Comment from karenina

Excellent

Whew. I'm winded. Breathless. Note to self...do NOT get behind on reviews and read Carol's emotion packed stories back to back to back! It can give me emotional whiplash! Witness Protection Program? Apparently this is why I can't write prose... YOU have all the great ideas! (No fair--share with your friends!)

Man. But for a finger twitch it would have been too late!

MORE AMAZING WORK!

Another winner?

Not surprised!

Karenina

 Comment Written 23-Jun-2021

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reply by the author on 25-Jun-2021

Wow, girlfriend... you really did have your sweet head-spinning reading all of these back to back... and of course, each one is a shocker... thanks for sticking with me and enjoying all that I write. Smiles, Carol

reply by karenina on 26-Jun-2021

Like I mentioned, I was so behind...

So when I saw I had one,two, three...four...more of yours to read I said "Heck, laundry can wait" and totally indulged! You're better than binging on ice cream...all the pleasure and no calories! (smirking)
Karenina

Comment from Judy Lawless

Excellent

I love all of your writing, Carol, but I think this is your genre. You have such a vivid imagination and can paint a story so well with your use of dialogue and great imagery. This one deserved a prize.

 Comment Written 23-Jun-2021

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reply by the author on 23-Jun-2021

Thanks, Judy. I loved this story. Telling it from the guy's point of view was different for me, but the heart of the story was the same. I am thrilled that you enjoyed it. smiles, Carol

Comment from BethShelby

Exceptional

Wow! this was a cool story that I missed. Now wonder it won the contest. You really put in a surpirse ending. It was the last thing I expected. You wrote it from the point of view of a guy as well. I can you reactivated this one. It was too good to miss.
Beth

 Comment Written 23-Jun-2021

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reply by the author on 23-Jun-2021

Thanks Beth... I was new to FanStory and started in the last six months of the year in 2009. I didn't have a lot of followers so its understandable why you missed a lot of these stories. I think you and Barbara are the only two left unless I haven't come across someone. It's like posting new stories for everyone. I am thrilled you enjoyed it and I thank you very very much for the shiny stars. Smiles, Carol

Comment from Susan Newell

Excellent

2010. Again, wow! You have had your skill for a long time. Once again you've used powerful words and descriptions to show the reader what is happening and to engage them completely. This one hit close to home for me. I had a dear friend whose successive tragedies, ending in alcoholism and destitution caused him to surrender at his father's grave. He didn't let anyone close enough to know the depths of his despair or financial problems. We and others would have helped had we known.

I did suspect the ending, perhaps because I have come to know your writing so well, or perhaps because I saw a similar plot regarding an assaulted DA on Law and Order SVU.

One note:

Preventing my legs from folding beneath me, he smiled, his strong arms guided me toward the car. -- more clearly written as: His strong arms prevented my legs from folding beneath me as he smiled, then guided me toward the car.

 Comment Written 23-Jun-2021

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reply by the author on 23-Jun-2021

thanks for that shuffle of words...much better. My son, John likes to watch the SVU Law & Order, but that's one I can't seem to focus on for long. I guess the rape victims tend to get to me so I prefer to skip that one... though there aren't too many other law enforcement ones that I don't watch. Sorry your friend faced such an ordeal. It's a tragedy when they feel they have no where to turn. Thanks for the review as always. Smiles, Carol

Comment from Carol Clark2

Excellent

Thanks for reposting this story. I enjoyed it. It's well written, with good description and realistic dialogue, and a twist to the ending, which I wasn't expecting at all. You used the required words well and naturally. Blessings. Carol

 Comment Written 23-Jun-2021

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reply by the author on 23-Jun-2021

Thanks for enjoying my love story... not many believe that it exists anymore but I do. I love fairytale endings and hope most of my readers find happiness in it too. Smiles, Carol

reply by Carol Clark2 on 23-Jun-2021

Fairytale endings are good, but maybe not always realistic. But I like happy endings.

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

I am so sorry I missed this beautifully written love story the first time around. Thank you for re-posting it again. It's filled with romance and two people struggle to find prefect love. It does exist.

 Comment Written 23-Jun-2021

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reply by the author on 23-Jun-2021

Not to worry, Barbara... It appears I missed a lot of my own writing when it came to poetry. Most of the stories I remember, but I think the other side of me got lost somewhere. I am glad that you enjoyed the love story...I am a sucker for fairytale endings...something we see so little of in real life. Though after trying so harder, I was lucky to finally live a few years with the perfect romance. Smiles, Carol

Comment from royowen

Excellent

I recognise that happy ending, it's what you've been all along, you are an automaton of unlikely happy endings, it's amazing, you're the same incurable romantic like me, I surrendered to that side a long time ago. Beautifully written Carol, excellent job, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 23-Jun-2021

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reply by the author on 23-Jun-2021

Thank you so much, Roy. You always have the right thing to say to me... of course, tears are running down my face.... I'll blame it on the "soft" side of me. I am a sucker for a happy ending... I guess I always wanted life to be a beautiful fairy tale, even if it wasn't. Thanks for enjoying the story. Smiles, Carol

reply by royowen on 23-Jun-2021

Well done Carol

Comment from Janalea

Excellent

You write so true. I feel for the people in your writing. These kind of things happen each and every day. I can relate on many levels. Even though this is fiction, trust me. I'm sure you know of someone that may have been in a similar situation. God bless, thanks, Janalea

 Comment Written 19-Apr-2010

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reply by the author on 22-Apr-2010

Janalea,

Thank you for your kind and generous comments and your encouragement. I truly appreciate it. Smiles, CArol

Comment from Sherelynne

Excellent

Fabulous and touching story of a modern day "Romeo and Juliet."

Slightly surprise ending. But it even made the story more emotional.

 Comment Written 06-Apr-2010

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reply by the author on 07-Apr-2010

Sherelynne,

Thank you for the wonderful comments and review. I really appreciate it. Smiles, Carol

Comment from Judith Ann

Excellent

Oh, I loved this story. I really didn't see the ending before you presented it to the reader. I was shocked at the apparent gruesome death and elated to discover she was still alive. You write very believable lines of dialog as well as descriptive scenes. You certainly deserved this win. Nice work. -Judy

 Comment Written 05-Apr-2010

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reply by the author on 06-Apr-2010

Judith Ann -

Thank you for taking the time to read and enjoy my story. I am always thrilled when someone else finds pleasure in what I write. Thank you again. Smiles to you, Carol