"Single White Female Looking for a Woman like ...."

I know that every morning you go thumbing through the personal want ads. You grab the latest copy, a cup of coffee, and settle in for a good time, trying to find something to catch your eye, hoping and praying that today's edition is gonna catch your attention... 

"Single white female looking for that special lover. A one Women Woman who doesn't want no other !  

Oh, you never can tell She just might be your dream come true. A single white female looking for a woman like you !

Ok ... so this is definitely not my choice of words, not that I wouldn't want to put words together like that. It's just that they are not mine! The words are a slightly adapted version of Cheryl Wrights "Single White Female" - a popish country song. You can watch the music video here or the slightly twisted edition from Capital Pride here).

I've been pondering the question of Looking. Not the stalking kind of looking, but rather the kind of Looking you would do if you where Looking for Love. For a woman to share your life with or maybe - if that's your thing - a woman to share a shortish fling.

Who will catch your eye ? The Bookish Butch Woman from Montréal or the Femme ? I for one hate the labels ! Why would you want to divide the world in Butch / Femme ... in those who put on a nice shade of lipstick to go out and those who keep their hair short, in whom shave their legs and whom doesn't, in which women wear heels and which prefer comfortable shoes, in who reads F/F romance's to relax and who tinker with her car for exactly the same reason ?

And what about the woman who change the wheels on her car on Saturday morning, puts on comfortable boots for a walk in the afternoon, and gets herself ready for going out ... in lipstick and heels in the evening ? What label would you put on her ? 

Let's leave the labels behind and take a look around the F/F Universe. This is a place for stereotypes and that's actually a lot like labels, but who cares it just for fun .... right?!

So I'm out looking for love ... hopefully in the right places ... and where would I go if I wanted a gentle(wo)man. "Love in Photographs" by Alex Tryst would be a good place to start. I'm not really an Alex Tryst fan, probably because the stereotypes got to strong for me, but the photographer Torrance might be a match for ... Annett Benning. Torrance is talented and rich (a nice combination), and she finds what her heart is looking for in her model Helen ... but she has to put in a bit of work to get what she wants !

I am a big Badsquirrel fan, but "Dark Side of the Moon" explores a way of life that is really not my cup of tea, it might be yours, so if the world of BDSM and a bit of gender bending is what you are looking for then I think that Jordan -  master of the house - might be able to match Annett Benning in style!

I know that Milla Jovovich and her Versace Jeans is not new to you, but this picture reminds me of Sheridan of Vertigo's "Caution: Under Construction". Sheridan is a woman in trades, a skilled construction worker and a womaniser, who meets her match in Keefer, a building inspector with a love interest ... Sheridan! You can read this for the hot stuff .... or just for the romance.

When we speak of women of trades I have to mention "Rumors" by Badsquirrel. This is where you'll meet Kelly the auto mechanic with the softest of soft hearts, all of it invested in the memory of a teenage crush on Hannah - the owner of "Doggie Styles". This is among my absolute favourites.

I'll leave the picture of Milla Jovovich while pointing you in the direction of Eunice, the owner of a horse farm (is that a rancher ??) with a broken heart, which will heal to the tones of Molly's guitar and soft songs in Dee's "Fenced Fields", but I'm not done with the women of trades. I have to introduce you to Sara from L.A. Tucker's "The Light Fantastic". This is a great story where you'll find Sara playing the role as "Jack of all trades" at her brothers up and coming golf course while hiding from the world. Well that is until Chloe gets her hands on her heart.

If you like the women of trades, you might also fancy Cordie. She is captain of the swordfishing boat "Dawn Piper". You might ask why you should go visit with Cordie .... what kind of romance could a week long  swordfishing trip amount to for a lesbian among a crew of fishermen .... ok ok - I'll give you a clue ... Cordie is ordered to take out the boss's daughter and introduce her to the world of swordfishing! I'll leave the rest to your imagination or to the pen of Barbara Davies in "Beneath the Surface". This is Bound to fascinate you ;-)

It's been rather easy to find F/F stories picturing the stereotype gentle(wo)men wearing a suit, sporting a manish name, and harbouring a heart just waiting for the right woman to tear down the walls build around it. 

I find it a bit more difficult to locate the "women I want" when I go looking for the opposite. The women with a clearly feminine touch, a nice shade of lipstick, wearing skirt and heels, not for the sake of an office job, but because this is her preference. It's not that these women don't exist in F/F stories, they do. I think that it's just that they don't stand out as much as the stereotype manish lesbians. If you are looking for the feminine touch you can follow along as I hunt for women in heels. 

A couple of women in heels and nice dresses ..... well I do think that Beth and Amy of Fingersmiths "Once" lets our minds eye enjoy them in pretty gowns for a wedding. Now don't jump ahead of the storyline - it's definitely not their wedding, they are just friends (!) - but I guess that it's safe to say that each of them would love to be more than that .... if they could only find a way.

I think that it's also safe to say that Mimi looks quit stunning in her gown for the charity auction which proves to be her first date with her stepsister Jolly, whom Mimi has had the BIGGEST crush on since puberty...... I guess that the almost incestuous reference might sound a bit upsetting, but trust me on this, Mimi looks good in her gown and equally good when dressed in leather or in the buff ... and once her master carpenter and architect Jolly gets past the sisterhood thing Molly do get a chance to take charge of her life and of Jolly's. In case you are wondering this is Ali Vali's "A Place to Dance"

As for heels I do think that Torrey fund a pair to go with her pant suit when Taylor finally found the time and place to take her out! This is B.L.Millers "None So Blind", and if you haven't read this romance yet, I think you should. Torrey and Taylor goes way back, but - as usual - a misunderstanding had them separate before they could declare their love. So we get their story in flashbacks while we follow the slow rekindling of their friendship and the reshaping of their future ... it's an enjoyable read.

I'll keep on the lookout for women in heel's - let me know if you get lucky .... NO not that kind of lucky ! Just you know lucky ...  as in stumbling on a woman in heels - preferably purple ones in your reading.

.... just looking!

I don't know about You but sometimes I just spend my time looking. Looking for something interesting to look at. Looking for directions. Looking for a thrill. Looking for a new challenge. Looking for a way out.  Looking for a change of scenery. Looking for the car keys ... again. Looking for something to read. Looking for a good time or perhaps, I'm just looking to look for something not knowing exactly what I'm looking for?!

What are you looking for ? Why are You coming around ? I haven't really been actively working on this blog for quite some time, and You are still coming around ? Well it is really non of my business why you pop in so I guess that I should just get on ...

At the moment I'm looking for BadSquirrel. She posted on The Athenaeum Forum back in 2010 that she was preparing to publish her latest story with Blue Feather Books under the name of Lauren T. Darling, but I haven't been able to find neither a published book by this author nor any newish stories online by BadSquirrel. I would love to hear news about this writer as I'm a real fan of her writing - so please anyone ?? ... any news???

If you are new to Badsquirrels writing I'll let you have my very secret Top 3 list of BadSquirrel stories:

1. Rumors

2. One Good Memory

3. Shine

For those with a taste for a very spicy (BSDM) read I'll include a link for The Dark Side of The Moon.

When I'm not looking for BadSquirrel. I'm looking for something else or perhaps just enjoying a good read. A good read can be like a good hug - warm and comforting. Sometimes a hug is the prelude to something more and sometimes a hug is just that .... a hug. The simple message of I'm here for you or we are in this together... and we will get through.

So where to go for that mental hug of comfort that a good read can provide.... shhh I'm thinking.... haven't really thought to prepare a list of stories that fits within a theme on hugs. Let's see where to go for a hug. How about looking in on a couple of "friends" ? You know the kind who are best mates and never looking for more than a hug of comfort from each other - well that is until .... maybe "Strings Attached" by Inyx, Out of the Mouth of Babes by LittleSpit, Frost Heaves by Lois Kay or perhaps Everything Personal by Jaeygatsby will fit this theme?

... I always wondered why no other stories have been posted by Jaeygatsby ... is it that this is the pen name of an author writing under another name ?? or is this really a one off story ?? on the other hand I might just not be looking in the right places ?

Rumors by BadSquirrel

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." Walt Disney

 

This would be an ample introduction to one of my favourite online stories if one was to believe that old Walt had been looking into the universe of fan fiction of the alternative kind. 

“Rumors” is a quality read of moderate length with a gallery of lovable characters in a heart touching romantic storyline. Furthermore the story is well edited which – as you know – is not always the case in the universe of fan fiction.

The story centres on Hannah who is the proud owner of her own business “Doggy Styles" – no it’s not a sex club, it’s in fact a dog grooming business! 

Life, or rather Brenda, Hannah’s former lover of 6 years, has made Hannah a bit hesitant when it comes to love but when her friends Freddie and Jay introduces her to Jill, Hanna decides that she would like to get to know her better.

OK – so far just the average romance, but it picks up when Kelly is slowly introduced into the storyline. Kelly is fun, sweet and totally “not real life” but who cares it’s romance - right! 

Kelly is very butch, with her short spiky hair, well toned body, her line of work as a mechanic and her comfortable clothing style. Totally not someone that Hannah would find interesting. On the other hand there is an attraction and it’s definitely not one sided. Kelly seems to have a dream of her own and that dream includes Hannah and Kelly clearly has the courage to pursue her dream when given the chance. 

I’ll not get into the encounters between Hannah and Kelly. You ought to read “Rumors” and let the characters tell you the story of their life – it’s both sweet and funny. Don’t worry there are the necessary bumps on the road for Hannah and Kelly. Just so that you have to wonder if they will make it to a happy ending!

If you like this story you could look into the other stories by BadSquirrel on The Athenaeum. The stories are all well written, but none of them as sweet as "Rumor" and beware of “The Dark Side of the Moon” - it’s a bit steamy for my taste (BDSM).

Ramble - a walk through The Top 100 of 2010

Why don't you walk with me as I explore the Top 100 list at The Athenaeum ? You might find a gem that you have overlooked or maybe an old favourite that you want to read again.

Before we start our walk you might want to read up on the site we are going to visit. So I will just give you some numbers to chew on. The Athenaeum list 6759 works from 1538 authors, with 485 of those works available in eBook format - impressive or what ? In 2010 a total of 2.847.848 links where followed to stories archived at the site or externally at other sites. The 100 links most often followed in 2010 ? Well if you want to know ... follow me.

Normally I would work my way to the top and save the best bit for last, but lets be daring today! The 2010 Story of The Year is ..... (a long drum roll can be heard) ...."Denial" by Omega13. This is a  loooong lesfic drama with a lot of angst, and I must admit that I never got through the story, probably because I found that it took to long to get to the LHEA ending. The core of the storyline is an attraction between Celeste and her brothers fiancée Amy. The story is very well rated at The Athemaeum. 

As the fitness freaks among you will know walking down hill is much more taxing than the walk up hill, so lets make this a slow stroll down from The Story of The Year to number 4 "Dark Side of The Moon" by my favourite pen BadSquirrel. Who by the way seems to have her first published fic in the works ! If you are into the gender bending and BDSM stuff this is a story for you. It is well written, but to me - a bit over the top. Should the BDSM theme be something you are interested in exploring through other fic's, you can find a few stories listed at the "Listmania" page. 

At spot number 11 you will find Fingersmith's new romance/drama "Critical" a well written story involving a restaurant owner, a food critic and an obsession that creates a bit of drama. It did remind me slightly of Creme Brulee's "Cooking on High" with a notorious chef that get's herself involved with "the help" and in a fight with a powerful man. I'm very fond of Creme Brulee's writing, but it seems that this pen no longer posts fic's on line - maybe someone know if Creme Brulee has published books under another name ??

My all time favourite fic "Rumors" by BadSquirrel came in 17 in 2010. This is much better than the 48th spot the story earned in 2009. Maybe some of you have followed my advice to look up this story ? If not - then put on your running shoes and go go go ... I have posted a review if you want an introduction to the storyline.

The short PWP  "IMPOTENT or maybe not" by Gracelan Chase came in as number 18 with the story of how to cure writers block. If you want erotica with a romantic twist you can also look up Vertigo's "Caution: Under Construction" or MJ and Cephalgia's "Unlimited Sexual Favours".

Of cause Mavis Applewater also made it to the list in 2010. This time as number 20. "Finding My Way" is my favourite story from Mavis' pen. If you want a well put together romantic storyline do not miss this one - look up my review if you want an introduction. "Campus" from Anik LaChev will take you into a similar University setting, but you will have to be a bit nifty with the Wayback Machine to locate the story as it has been taken off line for publication. With a bit of editing (it's a very long read) it will make a great book.

If you have not read any of Weebod's stories I think that you ought to give "Conflict of Interests" a try. It holds a broad, well developed storyline, some interesting characters,  and romance and angst in the right places. The story made it to place 24 on the Top 100. Should you fancy this pen do back up a few steps and look up number 6 on the list. Weebod's "The Player" is a romance mixed with a bit of field hockey .. you know hockey played on grass not ice. 

I am getting a bit tired from walking down hill so I think I will take a break and leave you at place 30 with A.K.Naten's "Turning Tides" so you can go visit a business tycoon with a habit of playing games of dominance with the women she finds attractive. Look up my review if you want further introduction. Alex Tryst's "Adventures of a Super Dyke" has a somewhat similar theme, but the storyline is not quite my style.

Maybe I will pick up the Top 100 list later. In the meantime do explore on your own - the list hold links to several good reads.

One Good Memory by BadSquirrel

Her mother wanted her named Mariel but the nurse got it wrong, so Maryl can blame her name on a typo! She can blame her meeting with Robin on the current of a river, and she is sure that she herself is to blame for not being able to hold on to a partner.

On the other hand Maryls lacking in the relationship department don’t make her hold back when she makes the acquaintance of a very naked Robin, while she her self is sunbathing on a rock, in the nude, in the river stream. It’s supposed to be a secluded place, so I guess it can’t really be labelled indecent exposure - can it?

Now don’t get me wrong these women aren’t water nymphs running around in the wild, there is a perfectly good explanation for the meeting between Maryl and Robin, but perhaps a slightly less valid excuse for them meeting in the buff.

Had BadSquirrel been lacking in her abilities the story of Maryl and Robin would have ended as a nothing but a PWP. As it is the women’s trysts on the river bank proves to be “One Good Memory” and something that can perhaps in time lead to more.

This is romance but in the BadSquirrel fashion, as you might know by now it’s a trademark of this pen to teach us patience. Go back to the stories “Rumors” and “Shine” and you’ll find patient women waiting for their love interest to notice them and you’ll find women who will spend time on wooing their girlfriends and cultivating a relationship.

“One Good Memory” is no different – so again BadSquirrel gives us a woman with staying power and persistence, one that will work on finding happiness for herself and on persuading the love of her life to accept the love she is offering.

I like the fic’s by BadSquirrel for the romantic storyline, the development of the characters and the fact that we are never left alone with just a couple of ladies, but always treated to a supporting cast of likeable family and friends. This story is no different from other BadSquirrel fic’s except perhaps for the quick development of the encounter between Maryl and Robin.

“One Good Memory” is an entertaining story, but as a genuine BadSquirrel fan, who like the protagonist to take a bit of time before they jump between the sheets, I’m most fond of the last half of the story, but don’t let that scare you off.

When you read this review you should bear in mind that I’m a BIG BadSquirrel fan and that “Rumors”’s is my all time favourite online fic (yes I do know I’ve mentioned this a number of times!) so I might just favour BadSquirrel’s writing a wee bit.

Shine by BadSquirrel

You must have a special one, a number one, one that always come out at the top of any list you make, one that you can always use to compare others to…. well in the universe of (fan) fiction my all time favourite is “Rumors” by BadSquirrel. I know I already reviewed this fic on an earlier occasion so I won’t repeat my self, but - if you’ll have a little patience with me - I’ll introduce you to another BadSquirrel fic, that I found sort of captivating, even if it’s not going to make it to my list of favourites.

Patience - you and Maureen alike will need a bit of patience if you want to get to know Shine. If you ask how she came by that name, she will tell you, that she was born in San Francisco in the late 60's, and that she was actually one of the lucky ones! But Shine is in no-way anything like a free-spirit of the 60’s. Actually she is living in a sort of self chosen isolation – she lives alone, keeps her colleagues at the local radio station at an arms length, and she takes great care not to make any friends at all!

Persistence – is what Maureen - the county librarian - needs if she wants to have a chance of any sort of relationship with Shin, who has captivated Maureen with her voice through the local airwave. And luckily for us, Maureen is nothing but persistent in her work towards getting Shine to go out with her.

** SPOILER ALERT **Perfection is what you get if you have the patience to wait for it and the persistence to keep working at it. Maureen has both and if you sit tight, you’ll get a chance to see how Maureen slowly gets Shine to ease out of her reclusive lifestyle and back into the world and into Maureens arms, where it seems that she fits - just perfectly.

“Shine” is an unhurried alt romance with an easy to follow and classic storyline offering you a couple of enjoyable protagonists with a personal history to battle. It’s almost angst free, but with a little bit of drama well integrated and relevant to the storyline, and I found it to be well edited and with at good dialog.

I must warn you though; this story moves slow and evenly - no jumping around from one spectacular scene to the next - but if you are looking for romance, and you are one of the patient ones, you just have to lean back and let BadSquirrel take you through the lives of Maureen and Shine.