Comment from Rachelle Allen

Excellent

Super duper chapter! It had a little bit of everything: joy, sadness, expectation, satisfaction, and the teeniest giggle of fear with Julia's intuition sparking. Can't wait to see what happens to Brian on his own and with no safety news around. Hopefully, Julia is not right to feel that tinge of worry.

 Comment Written 24-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 24-Sep-2024

I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Rachelle. I really enjoyed writing this one, especially seeing Julia get up on that stage with the bluegrass band. I wonder if she would have done it without Brian's prompting? I'm guessing no.

Yes, that's the question: How will Brian do on his own without his support team, and will Julia's fear prove to be real or just a wife's needless worry about her husband?

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Exceptional

Hmmn is Jules having
a premonition as they say their goodbye. A good finish to leave us pondering on. Lovely scenes from the Christmas party musical get together, and a great read, Jim.
Cheers
Valda

 Comment Written 22-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 22-Sep-2024

Thanks so much Valda for this great review and the 6 stars too. We'll find out in the next chapter whether or not Julia's premonition comes true. We're now at the beginning of the climax to the story, but it may not end quite the way everyone thinks.

Comment from T B Botts

Excellent

Hello Jim,
It sounds like there could be trouble on the horizon, or the potential anyway. I suppose Brian has no choice to but to adjust the dosages to see what the effect will be, but what he is using now is working, so it's like he's tempting fate. While the intention for both of them might be to work hard without interruptions, the dynamic is going to change, at least for the two months, and who knows what might be the result? With his support group away, Brian might find himself in a spot of loneliness that will be hard to deal with. I guess we'll find out. Well done.
Have a blessed day.
Tom

 Comment Written 22-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 22-Sep-2024

You are so right on with your analysis here, Tom. We'll get to see a large portion of the result in the next chapter.

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

I'm finally getting back to do some proper reviewing, but I needed my wee sabbatical from the site. I have written the odd pieces and reviewed some. Also I will pick up writing my book soon.
Now, I quickly got back into this story again. I feel something bad is about to happen. We'll see. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 22-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 22-Sep-2024

Welcome back, Ulla. Oh, you are so right about that. It begins with the next chapter.

You may just want to read chapter 39 but can probably skip the rest that you missed. I think you'll enjoy that one.

reply by Ulla on 22-Sep-2024

I will read chapter 39. It's probably a good idea. Lol.

Comment from royowen

Excellent

Of course the non addictive drug that would get past large pharma would be extremely unlikely, profit, or rather money based businesses are going to buy them out, or use clandestine methods to do so, but the big think now, will Julia be able blessings Roy

 Comment Written 22-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 22-Sep-2024

You're right. He wouldn't last a minute against big pharma. He has a different idea for his drug, which you will find out in a few chapters.

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

This is an interesting chapter as he discovers his medicine works and they have a party before they part for two months. The bad feeling Julia has at the airport makes me worry there are more problems on the horizon. Good cliffhanger.

 Comment Written 21-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 22-Sep-2024

Thanks, Carol. So what could go wrong at this point? We'll find out soon enough.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Oh no! There are at least two examples of foreshadowing here - the joking about having a lover outside of their marriage, and Julie's intuition that something will go wrong while they are apart. Even Fran is not going to be in touch. It sounds like it's all setting the situation where we learn about the addictive problem with the drug that isn't evident yet.

 Comment Written 21-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 22-Sep-2024

Nice analysis here, Helen. Yep, the stage is set now for the long climax to the story. Brian is alone now for a while, and we'll see how he fares on his own.

Comment from Debbie D'Arcy

Excellent

Such a sweet, emotional ending, signifying I think trouble ahead. It's a lengthy period away from each other and I think Julia senses the potential demons with Brian, perhaps more than he does. But an excellent chapter conveying the importance of this social group in keeping Brian upbeat and properly motivated. Thank you Jim. Take care Debbie

 Comment Written 21-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 21-Sep-2024

Thanks so much, Debbie. The stage is now set for the very beginning of the climax to the story. We've got 7 chapters to go to wrap it all up. A lot will happen before the end.

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

Sounds like the drug could also be sold as an ED fix:-)

I think I would love to hear a version of Dueling Jingle Bells!

Messing with success ... that sounds ominous.

Aha! You've answered my heart's desire with a video:-) And it was awesome!

Thanks, Jim!

xo
Pam

 Comment Written 21-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 21-Sep-2024

Yeah, I thought that was a cool video too. I've always loved "Dueling Banjos" from when I saw it in Deliverance. That guitar and banjo player looked like twins.

Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill

Excellent

Trouble is on the horizon. I can tell, I'm a bit pyschic you know! Seriously, I know it is going to be bad, but I have to keep reading. You can't just eat one potato chip. Love your stuff. Karen

 Comment Written 21-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 21-Sep-2024

Thanks, Karen. The next chapter will be a good one. We will end up back at the Prologue too.