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Love Long Distance

Viewing comments for Chapter 29 "TAPS - Chapter 29"
A Wartime Romance

21 total reviews 
Comment from karenina
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Kudos! Such an effective way to juxtapose the untimely loss of life with the unexpected ending of Cathy's water breaking--and imminent life about to overshadow any "kabooms" heard here-to-fore! Such a sad and symbolistic way to show the many ultimate sacrifices our heroes made...Not thinking of their own lives, but dedicated to saving their brothers in arms. Six stars to be sure...and (as always) I can't wait for the next chapter!--Karenina

 Comment Written 31-May-2020


reply by the author on 03-Jun-2020
    Hi Karenina, Kudos to you for the awesome review! Thank you SO MUCH for the AMAZING six star ratting and GREAT comments. A double "SALUTE!" We are thrilled that you are enjoying the novel. Chapter 30 has already been written and will be posted soon. Wishing you all the best. Take care and God Bless.
    Respectfully with Admiration,
    Bill & Cathy
reply by karenina on 09-Jun-2020
    Glad you enjoyed it since you both earned it! Will await the next chapter!--Karenina
Comment from richie b
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Bill & Cathy,
You are right, lots going on in this chapter. Close
range combat, losing friend, Cathy ready to give birth.
The reader certainly has many images going on.
Good home town writing, many readers relating to
similar experiences. God answering prayers in His
own way. I enjoyed reading this chapter and look
forward to more.
Many Blessings,
Richie

 Comment Written 31-May-2020


reply by the author on 03-Jun-2020
    Hi Richie, We really appreciate you stopping by to read and review this chapter. Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it and are looking forward to the next chapter. It has been written and will be posted soon. Great comments! Wishing you all the best. Take care and God Bless.
    Respectfully with Admiration,
    Bill & Cathy
reply by richie b on 03-Jun-2020
    You are most welcome!
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

WOW, Bill and Cathy, what a start to this chapter. It is excellent. The intensity and severity of the battle scene is so real and well-written. Readers (me) can picture every detail from start to finish. After Mark is down, Bill's thoughts are poignant as are Mark's. I believe both knew the outcome. However, Mark tried, even in his pain, to lighten the situation for Bill. On the other hand, Bill knows that Mark will not live and he tries to be strong for his buddy even though he is 'dying' inside. Your dialogue carries this emotional scene well. (Pass the Kleenex!).

The effect Mark's death, and that of the continued battle(s) shows how our military is affected by the horrific sights they encounter. Bill's questioning of his faith is believable in this situation. I believe he, like so many others, experiences this time of turmoil and tries to come to grips with his own uncertain future while on the battlefield. God's answer is perfect. We all want immediate answers, but He will work within his Master Plan.

I loved the part about Cathy and Grandpa searching for the perfect Christmas tree. I love the imagery of Cathy trudging 'like a penguin' through the newly fallen snow. Grandpa is trying to keep Cathy's spirits up as she goes with him. Also, that same idea applies to Grandpa as he remembers the many times he and Bill went in search of their special tree.

The love, care, and support of family is evident throughout this chapter; but, particularly in the part about the Christmas tree. It shows the strong love and bond each one feels toward the other. What a perfect plan to have the baby starting to make his/her appearance known when Cathy realizes the time is near. This will be their Christmas 'gift' just like in the Bible. [My mother always believed that when someone close to you (Mark) dies, then a new life (the baby) will be born--true--this happened with my brother who was born shortly after a death in the immediate family.]

Your book cover remains awesome. The videos are a great addition. Of course, the one featuring TAPS, is solemn, but genuine, and so relevant to this chapter. The other helps anchor the time of the book.
I can hardly wait for the next chapter to find out about the baby and Bill's situation.

Thanks for sharing, Bill and Cathy.
Respectfully with Love and Admiration, Jan

 Comment Written 31-May-2020


reply by the author on 02-Jun-2020
    WOW, Jan! Thank you SO MUCH for the SPECTACULAR six star rating and awesome review! A double "SALUTE!" from us to you! Your continued encouragement, support and help mean so much to both of us. Much appreciate that you point out the parts you like the most and also mention the videos. We've written Chapter 30. It will be coming soon. Course, as you know, we've got four other books in the works and need to post a few of those chapters first. Wishing you all the best. Take care and God Bless.
    Respectfully with Love and Admiration,
    Bill & Cathy
Comment from Mistydawn
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I do hope Cathy and the baby will be alright. It would've been nice if Bill had been there but I don't see that happening not with everything going on. Your story is well-written, I could picture the horrid war scene in my mind. Feel Bill's pain, sorry. The second part is so sweet. Not only will they not be able to see the special grandpa won't get his moonshine either, poor guy lol.

 Comment Written 31-May-2020


reply by the author on 02-Jun-2020
    Hi Mistydawn, We're so glad you enjoyed this chapter. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing it. We really appreciate your continued support. Chapter 30 is already written and will be posted soon. Wishing you all the best. Take care and God Bless.
    Respectfully with Admiration,
    Bill and Cathy
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Babies do tend to arrive on their own schedule. My boys always came at the worst possible time. LOL Thank you for sharing this story. I do really enjoy reading. You two are doing a wonderful job.

 Comment Written 31-May-2020


reply by the author on 01-Jun-2020
    Hi Barbara, Thank you SO MUCH for the AWESOME six star rating and review. Yay! We both "SALUTE" you! We are so glad you are enjoying the novel. Thank you also for your continued support and for saying we're doing a wonderful job. Chapter 30 is in the works now and coming soon. Wishing you all the best. God Bless.
    Respectfully with Admiration,
    Bill & Cathy
Comment from Cindy Decker
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Bill and Cathy,
Excellent story. Wonderful personalization of the Vietnam Nam war: soldiers are not mere statistics in your story; when they bleed the reader feels for them, because the pain is so close. I know this story is wholly or partially based on true events, and therefore it is a way for us to understand the grief our fighting forces experience when at war. I cannot wait for the next installment. )I also found the writing to be fluid with no mistakes).
Best wishes,
Blessings, Cindy

 Comment Written 31-May-2020


reply by the author on 01-Jun-2020
    Hi Cindy, Thank you SO MUCH for the AWESOME six star rating and review. A double "SALUTE!" Great comments! We are thrilled that you are following along and can't wait until the next chapter. It is already in the works and coming soon. Wishing you a wonderful week. God Bless.
    Respectfully with Admiration,
    Bill & Cathy
reply by Cindy Decker on 01-Jun-2020
    You?re welcome and God bless, Bill and Cathy.
Comment from Shirley McLain
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

An excellent and poignant chapter with the sacrifice of Bill's friend. I also liked the cliff hanger this time with Cathy's water breaking. No errors, only good reading. Have a great Sunday. Shirley

 Comment Written 31-May-2020


reply by the author on 01-Jun-2020
    Hi Shirley, HURRAH! Thank you SO MUCH for these six stars and great review. A double "SALUTE" from us to you! We're so glad you found this chapter excellent and enjoyed reading it. Thank you also for the continued support. Chapter 30 is already in the works and coming soon. Wishing you all the best. Take care and God Bless.
    Respectfully with Admiration,
    Bill & Cathy
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Oh to see the baby born on Christmas day! How wonderful, what a beautiful present!!! I just wish Bill was there to seen it. This is a wonderful chapter in your book. Sad to begin with, losing Mark, but a new child comes in his place. That is what is so nice about life. Really, really enjoyed reading this! Well done, both of you. :)) Sandra xxx

 Comment Written 31-May-2020


reply by the author on 01-Jun-2020
    Hi Sandra, We are so happy that you really, really enjoyed this chapter! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing it. Also, we really appreciate your continued support and encouragement. Great comments! Chapter 30 is already in the works and coming soon. Have a wonderful week. God Bless. :))
    Respectfully with Admiration,
    Bill & Cathy
Comment from CHANYA MASHENGU
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I liked the real awareness of the events at hand that the author has brought to the surface. The pregnancy process and the culmination into breaking of water to signify giving birth.

I also liked the incorporation of the family into the scene grandpa and grandma and the feelings towards the family and their son who is gone on war.

 Comment Written 31-May-2020


reply by the author on 01-Jun-2020
    Hi Chanya, HURRAH! Thank you SO MUCH for the AWESOME six star rating and review. A double "SALUTE!" We are so happy you enjoyed this chapter and are following along. Chapter 30 is already in the works and coming soon. Wishing you all the best. Take care and God Bless.
    Respectfully with Admiration,
    Bill & Cathy
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Graphic imagery and masterful story-telling from both Bill and Cathy's perspectives. Gripping drama--the Vietnam experience is convincing. Cheers. LIZ

 Comment Written 31-May-2020


reply by the author on 01-Jun-2020
    Hi Elizabeth, Great comments! We're so happy you find our storytelling masterful with graphic imagery and gripping drama. Wow! A "SALUTE!" Thank you for reading and reviewing this chapter. The next chapter is already in the works and coming soon, so stay tuned! Wishing you a wonderful week. Take care and God Bless.
    Respectfully with Admiration,
    Bill & Cathy