Reviewer: bktush (Anonymous) · Date: August 15, 2016 06:35 AM · On: Chapter 17

Sweet Baboo, I have a question, of course I'm all for a wonderful Christmas for ALL at Britin, but you haven't mentioned Craig recently. Of course I'm not sure what the slug is up to.If he is after Brian's and Justin's money, trying to get his way on the loan, somehow I don't think he's really trying to make nice with them. His ego is crushed his wife and daughter do find without his financial help Justin and Brian are both successful, and he's been replaced by a younger man in Tucker. He has failed at just about every thing he has tried in his life. Just wondered if we will find out about him or if we've seen the last of him. I enjoy how Brian and Justin can push his buttons for a change. Just been thinking about it. Your Sally

Author's Response:

Darling Sally, I have been thinking about good old Craig. He is really a loser at life. Maybe he had been hanging out with Ron Peterson? Since you have expressd an interest in Craig, he will appear soon in the story. How could I refuse a request from you. Maybe Jennifer will realize what a mistake she made getting rid of Craig and throw Tucker out?? Maybe Brian will realize Craig is really who he always wanted and Justin is just a substitute?? Maybe Craig will start to frequent the Liberty Diner and sweep Debbie off her feet with his charm, she could call him Sunshine Senior??  I guess we will have to wait and see what new adventures await Craig Taylor.  Always enjoy hearing from you.  your Sweet Baboo

Reviewer: DavidR (Signed) · Date: August 14, 2016 11:29 PM · On: Chapter 17

    Thanks for the Chapter.  I does seem to me that John and Peter are far less critical of Joan than their own mother, Claire.  I do remember one explanation was that Claire has refused to take any responsibility for her awful actions.  But has Joan?  Nope!  In fact, she used the very same excuse for Claire’s actions as Claire has.  What about Joan turning to drinking?  In the very beginning of the Joan’s discussion with Peter, she once again referred to Justin as ‘his boy.’  Could she be any more insulting.  I don’t think so.  Could she be any more dismissive of Justin?  No!

   How about Peter and John give their mother a little more consideration.  We learned a lot about Joan’s life.  Was Claire’s any better?   One problem I see is that everyone is better off without Claire.  It is sort of addition by subtraction.  As a reader we can see that Joan gives the story a little spice.  I don’t see how Claire, except for may a few visits and phone calls by her boy, fits this story.  Sadly, we don’t need her, and except for Joan, it seems no one cares.  It is sad.

   As always, thanks for the chapter and the story.

DavidR

  

Author's Response:

I think that John & Peter have less expectations of Joan since she is their grandmother.  They depended more on their mother to take care of them and she let them down.  I thin Brian was often easier on Claire since he had less expectations of her as a sister.  He feel more bitter about Joan becaue again she was a mother who did not protect or really take care of her children.  I think John & Peter still have hope that their mother will own up to her mistreatment of them and not try to excuse her behavior. 

I think you liked this chapter and hope I am correct,  I was just wondering today why I didn't hear from you so thanks for the review!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Bill

Reviewer: Predec2 (Signed) · Date: August 12, 2016 01:23 AM · On: Chapter 17

Hi, Bill! As usual, I'm late to the party - ha!  And as usual, I enjoyed this chapter immensely.  Loved the banter between B and J, and how Justin can always talk Brian into things he would normally never do.  Very interesting back story with Joan; I think I both sympathized with her, but was also disgusted with her at the same time.  And I loved how the boys stuck up for their uncles.

You have really created a wonderful family unit here, despite the witch living in the guest house - ha!  As always, I will be eagerly awaiting your next update.  You could have another 100-chapter story on your hands here - ha!  Thank you once more for posting your story and sharing your talent on here.  We are very grateful.  ~Kim

Author's Response:

Hi Kim, never too late for reviews!!  As we both know authors are delighted to get reviews whenevr they appear.  Justin & Gus are the two people Brian has the hardest time sayin no to.  When the twin Sunshines arrive Brian is going to be seriously outnumbered.   Happy to know you enjoyed this chapter.  Even knowing she had a hard life it is difficult to like Joanie.  Just a few more chapters left in thsi story before I start "To Have and To Hold" which will deal with the arrival of the twins.  I love Midnight Whispers, happy to be posting here and enjoy hearing from the readers this is a great community!!!  Thanks for all YOUR support Kim!!!!!!   Bill

Reviewer: Lorma (Signed) · Date: August 11, 2016 01:55 AM · On: Chapter 17

That was so interesting to find out about Joan's past.  It's understandable why she is so screwed up.

Author's Response:

The really sad part is she screwed up others.  Maybe Peter's food for thought will help her be a better person.  Happu you enjoyed this chapter.  Thanks for the review!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Bill

Reviewer: bktush (Anonymous) · Date: August 10, 2016 05:17 AM · On: Chapter 17

Sweet Baboo, this update was wonderful. It makes me understand Joan has had a sad life, she can't express love because she never experenced it, not in her childhood nor in her marriage. I fill so sad for Joan and Brian have wanted love all their life, but never was able to reach out for it. Justin reached out to Brian with unconditional love with that plus Gus and John and Peter and even Jen ,Molly and Kevin and Ted and Em, he knows how lucky he is that a very mature 17 year old stalker is responsible for a happiness he thought he didn't deserve. You did good my Sweet B. Your devoted Sally.,

Author's Response:

My darling Sally, Joan and her family have not experienced much love.  Luckily it looks like the legacy of misery is coming to an end.  As you pointed out Brian, Gus, John and Peter are having happy lives with lots of love.  Maybe Joan will realize how wrong she has been and get to experience a little love herself.  I think Peter might have made a little crack in her hard heart.  I am always happy to hear from you and am glad to know you enjoyed this chapter.  Thanks for the revuew, you know I love to get them!!!!!!!  your sweet Baboo

Reviewer: emac66 (Signed) · Date: August 09, 2016 04:26 PM · On: Chapter 17

So...you decided about Joanie huh? Not sure if she's going to warm up or not, but it's a step. My first thought was Is she going to pull a Prian. Warm up, open up and then turn around and be even worse. I guess it could go either way. At least both Peter and John are seeing things in a slightly different light yet neither of them are making excuses for her. That is top notch! A small part of me feels a bit bad for her. always has, simply because you KNOW she went through hell herself. Everything she seems to have resented about her own mother, she has become herself. Does she see it? I don't really think seh does. Most people in those situations make excuses for their own behaviour while in the same breath, point fingers at others doing the same thing. Bravo btw for having Peter be the one to begin this. To have him make the expalnations and ask the questions. It's a bit like the saying "Out of the mouths of Babes" Perhaps Peter can go where no one has gone before. (my Trekkie reference hehe) At least she's thinking about all that was said. John...so much more like Brian in his honesty. LOL. Susinct and to the point without pulling any punches. I must say though...I completely agree with him. I guess we'll just have to see what happens with all these revelations on all parts.

Justin always loving and protective, is there for both kids, making sure that Joanie didn't do any damage. and of course he's the same way with Brian. I was almost expecting Brian to fly off the handle about the kids talking to Joan. He seemd more interested than anythng else. Perhaps he is even warming up to her. Either way, IF it were to happen...it's going to take time and a lot of it. There's no way he'll turn around and trust Joan anytime soon. She's done too much harm to both him and to Claire.

Once again I'm blathering off at the mouth. This was a wonderful update. Open and more honestly from Joan was interesting. I'm defeintely looking forward to seeing what happens after this. will she have second thoughts or will there be repercussions? could go so many ways.

thanks you for this wonderful chapter!!

Cheers,

Elaine

Author's Response:

Hello Elaine, I tried to get this ready to post on Sunday so it would be ready for you on Monday but didn't get it done in time.  Hard to day what Joanie will do now.  Out of character for her to share so much info with Peter.   John only heard the last part of Joan's story so naturally he interperted it differently from Peter.  You are correct neither felt the story excused all the damage Joanie inflcited on her children.  Peter thougth he grandmohter wa like his mother trying to pretend nothing was actually her fault.  I think Joan is starting to see that perhaps her past plays a big part in her behavior.  I think Peter may have beeen exploring strange new worlds in Joan's mind. (Tekkie reference).

Justin just wants to be sure Joan doesnt hurt any of his loved ones.  Of course he as being a little clueless himself, not realizing how much Peter cares for him.  I think hearing about his family history, even second hand, was interesting to Brian.  Might help him understad his parents' treatment of him has roots in the past and was largely out of his control.

Guess we will have to wait and see what happens next???  Thanks for your comments I always enjy hearing from you and get food for thought from your reviews!!!!!!!   Bill

Reviewer: sophie'smom (Anonymous) · Date: August 09, 2016 02:05 PM · On: Chapter 17

Think it's time Brian talked with his mother. John's wrong about her motive for telling Peter about her life. It wasn't so he'd feel sorry for her, she's just incredibly lonely. Maybe he should invite her to the open house. It would be up to her whether she accrpts Brian's olive branch. I like how Brian and Justin set aside time for them.

Author's Response:

Hmmmmm have you found some link into my mind?  I think John came in for just the last part of Joan's story and thought she was just trying to excuse her actions.  I think Peter was correct when he thought Joan had never told anyone about the past before him.  Maybe she was feeling lonely, maybe it was the correct mix of vodka and pain pills.  Maybe she just thought it was time to tell someone.  I think it is good for B&J to set aside alone time and I think it is good for John & Peter to see it is important to not neglect your important relationships.  Thanks for taking tiem to review!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Bill

Reviewer: bksbracelet (Signed) · Date: August 09, 2016 10:24 AM · On: Chapter 17

What an amazing chapter so much explained about Joanie and Jack and how the boys show Brian and Justin how much they love them

Author's Response:

Thanks for the nice review.  There was lots of Joan but I thought it would be interesting to explore the past of the Kinney Family and how that impacts the present.  Thanks for reviewing.  Bill