Reviews for Diamonds and Dust

Reviews For: Diamonds and Dust - Reviews: Page 1 of 3

Carmel March 2008-06-21 ch 11,	abuseEven though it's been a bit since I've read this story (which I'm so terribly sorry for), I immediately got right into the story line, the characters, everything. I love this :) Keep up the great work! ~Carm~
KelseyBell910 2008-06-14 ch 11,	abuseThis is fabulous! Continue real soon. =]
Stealer 2008-06-07 ch 11, anon.	abuseOh, man, I almost wish I hadn't clicked on this story just yet. I don't even remember how I got to your profile [thanks to random favorites linkage], but thank God I did make it here. You've got me seriously hooked, which means I'm going to checking compulsively for updates now! Your characters - the whole breadth of them - are fantastic; I can't imagine what it's like to have them wreaking havoc in your head. I most like how they're so interconnected [and not just through your plot] - it's so clear that you've thought them out thoroughly and meaningfully. As I read, I thought of how they all fit so well in, with, around, between, alongside each other, even while remaining distinguishable individuals. It's beautiful. Seamless. I'm especially enjoying the interactions between Virginia/Marlene and Virginia/James. With both, I kept anticipating any and every misstep, some wrong turn, a little relief from the inevitable emotional buildup. Despite the inherent tension, there's some undercurrent that can't quite be easily labeled or pinned down. I think you're one of the few authors I've read on this site in possession of the written art of subtlety. I love it. It makes for a rich and exciting reading experience, so thank you for that. I would really like for Virginia and her mother to reach a depth of understanding, no matter the outcome of their relationship, and I can't wait for Ginnie and James to discover a love as passionate and fulfilling as the full gamut of emotions they're bound to inspire in one another. But, you know, I'm sure I'll be able to stomach whatever you've got planned. :) On another point, I'd love to be able to say something more useful while you're still cranking out this incredible word count every chapter, but I'm pretty terrible at it. When it's all said and done, you can bet that I'll most definitely make another go-round at this! For now, I feel as though I'm staring at a too-small corner edge of an Impressionist acrylic and trying to unjustly make sense of it - only the bigger picture will do it. So, until then, you have my admiration and eager readership! Good luck with your summer course, and here's to hoping it passes quickly - for the benefit of all. :)
Vixen of Vienna 2008-05-30 ch 11,	abuseAn update! Sweet! So, here are some grammatical issues before legit lit crit: 1. "To the left, a piano sat against the wall, surrounding by a few armchairs and coffee ..." should be "surrounded." 2. "They were both eyeing he and Gin critically ..." "He" should be "him" since you want the objective case here. As for ideas, I do realize this suggestion is totally irrelevant, but I am going to say it anyways. I am fond of those characters who have a gambling problem. You know, they are the types who have a great job doing something legal and respectable but then go to a casino--a saloon in your case--and just let loose with roulette or poker. I feel the whole underpinning of one of the so-called vertices of your plot polygon should be based on gambler's money. It could be the Diamonds' enterprise (not likely), Garrett's little operation, or ... I do not know. And one other thing, you should have someone important die. Then you could bring in the next character, the judge. Working off whatever stereotype exists for the hardened judge out West, you could develop this whole legal drama with the saloon and the money and ... Play with the idea. Also, I am not sure how you would do this, but you may wish to expand the role of the Native-Americans. At present, they seem as a bunch of cool, but auxiliary, cast members. Clearly, they are on the Diamonds' side. What more? Are they something like the two, three, four, etc. of diamonds, like an "army"? Have fun and write soon!
MatthewPaul 2008-05-29 ch 11,	abuseThe fun is really starting to begin, yah? I caught one or two little nit-picky things, like the word "less" instead of "fewer" when virginia is lock picking. But other than that I am still quite excited and enthralled and my goodness when do they eat?!
proposals 2008-04-25 ch 10,	abuseI just started reading this today, and blew through all 10 chapters without being able to stop. So good! I don't often find a lot of good stuff on this website, but I must say, this story is a gem. I'm a total sucker for "westerns" since I became a Firefly fan and this is just so lovely. I'm so anxious to find out this big secret. Please continue soon! Oh, and I'm going to officially throw my shippin' hat into the James/Virginia ring. Jaminia (Virames?) FTW!
x1ivelaughlovex 2008-04-16 ch 10,	abuseOMG i just started reading this story yesterday and im in love with the plot X] i just have a feeling that james and virginia are going to end up together...such a cute couple
gatita85 2008-04-05 ch 10, anon.	abuseI am totally for the James/Virginia pairing. They just have this chemistry, even though nothing romantic whatsoever has happened between them. I feel that he's the only person that can make her react as she does when she's with him, and that speaks volumes about the kind of interaction she would have with him, which I'm very much looking forward to reading! ;) Also, I'd like to see more from James' point of view. As he is one of the main characters, I feel that we only see him from Virginia's pov, but if Will gets his own, I feel that James should have his own as well. It could come later on in the story, when more has already happened, so you don't risk giving anything away. I just feel letting us know his take on things would add to his character development. Anyway, great story, you had me hooked since the start, and I'm looking forward to the dinner! Can't wait to see some more James/Virginia interaction! :) I'm also hoping for a happy ending...I don't know if you like happy endings as much as I do, but we live in a harsh world as it is, and I'd like to escape and believe that happy endings do exist, in stories.
Vixen of Vienna 2008-03-19 ch 10,	abuseFirst, let me apologize for getting to this so late in the game. I had a huge term paper due around the time you updated, so ... Yeah excuses I know, and I am sorry. But onto the review! Grammatical issue (toward the beginning, like third paragraph): "at five, he’d broken arm trying to ride ..." Oh my god, Will is such a cluts. Tabitha? Interesting name. It is Aromaic, you know. Another grammatical/spelling issue (some ten paragraphs down from the last): "Jealously flared up immediately, a hot, terrible ..." A drink or four ... Hahaha, though I feel for him .. a bit Aww, this reminds me of Delphine. But there is a spelling issue (heavy dialogue part): "'Virginia’sfriend,' Will spat, ..." So now we learn about Will's history. Okay, that explains some of his motivations, but I still think he is an irrational butthead. However, those combative types add zing. And he slept with the singer! Jeeze. Do not worry. I like Will fine though he does manage to get himself, excuse the vernacular, into a ** load of trouble. Haha. Dinner! Dinner! Write the dinner chapter already! The good thing about your story is that you do not have a triangle. It is more like some twisted polygon with unequal sides. Sorry for the geometry analogy, but it is the only thing which fits your particular plot structure. Oh, it is mutual, about wanting to learn more about the history. I did go to the big W and looked up westerns and dance halls and saloons and all that. Very interesting. I can see such a setting has a decent amount (a hell of a lot) of literary potential. Please update soon! With dinner! I am sure whatever it turns out to be, it will be awesome.
Carmel March 2008-03-10 ch 10,	abuseAbsolutely wonderful. I love every bit of this story :) Keep up the fantastic work! ~Carm~
MatthewPaul 2008-03-03 ch 10,	abuseMy goodness, William. Didn't anyone ever remind you to make good choices? I just wish Will's backstory had come to fruition sometime sooner, because it almost feels like, up until now, you sort of forgot to tell it to us. I know how you work, so I know you had it all already written in a little journal someplace. That isn't to say I thought it was bad; I think you worked it all together very well. It just felt like a little too much all at once in the beginning.
MatthewPaul 2008-02-19 ch 9,	abuseSweetness. I'm looking forward to the next chapter mucho. I think you should just blow off some of your school work and write, write, write! Finish this mother.
Vixen of Vienna 2008-02-06 ch 9,	abuseLe Dudette, this is brilliant! Yeah, so I finally got around to returning the favor of reviewing, and I just love this little tale of the West. The starting author's note with effing the Victorian Era made me laugh. I totally agree. Screw with history in the name of a good story. About that, this story is great. No really. You definitely put some thought into developing the intrigue. And the characters are believable, not altogether good nor bad. I like that--shades of gray. As of right now, my favorite is James and, among the women, Marlene. You know they kind of remind me of the arch villains of old, like with the Count of Monte Cristo or something. Oh, and the Greek mythology references make me, a major classics buff, extremely happy! Anyways, please write soon. I am looking forward to the dinner party scene which I imagine will promise to be very illuminating. Awesome work so far! Ciao. V.V.
Carmel March 2008-02-04 ch 9,	abuseEven though it's been awhile since I've been on Fictionpress, I've definitely not forgotten this story. I'm loving it! It's this kind of story that keeps me coming back for more. So, I hope to see more from you soon :) ~Carm~
AgamiMuffin 2008-02-03 ch 9,	abuseLoved it! This was an amazing (-ly long =P) chapter. Your writing capabilities were so evident here and everything was so descriptive: you can imagine everything so clearly, loved it! So much happened, so much to take in! >O Driving myself crazy trying to figure out whats going to happen...loved the little bit of VirginiaxJames, what can I say, I'm a sucker for a little romance even if it is just the potential. Cannot wait for the next installment! Keep up the amazing writing!

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