Rogue Review No. 39 - May 31, 1998 by Lee Vine Marie's Gift by fcp M/F Length: 3,800 words ========== NOTES: (1) IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 THEN STOP READING NOW!!!!! (2) IF YOU ARE OFFENDED BY DESCRIPTIONS OF NATURAL ACTS WHICH SOME PEOPLE CALL PLEASUREABLE BUT YOU REGARD AS NECESSARY FOR THE PERPETUATION OF THE HUMAN RACE THEN STOP READING NOW!!!!!!! (3) IF YOU AREN'T SURE IF EITHER (1) OR (2) APPLY TO YOU THEN STOP READING NOW!!!! ========== Summary James' war wounds are healed and Donna's eyes are opened to new options in their sex life after an interesting night of playing bridge with their neighbors. Commentary This was a nicely paced story. The author did a good job of not filling in too many of the details. It was soft and subtle. It did not come out and grab me, but rather drew me in by making me think. The author did a good job with the plot and characters. Most of the descriptions helped to bring the story to life, however the card game and sex scene left something to be desired. The former because it was so technical. I am not familiar with the game of bridge. The latter because it lacked feeling. It was not totally devoid of emotion, but James tears were the only ones I felt. Judgment This was a good story, but the description of bridge was hard to follow and the sex seemed mechanical.