Reviews from

The French Letter

Viewing comments for Chapter 73 "A Diamond in the Rough"
A Novel

22 total reviews 
Comment from giraffmang
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi Tony,

Excellent chapter once again. I like the fact that you've kept that Britishness to it all the way through in Charles' character. It does set it apart which is a good thing.

A robust exchange between the two males here, each holding their ground.

I wonder what the letter will divulge.

All the best
G

 Comment Written 13-Jul-2019


reply by the author on 20-Jul-2019
    It's been interesting developing the contrast between Alain and Charles. The letter ties up a couple of loose ends but has left me with a dilemma for later on.
Comment from Pam (respa)
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

-An excellent chapter, Tony, that
shows a lot of emotion from Alain.
-Kayla is certainly in a bad way, and he
has a lot of motivation to help her,
as well as issues from his past.
-I like how you have him tell
his story while Charles listens
in the wings so as not to change
the direction of this conversation with Helen.
-Alain bears his soul, and you write
the scene very well with intense emotion.
-Helen is a good listener and only occasionally
interjects to encourage Alain to go on.
-Eventually, Charles interrupts to bring
in the tea, and then fireworks erupt.
-You also bring us full circle and
back to the letter and the envelope,
but then there is a scream from Kayla
that can only be a sign of worse things to come.



 Comment Written 10-Jul-2019


reply by the author on 20-Jul-2019
    Thanks for your review, plot summary and six stars, Pam. Very much appreciated, as always. Anna, Dave and Teagan arrive in a couple of days. I think we have the new house in Brisbane more or less ready for them, with basic furniture and provisions. Lovely weather here at the moment - a nice escape from the Adelaide winter.
reply by Pam (respa) on 20-Jul-2019
    You are very welcome and deserving, Tony. Glad to hear the house is almost ready. Glad you having nice weather; we are in the middle of a heat wave with temperatures in 90's! UGH!!
    Send over some of your cooler weather, but no snow!
Comment from the13thpoet
Excellent
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Really? Kayla couldn't sit up after they read the letter? lol Good stuff, well written. The characters and dialogue was done well. Don't know if I would have the patience to deal with somebody like Alain. Sooooo what does the d*** letter say? lol

 Comment Written 10-Jul-2019


reply by the author on 20-Jul-2019
    Thanks for your entertaining review. I'm enjoying writing the character of Alain more than I would enjoy meeting him!
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Excellent
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Alain's is a sad tale of his and his sister's childhood, but he's very prickly with Charles. A dramatic tense filled chapter this one Tony and a good place to finish off with Kayla's scream. Enjoying each chapter in this story, well written and holds my interest
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 10-Jul-2019


reply by the author on 20-Jul-2019
    Thanks, Valda. Glad you're enjoying the interplay between Charles and Alain. All the best, Tony
Comment from rspoet
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hello Tony,
A splendid chapter. The character of Alain is perfectly written
and Helen's skill in soothing and drawing him out is very well done.
At long last, the letter that caused this entire journey to begin
is teasingly "almost" read, but, of course, there has to be another
crises.
I suspect you don't know what is in the letter either,
and that is why we're stilling hanging in the balance. :)
But either way, an excellent hook to keep the reader turning pages.
Well done
Robert






 Comment Written 09-Jul-2019


reply by the author on 20-Jul-2019
    I appreciate your review and shining six, Robert! You're right. I have been putting off the composition of this letter for quite a while. Although it has solved one possible dilemma, it's now caused me another one which I'll need to puzzle over for a while.
Comment from royowen
Excellent
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What a fascinating episode Tony, you're a very good writer, I found this a fascinatingly enticing episode, one of intrigue, of bitterness by the character Alain Gaudjn, who is a very prickly and cynically unbalalanced character, deeply flawed but amazingly compassionate. We'll done, blessings, Roy

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2019


reply by the author on 20-Jul-2019
    Thanks for this affirmation, Roy. I'm enjoying the challenge of developing Alain's character. All the best, Tony
Comment from juliaSjames
Excellent
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Tony, you wicked tease! Kayla wakes up and your readers have to wait for the next chapter to reveal the contents of the letter.

I enjoyed the byplay between the two alpha males, the suave, sophisticated Englishman, Charles, and crusty Alain, the Frenchman with the heart of gold. Both men bound by their love for the beautiful sisters.

Looking forward to the next installment.

Blessings Julia


 Comment Written 09-Jul-2019


reply by the author on 20-Jul-2019
    Thanks for your review, Julia. Glad you're enjoying the interplay between Charles and Alain. I'm getting quite a kick out of developing Alain's character. Sorry about the delay in responding. I'm up in Queensland at the moment, with limited Wi-Fi. All the best, Tony
Comment from estory
Excellent
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I liked the dialogue, you had a great counterpunching exchange between Alain and Charles, the emotion really came through; we feel the disdain from Alain and Charles' hurt feelings as he holds back on the valuable painting. Then at the end comes that suspense tingling scream from Kayla and the terror in her eyes has us hanging on for the next chapter. nice baiting us for the next episode and keeping us guessing. estory

 Comment Written 08-Jul-2019


reply by the author on 20-Jul-2019
    Thanks for your review, estory. Glad you're enjoying the interplay between Charles and Alain. I'm getting quite a kick out of developing Alain's character. Sorry about the delay in responding. I'm up in Queensland at the moment, with limited Wi-Fi. All the best, Tony
Comment from Neonewman
Excellent
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You certainly do have a great style of writing my friend. I enjoyed the flow as much as the story that was unfolding. You are always an interesting read.
God bless
Steve

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2019


reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
    Many thanks for your review and supportive comments, Steve. Much appreciated. Best wishes, Tony
reply by Neonewman on 07-Jul-2019
    My pleasure, Tony.
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

A very well-written chapter and the final reveal of the letter is once again interrupted by something mysterious that prevent Helen to read the letter out loud.

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2019


reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
    Many thanks for your review and supportive comments, Sandra. Much appreciated. Best wishes, Tony