All Comments on 'Afterglow'

Lovely story as always! 5 stars, and not just because I'm biased ;)

Brilliant story, Nora.

Nora, does everything you type turn to gold? Road story, yes, but also a gorgeous, sprawling love story. Your characters are people, real and breathing. Watching them become more than what they were makes this an incredible ride.

Thank you for sharing your talents.

Absolute masterpiece, extremely well written! I loved every part of it and the story deserves to be continued. There are many chapters left to be written of Ellie's and Ahmed's revenge and their eventual triumph. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work!

Marvelous. Every sentence pulls you to the next one. You feel pulled to read it. You have to know what is next. Your brilliance as a writer amazes me. Thank you for sharing your incredible talents.

Beautiful story

Beautiful story

I really enjoyed this story and as always, the writing and character development are excellent. I would have liked to see Sergio get what's coming to him, particularly if Ellie was the one dealing out the pain, but like Mick says, "You can't always get what you wa-ant. But if you try sometimes, you get what you need!"

Your really captured the range of emotions for both main characters, from tough, vulnerable, scared, pissed, it was really a pleasure to read. As always, I can't wait for the next one.

Good story!

Oh, hell yes! Thank you. Thank you very much.

Such a good story, nice development of the plot and enough back story to feel involved in it.

But had to come here and leave a comment commending you on the attention to detail given to life and culture of South Asia. Brilliantly done. I suspect you are related to someone from Pakistan, aren't you? :D

I have seen so much junk of late. It sometimes seems like all my old favorite authors are gone and not replaced. Then I read a gem like this story and my faith in good, solid, thought-provoking storytellers is restored. Just as some stories deserve less than one star, this one, and its author, deserve more than five.

Next time make somebody else read it before posting, in order to catch the typos and malapropisms. Otherwise, it was a great story.

I've been to virtually everyplace mentioned. Rather naive about Islam, and there are few more wretched, barbaric places than Pakistan.... it's also a problem with the plot that the woman wasn't just put on a plane to Pakistan. There's no obvious reason for the extended "journey". Still, this is vastly better than what we normally see here and, as other have said, far more entertaining.

Great geographical details

Great character development

When does sequel post?

The last three paragraphs of this story are about as powerful as anything I have ever read. I hope this couple can pop out a few more rug rats to go with their brood.

Damn.

The intriguing story, the depth of the characters, the tight pacing, the meticulous world building, the intense tension, the unleashed emotion...

Damn.

Solid work, Nora.

Thank you for another wonderful story.

Love the internal struggle of both main characters as well as the redemption theme. Satisfying journey down the highway.

Was she set up by Sergio? By the competition? By the cartel?

Maybe I missed the answer to this puzzle but it nagged at me all the way through the story.

Wonderful story, thanks for sharing it with us.

That was very well done. Thank you.

I think all of the superlatives have already been used...how about speechless with admiration ☺ 5*. Thank you very much.

Unanswered questions. How will they escape Sergio and the father in law. How long before he can't handle the peace? Let's get to work on the next chapter! 5*

Two anti-heroes totally captivate you in this outstanding story. A brilliant piece of writing. Should be 6 stars.

Nora,

Very beautifully done! Thank you for the most enjoyable read!

Killian

Well crafted characters. Locale descriptions are superb. Action sequences are well done. A really wonderful story. A 5 Star Rating.

But I promise you it will not be the last. Very well written. Thanks.

I have read a number of wonderful and skilled stories thanks to this Highway Song event. So far this is the best.

Ergo the obvious score

Full marks *****

They are both absolutely wonderful and beautiful places. Don't know what that idiotic anonymous comment above is all about, the people are just as wonderful. Thanks for catching the cultural details Nora. Think I got the hots for Ellie. Your writing is too good to be true.

What a great story - not the usual on this site, much better! I give stories full marks 5* sometimes but, this story is way above that. Thank you for the story!

All that I can say is thank you very much! *****+

Why is this story in loving wives? Great story.

You left us wondering what happened with Ellie's initial drug drop and why she was being followed on the plane on her last trip. One could guess that a rival to Sergio's gang had intercepted the drop and that they were following Ellie to get to the supplier? A follow on story could elaborate on this and then on Sergio's and the old man's plotting and our hero's response. This story was fantastic as a stand alone so while continuation is not necessary, your readers might enjoy it a whole lot ;-)

All of these 'Highway' stories have been over the top, but this one is so very different. Thanks for a different view of the world. Great story.

I don't have to words to fully describe how much I liked this story. Thank you for sharing with us. To answer the Anon who asked about "Why in Loving Wives" - Ahmad and Ellie married - and she, if not he, has accepted that they are truly wed. At least that is one of the feelings I take away from this story.

I've read hundreds of stories on lit, but never have I read a better adventure story. Five stars ain't enough. I can only hope there may be more to come for Ellie, Ahmed, and family. Thank you for it.

I very much enjoyed your work. I would add only that the cleanup at the end was a little too fast for me. When I had gotten to the start of page eight I was wondering how you could bring this to a conclusion that did not feel rushed. And the answer was that you chose to skip over some things such as extricating a child from the madrassa and the tension that would involve. And the moment of reconnection when he first sees his son again. That would be a challenging assignment. A lot went on in that thirty minutes ... yet I was also happy not to dwell with the tension at that moment, and I love a happy ending— even if there is a likely expiry date on it ...

I have not read a lot of Nora Fares, but with each new story that I read I get pulled in more and more. This is a totally new story line. I haven't seen anything similar to it. Nora has a great imagination and a nice touch with emotions. A 5 Star Rating. Thanks.

Great character development. Great emotion. Great story.

Another 5-star effort.

Thank you for sharing your talent.

Hooked

Brilliant Story, brilliant writer and incredible RESEARCH to put this together. You are one of the best.

5 STARS IS NOT ENOUGH.

Not science fiction, probably social fiction. The two main characters are very interesting and compelling, but the reality is they are probably complete bullshit. So who knows how middle eastern assassins and West Coast drug mules normally behave? I suspect you have created westernized sanitized characters with exotic labels, but really made in China. Sorry, but I sense a fake. But its a perfect fake, because I am clueless how such people really live and act and feel. But I suspect its a bit less virtuous, totally self serving, and maybe just a tiny bit sociopathic? But of course, true love transforms monsters, right? Kind of a dark world version of Beauty and the Beast?

And it was a fun romance. Well, except for a few details. Like the female is a guiltless drug runner feeding the addictions and deaths of unknown thousands, and the male blows women's heads off because he sucks at math and doesn't like wearing suits, and it pays better. But they're all rehabilitated and loving normal spouses and parents now, like everyone else, in Wisconsin. Where the wife and siblings will blend right in. But is the Arab assassin and his son going to get bleached?

OK. Its fiction, without the science. Facial recognition surveillance financed by cazoodals of drug and Jihad money will probably totally miss them, like a sloppy pistol shot. I'm sure they'll live happily ever after. For as long as they can stay alive.

Thanks for the effort. It was fun. Oh, does shooting the organ harvester make up for shooting the "wrong" woman?

Loved it. So many authors do not take us on a adventure any more. Thanks.

One can only hope that your considerable talent continues to develop. One can see you in the future on the bestseller lists.

That was truly a fantastic work.

I was so enthralled that I could not put it down. The character development and the details were so well done they pulled you into the story. I applaud you for a job well done.

Easily worth 5 stars!

Excellent story. I will be checking out your other work soon.

This is the first of your works I’ve read. It won’t be the last.

Well done.

Nice job-I really got into it, making the pages fly past. You have left it open for more stories involving these characters-and I hope you do so!

Great story, not just the plot and writing. I especially enjoyed to learn something about those countries. They are usually just a decorative background for war or terrorism stories. Now we could see some of the culture, cuisine and people. Well done.

As CaOldDog asked, what happened to the initial lost drug shipment and why were those bad guys looking all over for her in Turkey, Iran etc if all she was packing were her own organs?

Otherwise great character development and growth. 5 Stars

Very enjoyable! Thanks!

This was simply amazing

Thank you for sharing your gift (again) ; )

I have recently been reading LW stories and note that most of the highest scored stories actually could more easily be classified as romance, as this one could. I’ll still give 5*, something I rarely do, but feel it more a story of two people who fell in love and not a story primarily about a wife.

Thanks.

Impressive. Thank you.

All 5 of them.

THANK YOU for sharing your immense talent as a story-teller with us!

everything was perfect , as if the author was travelled to all these places,, just wow!!!

Started reading at midnight and read through the night till 5.30.

Worth it all Nora. 5.

Feedback. As an enthusiastic reader there are many potholes in organ kidnap closure.

Takes u away from the exquisite reality ur characters live in. Better to try harder to come up with a logical plot twist in the future . Cudos..

Enjoyed the read... thanks

Ignore the gun comments

Keep writing

I don’t know how I missed this gem but impressive writing - storyline and characters.

I read it in several settings since work and sleep got in the way of my reading pleasure.

Well worth the time to read.

I will have to check and see what else this author has written. Impressive to break out so high in the LW list.

Please do Keep writing and I will keep reading!

Never stop writing. I have read all your stories even the LW which I normally skip. I can not get enough.

If you ever decided to publish a novel, I'd be one of the firsts to buy it. I love love all your work. Furthermore, as a muslim, I approve the depiction of islam in this story, though there's a tiny bit inaccuracy, no problem. I wonder if you are/were a muslim yourself. Anyway, can't wait for your next project!

An engaging story but very little sex and what sex occurs is over quickly with little description.

My only question is how is this Loving Wives? I think it’s a romance

Same comment as anonymous on 06/19/20.

Might be wrong category. I think it’s a romance, but I might have missed it if you had put in romance category. Regardless, 5* story.

Wonderful story, unique and compelling characters, absolutely loved it

Throughly enjoyed this! The little details, such as the food and description of Islam in the context, it felt like I was traveling along with them. A bit more on how they worked thro his issues towards hope and acceptance that he is worthy of love would have been great.

Just..... wow

Scary wow! What a captivating tale in so many ways. Well told and well written.

but why is this in LW?

A good change from unlimited sex and gratuitous cheating. I kept waiting for the s...t to hit the fan, but it didn't. 10 stars( My math skills are getting better. Seriously. My granddaughter says soon I will be using flash cards. ) I hope there will be more about this family. Keep writing. The Bear approves. Allah Akbar .

The BEAR

Hell of a story, action romance, commitment, courage. The story had it all. Keep writing

Excellent. I liked how their emotions weren’t overplayed. You immediately established that both were cool and analytical, and remained consistent throughout. I can’t comment on whether the characters were realistic, having never met or been a hit man or drug mule.

It was a Clive Cussler book but with better sex scenes! Perfect!

Wow! Helluva story!

I lived in. Pakistan in the 1990s and you nailed it I knew Lahore and Islamabad well and have been to Muree to see the snow. Thank you for a great story, 5*.

An excellent story. Well developed characters struggling to new realities.

Keep up the good work.

What a ripping yarn, could not put it down. Stopped, halfway through for a cuppa tea and snack. Then read to the end. Love the line on page eight, "Who was this woman?" More, like this please.

Please write more

That was simply EXCELLENT!!!🤗

What a story!!!! Couldn't put it down once I started....

I don't recall which of the regular commentors said that if your are going to describe a gun in a story you should make that a part of the plot or it is simply extra words. Hence, the feelings expressed by many that the botched drop should be resolved.

Otherwise, this story has some great characters that are developed nicely and we do root for them. The social studies lesson was a profound success. You also managed to work in a devout Muslim character without making him a cartoon. I was seriously amazed by the lack of comments regarding this aspect of the story. The human quality of the writing and the comments blew me away. Maybe LW gas changed since I disengaged in February 2020.

You really did a great job of taking the readers on a kickass journey to 3 continents, 6 countries and the Dells.

It is totally worth another installment. Maybe they could use those plane tickets to France? European Vacation meets Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

This is beautifully constructed piece of writing with huge potential, please consider continuing the evolution of the relationships

Fantastic story ,thank bebop3 for me finding you.Have read others of your stories.Will soon read them all.

Thank you for writing this

with the grammar.

lie, lay, randomly and incorrectly interchanged.

lots of other issues, but i did not record them.

i´ll leave it at that.

Thank you the story was just as good if not better the second time around. Please ignore the negative comments from 'anonymous' readers, they have no balls. Keep going Nora, you have any more action type stories? Love

Okay, so I started reading this because it's been rated pretty highly but the subject matter didn't originally appeal to me so that could well contribute to why I just didn't get into this. I reached near the bottom of the first page, the end of the introduction to the mule and the start of the Hitman's introduction, but I just didn't like any of the characters introduced so far or feel involved in the story. If 10% of the tale is over and I'm not invested or really interested in what's happening then I'm probably not going to read any further, and I didn't.

I didn't hate it, I just didn't get hooked. Not rated.

Somewhat familiar with some of the places you write about, even though it was in a time when it didn’t seem so dangerous as now. Bought back a few memories though. It’s the smells that evoke the deepest feelings which somehow your story bought back to me.

I wonder what happened to that girl that I was with? She’d be a grandmother or more by now.

It just kept getting better and better

What a tour de force. And its’s free! OMG Can’t say enough good things about this novella. So I won’t, except —

5-stars & Favorite

Outstanding!

A lifetime ago, I spent a lot of time in the areas you covered. Then, again, about 20 years ago. You wrote well, Nora. Good research, great writing.

10 stars.

What an amazing story. I’ve never been to that part of the world, but your description of it is very lively and captivating. You opened a new world to me. 5*, without a doubt.

Best author I’ve on here.

Excellent story young lady. Plot line is solid, characters are fleshed out and keeps the reader on the edge of his seat. Don't know why I just came across this but I'm glad I did.

Thank you for your hard work.

Woodmanone

Thoroughly delightful read. I'm no expert on the cultures depicted but the rich descriptions painted a very convincing, very vivid picture of the journey. Thanks for sharing this beauty!

loved it.

You excel at depicting the smells, action and thoughts of those characters you've created. To be blunt, I thought at first this would not be something that would engage me...but your quality writing won me over! I cannot believe all the detail provided in terms of foods, countries, places, as I recognized quite a bit of Turkiye through Istanbul with its places and foods; I am a little shocked you did not detail Iran more, as that is a varied country in some of its customs and foods. However, how you described Afghanistan and Pakistan so exceeded any expectations I had, as you managed to convey all the sights and sounds to titillate the reader--as if the reader were right beside Ahmad and Ellie.

What a spirit you placed into Ellie, breaking the typical 'mule' stereotype, as when I saw her reaching for la mota, I thought she was just going to a low-level stoner or something like that. I cannot be sure if you detailed that simply for misdirection, but it certainly worked to hide a much stronger side to Ellie we may not have expected at first glance. Yes, she was a survivor and yes, she paid attention to her surroundings...but to place her next to Ahmed made both of them nearly unstoppable. Best of all, she never lost her innocence (not the most important part) you hinted at when Ahmad appraised her once.

Odd how you spoke of Ellie and mentioned "grace" at some point with her: I felt like Ellie was more like "Grace" should have been in Renascence--although that would have betrayed the title of the work to a large degree. What this felt like is somehow you gave "Grace" a proper send-off in this title...even if you didn't mean to. We don't witness a true ending, but here too is a very good ending from Ahmed and Ellie, yet it feels like a more fleshed-out ending for Grace too. Sound like some odd conclusions? That is just how it hit me.

A hands-down 5. This one has to date impressed me the most in several ways.

Nora,

Clearly a can't put down story. You have a serious talent!! I hope to read more from you soon. This is so far my favorite of your works; the characterization, pace, detail.