Dear Ms. Green,
Holy batshit, Batman, here we go again. It’s back to the alternate reality world you’ve created with the Hunstmen - hot men who roam in twin brother pairs looking for a good woman who likes it like that. Trying to keep sane via the emotional energy they can unleash from her following some hella good sex. Trying to survive in a world that doesn’t know about them - in fact can’t know about them - because when they lose it - well bad, bad things happen.
Readers starting with this book will be totally lost. I’m sorry but there it is. This is a complex world with lots of rules which makes sense to those of us who’ve read the first two books but newbies will be floundering and pitifully calling for help. Those just beginning these stories should check your website for a little background info.
I love that these men mind their manners around the matriarch. I guess it’s the only way she could live with fourteen males in one household. “Yes, ma’am. No ma’am. You’re right. We’ll do whatever you want.” Wiping their feet before entering the house. And that’s not just to get some nookie, either.
Poor Joe isn’t in this book much but he makes such an impact when he is. It’s so obvious he loves his mother and longs to be with her yet recognizes the danger she’s in from the drug lord. I almost cried when he tells Sugar, “I won’t be a problem, Mom. You can rely on me. Always.” He’s too young - along with so many children in the world - to need to know about this kind of danger. If Fort and Cassio set up a separate household, I can more easily understand why Joe doesn’t know as much as I would have thought come “Bareback” times.
I appreciated the commitment that Fort makes to Sugar to take care of Joe. As you say, not “we’ll do it” but “I’ll do it.” That seems to go a long way in Sugar’s book towards soothing her worries about these two and the lifestyle they’re offering to her.
And what danger. The scenes of Sugar dealing with Digger and his goons were horrifying but so well written that I could feel her terror at being in the hands of this madman again. I also think you did a good job explaining how she manages to keep one step ahead of him for so long. Constantly moving, staying ahead, situational awareness, putting some thought into the names she picks and jobs she takes, restricting her contact with her son, all were smart moves.
I loved the early 80s references. The music, the primitive computers, Compuserve, big hair! Ah, I remember it well. But were there mobile phones then? I honestly don’t remember those. And you needed some shoulder pad references.
This is a nice backstory addition to the Hunstmen world but it ain’t one for people to start with. B
~Jayne
This book can be purchased in e format from Loose ID.