LUNACY'S FAN FICTION REVIEWS
Tonya Muir
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Last modified: November 03 2012 12:33:01

I was first attracted to this fandom because of my interest in a couple of fictional characters. However, over time, what has kept me here, has kept me involved to one degree or another, has motivated me to contribute and to interact with others has been the very real, wonderful people I've met through the Xenaverse. Among these, one of the most talented, most special Xenites I ever had the honor of calling a friend was Tonya Muir. I started writing Tonya about her stories back in 1998. With some similar life experiences and a mutual love of animals, we quickly became good online friends. Tonya's talents as an author amazed me so I always urged her to try to publish her works convinced that a storyteller of her caliber should be accessible to as many people as possible. It did my heart good to finally see her novel BREAKING AWAY published, bringing to an audience at large one of the Xenaverse's best and brightest. Unfortunately, it also broke my heart to learn a while back that Tonya was ill with Cancer and to learn today the sad news that this incredible young woman, passed away. I think I speak for many in this fandom when I say that this past year hearing about Tonya's valiant struggle against her illness has been both heart-wrenching and truly inspiring. Her determination to go on - to fight - to stay positive - always keeping her friends in this fandom and her family in mind speaks of a nobility of spirit and a courage that is the stuff true warriors are made of. I will always regret never having met Tonya in person. I was hoping to do so in Pasadena this coming May. However, I count myself extremely fortunate that through the Internet I had the opportunity to interact with such a beautiful, kind, gifted soul. Her fiction has been and will no doubt remain among the finest contributions ever made to this fandom. I suspect we've all been living this past few years through the early beginnings of a new literary genre - online fiction. I'm confident this genre will only grow and become more popular with time. I know that in our hearts and minds Tonya will live on but I think that through her fiction she will not only live on but touch others in the future as well. I want to thank Tonya for this wonderful legacy she left us, for being a friend, and for setting one of the finest examples of courage in the face of adversity I have ever seen. On behalf of my fellow fanfic readers, I extend our condolences to her husband Clive, her parents and the rest of her family. Their dedication to Tonya, their unyielding support and love and their many sacrifices this past year and a half I'm sure made Tonya's final days easier and that's really the best thing we can do for those we love - to make their time here with us better than they would be otherwise. Tonya had family and friends that adored her. She was very lucky in that respect and we were all very lucky to have shared our time here with her. Goodbye my friend - you shall always get my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!

Please make sure to read the EXPLANATORY NOTES before reading these reviews.

Alternative stories are designated as such with an [Alt] at the end of the title line.

This file features reviews of stories written by Tonya Muir. For any other fiction by this bard please visit any of the Xena fan fiction indexes.

For reviews of the author's commercial fiction check the Reviews Of Commercial Fiction.

**MAKING STRIDES by Tonya Muir -- [Alt]
This past year Tonya Muir proved to be among those very rare, very gifted bards who with her first story THE JOURNEY HOME immediately shot into this fandom's list of top writing talents. She has easily solidified that position by continuing to deliver first-class stories. Now with this sequel to her uber tale WITH FALTERING STEPS Tonya brings us what is probably her finest writing accomplishment to date - a novel which to put it simply folks - is a fanfic masterpiece. Set about a year after the initial meeting between Mafia henchwoman Lacey Montgomery and horse trainer Rachel Wilson, the story begins with the two settled down in domestic tranquility, making a life now with each other and Rachel's charming nine year-old Molly. In retirement from a life of crime she is more than happy to have left behind, Lacey nevertheless finds herself sometimes struggling with the challenges of her new family, unaccustomed to either the day to day responsibilities or the depth of emotion her heart now seems capable of. These are challenges, however, which are soon put aside when Lacey and Rachel find themselves dealing with a much greater concern - the knowledge that someone from Lacey's dark past wants the ex-henchwoman - and to get to her they are more than willing to go through friends...and family. With no weak points whatsoever, this novel's strengths are so many many I could go on for several pages. The characterizations are outstanding with two thoroughly endearing, likeable, well-established heroines. The supporting cast - from the sweet, poignantly innocent Molly, to Lacey's youthful, hero-worshiping apprentice, Rico, to the shadowy mob-leader Vinnie. among a number of other memorable characters - are all interesting figures with defining qualities that make them stand out in the reader's mind and that contribute to the plot at every step. The relationship between the two protagonists has been beautifully fleshed out from its beginnings in the first story to a deeply committed, emotionally complex partnership that is compassionate, supportive, fiercely passionate and tenderly romantic all at once. Weaving moments of quiet domesticity with intense confrontations, heart-stopping suspense, fast-paced action and gentle humor, MAKING STRIDES is a remarkable fictional tapestry by one of our most accomplished bards. Certain to become an instant classic, it gets my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION! - 148 pgs., 3/25/99
http://www.ausxip.com/fanfiction/m/makingstrides.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

**1971 by C.N. Winters and Tonya Muir - [Alt]
These two fanfic veterans combine their considerable talents to bring us a terrific new uber set amidst the unrest of one of the most volatile periods in United States history. With the Civil Rights movement gaining strength, the Vietnam conflict raging on and American society split into warring camps, Carol Johnson and Erin O'Fallon are just two of the many Americans on opposite sides of a widening gulf of political and ethical differences - one a police officer working within the establishment to keep order - the other a young artist and peace activist determined to challenge the establishment at every opportunity. Their destinies bring them together at a peace rally turned violent where officer Johnson arrests the blonde flower child only to find herself drawn in by the girl's surprising intellect and gentle humor. Sensing a timeless connection with the disarmingly beautiful officer, Erin pursues a friendship which soon leads to a sharing of both hearts and minds as the two overcome the differences between their worlds to concentrate on the similarities drawing them together. Kindred spirits each fighting in her own way for the greater good, the two discover in one another an undeniable sense of home and the wisdom to recognize that no one side in the society they live in is completely blameless for the troubling times that would forever mark their lives. CN and Tonya have done a fantastic job here in capturing the mood of this period in American history and examining both the positives and negatives of the different social views. Carol and Erin are beautifully drawn uber archetypes in one of the sweetest, most natural romances I've read this year. Solid writing, first-class storytelling and a sensitive portrayal of a society in turmoil make this fine writing collaboration a definite MUST READ! 1971 gets my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION! - 187 pgs., 8/30/99
http://ausxip.com/fanfiction/n/1971.html

**NOTHING VENTURED, NOTHING GAINED by Tonya Muir -- [Alt]
Set in the alternate world of the episode REMEMBER NOTHING. Tonya's latest is based on the premise that Xena never did spill blood in the battle with Mezentius, and has continued instead with her life as an innkeeper, dedicated now to the young woman she so recently saved from slavery. For Gabrielle every day is a struggle full of fears and insecurities - a struggle Xena is determined to help her through, convinced that her destiny lies with the gentle soul so wounded in this other life. Blinding herself to the uncertainty of fate and the selfishness of her own actions, the former warrior sets out to remake a life she misses, molding another into what she once was and risking her very soul in the process. Tonya's latest is a poignant look at a woman desperate to reclaim her own humanity, learning in the end how empty that quest would be without her greatest inspiration. It is also the story of two souls fated to never be apart. This is a skillfully written, well-crafted story with solid characterizations that marvelously echo the ones we're used to while imbuing them with the differences expected after such an abrupt change in perspectives. A fascinating MUST READ in particular for those like myself who count REMEMBER NOTHING as one of the best episodes the TV series has ever offered. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 39 pgs., 1/13/99
http://ausxip.com/fanfic6/nothingventured.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

**WITH FALTERING STEPS by Tonya Muir -- [Alt]
Certain to add to the growing popularity of the uber genre, Tonya's latest offering is a gripping, fast-paced, poignant and passionate story that you are very likely going to want to get through in one sitting so reserve a couple of hours for this one. With the world of horse breeding as a background, the tale begins with Mafia henchwoman Lacey Montgomery visiting a horsetrack to look into the reason why her boss's horses are not performing well as of late. She finds much more than she bargained for in the form of a spirited little rider named Rachel Wilson who suspects foul play herself and who immediately volunteers to help. As the investigation proceeds, Lacey finds herself not only learning a lot about horse breeding and racing, but growing increasingly close to the kind-hearted young woman whose troubled past rivals her own and who soon has her yearning for a different life - a life away from the violence of the Mafia, a life with a soulmate she'd never thought she'd find. Tonya paints a thoroughly fascinating picture here of two women, each fighting demons of their own, who find in one another the strength to fight those demons and reach out for their dreams. The characterizations are beautifully done - believable and engaging while the plot itself weaves a number of different story threads into a fascinating literary tapestry. Featuring equal parts passion and tenderness, the romance completes a story guaranteed to jump into many a reader's list of favorite ubers. This first-class effort comes VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! [Do not miss the sequel MAKING STRIDES] - 132 pgs., 12/12/98
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