centexhairysub

This is just the best story online period. I think the writing and plotting and storytelling is beyond first rate. The way Mark is able to draw us into the story and to care so much about each and every person in the saga is amazing. I think George is just about as interesting and well rounded person as you can find in any story anywhere. He understands himself and those around him but he still knows that he needs to be able to rely on those that understand the actions going on to help him succeed. I have to say that he just continues to grow in interest the longer this story and saga goes on. Caroline and George make a formidable couple not just because of George but maybe more so because of Caroline. She loves Granger and will do anything to protect him and his interest. She learns from her mistakes and rarely ever makes a misstep. Caroline knows what needs to be done and understands the machinations of not only the family and society but the navy and the other powerful interest as well. Arthur and George are old friends and always will be. I am glad that they were able to have the conversation and do hope that Arthur continues to make his way in the world. I hope that he is able to hold onto Holmquist and can keep helping George and the others. His ability to overcome the opium usage without anyone helping him says a lot about his inner strength. Cavendish is so much like Granger in some ways, just a little softer and a little more political. I hope they continue to delve into each others lives. I don't see Cavendish ever really being the one man in Granger's life but he will always be important to George. I would be happy to have this story in the saga go to 100 chapters but Mark is always moving the story forward. Can't wait to see what happens next...

I really enjoyed everything about this chapter. I always love to see and hear from JP. He is and always will be the center of the story for me. I thought the conversation between JP and Matt was just first rate from every standpoint. The writing was crisp and lean and the action was well paced. I do think that JP is the only one that some of those in the family will really listen to. I do hope that his conversation with Matt and then the points that Frank made will help Matt realize what he is on the verge of losing. I do think that Will and Matt will need to get beyond their current level of feeling toward each other to really help themselves and others heal the wounds. Will can be very mature for his age in some areas but his he can be immature in others, especially when dealing with things that are shades of grey. Hooray for Frank, I don't think I really approve of how Brad handled his approach to Frank, this should have been done someplace else besides the dinner table. Brad needed to say what he did and Frank needed to hear it but the delivery may not have been the best. Frank has always been strong and provided a certain solidity of support to both JP and Isidore. I hope that Frank is able to help himself and the others recover from this great loss and move forward. Matt and Wade have always been the one couple that I thought would truly last. I would hate it if they do not, but Matt needs to start making Wade a priority in his life and start being more of an equal partner not the junior one in order to make this work. Great job and I can't wait to see where Mark takes us from here....

WOW, I am not sure who I am more pissed off at Matt or Tony. I think Matt. Matt is Will's brother and even if they did not grow up together, this has to mean something. Family is everything with this group. Matt is going to have to make some real choices. I know that Matt is grieving but sometimes we show our real selves when under stress. He has seemingly turned his back on Wade, Will, and other members of the family. I know he may have bonded some more with Frank over their mutual grief but he can't cut himself off from everyone else. Tony is easier to right off. I do feel for him, he is just coming out and moving past some of the issues with his past but he still has never been really true to Will. I do think the scene with him and JP, because it will be up to JP to explain why he isn't welcome any longer, will be fraught with ties to the past. Wade is making inroads with Mary Ellen but he knows her and knows what he is doing. Wade is dealing with his loss better than most but you know that is partly because of his upbringing. It is good that he has those around him that truly care about him. I do hope that Wade and Matt stay together. I realize they are having issues but they do seem to compliment each other in some important ways. We don't always get along with those that mean the most to us but they will have to find a way to communicate or no matter what they have in common and how good some parts of their relationship is nothing will work.

The writing in this chapter was beyond just good or great; it actually let you feel that you were living those moments with Brad looking back to where the Towers stood. You got to feel all the conflict about his feelings and what he knew he needed to do to start moving forward as if they were part of the readers own reaction to the aftermath. This was the first chapter since those right after the fall that the tears just fell throughout the reading. Brad has realized what he needs to do to start moving forward and maybe he will be able to help some of those around him, especially Frank, start working towards that as well. I really thought that Brad was truly honest with himself in evaluating his relationship with Will and his other children. This is something that is truly hard for any parent to actually do. Will's feelings for Zach may help him move beyond his need to have sex with every guy that he finds attractive that also finds him attractive. I don't think Will or Zach are ready for any type of one on one relationship but his feelings for Zach may help him come to terms with how he relates to other guys in his life. I don't know why, but I keep thinking about Will's relationship with Allistair and Ryan during this chapter and would really like to see him reconnect with them some, especially Allistair. I think like Austin has recently, these guys could help Will ground himself in certain ways. This whole story has just been first rate and shows why Mark is one of the best writers, if not the best, of fiction online anywhere....

I have to disagree with a couple of the other reviews. I think that this chapter showed the increasing maturity level of Will, with the exception of the barebacking. I can even overlook that to some extent; it can be very easy to get caught up in the moment and go past the point of no return, how much easier would it be for a teenager with hormones all raging... Will is dealing with his recovery but is still so cognizant of how Brad is suffering and having such a hard time. He makes sure that the limo driver is aware of the situation and makes sure that he will be notified if anything unusual happens. He is able to deal with Zach and his parents and tries to keep everything on an even keel. He doesn't take anything from Wally, but why should he; and he tries to help keep Zach up even when Wally tries to burst his bubble. Zach seems to understand why he things Wally is coming down on him, but I think that Will is partly right; Wally comes down harder on Zach because he cares more about him. I still am not overtly fond of Zach. I think he is way to self centered and the fact that he is so determined to stay in the closet makes him really unsuitable for Will to be getting so deeply involved with him. I can admire Zach's determination to make it in a highly competitive sport; and his attitude is the one that most of those that make that level have to develop early on to be able to make it. This doesn't make him a bad person or a good football player; it just is what it is. Brad going back to the condo in Tribeca is not a good thing. I have a feeling that this next chapter is going to be rough. Will maybe glad that he has Zach around for some extra muscle. Great job, Mark; I hope you have had a great holiday season and continue to find your muse in the New Year...

Just back and already Granger's dance card is all full... He has to see the Prince of Wales to thank him for the appointments, Lord Spencer at the Admirality, Cavendish somewhere in betwee, Prince William, the Duke of Clarence so he doesn't insult him, and dinner with his mother and father; that is all in the first day or so... Granger handled the situation at the King's leveee about as well as anyone would be able to. He and Caroline move through this world with such ease. The banter between the two is just so well written and scripted. I feel like a fly on the wall between two people in love. With the capture of the Spanish galleon standing, Granger has more money than even Caroline knows what to do... I am glad to hear that Kingsdale was able to end up with enough money to set himself and his affairs in order. I am also glad that he was able to spend additional time with the Earl and Granger's family. This should have helped him be even more prepared to deal with his own affairs. While I am sure that Granger is awaiting his exchange, I for one hope that he gets to spend sometime ashore and we get to see him in this arena.

The fight was masterful as was the writing for this whole chapter. It was sort of sad how the man died but also noble. I really enjoyed this whole chapter..

This should be an interesting few chapters. I am sure that Granger will pull it off but I have to admit that something about this activates my spidey senses and I am not sure I like it...

A challenge from Calvert to Andrews and I have a feeling that Andrews will prove resourceful enough to win. I do hope that Granger doesn't get so entangled in these schemes that he has to spend any extra time in Rio...

Well, it looks like Granger's visit to Rio will be filled with as much drama as the trip down here. I have a feeling that with the connection to Maidstone, this will have something to do with his trip to retrieve Bertie...

Those most have been some orders that Somers gave to Granger. I do wonder what is going on that the Privy Council did not want him to know til he was almost to Brazil. O'Higgins is an interesting man. I would bet that he is quite charming, most Irishman are but that doesn't mean he is trustworthy...

Conway is gone and not a moment to soon. I do wonder if there is anyone else on the ship that might be working for Maidstone. I would guess with enough money he would have a very long reach.

Well, Conway proved to be as deceitful as I suspected. I do hope that the Governor finds the men and makes them miserable for as long as possible. I have to admit that a three way between Granger, Calvert, and Somers would be interesting...

I am more suspicous of Conway than ever. I am starting to not trust anyone... I do like how Granger tries to make sure that all those under his command understand what is going on and why. This would make him very different from most Captains of that day and age.

Granger is going to have his hands full with everyone on his ship. I find it sort of strange that Conway just shows up. Maidstone seems to have a long reach, I have to wonder if he would try to place someone on board.

Well, glad to see that Kingsdale handled himself well when he was presented to the King. The time with the Earl was well spent. I find Maidstone evil and annoying and we really haven't even met up with him yet. I hope he is the one that doesn't survive the tropics and their fevers... It seems like Granger is going to have his hands full even before he gets to the East Indies...

This voyage hasn't even started and it is getting more complicated by the moment. I do not know what Maidstone is up to but I have a feeling that he has met his match in Granger. If Granger can't handle him before he goes, then he will on the voyage over.

Granger played this as well as could be expected. He is not assigned to this fleet and really should have been able to leave with no problem. I have a feeling that the Admiralty will not be as amused but we will see. I hope that Granger is able to help the young Baron. I have a feeling there is a story there as well.

I am sure that Granger is going to have problems getting out of the nore and he is going to not make hiimself popular with anyone but his men... I am glad that Granger is willing to stand up for Dr. Jackson, he is the kind of person that will always stand by those that stand by him and help him...

Well, I am sure this is going to be a good story. We never really got the full story on how the good Doctor came to be on board. I hope that Granger is able to save him, a doctor of his caliber was exceptionally hard to find in that day and age. I am not happy about Calvert but at least Granger will know he has someone that he doesn't really have to worry about...

Ugh, why couldn't Calvert gone down with his ship....

Glad to see that Howe is going to send another member of his family off with Granger. This shows a great deal of confidence in him. I am glad that Granger was able to prevail in the matter of the court marshall and action of the court on shore. This will help Granger make his self more appealing to his fellow officers...

Damn, I am not going to like it if I have to end up liking Zach... LOL... I am not sure that I trust him yet but getting to see his side of the situation makes me think that Gathan was more of an ass than I already thought and maybe part of what Zach did to him was deserved. I do appreciate how well Will has handled not only Wally and Clara but some of the others in his family and associated adults. He is starting to learn how to manage his life and how he relates to those around him. I still worry about how Will and Brad are both doing. I do think that Will is handling it better than Brad but the fact that he feels he is having to watch and take of Brad is going to make it harder for him to recover.

Well, if Arthur needed a replacement for Jardines, he could hardly have found a better one. I do hope this helps him come to his senses fully. If he does, I doubt they can force him to replace Bertie, which opens that up again... Granger taking his place in the House of Lords is just perfect...

I don't know how I feel about Davina being pregnate and the possibility that it could be George's child. I do find it funny that they came hat in hand so to speak to Granger to help them stay in England. Granger is right and the Lords of the Admiralty are wrong, I have a feeling that he will come out on top when this is over but will get a few lumps for his behaviour.