centexhairysub

This story could go dark very quickly, I think... Have to wonder about Noom, he seems more than a little bit scary.

If he is a shifter, why not shift and just deal with Mohawk guy? What kind of shifter is he?

Interesting start, hard to figure out exactly where this is going; and that is actually a good thing. Interesting persona being developed and plotting appears good.

WOW, what a great chapter; I really enjoyed how Granger's feelings about leaving his ship was laid bare. I would think he was in an almost impossible situation. I understand why Daventry needed and wanted it to play out like this but still hard for Granger to deal with losing his ship and crew, even if it is just for a short while... I think it is really interesting how Granger views his relationship with Daventry. Granger has never had many real friends that were not bedmates at some point. Not sure that Granger is going to think Clifton being the one to take charge is all that fine and dandy. Wonder if Gatling is in the boat below as well? Can't wait to see where this leads to next, keep up the great work, Mark...

Great chapter and such a thoughtful gift on Thanksgiving, great way to end a long day and a half of my own drama... Glad to see that Brad is starting to fully recover his balance. I have to wonder how long it will last. Glad to see that his connection with Scott/Lark is just as strong. Really surprised that Wade would have thought that Will did not keep his word. Sort of disappointed in how Wade has handled some of this but we all have to cut him some slack. I am quite sure we all know who beat up Trevor, it was clearly Zach. He flew out under an assumed name and flew back and probably did the wreck on purpose to cover himself. Luckily, Will covered the one obvious mistake he made in cleaning up... Can't wait to see where you take us next, Mark... Great work...

Great new chapter, all the sections were excellent but I did enjoy the one with JJ the most... The writing and pacing on this chapter was just perfect. I loved how JJ handled Bellona and then how he dealt with Ella. I think even with his age, Bellona really does not underestimate JJ. I know part of this is because of his family but I think some of it is because how well he truly seems to understand both fashion and the business of fashion. There would not be a lot of people his age or even those years older that have that gift. I thought JJ's handling of Ella was just perfect. While JJ doesn't view family in quite the same way that Will does, I would not want to have to deal with him if you hurt one of his brothers. Ella and Patrick may find it harder to get by with JJ around than before... Stef and the family buying the parent company to Mode could be a very interesting side line to this and future stories... Will is the BOMB... It is just so amazing what he is trying to do with the land in Hawaii. His and JP's view of family match up so well and the fact he is trying to tie his generation together with something like this says so much... You could just feel the pride and love that was flowing from JP, Stef, and Brad after he got through explaining what he was trying to do. You could tell how impressed they all were with the fact he had thought about alternatives to what he wants to do if it is not something the rest of the family is interested in... So glad to see Darius; he is such a great supporting player. I wonder if his new friends has any idea of what he did for him? Can't wait to see what happens next... Great work, Mark, thanks for the new chapter...

So glad you are back and that we have a couple of chapters coming down the pike... Loved how Will dealt with Zach, JJ, and Darius. Really excited that Ryan is going to be around but would love to have a visit from Alistair... Still not sure about Buzz, sometimes those that seem really easy to trust are the ones you really have to watch out for...

Just wanted to let everyone know that Mark is okay; he just has additional responsibilities this semester and has not been able to write consistently. He will resume both stories when he is able...

Okay, just wanted to let everyone know that Mark is okay... He has some additional responsibilities this semester and has been much busier than in the past. While he has been able to do some writing, he just has not been able to do so consistently. He wants to thank everyone for their patience. He will resume both stories.

Great chapter, Mark, this was so well done and really seemed to be setting up some of the future not just for this story but this series... Loved how Claire and JJ interact and how JJ handled himself at the fashion preview; but did anyone think he would do anything else... Can't really see him with Zac Posen as anything other than friends, but who knows... I am assuming that you have created a caricature of Anna Wintour in your creation of Bellona. This is a story line that I find fascinating and could really see it leading somewhere really interesting... Liked how Brad handled everything except his confrontation with Marc, although I do find Marc's behavior more than a little childish... Can't tell where you are heading with Buzz; but then sometimes that is half the fun... Keep up the great work, Mark...

Fast turn around on the posting of this chapter, and what a chapter it was... Great battle scene, really enjoy Granger is able to understand the weather and other conditions around him and use them to his advantage. Fire at sea, but this time it was advantageous for Granger. I would think that the Bey lost a large number of men during this encounter. Eight xebecs and one small battleship would have had a pretty large crew, of course a large number of those on the xebecs rowing would have been slaves, probably chained in place... Horrible for them, and Granger being the person he is feels for that; but after the interview with the Sultan and this latest disaster; maybe the Bey has learned his lesson, but I doubt it... Found the scene at the small hotel with Granger and his memories very meaningful. Felt sad with the mention of Travers, as I always do... So strange for Granger to feel out of place, even if it is just within himself. He is usually so aware of himself and his place and position... Can't wait for the next leg of this voyage, keep up the great work, Mark...

Really enjoyed this chapter of Black Widow, very well written and plotted. I thought the scenes were all so well done and really moved everything along in one way or another. The scene with Brad and JJ and then Brad and Marc were so spot on. I do find it funny that Brad, who always tries to be in control; rarely is in the last few stories. I do feel for Marc, he had no way of knowing that the issue with the condo was Will and it must have really stung for him to have received it right after Brad left the way he did. I am not sure that finding out that the offer was from Will is going to make Marc feel much better. Even if he takes it and has a place that is his, Marc has some serious insecurities that he needs to work out and Brad pulling this on him will only make some of them worse... I actually could see Brad and Marc being friends with benefits if they could both work past some of their issues. Will was right and Brad needs to leave the issue of Carullo to him to discuss with JJ. I don't think that JJ would even be able to have that conversation with Brad and not be forced to kill him when it was over... While I think that JJ and Carullo might be an interesting pairing, I still am not sure they could over come some of their differences. Although, for some, it is those very differences that make the relationship work; I always thought JJ and Alex and Wade and Alex were just too much like each other. I loved that Claire is doing this for JJ. It will give him an entry into this world and I have a feeling he will grab and sashay with just perfectly. Claire is so much like JP in some ways, family is everything. Can't wait to see where this all is going, keep up the great work, Mark...

Really enjoyed the latest chapter, it gave me an excuse to stop and take a few moments to enjoy this wonderful story and relax. I found the scene where Nelson was being so telling. It must have been hard for senior officers to find themselves in the shade of junior officers, even though Nelson could hardly be called junior at this point in this career. However, his brilliance and reputation made it easy for as many to hate or be jealous of him as admire him. Granger was excellent aboard the captured ship. His behavior showed why most of those he faced admired and respected him even if they did want to beat him in battle. He was also able to gain a new insight and understanding of how the new French government was going to function or not function as they case may be as they moved forward. You would have thought that the Bey of Oran would have learned by now not to mess with Granger. Even with the long odds, I don't doubt that Granger will emerge victorious even if not unscathed. Can't wait to see how the upcoming battle plays out. Keep up the great work, Mark...

Oh hell no, I was so afraid this was going to happen. JJ may not like it when Will and Zach slept with Carullo but I can promise you he is going to be pissed that Brad did. I don't think that JJ even understands how he feels about Carullo or what he wants to feel about him but he isn't even getting a chance to figure it out and that is going to cause problems for him and Carullo and since they are the two actually living at the condo; that isn't good for either of them. Glad to see that the issue with Zach is sort of resolved; although Zach may not have looked at all the sides and how it will affect him and others. I can't tell if Will even really wants to get back with Zach or not; there are still more than a few logistical issues to deal with there. I still think that Zach at college that a friends with benefits might be the smart way to go but Will might not handle that well, and not sure that Zach would either... So excited that Austin is getting into the story; I live just outside of it... There really is a different approach to how some things are done via the tech industry here versus Silicon Valley but probably more similarities than actual differences. Maybe the new guy will be the one to really challenge Brad but keep him interested and involved as well; who knows but I can't see anything with Marc being more than FWB at this point or ever really. The scene with Stef and Brad was really informative and thoroughly enjoyable. Brad is never going to do it for me but he is a good supporting player. Worries me a little that JP was still in bed, he has always been such an early riser... Understand about how busy the new semester can be, but don't forget about us all together... Keep up the great work, Mark...

This was a good chapter that really in the end moved the story along. We sort of needed this chapter to recover from the last few... Will is usually more perceptive with JJ; I am at least partially surprised that he really doesn't seem to have a clue why JJ was more bitchy then normal. He also seemed a little of his game with Zach as well. I do wonder what he had planned for Trevor, maybe when he and Wade talk we will find out... Brad was a little annoying with all the crying and I am sorry but at least he seems to have realized that what he was doing wasn't good for him or his family. I sort of want to see what Stef requires to get over Brad's recent behavior. Glad to see that Brad has realized that while he does care about Marc, and doesn't want to see him hurt; he is not in love with him. I think that Marc is already in better shape financially since he has been with Brad; he has had greater exposure for his art and would seem to be doing better in that respect, plus I am sure that Brad will make sure he is okay on his own. I don't think Marc was ever really with Brad for his money, but I do think he will come out of the relationship better off then what he went into it; both financially and emotionally. I think that Brad helped Marc overcome some of the wounds that had been inflicted on him in the past... JJ needs to stop being so passive aggressive about his feelings for Carullo; but first he needs to figure out what those feeling are really. I think in a lot of ways, Carullo would be the one that got hurt if they got involved and it did not end well... JJ is much stronger than most people seem to realize. Something about JP's comments make me think that neither Elizabeth or Alex's father are as nearly in the clear as everyone seems to assume. JP has rarely ever let attacks against his family go unanswered. He may not want a full scale war but a pin point nuclear strike might be in order... The scene at the end with JP, Brad, and Will being drunk and JJ, Carullo, and Zach coming to get them was so well done. I wonder where Brad will sleep??? Somehow I am not sure that either JP or Brad is going to be let off the hook back and the condo; I could see both Stef and Claire having a few choice words for each of them... Great job, Mark, thanks for every delicious morsel of this story...

Thoroughly enjoyed this chapter of Valiant; but then I enjoy anything that George Granger is in; if only his descendants had the level of honor and civility that he possessed... Really enjoyed the conversation with Daventry, starting to like him more and more. Annoying that he was so right about most of the officers following in Granger's change of hairstyle but... I do think he was right about keeping Nelson out of the loop, the less people that know the better. Great battle scene and so well written and laid out. Glad to see that Granger is staying aboard as much as he can to ensure that his word is kept to the French Admiral. Not sure that Berry's protégé would have been as diligent. Can't wait to see where you take us next with this saga, Mark... Keep up the great work...

Well, this chapter did not have quite the bang of the last one but still had plenty to dive into. I really enjoyed Brad's sequence with Robbie. As a counselor, I have actually had a couple of patients experience something like this; and each time it has lead to a breakthrough of sorts. I can see something like this moving Brad in a direction that he needs; don't get me wrong, still not happy with him at all but... I thought he handled the situation with Marc as well as can be expected. Marc has already had one show in Hong Kong so he should be in a position to deal with most of this on his own... I could actually see them coming out of this together; if they can each get to the right place in their own lives to merge them with each other in a way that works in the larger picture. Loved JJ's attitude that he struck back and now is just done with all of this... He wanted to hurt Mary Ellen, and I am not sure that he won't push it for a while longer; but I think he has moved past Alex already and just wants to get on with the next phase of his life. I do with he would be a little more open with Carullo though, because I am not sure that he does subtlety. The Wade and Mary Ellen scene was okay but you sort of knew how that was going to work out; Mary Ellen did not do much of the dirty work herself, but she is going to have to pay for getting her mother involved to some extent; how much has yet to be determined. JP is so funny when he deals with Will; it is almost like a JP/Brad battle part II is some instances. I do think JP will do whatever he can to make sure that Zach gets his reputation back, but JP knows how bloody something like this can get and I think realizes that Will/JJ/Zach may not... He understands Will's and to a lesser extent JJ's need for revenge but isn't eager to go with an all out war if something else can be worked out. Will is going to be the wild card with this going forward I would think. You just don't really know how far he going to be willing to go to get justice for Zach and punish those that hurt him as well as JJ and Zach. Maybe he needs to do some reading on the idea of nuclear deterrence, just to get an idea of how this could go... Is going to be interesting to see how Brad showing up influences Will and his move forward on all of this; if Brad and Will get on the same page, there could be real hell to pay... Great work, Mark, hope the start of the new semester has not been to rough... Can't wait to see where you take us all...

OMG, I just don't even know where to start with this one; well start by saying that I loved it.... Alex really wasn't very observant, you could tell from the moment that Wade arrived he was not very happy. I do love how Wade laid everything out for the group that was there. A major plus that he did not allow the Duke or Alex to bully him. I was sure that Alex's father was involved, Elizabeth spent to much time with him at the wedding... Nana took this better than I expected and she grasped the possible ramifications faster than either the Duke or Alex did or has.. Loved how Will laid into Brad. I have never been a huge fan of Brad but have begun to grow increasing disenchanted with him ever since 9/11. Was willing to give him some leeway in dealing with his grief over Robbie, but he has just turned into such a nitwit that I can't hardly even stand to see his name mentioned. I think he will find that repairing his relationship with Stef, Will, JJ, and the others will be harder than he currently understands. JJ could not have picked a better way to strike back than he did with this charge. It may very well make it look like the issue between him and Alex was made up. I don't really see JJ going back to skating and am glad to see that he at least has his educational needs set for the next year. I thought it was cute how jealous JJ was about what Will said in dealing with the room situation. Great chapter from start to finish, Mark... Keep up the magnificent work...

I just love this fucking story....

Well, have to say that I saw the issue with the drinks coming back to haunt Zach, but Will is right, getting a lawyer and making sure your side gets out is maybe the most important thing to do. So sad to see Kevin like this, makes me think of Mouse and Roger both, although I guess almost reminds me more of Armand, both he had Kevin were so young... JP, Stef, and Wade would make a very formidable trio. I am glad they had time together before getting to London. Getting the hear Will and Zach having great sex was really hot, in a weird way, made me think of Matt... I hope that Wade takes JP's insight to heart and really thinks about what this could mean for him. I do have trouble seeing Nana or his brother being involved but fully expect Wade to have to face off with Elizabeth and Mary Ellen both... Great chapter, hope each of the coming ones are this good... Great job, Mark...

I just truly loved this chapter... Granger has proven more than once that he is a truly a King's officer and a gentleman. The give and take between him and Daventry is revealing in so many ways. It is nice to just have that type of conversation to get Granger's views on a variety of matters out in the open, even if it was more for reader clarification than anything else... It was so amazing to see how Granger interacted with his midshipmen in dealing with the navigation issues and then again how well he explained the situation and lead Genarro after the incident in the berthing area. Always glad to see how protective Winkler is of Granger, even just taking care of him in small ways. Bravo, Mark, Bravo...

I maybe wrong but I don't think those drinks that Zach has been drinking are just protein shakes... Zach maybe in more trouble than he or Will realizes at the moment. I do think that Julius is probably going to end up toast but he sort of deserves it... I honestly can't imagine any reason in Elizabeth's fevered brain that she would have to truly go to war with all of this family. I really am not sure that Wade would even side with his mother or sister over Matt and his family. I think as long as Wade has Matt and his brother, he could really give a rat's ass for Mary Ellen or Elizabeth either one. I do wonder who Nana will side with since she has become so involved with the Duke but not sure I could see her taking any side that Elizabeth is on because of their past... Wade, JP, and Stef in London maybe more firepower than Mary Ellen is capable of handling and if she does know anything; I could see her giving her mother up without a second thought... Great chapter, and can't wait to see where you take us next, Mark...

Another great chapter, this story just keeps giving in so many unexpected ways. Great writing and plotting with this one, Mark... I really thought the way Jeff dropped the bomb on Ryan was the best way to handle it at that moment, They will need to talk and figure out how to relate to each other in this new way. I think Jeff may need a little brother as much or more than Ryan needs a big brother. Have to wonder where Kevin was, don't think he was there. Was sort of hoping that Cody and Kevin had worked out their issues and were going to be good together but that may not be what happens with this. I have a feeling that JJ can be as ruthless as Brad or even JP if the situation calls for it; not sure he can be as meticulous as either of them at this point however and that could be a problem. I truly do believe that Mary Ellen could easily lie her way past a lie detector test, any good sociopath can. I believe how far JJ will go in getting revenge will be determined by his decision to either try a comeback in the skating world or to leave it behind. If he decides to leave it and doesn't have the constraint that life ties him down with; then I think JJ's revenge plan could be nuclear level in it's intensity. Still have no idea what is going on with Zach, is there something concrete behind his actions or is it more in his head; only time will tell but don't keep up waiting long... If the situation with Zach is somehow tied into what is going on with JJ; then watch the fireworks start, but I have to say I don't see the connection yet... Still wonder if ABC could be involved some how but... Keep up the great work, Mark...

What a great chapter and just love all the blast from the past in this one, although hope the latest one doesn't crash and burn. Will is the kind of person that even if he isn't around someone all the time, if he cares for you he cares for you until you do something so heinous that he can't get past it... Ryan is someone that he truly cares for and would hate that anything happened to him. Will would be taking a major hit if Ryan does something truly stupid while he is still reeling from the situation with Zach. Hopefully Jeff will get to Ryan before anything really bad happens. I am sort of surprised that Jeff has not told Ryan they were half brothers. Jeff really seemed to be searching for a family connection there for a while. Not surprised at how Will decided to handle the situation with the bar, he doesn't really have to have the money and as long as the place isn't losing money I don't think he really cares. Maybe his conversation will jolt the idiot giving all the drinks away out of his attitude but not sure. Glad to see Cam and Devin are getting along so well, they both deserve someone to make them happy. Loved how Carullo deals with JJ; he has the attitude that might just work when dealing with him. Glad to see that JJ is looking at a school, you know JP at least was going to insist on that when he got back. Not sure that I can really see anything ever happening between JJ and Carullo but I could see them ending up actually good friends... Great chapter Mark, can't wait till we get a little more into finding out who the Black Widow actually is... Could it be as simple as ABC???

Damn, issues popping up everywhere; makes you wonder what could possibly happen next... I have to say this might be the perfect way to ease JJ out of skating. He can transition more into a society or fashion figure and New York City is just the place for him to accomplish either one of those... I have to wonder what kind of action Will is going to have to take in Chicago and will he get to see Cam? We seem to be getting some blast from the past in this story... I have full confidence in Will being able to find out what is going on and handle the situation with the bar. JJ can take Carullo out shopping and outfit him to the point that he will just fall into a job by default. I have seen that happen, especially in the financial or insurance fields. A great body, good looks, sharp wardrobe can go a long way in either field... Plus, I bet JJ might even have a contact or two in New York. Great chapter, Mark, can't wait to see where you take us in this story.