Jean, who appears to be a do-all-the-right-things-for-all-the-right-reasons woman, is doing battle with marriage preparations when she finds herself drawn to, and subsequently purchasing, a mysterious painting.

Seeming to parallel the usage of light and dark found within the composition of the painting, Bongo does the same with her narrative, so that what is omitted, like a shadow across the page, is as vital as what is illuminated. Storytelling that utilizes sparse, simple strokes, and opts to tell the story from a restricted point of view (very much like the elements of the painting that are so seductive to Jean), so that in the end the story's tone and style has a feeling of incompleteness to it.

While this type of story (one that uses style and form as an integral element to the storytelling) won't appeal to everyone (but then, what story does?), what Bongo has done here is truly interesting and quite creative. If all else fails, think of it as a slice of the Twilight Zone and enjoy! I know I did.

In addition to the finely depicted, gradual warming of Mel's and Janice's relationship, this piece of fiction stands out as an excellent piece of literature that only gets better in the sequel. I'm not a great friend of the Mel/Janice scheme, but this story is an exception.

The story begins where "The Pappas Journals" left off, with Mel and Janice still in Greece. The Gabrielle effect kicks into action and the dynamic duo gets involved in the war. When Mel is captured and Janice becomes privy to a dangerous secret, the world around them teeming with the cruelty and genocide of the Nazi and the horror of war's remorseless nature, all they can do is to try to survive and hope for a better tomorrow.

Set in the picturesque Cornish countryside, Barbara Davies creates a beautiful, tranquil atmosphere as a backdrop for theses two women who are drawn together. It's a developing relationship that teaches the grieving violinist and the small town volunteer how to deal with their past, present, and future.

Wilder has created a story with sexy characters and a provocative predicament. Set in the distant future and in another world altogether, Uber Gab is Princess Sarika and Uber Xena is Major Ramsey. There is intrigue aplenty, as the evil Elder Tai-Po sets out shortly after the suspicious death of Sarika's mother, to usurp the Princess' position by marrying her and taking over the empire as her Protector.

This mismatched friendship is a joy to experience as two people help each other discover and surmount the things missing in their lives. This is not your run of the mill Uber, it is a delicate love story with lush, vibrant characters who will sit in the back of your mind long after the reading is done!

Deliciously compounding the situation, Princess Sarika is entering her time to mate and has a real, er, *need* to bond. <g> To not join with her mate by the prescribed time, would be physically dangerous for the young princess. So, she must find a way to convince Ramsey, the proud outsider who has been forced to wear the collar of the slave by the Princess' most persistent and powerful suitor, to become her mate and Protector.

My hat is off to J. C. for surprising me in the most marvelous of ways.

Poor Xena wants to desperately wipe the floor with nutter-bell, but it's a little difficult with a bard moaning with that come ride me look. So sit back and enjoy the show. Najara sure as hell does, too bad she's all but with no lay.

I give this a severe THUD, holy hot mama thud! This made me want to find some berries and visit old man maytag for a spin. Good read. Now I need a cigarette.

Poor Xena wants to desperately wipe the floor with nutter-bell, but it's a little difficult with a bard moaning with that come ride me look. So sit back and enjoy the show. Najara sure as hell does, too bad she's all but with no lay.

I give this a severe THUD, holy hot mama thud! This made me want to find some berries and visit old man maytag for a spin. Good read. Now I need a cigarette.