The setting is imaginative, bestowing a brilliant, glittering wealth of the customs, dress code and intrigue of palace politics in a society so rigid it has no choice but to be rotten inside. Subterfuge and lust reign in a court where one snide word, one wrong alliance can mean anything from loss of mien to loss of internal organs. The language is rich, the dialogue following the intricate twists and turns of formal parlance of the feudal period, adding yet another touch of authenticity. All I can say is, for a dose of fascinating history and a rollicky exciting story, this is one of the best, most promising new series to see the light of day.

Being an entusiastic fan of 18th centruy literature, this is a dream come true. Sherlock Holmes with a twist, the whole gaslight series (of which this is the first part) portrays Victorian London vividly and accurately, with exciting plots and a charmingly periodical tongue.

The little frontier town of Hangman's Gulch is in peril - yes, I said PERIL!  What with Tex Maverick the Scourge of the Sagebrush, Rowdy Roscoe Ringo and his Hole In The Outhouse gang, and corrupt cattle baron Major Fuller Bull...just who is man enough to clean out the town? Cue Belinda Bonanza - and believe me, the name is apt - the mysterious stranger who is packing...packing everything you can possibly think of, and boy does she know how to use it. But has the tough gunslinger met her match, with the sweet, innocent ways of Miz Connie Lingus? And just how CAN a prim schoolmarm from Philadelphia tame the wild lusts of frontier life? And should a virginal Miz really be reading THOSE kinds of trashy dime store romance noveletta's anyway?? Read on, and find out!!

While in seven parts, the reader won't mind a bit because this piece is that good. Although not terribly graphic, the reader should be aware that there is nudity and sexual situations. This is a finished uber novella with a second story lead in called Crimson Snow, by Advocate.

During this engaging story, Advocate effectively shows us with humor and compromise how Amanda and Claire are learning to deal with their relationship. Including most of the same characters from "Connections", Advocate has created a riveting story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Randi knows she is being stalked, and she is bound and determined to find out who. When Mac comes into her life everything she believes will be stood on it's ear-- In Spades! This is a twisted Road Trip story that makes Hope and Crosby look like rank amateurs. How else could one writer combine references to Fahrvergnugen, Freddy Krugger, and Snow White. Don't ask--Just go read it.

Advocate has exceeded all of these requirements and placed her ladies in a wickedly humourous situation where one of our Uber Heroines is stalked by the other, and later talked into (guess which does what to whom) to take the Road Trip From Hell across America. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles should have been this funny. All this, while telling a very satisfying and realistic love story. Not as much a departure from her stories Connections and Crimson Snow, as a free fall into insanity, Advocate charms from the first paragraphs to the last. Oh, and did I mention the talking squirrels?

You won't regret reading this one!

When Taylor Williams is sent out to work as an assistant to the reclusive Jack McDermott the last thing she expected was the most stubborn person she ever met. As she struggles to fit in with the large McDermott clan, life steals up behind her and grabs her by the heart. Though it's not finished it's definitely one to watch for.

"It All Began with a Trout" by Alexiares is not your typical X&G romp, not by a long shot. Thraso is a weapons master from a distant tribe of Amazons who literally bumps into Xena and Gabrielle with hilarious results. The ending is a little blurry but hopefully this means that we can look forward to more mayhem and "Slap your neighbor".

More mayhem and silliness ensues when Thaleia the muse of Comedy needs a Vacation. She selects our favorite arms master "Thraso" to fill her oversize shoes. Mix in a visit to Queen Gabrielle's Amazons. Add feuding Goddesses, and a troop of  fools, and a skunk. Stand back and watch the fun.

Natalie’s first impression of Lindy is less than glowing. Natalie is convinced that Lindy is very, very drunk or insane. Lindy is a most colourful character. Very southern, very funny and highly memorable. She reminds me of the kid in every high school that comes up with crazy schemes and frequently sees the principle. She’s talkative, filled with adventure, and really freaks Natalie out. Natalie is irritated, stood-up, hung over and lonely, she is every one of us at various points in our lives, all rolled into one person. She is pathetically real. But I mean that in a good way. will she ever stop hitting the wall? Will she spend the night alone again? Will Snowball live?

Nikki Takis spots two bouncers trying unsuccessfully to oust a nosey PI from the club she's patronizing.  Impressed by the spectacle, she tries to hire the said PI when extortionists threaten her employment. The PI doesn't take her seriously until she collapses on her front step.

Terri Farmer is a Jane of all trades Private Investigator, She wants for nothing and has a strong love of her own personal space.  She takes what she thinks is going to be a simple Body Guarding job only to find herself nose deep in Blonde Greek/American trouble.

It's not too long. It's not too short. No, it's juuuust right.

I started reading this story because of the title alone-it's from a Walt Whitman poem. In fact, Anon uses-quite liberally and to marvelous effect-many passages from Whitman's "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" as well as "Leaves of Grass" in this small tale of an emotionally traumatized woman who is riding the ferry just to forget her troubles, her destination unknown even to herself. But once on board she meets a kind yet familiar stranger, someone who may turn out to be the best friend she's ever had.

Whitman's lyricism really infuses this story; rather than detracting or distracting one from Anon's graceful, moving writing, his poetry seems to inspire it. It's like a dance, done with consummate skill as well as both love and empathy for the characters.

Allison Kendell was hard core, stone cold lawyer. Life tried to make her crash and burn but she took a ninety degree turn away from the power and the money into the sedate and quiet world of a small college. She didn't want or need any complications in her  existence but fate has other ideas that end up twisting her around like a cork screw.

This is one of those wonderful stories that I could cheerfully crawl into and live. The characters are so full of life that they burst right off of the page/monitor. The plot is intelligent with a secondary counterpart that could easily be a delicious story all on it's own, and the love scenes are steamy and breath taking. I could go on and on, but I doubt I could do it justice. I don't just recommend you read it, I insist.

Whew, open the window please Sugar it's gettin’ warm in here already.

Ms ArdentTly surely does live up to her name in this sweetly seductive story of a surprised bard and her poetic princess. That's right Sugar, in this delightful offering Xena is the personification of a passionate, poetic, pursuing lover. MMMM, MMMM, MMMMMM! Ms Magnolia should be so lucky. Anyway where was I? Oh yes, there is none of that dreadful violence. This is a truly tender tale of two frustrated friends finally free to express their love with gentle passion. I do believe Ms ArdentTly has quite possibly produced the most ROMANTIC story in the Xenaverse. My, my if only.... Oh, sorry Sugar, kinda got lost there for a minute. Now you go on and read this wonderful story. Don't you fret none ‘bout Ms Magnolia. I'm gonna get me a cold shower here in a minute.

I'm so glad you dropped in. Please come by anytime. I'm usually here and I do so enjoy discussing our girls.

Bye bye now. You all be sweet. And come again soon.

Leave your proud sensibilities at the door when you read this wild and woolly, warped version of all things Xena. There are no sacred cows in this piece, every cliché is laid bare to it's gooey mush_filled center.

[As soon as they stopped walking, the sun set and they found themselves sitting around a campfire on their abundance of furs and blankets. Xena stared at Gabrielle with her baby_blue orbs, their azure brilliance and sapphire quality like cerulean cobalt. Xena took Gabrielle into her arms, kissing her tenderly and stroking her long_red short_blonde hair. The bard responded to the kisses.

"Oh Xena, I love you so much, but I don’t know what to do."

"Gabrielle, I am very experienced having about seventy_two lovers before you, but I know you won’t be jealous of that and I will teach you everything."]

...and that's just the beginning.

Warning: Do Not read while drinking hot beverages, especially if you have sensitive sinuses.

Anne Azel takes us through the story by addressing serious subjects while dealing with them in sensitive, compassionate and entertaining ways. She shows us how these women overcome obstacles while keeping intact their ability to be human and female. This is an enjoyable story that will be having you pondering what could possibly be in the next part of this series.