Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill

Excellent

Strange way to start a story, with the end. But it worked like gangbusters. My emotions were wrung like used Kleenex. And sometimes enough isn't ever enough.

Karen

 Comment Written 23-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 23-Aug-2023

I'm glad I didn't run you off by penning the end first. But I get so tired of story starting at the very beginning and things being so slow that I lose interest before I get far. I'm a firm believer of starting a story in the middle, not necessarily the end, and filling in the blanks to keep the action moving. Thanks for another confidence building and encouraging review. I can't thank you enough for taking time out of your busy schedule to read my foolishness. I appreciate YOU!

reply by Karen Cherry Threadgill on 23-Aug-2023

yea yea go on, I mean go on I'm waiting! haha
Karen

Comment from JSD

Excellent

Proper Americana. I can see this like a movie, landscape and everything. Excellent writing. Compelling and thrilling. Once again your action sequences are really successful. Well done.

 Comment Written 16-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 16-Aug-2023

Thanks again, John, for taking a little taste of another side of my writing. This genre was somewhat new to me. It came to mind after I tried to get outside my comfort zone with The Cycles of Life. I'm glad you liked it. Much appreciated!

Comment from dragonpoet

Excellent

Hi Ric,
You recapped the story well for those who haven't read the other parts and this ending part is well written. It seems like these two might have committed adultery when they had spouses. But it seems the love never ended even after the death of one.
The contest win is well deserved. Congrats.
Keep writing and stay healthy
Joan

 Comment Written 07-Feb-2023

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reply by the author on 07-Feb-2023

Of course they didn't commit adultery, but I bet they thought about it. LOL. Thank you so much, Joan, for your generous review and kind words. I'm glad you liked the way I ended it. I thought about the sad Romeo and Juliet version, the happily-ever-after version, and then decided to make it more realistic. Well, sort of. Much appreciated!

reply by dragonpoet on 08-Feb-2023

Don't mention it. It is good to see a different kind of ending. Realism is good.
Have a great day.
Joan

Comment from Contests

A seven star rating from the Contest Committee for the recognition this post has received from the FanStory community. While this was not a Contest Committee decision, the committee recognizes this achievement with a seven star review.

 Comment Written 07-Feb-2023

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reply by the author on 07-Feb-2023

Thanks!

Comment from karenina

Excellent

Wowzers. I'm so bummed I missed reading all these as you posted them...although it's been a fun ride taking all except the first chapter, in one night!

Here you've more than satisfied. Love is love. There is no "right way" to have a happy ending. There was so much more intimacy in these two older and wiser lovers growing to accept one another bulges and grey hair and non-traditional relationship and all.

That is a sign of a super good writer, Ric. You gave us the flashy and suave beginning, the heartache of missing one another, the near miss that might have brought marriage (but at what cost? and the absolutely wonderful ending...

"Breakups bring makeups

True love never ends

We just turn the pages

To write another . . ."

I'm proud to be your fan. If you will ever forgive me for missing reviewing your posts I'd love to be your friend as well...again.

Karenina

 Comment Written 30-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2023

Thank you, Karenina, for another generous and kind review. As you can tell, I'm just trying to get farther and farther outside my comfort zone doing something different. I think they call it growing, but with someone who hasn't grown up in damn near 70-years, that doesn't sound very fitting. Why would you ever need my forgiving? How can you know they are there if you aren't notified, and besides, with everything that's gone on in your life over the last year or so, reading silly fiction should be the last thing on your mind. I appreciate you as always!

Comment from leather

Excellent

Hi, Ric. I'm out of six stars, or you would have one. I'm so thankful that you gave three updates before the story started--that helped.
This chapter moved along quickly and was so easy to read. I like how you interspersed dialogue and commentary.
Thanks for the read.

 Comment Written 18-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 19-Jan-2023

Thank you so much, Leather, for taking time out to read part-4 of my story. Of course, it's much better if each part are read in succession, but I tried to give you an idea of the three precious chapters. I hope you enjoyed it and I appreciate you reading it!

reply by leather on 19-Jan-2023

I enjoyed and learned from it even though it was an isolated reading.

Comment from Brett Matthew West

Exceptional

"Westcoast" should be West Coast.

Ric needed to go back after Lori, the shape he was in at in LA.

Lori allowed herself to degrade and go worse than to pot. However, they accepted each other for what they were and found ways to make things happen for the better.

Wow! All ended well for you. Glad to hear they turned out that way.

 Comment Written 18-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 18-Jan-2023

Thanks you so much, Brett, for your extra special six star review and comments. The good thing about fiction is we can write it however we want it to be. And even when a story is true, or to some degree, we can still bend the truth anyway we want and call it fiction. Who knows but us. LOL. I appreciate YOU!

Comment from Annmuma

Exceptional

A story ending that I can live with!!! I was beginning to wonder if they would ever get their heads on straight and pointed in the right direction-- at each other. You did a super job in pulling all together with a really nice closing. The characters never lost their feel of being 'genuine'; and they managed to keep their 'quirks'. They just grew up. I like it. Great story, well written. ann

 Comment Written 18-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 18-Jan-2023

Thank you so much, Ann, for taking time out to read the last chapter. I had hoped you like it better with the ending. I just tried to keep it realistic. I certainly appreciate your extra special six-star review and kind words. But most of all, YOU and your time!

Comment from Karyn2

Excellent

You have skills!! I haven't read the other parts but this was so easy to jump into and feel an instant connection with characters. I love your style and dialogue that is so natural for the reader. You provide just enough detail of character, time and place to make the story engaging and believable and causing the reader to want to know more. Terrific storytelling.

 Comment Written 12-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 12-Jan-2023

Thank you so much, Karyn2, for taking time out to read part-4 of my story. Each part sort of leads up to the next to make it more understandable, but I'm glad you liked the story telling. Thanks for your generous review and kind words Much appreciated!

Comment from Ricky1024

Excellent

'Lingering Devotion"
Was well written rich in Theme and Imagery.
It also, read well and flowed well with No Grammar Issues.
...
Complete Synopsis:
The Adjective and Objective Contents were both Excellent and Exceptional while Descriptive Measures aligned most Perfectly.
Thanks for sharing this and have a Blessed Evening.
Doctor Ricky

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 12-Jan-2023

Thank you so much, Doctor Rick, for taking time out to read part-4 of my story. I was just trying to push myself outside my comfort zone. I appreciate your kind words and generous review!