Thanks for the comment. Your criticism is valid in that a short story format should focus on a single character, or interaction between two characters. For a novel I aimed for a change of plan, first defining the players and then exploring how their lives intertwine against the backdrop of a d/s themed society. Think of the ensemble cast type of TV drama, where stories don't rely solely on one individual.
Does the story jump around? Yes, intentionally so. It's a mechanism to provide a sense of converging timelines as the interactions come into play. Did it work? Obviously not for every reader. I readily confess I write purely for the pleasure in putting imagination to the written word. I have the luxury of no commercial pressure, no need to build an audience. Those who don't care for the way the story unfolds can walk away. After all, it is entertainment, and if it doesn't catch one's interest it becomes boring instead.
I realize my storytelling style doesn't appeal to the majority of readers on Grometplaza. There are plenty of short stories by skilled authors that fit into the type of format described in the review. My hope is to offer something a little bit different for a change of pace.
Jack Peacock