Comment from lancellot

Excellent

Well, this was an update chapter for Marie, and you've also reacquainted the readers with how much of a mean-spirited woman Julia's mother is. I wonder if, we'll get a deep dive, to see the cause of her personality.

 Comment Written 14-Nov-2024

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reply by the author on 15-Nov-2024

Yes, we'll get a little bit of backstory in a future chapter. She's a fun character to write about, but I have to try not to make her too much of a caricature.

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

I always thought violinists would be mellow people, like the instrument, but you've certainly changed that opinion, LOL, with Dr. Schmidt.I'm not surprised Jule's parents got divorced, she sounds like a nightmare. And, Jim, you've written her well, I loved the interactions then the scoffing down of her martini.
edit - we were done for the day, and I headed back - I don't think and is needed here.
An amusing chapter, Jim. Loved it,
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 13-Nov-2024

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reply by the author on 13-Nov-2024

Thanks so much, valda. She's a challenge for me to write because I usually write about nice people, but it's fun for a change to include someone like her in the mix. Just how she will fit into the plot remains to be seen, but she will have a significant role in at least one of the plots of which there will be two main lines.

Glad you found some humor in it too. She actually has a wry sense of humor, which we will see in other chapters as well.

Comment from Sallyo

Excellent

Well, well. Marie is...odd, but I feel some kinship with her over the button punching. I quite look forward to finding out some more about her next time it's her turn for a chapter. There's a good blend of movement and information in this one, showing she does at least have a sense of humour.

 Comment Written 13-Nov-2024

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reply by the author on 13-Nov-2024

Odd is a good word for her. I'll be having a lot of fun with her character. I'm glad you picked up that she has a sense of humor--sarcastic and wry though it may be.

Comment from T B Botts

Excellent

Hello Jim,
the beginning of the chapter kind of threw me off. I didn't remember Julia's mother's name and I was wondering where this was going, but you pulled it together nicely. What an unpleasant, unforgiving woman. No wonder her and her husband divorced. People like her can never see that they are the problem, content to blame everyone else in the world. It's not natural that a mother and daughter would remain estranged for so long. Thank God Julia had a good reason to call her mom. I hope she doesn't regret it.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

 Comment Written 13-Nov-2024

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reply by the author on 13-Nov-2024

Yep, you've nailed her pretty well, Tom. I'll be having a bit of fun with her throughout.

Comment from LJbutterfly

Excellent

I am enjoying the story, but wonder if I am reading about characters from a previous novel that I started reading but never finished due to Florida hurricanes and loss of electrical power. Are Brian and Julia a couple who initially met at a rehab center? If I'm wrong I apologize, since I didn't complete your previous novel.

I'm just getting to know Dr. Marie Schmidt, and she is a real character. It appears she is one of the three narrators. This should be interesting. I look forward to the next chapter.

 Comment Written 12-Nov-2024

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reply by the author on 13-Nov-2024

Yep, you remember correctly, Lorraine. They were the two main characters from the previous story. This story takes place when they are in their early 30s and have been married for about 12 years.

I don't remember if you reviewed the chapter in which Julia and her mother's big rift occurred, but you'll hear more about it later.

Comment from Ric Myworld

Exceptional

In my personal, and often disagreed with, opinion, a story's plot is strictly secondary accounts of what the characters do. And what a wonderful job you've done of showing the inner and outer makings of Marie. She holds grudges, even with her own daughter, blames others for her shortcomings, is angry, impatient, and resorts to drinking to take the edge off. A full person, and outstanding example of character building. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 12-Nov-2024

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reply by the author on 12-Nov-2024

Thanks so much, Ric. She was in my last novel and caused a major rift between Julia and herself, which we will deal with in this story. She's a fun character to represent, but I have to rein myself in not to make her too much of a caricature. I appreciate your perceptive review and the 6 stars very much.

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

Good chapter. Fran is going to ignore her orders and investigate how Brian's bad drug got out. It is great that Julia has invited her mother to their baby's christening. It is better to be on good terms with family for many reasons. Besides Marie needs to get a sense of humor and someone else's baby can do that for you.

 Comment Written 11-Nov-2024

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reply by the author on 11-Nov-2024

Thanks, Carol. Yes, I'm going to try to make a decent human being out of Marie yet. It won't be easy though. She's going to fight me on it. Good instincts about the baby.

Comment from Debbie D'Arcy

Exceptional

Nicely done, Jim, making us wonder in the beginning but then pulling it all together with the phone-call and getting us up to speed with Julia's family events. I'm glad as well she wasn't too apologetic or obsequious to that bitch of a woman! This is all designed, I assume, To update us on the other side of Brian's operation which is getting Big Pharma so uptight. I like the changes with the narrator which is effective in conveying different perspectives and adding more emotion to your clever and entertaining story. Well done, Jim. I can imagine more drama ahead. Debbie

 Comment Written 11-Nov-2024

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reply by the author on 11-Nov-2024

Thanks so much, Debbie, for this very perceptive review. Yes, exactly right about that part of the story involving Marie, Julia, Brian, and baby Johnny. (Did you catch the significance of the name?)

As I may have already explained, there will be two plot lines to the story. One concerns Big Pharma's reaction to Glyptophan and the other concerns solving the problem created by the unintended release of Dipraxa on the population. Marie and Dana will really only be involved with the former, while Fran will be involved with both. There will be a few surprise characters from other novels joining us later too.

Thanks very much for those 6 stars too. Much appreciated.

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

I think I'm going to start a new club here on FanStory. The "I hate Marie" club, lol! I didn't like her in the first book; I like her even less this time around.

I like how you're telling your story through different characters taking a chapter. I've read a few books lately who do this and it allows for different perspectives.

A question: Who is in the picture you used and what is the relevance to this story?

See you next time!

xo
Pam

 Comment Written 11-Nov-2024

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reply by the author on 11-Nov-2024

Thanks, Pam. Yes, we will get 3 different points of view. Eventually, these three will all come together, but I still plan on doing the chapters this way, although a few might have two different POVs in it.

The picture is of Marie and the doorman at her apartment, Cedric (who she calls Cecil). He's there to provide mild comic relief and to show that she has at least a modicum of a sense of humor. He will make a few appearances in the story.

reply by Pam Lonsdale on 12-Nov-2024

Oh! Thanks for the explanation.

Comment from royowen

Excellent

Perhaps this might the catalyst for a reconciliation, and it was always going to be from Julia, not her, I wonder if she'll and her grandchild will soften heart, but I can't imagine she'll stop her manipulative ways, but your stories always work to that end, well done my friend, blessings Roy,

 Comment Written 11-Nov-2024

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reply by the author on 12-Nov-2024

Thanks, Roy. Great instincts here. You've got me pegged pretty well from having read all my stories I think.

reply by royowen on 12-Nov-2024

Well done