Comment from Liz O'Neill

Excellent

This shows a good cultural pattern very good to know: "She selected a greetings card with an elephant on it and wrote, 'Dear Mr Chanarong. These are to wish you a speedy recovery and to apologise for my rude behaviour yesterday." this is a lovely description for the setting: "They sat in silence for a while, watching the soft hues of twilight being tucked into the edge of the world. As darkness fell, creatures began to emerge from the blanket of night." i have two frog sounds: gunk gunk & knee deep knee deep...lol oh no this does not bode well: "After Bruno's 'funeral', Ayesha returns to Australia with the cremation ashes, unaware that the major has switched urns and that she is carrying 2.5 kg of heroin." the ending keeps us up in the air

 Comment Written 19-Jun-2024

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reply by the author on 19-Jun-2024

Hello again, Lisa. Lovely comments! Much appreciated. All good wishes, Tony

reply by Liz O'Neill on 20-Jun-2024

Needless to say I am thoroughly enjoying this book

Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Excellent

I never knew that about bats. We have them as bad omens and seeing as I don't like them, I'll stick to what I believe. :))
I do hope that omen is good for Ayesha, she needs all the luck she can muster now. It's a shame she has to face it all alone. That is quite daunting. But, we will see how it goes. Well done. I missed this chapter somehow! :)) Sandra xx

 Comment Written 20-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2024

Thanks for going back to this one, Sandra. Ayesha seems to be gaining strength (even though I haven't given her a magic sword yet. 😂)
We have been smitten with a plague of fruit bats in Adelaide because of global warming and bushfires destroying their habitat. About 30,000 of them apparently. A truly ominous sight at dusk when they leave their daytime roosts.

reply by Sandra Stoner-Mitchell on 21-Feb-2024

I don't think I'd go outside with all those bats flying around. 5 is good! :(

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

Tony, I enjoyed this chapter familiarizing myself with the characters again. The setting was shown in the right amount of detail to stir emotions and hear the frogs and see the bats.

Just one small concern with this line:

They sat in silence for a while, watching while the soft hues of twilight were tucked into the edge of the world. - "while" is used twice in close proximity

Great job and off to read the next chapter.

Gloria

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2024

Thanks again Gloria. I've done away with one of the whiles. Thanks for pointing out the duplication. All the best, Tony

Comment from Mustang Patty

Excellent

Hi Tony,
Thank you for sharing another great chapter in this story. I love Ayesha and all the twists and turns of her story. Love the addition of the fruit bats to the overall picture. Looking forward to reading more,
~MP~

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2024

Thanks very much for your review, Patty. Appreciated!
All good wishes, Tony.

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Hi Tony, this is wonderful continuation to the story. Her anxiety comes through very well and so does her frustration with the whole situation. She's now going back to Australia. Now what? Ulla :)))

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2024

Thanks, Ulla. As you've already found out, a few surprises to greet her in Sydney. I appreciate your continued interest and support. All the best, Tony

Comment from BethShelby

Excellent

I'm enjoying the story. I'm glad Bapit is getting some better. Your stories in various parts of the let us in on some of the local customs of the region/ I hope the five bats will turn out to work in Ayesha's favor.

 Comment Written 18-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2024

Thank you, Beth. I'm delighted that this is continuing to hold your interest. All good wishes, Tony

Comment from rspoet

Exceptional

Hello Tony,
Who would have thought that bats could be a good omen, though they do eats mosquitos, reducing their numbers significantly, which a blessing in many ways.
I like the Five Blessings, especially the combination of the first and last one,
a long life and a peaceful death is a good pairing, with the other three filling the space between.
So Ayesha leaves for Sydney with some positive news about Bapit. A strong woman who appears to be learning rapidly, she may very well be a match for Mr Suttle and Mr Johnson.
Well done.
Best wishes.
Robert

 Comment Written 17-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 18-Feb-2024

Yes, I think Ayesha is going to feel like making Johnno see at least six stars. Thanks for supplying them.
I, too, like the idea of a long life and peaceful death!
We have a plague of bats in Adelaide at the moment. Tens of thousands of them. An eerie sight at dusk.

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

I don't know about being bringers of five blessings but the fruit bats are very smelling creatures. You achieved a good blend of despair and compassion in this chapter Tony.I wonder if the five blessings will travel to Sydney with her.
An enjoyable read,
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 17-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 18-Feb-2024

Thanks, Valda. We have a plague of bats in Adelaide at the moment. Tens of thousands of them. An eerie sight at dusk. All good wishes, Tony.

Comment from Sankey

Excellent

I started this review, then noticed nothing was showing. This was another great chapter. You keep us on point wanting to read more of this exciting story.

 Comment Written 17-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 18-Feb-2024

Thanks, Geoffrey. Appreciated. All good wishes. Tony.

Comment from Cindy Warren

Excellent

What awful luck. I hope she does better with the man who is nastier than the bats. She needs the money, and it looks like she's going to do good things with it.

 Comment Written 16-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 18-Feb-2024

Thanks, Cindy. I appreciate your review. I suspect Johnno might be meeting his match in Ayesha. All good wishes, Tony.