I have returned!

After WAY too long, my internet hell is finally over! Which is a very good thing, as I don't think my nerves could have stood it much longer!

Did you miss me? I hope so, goodness knows I missed writing and getting my daily fan-fiction fix. It's worse than being a crack addict! It has taken some time, but I've finally (FINALLY!) caught up with what has been written while I was offline. Between The Stripper (now posting on AHA) and My Fine Feathered Friend (a Labyrinth offering on fanfiction.net) I've been very well entertained and my withdrawal symptoms have ceased. After all, who can resist the combined charms of a male stripper Darcy, and Jareth dealing with a cross-dressing goblin, literacy for his subjects, and a chicken of destiny? Alas, I cannot.

But I digress.

So, what has been happening while I was banging my head in frustration and suffering internet withdrawals?

To begin with, Angel of the Centerfold was completed. This is one of the best Jane/Bingley stories written, and I am very sorry to see it go. Rated NC-17, this fic told us what might have happened had Jane and Charles met under more dubious circumstances- like Charles leading a double life as a porn king, and falling for Jane, who has an (almost) identical twin sister, Elizabeth. Predictably, chaos follows. This particular fic was a marathon read for me over the summer; and I have enjoyed every moment. Michelle, you should be congratulated for a job very well done!

Another fic completed just today is DJClawson's If I Loved You Less, which is posted at fanfiction.net. This story is the latest in her epic story of the Darcy/Bingley clan that began with A Bit of Advice. A sweet love story, If I Loved You Less tells of the romance between the Darcy's eldest son and the Bingley's eldest girl. Unfortunately, there is no samurai. Fortunately, based on the author's note in the epilogue, it would appear we might get some samurai action in her next story, which will begin posting the end of March. One can only hope.

And Jen has been continuing with God Save the Queen! Judging from the comments posted on AHA and HG, I am not the only one curious about Ian's past, and wondering how Rafe will react when she marries her darling Fitzwilliam. This is a very clever retelling, part mystery, part sci-fi, part cat-fight, and part female-drooling-excuse. I am particularly looking forward to the kissing lessons, and Fitzwilliam's coming-out ball.

As my opening indicated, I have discovered the delightful new story The Stripper, by Madelyn (starfire), rated NC-17 and posted at AHA. I caught myself laughing hysterically (a strange feeling, since I do not usually 'catch' myself doing so) at the little cliff-hanger she left us on last week- and I was more than happy with her resolution thereof in this week's post.

I have also been following Lofty Dreams, by Amy, posted on the Darcyfic group list. This is a very fresh adaptation that places an African American Lizzy and Darcy in high school, as students in the same scholarship/mentoring program. I have enjoyed every moment- and I am very anxious to see where Amy takes it!

Well, I have to sign off for the moment, but I will be posting again soon. There's so much going on right now, I could write for two days!