Reviewer: Scanilla (Signed) · Date: 11/09/12 07:12 AM · On: Chapter 1
Loved the whole story, thanks for writing this!
Author's Response: Hi, and so sorry I'm late replying. Real life has dumped on me severely of late. Thank you so much. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it. And even more thrilled that you let me know. This is the first time I've played with Sam's hallucinations, I think. Probably a strange time to pick for a Christmas story, but it just seemed to work out well, with Sam thinking Mary was just another waking nightmare and her being not just real, but the very same little person they unwittingly rescued years before (reference to my story Foundling). I enjoyed writing it, and trying to keep it sort of vague so that it wasn't really certain whether Mary was real or not, until Dean found her - lol. Thank you so much for your review. I'm so glad you stopped by. Take care, Jules
Reviewer: gidgetgal9 (Signed) · Date: 10/07/12 10:53 PM · On: Chapter 1
So my new year of 2012 started off with the loss of my dad so I've been kind of out of the loop. I decided to try and find all the things I missed and I had missed this story. Like all your stories it was wonderful. With my dad gone, I'm glad I waited until now to read this because I was hurting like the boys for a while. Loss is hard and you captured it so well in this. I liked the tie in with Mary from your other story. It was nice and sweet and I'm glad the boys got to save her again. Love the flashlight star. Just a great little story. :)
Author's Response: Hi, Claudia, I was so sorry to hear about your dad passing away. And I don't blame you at all for being out of the loop. I've been the same, but for slightly different reasons. Loss is hard, and it never really goes away. My grandmother died in 1988 and I still miss her terribly. It softens over time, but there's always that little hole there in your heart that can't be filled. So thrilled that you enjoyed the Mary tie-in. I can't remember off-hand who mentioned to me in a review that it would be good for the boys to meet up with her again some years down the track. I didn't have a clue at the time what I'd do with that scenario, but I filed it away - I never throw out a story idea. Then when it came time to do the Christmas story last year, I played around with the idea, worked out how old she'd be, etc, and decided I could make it work. Oh, and Mary's little Bright Star is a real torch - flashlight, you'd call it. I looked it up! And it was just way too good not to use. Thanks so much for stopping in to let me know what you thought, and I'm so sorry I'm so damned late with this reply. Jules
Reviewer: breakingem90 (Signed) · Date: 26/01/12 09:14 PM · On: Chapter 1
*gushes* ahhh I loved this! Beautifully done! Makes me wish I had stumbled upon this sooner while I was full of Christmas cheer. ;) Loved the angst and Sam and the Christmas irony and the little side story about Mary and this wonderful ending in the midst of a tragic time for the brothers. Very awesome!
Author's Response: Hi, there, Thought I'd try to sneak another reply in before I have to shut down and crawl off to bed. Thank you so much. And I hope it wasn't too late to stumble across this. I actually thought I'd have to hang onto it till next Christmas, as it just wouldn't pull together before the day. Oh, so glad you loved Mary's backstory and the fact that the boys had stumbled across her again, after saving her as a baby. And I see you've read Foundling, so you know now who Mary is - the foundling in the Impala. Thank you again - I'm so glad you enjoyed it so much. And again - sorry I'm so late. Blasted flu bug! Take care, Jules
Reviewer: Pandora Jazz (Signed) · Date: 09/01/12 01:29 AM · On: Chapter 1
I don't visit here as often as I should, so just found your current story. I want to thank you for sharing it with us. It's perfect and I loved reading it. One of my favorite "SN" Christmas stories is "While Shepherd's Watch". I read it again over the holiday break. Thanks for the smile.
Author's Response: I am glad I could oblige. And welcome back! I haven't been here as often as I'd like, either, this past year. I've missed it. Oh, you re-read Shepherds? Thank you! I was surprised at how that one came together, actually. I don't usually write in first person, but the idea of an outside observer POV was just too good to pass up. And of course, Grace's issues with her big brother was a nice way to bring in Dean's issues with his little brother, and have the boys not-talk about it - lol. Thank you so much for letting me know your thoughts both on Shepherds and on this one. And again, I'm glad I could give you a smile. Take care, and I hope your New Year brings peace, joy and blessings in abundance. Jules
Reviewer: ritsam (Signed) · Date: 05/01/12 10:07 AM · On: Chapter 1
(((Juuuuuuuuuuuu))) *squeee* One of my favorite stories :)) You already know what I feel about this story, right!!! It's super-amazing. Love it. You're awsam :))) Hugs you tight, Ritu
Author's Response: (((((Rituuuuuuuu)))))) LOL! Awww, one of your faves? That's awesome. Thank you! And yes, I do know how you feel about the story. I'm glad I could give you a hefty dose of hurt Sammy for you to cuddle. hugs you back! Ju
Reviewer: troubadour (Signed) · Date: 05/01/12 02:36 AM · On: Chapter 1
Awesome story. I felt bad for Sam when Dean wouldn't talk about Bobby's possible death in 7.10 but at the same time I could understand why Dean acted that way. I love the way your story picks up on that, you understand what went on those boys heads and made a great story with it. I love the way it ended.
Author's Response: Hi, Paloma, Thank you! I'm very happy that you enjoyed it so much. I felt for Sam in the episode, but I felt for Dean as well. Dean has never taken well to losing those he loves and considers family - just recall what lengths he's gone to to bring Sam back. And Bobby was very much a father figure for both boys, so I've no doubt that his passing will leave a hole in their hearts almost as big as John did. Dean holds on so tightly - his greatest fear, I think, is being the last one standing. I think it was heartbreaking the way he told Sam that they'd lost enough. I think Sam understood as well, even though he was trying to make Dean face the fact. I think he knew his big brother was struggling so hard to hold it together. But wasn't Dean awesome in the way he confronted the leviathan? Pure hunter. There is only one supernatural entity Dean's truly afraid of, and that's the Horseman Death. (and hell's bells, I don't blame him!). I loved the way Dean challenged a creature that could kill him in seconds, and got right up in Dick's face to do it. And did you catch the way that smug smile faltered, just for a second? He knows the Winchesters are a threat. Thank you so much, Paloma. I truly appreciate it, and I'm very happy you loved the story so much. Take care, Jules
Reviewer: supernaturaldh (Signed) · Date: 03/01/12 07:53 PM · On: Chapter 1
Jules... I was so happy to find and read this story. Alas, not only have I missed your writing. It has been hard year, and I miss you over at SH. I just pray that 2012 is better for us both! Excellent read! Hugs- Denise
Author's Response: Hey, Denise, Awww, thank you, hun. I am so thrilled that you enjoyed this. I've missed being here, I have to confess. I've missed writing, but as you know, there was just too much going on during the year for me to concentrate. And my uncle is slowly but surely weakening - he had two falls on Saturday. Think this year might be it.... I pray, too, that 2012 is a far, far better year. And I pray that you'll find happiness and peace, hun. You truly deserve it. huge hugs, Jules
Reviewer: supernaturalfan (Signed) · Date: 03/01/12 02:33 PM · On: Chapter 1
So glad to see a story from you Jules..have missed you around here...and in our Safe Haven group, too. Love this one..and loved how you continued your past story "Foundling." That was a fave of mine, so I was glad to see what happened with Mary. So sad to see the boys heartbroken over Bobby. I'm right there with them. :((
And Sam dealing with hallucination again. I can see Bobby's death affecting him that way, but loved seeing Dean's support at the end..great touch. Take care friend,
Jane
Author's Response: Hi, Jane, Thank you. I really appreciate that. I've missed being here - it's been a very strange and difficult year. Ah, so glad you liked the nod back to Foundling. And I'm glad I could incorporate it into the Christmas story. I know what you mean about Bobby - I'm right there too. It makes sense, but it's still wrenching. And what a beautiful send-off the show gave him. Still think they missed an opportunity for a spin-off series with Bobby and Rufus, though - that would have been hilarious! Sam's hallucinations - some fans have commented that they're a bit disappointed to see Sam coping so well, considering the occasional tid-bits of information we've had such as Levia-Sam's remark about the hell show going on 24/7. So I figured that after Bobby's death, Sam would have a much harder time than usual keeping a grip on things, and that Hallucifer might just get the better of him for awhile. Glad you liked it, and Dean being big brother again. Take care, and bless you heaps, Jules
Reviewer: Soennelchen (Signed) · Date: 03/01/12 01:32 PM · On: Chapter 1
Just one world Jules: wonderul! Thanks so much for sharing this gem with us. It's so goos to see you back after what seened a long time. I hope you are doing well despite all the stress and recent changes and challenges. Happy New Year belated and all the best! Hope to see you here again soon! Hugs, Dagmar
Author's Response: Hullo, Dagmar! Hugs from Oz! I'm so glad you enjoyed your belated present. And you know, it felt good to be back posting. I really have missed writing. We're starting to recover. It was stupid to think that I could get into any sort of routine with tradesmen stomping through my house, ripping down walls and throwing concrete all over the place. But it's so close to being finished now. Only a couple of things to be done, and Chris can move in. And what has to be done to the outside won't affect the inside at all. Apart from some dust and noise.... I'm hoping it won't be long before I plunge back into posting though. Got one chapter of a story ready to go, but I'm stuck in the middle of the second chapter. Once I shift the roadblock, I'll be right. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Hugs for Sidney! My goodness, she must be growing like a weed! hugs Jules
Reviewer: ziggy (Signed) · Date: 03/01/12 08:52 AM · On: Chapter 1
Wonderful to read another story from you sis, and what a great New Year's present to us all, it doesn't matter at all that it is a few days late as it's not even twelfth night yet! Loved how you set this in the aftermath of Death's Door with the boys suffering from grief and, in typical Winchester fashion, they are skirting the issue . And to top it all off Sam's hallucinations are hitting harder again. Just like Sam to want to go jogging to escape Lucifer in his head for a while and so like Dean to stop at a bar and nurse a few beers when going into town to get supplies, so in character with their escaping and coping mechanisms. You just knew something would happen to Sam on that jog and Winchester luck that it was a bear trap that he stepped onto when going to investigate the sound he heard. And so understandable that Sam though Mary was another hallucination when she appeared, especially as he wasn't thinking straight because of the pain and that Lucifer appeared again. Perfect how you we found out Mary was missing as Dean went into town in search of his little brother and we were introduced to Sister Agnes. Winchester luck would strike again with Dean's phone battery going flat in the middle of his call to Sam but loved how once he lost the trail of Sam's footprints the distant light of Mary's torch led Dean to them. Fantastic ending, absolutely adored that Mary was the baby from Foundling that they left at the orphanage all those years ago, no wonder she felt she knew Sam from somewhere and felt safe with him, even if she was too young to remember at the time. And loved how Dean gave Sam the same torch as Mary's as a Christmas present and requeted Sam buy him an instant phone charger when he was sorry he hadn't got Dean anything. And love at the very end Sam figuratively sticking two fingers up at the hallucination of Lucifer, telling him he knew nothing about being brothers. Hopefully with the boys being together that will be a great force to cope with what lies ahead for them - leviathans watch out! An absolutely fantastic read sis, gripped me from first word until last, and another stunning banner from Chris. Happy New Year and hope 2012 is a fantastic one for both of you :) Sarah
Author's Response: Yo! I'm tickled pink that you enjoyed it. Actually, I'm flipping relieved as all hell that I managed to get it finished and posted in a reasonable timeframe! It almost ended up as next year's Christmas story! It's an interesting exercise to pick a spot in the timeline, and then climb inside the boys' heads. Not as easy these days as it used to be, I have to confess. There's a lot more going on in the present timeframe. But I'm chuffed that you feel I've hit the mark with their coping strategies. And yep, Sam going jogging with a nice, juicy target painted on his back as usual. I might have to start bashing Dean up for a while, just to give Sam a rest, eh? ROFL! Thanks for all your help on this one, sis, especially since I know you were snowed under at work when I sent it off to you. I hope your New Year brings everything you wish for, and more.
hugs! Ju
Reviewer: sylvia37 (Signed) · Date: 03/01/12 08:05 AM · On: Chapter 1
I was so excited to see this. A great belated Christmas present to all of us. Love the continuation of "The Foundling" and love that you've shown what's going ion in Sam's head. Wish the show would give us more of that. Great job!!
Author's Response: Thank you, Sylvia, I'm very glad you loved your belated Christmas present. I was beginning to fret over getting it finished before Christmas 2012 - lol. Ah, yes, Sam's head. An interesting place at the best of times, but now with the hell memories running rampant....I've heard fans mention that they've been a bit disappointed we haven't seen more of Sam's coping strategies, or the effects that the constant hallucinations are having on him. I find myself agreeing. So as always with an itch that the show won't scratch - I scratched it - lol. So glad you enjoyed! And that you loved the link to Foundling as well. Take care, and hope you had a great Christmas. Jules
Reviewer: Medusa (Signed) · Date: 03/01/12 02:58 AM · On: Chapter 1
This may not have been posted in time for Christmas, but it made an awesome present, nonetheless! As always, I relish it when you post a story, all your stories are brilliant. This one was no exception. It was truly wonderful, and I loved the way you linked it back to an earlier tale. Loved. LOVED, LOVED it!!!! Thank you for posting it. And I hope you have a wonderful and productive 2012. Kim
Author's Response: Hi, Kim, Yep, just couldn't pull anything together before Christmas Day this year. So it's a very belated pressie. Thank you so, so much. I'm chuffed to bits that you loved it. Oh, and thank lillelouis for planting the idea in my freaky brain. When I was casting about for a theme for this year's Christmas story, a very dusty filing cabinet popped open in my mind, and out popped Mary from Foundling - and lillelouis' request for a bit of a sequel. So it was too good an opportunity to pass up. (besides, I couldn't think of anything else, and my muse just wouldn't let go of this idea once she got her grubby little mitts on it) I hope that you had a very blessed Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year. Jules
Reviewer: amethyst (Signed) · Date: 02/01/12 11:51 PM · On: Chapter 1
Jules, loved it. Your muse might have been on hiatis but she's come back with a vengeance. Loved the reference to your previous story while still making this an up to date season 7 story. (how could they kill off Bobby? Stomps foot!) Thanks for yet another great one and I hope you and all your family have a fantastic and flood free new year, Deb
Author's Response: Hey, Deb! How hot is it on your side of the island? Thank you - I'm just grateful the muse came back at all! I was a bit worried there for a while, I can tell you. Oh, yes, how could they indeed? You know, I read somewhere, or someone told me, there was an unwritten law in SN fandom - you can hurt him, but you never kill off Bobby. And then Show went and did him in. But I think it makes sense for the evolving storyline. As much as I adore Bobby and really didn't want him to go anywhere, the show has a history of letting the boys rely on someone, then pulling that someone away and forcing the boys to stand alone. And that's just what they've done with Bobby. *sniffle*..... I do think he's gone - I'm prepared to be wrong, but I think the whole episode was just such a beautiful and sad farewell to a very much beloved character. Ooh, flood-free.....don't want to sound all doom and gloom, but it's been raining all day.....Caboolture got about 68mm of rain since 9am this morning, I think. And now there's a severe weather warning for Gladstone to the Sunshine Coast. Here we go again? Yikes! I hope that you and your family had a very peaceful Christmas and a great start to 2012. Take care. Jules
Reviewer: ucat42 (Signed) · Date: 02/01/12 05:11 PM · On: Chapter 1
Love your writing, your exquisite grasp of the narrative can’t help but captivate the reader. I bow to your expertise…and envy you. Happy New Year…
Author's Response: Aww, thank you! Sorry I'm late in responding - real life, Christmas, brain-baking heat... I'm stoked that you enjoyed the story so much. And I hope that you had a happy New Year as well. This was almost the story that didn't happen. I was just so run off my feet in the lead-up to Christmas....if I say again next year that the final week at work should be quiet, someone please smack me repeatedly over the back of the head until my brains get bashed back in.... But I managed to pull it off....only to have my beta caught in her work's post-Christmas sale madness, so it was a couple of days before she could get it back to me...*sigh*... Timing is everything, they tell me - and this story's timing was off from the start - lol. I didn't even start writing it until the day after Boxing Day. I mean, priorities - the Sydney to Hobart was on! LOL Take care, Caroline. Jules
Reviewer: Swellison (Signed) · Date: 02/01/12 04:56 PM · On: Chapter 1
Hi Jules, This is a marvelous holiday treat, never mind that it's a tad late. Bravo to you for tackling a seventh season story, too--with all the twists and turns that that entails. Sam and Dean come across as current Sam and Dean, grieving, trying to cope and (in Sam's case) sometimes on the wrong side of crazy. I like all the carefully considered elements in all your stories, too. You gave a good reason for the little girl to be called Mary, as well as the Christmas echo. The title can apply to Sam and Lucy (the hearing part) and the lyrics to the situation. A couple of questions, since I'm curious.I don't recognize Bright Star as the flashlight company, is that an Aussie brand or did you make it up to fit the story? The lengthy description of its capabilities sounds like its from a real flashlight model. Also, Sam said that Dad thought the baby was Sam's--to my way of thinking, Dean would be a more likely candidate for that;-) And when did you decide that the reason the girl was named Mary was because Sam named her? Was that early in the plotting, or later? Did you start with the idea that it'd be neat for Sam and Dean to reconnect with someone/some place that they'd been to as teenagers or--? As I said, really great story. I enjoyed my late pressie a lot, thank you;-) Sue
Author's Response: Hi, Sue, You want me to give away all my secrets? LOL! Well, here goes.... It all started in October 2010, when Lillelouis left a review for me on Foundling, asking whether I’d consider doing a follow-up story set, say five or so years later, with a hunt taking the boys back to Arizona where they visit the orphanage. Well, I didn’t want to do it at the time, but I never throw a story idea away – ever – so it got filed in the back of my freaky little brain. Then came the lead up to Christmas 2011, and I was scratching around for a story idea, and out popped Lillelouis’ suggestion. I first thought about setting the story in an earlier season, and was kicking a few plot bunnies around in my head – I’d originally planned to have Mary much younger – about nine or eight, and have Sam enlisted by the old nun to help in her search. He was going to fall down a disused well or partially collapsed cave, and find her at the bottom, but have one ankle injured in the fall so he has to wait for Dean to find them – and Dean follows the light from the girl’s torch (flashlight) to see them at the bottom, with little Mary curled in Sam’s lap, feeling as safe as if she was in her own home. But there were too many holes in my plot. If Sam managed to hurt himself in the fall, how come the girl was unharmed after falling the same distance? Perhaps she got in another way – but if so, then why didn’t she just walk back out again? And when I was first kicking the idea around, I was going to have it set in season six, after Sam got his soul back, but then I remembered Sam was sixteen in Foundling, so Mary wasn’t old enough in the first version. Eventually I decided to set it in the current season, after Bobby...*wails and flails*... pick up on all that lovely angst, and correct Mary’s age. I’d always intended for Sam to be the one to find Mary, and end up having them both rescued by Dean, and for Dean to follow the flashlight beam that looked like a bright star in the darkness. Once I had the timeline, I set about working out the hows and wherefores – usually I think up a plot idea, then flesh out how the hell I’m going to get the boys to that point or situation – and how to get them out again – and keep it believable. Once I had the bare bones done, it was time for research – does Arizona have any forests, and if so, what type of trees and other wildlife were in there. I thought about how to take Sam down – lol – and came up with the bear trap, then Googled to make sure Arizona had bears...and they do. I researched bear traps, how they worked, how big they were, and what impact they would have on a human leg, rusted or not. I also studied a map of Arizona to see where the desert, mountain and forest country was, what parts had any snowfall, and what the night time winter temperature was in December 2011 for those no-snow areas. Then as I was writing, I worked out such details as why didn’t Mary call when she got lost, and how to get the boys out of touch with each other so Dean had to search for Sam, etc. As for the rest – well, sometimes it’s an organic thing, and sometimes someone up there is smiling down on me. I Googled flashlights, and found the Bright Star website, and I just knew I had to have that brand as my torch to lead Dean to the rescue. Here’s the link: http://www.flashlight.com/ If you click on the Responder Series, and scroll down till you see the Responder 2AAA-cell – that’s Mary’s Bright Star that led Dean to her and Sammy. The hallucinations were based on two things – comments made by a few people around the traps regarding how ‘together’ Sam seems, and a general feeling of disappointment from some fans that we’re not seeing evidence at the moment of Sam’s hell memories, even though we have had things like levia-Sam’s amazement that the real Sam is still walking around without a straightjacket on. And the other deciding factor – well, no, two deciding factors – was the time in which I set it, being just after Bobby’s death, and all the related stress probably making it doubly hard for Sam to keep it together; and the title, which has lots of meaning throughout the story. Sam seeing Lucifer, Sam seeing Mary but not believing she’s real, Dean seeing Mary, Dean not seeing at first that he’s still got Sam even though he’s lost Bobby....it all tied in very nicely with the first verse of that old Christmas song. The title was originally meant to refer to the torch shining in the darkness like a star, but it came to mean so much more as the story evolved. Well, now that I’ve completely bored you – lol – I’ll stop there. Hope I’ve answered your questions. And yes, the plot did start out with Sam finding Mary, the foundling baby that he’d discovered in the Impala all those years ago. Thank you, Sue - I'm really glad you enjoyed your belated Chrissy present. And I do love that expression you used for Sam - on the wrong side of crazy. That's awesome. Jules
Reviewer: vonnie836 (Signed) · Date: 02/01/12 04:06 PM · On: Chapter 1
What a present - it might be late for Christmas but it is certainly just the right thing for the start of the new year. I really enjoyed this from the beginning to the end. Loved How you brought in both boys perspective on Bobby's death and how either one really didn't want to go there. Having Lucifer intrude on Sam the way he did made things worse, but I imagine this is how it would be. Trying to tell Sam this isn't real just to turn around and say well maybe it is and he let him out of the cage just for the purpose of making him loose Bobby. I can understand why Sam lost it and lashed out. And Dean, he is hurting so bad and like always he can't deal with the grief. I really wanted to just latch on to him and make him scream his pain out. You really got him right, the way you had him run off to drink and trying to tell Sam he didn't understand. It's his way of self preservation. I think both of the boys have it. Sam is running, because Lucifer isn't there then and he causes himself pain when he can't. In the end it's clear how desperately they need each other, but how each of them is trying to lighten the other's load and in that way actually makes things worse. Mary - couldn't help but think of Shelby at the description. She sure was a secret until the end. A figment of his imagination, or so Sam thought, she was there to save him just as much as he saved her, maybe more so. Even after the part where Dean finds out about the missing girl she remained a mystery. The guy in town calling her 'their angel' and her telling Sam it was like she knew him made this something that kept my imagination going. Although the ending brought a logical explanation, it wasn't a let down at all, but rather a rather pleasant surprise and maybe a miracle in itself, because what in the world lead Dean to this exact location, if not a miracle? Loved how Dean covered for what was going on and he actually told the truth there. It was great how he realized that he wasn't alone and that he heard Bobby's voice telling him that he still had Sam. And not just that, he realized that he rather had Sam in this state than not at all. I think sometimes we can't think about what we lost, but rather have to remember what we have left and for Dean really Sam has always been more important than anything or anyone else. What a great addition to have the flashlight Mary is carrying be a 'Bright Star', making it a real 'Christmas Miracle'. And he followed the star and found - no not Mary and the newborn Savior, but Mary and his just as helpless little brother. Sister Agnes, the kind elderly nun, who so graciously granted them a temporary home and very clearly some nursing care too, was wonderful and I just wanted to hug her for her kindness. She is in many ways like so many wonderful nuns I've met in my lifetime, although there have been a few that weren't quite that nice. Anyway, it was great that you finished the story with Sam telling Lucy that he didn't know anything about brothers. Dean was not just beside him but actually with him and together they can beat anything. Hope to see more of you this year. I always enjoy your writing and I can't wait to see what's going to be next. Take care and God's Blessing for the New Year! Hugs, Vonnie
Author's Response: Hey, hun, I'm relieved it wasn't too late..if I'd asked Chris one more time whether she thought it wasn't too far after Christmas to post this, I think she would have thrown something at me. No, I don't think the boys will go there - they just don't, do they? As much as we'd love them to sit down and talk about their feelings until the cows come home, it's just not going to happen. But they can skirt around the issue just fine. I still think Dean's going to emerge on the other side a different person, and that he's going to go on that little voyage of discovery that Jo hinted at. And I think - I hope - that in time, Sam's hallucinations will get under control, or at least he may be able to more readily see them for what they are. I'm glad you enjoyed my little deceptions about Mary, and the reveal at the end that she was the baby from Foundling. And yes, it was a miracle all the way through - Sam finding Mary, then Dean finding them both with the aid of Mary's trusty little Bright Star torch. Thank you, my friend. I'm not going to make any promises, but will hope that this means things are finally settling. For us both - because I could really do with another chapter of Changes right about now. A little dose of Baby Sammy might be just what we all need. No pressure though, all right? Because I know it's been just as tough a year for you as for us. hugs and blessings, Jules
Reviewer: Oceane (Signed) · Date: 02/01/12 03:24 PM · On: Chapter 1
What a great way to start the year Jules, I'm so glad to see you here. Poor guys, losing Bobby, Sam still struggling with Lucifer's hallucations and to top that, Sam putting his foot in a bear trap, ouch...Thank goodness, Mary found him, well each other. Maybe Sam and Dean're Mary's gardian angels but I would say that Mary's theirs as well. Loved the connection between Mary and the brothers. Thank you for the nice present Jules, I wish you a happy and a wonderful year.
Author's Response: Hi, hun, I'm sorry I didn't get to this last night, but I just ran out of steam. And I still owe you an email full of photos of the house. I believe that Bobby's gone - as much as I'd like to think there will be a last-minute miracle, I feel the whole episode was very much a good-bye to a very beloved character. And I do feel the boys will both struggle with this loss, as much as they did over John's death. Apologies to John fans, but I feel that Bobby was a more practical father figure in their lives, especially over the last five years, and his loss is comparable to that of their flesh-and-blood father. I had a few ideas on how to take Sam down - and doesn't that sound terrible... As I said to Sue, I originally wanted him falling down into some sort of hole in the ground, but that didn't work. I was having trouble thinking of something that wouldn't also put the girl in immediate danger, when I thought about him stepping into something like a snare - and that's when I thought of the bear trap. Nasty, nasty things. I watched a Youtube vid of one being sprung, and what it did to a piece of wood. Not something I'd want anywhere near me, thank you very much. I think that the boys are very much Mary's guardian angels, having saved her twice now in her young life. But I agree - that night she was theirs as well. I'm glad you liked the nod back to Foundling. Thank you - and sorry that all correspondence has been late. It's been a very chaotic year, and I'm feeling rather flat overall. But hopeful that 2012 can improve. I hope that you have a happy and prosperous year as well, and as always, I wish you peace, joy and abundant blessings. Jules
Reviewer: saber (Signed) · Date: 02/01/12 03:05 PM · On: Chapter 1
Jules, I hope your 2012 brings quiet, calm times. No more storms this year anyway. My dad dad died in January of 2011 and my mom died in December of 2011. I'm ready for better times ahead too. Thank you for taking the time to write this story. Your stories always bring me joy. Happy New Year and I encourage you to continue writing when you can. You touch others with your writing and bring out "the sunshine." Take care, Judy
Author's Response: Judy, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your parents. You have my deepest sympathies. What a horrible year 2011 has turned out to be for you. I can fully understand your wanting to leave that year well behind. My thoughts are with you as you not only get through the grief of losing your mother, but the coming first anniversary of your father's passing. Bless you heaps for taking the time to let me know how much this story has touched you. That in itself is a huge blessing to me, knowing that I've made someone's burden just a little bit lighter through my stories. Take care of yourself, thank you so much for your thoughts, and if you ever want to talk, just drop me a line through the site. I'll be here. hugs, Jules
Reviewer: WendyLee (Signed) · Date: 02/01/12 11:02 AM · On: Chapter 1
Loved this story! You captured the boys beautifully and brought a little light into their messed up life. Thank you for a wonderful "Christmas present". So glad RL is slowly evening out for you. I was thrilled to see another story from you when I signed in this morning!
Author's Response: Hi, Marcia, Thank you! I'm chuffed that you loved it. And yes, their lives are certainly screwed - can't really blame Dean for his attitude of late, even though that boy worries me terribly... Oh, gosh yes - I hope it's evening out too. I think I was a bit like Sam - as Sue said, on the wrong side of crazy - when I kept saying that things were settling down. In reality, I should have had my head read for thinking I would get into any sort of routine with a bunch of tradies marching through my house! But it's almost finished! One month to go - well, not even that, probably only a couple of weeks actually, but my builder is away at the moment so we get a few weeks break before the hammering, etc, starts again. We're definitely in the home stretch now. We must be - the muse is back - lol. Hope you had a great Christmas and new year, and an awesome start to 2012. Jules
Reviewer: janebear (Signed) · Date: 02/01/12 11:02 AM · On: Chapter 1
Glad to see you back and hear that things are starting to get better for you. Haven't been around myself to review, but had to on this one. Great great story. Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday and this story fits in so perfectly. Loved you fit in the song at the end too. That has always been my favorite Christmas carol too. Love to see Sam and Dean there for each other been missing that. Thanks again for sharing your talents and amazing writing with us. Perfect Christmas gift for us all. Hear is to 2012. Hope you have a great New Year. many hugs to you, Jane
Author's Response: Hullo, Jane! Oh my gosh, it's been ages! I hope you've been all right. Last time we spoke, you were still recovering from knee surgery, I think. Or was it an injury? Hope it's all healed up for you. I have to confess, I've been a tiny bit bah-humbuggy this year at times. I didn't want to decorate the house but my auntie talked me into it. And once it was done, it did look very pretty. Chris put up the tree, and I hung all the fancy stuff across the ceiling. Having said that though, I was the driving force at work for decorating our department....and we won best section and get bragging rights for the whole year! But not one card did I send, or my usual emails...*sigh*... I'm thrilled to hear from you, and even more so that you enjoyed the story so much. I've missed the boys being on the same page, too - it's been far too long, hasn't it? I know they're different, but it's those differences that make them such an awesome team. They really do work better together than apart. I hope you have a great 2012 as well. And thank you. hugs back, Jules
Reviewer: Miriam (Signed) · Date: 02/01/12 09:55 AM · On: Chapter 1
Loved this story! Thank you so much for your gift of giving us tenderness and still keeping Sam and Dean real. Especially Dean, his depth of love and toughness is complex and difficult to put into words. You let him tell that story himself and I thank you. And Sam's gentleness, fears, stubbornness, and strength shine through. I shall remember Mary's Bright Star always. Jo
Author's Response: And here you are again, as promised. I thank you. That really means a lot to me. I work hard getting their 'voices' right in my head - hope that doesn't sound too crackers, but I think you know what I mean. It's a joy and a relief to know that you feel I've hit the mark. Dean is very hard to pin down these days, isn't he? There's an awful lot going on in that pretty head, and some of it's not good. Dean's always been his own worst enemy, as has Sam, and he was right in his statement to Sam about taking the blame for everything going on in the world. He needs to stop carrying burdens that aren't his to bear. I'm chuffed that I got Sam's strengths to show through. He's been very much misunderstood over the past few seasons, I feel. And somewhat abused by the writers at times - not us, I mean the show's writers. Poor Sam gets put back together only to be broken apart again, it seems. But he is a gentle soul beneath that hunter exterior, and despite an unhealthily hefty dose of self-loathing (remember his own mind called him a pathetic milk-sop), he does have such wonderful inner strength. Thank you, my friend. I hope that 2012 brings you joy and peace. Bless you, Jules
Reviewer: Miriam (Signed) · Date: 02/01/12 08:51 AM · On: Chapter 1
Soooo glad to find you are okay out there! Happy New Year! And, since it is still only the ninth day of Christmas, a Blessed and Merry Christmas! A real review will follow along. :) Just really good to find you! Cheers, Jo
Author's Response: Hi, Jo! Yes, I'm all right...*rubs right thumb over left palm*....I'm doing fine - lol. I hope you had a very blessed Christmas, and I'm glad I could brighten your day. hugs Jules
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