Old Reviews:

The Darkest Hour:

Reviewer: sklamb Signed starstarstarstarstar

Date: 16 Oct 2013 05:49 pm Title: Chapters 1 through 4

I don’t know why I never saw this before, but I’m sure glad I finally have! The seamless way you move from viewpoint to viewpoint, and the way you keep raising the tension on the rest of the family even as you reveal Joe’s situation more and more clearly, intensify a truly harrowing tale. Yet, as so often in your stories, faith and family somehow manage to prevail, even if it’s going to take a long time to heal. I look forward to reading the sequel and seeing how Joe–and all his family–make their way back to sunshine after darkness. Thank you so much for sharing these stories with us!

Author’s Response:

Thank you so much! I truly value your input and I’m so glad you enjoyed this walk through darkness!

Reviewer: frasrgrl Signed starstarstarstarstar

Date: 25 Jun 2013 11:46 pm Title: Chapters 1 through 4

At first I had thought I read this before, but like all your stories, I felt a reading it again wouldn’t hurt. Once I got going I realized I hadn’t read it before and I was pleasant surprised with a new story with so much ESJ. The suffering and the physical and mental turmoil afterwards was heart wrenching.

Author’s Response:

Oh, yes. Lots of ESJ! I’m so glad you discovered this one! It was an interesting challenge to write it. If it hadn’t started from the seedling of a single word, but rather from the image of a scene, I’m not sure I would have written it. Very definitely a dark “road” in this. But our boys would never let the darkness keep them down, and the heart wrenching they all went through would surely make their bonds that much stronger in the end! 😉 Thank you, fras! I’ve fallen out of touch with you (and many others) in recent months, and it’s nice to “hear” from you like this! 🙂

Reviewer: Cheaux Signed starstarstarstarstar

Date: 20 Mar 2013 11:41 pm Title: Chapters 5 through 8

A very moving story, Freya, on many levels. I loved the poetry which was a fitting summation.

Author’s Response:

Thank you, Cheaux! Sometimes it’s tough to “leave” a story without everything being all better, but the poem did seem like a proper way to end this oen. Of course, then I had to make it “all better,” so I wrote a whole ‘nuther story, because “all better” after something like this can’t happen over night!

Reviewer: BluewindFarm Signed

Date: 05 Mar 2013 12:12 pm Title: Chapters 1 through 4

It’s easy to lose one’s self into the darkness, more harrowing when the darkness is not of your own doing. Doubt, reciminations, loneliness… Slowly and carefully, the dawn of light will shine the way home for all the Cartwrights.

Wow, can’t wait to see what all it takes for Joe to recover — to be as he was before, if he can…

Author’s Response:

Thank you! Yes, it would be a tough road to recovery. But…one worth traveling! 😉

Reviewer: Anonymous Anonymous

Date: 19 Dec 2011 10:00 am Title: Chapters 5 through 8

Sadness and despair seep from your words, for anyone to have been kept in such hoplessness is unfathomable, but for Little Joe, his zest and carefree spirit swept away from him… l must read the next part

l love your style and flow.

Author’s Response:

Thank you so very much!

Reviewer: charlotte Anonymous

Date: 25 Nov 2011 07:58 am Title: Chapters 5 through 8

Intense story. I am enjoying your writing so much

Author’s Response:

 Thank you very much, charlotte! I hope you enjoy the rest of them, too! 😉

 Reviewer: lisamarie Anonymous

Date: 01 Aug 2011 08:25 am Title: Chapters 5 through 8

Oh my, but I loved this story, freyakendra! Wow…you really know how to lay on the ESJ – poor Joe! Love how you portray the family’s anguish as the days and then weeks pass without a sign of their missing family member – so many emotional ups and downs here – Hoss’s guilt at laughing, Adam’s growing reluctance to find Joe, knowing that all he would find was a corpse – so spot on and amazing. Of course, it’s begging for a sequel as Joe finds his way back from the psychological hell to his family – looking forward to it. Thanks for the chains!

Author’s Response:

Thank you, Lisa! I can’t believe I never responded to this! So sorry for the delay!

Reviewer: Joe and Cochise Signed starstarstarstarstar

Date: 30 Jul 2011 04:56 pm Title: Chapters 1 through 4

Great Job – enjoyed the story very much !

Author’s Response:

Thank you so very much! I have been remiss in responding to reviews! So sorry for my delay!

Reviewer: JoeC Anonymous starstarstarstarstar

Date: 26 Jul 2011 08:51 am Title: Chapters 5 through 8

Dear freya,

first I think it’s good that you haven’t chaged the titel. I like it the way it is. The story was very intense and a SJS at it’s best. I like it very much that your focus were on Joe and Adam in this situation. Thanx for this strong story. JoeC

Author’s Response: Thank you, JoeC! As you know, I did go back and forth about the title. I’m so glad people find it fitting! And yes, it was certainly intense. I just can’t stop myself from putting that boy through…well, *intense* stuff, and this one (along with Purgatory) is about as intense as you can get without causing permanent damage. Doh! And I also love the Joe/Adam relationship. I’m glad you enjoyed it! And thank you so much for reviewing! 😀

Reviewer: mamse5 Signed

Date: 25 Jul 2011 06:35 pm Title: Chapters 5 through 8

Wonderful!! Well written and perfectly Carwright! Enjoyed your tale very much! Thanks for sharing it! 🙂 Jane

Author’s Response: Thank you so much, Jane! I’m so glad you found it “perfectly Cartwright!” And I’m very glad you enjoyed it and reviewed! Thanks again! 🙂

Reviewer: jfclover Signed

Date: 25 Jul 2011 09:10 am Title: Chapters 5 through 8

I don’t read wips, been burnt before when they don’t get finished, but I saw this one now posted in the library. We sure know how to put our boy through the ringer, don’t we. Nice job!

Author’s Response: I don’t blame you on the WIPs. I’m glad you read it once it was posted here. (I will always, eventually, post all WIPs here after editing.) Yes, that poor Joe does suffer…but he does it so beautifully how can we help ourselves? lol! Thank you for reviewing!

Reviewer: BnzaGal Signed

Date: 24 Jul 2011 10:23 am Title: Chapters 1 through 4

Loved reading this as a WIP. Well done!

I hope there will be many more to come!

Author’s Response: Wow! I’ve really fallen behind in responding! Thank you so much! This story really obsessed me until it was finished–and even afterward. A sequel is a must; it’s just a matter of time. I’m glad you enjoyed it! (and thank you for reviewing!)

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No One:

Reviewer: frasrgrl Signed starstarstarstarstar

Date: 26 Jun 2013 12:00 am Title: Chapter 1

What a worthy sequel. The warden’s speech to Joe was perfect, especially the part about Joe being a man worthy of respect no matter what his name was, is spot ion. Mate was a great companion for Joe and his insisting on using Joe’s full name to get the point across that Joe is someone was a great idea. Adam showing up to help Joe through was a great show of brotherly love, especially since he was the only one who could relate in any type of fashion.

Author’s Response:

Thank you, again, fras! I’m very glad you enjoyed these stories. Mate was an interesting character to explore. I wouldn’t mind seeing him again, but I’m not sure where or how.

Reviewer: ansinico Anonymous

Date: 19 Dec 2011 10:57 am Title: Chapter 1

A worthy and satisfying finale, the interaction between Adam and Joe was perfectl l thoroughly enjoyed both stories, thank you.

Author’s Response:

Thank you so much! This was definitely an interesting story, or set of stories, to write. In this finale, I literally journeyed right along with Joe, and experienced every revelation right along with him. I knew where I wanted it to go, but I had to take it step by step or scene by scene. Very interesting. 😉

Reviewer: Chavel47 Anonymous

Date: 01 Sep 2011 06:45 pm Title: Chapter 1

Good follow-up to the first story. I liked that this story shows that traumatic experiences do not just resolve themselves. One needs to remember that friends may need more time to heal the spirit as well as the body.

I’m new at reading fan fiction. What does SJS stand for?

Author’s Response:

Thank you very much! I’m very glad you enjoyed reading it! And yes, traumatic experiences take a good long while to heal in spirit!

Welcome to fan-fic, Chavel47! SJS is unique to Bonanza fandom and stands for “Suffering Joe Syndrome.” There’s also SAS (Adam), and others, but SJS and SAS are the most frequently found. We writers and readers have a tendency to like to see our favorite characters suffering–usually so we can see the “comfort” coming from other favorite characters. In fact, we like it so much that it seems almost like an addiction, hence the “syndrome”! 😉 In other fandoms the category “hurt/comfort” is commonly used to indicate the story involves suffering of some type, followed by the necessary comfort offered by a partner, brother, buddy, etc., typically solidifying the bond between them. (Ahem, I’m getting too academic, aren’t I? This is a topic I’ve “studied” [unofficially and without devoting extensive time to it!] for about a decade or more!)

Reviewer: Laurie Anonymous starstarstarstarstar

Date: 01 Sep 2011 06:08 am Title: Chapter 5

wow, good story, thanks

Author’s Response:

Thank you, Laurie! I’m glad you liked it!:-)

Reviewer: dcp Anonymous

Date: 31 Aug 2011 08:35 pm Title: Chapter 5

Your stories are so remarkable. It makes me think a lot harder in a good way at what another human being is going through, You have a very nice way of writing and definately have the Joe SJS down pat, Absolutely love your stories.

Author’s Response: Thank you so much! Sometimes I think I could be one step away from becoming a “method” actor. I try very hard to put my head into a specific character, focusing on not only what they might say, but what they might think and how their thoughts might change based on time, experiences and conversations. Joe has been a study of mine for a very long time! I’m glad to see my “education” is proving to be worthwhile!;-)