The reader scores - not that I pay the slightest attention to them - plunged on one story. "Winter's Dilemma" had a final chapter that chronicled abuse of homeless people in a rogue California lab.
My motley crew - Thorny and Steve (was Mike involved back then?) - wanted me to cut out most of the nasty stuff. I toned it down, but, according to reader reactions, not enough.
This brings up a larger question. Do I write from my gut? Or chase reader scores that I don't even notice? Easy. I'll continue to listen to my muse. Harvey? You there? Harvey?
Paige
P. S. Gratuitous sex seems to be fine in here. Interesting, that's the opposite of movie and TV parental guidance warnings. Go figure.