THURSDAY FAN FICTION REPORT - 7/30/98
[Previous report was for 7/29/98]

Hi guys,

One new XWP fanfic site opening tonight - the XENA ALTERNATIVE FAN FICTION page by Lace Priest at http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Labyrinth/6338/stories.html

All new stories tonight :)

GENERAL FICTION:

HEART'S PROMISE by Maggie
Set immediately after the end of season three, this story is riveting, gut-wrenching, and reaffirming all at once. Featuring appearances from some of Maggie's own original characters from past stories, the tale follows Xena as she tries to deal with the agony of losing her soulmate, all the while struggling also against the God of War's renewed efforts at forcing her back into his fold. Meanwhile, trapped between the world of the living and the dead, Gabrielle looks on, desperate to help her beloved warrior but unable to do so - knowing that upon Xena's shoulders rests the only hope she has of ever resuming the life she left behind. Keep that kleenex box handy because parts of this story deliver quite an emotional wallop. Maggie depicts a Xena that is at the end of her rope, lost without her source, but determined to live up to her lost partner's ideals - never suspecting that in so doing she could very well prove herself worthy of the most beautiful of rewards. This is a story firmly grounded in the magic of the Xena/Gab friendship. Entertaining and wonderfully gratifying. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
https://ausxip.com/fanfic3/heartspromise.html

ALTERNATIVE FICTION:

FESTIVAL by Melissa Good
None of us are supposed to read this yet! ;-) Missy is on vacation. However, since it IS available and in case some of you ARE interested, I thought I'd mention that it is now available :) This is the sequel to PROMISES KEPT which finds the warrior and bard on their way to the Amazons to celebrate the Festival of Dyonisus. Missy maintains the general sense of playfulness and happiness the warrior and bard achieved in PROMISES KEPT after learning that their little family will be growing. The opening of this latest offering embodies what makes this bard's fiction so very special - a magical sense of connection and trust and love between two soulmates reveling in the simple pleasure of being together. Don't even bother reading reviews about a Melissa Good story - just go read. On the strength of part one alone it already gets my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION! :)
http://www.merwolf.com/festival1.html

RELEASE ME by Lace Priest
A powerful short story that has Xena and Gabrielle desperately trying to deal with the warrior's inability to fully surrender that part of herself she's kept hidden deep inside for so long. Well written, high impact story. DO NOT MISS!
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Labyrinth/6338/release.html

AFTER by Lace Priest
A sequel to RELEASE ME (reviewed above) which picks up the story the morning after when warrior and bard are both feeling uncertain and tentative. A passionate depiction of the relationship.
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Labyrinth/6338/after.html

WHAT'S YOUR FANTASY by Lace Priest
This new bard is on a roll tonight :) Another cute tale that has a rather tipsy Gabrielle spilling her guts about a personal fantasy, never suspecting that it could become reality.
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Labyrinth/6338/fantasy.html

A TIME IN THE LIFE by Lace Priest
Xena and Gabrielle date :) A sweet interpretation of the relationship which has the two taking things slow, treasuring the growing feelings between them and wanting to make sure of those feelings before they take that next step.
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Labyrinth/6338/timelife.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 Gabrielle, depicting them as more than just friends.

Happy reading!

Lunacy 8-)