I am barely holding on to read the rest.

I am quite impressed at how seamlessly your two voices are incorporated in this work.

I remember being surprised by Liz’s admission in the last paragraph of chapter 11. I wasn’t jerked from the story, as Sassy was, but it did briefly nudge my suspension of disbelief. I found myself stopping to contemplate her motive rather than read on immediately. Was this a play for sympathy? I decided, after some thought, that this was an extension of her determination to make him look at her face if he was going to kill her. I think, on a second reading, that perhaps I find it more believable as an unintended admission, the hysterical giggle and then a blurted confidence in the face of extreme stress. I like that their relationship is more complex than sex and violence. I like that there is an exploration of underlying feelings and I would not have you remove this section if I suddenly had the power to play editor/goddess. I also like that you leave me, the reader, room to think about and even change my mind about what makes a character tick. Just wanted to add my experience of that section to the feedback mix.

I really enjoy all of your work, even stuff like this, or maybe especially stuff like this, that pushes my boundaries of what is acceptable in a sexual relationship. It’s easier for me to accept nonconsensual, sexualized violence when it’s written in fantasy form, Mumbai Coven stories for example. To accept it when it’s between two humans that could live in consensus reality here with us and when it’s the woman who is an unwilling recipient of violence is quite challenging for me. To find it sexy is disquieting. I like being challenged and my taste for being disquieted is growing.

Thank you for taking the time and energy to continue sharing your work with all of us in world wide web land. It is very appreciated.

Your long-winded friend, Juni

Maybe simply implying that fiction very closely parallels reality is enough. I love the story, as sad and beautiful as it is. When I finished reading I got angry, and have been there, since. That’s what happens when a story has been masterfully crafted – it DIGS.

Dae and RG, Thank You again, but perhaps you should delete that last ‘paragraph.’ (comment)

When Liz had nothing left to lose, the resolve that peeked through was really compelling.

I found this story to be gripping up until section 11, last paragraph. Something about that paragraph jerked me out of the story. I think maybe that paragraph was implying history that wasn’t there, or maybe it just seemed too out of character for Elizabeth.

I will be fascinated to see if Jack can recover from his deeds so far. And I absolutely love the story.

Your collaboration with Dae is inspired, RG.