Comment from Rosemary Everson1

Excellent

I really like your suspenseful story. Now the truth will soon be told whether Colin is a liar or not. In actual life, I know they spend much time on blueprints or maps, so who would what to steal any of them? Onto the next chapter....

 Comment Written 02-Nov-2020

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reply by the author on 03-Nov-2020

Thank you so much for this lovely review, Rosemary. I'm so pleased you are enjoying my story. Colin will be coming into the story soon. Fun and games ahead! Warm hugs, Sandra xx

Comment from JudyE

Excellent

This promises to be SUCH an engaging story. Keep the chapters coming. lol

Just a few suggestions:

'Give me strength!' He walked out of the hotel ignoring the strange looks he received. - I missed this when I reviewed the last chapter but should there be something 'he said aloud', otherwise why would he get strange looks?

Back in his office, Grant threw the papers Margaret, his secretary had given him, onto his desk. - comma after 'secretary'

First, he poured himself a coffee, not having drunk his at the hotel and then went and sat at his desk. - I'd delete 'and' or 'then'. I don't think there is any need for both.

With his hands laid flat on the desk - there is an extra space after 'hands'

The intercom bleeped. - did you mean 'beeped'? Not sure 'bleeped' is a word but it could always become one. :)

Grant put the call on speakers, so Lorna could listen in. - is it more usual to just say 'on speaker'? (singular)

but I recently bought a decent sized plot of derelict land- should 'decent sized' be hyphenated?

Raking his fingers through his dark wavy hair. - this doesn't make sense. Maybe 'He raked his fingers...'

above his ears, and right at that moment he felt as if he'd earned every one. - commas after 'and' and 'moment'

Grant took a deep breath and audibly released it. - I might have said 'Grant took a deep breath, and let it out with an audible sigh.'

'What? Oh, no, I don't. But I have to be a hundred percent sure before I call him a thief. It could be a gigantic fluke that Tania has the same style as Colin. I want to see whether he can produce some plans, and if so, what they'll be like. As he didn't know where the site is, or what I want, those Tania showed us were obviously hers. I accept that now. If he can't, I'd like to hear his excuse. - I would have said 'If he can't produce some plans, I'd like ...' When I read 'If he can't', I wasn't sure what it was he couldn't do.

Best wishes
Judy

 Comment Written 02-Nov-2020

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reply by the author on 02-Nov-2020

Hi, Judy. Thank you so much for another thorough, wonderful review. I've made corrections and taken up some of your sugestions on a couple of sentences. I'm delighted you are still enjoying the story, my friend, thank you! :)) Warm hugs. Sandra xx

The word, 'bleep' is a word we fequently use. I've copied and pasted the meaning below. (Just so you know for future reference. :)) From other reviews I've had over the years, we have many words not heard of in the US.

Meaning of bleep in English
bleep = noun [ C ] UK
a short, high sound made by a machine, especially if it is repeated:
He wears a wristwatch with an irritating bleep.

reply by JudyE on 02-Nov-2020

Thanks for the explanation. We have some Australian words that Americans don't know of too. One of these is 'fortnight'. Some know it but a great many don't yet it is very commonplace in Oz.
Take care.

reply by the author on 02-Nov-2020

It is in the UK. My biggest giggle was their word for our flip-flop sandles. They call them, thongs. Those are skimpy panties in the UK. And I was surprised they hadn't heard of a 'fringe'. The hair you let fall over your forehead. They call it bangs. Since I was told that last week, I've read it four times in another stories on here. :)) You take care too. xx

reply by JudyE on 02-Nov-2020

We call flip-flops thongs too and I'm always careful now to add an explanation. It took me ages to work out what 'bangs' were. All these differences keep the world interesting, don't they?

reply by the author on 02-Nov-2020

Absolutely. I wonder how come we are the only ones to call those sandals, flip-flops. They do actually flip and flop! LOL xx

Comment from l.raven

Exceptional

Hi Sandra, OK...we both know Tania will come and work for him...but she has the upper hand here...what to bargain for...first a great salary...and a company car...new...
and any other perks she can come up with...

at first I thought Lorna was in on it...when she said...What's brought this on??? like why say anything...
but then the call came through...but Grant is going to have to get Tania and Colin together...I want to be at that meeting...
this is a great chapter my amazing friend...really going to be a great book you...one you won't want to put down...
keeps you very interested...very well written sweet girl...you have to be staying up all night...I love it...story very well told...love you my amazing friend...send lots of hugs...Linda xxoo

say hi to Ian for me...xxoo

well...how is the extension on the house doing???...I hope Graham isn't over working...smiling...xxoo

 Comment Written 01-Nov-2020

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reply by the author on 02-Nov-2020

Hi, Linda. Can I make you my negotiator? Lol! I'd love that package!! I doubt very much Graham would give it to me, though!! LOL.

Poor Grant, he's got a big problem now. How will he get out of this one after the way he accused Tania? Fun times ahead! Thank you so much my dear friend for the six, and for another of your truly lovely reviews. Your's make me laugh so much, I really look forward to them.

Graham can never stop working, he thrives on it. I sit and watch his head as his scalp moves when the cogs in his brain start working! Bless his heart, love him to bits. I owe you an e-mail, I'll get to it later, we are on lock-down again from Wednesday night. I can see us being like this at Christmas. :(

Thank you again, my dear friend. Have a lovely day. Lots of love and hugs to you and my little hero, Noah, and Abby.xxxSandra xxxxx

reply by l.raven on 02-Nov-2020

Hey You. LOL...Graham is like my Bobby was...
he never stopped working...he worked 12-14 hours on the train...and then came home and help do these around the house if I needed him...most of time I would tell him to go to bed...

it sounds like Tania is willing to talk...but Grant has got to be up front with her...I assume they will meet soon...Colin and her...right????...hello...right???...
and you my amazing friend are so welcome...much love...xxoo

Comment from juliaSjames

Excellent

Most enjoyable read, Sandra. I think I may have mentioned in an earlier review that my goddaughter is an architect who runs her own company, and that she's a feisty young woman, so this story resonates with me.

I'm beginning to get to know your characters. Looking forward to seeing how they develop as the narrative moves along.

Some suggestions

"Grant put the call on speakers, so Lorna could listen in." - " on speaker"

"and thanks for asking" - I would delete. Sounds too formal.

"You can't still believe Tania has stolen those plans, surely?" - "Surely you can't still believe Tania stole those plans?"

"those Tania showed us were obviously hers. I accept that now. If he can't, I'd like to hear his excuse" - I would delete "I accept that now" because it's repetition and because it interrupts the flow of his words.

Excellent work

Stay safe and blessed

Julia

 Comment Written 01-Nov-2020

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reply by the author on 02-Nov-2020

Hello, Julia, thank you so much for this lovely review, and the helpful suggestions. I've made the corrections and I'm going to make a few changes in other areas that you've mentioned.
I'm so pleased you are still enjoying this story. You have mentioned your goddaughter to me, I remember thinking how nice it was. My granddaughter is taking her final exams soon and then will be a qualified architect. Aren't we just so proud of them? :))
Thank you again, my friend. Warm hugs. Sandra xxx

Comment from Jay Squires

Excellent

The plot gets thicker and thicker. I really love what you're doing with this, Sandra. It has all the makings of a fine romance.

I'm sure it's not a social call,' [I would end this in a period.]

unable to understand Grant's logic in this. [I think this is clear from the context. And it is rather "telling".]

Gilles nodded. [Who the heck is Gilles, and why is he nodding when Lorna asked Grant the question?]

 Comment Written 01-Nov-2020

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reply by the author on 02-Nov-2020

I have no idea who Giles is! Lol! He sneaked in somehow. I've removed him, and that sentence, 'unable to understand Grant's logic in this.' Thanks for that, and for another lovely review, my friend. I really appreciate your kind support. Sending you a warm hug. :)) Sandra xxx

Comment from Ben Colder

Exceptional

Sounds as a trap is laid now lets see how things will surface. I smell romance on down the line. This should be interesting. I bet someone will soon learn the truth.
Good one Sandy.

 Comment Written 01-Nov-2020

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reply by the author on 02-Nov-2020

The trap is laid, will he fall into it? Thank you so very much for the six stars, Chuck, and the lovely review. Now the plans must be sorted, and I don't just mean the design plans. :) Thanks, my dear friend. Warm hugs and love. Sandy. xxx

Comment from Ric Myworld

Exceptional

Well, is Colin guilty or not? That might be too easy and not give your story as many ways to branch off. But on the other hand, Grant and Tania might just hang him from a skyscraper by his . . . oh, you know. His ears. Which would make for a great read. Thanks for sharing another fine chapter.

 Comment Written 01-Nov-2020

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reply by the author on 02-Nov-2020

LOL! His ears!! Hmm. Thank you so very much for this really funny review, Ric. You crack me up! Now you've asked that million dollar question, is he guilty? We will find out soon ... or later. Thank you, and bless your heart, my friend, for those six stars. You've made my day, even before it has really got underway. Sending you a humongous hug. :)) Sandra xxx

Comment from royowen

Excellent

You have a way of gaining the interest of your reader, revving it up and not letting go until they've become exhausted. There never really seems to be flat spots in the plot. I love reading, and hardly any spags, you're a good writer, well done, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 01-Nov-2020

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reply by the author on 01-Nov-2020

Thank you so much, Roy. Your review put a big smile on my face. I'm so pleased you are still enjoying my story. Warm hugs, my dear friend. :)) Sandra xxx

reply by royowen on 01-Nov-2020

Good job Sandra,

Comment from RShipp

Excellent

'He stopped his pacing and went back to his leather swivel chair. etc.' (All the details of him coming to terms with 'the mess' that he finds himself in- great job!)

'What about the other plans we bought from him? Were they hers too?' (Finally going there, is he.)

Enjoyed!

 Comment Written 01-Nov-2020

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reply by the author on 01-Nov-2020

Thank you so much for this lovely review, my friend, and for picking out what you liked. I really appreciated that. Warm hugs! :)) Sandra xx

Comment from Pam (respa)

Exceptional

-Another very good chapter, Sandra.
-It's funny when I come to a British reference
because it sounds like it is in New York, to me.
-I like how Lorna was included in the discussion,
and it gives Grant another perspective and ideas.
-It is a tricky situation since it is his brother, but
she was right; he needs to deal with it to find the truth.
-Then, Tania does deserve an apology, and the job.
-I imagine it will be a drawn out process where his
brother is concerned, since they would be dealing
with theft, if it came down to it.
-I found Colin's responses over the phone a little
shaky, and I am betting he knows exactly what
property and project Grant has in mind, as well
as the plans for it, too!
-Well done, my friend.

 Comment Written 01-Nov-2020

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reply by the author on 01-Nov-2020

Thank you so very much for another of your lovely review, Pam. Grant has slowly been brought around to the truth of the matter, but there still seems to be a niggle there as he hopes Colin can come up with some different plans. Where will he go from here? Thank you for those lovely six stars, my friend, you're sending me up the wooden hill to bed with a big smile on my face. Warm hugs, and love, Sandra xxx

reply by Pam (respa) on 01-Nov-2020

You are very welcome and deserving, Sandra, and I hope it wasn't too steep a climb! At this point in the story, Colin just might do that:)