Looking at the oldest Ordnance Survey maps, initially it’s Gleann an Loch Dubh, The Valley of the Black Lake. It is reasonable to assume that the lake was named for its’ colour, being fed by numerous streams emanating from the surrounding peatland. In the next series of maps, it has been shortened to Gleann Dubh, thus the Valley of the Black Lake had become, simply, the Black Valley. This was subsequently anglicised to Glandoo. The locals knew it either as the Black Valley or Glandoo.

A LITTLE EXTRA 2 - THE RECKONING by Suzie Dalkin

The continuation of a story from the less glamorous end of the film industry.

At a visit to a sex therapist, Henry finds out that his wife has some surprising ideas on how to improve their sex life.

White Knight
The Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

Jerry and I had known one another since childhood. We went through high school together and worked together after I finished college. I went into finance, but Jerry felt that he was ready to set up his own business. You have to admire him for that.

I Expected Better of Puberty

Any number of folks write stories about gender dysphoria and transitioning in the sense that most others understand the terms, but this, our story, is somewhat different, for all that is changing is going on in our heads. Perhaps it’s just a matter of perception. Then again there’re so many things we don’t understand yet that maybe it’s not.

I am in the kitchen of Tony's cottage. The sound of my heels clicking on the stone floor is a constant reminder of their presence. Why do I have to wear high heels all the time? Although, with Tony, 6ft 3 inches, it helps me not have to look up quite so far when he holds me

Sexpiation
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

When the world is on fire, how far would you leap to escape the flames? That is how we looked at it. We were not escaping from justice – we were escaping from madness.

Synopsis: Ronald is a bachelor in his early twenties, has an apartment and a part time job that fits his college schedule. Ever since “dress up play dates” at an early age and “punishments” by his mother as an older child Ron never had a problem in wearing makeup or women’s clothes. He evolved. Discovering his femininity - Questioning his femininity - Repression of his femininity – Acknowledging his femininity – Accepting his femininity – Living his femininity required an Angel -

I was told I looked pretty good.

I just want to get this out of the way first, before anything else. I am a dude - 100% male. I just like dressing up in girl's clothes

There are worse places to be trapped than a cozy farmhouse on a snowy Christmas Eve. Worse people to be trapped with than Luke Shepherd. But belonging requires truth, and staying requires courage, and Mark is running out of both. It's a good thing Christmas has always been about miracles.

With his suitcase gone and a story still to write, Mark finds himself falling deeper into his accidental role. As "Holly's" borrowed clothes start to fit a little too comfortably and Luke Shepherd's smiles become harder to resist, Mark begins to realize the real problem isn't getting out of Pine Hollow. It's wanting to.

As the limousine arrived at the Paradise estate, Henry and David exchanged glances, contemplating what the future might hold. Once the vehicle came to a halt, Kevin opened their door and officially welcomed the men to Paradise. Gentlemen, welcome! Please follow me as we help your wives settle in and begin their training. Kevin guided Henry and David into a large building and down a hallway leading to his office. As they walked, Henry and David observed that all the women were attired in either 1950s style dresses or micro mini skirts, with every woman sporting stiletto heels.

Henry and David had been friends since high school. The two engaged in various activities together, including playing sports, pursuing the same women, and indulging in considerable drinking. Both men had married well; Henry was wed to Ellen, a career-oriented woman, while David was married to Linda, who hailed from a wealthy background. Together, Henry and David operated an investment firm that thrived throughout the 2030s, until the significant crash of 2036.

Big-city journalist Mark Holly arrives in Pine Hollow to research an article about small-town Christmas. But one borrowed Christmas sweater, one registration mix-up, and one widowed tree farmer later, he finds he's living a Hallmark movie come to life. Along the way, Mark learns that sometimes the story you end up writing isn't always the one you were looking for.

Ethan Martin and his mother live a simple life in a small Southern town... with a twist: She makes dresses to pay the bills and he helps out as best he can.

Ethan’s aunt and cousin have some fun at his expense.
 

Ethan Martin and his mother live a simple life in a small Southern town... with a twist: She makes dresses to pay the bills and he helps out as best he can.

 

Colleen needs a salesgirl and finds one close to home.
 

by (AJ) Eric

On December 16, 1773, roughly 100 insurgents boarded four merchant vessels at Boston Harbor and threw 342 crates of tea overboard, protesting a newly-imposed tax on tea and the English Parliament that had unilaterally ordered it.

Sadly, they probably didn’t encounter a letter like this one in the week or so before the event.

With their parents away, Karen and her friend Lisa plan a romp with their boy friends. A last minute complication compels Karen to bribe her younger brother, Blake, into transforming himself into a feminine girl, Tiffany, who can keep company with Lisa's younger sister Monica. Blake finds out that there's no going back.

Sales
A Vignette
By Maryanne Peters

My grandfather was in sales. My father regarded it as a lowly occupation, and he often gave his father-in-law a hard time about it. He said that salespeople would say or do anything to close the deal. He said that it required no qualifications and attracted people with short attention spans. My father had qualifications – not great ones, but something to hang on his wall. My grandfather had sales awards, but he didn’t display them.

One day when the ocean and sun were rhyming...

Pretty Boy Blue
by Erin Halfelven