THURSDAY FAN FICTION REPORT - 5/29/97
[Previous report was for 5/28/97]

Hey guys,

The results of the recent voting regarding the upcoming NetForum
Bard Contest are now available at:

http://www.xenite.com/bard/default.asp

Among other things, you can find out what story topics the voters
would prefer to see.

As we come to the end of the month, remember that DAX's OBSESSION
Web site is now giving the SILVER LATH AWARD on a monthly basis
to the Best Alternative Fan Fiction Story as voted on by readers.
To vote for your favorite either go to this URL:

http://members.aol.com/BardicFic/fanfic/lath.htm

Or send an e-mail message to bardicfic@aol.com in which you include
"the name of the story, the author's name and email addy, where it
can be located, and anything you might like to say about the story."

Here are some new stories for tonight and a couple of updates.

GENERAL FICTION:

NEPENTHEAN (by Baermer) Gripping story with a sense of mystery
that has Xena and Gabrielle falling into the clutches of an
evil warlord intent on using the bard to exact a cruel revenge
on Xena. To their rescue come several old friends including a
Joxer who is less goofy than usual and a strange old woman who
visits Xena in the warrior's darkest moments, encouraging her
to have faith and to trust that help is on the way.
http://www.xenafan.com/fiction

SACRIFICES FOR LOVE AND LIFE (by Marie E. Costa) A battle of wills
ensues between Xena and Gabrielle when the warrior decides to
part company with her friend to keep her from danger, while
the bard resolutely refuses to cooperate. A reluctant Xena soon
finds herself once again working with her former companion to try
to save a young girl - but the warrior is stubborn and very much
determined to leave Gabrielle behind once their mission is over.
[Originally posted on the NetForum].
http://www.xenafan.com/fiction

ALTERNATIVE FICTION:

BURIED MEMORIES (by Themiscrya) This story is so gut-wrenching that
it is difficult to read but it is also WELL-WORTH the emotional
effort. After Xena and Gabrielle rescue one of Xena's old lovers,
a woman the warrior thought dead, Xena suddenly finds herself in
an emotional turmoil, torn between memories from the past and
the feelings for Gabrielle she's been struggling so desperately
against. Unable to control her passion, the warrior will give in
to it in a moment of weakness that will force her to make a
choice - a choice between two women she loves - a choice that will
bring happiness to one...and torment to the other.
http://www.eve.net/~timwellman/altfic.html

RETURN FROM POTEIDAIA (by Ella Quince) Well-written story set just
after the episode THE PRODIGAL which has a confused Gabrielle, now
reunited with Xena, trying to deal with feelings she doesn't quite
understand and sensing that her trip home may have changed things
forever between her and the Warrior Princess.
http://members.aol.com/xenasbard/index.html

CUPID'S ARROWS (by BlackFox) The conclusion of BlackFox's story is
now available. Upset at Ares, Aphrodite decides to get even by
having Xena and Gabrielle act on their love for one another. Cupid
reluctantly agrees to help though he knows using his arrows on two
people who are already in love can seriously backfire. In this final
part the warrior and bard, free from Cupid's influence, deal with
their real feelings and the consequences of giving in to these.
Originally reviewed 5/22/97.
http://www.eve.net/~timwellman/altfic.html

HER DEVOTED WARRIOR (by N.L. Rockwell) Part 10 of this story is now
available. The story has Xena coming face to face with Chandra - a
female warrior who once promised her soul and her sword in the service
of the Warrior Princess and who's psychotic obsession with Xena is now
manifesting itself in a bloody spree. In this latest chapter we learn
about the horrifying experience feeding Chandra's lust for revenge.
Originally reviewed 5/24/97.
http://www.eve.net/~timwellman/altfic.html

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 Gabby,
depicting them as more than just friends.

Happy reading!

Lunacy 8-)
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Reports and individual reviews archived at MaryD's XWP
INFORMATION PAGE https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/index.html

Reports posted regularly on the Xena NetForum:
http://www.universalstudios.com/tv/netforum/topics/mca.tv.xena
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