GiGi

Hi SME, I too don't think that Monica will say anything to Stanton yet...I don't see Monica putting her financial security at risk unless she had a concrete "exit strategy". Every thing that Monica does seems to be very well planned. I can't see Monica going off to tell Stanton what she did without first checking to see what her prenup states about infidelity clause.  I keep saying this over and over, I can hardly wait until the next book!!

  Hi SME, Who knew that we would be so similar…small world!  I think of Monica as MoMo because she is a ding dong! She really frustrates and angers me in the grandest way! I also don’t think that for the most part, Monica has like a mother. She has acted more like Eva’s friend than a mother. She is also incredibly manipulative and as such I am not sure that she deserves the title of “Mommyca†although the saying is humorous.  I can relate to what you said about your mother. I had challenges of my own with my own mother for many years until she passed away in my early twenties. After that I set out on a quest to understand why my mother was the way she was. So I travelled back to Europe and I spoke with all of her friends and our family. It turns out that my mother was severely abused to within an inch of her life when she was four years old. I suspect that something in her spirit (soul) broke and that she was never quite the same.  She too had challenges with her mother and wasn’t ever able to resolve those issues (with my grandmother). I suspect that it had to do with not being protected and literally thrown to the wolves.  As it was told to me by my Aunt; at the age of four my mother was tied between two trees and was beaten to within an inch of her life. She was left tied between those trees bloodied, bruised and broken. The wild dogs were attracted to the blood and were biting my mother throughout the night. In the morning, a neighbor came and cut her down from between the trees and carried her back to her home. Her sisters said that she was never the same again. Something in her spirit broke. No one came to rescue her through the night and her cries were ignored.  During my childhood years my mother was often very strict and she ruled the house with an iron first. What I know now is that my mother was doing everything within her power to make sure that I was protected. She always stressed education because she wanted to make sure that no matter what ever happened in my personal life, I would always be able to earn a good living and that I wouldn’t ever have to be dependent on anyone for support.  Whatever frustrations I may have had regarding my mother were all dissolved when I heard what had happened to her during her childhood. I now realize that she was doing the very best that she could given her emotional and life circumstances. No matter what, I always knew that my mother loved and continues to love me unconditionally. I can almost guarantee that my mother is up in heaven having a discussion with Plato about what I have achieved in my life (my mother loved to chat! I wonder where I get my chattiness from ).  My whole point of telling you a personal story from my family is; if you get a chance listen to your mother. She may just have a story to tell that might make her past actions more understandable. It is just a thought.  I too, think that our souls are of different ages. I can agree with you in that Monica acts like a soul and as such might be a young soul. Eva on the other hand has had a lot to deal with (far more than any child or human being should ever have to deal with!) and as such has an older soul. I say that because somewhere out of this entire mess, Eva has come out unscathed. Many people, who are severely abused like that, turn to drugs and alcohol. Eva seems to have bypassed that and that shows a certain amount of maturity.  Eva’s issues with promiscuity do not concern me as much because often when children are sexually abused, the way they learn to relate to men is through se*. The abuse can be a form of conditioning (that is what they were used for and perhaps they correlate their past with their worth which seems to be what happened to Eva). People relate to the opposite se* se*ually instead of learning to relate in other ways. Eva got help for her issues though which is really positive.  I am glad that you related Monica and Elizabeth’s behaviour and I used to think that Monica’s actions were worse. The more I read the more I am beginning to wonder who the worst one of all is.  You also made a good point about their actions or lack thereof and their ability to deal with challenges.  I am glad that money wouldn’t corrupt you! That makes me very happy.  I would never lie or cheat or steal to have money either! Ever!  I couldn’t have respect for someone that could do something like that.  It makes everyone’s life so much more difficult.  Is my posting long enough (just joking ) ?What do you think? What is your opinion?

Hi Agoodbook, I read your posting and I was wondering what you meant? Could you please explain how I am not giving Eva enough credit please? It would be greatlly appreciated. Thanks in advance.Â

Hi SME, I am glad that the sun is shining where you are. It has been very warm and sticky and rainy here today. I did get to see a little bit of the sun. It was peeking out from behind a rainy cloud.  To answer your question, I live in Canada. I do have relatives in the US though; New York, Virginia, Wyoming, California, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina.Â

Hi SME, It is funny that you say that; all of my patients always ask me about my dad and my dogs (I have several). I swear that I will never get another dog and someone calls me with a sad story about an abused dog or someone who no longer wants their dog and then again, they come to my house to live. We now have two little Maltese dogs (one 2.5 pound and one 6.6pounds) and we also have a Shih Tzu dog who thinks that she can take on the world! She has absolutely no fear whatsoever! She is 12pounds of pure energy and curiosity and ferocity!  She also believes that she can "cure" any foible or illness just by "licking" it away!  Her favourite line: "Don't worry mommy....I fix...I fix." She then procedes to lick what ever seems to be a problem for the person. If you drop a little ice cream on the floor, she is right there to lick it up. If you spill a little bit of food on your pants, she just hops up onto your laps and licks it right up. If you are crying and are reaching for a kleenex, she kisses the tears away with her licks. If your feet are cold, well all you have to do is put them on her belly to warm them up (mind you she complains about this last one-she feels that she doesn't get enough dog cookies for such a duty:)). Oh, well she has to tolerate a little inconvenience to live in this household.  Everyone loves my dogs, they say that they are so well behaved and I always sit and wonder whose dogs they are talking about.  My Shih Tzu loves to take the shoe laces out of our shoes and then loves to hide them. She also loves to dig into the laundry hamper and dig out a sock or two and then hides those too! Sigh!   Overall she is a very funny dog!  I tell people about my dad or my family because patients are often scared or afraid and I find that if they realize that I am a human being too and that I understand their fear it makes the appointment a little easier for them.Â

I am sure that Henry could lose the smile for the role and put in place a "smouldering" look just for all of the fans. He has very expressive eyes and you can see his emotions all over his face when he wants.Â

 Hi Michele, I hope you had a good Fourth of July.

 Hi Sharon, Which books did you read from Shayla Black, if you don't mind me asking. I read her Christmas Story and I thought it was really lovely. I think it was called Wicked All The Way. It seemed like the characters were all interconnected which is what I initially found so appealing (actually I still do- some of the other books are a little too hard core for my taste).  It is clear that Shayla Black is one talented writer though. What do you think?

 Hi Chiara, I had this great post and it disappeared...yet again! Sigh! Ok, I think that Monica was a pretty lax mother prior to marrying Mr. Barker and she definitely didn't keep her eye on the ball because her daughter was being raped and tortured for four years right under her nose.  I think that she keeps a tight leash (or at least she tries to) on Eva because she feels guilty about what happened to Eva and how she failed Eva. I don't think that she has been able to forgive herself for what happened and that is what may be driving Monica to be so deceptive with Eva (at least in part).  I hope that we get the opportunity to hear a lot more about Monica and what she was like in her past. Sylvia said something about the fact that Monica has a huge backstory so I am just sitting on pins and needles waiting.Â

Hi Michele, I agree. I think Megumi is in trouble. I just don't know what kind of trouble it is yet....

Hello SME, You are correct. It is absolutely crazy to think that Brett and Corinne would get together, but that's what makes it so much fun!! They can both leave for a long "Rock Star World Tour" and leave Gideon and Eva alone!  If this suggestion is too crazy for the ladies, then Brett and Megumi could work just as well! I would be sad to see Megumi go though. She and Eva seem like they are making fast friends, but if it is true love then Eva and Megumi can email and Skype to maintain a friendship.Â

Guten Morgen SME, I hope you had a very wonderful Saturday, I read your posting and I haven't heard of Maya Cross. I will have to look up her books. I too, haven't read Maya Banks. I think I will look up her books as well. I hope your day is filled with blessings.Â

Hi Sheens, Beautiful lyrics.Â

 Hi Sheens, There are a lot of great actors to choose from.Â

Hi Donna, It certainly is beautiful. It might not work for people who have lots of dogs (or cats) or even children. The colour white loves stains!

What a photo! Who comes up with the captions? Â

 Thank you for the information Nancy.  Have a great weekend. Â

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 Hi Sheens, If Mark took a job with Eva and Gideon wouldn't it be like getting a demotion? Thus far Mark is Eva's boss. How would the work situation work out? Would Mark still be Eva's boss or would he be taking orders from Eva?  What do you think?

Hi Sheens, I may just do that. Have a great weekend.Â

 Hi Sheens, The snippet looks interesting! It has piqued my interest.

Ms. Peachies, I hope you have a great weekend.Â

Hi Tbidwell, I hope you feel better soon.

Hi Julie, Good question. I wonder if Monica's marriage willl survive her infidelity too. I also wonder if Stanton will find out about her affair independently or whether Monica will confess. Questions, questions, questions...