Daddydavek

Glad to see that George got his "land" legs and took charge of the situation with Caroline. Her going to the country is a much better solution and out of Silly Billy's clutches. Chartley has been a comfort and poor George certainly needed some.

In their crowd and at that time, courtly intrigues were a way of life. That Caroline was played instead of being the player was only somewhat surprising. That she continues to be played after George returned is certainly an affront and I suspect there will be lasting repercussions beyond the child. George's old man is canny and a court player too and I am sure he will put his own best interests first, even if it is less than favorable for George. George needs to get his game on and figure a way to put silly Billy in his place in a way that leaves no trail back to him.

At least you have an idea where you are going with both sagas. Alas I find myself adrift, and can only wait for the next installments.

Court intrigue at its most convoluted. I think George is too trusting of his father and that may be his only option, but he has yet to think of any other back-up plans. The young prince William sounds the pompous prick and Caroline is finally out of her depth. Poor George. Chartley will be a distraction, but can he be any real help?

Chapter 19 is posted and introduces Trevor, a kissing cousin..... We also learn that Wade's sister is more than just a pain in the ass. An interesting read that I highly recommend.

Interesting chapter which finally got to the trust issue. Trevor was hot and now we have info that Wade's sister Mary Ellen is more than just a pain in the ass. The chapter flowed well and it was an all around good job of writing.

I don't mind the warmer winter weather, just so we don't get a late hard frost that freezes all the budding fruit trees and strawberries and ruins the crops. Prices are high enough.

Too bad Bridget the witch didn't bleed out.... I'm still hoping for gangrene and blood poisoning

Still no resolution of the witche's fate, though it looks as if she has escaped, for now. Perhaps Sanchez will decide she is too vivid a liability with her now high profile. Meanwhile, the wholesome foursome on the K are clueless still......

The tidbit about their customers entering through a special door and then leaving through another separate door in his boss's office was tantalizing. I can't wait to hear about the customers.....

Characters can be too self-absorbed and overly drawn with a rationalization to justify any action and then they become less interesting. Plot can be the be all and end all of a story and then it isn't much of anyone's story but a happening. A good story has to have a some balance between plot and characters. The really good writers test that balance in new and novel ways to hook their audience and critics. Further, styles do change. Best sellers of the 1940's and 1950's are quite different than the 1990's and 2000's. The type of story has demands too. An action adventure story will need an exciting plot line. A romance novel will need interesting and empathetic characters and scoundrels for a little spice. Because I like all kinds of genres, I guess I don't have a particular bias toward plot or character. I just like a well told story that in some way illuminates the human condition.

Certainly a lot of fodder was served for possible plot lines. Still all very unsettled IMHO.

Court politics are certainly as dangerous as being on the high seas in a warship! Silly Billy looking smug. George seemed almost a fish out of water at St. James Palace and was certainly discomfitted. His father was not very reassuring either. Certainly a lot of ongoing plot lines....

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope - initial release date: May 25, 1977 I was just shy of 30 years old and I thought it was the coolest movie ever! The sound track by John Williams and the cinematography were awesome.

Caroline is very calculating as well as passionate. I am prepared to be surprised. George however may not be amused....

Chapter 33 is up and George has made it to London. His report to the Admiralty went well. Caroline dropped a bombshell and Mark left us dangling at the precipice....

Great chapter but it ended in Another cliffie!

" I found a couple of pamplets that discussed gas warfare, as well as trench warfare. Those were the two big hallmarks of World War II," Tanks, trenches and gas were the big breakthroughs in the Great War. (WWI not WWII) Gas masks were crude but worked most of the time. My grandpa was in the trenches in France and was gassed and he saw some GI's who coughed up their lungs, literally. He lived to a month short of his 90th birthday and died May 19, 1984. RIP pop!

Was it dramatic enough? Well, I guess it could have been more tense, just not sure how! Good job!

Chapter 18 is up and while there is no tap dancing, there is plenty of horizontal mamba. The scene back at Escorial with Matt and Tyler and then with Matt in their room was especially done well. Still waiting for the other shoe to drop and I expect Wade's mom to provide!

Loved the heartfelt communication between best friends and lovers in the closing scene with Matt. Good job of writing.

JJ skates, but tap too?

Through Chapter 4 there is plenty of other-worldly conventions and drama to sort through and try to make some sense of it all. The good news is that maybe our protagonist's ongoing suffering is going to get some relief, but knowing Cia, maybe not....

"I think there are a few surprises headed your way. " What else would we expect? Mark's stories imitate life in that at the oddest moments, all hell breaks loose and surprises the crap out of us. Enjoy the suspense is my motto as I wait for the other shoe to drop.

And still we wait....