"For those of you haven't caught her writing, Holly Rennick is substantially different from most of the writers who post to ASSM. Her writing is thoughtful, literate and a little tongue in cheek on occasions. If you like well-drawn characters, novel plots and a slightly unusual and wry style, then give her pieces a go. Boathouse Revisited is a case in point. Read it - it's bloody good!"
Or Spanish Fly, reviewed by La Luz for StoriesOnLine,
"Stroke amount: 6. This story is not sex, it is foreplay.
“Story plot: 8. Could I have done without the before and the after parts of the story? Yes and no. Foreplay is an opportunity to find out what a woman wants, what she likes, and what she needs. I left Spanish fly feeling like I wanted to get inside the author's head and look around for what they wanted, liked and needed. The plot itself is a male fantasy through her eyes.
“Technical Quality: 10. The story has a lazy rhythm, almost like the Spanish Fly is acting on your bloodstream. Possibly it's a too fanciful with it's words and witticisms but it's foreplay. Sometimes in foreplay you go down a road you shouldn't, Holly brought me back though.
“Appeal to Reviewer: 10. This story is not an easy read, and it is not for everyone. It was definitely for me... it felt like a siesta. I went to sleep clothed, woke up naked. My lover's heat and the sun through the window warmed me. I was hard and I remembered almost like a dream when my lover whispered "It's okay to just slip in if you wake up before me." That's how Spanish fly made me feel. This story is not an easy read, but I'll love any story that I can hear myself reading to a woman.”
Lifeboat, as reviewed by TheMoose63 "Holly has done it again! Lifeboat is a wonderful story about an American merchant marine sailor (Cookie) in World War II who's ship is sunk by a German submarine. In a lifeboat Cookie saves a young (?) woman who speaks only in a foreign language. This story take the reader through their ordeal on the lifeboat through being rescued and much, much further. This is not a stroke story so if that's what you're looking for you should skip this one. It is also uniquely written from the perspective of Cookie, the woman and one other that I won't reveal or it will spoil the story. It is well written as all of her stories are, and, as usual I don't know how she knows so much about writing period pieces. Maybe is is an older woman...hell maybe she's 200 years old and lived through a lot but whatever the secret she always gives the reader a window into the past. If you like love stories please take the time to read this one."
Numerical Scores given:
Lifeboat, as reviewed Andrew Johns "Reviewer's Note: This story was reviewed by request by another reviewer whose reviews I find myself agreeing with. Based on the historical fiction aspect this tale, I would normally skip this story.
"In Lifeboat, we have the story of a merchant marine that survives his boat being torpedoed by a German U-boat, and manages to haul a young woman from the sea to share his lifeboat. He's tempted by her, but what does he do? Read along to find out.
"There isn't a lot of stroke value to this story, and it's not the story's purpose. Things happen gently, and that's fine for this story. Don't look to this one for stroke value.
"The story itself is interesting. With 3 different POVs telling the story, the reader gets to see various angles of the characters. It's different, and that's a welcome thing here.
"Technically, the story is very well written. The various dialects and thinking patterns of the first voice made for interesting reading.
"Overall, this was a good story, but I'm not a big fan of historical fiction. This did have a good feel for historical accuracy and believability, so that wasn't a major issue this time. I am also not a big fan of spoken dialects, as they sometimes require more brain effort to follow what is being said. It wasn't too bad here, as the story is short. I was tired when I read this, so it was more effort than I wanted to expend to follow those parts.
"Keep in mind those factors when you consider my 'Appeal' score, since I would normally pass on this just based on it being largely historical fiction. The fact that it still scored a 7 means it was well done by the author."
Stroke : 2
"If you're looking for a stroke story, Dancing Lessons isn't for you. This is one of the better and most well written love stories that I have read on Storiesonline.
"The author takes the reader and turn's him or her into 'Andrew' and 'Miss Greta Hanson'the stars of this wonderful story. The story starts with Andrew's first meeting with sixth grade teacher, Miss Hansen, when he is twelve. In the small town she teaches him a lot about the world and some about himself and women non-withstanding her attempts to assist him.
"As the story progresses you see them meeting at his high school graduation then ever few years. The story revolves around her teaching him to dance although the reader will find that is just a way for them to be close to each other.
"I don't want to give away the good parts so you'll just have to read this wonderful stroy and be sure to thank the author, Holly Rennick for giving you a chance to experience something truly wonderful."
Stroke : N/A
Stroke : N/A
Plot : 10
Quality: 10
Appeal : 10
Dancing Lessons, as reviewed on by TheMoose63
Plot : 9
Quality: 10
Appeal : 7
Plot : 10
Quality: 10
Appeal : 10