This is a richly detailed story-the bard has done an admirable amount of research, and these realistic touches are woven into the work very well. In addition, baermer raises some thoughtful questions about knowledge and learning, and its pursuit and misuses. I also enjoy the relationship she has created between Xena & Gabrielle-they come across as true equals who maintain a profound respect for and a sensitivity to each other's needs, beliefs, and desires.

In short, this is a great, rewarding read.

"Cape of Fear" By Jam is an endearing story about two souls that come crashing together in the worst possible set of circumstances. I'd love to give you a synopsis but the intrigue that sets the tone of the story is there from the onset. The only disappointing thing about this story is that there isn't more of it. I sincerely hope there is a sequel coming soon.

...I've hear from the Author, there is a sequel in the works!

Ryshta is a land of the ruling class and the slaves that serve them. When Lord Athol sends his only daughter to meet the man he has chosen as her husband, she is caught in the middle of a slave rebellion. Lost and alone Roslin tries to find her way home.

Brice is the chosen one, foretold to be the leader who will set his people free. He finds a dying young woman and brings her to his mother, a healer, to save her life. This sets in motion a tale of love that will that will make your heart soar.

The characters are so full and rich, and the crafting so skillful that you'd swear you just watched a movie. I do hope that some day Verda decides to breathe life into the yet another tale of Ryshta and the friends I met there.

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.

Baffled by the unusual but undeniable fighting skills of the strange woman, Xena and Gabrielle join the Light and go off to fight Marrat and his slavetraders. Unfortunately, the Light in this story is a little worse for wear. Several hipflasks the worse for wear actually, and after mumbling about "fags, curries, sing-songs and last night's kebab" Najara welcomes "me new best mates" into her fold. Especially Gabrielle, whom she folds with relish. Discovering the source of Najara's "powers" - her Gin hipflask - Xena hatches the perfect plan to stop her, using the perfect bait...

Not for the delicate (its filled with filthy language), this story is a raucous parody of "Crusader" and if you like your comedy naughty, tasteless and ripe - this one's for you. Personally, I loved it <g>

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.

In a way or another, the rebel-poet-slave Gabrielle is always defeated-captured-sold and faces the mighty-cruel-brooding Conqueror. After some (how much depends on the Bard) time and/or angst-torture-crucifixions, Xena is reformed by Gabrielle's love and they live happily ever after.

Well, in Conquered you won't find *anything* in line with the Conqueror bardic canon. First of all, Xena is not ruling. She's been defeated by Alexander, and is prisoner in Shark Island, at the mercy of the sadistic warden Thelassa. Gabrielle has lost a leg as a consequence of her crucifixion, and is bitter and angry. She wants to hate Xena, and the former Destroyer of Nations helps it in their first meeting insulting her and hurting her with her words. But Gabrielle doesn't leave, and slowly breaks the defenses of the Conqueror... and her own at the same time.

Conquered is a story *not* for those who hate to see the main charachters mistreated. There's a lot of suffering (both physical and psychological) for Xena and Gabrielle in this story, but boy, the story couldn't be as good without it. And Conquered IS definetly a very good story. Grammar and spelling are flawless. The characters are wonderfully outlined, their actions always have a reason, and while at the beginning you obviously side with the hurt, resentful Gab and her hate, but bit by bit you can't help but becoming sympathetic with Xena.

Leslie embarked for a really hard journey, trying to change both Xena and Gabrielle, and in my opinion she's made a wonderful job so far. Conquered strengthens my belief that the Conqueror genre can still give us many, many hours of wonderful entertainment. This story is absolutely a "do not miss."

This isn't a story about Xena, rather it is the story of three women in her life who teach her about different degrees of love; Voula, Tamar and Gabrielle. Each of these women have their reasons for having the warrior in their lives and the only common denominator is of course 'love'. It was fascinating to watch each relationship unfold; the romance being fresh and completely different in all three women.

The marvelous thing about this whole book, is the way this author has flipped history over and shown us the alternative view point that sets any childhood religious lessons on their ear. Very well written, provocative and courageous.

"Sometimes I like to think that if things had happened differently between Xena and myself in all sorts of ways, it would have created a different life for us. If we had made different choices, been slightly different people. So sometimes I play over scenes from our journeys and change them in ways I think would later improve our life, spare us at least a modicum of pain. It's not always who you kill and don’t kill; it’s sometimes who you kiss that changes your fate."

When Xena does come for Gabrielle, readers are treated to a loving, heartfelt reunion between soulmates, and the opening of a new chapter for the Bard and her Warrior. Realistic dialogue, well-written, descriptive text and the author’s fluid writing style make this short story a pleasure to read.

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.

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.

The next night a hooded Xena sees and hears Gabrielle perform as the resident bard of Cyrene’s tavern. She kidnaps Gab, telling her she has been recruited to be the Conqueror’s bard. Gab’s stiff resistance causes Xena to use the pinch to convince her. In spite of that (is this the Evil Xena?) this is also a really funny scene on the road to the Conqueror’s castle. Her use of the pinch raises the questions: is this the vicious Xena we saw in those myriad back stories or was she just a seeker of ‘fulfillment’? Is she the legendary ruthless killer...or a victim of hyperbole? Well, when we learn what REALLY happened at Cirra and at that Northern Amazon sweat lodge we understand what stunted growth in a certain area of experience can do to a Warrior Princess. [Excuse me for grinning]. Not that this Conqueror is harmless. Enginerd has remembered that to defang a warrior is to remove the credible threat that keeps the edge to her character and the humour. "She is probably out on Argo. If she is upset, she won't be back for a while. You shouldn't be around her when she's like this," he warned. "How do you know that?!?" Gabrielle challenged, firmly believing the opposite. Palimon pointed to the long scar on his face. "I tried to cheer her up once."

There were other humorous nods to incongruities expressed on the show. There are some wonderful bits including Hecuba’s attack on Xena and Xena's scene with Cyrene was hilarious and delightful; though I wasn't happy about a five year sleep, I guess the show prepared us for that. The writer advises to proceed reading at your own risk so I won’t reveal anymore of the story line but will highly recommend it as a rewarding read. Great Warrior Princess action, sweet level headed Bard behavior, a tale that teases, other familiar characters, good and bad, and a chance to decide for yourself just who this Conqueror really is.

My overall reaction to the story is, it tweaks the show to my utter satisfaction.