1: Anita's Rescue by EzzyB This is the sequel to Rebecca Danced. Yes, I also edited this one for Ezzy, so I'm probably slightly biased, but much like with Rebecca Danced I'm convinced it's that good of a story. Be forewarned, if you haven't read Rebecca Danced you'll have trouble understanding many bits and pieces of Anita's Rescue, so you're best off reading them in order. Oh yeah, and again, don't forget to tell Ezzy what you think of his work.
2: Dance of a Lifetime by Don Lockwood Probably the all-around best story I've read in years. Also, not coincidently, the story that inspired me to start writing, so that should be worth something. ;-)
Seriously. Anything of Don Lockwood's is on the must-read list, but Dance is hands-down his biggest and (I think) best work. It's long, and there _are_ some dark parts (one chapter in particular is pretty nasty), but it's still an exceptional story with extraordinary writing. If only we could convince the publishing world to agree.
If you haven't read DoaL yet, Go read it now! (Well, okay, right after you finish Elizabeth ;-) )
3: Finding a Place by Don Lockwood Well, the short answer if because it's classic Don.
Mostly though, this is one of the old standbys for when you're looking for something in the so-much-sugar-you-really-need-the-insulin-on-hand category. He's good at those. I think to date it's still his most diabetes-inducing work, without any of the typical 'how-to-torture-my-characters' moments. It's good for a pick me up, too.
4: A Golfer's Dream: Book I - The Dream Begins by TheCaddy TheCaddy's "A Golfer's Dream" trilogy and RCM's "Playing The Game" trilogy constantly go back and forth for my favorite sports/romance/coming of age stories. They're both extraordinarily well written, both authors clearly know their sports inside and out, and especially with "A Golfer's Dream" you end up feeling like you're out on the 14th hole with Dave and company. I think the biggest endorsement I can give this trilogy is this, however. It made me want to pick up my clubs and start playing golf again.
Fore!
5: Heroes by Don Lockwood Probably Don's 2nd most powerful work. Dance was an epic, and it's amazing, and very moving in its own right, but I think for a lot of readers Heroes will be even moreso. It touches on some tougher, serious topics - such as suicide, and while it's sweet and romantic it's nothing like Finding A Place.
In terms of emotional impact and power, Heroes is second only to NiS: Michelle's Story or a few chapters of Rewind. If you haven't read either of those, you should. The NiS work isn't a typical NiS story, nor is it a typical Don story, and it's pretty short, but up until he wrote those two chapters of Rewind I could honestly say it was the most powerful piece of storytelling I'd ever read - online or off.
6: In the Navy by Argon I just recently came across this story & series, after seeing the series in the updates listing for quite a while. Considering I recently finished reading the Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian I figured I'd take a chance and give this a read.
I was very impressed - Argon has crafted a solid, well-written, and mostly historically accurate story, complete with characters who have a lot of depth. On top of that, he's succeeded in writing sex scenes that are both period-appropriate and still moving, which is a challenge many authors fail at when trying to write historical fiction. All in all, if you have any interest in sea stories, the British Navy in the age of sail, or even just a longer, well-written character story, give In The Navy a read.
7: A Master's Ring by ElSol This is different, and it has a bit of bite, but El Sol is quite talented, and it's hard to go wrong with most of his works - just mind the codes, and bear in mind, he writes for effect. AMR is on hold and I think he's considering a total rewrite, but I think it's worth a read, even as it is.
8: Playing the Game by Rev. Cotton Mather One of the best long running series of stories was off the 'net for a while there, while the Rev. Cotton Mather did some rewriting and reworking, but he's now hard at work getting all three of the Playing the Game stories uploaded again. If you liked them the first time around, you'll love them now. If you didn't read them the first time around, you've got a new chance now...
And if you didn't like them the first time around... well... I actually can't think of anything to say to you - but go try again. Seriously.
9: Rewind by Don Lockwood Really, there's nothing I can say about this other than read it, and keep a box of kleenex on hand around chapters 8-10. It's still slowly in progress, and probably his most powerful work to date. At the worst, it's in the top two.
