Jeffrey Caston -Featured Author - Immunity - June 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023

[Jeffrey]

Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem) wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "Angel wrote: "Things really heat up in chapter 51! [spoilers removed]"

I figured that [spoilers removed]"

Yes to this!! [spoilers removed]"

When I saw your earlier comments, (view spoiler)[I figured you might like the way Culver bought it. But yes, Earl's loss I had hoped would be moving. Sacrifice is one of those human concepts that fascinate me. How and why and when it happens. It can create a gamut of emotions like few other things in my humble opinion.(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Jeffrey]

Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem) wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "I look forward to reading your thoughts, Theresa. I'm thrilled you were able to join the read. It's been wonderful interacting with you and seeing your comments. Hope you have a gre..."

I looked it up. It looks delightful! And when I plugged my zip code into the website it almost crashed, as if saying "98-- whaaat!?" So I took that as a "no, we don't have any Culver's in Washington. Sucks to be you." 😂

[Jeffrey]

Marie wrote: "Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem) wrote: "Yes - it's technically called Culver's. It was started in Wisconsin. They have the absolute best burgers and frozen custard. All stuff I don't need to be eati..."

Well if you get to one, please have some for me!

[Jeffrey]

Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem) wrote: "Marie wrote: "We have them here too in Florida but I haven't ate there yet. So they must be dotted here and there around the U.S. I thought they also had ice cream too."

Ok, so, a real frozen trea..."

It sounds amazing. But I'm not sure I would call it snobbery. I like your first label... connoisseur. That sounds cool. 😊

[Jeffrey]

Graeme wrote: "Ch 31. And I've been reflecting upon imprisonment and its relationship with Evil, and then this comes along..."

HA! I have a very distinct memory getting the manuscript back from the editor and going back through this chapter and his text box comment was "Well, that was a horrific chapter." Talk about a happy dance! Thanks, Graeme.

[Jeffrey]

Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem) wrote: "Graeme wrote: "39% in.

Just wondering if secretary Susan has a [spoilers removed]

I'll read on to find out."

Great question, Graeme!! :)"

Well... all righty then!!! So this is a comment to anyone interested in Graeme and Theresa's observation AND have finished: (view spoiler)[Very astute, guys. Well done. By the time you have finished it, you'll realize that specific question isn't answered, although the last part of the epilogue does make a reference to "the ally the Raven had within the Defiler Stant's organization." There may or may not be some additional information on that issue in one of the Raven stories. I admit nothing. 😁😂 But truthfully, I am glad you picked up the clue that I think led you to that question. (hide spoiler)]

[Jeffrey]

Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem) wrote: "It's hard to put into words how much I loved the last few chapters of the book! So much tension and suspense. [spoilers removed]

And then the Epilogue!! Wow. [spoilers removed]

My review will be ..."

That makes me most happy, Theresa. I'm so glad those part worked for you. I (view spoiler)[debated whether add some of this, especially the last part. I even consider (then rejected obviously) the idea of putting the last part of the epilogue AFTER the acknowledgements and the "other books by...", etc. That might have been too much, I think. But who knows. (hide spoiler)]

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Jeffrey wrote: "Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem) wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "I look forward to reading your thoughts, Theresa. I'm thrilled you were able to join the read. It's been wonderful interacting with you and se

I looked it up. It looks delightful! And when I plugged my zip code into the website it almost crashed, as if saying "98-- whaaat!?" So I took that as a "no, we don't have any Culver's in Washington. Sucks to be you." 😂"

There are three in Idaho - so you could cross state lines to go to one if you are feeling adventurous! lol 😂😂

[Jeffrey]

Marie wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem) wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "I look forward to reading your thoughts, Theresa. I'm thrilled you were able to join the read. It's been wonderful interacting..."

Interesting. Thanks Marie!

[Graeme]

A general comment. This is a very deeply thought out book.

[Graeme]

Jeffrey wrote: "HA! I have a very distinct memory getting the manuscript back from the editor and going back through this chapter and his text box comment was "Well, that was a horrific chapter." Talk about a happy dance! Thanks, Graeme...."

Your happy dance is well earned.

[Angel]

I finished re-reading the book this weekend. What an incredibly immersive and thought-provoking story! Heartbreaking, too. (view spoiler)[ Sarah went from a happy-go-lucky student to being confined and tested like a lab rat to ending up hideously disfigured and homeless. She endured so much undeserved pain. I would love to know what became of her. Hint, hint, Jeffrey!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Angel]

Jeffrey, I have a question about something that happened towards the end of the book—
(view spoiler)[“Sarah was still clutching the root, and the leaves were withering and crinkling before her very eyes, as if someone was slowly burning the plant.” I’m fascinated by the fact that Sarah can have such an effect on plants, too. I’m curious as to what made you decide to add this extra ability. (hide spoiler)]

[Angel]

“Humanity did not need monsters to scare it. Humanity was its own monster, terrifying those it could whenever some universal fate or force wanted it to.”
I love this quote! Sad, but true.

This one, too—
“Of course we’ll get away with it,” he snapped. “That’s what having power means.”

You’ve truly captured the nasty, ugly side of the human race.

[Graeme]

Angel wrote: "“Humanity did not need monsters to scare it. Humanity was its own monster, terrifying those it could whenever some universal fate or force wanted it to.”
I love this quote! Sad, but true.

This one..."

Indeed. Great truth captured on the page.

[Jeffrey]

Graeme wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "HA! I have a very distinct memory getting the manuscript back from the editor and going back through this chapter and his text box comment was "Well, that was a horrific chapter." T..."

Thank you, Graeme. Much appreciated.

[Jeffrey]

Angel wrote: "I finished re-reading the book this weekend. What an incredibly immersive and thought-provoking story! Heartbreaking, too. [spoilers removed]"

Well... if you really want to know, I can give you a few broad strokes... (view spoiler)[although I intended Immunity as the sort of bedrock for the Horrific Northwest, I hope not to be done with Sarah. I plan (1) a novella with her, more direct contact with the Raven, and a supervillain; (2) a follow up where the Penwall guys get tipped off that she's still in Seattle after an unfortunate disease spread (not unlike the situation with the school); and (3) a story (maybe a novella) where Sarah has to get recruited to fight a guy that has somewhat similar abilities. Plus some other scenes that I have written and hope to write as an appearance in other books. (hide spoiler)]

[Jeffrey]

Angel wrote: "Jeffrey, I have a question about something that happened towards the end of the book—
[spoilers removed]"

Angel wrote: "I finished re-reading the book this weekend. What an incredibly immersive and thought-provoking story! Heartbreaking, too. [spoilers removed]"

Oh, goodness, that's a good question and thank you. Two things -- that relate to the end of the story and stuff that appears elsewhere and is being written/planned. (view spoiler)[First, it was supposed to be a reflect of how her abilities were going haywire. How the molecules that allowed her to psionically transmit diseases were attacking everything because the system has been so overstimulated. Attacked her too, hence the maiming. The idea and scene dates back even to the oldest version from sometime the late 1990s/early 2000s. (I can't remember when I got the first version done. I just remember NOT having the 3.5 inch floppy drives I had saved it on! HAHA!) Anyway, I digress... Second, I kept that and a lot of widely diverse details--even though it made for a longer book--because I wanted world-building stuff to draw upon later. I always intended this book to be the source material for later work. Some planned, some that has occurred to me later--including the issue you mention. For example, the research on Sarah played a big part in creating Pacifica. There's a line in Food that says something about Pacifica's progenitor state had made a "biotech breakthrough" that had made the Puget Sound region a leader in virus research and... germ warfare. I've started outlining scene where the King is planning a threat/attack that uses this effect that she had on the grass and plants. I don't want to give too much away, but it deals with germ warfare not against people but neighboring nations' crops. Can you imagine how much control and fear you could elicit if you dropped a bomb that didn't kill, but wiped out a region's potato or wheat crop? Kill people and you risk consolidating their ire against you. Kill their ability to feed themselves in a world already struggling against starvation... well... that's a bit more demoralizing, isn't it. But to answer your question more directly having a variety of abilities made her a bigger spark in the life of this story and beyond. (hide spoiler)] Does that answer the question? I feel like a rambled a bit.

[Jeffrey]

Graeme wrote: "Angel wrote: "“Humanity did not need monsters to scare it. Humanity was its own monster, terrifying those it could whenever some universal fate or force wanted it to.”
I love this quote! Sad, but t..."

Thanks! That was part of the aim!

[Graeme]

Well, you hit it.

[Graeme]

53% in.

I'm kinda waiting for the penny to drop with Stant or Abel regarding the (view spoiler)[weaponization opportunity with Sarah.

She accelerates what's she's been given. Give her Ebola and drop her in a city, then quarantine the city and pick her up afterwards.

She's a portable reusable WMD. (hide spoiler)]

[Graeme]

Tip to self: don't use a plastic wrapped action figure as a horcrux.

[Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem)]

Graeme wrote: "Tip to self: don't use a plastic wrapped action figure as a horcrux."

I had to look up the meaning of horcrux. I get it now! 😂 I really need to finish reading the Harry Potter series!!

[Graeme]

Well worth it, Theresa.

[Angel]

Jeffrey wrote: "Angel wrote: "I finished re-reading the book this weekend. What an incredibly immersive and thought-provoking story! Heartbreaking, too. [spoilers removed]"

Well... if you really want to know, I c..."

I’m so happy to know that you’ll be continuing Sarah’s story. I really can’t wait to find out what happens to her and learn about her interactions with the Raven.

I couldn’t help but wonder about Colin Wohl, too, and (view spoiler)[his interest in joining the FBI. Is that just about his hope to one day find Sarah? I can’t help but think there will be more to his story, too. Of course, that might be wishful thinking. (hide spoiler)] I must say, I honestly love how you’ve created your characters with such depth and appeal. For me, much of the success of a great novel hinges on my connection with the characters and whether I care about what’s happening to them. You truly had me well-invested.

[Angel]

Jeffrey wrote: "Angel wrote: "I finished re-reading the book this weekend. What an incredibly immersive and thought-provoking story! Heartbreaking, too. [spoilers removed]"

Well... if you really want to know, I c..."

It amazes me that you had the idea for this story for over twenty years before actually writing it. The futuristic world you’ve created is just incredible and I am completely in awe of your brilliance! I love how your subsequent books all build from ideas within Immunity in one way or another.
(view spoiler)[I really love how you set the stage for things to come. Germ warfare, not just against people but also their sources of food would surely have a crippling effect upon a nation. I hadn’t seen the connection between Sarah and the Food series books but now it’s clear and so very fascinating! (hide spoiler)]

[Angel]

Graeme wrote: "53% in.

I'm kinda waiting for the penny to drop with Stant or Abel regarding the weaponization opportunity with Sarah.

She accelerates what's she's been given. Give her Ebola and drop her in a c..."

So true, Graeme. Just imagine the devastation such powers can cause. Jeffrey takes it a step further than that even, as you will discover....

[Jeffrey]

Angel wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "Angel wrote: "I finished re-reading the book this weekend. What an incredibly immersive and thought-provoking story! Heartbreaking, too. [spoilers removed]"

Well... if you really w..."

That's so wonderful to hear, Angel. Thank you so much. The most fully-developed character with a side quest so far is (view spoiler)[Jennie Ransom and her "liberated" high tech motorbike, (hide spoiler)] so I'll probably get to her before (view spoiler)[Colin's travails with the FBI. (hide spoiler)]

[Jeffrey]

Angel wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "Angel wrote: "I finished re-reading the book this weekend. What an incredibly immersive and thought-provoking story! Heartbreaking, too. [spoilers removed]"

Well... if you really w..."

Thank you for this too. I'm actually pretty lucky because the first full draft of it was done 20 years ago too and what with technology changes I almost lost it to a lost hard drive and 3.5 inch floppy drives that had nowhere to go. Remember those old, clunky, Mac Powerbooks? (Maybe not? HAHA!) Yeah, the first draft had its home on one of those things.

[Angel]

Jeffrey wrote: "Angel wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "Angel wrote: "I finished re-reading the book this weekend. What an incredibly immersive and thought-provoking story! Heartbreaking, too. [spoilers removed]"

Well... i..."

I seriously can’t wait for more, Jeffrey!

[Angel]

Jeffrey wrote: "Angel wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "Angel wrote: "I finished re-reading the book this weekend. What an incredibly immersive and thought-provoking story! Heartbreaking, too. [spoilers removed]"

Well... i..."

Oh yes, I do remember those old floppy disks and clunky PowerBooks. I even remember the 5¼ floppy disks! Thank God for higher-capacity storage devices and all the backup methods available to ensure that data is never lost again! Im sooooo glad you were able to retrieve your work and complete Immunity!

[Graeme]

Angel wrote: "Im sooooo glad you were able to retrieve your work and complete Immunity!..."

I'll second that.

[Jeffrey]

Angel wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "Angel wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "Angel wrote: "I finished re-reading the book this weekend. What an incredibly immersive and thought-provoking story! Heartbreaking, too. [spoilers remo..."

Exactly! HA!

[Jeffrey]

Graeme wrote: "Angel wrote: "Im sooooo glad you were able to retrieve your work and complete Immunity!..."

I'll second that."

Thanks!

[Graeme]

66% in. Culver is on deck and advocating, (view spoiler)[multiple pathogens.

The obvious risk is that Sarah will combine these into a super-bug attack form... (hide spoiler)]

"It's on fire!"
"Here ... Throw this dynamite stick in!"

[Graeme]

68% in.

Math tests?

I managed a 3% in a year 10 advanced math class...

[Graeme]

68%. LOL. Snort. I must have a mean streak... those kids in the class....

[Graeme]

68%.

I was thinking, (view spoiler)[touch was the transmission mechanism, but I figure now that it is perspiration .... applied via touch.

Hence why her sweat is 'bitter,' to the taste rather than salty... (hide spoiler)]

[Graeme]

78%.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

[Jeffrey]

Graeme wrote: "66% in. Culver is on

"It's on fire!"
"Here ... Throw this dynamite stic..."

HAHA! Yes I suppose that is quite the apt analogy...

[Jeffrey]

Graeme wrote: "68% in.

Math tests?

I managed a 3% in a year 10 advanced math class..."

Not great at math either. Fortunately my wife is pretty good. Otherwise the checkbook... Forget about it...

[Jeffrey]

Graeme wrote: "78%.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

Quite true... and very true in Sarah's case.

[Graeme]

Indeed, on all points. I'm completely invested in the story. Sarah's (view spoiler)[just escaped and wandering in Seattle. (hide spoiler)]

[Graeme]

Now that I've finished my most recent project. Devoting more time to reading...

[Jeffrey]

Graeme wrote: "Indeed, on all points. I'm completely invested in the story. Sarah's [spoilers removed]"

I'm so glad to hear that! I'll be curious to see how you react to some of the later bits.

[Graeme]

I do have 'horror,' limits, but I haven't found anything that turned me off the story.

Frankly, as other readers have noted, this would do well on the big or small screen.

[Jeffrey]

Graeme wrote: "I do have 'horror,' limits, but I haven't found anything that turned me off the story.

Frankly, as other readers have noted, this would do well on the big or small screen."

Thank you! Boy, I wish. As Carmella Soprano might have said (in paraphrased form), from your [guys'] lips to [the producers] ears! HA!

As to the horror limits, it wasn't until I started writing another series, that I started delving into some of the darker, more niche sub-genres of horror.

[Graeme]

I must admit, I'm comfortable with my limits and see no reason to challenge them...

[Jeffrey]

Well, you're a total boss, so it works out just fine for you! 😁

[Graeme]

Jeffrey wrote: "Well, you're a total boss, so it works out just fine for you! 😁"

Or, I'm getting old and cranky... 😁😎😉