter is better than the one before. And the whole thing with Jan will be burned in my mind forever. In an earlier message, IRCC, I thought I wanted to be Brad. When he got the car, there was no doubt. Bryan

I agree you can do more with Stefan's character, because he is outrageous. Perhaps I suffer from arrested development or just want to be young, again (I turn 55 this month, but don't feel a day over 21, I swear!). I don't intend this to be harsh, but I found the Land Whore's character development a little flat, because Stefan is such a slut and sluts can be tiresome. I did appreciate his finding a mate and settling down. I also appreciated the Palo Alto/Route 101 development, having a connection with the area. And, I love cruising the wineries in the area! Bryan

Mark, I just discovered this thread in the forum, so thought I should post here rather than email you directly as I have infrequently done in the past. Chapter 9 was great; I loved all the drama. Following up some earlier posts, Brad is not more dangerous than JP, he is as dangerous as JP. (Could anyone be more dangerous than JP?) With Stefan's help, however, there is the possibility that he will learn to deal with his emotions, which will (I hope) defuse much of the danger. I agree with another poster; this is my favorite story in the series. While I really enjoyed the early stories because I knew the music and the historic events, there is something in Brad's youth and vitality that is so appealing. It may be that I wish I were Brad; I don't have that identification with the other characters. I also enjoyed Stefan helping Brad deal with Jake's reality and leading him to understand that Sam was the problem. Can't wait for the next installment. Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2009. Bryan