Summary:  Adam and Joe are on their first sea voyage when disaster strikes. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  17,184   Despite the high winds and roiling seas, Adam felt that he could not stand to be cooped up inside the salon of the steamship Brother Jonathan for one moment longer. The air felt hot, … Continue reading Star of the Sea (by Claire) →

Summary:  A comedy of manners.  (With grateful thanks to Lillian and her inspiring lists.) Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  5328   Ben looked at the letter with a growing sense of disbelief, a shadow of fear and apprehension crossing his face as he tried to digest the unpalatable contents. Folding the paper … Continue reading Relative Values (by Claire) →

Summary:  The return of Cousin Clarissa.  (With grateful thanks to Lynne.) Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  5440   “I think I can safely guarantee that is the last time either of those boys will use that particular word!” Ben strode across the floor, rubbing his hands together with evident satisfaction, as muffled, … Continue reading Relatively Speaking (by Claire) →

Summary:   To Joan, who inspired this latest encounter with Cousin Clarissa. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  4479   Marie looked around the living room and stifled a small sigh of dismay as she surveyed the chaos that surrounded her. With Hop Sing away visiting one of his many cousins in San Francisco, things … Continue reading Relatively Peaceful (by Claire) →

Summary:  Having a tag-a-long little brother is both a strain and joy. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  12,083  Adam walked slowly back to the house, wishing the corral wasn’t quite so far away. Each step he took was pure and unalloyed agony, every muscle and bone in his body screamed in protest, … Continue reading Follow the Stars (by Claire) →

Summary:  A heartwarming story of love and sacrifice, and what is gained in the end. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  16,544   Prologue  The young man opened one eye and gazed lazily at the window. Judging from the angle of the sun, it was already late afternoon. “It’s getting late –I’ve got … Continue reading When Will I See You Again? (by Claire) →

Summary:    Joie de vivre! Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  665     The waters stretched out temptingly before him, as infinite and as wondrous as gazing into a multi-faceted peridot; full of possibilities and yet paradoxically complete. Shimmering slightly in the blazing heat of mid-summer, Lake Tahoe sparkled and glistened invitingly … Continue reading I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes (by Claire) →

Summary:   Joseph's first Christmas--what could possibly go wrong? Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  G Word Count:  5771   “Joseph’s first Christmas!” Marie sighed happily, snuggling into Ben’s warm embrace and stretching out her toes towards the fire. “There is something very special about having a baby in the house for Christmas, isn’t there?” Looking at … Continue reading Relatively Festive (by Claire) →

Summary:  Alone with his newborn son, Ben reflects on the past and future. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  G Word Count:  3353    You, who are on the road, must have a code that you can live by. And so become yourself, because the past is just a good bye. Teach your children well…  …just … Continue reading My Son, My Son (by Claire) →

Summary:  The optimist and the realist on the trail together. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  11,293   I'll tell you life is sweet In spite of the misery There's so much more to be grateful. --Natalie Merchant   “Look at it this way,” Joe said, throwing the comment back over his shoulder, … Continue reading Life is Sweet (by Claire) →