A chance encounter with a past acquaintance is Jarod's undoing. Or is it?
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I've always wanted to see Jarod fail to lie his way out of a tight spot and I've never shied away from smut or pornography. You combine both tastefully. Without the slang. I'm pleased. Slang has always seemed juvenile to me. This first chapter pulls me in . I feel like you reach through the phone and take my hand. Canonically you let Jarod turn the tables and regain control. Was this especially painful to write and give the muses control,?. This is a missing piece without doubt and could be an episode easily. I will review all chapters even though I've read this to the end. Brilliantly done.
Reviewer: Michael Signed
Masterful. You don't add too much detail. You don't like to hear yourself speak as we say in the business. You're not too vague either. Balance is beautiful. You have that. You tell the story well and it's no secret how scarily on-the-nose you write the characters.
Reviewer: Michael Signed I hope you're doing well by the way. It's been a while since you've posted anything and feels longer.
Reviewer: Michael Signed I know you aren't a shipper. I know it, and, yet still I read that last paragraph and I have to say after reading everything else pretender in the interwebs this is the most stunning bordering heart wrenching happy ending. It's not cheesy, it's not too syrupy. That Parker didn't reach the decision lightly and almost parted ways with Jarod makes it that much more
Reviewer: Michael Signed I know you aren't a shipper. I know it, and, yet still I read that last paragraph and I have to say after reading everything else pretender in the interwebs this is the most stunning bordering heart wrenching happy ending. It's not cheesy, it's not too syrupy. That Parker didn't reach the decision lightly and almost parted ways with Jarod makes it that much more
Reviewer: Michael Signed I know you aren't a shipper. I know it, and, yet still I read that last paragraph and I have to say after reading everything else pretender in the interwebs this is the most stunning bordering heart wrenching happy ending. It's not cheesy, it's not too syrupy. That Parker didn't reach the decision lightly and almost parted ways with Jarod makes it that much more poignant. Beautiful. Thank you for this. My review isn't posting properly.
Reviewer: Michael Signed When Jarod and his clone are presumed dead and further cloning attempts prove futile, Raines is determined to find another way. He finds it in Dry River, Arizona.
Bravo!
Have I mentioned how masterful you are at crafting dialog? It can be tricky for the best authors and yet you skate through it with ease. You're clearly a fan of the series and you know Jarod and all of the characters. You KNOW them.
I can hear these words. I can see the characters. I can see it all vividly.
I can hear the dialog you write in the voices of the characters and actors. "I'm told it's the journey that counts" Jarod says to Parker to console her. It's such a Jarodism. I don't recall him ever saying that during the run of the tv series but now that you've written him I can't stop hearing him saying that. Every piece of dialog you write comes through my mind in their voices.
I don't know how you do it. You have a strange magic .. I age myself by quoting song lyrics. I'll never know how you do it. I'm thankful you do it.
Congratulations on the new chapter that completes this story. I'm sorry to see it end and relieved and grateful that it doesn't actually end. This is where it all begins for them.
Magic. Magical magic. Strange magic.
Until next time, Mirage,
Ciao!
Reviewer: Michael Signed When you care enough to send the very best
Raines gone is THE gift that keeps on giving. This is my favorite holiday tale. Plausible and perfect. I would love to read more. This story can't be over.
Reviewer: Michael Signed This is so exquisite, ChristmasY but also keeping with the darkness of the TV series. I love it. It's a perfect Pretener Christmas tale with a happy ending! Can I trouble you for a sequel? The child is hers and I think Jarod has to find out IF she doesn't tell him.
I always crave more.
Until next time,
Ciao!
Reviewer: Michael Signed
Raine's death is the gift that will keep on giving!
This has aged well and will never get old.
Thank you for the gifts. 
Until next time Mirage,
Ciao!
Reviewer: Michael Signed Jarod is implicated in a spate of homicides.
I'm pleasantly surprised by this final chapter. In life things sometimes aren't always so pat and it can take years to set things straight, and this accurately reflects that reality. This pair has some things to work out, some painful conversations and we don't have to witness that. You imply it will happen. Jarod seems to want to talk while having coffee and slow things down physically and I think that's wise. This is, like all you write, eloquent and beautiful. Congratulations! Thank you for sharing with us your natural gifts. Ciao!
Reviewer: Michael Signed Hello there, you've been away for a while, is everything ok? I want to check in. It's not easy when you go silent on us especially when you've made it so clear you don't want to write if we share you on twitter or Facebook. You won't let us share you and your work and no one knows if you're ok. Please be well. We want you to please update something soon or write something new .. anything will be good even a short story. At least let someone know you're ok and safe. I care about you.
Ciao!
Reviewer: Michael Signed A past transgression jeopardizes Sydney's life.
Hey Bravo Bravo!
I love the logic you apply to even the most romantic ideals, and it's Sydney, and he is a scientist. If it was all inflated purple prose it wouldn't be plausible but you write from a more realistic perspective that lends plausibility and readability.
"it had taken simply that long for life to align with desires, catch up with their hearts, meet them exactly where they'd always longed to be."
Timing and circumstances can keep people apart despite the strength of love and it's a running theme of the pretender series for most characters, including Jarod and Miss Parker and when we get to that part of this story we see a parallel of lives and stories and you brilliantly intersect those lives, and continue what we already know to be true.
Your voice is powerful. You fascinate me with your skills .
Until next time and I hope that will be today..
Ciao!
Reviewer: Michael Signed
You cleverly include providing details that make what can seem implausible plausible. First you remind readers of the basically in-lab incest. Jarod and his mother's semen and egg combined is medical incest, and you give a plausible, extremely possible scenario in which Raines' ideas are approved and funded, and I can't believe the US or Russia haven't already prepared to repopulate this way. I hope you don't give republicans any ideas ...they already brag about "grabbing women by the you know what" and defend child predators like Dennis hastert, to Moore, etc, and support Matt gaetz child sex trafficker and rapist Brett kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas. Nixo was in office in 1969..makes sense. I'm curious to to see how they Jarod and Miss Parker go forward from here, and if they can. Jarod makes a compelling argument in their favor. Eloquently written.
Reviewer: Michael Signed
Exquisite. Another poignant chapter and I'm pleasantly surprised by the character devolpment and growth. I'm, as always, astounded by your prose and characterizations, and look forward to reading the remainder.
Ciao!
Reviewer: Michael Signed Bravo! Impressive as always. I didn't expect this. I was certain they would do genetic testing to be sure before sleeping together, and I'm glad they didn't. Jarod was right. Whatever the results they are in love and results won't change that, and shouldn't prevent the relatiionship from evolving.
I would have loved to have read more of the conversation I know they must have had between chapter 21 and chapter 22, the conversation they talked about having, and of course as always it would have been nice to have seen their lovemaking. I know you don't like writing those parts. You've voiced your disdain for it in the past, You think you don't write smut well. You write everything brilliantly. You bring a visual to the sex aspect of writing. I think your use of anatomically correct terminology and how you make the act of consenting so hot makes the smut and sex scenes you write so much more oomph-ful and powerful.
NOthing against other authors' uses of slang but it doesn't have the same impact. I appreciate that you don't use slang when you're writing the sex. I once read a BOOK where the famous author used a word that refers to a rooseter, and I couldn't stop laughing. I was visualizing a rooster, a cat, and a donkey somewhere along my reading of that novel because that author used so much slang.
But if you want to use slang I won't mind. I just miss reading your hot sex scenes. It's been a while since you've written any.
Please continue writing either way. I can always go back and read your other stories and enjoy those sex scenes.
More please?
Until next time, Mirage,
Ciao!
Reviewer: Michael Signed
I suspected that the touchy feely wouldn't be a challenge for you, and you write it in way that conveys the emotions and the intimacy. You don't get tangled up in a web of stretchy taffy or lose the known characteristics of your subjects.
I love that it always takes about 23 chapters for Parker to finally make a compelling declaration of love.
She talked about regrets on earlier chapters.
She admitted there were still feelings in earlier chapters.
It's in character for her to not show her hand, or not the entire hand too early in the game.
This chapter takes place almost entirely in a car, and I was thinking of them in Scotland IOTH and in the Keys episode.
Things get so emotionally intense for them in a car sometimes, and I love that you resolve a lot of that baggage here in this chapter, in a car, and reveal to us that they there are actually finally getting somewhere, not just driving in circles and always ending up where they began.
The car has been a perfect metaphor. They travel closer and close during the tv series but end up with an obstacle on the road or a crash and burn.
Here they finally seem to be going places, maybe into the sunset happily together. I hope.
They deserve it.
We deserve it.
This was beautiful and emotional and perfect.
More please ?
Until next time Mirage,
Ciao!
Reviewer: Michael Signed _
Bravo!
This is evolving brilliantly. Miss Parker seems to be experiencing an unwanted self-reckoning and also a renewed battle with her inner voice/dominant parent's voice. I think Jarod's return to her life triggered the return of all of the baggage and the past, the romeo/juliet /forbidden fruit angle of her and Jarod's relationship, and it's reasonable and plausible that she'd fear even subconciously that Jarod's presence would attact any fragments of the Triumvirate, Quintumvirate or any other org to her and her children. She must also be worried about Jarod in law enforcement even if she seems displeased by him playing doctor. I'm not a mother, but I know many of them and all mothers feel inept and like they're screwing up, so that also seems in character and plausible and it adds even more realism, and makes Miss Parker even more relatable and real. That tune playing speaks for itself. She's running. I don't think that she or Jarod would ever really get away from each other. All the running only leads them running into each other. I feel lucky to have read this and that you're willing to explore deeper. It's an ancient television series and I'm glad it's been given new life by fans. You excel in every facet of writing and story telling. As a fan I particularly love the added-for-continuity paragraphs and how you move the story forward and it goes without saying the characters. I read your stories and visualize the characters, scenes, settings. It's amazing. I look forward to the next installment. Thank you.
Ciao!
Hi. I'm not going to disagree with any of your theories.
You're absolutely not wrong about Jarod's presence and choice of career and the impact all of that has on Parker. This will become more clear in the coming chapters-- if you continue to read.
Of course I'm going to refer back to what we already know about these characters and this series in my scribblings, as a fan myself, because these aren't my characters, and this isn't my series, and it's important to remember that, and to remember where the characters have already been, and it's my goofy, derpy little geeky way of saying, "Psst, hi, fam, remember when abc did xyz? So do I!" *air fist bump*
Thank you for reading and for the entirely too generous review.
Reviewer: Michael Signed
Bravo! Bravo!
They are making progress. Miss Parker is being what I'd expect under the circumstances but she is also still sleeping with Jarod, and he's taking up more of her time and life. This will take time. You're such a breath of fresh air always.
I patiently wait for more.
As always.
Until next time.
Ciao!
Reviewer: Michael Signed This is a pleasant surprise and masterfully written. I love how eloquently you evolve them, and still retain their characters and all of the elements we loved about The Pretender. You're a breath of fresh air always, and I eagerly wait for each new chapter and story from you, as always.
Until next time, Mirage.
Ciao!
Reviewer: Michael Signed No one is more wicked than Miss Parker. (Except Jarod)
Very dark. I have to wonder how you will resolve this.
Reviewer: Michael Signed -
I've missed you much. Welcome back. I believed that Parker would be forced to escort Jarod to the Centre when Lyle came into the play here. Jarod knows that, but knowing it doesn't make it feel like less of a betrayal. He's hurt. I don't think he meant to hurt her that badly, and I think when he sees the sweaty handprint on metal confirmed that he had hurt her and that returning him to the centre hurt her. She was clinging to railing, holding on for dear life actually. You capture the complexities brilliantly and insert the subtleties. There's such nuance in emotions and characters and it's delicate and you excel here where it's most important. If that wasn't enough you excel elsewhere. You're a wordsmith and you have truly mastered the craft. I look forward to reading the remainder, and to other story updates, and to new projects.
Take care of yourself.
Until next time Mirage or is it Maria?❤️
Ciao!
Reviewer: Michael Signed Exquisite, Mirage. You've outdone yourself again. I always enjoy the underlying camaraderie Jarod and Parker share, even when their relationship is broken and they are at their worst they still have that spark of being in it together. You capture the complexities and dynamics brilliantly. I'm already looking forward to your next instalment.
Reviewer: Michael Signed **chef's kiss**
Bravo!
I never mention your fight scenes when I review and I have to say now that I can imagine myself as Jarod and also as Mark. You convey both perspectives brilliantly. Your fight scenes are as brilliant as your romance scenes and say in the life scenes. You inject so much energy, passion, and action into everything you write and that and the plausiblilty and characterizations are always so striking to me. I crave more already.
Until next time Mirage...
Ciao!
Reviewer: Michael Signed Still waiting for a update to this or any of your works. Are you ok? I hope you are ok..
Take care.
Ciao!!
I'm o k.
Thanks.
Reviewer: Michael Signed