What's Good?  The poetically constrained "Lest We Forget" (just 273 words) by endaewen is October's recommendation-of-the-month.  At a Remembrance Day (Veterans' Day, Armistice Day) observation, Nick's memories pull him through time.

      A poppy. Red and black. This one pinned on Natalie's shoulder. In his mind, the one became many. Fields of the flower, growing where death had lain heavy. After both wars, he had seen them silvered by the moonlight, like drops of blood.

What's New?  In September, fkfic-l saw one story, "Reconstruction" by Walt D. (1 post, 42 KB).  However, in October so far, we've seen three stories by three authors on list.

I actually posted September's recommendation-of-the-month to my site days ago, so it's not quite as late as it looks from here. :-)

What's Good?  Sweet-by-bittersweet, Mary Co.'s "Last Things" runs happily-ever-after all the way into heaven.  It's unapologetically sentimental, and exemplifies a distinct and popular subgenre of N&N romance that, intriguingly, is almost never applied to any other FK characters.

        Any illusions that they might keep the change in their relationship a secret were quickly shattered. It took Don Schanke exactly seventy-two hours to figure it out, and he confided to Nick that if Myra hadn't been off at a Skin Pretty convention, and therefore unavailable for consultation, he would probably have tumbled to it sooner. So they gave up the pretense and she moved -- lock, stock and Sidney -- into the loft.

What's New?  In August, fkfic-l saw three new stories by two authors: ( List )

What's Good?  Thanks to hearts_blood, I did get August's recommendation-of-the-month up this past Tuesday, setting a new lateness record.  (Sorry! My blunder!)  So what do I think is so much worth the time in the little bit of August left?  Her Vachon character sketch "Nocturnal Pleasure" (2003).

        Which meant that if he skipped town, Nick would kill him, and if he brought Tracy across, Nick would kill him, and if he didn't bring Tracy across, the Enforcers would kill them both.

What's New?  In July, fkfic-l saw two authors posting three new stories.  ( List with Links )

What's good?  July's recommendation-of-the-month is wiliqueen's "Silent All These Years" (1992), an amazing early take on Janette's origins.  The many elements it shares with the episode "A Fate Worse Than Death" (1994) testify to the cohesion of Janette's character, while the differences bore perceptively into Janette's relationship with Lacroix.

     [Janette] cursed herself for her sentimental refusal to sell the thing, meaningless as she knew it to be in a world shaped by Roman hands. She could have been free by now; and though she would always be a barbarian and therefore inferior in that world, her lineage and looks might have won her a marriage into the puppet Gallic nobility. Instead she had nothing all over again.

What's new?  In June, fkfic-l saw five stories, all by one author.  ( List with Links )

What's good?  I'm happy to get to present lizbetann's "Night in Hell" as June's recommendation-of-the-month.  Written shortly after "The Human Factor" first aired, this story fits one scenario neatly into the infamous gap -- once a subject of fervent debate -- between Nick's agonized cry and Reese's phone call.  Unusually, this story addresses that key lacuna from Natalie's perspective.

     The house was crawling with police and the fire department when she got there.  She didn't even bother trying to fight her way through the crowds.  If Nick had gotten out, but was hurt, he would be nearby.  He would need her.  She refused to consider the thought that he hadn't gotten out.

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What's new?  In May, fkfic-l saw six stories by two authors.  ( List with Links )

What's good?  Enthused about alternate universes, coming off the new Star Trek movie?  For May, I'm excited to get to recommend a story set in FK's one canonical AU.  "Perchance to Dream: Ghost Song" (2009, rated R) by abby82 plunges beautifully, wretchedly into the "Curiouser & Curiouser" inversion.

Slowly, Janette's perfume surrounds him like a comfortable blanket and for a few precious moments Nick pretends this is exactly what he wants--the trappings of domestic bliss. ... Nick sneaks a look at his watch. If he leaves now, he can make it.

Happy tenth anniversary to the recommendation-of-the-month project!  In May 1999, the very first recommendation was of susanmgarrett's "Peerless Pressure."

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What's new?  In April, fkfic-l saw three stories by three authors.  ( List )

What's good?  For April, I recommend neonhummingbird's brassy Nick and Natalie short story "If I Were You" (1998), which runs Nick from hope to despair and back, while Natalie insists on balance and realism.

"That's enough, Nick!" Her voice cut through the darkness like a whip crack over the noise of the skycaps and the crowd milling around the terminal, even at 4 a.m.  ...  "You listen to me, detective.  You are not the walking jinx you think you are."

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What's new?  In March, fkfic-l saw four authors post eight stories.  Completed tales in order by the date of the final installment: ( List )

What's good?  I've wanted to spotlight Scottie's "Flowers in the Night" (1993) in the recommendations project for years, and this month I get to!  This short story vividly displays first-season Nick and Janette, when Lacroix is dead and possibilities cluster so thick and unimagined that they hardly know where to begin.

"The club was almost deserted, I was bored, and I thought perhaps two old friends could enjoy a talk and a bottle of wine."  He didn't respond.  She raised the glasses... "It's wine, Nicholah.  Just wine.  Nothing else -- nothing that could contaminate you."

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What's new?  In February, fkfic-l saw nine stories by three authors.  In the order posting completed:

• "Heartfelt" by Walt D. (1 post)
  
• "Rock-y Horrors" by Walt D. (1 post)
  
• "The Life and Times of a Macedonian Vampire" by dj_clawson (14 posts)
  
• "Illusions of Mortality" by abby82 (1 post) (adult)
  
• "Pshrink" by Walt D. (3 posts)
  
• "The Life of a Macedonian Vampire and His Son Alexander" by dj_clawson (16 posts)
  
• "Hurt" by Walt D. (2 posts)
  
• "Chess" by Walt D. (1 post) (adult)
  
• "Complaint" by Walt D. (1 post)
  

Busy month! :-)

What's good?  I'm pleased to get to feature "The Night Was Dark, and She Was the Owner" by Elisabeth as February's recommendation-of-the-month.  This ficlet crosses over with Highlander, but requires no HL knowledge to enjoy its full FK potential.

       "Buy the lady a drink?"
       The question, asked in the patois of her childhood by a vaguely familiar voice, triggered Janette's protective instincts. Even as she swung around, she clamped down on her body's impulse to flash fangs.
       Elbows resting on the wrought iron fence that separated the café tables from the pavement, he smiled at her. That nose, those eyes, that horrendous hair. He could be only one man. Methos, her memory supplied, along with a string of other, temporary, names.

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What's new?  In January, fkfic-l saw three stories finish posting, including the one that began in December.  (As a reminder, the line-limit doubled during January.  Post-count for story-length will be a whole new metric going forward.)

• "A Question of Loyalty" by dj_clawson (6 posts)
  
• "Rogue Vampire" by abby82 (1 post)
  
• "Lost Scene from 'Father Figure'" by Walt D. (1 post)
  

Four stories have completed their runs in February so far, including one that began in January and is the largest to post in almost four years.

What's good?  I'm proud to begin the new year of the recommendation-of-the-month project with amilyn's novella "Slippery" (2003).  Undeniably harsh, the story dramatically explores what might happen if, one of the times he tells Natalie to get away and she doesn't, a blood-stoked Nick unintentionally lashes out -- with his muscles (rather than his fangs).

   "How long before someone in your department ends up with you as one of their cases -- just like you had to cut up Maggie Dwyer and God only knows how many others like her?"
   "That is enough!" Natalie interjected, her voice sharp. "That was very different. This... this was an accident. He did not mean to hurt me. I know that, and he knows that."
   "Oh, really?" Tracy caught Natalie's eyes. "Then why is he scared silly he's going to do it again?" Tracy paused, looking for a long moment at Nat, then added carefully, "And why are you?"

What's new?  In December, fkfic-l saw three new stories, a filk, and one piece identified as a repost (which is technically against the list rules without permission, so I wouldn't advise it as a trend).

• "Disclosures" (6 posts) by pj1228
• "Dashing Through the Snow (Vampire Style)" (filk) (1 post) by Kristen F.
• "Birthdays" (1 post) by Walt D.
• "Snowy Knight" (1 post) by J.L.K.
• "Milepost" (1 post) by me

There is also a six-post story that began in December, and has finished in January.  So this month so far is not empty, but not crowded.

What's good?  This year's final recommendation-of-the-month is kirbyfest's sentimental N&N interlude, "The Heart of the Holidays" (1996).  It grants Natalie and Nick a Christmas Eve of quiet joy and gentle comfort in one another.

"Richard and I used to play outside for hours.  He loved the snow.  I don't think I've played in it since we were little kids."  She looked up at Nick and saw the concern in his face.  "I'm fine, really.  I can talk about him now.  That's what holidays are for -- remembering the people we love, and the good times."

(I apologize for the unprecedented lateness of the recommendations project this month.  If you noticed my previous mention of asking an author, that was someone I couldn't reach.  I would be pleased to feature either story any month!)

What's new?  In November, fkfic-l greeted a gracious plenty of new stories:

• "Fearful Symmetry" (4 posts) by me
  
• "Corpus Aristotelicum" (7 posts) by dj_clawson
  
• "Remembrance" (1 post) by Walt D.
  
• "Act of Remembrance" (1 post) by Angela G.
  
• "Nor'ever Night" (1 post) by Walt D.
  
• "Memoirs" (1 post) by Walt D.
  

And there have been three tales by three authors in December so far!

On Friday night, I emailed an author to ask permission for December's fanfiction recommendation.  New boxes keep opening on the calendar, as much as I want to pause it.  I think Abby (tv_elf) would not be pleased if I missed a month for the first time due to something she considered as predictable as her death.  (I didn't consider it predictable, but then I am too easily surprised, and she knows that.)

So the recommendations project will be late this month, but it's not on hiatus.  And I'm considering revising the rule that requires authorial permission for each recommendation: perhaps an exception for deceased fans.  Like Abby, just now.  Lynne Ackerman in April.  Mary Lou Manzie and Christy Stillman in 2006.  Fran Glass -- 2002?  And others...  But it might be a poor idea; after all, there are people who genuinely don't want their stories recommended, which is why the rule exists.  I'll think about it.

Abby beta-read a quarter of all my Forever Knight stories.  I counted this morning (beta credits wind up every endnote, if you're curious).  She made so many of them better, but I particularly remember how she examined my one FK/HL crossover on a New Year's Eve, and phoned me her advice, so I could post it on the holiday on which it was set.

When we got together for her birthday a month ago, she said she was writing a new FK story for my birthday this year.  It was to have been a surprise, so I don't know what it would have been about.  I do know it would have been different from anything ordinary, a precious new angle proving the FK universe is far from tapped out, something creative and quirky I could never imagine alone.  Because that's what it's like with Abby.

The quotation of the month on my site was going to be Tracy's line about family and holidays from "Strings" this time, but instead it is an enduring favorite: "I loved it. I mean, I know it was all about death, but I thought it was very life-affirming at the same time." -- Natalie, "Last Act."  Sums up FK.  Abby might prefer a Schanke-ism, but she'll know what I'm getting at.

What's good?  I'm running late on the recommendations project this month; my apologies.  Now that we're here, I am so pleased to get to highlight the energetic, enthusiastic, insightful, 1995 novel "Protect and Serve" by butterflykiki!  This unique angle on the Enforcers focuses on the human characters.

Natalie:	"Do you ever think that our lives would be a lot simpler if we just gave up on the secrecy and published the truth in the Enquirer, Nick?"
Nick:	"I don't need my life simplified that much."

What's new?  In October, fkfic-l saw one new story, a one-parter titled "Hallowe'en" by Walt D.  (Yea, Walt!)  November, by comparison, has gotten off to a sprinter's start, with three stories by three authors already!

What's good?  Seeking a frightening Halloween read this October?  The recommendation-of-the-month project spotlights Nancy K.'s disturbing, insightful, character exploration, "Anno Mirabilis, Anno Horribilis" (2006).  (A word of caution: while executed with restraint, this Lacroix and Divia horror story nevertheless includes violence and a range of psychological triggers.)

What's new?  In September, we unfortunately had no new stories on fkfic-l.  But in a brighter outlook for October, both FK stories in the latest oldschoolfic event are promised to appear on list in due time.

What's good?  This September, the recommendations project features a crossover that handles the sharp edges of third-season Forever Knight through the gloves of first-season Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  Did you know that Joyce Summers was Natalie's cousin?  Well...

"Then, one night, they brought me a bag of body parts that decided to put themselves back together, get up from the table, slurp down a bag of blood, and push the boundaries of my universe beyond anything I ever expected."
            -- Natalie to Buffy, "Spring Break, Slayer Style," by wiliqueen, 1998

What's new?  In August, we had a new story on fkfic-l!  "Soliloquy, The One Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty-eighth" by Walt D. (one post).  Three cheers for Walt!

What's good?  For August, I'm delighted to get to turn the recommendations project spotlight on PJ's "Encounter with Destiny."  This elegant romantic adventure is mostly flashback (1917), and invigorates a tried-and-true FK scenario with the energy of Nick and Lacroix's contention and the spark of a worthy neck-of-the-week.  (It also offers a unique glimpse of Natalie's grandmother beyond her sins.)

What's new?  In July, the only story to reach fkfic-l was my new Natalie piece, "A Delicate Balance."  (Will I bore you all if I say again, please come home to the list, and bring fiction with you?)

What's good?  How about a little Christmas in July?  The recommendations project features Susan's "Traditions" this month, a funny, snug, secular holiday yarn -- set in December of second-season -- that sidles up to some serious questions of Nick's alienation and excesses through the unlikely medium of cookies baked for the 96th Precinct's annual charity project.  (Yep, this is the one with the gingerbread vampires.)

What's new?  In June, no stories were posted to fkfic-l at all.  Those of you with FK tales you've shared on LJ but not on list, please remember that fkfic-l is still here to come home to!  Our respected List Gardener has the subscription instructions.

What's good?  For June in the recommendations project, I'm pleased to get to spotlight Ell's "Keeping it Together" (2008).  This tiny song-challenge ficlet concisely captures Tracy in that period after Lacroix takes her memories of "Ashes to Ashes."  (Interestingly, however, not only does the vignette leave Lacroix's involvement unhinted, it appears to leave Tracy's knowledge of Vachon's vampirism intact, which imparts a certain extra spin.)

(Anyone who's presently subscribed to fkfic-l and feels shortchanged by a recommendation of something she just read on list in April ... speak up, and I'll privately email you a link to a never-yet-recommended story worth reading.  Consider it your prize for having emailed Ell with a comment already. ~g~)

What's new?  In May, fkfic-l saw two new stories posted, both originally written for Medie's comment-fic-fest:

• "Clearing the Air" (1 Part), that Tracy and Natalie drabble by me
• "Cutthroat Business" (1 Part), Janette's purchase of the Raven by abby82

What's good?  The May recommendation-of-the-month went up Monday night, featuring Amanda's "Legacy" (2003), a worthy spin on the convention of Nick meeting a descendant of Natalie in an alternate future.  In this twist, the descendant learned about Nick at Natalie's knee, so she's the one with secrets, not him.  (The story reminds me just a little of "The Last Act" -- not the episode "Last Act," but Erica's final play.)

What's new?  In April, fkfic-l saw two new stories posted:

• "Keeping it Together" (1 Part) by Ell H.
• "Starwort" (6 Parts) by me

In passing, I note that this May is the ninth anniversary of the recommendations project.  It is also, of course, twelve years since the first airing of "Last Knight."

wiliqueen revived the "DVD Commentary" meme, and shared commentaries on her classic Forever Knight fanfiction "Color of the Night" (pure story / commented-upon) (second-ever entry in the recommendations project, by the way), and on a stirring portion of her recent Blood Ties fanfiction "Five Times Coreen Fennel Did Not Kiss Henry Fitzroy..." (pure story / commented-upon), and has generously promised me comments on one more FK scene to be named later, to boot.

Honoring the meme exchange, I hereby make a similar offer: pick any of my fanfiction (list), and I'll repost it with a "DVD commentary."  (However, I must add a caveat; if you choose a larger story -- especially one so big that I divided it into chapters or sections -- please choose just a scene, not the whole thing.  This is a little meme, not a giant project to consume the next several months, right? ~g~)

In other news, my last beta reader kindly came in on "Starwort," and I will make her adjustments -- she recommends a specific small new scene in the middle of the long conversation scene, among a few other tweaks -- and then start preparing the story for fkfic-l posting (that is, dividing it into <500-line ASCII posts wrapped at <60 characters-per-line and counting them; I love the list dearly and devotedly, but optimal list posting is both an art and a chore).

I'm pleased to announce that when the femme_fic "We Love Female Characters" ficathon queue released late Friday night, the line-up boasted two FK stories!  (I admit that I was simultaneously grateful at that many and disappointed at that few, but I knew perfectly well that it was a wildcard in this game.  I can be angstily ambivalent -- I am, after all, a Knightie. ~g~)

The two FK contributions are:

• "Starwort" by me.  Features Fleur, Lacroix and a small crew of supporting original characters, plus references to Nick, Janette and more.  Written to a prompt by falcon_horus.  Will go to fkfic-l and on my website later this month.
  
• "Could They Choose Between" by havocthecat.  Features Janette, Natalie and Nick, with references to Grace and Schanke.  Written to a prompt by amilyn.  I hope Havoc will choose to share this one with fkfic-l in the future, too.

Of course there's a lot of very nice non-FK fanfiction, but this is my FK blog, so I'll leave that for you to discover (try the by-fandom index).

What's good?  With April Fools in mind, the FK recommendation-of-the-month project features McLisa's caper, "To Each Hiss Own" (1994), a response to the "Put down the snake and we'll talk" challenge.  One of the things I enjoy about this little lark is considering it in light of when it was written: the summer before second season, as the long hiatus following the original cancellation wound down to the happy close of renewal, when rumors about a new captain and precinct were blister-your-fingers hot.

What's new?  In March 2008, these new stories graced fkfic-l:

• "Embodiment of Faith" (4 Parts) by volta1228
  
• "Pro Terra Sancta" (1 Part) by me
  
• "Lamb Chop" (1 Part) by hearts_blood (AF: I did look on your site for a linkable copy...?)

It is good to see new fiction on the list!  Even when I'm behind in reading, I am so happy to see it post.

What's good?  For March, the FK recommendation-of-the-month project features Dorothy's novel "Evidence" (1998), set shortly after "Trophy Girl."  The Reese subplot (in and around a serial-killer cop plot, Renaissance flashbacks and some Natalie psychology) makes me think again that as Dorothy is most often publicly praised for her N&N romance content, her spot-on rendering of Reese is perhaps an underappreciated gift to the fandom.

What's new?  In February 2008, fkfic-l happily saw these two new stories posted.

• "What Would Happen" (an FK/Smallville crossover, adult) (1 Part) by abby82
  
• "Steamer Trunk Space" (a Janette vignette) (1 Part) by me

At least, I presume it was happily.  I was happy at the advent of new fiction, even though one of the stories was my own.  I would be happier if there were more, always.  Fandom does not live by discussion alone.

What's good?  For February, the recommendation-of-the-month project features tv_elf's inventive, amusing "Things Unsaid" (2007), set circa 2011, in a reality unlike any other I've ever seen trying to cope with the aftermath of third season.

(For those playing along at home, this is not the story I originally requested for February, with no slight to either author, as I would be happy to recommend either story in any month.  I was simply unable to reach the other author, and by the project rules in force since 1999, recommendations are by permission only.  Thus, late recommending this month.  Apologies all around!)

What's new?  In January 2008, fkfic-l unfortunately did not see any stories posted.

Is Dorothy not the most outstanding, as well as most prolific, writer of Captain Joe Reese?  Is there anyone who does Reese better?  I've been rereading Dorothy's 1998 FK novel "Evidence" (which I've requested permission to officially recommend on Bright Knight for February, but of course have not yet heard back because I asked only yesterday) and while there are many aspects on which to comment, including a nice recognition of Natalie's accumulated traumas, I am once again bowled over by her spot-on rendering of Captain Reese.