Bob1010

Like everyone else, I, also, thank you for this latest chapter in Lord Granger's life. I really like this series very much. I also like that George and Caroline seem to be on their way to rebuilding the trust and letting go of the anger. This will enable the restoration of the relationship which will benefit them both in many ways. I wish you and your family a Happy New Year. We all may need your stories for distraction from some of what might be happening in the coming year in this country. This distraction may be for you as well as for us. I am also glad to know that your health seems to be improving.

Like the others, I loved the Will chapter. He has become one of the most interesting characters of the current cast. I have had to rethink my whole idea about him since he has matured so much. It is difficult to reconcile his mature behavior and his chronological age. However going through what he did after 9/11 was a big part of it. I can really empathize with JP because I know that stresses, physical difficulties (even more minor ones) can cause ED. Then that can be enough to create anxiety for the next time to set up a negative cycle. Sometimes use of Viagra for a short period can short circuit that anxiety and negate the need to use it all the time. He needs to screw up enough courage to admit to the problem and talk with his primary care doc about it. There may be some other underlying health issues that need to be diagnosed. He isn't that old (about 62 or 63 if I recall correctly). Glad you're back with more of your great stories, Mark ! Bob

Another great chapter to bring "Streak" to a conclusion! I think that this story gave me more appreciation and understanding of Will. 9/11 had a great impact on him causing him to mature a great deal. He can be rough and tough to take a times, but he very obviously cares very much about the people in his family. He is more sensitive and perceptive of them and their feelings and motivations than other members of the family, including his father. He is also very loyal and believable as a character. I know a couple of people a bit like him. I'm really looking forward to what you will be serving up for us now and from whose POV. Bob

I sometimes wonder why I am reading this because I no longer have sympathy for Coop. I take that back, I guess that I do. He does make everything more complicated than necessary and more difficult for himself. For a supposedly bright guy with a doctorate, he can make some dumb mistakes. He isn't alone on this. We all do some things that seemed to make sense of the time and then ask ourselves, "What was I thinking?" You must be doing something right though to keep people reading.

It seems to me for an academic who supposedly has some greater knowledge and understanding of human behavior, he certainly doesn't apply it in his life with his family. I know that knowing something intellectually and being able to apply it in one's own life doesn't always happen. I do think that his refusal to talk with CJ about it before he decided was pretty disrespectful of his son. There is much that I find to dislike about Coop, but I guess that this move has gotten the strongest reaction from me. I was glad to hear you say that he may have another opportunity for redemption and possible reconciliation with CJ. Needless to say, I fully agree with Daddydavek. Now I am wondering how you are going to deal with Morgan messing up their lives in a way that is believable in terms of the behavior of his character. Death seems to be the only solution. We wil see.

I think that it is more difficult to come out Bi now than Gay. It is so much more complex. Part of the reason is that it goes so much beyond oneself to one's family. Kids can really take a hit in such a situation. That is why I have a hard understanding Bi guys that are playing so much. It seems that the ramifications are so much greater when they have a family. I got caught so to speak and I also have a couple of friends who got tripped up despite efforts to be very discrete and careful. I love the historical stuff that you write. I even like the stories without any erotica. Maybe that is because I was a history major as an undergrad. You cliff hangers ain't bad either.

I have been reading your stories and liking the drama, but when I finished reading this chapter, I felt myself shouting out "NO! NO! NO! The quote or chapter title is true, but I think is wrong in this case. I had been involved in a similar situation when my first marriage came to an end, but my son was off to college making it a very different situation. I also worked as a school counselor with a couple of families with a divorce situation and feel strongly that kids of that age should have the right to a strong voice in what it going to happen to them. I remember on boy about a year older than CJ and the trouble he experienced and gave everyone. He also wanted to live with his father very badly. He acted out in school and was obviously in a great deal of emotional pain. He ended up running away later to get the attention of everyone that he wasn't going to do what "everyone" seemed to want until they took into consideration his wants. Things went much better after he was allowed to live with his father. The decision on Coop's part is dumb and not well founded. The rejection of CJ will have a much greater damaging effect on CJ's development as a man than would not living with his sister at this stage of his life. We have come to expect Coop to make dumb decisions about those he loves. He deserves the pain that he gets from them. This isn't to say that I don't have sympathy for Coop because I do. I've been there and it is a very painful spot to be in. I had great pain just continuing to read after he made the decision. It was like watching a car crash with great revulsion and yet not being able to look away. I sure hope that this isn't the last we have about this decision. Other arrangements can be made to help the kids develop closeness. I think that it could happen naturally even. They are far enough in age (about 4 yeears) that there will be conflicts through the teen years anyway. The closeness will develop during the college years when they are more open to it. But I don't think that JWolf plans to go on that long with this one. A kid with two dads is a reality today and might make for a good story line. The kid from Iowa with two moms awhile back was proof that mentally healthy kids can grow up in a home with gay parents. I had a student about ten years ago tell me that he got along better with his father after his father came out to the family and set up a new home with his male lover after the divorce.

I agree with Cia about the sexuality development, Trevor. It can take some much longer to get a sense of just who they are. And sexuality isn't either/or. There are a lot of us that are truly straddling this fence with definite attractions to both sexes. This is even true of a guy who is pretty strait, but has a deep level of affection to a male friend to the extent that he is very willing to have sex with that friend. I don't think that it's hard to believe. And Don is an excellent writer and story teller.

It seems to me that we are either seeing Wade grow in confidence or maybe witnessing what was there and not called upon before. However, this big confrontation between Wade and Matt over Carl in the upper classman area of the locker room was awesome, Mark. Wade is able to see and articulate the bigger picture and values involved while able to almost use his strong emotions in the service of those issues. He controlled his anger and was really courageous in confronting Matt, Cole, and coach for the sake of the team that he didn't think that he was going to be a part of after the game. Wade clearly is a strong leader with confidence and an inner gyro of his strong sense of self. This is so unusual for one who endured the abuse that he did. How did he do that or find the confidence? Then, Mark, you dog you raise the issue of what is going to happen with his dinner date with Sean? You have always been so great at leaving us hanging with questions. I always await the next chapter of whatever story you're telling. Thanks for sharing your talent with us.

I have been reading Second Shot and this sequel to it for the last month or so when I could find time. I am taking a couple of courses that have required reading and have another book going as well as some short stories going. I have really enjoyed these. You tell a good story and develop your characters so well that one cares about them a great deal or one can loath them as in this story in particular. I started Second Shot on a recommendation of a friend and had to read this as well. I will try some of your other stories now also. From the comments and reviews of others you know that your writing is getting to people where they live. I gather that you have something to do with the legal system. I have been a fan of this kind of dramatic story going way back to Perry Mason stories and then the TV series. Needless to say, I am an old timer. I'm not a good story teller, but I have done a little writing, enough to know enough that it is difficult to do well. You do it well. Thank you for the work that it took to give this to us, your readers. The feedback that you have received is well deserved. Bob

What a delightfully unique group of characters we have coming together in this story and this chapter in particular. Matt's jealousy is quite understandable given the period they have gone though over the past couple of years. Then his confidence in their relationship is demonstrated in his understanding of Andy's and Trey''s relationship. As always excellent character development and writing! It sure does things with my emotions. Thanks, Adam.

I did indeed have a great Father's Day with my son biking on a rail trail with lunch in Woods Hole. We had lots of opportunity for talking and joking. I had some difficulty in keeping up with his pace, but he went easy on me. He is in three spin classes a week.

This is a simple one, Mark. At the end of chapter 18 of PMS the "n" and "." are missing for "been". However, great as usual and interesting twists and turns and emotions.

Glad to learn that we will see more of Scotty soon. Hot! And Oleg is very interesting. Great characterization and plotting with interesting twists and turns.. And as I have mentioned before to you, I love the Chicago scene and will be back for a brief visit again in August.

I follow your reasoning here and have to grudgingly agree, Mark. However, Travers' death still was tough to take and a few tears certainly follow for characters who you develop so well and we have come to care about very much. This death was fitting and wasn't like a death or two in past stories that almost came out of nowhere.

Mark, you seem to keep setting the bar higher and higher with each story - sometimes with each chapter.

I agree that Millennium is such a great story and can really stand alone without reading the whole series. I have recommended it to a couple of people and said that Mark does such a good job at placing a person or event from the past into context that the new reader isn't lost. It's also great for those of us whose memories need a little jogging. A question for you Mark about how you handle your character development: Do you have a general idea of the characters and they sort of develop as you go along or have you got a pretty clear idea of each character before you write while you are still in the planning of the story line. It sure have been an interesting group of characters that have gotten plenty of emotional reactions from us, your readers. However you do it, it sure works for me and a lot of others. This has been increasingly true as you have grown as a writer.:king: Some writers are more focused on the characters and others more on plot and story line. You do both in the same story. Not bad with cliff hangers either.

That very well may be their thinking, but the possibility is there. If you call it that. At their ages pregnancy is still very much possible and no precautions were taken to prevent it. In fact the only condom was used in anal and taken off before changing to vaginal insertion. They are big boys and know how it happens. Unconsciously they may even welcome that possibility. I think that they didn't really consider it. And just goes to show that a hard dick doesn't think.

Indeed the three way was HOT! I think that it was amplified because of the history, love, and caring that the three shared. For me that puts this ahead of the kids' three way. Not that I would have objected to reading about that one from a voyeuristic point of view. Great job as always, Mark. It should also be noted that the kids would not necessarily be from Hayes genes. Brad and Wade could be the fathers as well.

Your effort to make it sing a little is noticeable as your writing gets stronger. These new chapters have definitely reflected the effort that you have put in. Andy seems to be showing our powers of denial and rationalization. Those around us who know us best can usually see it and call us on it. What we see in Andy is the capacity many of us have to ignore and deny despite their caring concern. I agree with Jer about the dialogue. I find it difficult to write convincing dialogue let alone something like you did in these last few chapters.

George continues to develop the leadership potential in his men. At the rate that he is going, in a few years he will have so much loyalty accrued around the royal navy officers that he will be seen as almost walking on water. Yet, the guy is human and gets nervous when he has put it all out there and taken a big risk. I also love the humor. "I am not a doll." "I know that from personal experience." or something like that. The story with its turns and the characters as well as how you write it is excellent. This could hold my attention even without the sex! However, I find no fault at all with what you are doing along that line. Great job, professor!

I really think that this is some of the best writing that you have done, Mark. The twists and turns of the story as well as the sex have real integrity. The characters are consistent and believable with good depth. The way that you handled the Brad and Matt thing and this confrontation and sort of reconciliation with Brad and Robbie was great. You have obviously spent a great deal of time and thought in putting this all down in writing. I sometimes wonder if you really have an offline life. This is really like writing a novel with various plots and subplots involving many different characters and issues. I was saying to Lew this afternoon that we are wondering when we are going to get out next fix of Granger. We really find him to be a very attractive and interesting Character. Then I get here and see that we aren't the only ones who are thinking along the same lines. I can understand that it may be really difficult to be writing two story lines with a significant number of characters and keep it all straight. (in a manner of speaking) And you are producing chapters at a prodigious rate. I know of no other writer on the Net that begins to match you with quality and rate of production. You da Mahn.:king:

Awhile ago I was accused of saying that sex should have a purpose in a story other than the pleasure of the participants or the readers for that matter as well. I didn't exactly say that. But I think that when the sex has a purpose in moving the story along, it is even more interesting. I think that you have done that is 23, Mark. This story just seems to get more interesting with the various twists and turns.

I can't agree with your disappointment. I think that it was a great chapter with good movement on the Amphion as well as a peek at what JP has been up to back in Claremont. This is all most interesting! There is more to life than sex. Isn't there? An sex that doesn't help the story move or understand something about characters or relationships as even be a drag. I think that Mark does a great job with hot sex when it serves a purpose in the story. I agree about Brandon and I expect that we will see that come to pass.