Dr. John NYC

I’m still processing and will return with some more remarks later, but I would say unequivocally that it was way better than okay. So good, in fact, that I would love to learn what’s next for the new Don. Thanks, @Wayne Gray!

The cards have been thrown into the air. Now, how will they all fall? Well played, @Cia.

Merci beaucoup, Myr! 🤩

I love how this unusual collection of individuals is gelling into a family as well as a team.

How fascinating to see the stealthy but seemingly inexorable transformation of Darien Taine into Captain Taine of the Fifth Resistance.

But you will, Blanche, you will. (Apologies to Tennessee Williams.) Actually, you already have, @Mike Arram. I had not expected Anton to flee although, in retrospect, it is precisely what his character would do. It now makes me wonder if he truly was disliked so much that they sent a boy as his second, or it part of a more dastardly plan. Thanks, @Mike Arram, for your story.

But you will, Blanche, you will. (Apologies to Tennessee Williams.) Actually, you already have, @Mike Arram. I had not expected Anton to flee although, in retrospect, it is precisely what his character would do. It now makes me wonder if he truly was disliked so much that they sent a boy as his second, or it part of a more dastardly plan. Thanks, @Mike Arram, for your story.

Whether as friend or something more, I’m glad that the good Dr. Tannerman is part of their growing family. I do wonder what may come back to haunt them from Anton; somehow I suspect we haven’t heard the last from him. As a major positive development, Grossmutta’s blessings and support will be very good for Félix & Gilles. What a Grande Dame!

Though a cliffhanger, it felt right to pause here if only to catch my breath and let my racing heart slow down. Your usual measured writing style makes scenes like the final one of this chapter all the more powerful, @Mike Arram. On a a more positive note, I was delighted that Erwin finally opened up to Ruprecht thus leading to his becoming Ruprecht’s Seneschal. He was definitely a find! His being struck by Anton gives a good opportunity to be rid of Anton because I don’t think he could ever be trusted not to betray Ruprecht, Félix or their families.

Maybe more than a friend in the future???

Late to the party but not too late for 2 snaps and a twirl to all the earlier praise. Not much more to add except that it was over before I was ready. I do hope that someday Tar is able to let his twin know that he is alive and well. Their love and caring took away some of the sting of Tar leaving. The Dragon's final words to Tar, "...Honor to thy House, Prince Terryn.”, made me wonder: was the dragon predicting that Tar would one day be Prince Terryn again, was it just used as an honorific, or was I just reading too much into it? In any case, thank you @Timothy M.!

Fabulous to have you and your stories on GA, @Mike Arram! I enjoyed them for years on crvboy, and I’m looking forward to reading them again and discovering new stories to read. Hope you enjoy GA as much as all the other authors & readers. To Life, Love, & Literature!

PS: sorry, but I could not figure out how to change the text to be consistent after pasting from my iPhone. PS2: I hope Maryann still screams bloody murder when Lisa holds her. 😏

Uh oh. Based on your portents, I wondered how long before Lisa tried the legal route to getting her way. She probably even wants to change Maryann’s name. I hope Uncle Chris can talk Neil out of moving. I don’t think it will help his case, especially if Frank & Maryann had a good lawyer draw up the will (maybe even Uncle Xchris ???).

Just finished re-reading “Down a Darkened Path”, which, by the way, is such such a perfect title. Ironic that the chapter after my comment finally brought the therapist into focus, and she became a critical supporting character near the end. I still think Detective Wallace was incompetent, at least in terms of his Social IQ. I am glad he was proactive in trying to save Jayden from his cousins, but why were they out on bail for a week before he did anything? I must say, I am not usually so vindictive, but I would not have been upset had he been injured by the gun shots. Nothing critical or permanent, mind you, but a minor injury would have been poetic justice. One question I had — because of my own deep emotional attachment to “Carousel” — did you have a particular recording of it in mind when you wrote that scene? Thanks for sharing your stories and your thoughts. I’m so sorry to learn about your twin, but I’m glad to hear your nephew is doing well AND that you are writing again at your own pace. Peace!

To expand upon @Graeme‘s comments, people generally avoid telling angry, testy, explosive individuals ANYTHING that isn’t absolutely necessary, especially anything that they know or think will likely set off another explosion. Moreover, it doesn’t take long to be conditioned against saying something: most of us learn pretty fast to avoid negative stimuli. I am surprised that counseling has not seemed to be a bigger part of the recuperation process. A good therapist/counselor could have guided them to a better understanding of what Troy needs. Nonetheless, I agree with other comments that Detective Wallace has been a walking disaster. I wonder if Mr. Neal or Jayden will take legal action at some point.

Definitely piqued my interest. Corbin seems like a good person at heart with some challenges in his past. I look forward to learning what they are or were. I like how you introduce Corbin and his new house. The picture I get of him and the house are that neither is frivolous but neither is cutout to be solitary. Corbin can fill the emptiness of the house, but who can fill his emptiness—and how are going to get past his guarded perimeter?

Depends on the shark species, but otherwise, 3 snaps and a twirl. (...& don't forget Lycan Orcas!)

Absolutely agree, @drpaladin!

Wow, @Cia. You just keep upping the ante of intensity and chair-gripping suspense. Ultimately, I still trust Kohen’s twice-tested intuition about Anyas — & Danie’s AI-dispassionate analytic prowess along with his growing humanity — to guide our heroic crew along the path to success. Of course, @Cia is unlikely to have exhausted all her surprises...

Sometimes real-life needs to take priority. Good luck, @Graeme, and I (and probably all your other fans) will be around whenever the next chapter arrives!

My bet is unequivocally for Drew's Mam! Even outside of her Welsh town, with Jay and the twins advising her, Drew's Mam will prevail. John

Or, Drew & Aria could join Amara. Just sayin’...

First & most importantly, these are my favorite characters of all your stories, @Aceinthehole! I want to have dinner with all of them (well, not the people in Artie’s hometown — except maybe Sadie, depending on how she progresses). It’s fascinating to see how the teens vacillate between being so mature in their thoughts and behaviors to overthinking things to the point of neuroticism. One other inconsistency, I think: in most of the chapters until this one and maybe the previous one, Artie’s mom/Adam’s sister is called Sarah. Now, she is being called Mary. Perhaps I’ve mixed up 2 stories; if so, my apologies. Thanks for sharing, @Aceinthehole it was a great find to start 2019!

How quickly Artie’s family has grown since he moved to San Francisco: from Adam to Ky, Charlotte, & Dizzy to the families of his friends & Lindsay. Even Sadie has rejoined his chosen family. He truly is a special kid!