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• Ch. 84 Q1. This is one question I do know the answer to, but as it's going to come into play in the next book, I'll have to keep mum on the subject. (NT) -- celtgirl, 20:45:19 08/02/12 Thu

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• 84/1) I am not sure about this. It's a mystery to me. I thought it was strange that Andrei was there at the same time as Violet was taken away. It seems suspicious, but maybe I'm reading too much into it. (NT) -- Lil, 08:11:53 08/03/12 Fri

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• 85/1) I think there are just certain people who feel grounded to a place. They can't imagine living or dying anywhere else. I also think this is indicative of the times the books are set in. People are just now becoming more transient in their living. Meaning they don't all live in the same houes, neighborhood or city as they had in the past. There is a stronger sense of "home" or "place" for this era. (NT) -- Lil, 08:12:45 08/03/12 Fri

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• 86/1) I think Jamie is able to have hope now that he's free and that the people he loves that are at the camp are either dead or have given their blessing or are safe with him. Jamie doesn't seem like he's afraid of death, but if he's going to die in Russia he's going to do everything in his power to fight it. He also has Kolya and Vanya to help escape. He's still a champion and protector, something that is very strong in Jamie's personality. (NT) -- Lil, 08:13:18 08/03/12 Fri

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• (84/1) While I never trusted Andrei, I did end up placing trust in Violet. I like to think she was whisked away for questioning because of her involvement with Andrei. But then it's perfectly plausible that she could be KGB, too, although I don't want her to be an agent. (NT) -- Elaine, 09:12:51 08/03/12 Fri

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• (85/1) I love this question. >>>> -- Elaine, 09:24:15 08/03/12 Fri
  • Ch 85 Q1. It seems as though there are people who have such strong ties to homeland that something wants to break in them when they must leave. Maybe that's the difference - forced to leave versus leaving of one's own free will. I think most people would adapt, and many happily to a new (better, safer) place to live, but a longing for home may remain forever. Not die, though, but keep a sadness perhaps that nothing touches. (NT) -- Denise, 09:59:38 08/03/12 Fri
    • That's a really insightful point you make, Denise. (NT) -- Elaine, 12:27:36 08/03/12 Fri
  • For Casey, Ireland is rooted in his soul. He didn't do well in Boston, he needs his Irish earth beneath his feet, and I think maybe he needs his conflict to a certain extent. It is, after all, such a part of who he is and how he grew to be a man. As to Gregor, he is just so Russian that I couldn't fathom him being outside of Russia. He's lived his life and has no regrets. He will be one of those characters I really miss in the writing of the next book. Thanks, E. I've heard a lot to that effect that 'Angels' is simply a stronger book- I suppose if I kept at it long enough, I was bound to get good at this writing thing. :) (NT) -- celtgirl (), 11:59:23 08/03/12 Fri
    • Linguistic artistry! (NT) -- Elaine, 12:31:47 08/03/12 Fri
    • This book has so much intimate parts to it. When I was doing my re-read of my section these past few weeks, I couldn't believe how much it affected me again. (NT) -- LisaW (), 12:37:40 08/03/12 Fri
      • I'm glad to know it's holding up to re-reads, even ones done so soon after the original read. It's always one of my goals as I write these books to have them be something that can be read over and over, should people choose to. (NT) -- celtgirl, 16:05:24 08/03/12 Fri

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• (86/1) Nalana's point above is very good. Even though Jamie is tethered to Kolya and Vanya right now, and ultimately feels responsibility towards them, he is now able to give some focus over to himself again... finally. But just like Ragged Jack, coming home this time might not be as wonderful an experience as he had once thought. Maybe this realization plays a role here, too: that no situation is going to be perfect, but he can adapt and overcome. Adapting and overcoming are perhaps the greatest tests of one's will and character. If anybody is a survivor, it's Jamie. (NT) -- Elaine, 09:32:25 08/03/12 Fri

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• Ch. 84 Q1. I've come to respect Gregor, certainly not like him always (but yes, some of the time) but he seems to have an inside knowledge and if he thinks Violet is KGB, then I think that might be the case. Of course, Jamie won't know the truth of the matter and will have to find out on his own, since he did come to love Violet, and he'll have to know for sure if he is to dismiss his relationship with her. Leaving Kolya behind does seem out of place though, so I don't know. (NT) -- Denise, 09:53:20 08/03/12 Fri

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• Ch 86 Q1. Jamie has escaped the gulag and making his way home. He expects a struggle but can perhaps see/taste the freedom to come and the heron moving freely in the wild has allowed him to believe in the future and the prospect of returning to Ireland. (NT) -- Denise, 10:08:11 08/03/12 Fri

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• 84/1 I don't think she is KGB, I really think it has to do with Andrei and her involvement with him. I am so hoping this is true, it would be so sad for Jamie if she was. (NT) -- LisaW, 10:35:43 08/03/12 Fri

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• I think certain men understand that they can make a difference in a very difficult situation and that they better serve their place by staying there. Gregor knows the system in Russia and he is not afraid of what may come because of it. He has lived his whole life knowing that Russia will take away his own life someday, and he is ok with it. (NT) -- LisaW, 10:41:53 08/03/12 Fri

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• I think Jamie knows he has accomplished the hardest part of his journey home, getting out of the prison. Now all that happens will be a challenge he can take on, and no matter the consequences he is closer to home then he has been in a very long time. (NT) -- LisaW, 10:45:14 08/03/12 Fri

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• One of the biggest concerns readers seem to have after finishing this book is how much they feel Jamie has been changed by his time in Russia. Yes, I do make it clear the man has changed, and not necessarily always for the better in some respects, but that moment by the lake with the heron showed me (it showed up whole, not in pieces as much of my writing does) that something in Jamie was still feeling, was still intrinsically Jamie. But it will be a journey for him, and while it's not likely he will ever truly be the same man who went into Russia, I think his basic core is stable. Or as stable as His Lordship is likely to get. (NT) -- celtgirl, 12:06:36 08/03/12 Fri
  • You know, I think I like him even more now that he's had a bit of a metamorphosis. Yes, I've always loved him, but right now I'd like to be one of his close and trusted friends. (NT) -- Elaine, 12:26:10 08/03/12 Fri
    • I really felt that I got to know Jamie much better in this book. Before, he somewhat had the qualities of quicksilver to me- beautiful but scattering to the winds if you tried to touch it/him. His journals, in particular, really opened him up to me and I feel like I am on much more solid ground with him now than I did after the first two books. (NT) -- celtgirl, 12:31:21 08/03/12 Fri
  • I don't see him so completely changed. I feel that his character, although faced with some completely different challenges, is much the same. He's a protector, champion, and ruthlessly creative in finding ways to stay alive and protect those he cares about. He is different, but like you said, Jamie is still Jamie to me. (NT) -- Lil, 14:14:06 08/03/12 Fri
    • His essence is still there, true. (NT) -- Elaine, 14:32:56 08/03/12 Fri
    • I would agree that he remains unchanged in essentials- he will always need to care for someone, and he will always have a poet's heart, and he will usually be one step ahead- except perhaps when it comes to his own heart and wellbeing. (NT) -- celtgirl, 15:54:06 08/03/12 Fri