Dr. John NYC

So much fun getting to here, Rob, and looking forward to Book 2 especially having read Book 1 more than once. Even after the first time reading it, I felt that there was more to tell -- and read. In the meantime, An "American Lamb in Europe" is filling in some spare moments and now I see that I need to queue up "The ranch Foreman". Keep on writin'!

Although I have already finished chapter 14 and enjoyed it, too -- the shower scene was hilariously embarrassing and could make a great scene in a movie -- it was chapter 13 that really showed us more of the depth of Josh -- and Ethan, too. Josh for his ethical concerns about their switch, and Ethan for his commitment to the 2 brothers, even if there are some complications coming as he sorts out his feelings for Josh and Jacob. (Ok, so I'm going out a bit on a limb here, but I'm voting that Ethan is gay and has at least a little bit of a crush on Jacob and a growing, deepening attraction to Josh. Also, seeing Josh deal with a number of challenges in addition to the showers highlights how he is changing in many important ways. Looking forward to seeing the next set of resolutions and challenges!

I've always enjoyed your stories from days on other sites, Graeme, in part because of the twists and turns (on top of very fine writing ). I was struggling a bit on this one because of the VH1-esque pace, but now that I'm getting better acquainted with the characters and some of the intrigues and mysteries are starting to emerge, it is easier to read. (Thank you, however, for the Dramatis Personae!) Ken/Paul's encounter with Tony followed by Tony's arrival to his new job finished hooking me. Now I REALLY want to see what happens with his new job and, of course, with Paul. Could be some interesting interactions with others on the team, too... Plus, Ty certainly has a story worth waiting for: could he be gay, too??? Anyway, looking forward to more!

Not sure why you were not entirely happy with this chapter, Renee. I think it brought a number of things together and then opened up new things to explore in the future: kind of like a little landing as you head up a flight of stairs. I was glad to see Jackie and Mark come back together, and whether or not he accepts the offer of living with them, it was a generous offer. It might not be easy for Mark after living alone, but it also might not be easy for them having another adult in the house. From my experience, a lot depends on the space and how separated it is possible to be when needed. It will certainly be an incredible bonding experience with his nephew, one that will likely be important to each of them for the rest of their lives. Glad I still have a few more chapters to read...

So, I'm late to reviewing, but having just re-read it while trying to catch back up, I was struck by your question of whether 3 weeks is long enough to make a connection. My answer is an emphatic "No." When my husband and I met, I knew I would be leaving when the lab I was working in moved to another university. Now, I realize that 8 hours distance is different from 18, and a university setting is quite different from a war zone, and 3 months to decide is different from 3 weeks; however, based on my experience, we knew by the second day of the relationship that we would give it a try -- and I think it would have similar even if the details had been tougher. Love at first sight can be real and can be lasting! PS: it was 3 years before we were able to live together permanently, and we have a ways to go to match 43 years, but it will be 27 years in less than a month -- and, as he would say, "We never had a fight." Oh, and by the way, we are not far from the Brooklyn Bridge and I'd be glad to sell it to you.

What a complex, stomach-roiling jumble of dynamics between Kurt and Tahryn, but how clearly the subtleties of the situation came through your prose, Sasha. I really liked the new information about pack dynamics (and justice!) and the indications that Tahryn and Kurt will make it as mates -- with even hints about how two dominants will manage. I'm also glad to see a path forward for Kurt in this pack and the first glimpses of how he might manage to re-connect with at least some of the pack members. Looking forward to dinner with Kurt and Tahryn + his family!

Ahhh, Kurt. So torn up over this complex emotions and desires that do not jive with his black-white wolf sensibilities. I ache for him. Then Tahryn: torn up over his rape and all the guilt and other emotions emanating from that violation. If only they could fully communicate their needs, fears, and other warring emotions to each other, maybe they could sort them out for themselves. Well, there was that fleeting moment of connection, so I have to keep hoping. Thanks for a gripping story, Sasha.

What a great Christmas story -- even if it 3/4 of the way through January before I got to read it. Looking forward to the long story that's coming... soon? Thanks and a belated Happy New Year, Sasha!

So incredibly dark yet apropos -- and completely and totally riveting! As someone else said, I would not want to be living in that world, and I hope that it never arrives despite some of the pieces already in place. Still, I could not stop reading even as my heart was breaking for Poll and Costa. Even Anthony had some redemption in his love, albeit twisted, for Poll. Too bad he had not read any of David Mcleod's stories and understood that love shared is love multiplied.

It is very interesting that Troy is resisting the gay part and yet he was the one who seemed to have figured out immediately on meeting that they were mates. He's also so resistant to the Great Spirits and yet he does not seem to resist the one and only mate aspect of the shifter culture. Is that just because the biological imperative of meeting his mate so strong, or are we coming later to that issue? This story is definitely quite captivating! I love the juxtapositions of the incongruities to the stereotypes: Paddy's domesticity matched with his size and strength and then again his lack of fashion sense and ability to cook. Just reinforces the need to be careful about considering stereotypes in their totality because everyone is an individual. Thanks, Sasha!

Love the way you are blending human environmental biology with the concepts of magic in the fae's world, Cia. I am a passionate proponent that some of the most innovative and exciting things come from the sometimes chaotic bumping together of two ways of thought -- whether scientific disciplines, modes of artistic expression, or languages and cultures. Here it is again! Now, I just have to be patient for A WEEK!!! to see how environmental biology and magic are going to come together.

Why does he have to choose one over the other? Three can be romantic and even old-fashioned, depending on how they play it.

A truly memorable story, Sasha, and with such a delightful epilogue. Loved how Rhyder's relationship with both Sam and Caleb had deepened and matured through the story but then jumped to another whole new level in the epilogue. Caleb's "borrowing" condoms from Rhyder's bathroom was a brilliantly subtle touch. I, too, would love to see a sequel or perhaps a story more focused on Caleb and Sam, but at the same time you wrapped it up so nicely that I can live with everything being left as it is. Thanks for a story that grew on me and matured as surely as Rhyder's life did over the course of these chapters!

I cried when I read this story some years ago, and I just cried again -- both times in a good way. Thanks, Graeme for such a lovely, inspirational story.

It may have been an "old" story, but it is also timeless. I have to say that I had no idea where it was going and almost didn't finish because of getting stopped to get ready for work. Luckily I came back to it later, and I was caught completely unawares but in a delightful way when I hit the end. Definitely agree with other comments to write more. If you're interested, one suggestion for a future rewrite is to shorten the first part just a bit. There is a lot of detail just walking through Darryl's first days of the school year, and although it contributes to the surprising ending, by shortening it a bit you can still build to the denouement but may keep a few from leaving before the end. It's worth keeping the additional people!

Unbelievably moving, and heartbreakingly sad, Sui. It was masterful the way you stretched out the goodbye -- spontaneous visit to Eve & Alicia, farewell party, and all the rest -- and then ripped Alexis out of Josh's apt like a bandaid on a kid's arm. You definitely the musical score for that last night together. Now to get them back together and find the reality that will keep them a couple: it can be done!!!

I think we may soon learn what happens when an immovable object meets an unstoppable force. Of course, it's going to be a frustrating week to learn the answer! Thanks, Cia! John

Once again you turned the story and the reader on its and their respective heads with your Epilogue. It was not what I was expecting even though I had no precise image about what it would be. With this orthogonal perspective, however, you both summarized what had happened without just repeating the facts and you hinted at things to come -- and like others I say, "Thank goodness there is more to come: bring it on!" Thank you for a truly compelling and engaging glimpse into your universe! John

Finally the circle is almost closed. With blood, sweat, tears, and a lot of anguish and aqumi, three have survived this incredible journey. My own adrenaline-fueled tension and tear-drenched shirt are testament to the power and the poetry of this story. Thanks, Stellar, for an abso-f'in-lutely amazing view of their journey and for making me feel like I was part of it! The final fight between Carlos and La Tigresse had such a poignancy to it. The fact that Carlos was able to do what he did when even Mira could not fully defeat her was, to me, very much an absolution for what happened with Este. I hope, no, I need to believe that in those final moments he felt the power of that absolution. I was disappointed that Shay and the others did not seem to witness the explosion even if they would not have fully understood its importance. I also hope it took out a bunch of the sharpelings... So, now on to the Epilogue. I do hope it includes mention or at least hints of a sequel -- or the start of a new, fabulous story!

I, too, love stories of the Fae, and the idea of the offspring of an Air sylph and an Earth gnome has a lot of intriguing possibilities. What really caught my imagination is what has -- and has not -- happened between Birch and Sayer and what happened to Sayer's parents. How the past will influence the future that is coming promises to be another Cia-treat!

I think it was a fitting just-back-from-vacation chapter. Resolved the cliff-hanger with only a touch of angst and then let our boys have some summer fun -- with the promise of even more fun to come. Also agree with the others about being glad that Ash was able to catch Michael before he left and loving the rain scene, especially the description of the drop of rain traveling from Michael's nose on down... Wonderful! Glad that life seems to be back on track for you, and I'm clearly in good company looking forward to next Monday. Welcome back!

I share the sentiments of the others, particularly Daithi. They are so strong together that they do not realize how strong they still are separately. I'm not worried about whether they CAN survive, however. I know that it is possible. The part that worries me the most is the silence of their avoidance. Separated you can survive to come back together if you both are certain that your life and work need to be in these two places, but only if you talk it through. One of the toughest lessons of life -- and one I'm still learning every day -- but one Alexi and Josh are starting to learn, even if their communication is less verbal than it probably should be. Still, like everyone else, I know my heart will cry when they do have to separate. I suspect I better be careful when I read the next chapter... So, in the spirit of deep caring for these two very, very special characters, here's my scenario for how they can make it work. Josh gets a grant to do research in Japan, BUT instead of flying to meet Alexi on weekends, he flies regularly to spend time with Shane. I cannot imagine people that matter (i.e., not Sherry) will not see his commitment to Shane, especially those people who are used to traveling and know how "not fun" when you're not going on vacation ( and sometimes even when you are...). Plus, as much as I know that they can survive the separation, I really think that they need to be together more at least for the first part of the tour. Anyone else have a scenario that will let Alexi, Josh, and Shane walk the path that they must negotiate? I want more. I want more...

Definitely intrigued by the premise and the start, W_L. I am fascinated by cultures and languages (despite being a scientist ), and I have had friends from both Northern China and Hong Kong/Southern China so I have picked up bits and pieces of the similarities and differences. I am looking forward to learn more the cultures and languages and to learn about the path that these two young me will take. Good luck -- in the story and in the parallel universe of your life! John

Definitely worth the wait, Renee. I love the characters, especially Jake and his dad, but what is really amazing to me is how you are creating such a fun story from weekly prompts. PS: Paul's "Don't even think about it." was so sweet. Great to have friends like that, and to think it's the husband of his ex-wife... now that is the love you want with your friends.

You create such unique, wonderful, lovable characters, Sui, and you've done it again. I was devastated when it seemed as though Chapter 3 was the end. Thank goodness, there is something past Liron not leaving on the bus. I certainly did want to smack the both of them for not talking about why Liron felt he could not leave then, but then I restrained myself as I considered that they had only had a couple days together. Their early talking about their families had me assuming that there would have been more of such talk, even if just in after (or before again) pillow talk. Liron in particular seems to have an amazing degree of social intelligence, so I would have thought that would have figured out at least the part about needing to help Tara with the rent and bills. Then again, he was clearly besot with Liron who was possibly even more besot with him. Heady stuff that first explosion of passion! Thanks again for a wonderful story! You know that I'm an incurable romantic, so I do hope that they get together once Liron and Mai figure out how to manage it. Just don't get them together only to separate my Electric Blue and Catnip boys for good!