From the plugin code, the message is returned if the reciprocal link page can't be reached but the error message could be easily misinterpreted in that the URL can't be reached.

Probably a good idea to change the message to indicate that there's a problem with the recip link specifically.
I'll be updating mine to that affect.

Regards,
Peter Puglisi
www.ausfreedom.com
Ultimate Freedom is our game.