"Come back tomorrow," he beamed.

Blushing, Christina said, "I think you'd work faster without any distractions."

Richard answered seriously, "I need you around to answer any questions that may arise." In a much more playful tone, he added, "Besides, you are far and away my favorite distraction."

        Doing her best to pretend that nothing was wrong, Christina spent most of Friday helping Misha and Nina with household chores. Her attempts to savor her time with Misha and Nina were crushed by their concerned looks. When she looked into their faces, all she saw was worry. The women carried on all day, making small talk and doing chores. None of them dared to address the complications that that were tearing Christina in two.

        Christina felt utterly lost. Had she ever felt so disconnected? Perhaps, when Amy had dumped her, but this was far worse. There was no way she could hold on to her family, and she doubted that even her gift, if Andrei could pull it off, would mend the rift that had formed between her and Alek.

Mario rose and helped Brenda from her chair. He wrapped her shawl around her shoulders and led her to the door and opened it for her. When they stepped outside he took her in his arms and kissed her softly. Brenda thought she would melt right there. She had never been kissed like this before. Their lips touching so softly and yet a passion flowed between them. Brenda was becoming very excited. Her nipples grew hard and she didn’t want this to stop! Mario pulled his lips from hers and looked deeply in her eyes.

“Brenda, I’m having feelings for you that I didn’t know existed. I think...I might be...falling in love with you.”

        Pulling the pillow off of her head, Christina forced her eyes to focus on the alarm clock. "Crap," she yawned. It was already past eight; she'd slept late yet again. She had spent most of last night Googling taxation problems to no avail. Dropping her bare feet onto the cold floor, she went into the bathroom. Her eyes winced in the pale light as she took stock of what she saw. As usual, after her Oak Grove vacations, Christina was still a girl. Even without her false breasts in place and with her disheveled morning hair, there was no doubt about it. Her powder blue cotton pj's, which were covered from head to toe with yellow chicks, certainly didn't help her cause. She was in a difficult spot- she would be returning home for Christmas, so she did not have the luxury of getting a haircut. She'd just have to find some way of making herself a convincing boy in the meantime.

Love Is Grand
by Annabelle

PREFACE

Retired and independently wealthy, 60 year old Stan Berman discovered he had only 12-18 months to live due to a rare neurological syndrome that would sap his strength and motor skills, but the symptoms would not onset for at least a year. The widower’s only family was his devoted son Patrick and grandson Michael.

A life-long cross dresser, Stan confided in his kin that he wanted to live as a woman for a year, and if they joined him, they would inherit the entire estate.

3 months later, “East Coast socialite” Sarah Berman moved to a luxury condo in Beverly Hills with her daughter Pamela and granddaughter Madeline.

“And in 18 months,” Sarah thought to herself, “My doctors will realize that the diagnosis was wrong! It won’t matter — my girls and I will be too busy shopping, partying, and chasing men to care!”

The video player seemed to stare at me like a mechanical toad squatting amid the remains of some disaster in an electronics warehouse. The woman tending the stall appeared more than keen that I should buy it, though in truth my interest had waned as soon as I was close enough to discover that it wasn't a U-Matic - a video format from the heroic age of technology - after all.

This image had been my entry to a romance novel book cover contest I had entered when I had been a more active member of the IMVU community. IMVU is basicly an avatar oriented chat system where I had been known as Xoey. All the clothes I had created for avatars (including the Alice dress shown on the cover) can be found in my catalog there. You can see the full size version of the image by clicking on the title, just like you would to read a story. Enjoy! :)

        Christina could feel time stalking her all day. She'd called Steph last night after dinner to give her all the bloody details of their double date.

        Steph, of course, had been absolutely elated. She'd explained that the Clairmont Inn was a small bed and breakfast on the edge of town. Its dining room was the closest thing to an extravagant restaurant Oak Grove had to offer, and it was certainly the most romantic place anyone could have picked.

        Had Christina known this, she would have insisted that they go anywhere else, but it was too late now. While she was sure that the day was dragging for Steph, she could feel the minutes slipping away. She wondered if this is what it felt like to be on Death Row.

Dragon and Tiger

By Darian Deamos

Chapter One: Awakenings

Jason woke slowly. There was an ache in his body and his head was pounding. There was a feeling of wrongness as he slowly fought his way to consciousness. He went to wipe the detritus of sleep from his eyes, and became aware of a problem. His hand was manacled up and away from his body.

Moments after his fact made itself known, its implications percolated into his awareness, and alarm chased the remnants of sleep from his mind. Shaking his head to clear his wits he took stock of his situation.

        Pulling the still-hot load of towels out of the dryer, Nina piled it into the laundry basket. Taking a towel off the top, she started folding.

        Christina took the next one, folded it, and placed it on the stack they were building on top of the dryer.

        "Thanks for helping out with my chores," said Nina.

        Christina responded, "Your chores are my chores."

        "In that case, do you want to write my history report?" Nina joked.

A meeting with Ananisia to discuss her love life and a lecture about an ancient philosopher. The unexpected return of a family member places old matters in proper perspective. A parting in the early morning. A trip brings Tyra and Wanda to a dangerous valley. The meeting of an old flame. An old friend from the earliest days appears in the night. A new beginning?

A willing pupil for a dangerous game. A January - June romance, or let's keep it in the family. A power meeting with the Slavers Guild. Explaining to Daphne her new position in life. Nikolai's night ride is abbreviated. A last night in the palace is bittersweet. Tyra meets Kim in the garden and explains.

An unexpected visit to Tulem brings an unwelcome surprise. Kat and Tyra visit the home of Kat's blood father. Tyra looks for a new dream. Kim's marriage brings on a sense of urgency. Daphne's betrayal brings new possibilities. Arranging a meeting with the Guild of the Slave Traders.

New bodies can be inconvenient. Out of chaos come possibilities. A deception ends and brings a new beginning. Elsbeth meets her match. Will Tyra's children come to know their mother?

        It was nearly eleven-thirty at night when Christina stumbled through the door of her apartment. Her legs burned after ascending the six long flights of stairs. She let her suitcases drop; her arms feeling dull and stretched. The humidity in the dark apartment was oppressive, the hot air encasing Christina's skin, causing every inch of her body to sweat. Feeling the energy seep out of her muscles, she dropped onto her hard bed. She kicked of her shoes and socks then shimmied out of her tight jeans. Christina leaned back and turned on the fan mounted in the window over her bed. It did little more than cycle the hot air, but that was better than nothing.

Tyra finds a way to forget about Ketrick — for the moment. A royal wedding. A close friend dies, but leaves a great gift behind. A old face leads a new investigation, as Tyra prepares for the greatest shock of her female life.

Ketrick becomes a consort. Learning to be a lady. Merton emerges into a very new world. Ketrick makes a surprising admission. Will Ann's lack of imagination doom her to slavery?

        Christina got up early, long before the rest of the family and was already dressed and downstairs before the sun had come up. Deciding that she was going to be the first girl in the house to make wearing pants a habit, she had thrown on a pair of capri pants and a simple off the shoulder top. She went into the kitchen and put on an apron; the plan was to surprise her uncle with breakfast before he went to work. Christina had seen very little of Alek this visit, and she longed to spend some time with her uncle.

A decisive meeting at in a pleasant glade where Thermin discovers his true nature. The clean-up in Batuk starts poorly. A reunion in Eagles ends with a change of perspective. (Violence, blood, and serum girls)

The High Priest is shown a long-lost edict. The right to a consort is tested. Ketrick's time in Batuk begins to show results. Thermin and Tyra come to uneasy alliance.

Lady Gina meets her just reward. A test of loyalty for Captain Malchor, and Tyra learns a lesson about being a woman. A sick Librarian may be more than he looks. A new plot is formed, and a warrior must die.

Queen Dana's coronation leaves the new queen vulnerable. Malchor's dreams for Dana place Tyra's freedom in jeopardy. A deal is struck in blood, but will it be enough?