Dr. John NYC

Actually, I found the level of detail just about right for a short story retelling of Riding Hood. Not that more would have necessarily been bad if it didn't overwhelm the story. Unless there will be more of Al and Red or other stories in this universe that connect with them, however, I'm left connecting more with the overall story than with the individual characters. With more connection to the characters, I think it might have been difficult to let the story go at this point. Just my thoughts... Thanks, Comicfan!

How great to learn more about the Cathera and this fabulous world you've created, Cia! I won't even complain about the HUGE cliffhanger -- especially since you said that chapter 6 is moving along. I love the fact that Dav is part python and part cobra: what a combination, and one fraught with possibilities in terms of what special talents he has or might develop. Of course, one that I'm hoping for is that some aspect of the neurotoxins in his venom will help Ellis' migraines. Of course, maybe his migraines were just a foretelling that he needed to mate with Dav! More, please!!!!

Talk about a wind up to a cliffhanger: very nicely done! One observation: we learned that Shelly was Trev's mom's middle name, but it is also a diminutive for Rachel. Not that parents haven't saddled their kids with some strange even abusive names, but was she really named Rachel Shelly Smith? Glad I have some vacation to help divert me until next week's installment.. Cheers! John

Unbelievably, incredibly, heart-wrenchingly beautiful, Nephylim! What a way to start a week of vacation. However, I refuse to believe that it's fully over after the next chapter. Surely there's a new book when Glory (& Sar!) go looking for Glory's people. I know there is. I know there is. I know there is...

Thanks, Cia, for a wonderful chapter. Dav's talking about the pain in his past was so real I could feel it. After the pain, however, the mating and bonding were so much more poignant. I'm glad in your reply to bookjunky that you mentioned there was more to come. I could see how you might have ended here, but I would have been soooo disappointed. Instead I'm just going to be wondering anxiously when the next chapter will come! I do feel how Ellis will be able to heal Dav, but I also think that it will be reciprocal. Ellis' life has some dark to it as well. I just hope his twin brother is as happy for him as he should be. Thanks again... now, back to writing (please!).

Oh no, Lugh. Please don't pull it. As things come together, the confusion may clear up. If not, we can always ask. The characters, the universe, the story line(s) are way too captivating not to be finished. Please!

I do hope there will be other stories that continue the lives we've met here, Myr. Mike seems almost too good, so I'm thinking there could be some pretty heavy stuff if the story continues as it seemed it should from the ending. I'm also looking forward to finding more of your Psionic Corps stories... very intriguing. Cheers! John

Great start to a new Carthera story: I love this universe that you've created! I, too, am fascinated by snakes, and the connection between Dav and Ellis is already kind of "hypnotic". I definitely am looking forward to more about them -- and maybe even more about the Carthera and how they came to be in this world you've brought into existence. Please keep writing about them!!! John

I agree with the others about how the pace in part due to the interplay between tension and resolution is masterful. There is relatively little action, and yet I ended the chapter with knots in my stomach -- and, of course, more questions. Chief question is: who is Martin Blake, or perhaps more interesting, who is his wife? Could she be Rachel if Shelly is not Rachel? Well, at least we know that although you don't do cliffhangers, the threads will all be tied up by the end! One point that was concerning: all of the information given to describe how to get to their new hiding place would seem to give anyone eavesdropping quite a bit of help to pinpoint where Trevor and Shane are? Is that an incorrect perception, or are they assuming that their phones/conversations are unlikely to be compromised at this time? Thanks!

Thanks for another riveting chapter! Definitely provided more adrenalin-releasing excitement than recent chapters although at least it's not yet of the Bridget-George-Sanchez-Basingstoke variety. I have to say I'm both looking forward and not looking forward to when that kind of excitement comes again; I still shudder thinking about the pirates and Trevor's ordeal with them and the aftermath that he had to live through. It's been sweet relief having the recent focus on Trevor and Shane building their relationship. One thought that keeps coming back to me: is the basis of the animosity between Shane and Ned solely what's been described? We learn more this chapter, but there is still the niggling feeling that there's something else. Could it be some sort of sexual tension, maybe even Ned explicitly hitting on Shane? I'm sure time will tell. …'til next week!

The visuals your words are evoking, Dark, are incredibly powerful and reminiscent of the great battles from the best of fantasy. My heart was literally beating faster and I was breathing harder as I raced to the end of the chapter. I admit I was getting a little confused at times, but I think most of who was doing what got sorted out by just letting myself go with the flow and absorb it as a whole rather than trying to sort out each detail. I have to say I am anxiously anticipating the next chapter(s) to learn what happened to Delaur and Alan, in particular, once they were separated from their soul mates. Thank you! John

Arggghhhh... not again. I know it flows in an almost inevitable stream from all that happened before, but I so wanted one chapter for Glory and Sar to connect together -- at least figuratively. I wanted to know that the seed of love that both of them are acknowledging could sprout some tiny roots that would nourish them during the additional tensions they have to work through. I thought the comment about Glory not knowing Sar's alpha male need to discipline Valentine was quite thought-provoking. I was actually seeing it as Glory being an alpha male as well and not wanting anyone to fight his fights, but I definitely see the feminine component to Glory. Hmmm... can one be an alpha male AND have a connection to the feminine side, too? The other observation I had was the similarity to the courtship of Karadur and Azil in Dark's "Waylon's Crossing" (at least what has been described since it occurred so long ago). Wonderful story, Nephylim! As much as I struggle to wait until the next chapter, I'm overjoyed that there is this story AND a sequel to look forward to reading. Ciao, John

Actually I think there was a mix up: THIS chapter is the one that should have been called "From Bad to Worse". Holy Basingstoke, Batman! The hit man is heading to THE Carnarvon, and Bridget and George have just confirmed it -- although in this case the two "bads" don't make it worse, but boy does the overall situation seem worse. On a much belated note (I usually don't get to read the chapters when/where I can readily reply): thank goodness Trevor and Shane got together at last. At least they had time for some heaven on earth before Basingstoke arrives.

I personally think you were worried for nothing, but then I'm not the expert on connecting all the dots in just the right way like some of the fans are.

Whew! Talk about tension and utterly gripping emotion: I feel completely wrung out from reading the chapter -- in a good way but nonetheless I feel wiped out. At least it seems as though all our friends might still make it. The revelation of the incubus and succubus, both physically and the information that they brought, adds a whole new branch of possibilities for what's coming. Prince of Two Races??? Guess we just have to wait until the next chapter. Cheers! John PS: One observation in the following sentence: “Our ancestor,” said the female, “made a pact with the queen of the demons, a pact she then broke!” It is very easy to read initially as implying Kynan is "our ancestor". Because of the emotion, I kept plowing on until the conversation made too little sense and I had to backtrack to figure out what I had read wrong. If the goal is not to mislead, you might try: “Our ancestor made a pact with the queen of the demons,” said the female, “a pact she then broke!”

Piece by piece comes the unfolding of this universe and the two unlikely -- assuming things do eventually work out -- lovers from such different worlds, cultures, and experiences. I can't wait to read more and see what Pei's plan is. I can think of several scenarios but time will have to tell what it truly is. Very intriguing story, Dan! John

Another cliffhanger -- but what an intense chapter. The streams of story seem to be flowing together faster and faster. Of course, they are all in the midst of serious s… stuff. :2hands: I really liked the fact that Bryce/Arawn finally acknowledged that this odd group is his family, no matter what other issues he has. Can't wait to see what more he does to help his family. I do hope that they are all alive for him to help! Thanks again for a riveting story, Dark! John

Definitely a cliffhanger: I still feel my stomach lurching as I'm falling over that cliff. You can really feel the pace picking up, almost careening forward out of control until you pull back and slow it down. Very powerful! It was intriguing reading the sex scene outside the Dreamscape and comparing it to the scene in the Dreamscape. If I had my wish, I would have liked to see the length and the scope of the real world scene match more closely to the Dreamscape event. I'm wondering if the difference feeds into what comes next. I also have found the unusual mix of races in this story interesting in comparison to the mix in Glory in Nephylim's "Dhampir" story. Could there be more than demon and incubus??? Thanks, Dark, for a compelling and bewitching story! Cheers, John PS: I hope to see/read more about Jacen and Duncan, too. What a fascinating couple even with the focus on Kynan and Alan!

I love this character! He has so many of my favorite beings in him: cat, fey, & vampire all tied together with some human. He also brings out the paternal in me. I want to hug him and tell him "It gets better.", and then I want to take care of him like the kid he is emotionally. Getting to know a bit more about him and his abilities -- and his background soon, I hope -- was great. I have to say I do wonder about Fougue: is he really on Glory's side and Sar's side? His lack of any action when the others are harassing Glory (and Rover) makes me suspicious although he did protect him earlier. For the major domo / headmaster role he seems to have, however, he seems not to read a lot of situations correctly. Time and more chapters will tell… (I am probably being extra suspicious having read Renee Stevens' most recent chapter of "Joined by Blood" just before and seen the betrayal from within.) Still, great character and intriguing story: can't wait to read the next chapters! John

Details upon details, layers upon layers, plots within plots: wow! Each time I think "Oh good, now XX will be explained.", I realize that after getting that explanation there are more threads exposed. Part of what keeps me coming back. Part of why I sometimes hold off reading a chapter, however, because then reading several together is easier on the cliffhanger nerves. I do wonder how much of Aure is still around: is Delaur everything? Still, having a baby anything around is bound to add a dash of chaos at some interesting times! Thanks, Lugh!

Lead you on then drop one of those should-be-patented twists and turns: gotta love them even as you hate finding yourself looking the wrong way and scrambling to catch up. I'm also glad that Jon is back. I hope it is more than just a cameo and that both Kevin and Jon are able to get some resolution. Question is: will they get more? I also hope that Cal and Jake get some more play time. I always felt that there is more to their stories than has been played out. Final thought of the day: it's interesting to see some of the parallels between Cal and Kevin dealing with their various issues on top of coming out. Wonder if those similarities will continue or if it's another bait and switch? Any hints, Dan?

Intriguing start to a saga that made me want the next chapter -- soon!

Definitely a transition, cliff-hanging chapter. If I had been reading the full story, I don't think that anything could have kept me from reading the next chapter! Fascinating world you have created and captivating characters. Thanks! John (boricuahill)

Hooray, ! I was sad to see the end coming on the story, CJ, but was delighted to see this ending -- and perhaps even more delighted to see that there will be a sequel. I have to admit, I wasn't ready to give up these characters. Thanks for a riveting story! John