Julia2Cj
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Joined 08-11-06, id: 536652, Profile Updated: 07-29-12
Author has written 8 stories for Romance.

EXCITING NEWS!! Less Than Three Press is publishing a few of my stories. :D You can find them under my pen name, Julia Alaric, at their website: . At this point, there are three available and two more on the way. Perfect Planning is a little 3000 word story I wrote for their Valentine's Day collection about a guy whose been trying for years to figure out the perfect plan to ask out the man he's had a crush on since high school. I also have a fairytale in their collection Fairytales Slashed: Volume 4, which is a Beauty and the Beast retelling in which I try to focus on what happens after the beast becomes a man again, particularly if Beauty is not so very beautiful (since the beast is supposed to learn to look past the surface, after all). And, as of August 1st, the story I like best of everything I've ever written will be for sale. Dreamer is about an average guy with boring dreams who suddenly starts to encounter a mysterious stranger in his sleep, and... well, I won't give it away. But I'm really proud of that one.

Two stories currently somewhere in the midst of the editing process, to be released at an unspecified date, are my contributions to the New Year's anthology they're putting together and the Bestiary anthology. My New Year story take on the theme is actually about a guy turning thirty, embarking on a new year, a new decade, and dealing with a few other significant changes in his life. My Bestiary story, Fire and Lightning, tells the tale of the hamadryad associated with Zeus' sacred oak tree, his oracle in Dodona, and her relationship with the Bennu bird of Egypt (aka the phoenix) over the five hundred years of one of the Bennu bird's life cycles. In my totally biased opinion, they're kind of awesome. Especially the Bestiary story.

Most of my writing these days is being posted over on my livejournal, . Feel free to stop on by and read anything you like. I love to get comments; they help me know what to write next. :)

In case you're curious about me:

I am a happily married woman who enjoys reading a well-written, thoughtful romance once in a while. I teach for a living (K-12, several subjects), and I'm a bit of a grammar nerd. I love music, linguistics, and my family. Other things I like: my husband, my friends, music of just about any kind, learning about languages, my students, reading, watching stupid movies and laughing myself to tears, cooking, baking, eating... Lots of things, as long as they don't involve bad grammar or green peppers.

I'm very anti-"love at first sight." Doesn't exist, folks. Infatuation at first sight? Yes. Lust at first sight? Most definitely. Love? Never--love requires knowledge of a person and some level of commitment to them, despite their nasty sides, and a willingness to change yourself when the relationship makes it clear that your only options are to storm off in denial with your pride in tact or to give up your pride and admit you've got work to do on yourself. It also carries with it an amazing ability to look past the beloved's faults and see what that person really is, or at least ought to be, and forgive the poor person for being imperfect and human. (When one's own pride doesn't interfere, that is.) That being said... after a few multi-year relationships, I did marry a guy who proposed three weeks after we crossed the friends line and started dating, and we've been together now for over eight years. There's a lot to be said for the importance of friendship and commitment in a marriage.

I have absolutely nothing against cliches as long as they're well-written. (My own stories tend to be nothing but cliches, so what right would I have to object?) I think cliches exist because there is so much truth of the human experience within them, and that makes them totally worthwhile as far as I'm concerned. And there is nothing better, in my humble opinion, than a really great, schmoopy happy ending.

In case you're curious about my stories:

The Piper Calls and its follow-ups are the result of a prompt to write something in honor of Ratcatcher Day (i.e., the Pied Piper). I wanted to take it and fuse that idea with the myth of Hades and Persephone, only with some major changes--like making Persephone's character a guy, and making his trip to the underworld voluntary. I liked it enough that I kept writing about them; hence the little sequels. The main characters even make an appearance in my published novel, Dreamer.

Making Amends was what came to mind when I read the May Flash Me Suddenly challenge. It's too long and too cliche to fit within the guidelines, but I kind of like it anyway.

Love is a Piece of Cake was written for the first Flash Me Suddenly challenge. It won, but I wanted to revise it again within days of submitting it. I may at some point turn it into something longer, because I didn't quite get across the characterization I wanted to and some other things that just don't work with a word limit of 1000.

Nobody Wants to be Alone is not perfect, and there are parts I don't love, but there are definitely parts I do. It turned out better than I had expected in most regards, given that I wrote it on a whim over a couple of weeks of a particularly boring summer vacation. A SKoW nominee.

Diary, Diary Under the Mattress is a piece of writing I did for a friend a couple of years ago just for fun. I'm posting it mostly for the sake of making myself re-read it. All things considered, I don't think it's terrible, but it's not my best. The writing quality is meant to be like a diary, which makes me cringe a little. It was actually kind of the inspiration for "Nobody Wants to be Alone", which I like a hundred times better.

To the Stars is definitely a bit out of the ordinary for me, at least in terms of setting, but as you'll notice in my introduction to the first chapter, I didn't get to pick the setting. It was the result of a sort of dare among some friends of mine: assign the writer a setting, an important characteristic for each of the main characters, and five elements that must be incorporated somehow into the story. I'd rewrite it, but I don't care enough about it to put in the time.

The Futility of Planning kind of sprang out of nowhere. It's under revision, because I really didn't like the last few chapters of the original version but I loved the potential of the first chapter. The revised version is on hiatus for a while while I try to get my life back together (see A/N on the last posted chapter if you want to know why) and try to sort out where I want it to go. The characters aren't cooperating, and while normally I like to let them be the bosses of their own lives, they're making the story weaker at this point. Maybe they'll pull it together after a stern talking to and get back in line and I can finish the last few chapters. Or maybe I'll just pull it down altogether and start over again.

Currently reading: Gwyn Morgan, 69 AD: The Year of the Four Emperors. Lots of schmoopy, happy romances on my e-reader.

Current pet peeve: Using only one comma around an appositive (e.g., "James, the janitor was working today" as opposed to the correct "James, the janitor, was working today").

Currently enjoying: Performing symphony music in ridiculous quantities at a music festival. The Civil Wars. Elbow. Peanut butter cookies. Tea.

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My Undetected Canoodling by Analytical Calico reviews
The seemingly unrequited crush on your best friend, the perfect romantic cliche, and you know those always work out. However, when an evil older brother, mind games, and dirty little secrets are thrown into the mix, maybe this cliche isn't that perfect...
Fiction: Romance - Rated: T - English - Romance/Humor - Chapters: 20 - Words: 64,667 - Reviews: 779 - Favs: 670 - Follows: 465 - Updated: 2/22/2015 - Published: 12/1/2005 - Complete
Private Lives, Public Property by Jessie L. Star - AKA star123 reviews
It's not easy to pretend you're in love for the sake of teenagers and housewives across the country but top footballer Lucas Goodspeed and shy, romantic Isobel Saunders soon discover that convincing themselves that they're not in love might be even harder. **Removed and now available on Amazon and Smashwords!**
Fiction: Romance - Rated: M - English - Romance/Drama - Chapters: 22 - Words: 7,974 - Reviews: 3193 - Favs: 3,387 - Follows: 1,420 - Updated: 2/23/2014 - Published: 4/16/2007 - Complete
Once Upon A Nightmare by Mickey John reviews
Nightmares and Dreams are actual creatures who invade human minds as embodied fears and joys. Violet doesn't use the new BlissMax pill designed to give good dreams (or any modern niceties, thanks Dad), and one night, a Nightmare—the fear of hell—enters her enticingly un-medicated mind and gets trapped.
Fiction: Supernatural - Rated: T - English - Supernatural/Romance - Chapters: 24 - Words: 86,258 - Reviews: 595 - Favs: 725 - Follows: 314 - Updated: 1/17/2014 - Published: 1/3/2009 - Complete
To Feel the Sun by Aurette reviews
When the love of her life marries someone else, Gracie has to accept reality and move on. With devastatingly attractive lawyers and cute cellists who won't go away, love shows that if it's one thing, it's unpredictable. Winner of Best Het for SKoW Round 12!
Fiction: Romance - Rated: T - English - Humor - Chapters: 20 - Words: 65,096 - Reviews: 615 - Favs: 995 - Follows: 144 - Updated: 8/23/2012 - Published: 12/11/2008 - Complete
The Rabbit Hole by Penelope P reviews
When a riddle from her dead father comes in the mail, Alice Ripley learns that things like pirates, secret passages, skeleton keys, and bad guys who just might want to take over the world actually exist. Wonderland wasn't exactly what she expected.
Fiction: Romance - Rated: T - English - Fantasy/Adventure - Chapters: 28 - Words: 163,955 - Reviews: 976 - Favs: 900 - Follows: 277 - Updated: 3/28/2010 - Published: 6/3/2009 - Complete
Esperanza by Ocotillo reviews
*2011 SKOW nominee* Tesla is a drifter on post-virus Earth, doing his best to stay alive. When he meets two heathen traders, he follows them in hopes of a better life. He expected many things, but not that they'd make him prisoner for his genes.
Fiction: Romance - Rated: M - English - Sci-Fi/Romance - Chapters: 22 - Words: 109,844 - Reviews: 219 - Favs: 466 - Follows: 100 - Updated: 7/28/2009 - Published: 5/2/2009 - Complete
Homeward Bound by PoppySeeds reviews
SKow WINNER: They say you can't go home again. But after she is jilted before her wedding, Sydney Wheeler is coaxed home by her family with every intention to leave in a few weeks...but her best laid plans, as they often do, go awry. COMPLETE!
Fiction: Romance - Rated: M - English - Romance/Drama - Chapters: 1 - Words: 1,189 - Reviews: 189 - Favs: 216 - Follows: 48 - Updated: 7/8/2009 - Published: 5/27/2009 - Complete
Route 66 by PoppySeeds reviews
COMPLETE! After losing her mother Keri is very protective of her feelings and pushes away anyone that attemps to get close to her-that is until she embarks on a once-in-a-lifetime road trip with her grandmother, brother, and his best friend.
Fiction: Romance - Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Chapters: 24 - Words: 57,361 - Reviews: 109 - Favs: 136 - Follows: 19 - Updated: 6/8/2009 - Published: 5/26/2009 - Complete
Much Better by JD Allen reviews
She was used to being unnoticed, that was nothing new. But when the mystery boy at school starts paying a shocking amount of attention to her, she's not quite sure what to do. Believe it? Deny it? Surely he couldn't really be into her...could he? REMOVED
Fiction: Romance - Rated: T - English - Humor/Drama - Chapters: 10 - Words: 2,998 - Reviews: 616 - Favs: 733 - Follows: 126 - Updated: 6/3/2009 - Published: 8/15/2007 - Complete
Cinderella Never Saw This One Coming by Sally Can Wait reviews
[COMPLETE] Let me tell you, if Cinderella had tried on MY shoes for a day, she would have gotten her magic pumpkin kicked from once upon a time to happily ever after. But if the shoe fits...
Fiction: Romance - Rated: K - English - Romance/Humor - Chapters: 24 - Words: 75,799 - Reviews: 880 - Favs: 830 - Follows: 168 - Updated: 1/12/2009 - Published: 10/20/2006 - Complete
The God Eaters by Jumping Jack Flash reviews
The tale of two outlaws and the totaliatarian theocracy what done it to 'em. Slash; M for language, sex and violence.
Fiction: Sci-Fi - Rated: M - English - Fantasy/Western - Chapters: 32 - Words: 177,952 - Reviews: 199 - Favs: 460 - Follows: 93 - Published: 12/19/2008 - Complete
Sleeping with the Enemy by Penelope P reviews
We were supposed to get married. That was the deal. Things change though. People change. I found myself falling in love, but not with the right person, or maybe he never was the right person to begin with. SERIOUS EDIT IN PROGRESS!
Fiction: Romance - Rated: T - English - Romance - Chapters: 31 - Words: 103,264 - Reviews: 2558 - Favs: 1,306 - Follows: 665 - Updated: 12/17/2008 - Published: 8/16/2008 - Complete
A Marriage of Inconvenience by Random Acts of Authorship reviews
Kate needs a Green Card, Owen needs a wife. For these platonic friends a marriage of convenience seems to be the perfect solution. Instead getting engaged is just the beginning of their problems. Complete.
Fiction: Romance - Rated: T - English - Romance/Angst - Chapters: 22 - Words: 78,589 - Reviews: 255 - Favs: 237 - Follows: 34 - Updated: 10/5/2008 - Published: 2/19/2003 - Complete
Trouble Starts With a Q by Myrika reviews
Spin-off of Redux. All Devon wanted was to be left alone. She tried reasoning. She tried pleading. Eventually she even turned to blackmail. The problem was Quentin Maxwell had just never learned the meaning of the word 'no.' //REMOVED//
Fiction: Romance - Rated: T - English - Romance - Chapters: 23 - Words: 5,116 - Reviews: 3528 - Favs: 1,059 - Follows: 408 - Updated: 6/3/2008 - Published: 9/3/2007 - Complete
Eulogies and Post It Notes Can Change the World! by Imaginary Parachute reviews
[VERY LONG ONE SHOT] Abe Pruitt is going to improve the world, and she's doing it with sticky notes. Jack St. James is going to keep on being bothersome, and he looks good doing it, damn him. Doesn't it suck when the tables are turned? [EDITED]
Fiction: Romance - Rated: T - English - Romance/Humor - Chapters: 1 - Words: 13,743 - Reviews: 365 - Favs: 1,286 - Follows: 91 - Updated: 6/29/2007 - Published: 6/5/2007 - Complete
Just for Glory by Imaginary Parachute reviews
COMPLETE WITH EPILOGUE Amazing what occurs when witty bad boy Donovan makes a bet to seduce sarcastic good girl Piper. Follow the story of their intertwined existence through high school as lessons are learned and relationships forged. EDIT IN PROCESS
Fiction: Romance - Rated: T - English - Romance - Chapters: 20 - Words: 88,044 - Reviews: 643 - Favs: 1,335 - Follows: 172 - Updated: 11/11/2006 - Published: 5/22/2006 - Complete
A Quiet Crusade by Theresa Green reviews
COMPLETE A grandmother, a granddaughter, a pot of paint and a very polite bit of vandalism. A story written in November 2005 for National Novel Writing Month.
Fiction: General - Rated: T - English - Drama/Humor - Chapters: 30 - Words: 53,158 - Reviews: 71 - Favs: 13 - Follows: 1 - Updated: 5/21/2006 - Published: 12/2/2005
Hello Kitty by Endless Dark reviews
After a drunken night, Lira wakes up next to Jude, a childhood nemesis. It gets worse when they find that they’re married. But when an opportunity too good to pass up presents itself, what will happen when they stay married?
Fiction: Romance - Rated: M - English - Romance/Humor - Chapters: 33 - Words: 85,456 - Reviews: 3200 - Favs: 4,123 - Follows: 480 - Updated: 11/10/2004 - Published: 5/10/2004 - Complete
Sort: Category . Published . Updated . Title . Words . Chapters . Reviews . Status .

The Piper Calls reviews
Cole remembers so little of the visitor who came and took his father away, but he cannot forget him. Poppies, a sweet, haunting music, a pair of dark, burning eyes... All he knows is that he's seen the stranger standing before him in the darkness before. M/M, mythological themes.
Fiction: Romance - Rated: M - English - Fantasy/Suspense - Chapters: 5 - Words: 10,840 - Reviews: 3 - Favs: 18 - Follows: 1 - Published: 7/29/2012 - Complete
ABC, Baby, You and Me reviews
From arguing about antagonizing aardvarks to visiting the zoo's zebra, Abby and Jack have history. 26 drabbles, one for each letter of the alphabet, trace their transition from tension to tenderness; inspired by the SKoW ABC prompt with a little twist.
Fiction: Romance - Rated: K+ - English - Chapters: 1 - Words: 8,021 - Reviews: 2 - Favs: 10 - Follows: 1 - Published: 2/1/2011 - Complete
The Futility of Planning reviews
What's the phrase about the best-laid plans of mice and men? Jessie Anderson has been trying her whole life to chart a path to happiness, but she's slowly learning that she stumbles upon what she truly wants only when she stops looking at the map.
Fiction: Romance - Rated: M - English - Chapters: 22 - Words: 73,022 - Reviews: 38 - Favs: 21 - Follows: 20 - Updated: 8/18/2010 - Published: 11/30/2009
Making Amends reviews
It took me ten seconds to realize I was an idiot. It took me ten days to fix it. One shot mm slash, rated for language.
Fiction: Romance - Rated: M - English - Chapters: 1 - Words: 5,154 - Reviews: 4 - Favs: 13 - Follows: 2 - Published: 5/8/2010 - Complete
Love is a Piece of Cake reviews
*Flash Me Suddenly's February flash fic winner!* I'm going to the Valentine's Day dance... with someone who asked me on my desk. I wish I knew who he was...
Fiction: Romance - Rated: K+ - English - Chapters: 1 - Words: 1,007 - Reviews: 14 - Favs: 51 - Follows: 1 - Published: 2/22/2010 - Complete
Diary, Diary Under My Mattress reviews
When Anna's best friend gives her a diary for her birthday, she decides to give it a try. Who knew that by writing about school, friends, and her crush, she might learn that what she's been craving for years isn't really what she wants at all?
Fiction: Romance - Rated: T - English - Chapters: 5 - Words: 32,403 - Reviews: 11 - Favs: 20 - Follows: 2 - Updated: 2/16/2010 - Published: 2/11/2010 - Complete
Nobody Wants to be Alone reviews
We never thought it would mean anything. We just didn't want to be alone for this. A retrospective on falling in love by accident. Former SKoW Nominee.
Fiction: Romance - Rated: T - English - Friendship - Chapters: 10 - Words: 33,536 - Reviews: 33 - Favs: 38 - Follows: 5 - Updated: 7/31/2009 - Published: 7/20/2009 - Complete
To the Stars reviews
What happens when presented with a challenge to write a story incorporating 7 pre-defined elements? Read and find out! "Good Lord. She was housing a god. There was simply no other explanation for the way he looked in that towel."
Fiction: Romance - Rated: T - English - Sci-Fi/Romance - Chapters: 3 - Words: 12,634 - Reviews: 3 - Follows: 1 - Published: 8/14/2006 - Complete