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Love & Romance - Author J
First Date by Seana James
Recommended by: Valkyrie - 06.09.02
Classification: Love & Romance
Sex/Violence Content: Alt/PG-13
Length: Short Story - Complete
I love Seana James' writing. It's light-hearted, clever, with flawless grammar and spelling. This story follows Jo, a barrista at Chuck's Coffee Olé, and a new customers at the drive-thru espresso stand. Taking place over a period of nine weeks, the story reveals how the characters get to know each other and wind up - yes, as the title might imply - on their first date. It's a fairly short story - short and sweet, as the saying goes - and it will definitely leave a smile on your face.
http://merwolf.com/academy/fanfic/s/seanajames_firstdate.html
A Change in Season by JLynn
Recommended by: Ann Braxton - 03.16.03
Classification: Love & Romance
Sex/Violence Content: Alt
Length: Short Story, 33 pages - Complete
JLynn, weaver of this charming story, summarizes in a nutshell how “the frozen landscape of a New York Christmas literally throws Elen out of her old life into the warm arms of Gwen.” It is a gem that warms the heart, being so filled with grace. It can be read over and over because there is much to reflect on and because of the beauty of the writing. This comes through at the very beginning as the City’s transformation under a blanket of snow is equated with what is happening with the people’s mood. Elen’s mood.
“Tufts of snow touched her nose, tickled her skin, like tiny, playful children. Elen smiled to herself, watching as the faces of those approaching her showed similar expressions of transformation. Like the city itself, its people were softening.”
“Elen felt something in herself thaw...”
“Smiling was easier and suddenly everyone felt like a neighbor.”
But it is a rare magical moment for Elen before she returns to the office and its pressure, anxiety, tension; for the city, before the dirt and dinginess erase its “clean, white slate.” Thus, the snow covers the city’s “shortcomings” and the snow and festive lights and colors lighten Elen’s cold and lonely existence for one blessed moment.
A felicitous mishap throws Elen for a loop in the form of Gwen. Gwen who rescued her own soul just in time and was able to reach out and help Elen with her discovery that losing one’s humanity is too large a price to pay for success in the world she had chosen.
It’s very satisfying to read about strong women who are motivated to change, who are honest with themselves and principled. Lucky are the ones who achieve self-knowledge and are able to recover their “positive intentions” and thus avoid sliding into the swamp of inhumanity which is the state of too many dwelling in the corporate world of today.
One more taste of JLynn’s talent for drawing intriguing images. Gwen and Elen are stranded by the Christmas eve snowstorm at the firm and are in Elen’s office. She is on the telephone, Gwen standing nearby unbuttoning her overcoat. Elen has never seen Gwen without the coat.
“The gradual transformation from restrained propriety to unbound and alluring femininity parching Elen’s throat. The coat’s panels hung open, revealing a hint of shape beneath its dark exterior, a slow unveiling, a soft and distracting mystery to be unriddled.”
There is angst and seriousness but also light moments and humor as when Gwen tells Elen she has altered the season out of all proportion for her; she’ll never think of candy canes in the same way again. You will have to read to find out what that’s all about ‘cause I ain’t tellin’. Do enjoy.
http://merwolf.com/academy/fanfic/j/jlynn_achangeinseason.html
A Change in Season by JLynn
Recommended by: Valkyrie - 03.30.03
Classification: Love & Romance
Sex/Violence Content: Alt
Length: Short Story, 33 pages - Complete
“The first snowfall in New York is always a magical event,”… and so are JLynn’s stories.
In “A Change in Season,” Elen Foss is working as a legal secretary for a cutthroat law firm and a jackass boss while studying to pass the bar herself. Gwen is the doorwoman to the building where she works. A slip on the outside steps lands Elen in Gwen’s arms, an event that starts her on a journey of self-introspection… and eventually love.
Gwen is cheerful, witty, and the one bright spot in Elen’s otherwise dreary, work-filled days. Elen, naturally, is drawn to Gwen’s humor and thoughtfulness, quite the contrast to the rest of her work environment. While I thought this story started off a bit slowly, it picked up speed nicely once the two get trapped in Elen’s office building during a Christmas snowstorm. In some ways, the slow start made it more believable in the end, because the relationship between Elen and Gwen developed at a realistic pace, with tantalizing snippets of conversation reaching a climax when they actually have time to sit down together to talk.
And do other things, as well… Mind you, I should have been warned by the dedication to Xenalicious, but I was totally unprepared for the… um, I think I shall simply call it the “candy cane scene.” One minute we’re following Elen as she explores her existential crisis and then… Wow. None of JLynn’s other stories had scenes like that. If I had known, I certainly would not have tried to read this at work before our Monday morning staff meeting.
Just picture my eyes growing wider and wider as it became apparent where the scene was heading. Thank you, JLynn, for totally spoiling the innocence of Christmas candy for me forever! While I teasingly focus on this one scene, the story is not just about the romance between Elen and Gwen. It’s also about choices and changing one’s direction in life. Gwen serves as the catalyst for Elen’s realization that she needs to do something before she becomes like the other uncaring automatons at her law firm. “A Change in Season” is really a good metaphor for a change of heart.
http://merwolf.com/academy/fanfic/j/jlynn_achangeinseason.html
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