TUESDAY FAN FICTION REPORT - 10/6/98
[Previous report was for 10/5/98]

Hi guys,

I'm including a special section tonight for fellow STRANGERS IN PARADISE fans.

One new site for XWP fanfic tonight - ANARCHY INK located at http://www.portland.quik.com/~tanth/

GENERAL FICTION:

BETWEEN BYGONES by Tendre
This very talented bard returns with a sequel to her extraordinary masterpiece ASUNDER. As the story begins Xena and Gabrielle have just finished spending time with their families when they hear that the famous Lake Iri'ni Festival, held every five years, is getting underway nearby. For the bard it sounds simply like an opportunity to have some fun and relax - for Xena it means something altogether different as she remembers the Siege of Thessalonica which took place the last time the festival was held - one of the Warrior Princess' most infamous and bloody campaigns. Needing to try to atone somehow for the many lives she took during that time, Xena then heads for the Temple of Graves while Gabrielle goes on ahead to the festival - each hoping their separation wont be for long... Tendre's unique mixture of humor and drama always make her fiction something to look forward to. This one should be keeping us entertained in the weeks ahead. DO NOT MISS! [Note: story is available in both general and alternative versions.] [Unfinished] - 17 pgs.
http://www.portland.quik.com/~tanth/anarchy.cgi?page=novella&dir=1&unique=78&title=Tendre%27s+Novella+Page

YOU NEEDED ME by Julee Kay
Long adventure saga set after the events in SACRIFICE II that has Xena trying to deal with the loss of Gabrielle and fighting Ares' latest efforts at bringing her back into his fold while in a distant place another of the God of War's many victims cares for the gravely injured bard. Some nicely emotional moments in this - particularly toward the end. - 91 pgs.
Pt.1: http://www.timwellman.ramlink.net/xena/genfic/julee-need1.html
Pt.2: http://www.timwellman.ramlink.net/xena/genfic/julee-need2.html
Pt.3: http://www.timwellman.ramlink.net/xena/genfic/julee-need3.html
Pt.4: http://www.timwellman.ramlink.net/xena/genfic/julee-need4.html

SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY by Becky Lutzke and Christine Toups
Chapter 25 is now available. Riveting story which begins with Xena and Gabrielle parting company for a short while so each can visit their respective families. It is a decision the warrior will live to regret as unbeknownst to her Gabrielle is quickly plunged into the worst nightmare of her life - a nightmare which soon enough will become Xena's own. In this latest part Xena gets help from an unlikely source. This is a well-written, suspenseful drama that tests the Xena/Gab friendship. [unfinished] - 7 pgs.
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Station/2159/index.html

ALTERNATIVE FICTION:

BETWEEN BYGONES by Tendre
This very talented bard returns with a sequel to her extraordinary masterpiece ASUNDER. As the story begins Xena and Gabrielle have just finished spending time with their families when they hear that the famous Lake Iri'ni Festival, held every five years, is getting underway nearby. For the bard it sounds simply like an opportunity to have some fun and relax - for Xena it means something altogether different as she remembers the Siege of Thessalonica which took place the last time the festival was held - one of the Warrior Princess' most infamous and bloody campaigns. Needing to try to atone somehow for the many lives she took during that time, Xena then heads for the Temple of Graves while Gabrielle goes on ahead to the festival - each hoping their separation wont be for long... Tendre's unique mixture of humor and drama always make her fiction something to look forward to. This one should be keeping us entertained in the weeks ahead. DO NOT MISS! [Note: story is available in both general and alternative versions.] [Unfinished] - 17 pgs.
http://www.portland.quik.com/~tanth/anarchy.cgi?page=novella&dir=1&unique=78&title=Tendre%27s+Novella+Page

THE AMAZONS OF DAHOMEY by Susan Smith
A sequel to Susan's outstanding THE CHARIOTEER, this story continues where that one left off, following Xena and Gabrielle as they join a caravan on their way out of the Kingdom of Har back toward Greece. The two are revelling in the new freedom of their relationship unaware that fate is about to interfere once again throwing Gabrielle and a young Amazon initiate into the midst of deadly power play and leaving a desperate Xena looking for her soulmate in a land full of strangers all with agendas of their own. With the first three chapters now available, this story already shows terrific potential once again displaying Susan's impressive ability to develop suspenseful, engrossing plots around an equally well-crafted Xena/Gab relationship. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! [unfinished] - 15 pgs.
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Field/8093/Dahomey.html

DARK PROMISE by Katrina and Sharon Bowers
Part 16 of this story is now available. This latest entry in Katrina's BLOOD AND ROSES SERIES promises to be one wild, fun ride. A crossover tale featuring the characters from BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, this story has Buffy getting quite a surprise when she meets Willow's aunts who aside from having the same names as a couple of popular TV characters, also keep setting off the slayer's hypersensitive senses. In this latest chapter Xena realizes Willow may be a kindred soul of sorts. Katrina and Sharon's characterizations are on the money and will delight fans of both series although this is entertaining even if you only watch one of them. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! [unfinished] - 4 pgs.
http://whoosh.org/katrina/STO/brose/buffy/willow.html

OKTOBERFEST by Redhawk
Part four is now available. This sequel to Redhawk's fantastic HIGHLANDER/XWP crossover tale, ONLY ONE begins on a plane bound for Europe on the first leg of a vacation Xena hopes will further aid in the recuperation of her young lover Rickie Gardner. Still suffering from horrific nightmares, Rickie is nevertheless flourishing in the warrior's company - starting to remember a life from very long ago and looking forward to a second chance with her soulmate. Unbeknownst to them, however, others are watching and waiting...knowing the life of an immortal will not be peaceful for long. This latest part is a flashback to Xena's past as she remembers her first meeting with a friend in the 15th century. Picking up where ONLY ONE left off, this story features a riveting, suspenseful plot and a strengthening of the Xena/Rickie connection. Definitely one for the MUST READ list. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! [unfinished] - 15 pgs.
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Atrium/2385/Oktoberfest/Oktoberfest1.html

FANFIC ART:

"Cerberus' Challenge" by Angelique
Inspired by the story CERBERUS' CHALLENGE by Puckster. https://ausxip.com/artwork/Puckster2.htm

SPECIAL SECTION - STRANGERS IN PARADISE:

A fellow Xenite has made available on the Web a new interview with STRANGERS IN PARADISE creator Terry Moore. "More Than Just Strangers In Paradise" by Joan T. Sherwood (HOUSTON VOICE #932, Sept. 4, 1998) has Terry talking about how he sees Katchoo and Francine, their relationship, his experiences with fans and even possible plans for an SIP movie. Interesting article. Check it out at: http://members.aol.com/katonine/sip.html

If any of you would like to learn more about Terry's FANTASTIC comic series STRANGERS IN PARADISE take a look at my at my SPECIAL REPORTS page. The series is about the very special friendship between two soulmates and features a lot of the same elements that have made XWP such a hit.

For those of you reading this post who are not familiar with the term alternative (alt.), it refers to ADULT stories that add a romantic element to the relationship between Xena and Gabrielle, depicting them as more than just friends.

Happy reading!

Lunacy 8-)