Comment from Mustang Patty

Excellent

The whimsy in the story intrigues me. I've always enjoyed fantasy and your story is reminiscent of the Lord of Rings. Of course, your combination of characters is unique. Thank you for sharing this well penned chapter,
~patty~

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2017

Thank you so much, Patty. Yeah, some people are balking about the mixture of science fiction and fantasy, but Star Wars and Star Trek are full of both. All the "force" and masters, are straight up fantasy, and the space ship and war stuff is sci-fi.
Sani has attributes more than meets the eye...

Thanks so much for the review, and comments on fantasy!!

Rhonda

Comment from mbroyles2

Excellent

Another great chapter.
I'D be hard pressed to go to the mines if I were Archie, choosing freedom instead.
I admire his courage.
Now I want to know more about these Tommyknockers. Interesting twist.
Michael

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2017

Thank you, Michael!
Fantasy is my main genre, and this one mixes science fiction and fantasy, a bit like Star Wars. Some people think the two don't go together, but I have this book listed as both. It's been there all along, but hasn't been obvious until now.
Thank you for reading, and for the comments. Please let me know if I go too far off the path!

Take care,
Rhonda

Comment from MelB

Excellent

Tommyknockers - I love that name! They remind me a little bit of LOTR (Lord of the Rings). They had something in the mines too. I love the illustration and that line about acting human, but accessing the inner cougar.

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2017

Thank you so much, Melissa. Tommyknockers happen to be good guys in this book, and in the myths of the mines in Colorado. They are supposed to protect the miners from accidents, or if they get lost. I borrowed the idea from a research trip I took before writing the book. I hope they don't end up being a distraction...

Thank you again,
Rhonda

Comment from Barb Hensongispsaca

Excellent

Excellently done as always and I am so glad you put the previous chapter in to remind us of what happened and the notes at the bottom. A very unique story but so true...science is changing

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2017

Thank you so much, Barb! I try to keep everyone updated before plowing on ahead. It always helps me when others do it!
Take care,
Rhonda

Comment from Jim Lorson Sr

Excellent

Rhonda my friend, I am so glad the four of them made it across the road. Sani is such a great master of deceptions and possesses a great knowledge of earth and men. I'm enjoying the dialogue, especially the interaction between Ayala and Archie. They seem to be warming well to one another. I'm holding out hope with them for their future. That my friend is left up to you and your wonderful imagination and story writing. Another wonderful chapter Rhonda!

Always you friend,

Jim

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Mar-2017

Thank you, Jim. They are certainly two of a kind. Both are strong leaders, but are they too much alike?? Guess we'll find out... Thanks for all your support and encouragement,
Rhonda

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Exceptional

I am pretty sure the Tommyknockers are going to show up and Archie is going to be surprised. I really like this story and am glad I catch this installment. Good write.

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Mar-2017

Thank you, Barbara!! No spoilers, but, yeah, the Tommyknockers have a way of showing up when least expected. They are good-guys, thought, so we're good.
Thank you for the wonderful six stars, and for the support.
Have a great evening,
Rhonda

Comment from emptypage

Excellent

Thank God they made it through alive. I have been dying, waiting for this chapter.

As usual, I see no technical issues. Some people "get" grammar, others do not. You do.

Tommyknockers. Did you know Stephen King wrote a book with that title? Scary as all get out. Now you've got me wondering what the word really means. I haven't ever heard it used anywhere but in that book! And I have a pretty decent vocabulary.

Waiting for the next. Great job.

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Mar-2017

Thank you for the wonderful review!
I learned about Tommyknockers when I was doing a research tour in a mine in Colorado. They are mythical creatures that supposedly live in the walls in the mines. They'll knock on the walls to warn miners of danger, or send a puff of cool air, or whatever. The miners are very superstitious about them. I even bought a Tommyknocker necklace. They look like little chubby Americanized leprechauns. They were supposed to have once been leprechauns that came over to the New World with the Irish settlers.
Hope that helps. In my book, and to the miners, they are good guys.

Thanks so much,
Rhonda

Comment from Heidi M

Excellent

Thank goodness they were all able to cross the road. It was interesting that the cougar guards' faces looked more animal than human when in a distressing situation.
I laughed at Sani saying 'poor etiquette, you know' and Archie's incredulous reaction to a bunch of leprechauns helping them.
Great job on this chapter!

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Mar-2017

Thank you, Heidi, and I'm sorry, but I've gotten behind on your book, and am going to have to go back to read. I appreciate you for staying with mine. You are so sweet, and a gifted writer!

Take care,
Rhonda

Comment from royowen

Excellent

So, they've at least put themselves out of danger by crossing the road from the cougar hunters. It's amazing that the citizens of Hokee are mixed bred with animals, but still retain human characteristics. It sounds like the human experimentation by Josef Mengele on children in a prison camp in Germany during the war. He did horrid things, without anaesthetic, they were Jewish, or Slavic, people considered to be of inferior races. Absolutely awful. But well done, Rhonda, blessings, Roy

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Mar-2017

Thank you, Roy, and you're right, I was trying to reflect that event, or those events. You know how I am, there always has to be an underlying theme.
I do appreciate your help and support!

Rhonda

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Whew! Glad they got across the road safely. I laughed at the interchange where Ayala says, "You sound like Sani." This shows you created your characters well! My favorite line was: "Don't discount what you don't understand, son," Sani retorted, "or you'll go through life seeing only what you expect to see." Interesting mix of possible realities and ... leprechauns? Looking forward to the next one.
A little uncertain about what was meant in " our animal natures. Those guys just had a shorter trip there." I guess the "trip" was to the animal nature?

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 Comment Written 06-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Mar-2017

Yeah, it was the trip to the animal nature. I should think on how to clarify it. Thanks.
Thank you for the feedback on the conversations as well, and character development. It's hard to stay in character sometimes!

Thanks for you help,
Rhonda