Comment from equestrik

Excellent

This is a truly lovely tribute to Bob-Mastery. I enjoyed his writing as well as his reviews. It sounds like he had quite a story. I will be reading his book, Falling Up The Stairs. Thank you.

 Comment Written 28-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 29-Jul-2021

Thank you very much for your excellent and thoughtful review. If you like reading e-books, the cost is very reasonable on Amazon, and you won't be disappointed. I was deeply touched by it, and it is what I will remember the most -- that he overcame such a difficult beginning. May he rest in peace with God.
Love and blessings, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from Father Flaps

Exceptional

Hi Mary Kay,
I had hoped that Bob would survive, recovering from his recent operation. The news saddened me for I, too, was a big fan, following his latest novel where Cleve Hawkins was tackling another case, Mo was overlooked for days, and Cleve was trying to help his homeless friends. I wonder if some of Fanstory's novelists might finish it for him? He will be missed in Fanstory's halls.
I have two of his books, and I'm thinking about contacting Lynn to see if I can purchase the other two. He was a terrific writer. I realized that when I started reviewing "Falling Up The Stairs" years ago.
You've presented a very nice eulogy for our Mastery. I'm sure it gave him a smile. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings,
Kimbob

 Comment Written 28-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 29-Jul-2021

Dear Kimbob,
Thank you for your beautiful and sensitive review, and especially for the six stars. I was wondering why I thought I had already replied, and then I remembered that it was in the messaging (so I'm not losing my mind, after all :-) Yes, that would be nice, if he can see what we're writing here. Many of us are praying for his family, especially for his wife, as we hoped he would pull through; so sad to see him go. May God comfort them, and may he rest in God's peace.
Blessings and hugs,
Mary Kay

Comment from Senyai

Excellent

Hi Mary Kay,

Nice to meet you! I too, didn't know Mastery personally but made his acquaintance years ago when I first came on FanStory in 2006. He was always so so kind and offered his advice on writing so gently that you were not hurt by anything he said. He was well respected and such a gifted writer that we all sat up and took notice whenever Bob offered his take on our work. It never went to his head, nothing ever did. His character was just as you so aptly and expertly wrote, just impeccable. I didn't know about his childhood until after his death. So sorry he passed. When a man is great in Life, when they leave us, the sadness is profound. I will look up, Falling Up the Stairs.

Thanks for an amazing review, Mary Kay! You are a phenomenal reviewer and writer with this outstanding addition to Bob Hartson's (Mastery) book.

Always,
Senyai

 Comment Written 28-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 28-Jul-2021

Thank you so much for this outstanding review of my contribution to this book, "Memories of Mastery." I appreciate your thoughtful comments, as well as the five stars. We are all very sorry to lose Bob. We are blessed that he has left so many memories behind, especially the book that you are eager to read -- you won't be disappointed. He was incredibly forthright, honest and sensitive, as he revisited his past -- and that couldn't have been easy. It took courage, to do that. May he rest in peace with the Lord.
God bless you, my friend.
- Mary Kay

reply by Senyai on 29-Jul-2021

You are very welcome, Mary Kay ❤️

Comment from Liz O'Neill

Excellent

This is a nice tribute to Bob. I will miss his writings. I was enjoying his last one. I told him I thought he was channeling someone from the 40's or 50's. He was a great writer.

 Comment Written 28-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 28-Jul-2021

Hi Liz. Thanks for your lovely review. I was not too familiar with his writing, except that I read his outstanding book, "Falling Up the Stairs," and since his passing, I've perused some of his shorter works. I wouldn't be surprised if he could capture the spirit of earlier times, since he grew up in the 40s and 50s. Of course, he saw a different side of life, in those days. By the grace of God, he emerged whole. May he rest in peace. And may God bless you. Love, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from Theodore McDowell

Exceptional

I absolutely love this tribute and post. Bob seems like a classy man who overcame a lot of adversity in childhood and is Falling up the Stairs sounds like a beautiful indirect writing on his very personal past. well done

 Comment Written 27-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 27-Jul-2021

Thank you so much for your kind and stellar review, Theodore. I appreciate the six stars very much. Yes, Bob's "Falling Up the Stairs" was a real eye-opener. After being terribly neglected and let down by his own family, he experienced unwarranted abuse by strangers. This was a major critique of the extremely flawed foster care system in those days. Unfortunately, it continues to fail society's most vulnerable members, even in modern times. May Bob rest in peace. And may God bless you. - Mary Kay

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

This is a neat send up for Bob, Mary Kay. You have read a lot of his bio and know that he has surely paid his dues to be where he was with four books in print. Nice.

 Comment Written 27-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 27-Jul-2021

Thank you for your excellent review, Bill, and the five stars. Yes, I took a look at his considerable profile, and read two of his poems about his teenage son who died in a tragic accident, as well as some chapters of "Santa's Diary." Most importantly, his astounding book from Amazon, "Falling Up the Stairs" -- the title itself was so creative and apropos. There was one place on FanStory where he listed all the jobs where he'd worked at, in life -- wow! He paid his dues, in many ways. I also know he helped a lot of aspiring writers. May he rest in peace, and may God comfort his family.
God bless you, my friend.
- Mary Kay

Comment from Susan Larson

Excellent

What a beautiful heartfelt tribute to this kind, wonderful man. I only met him recently but he gave me some sound he Myles advice and we became fans of each other. I will miss him. And I will look for his book on Amazon.

 Comment Written 26-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 26-Jul-2021

Thank you, Susan, for your excellent and kind review, and for the five stars. I'm not sure what "sound he Myles" advice is, but I have a feeling that autocorrect is to blame, lol. Oh, yes, by all means, you won't regret it if you read his amazing book... and if you use Kindle, it won't cost you a lot, either. Yes, Bob will certainly be missed. May God rest his soul.
Love and blessings, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from Tpa

Exceptional

An outstanding eulogy for a remarkable person. He taught me so much and gave me inspiration when reviewing my work. He was a beautiful man filled with kindness and talent. My heart and prayers go out to his family and friends, which, I'm sure, he had many. May he now be at peace.

 Comment Written 25-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 26-Jul-2021

Thank you so much for your exceptional review, the six stars and your heartfelt comments. Yes, may he rest in peace with God. I am praying for his family and friends, also.
Blessings, Mary Kay

Comment from Sanku

Excellent

A very good tribute to Mastery .i have read some of Santa's diary.I have also read a few poems in which he has written about the loss of his son .may his soul rest in pece.

 Comment Written 25-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 26-Jul-2021

Thank you very much, Sanku, for your thoughtful review and the five stars. I looked in his portfolio and read two of his poems about his teenage son who was tragically killed; it's a terrible heartbreak, when parents outlive their children. Yes, may he rest in peace with God.
Blessings, Mary Kay

Comment from Raffaelina Lowcock

Exceptional

This tribute is so profoundly heartfelt. You have captured so much of what he experienced, good and bad. The man he became was awesome when we see what he overcame. We spoke of the Santa Book being a project for his later years. At his request, I have accepted the task of collecting his poems and stories into a book, with instructions re font and size, to present to his children. As Bob would say, 'Bless you, my friend.'

Ralf

 Comment Written 25-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 26-Jul-2021

Dear Ralf, thank you for inspiring me to write this post to begin with; and thank you for your beautiful, very meaningful six-star review. I am so touched to know that you will be compiling an anthology for his children, at his request! If you hadn't written your book review this spring, I would never have known about the adversities Bob overcame in his youth; so I thank you for that also. I am richer, for that understanding. I look forward to hearing more about the anthology, when it's ready. I'm sure it will be a comfort to his family, who must miss him terribly. God bless you too, Ralf. Love, Mary Kay xoxo