Round 1, Match F results!

Just like two weeks ago, it's very clear that although the final vote ends up a little lop-sided, the stories were a lot more evenly matched than the tally suggests!

• Judge 1: I loved story number 1 so so so much!! I would buy an entire book based on that one excerpt! I need to know what happens next!! So well written and expressed and it drew me in I was so sad when it ended!!
• Judge 2: Both stories had great pacing and a wonderful sense of suspense. But I'm going to have to go with story 1 as the hotter of the two! The promise of Eldrin's punishment certainly left me all hot and bothered.
• Judge 3: Whew, this is a tough decision. I followed the advice, read each story - stepped away, came back today to read them again and I'm still torn. Each story is unique, well written and both leave me wanting more, which is a good thing. Story 1 has a paranormal, fairy tale quality to it and Story 2 is very much contemporary. Neither story is particularly erotic, but that's ok - my interest was still piqued. I see potentially more questions to be answered with Story 1, so my vote is for Story 1.
• Judge 4: I love how varied these stories are! Both stories were very evenly matched. Both had a solid story line, and both made me want to know more. If I was forced to pick one story,I'd give it to story 1 - because I'm a bit of a sucker for magic in stories. But it's really only by a hair - the second story was the more emotional read.
• Judge 5: Interesting that both stories had an element of dreaming or mystery. I liked how both drew me in, making me wonder what would happen next. It was close, but I'm voting for story one because it left me wanting to see more. Is love to know what her punishment will be. Well done to both authors.
• Judge 6: Wow! A tough choice - both stories are interesting and unique. My vote goes to Story 1. I liked the descriptiveness of the potion store and the mystery of what was to come.
• Judge 7: Oh wow. Two incredibly descriptive and powerful stories. Both drew me in very quickly. The first created a dream-like haze, where magic is real, and anything can happen. When the decrepit old man transforms and his hands lay claim to her with the threat or punishment, alarm turned quickly into excitement. The second story, too, created a rich atmosphere. Each step closer to the destination ratcheted up the anticipation and mystery, and in the moment they first see each other, the emotions were beautifully portrayed. The last passage was especially endearing, confirming that love knows no boundaries. A very tough vote to cast, but my vote goes to story number two.
• Judge 8: Both stories were great once again. However, since I can only pick one, I chose Story 7. I liked the mystery of the story and the promise of a punishment.
• Judge 9: My vote goes to Story #2. Story #1 got off to a great start, and I can definitely see how if you were into spanking, you'd find it hot. The characters are well written as well. Story #2 had good character development and foreshadowing. You just knew the partner in the house was going to be worth meeting. I liked the ending. It was snappy and different. Both were so good that I had trouble choosing. Good work, authors!
• Judge 10: Both stories contain a mysterious element, and both elude to a certain romance overtone. Both were a pleasure to read, but if I had to choose which one may just tingle my senses just a little bit more, it'd have to be number one for it's hint of naughty punishments to come in the story.

Story 1: 8 votes.

Story 2: 2 votes.

Adaline Raine goes through into Round 2, where she will face Justine Hollander! A huge thank you to JS Morbius for contributing Story 2, and another one to the fantastic judges who are really making this thing go by taking their job so seriously, and making thoughtful decisions accompanied by even more thoughtful comments!

Round 1, Match D results!

This round was much closer than the final tally indicates, I think, as the comments reflect. Both stories garnered a very great deal of praise!

• Judge 1: I have to say that I am impressed each round by the quality of the stories. This round, once again in only 500 words, each author has painted a vivid picture of a scene that's easy to visualize and fall into. I've been the guy under the bed in Story #1, so I had an immediate affinity to that story. I loved the dialogue between the student and her 'jailer'. This is a well crafted 'little story'. Story #2 grabbed me by the xxx with the first sentence. I could almost hear the whoosh of the whip and I could clearly envision her reddening skin. Story 2 moves along with a quick pace and I was primed and ready by the conclusion. This story was well written and pulsing with heat. I vote for Story #2
• Judge 2: I'm voting for story 2. I really liked how it started in the present time and then walked you back through the events of the evening. Very nice and very steamy content.
• Judge 3: Story two was delicious. Opening with the traditional ending made it so much enticing.
• Judge 4: This is so exceptionally difficult. Both stories are hot as hell, both kinky. I'm going to, however, vote number 1 for that extra little bit of naughty school girl that appeals to me.
• Judge 5: I found story one hotter in the threat of a spanking. I agreed with the boyfriend under the bed, I got all turned on by just the idea of it.
• Judge 6: Story number 1 made me hot and bothered AND made me giggle and laugh outloud!
• Judge 7: Love both of these stories! So unique and creatively written, as all the submissions have been. Story one is sweet and funny, and the added twist of the hiding boyfriend in the end adds to the sexiness, but my vote goes to story two, for the sensual undercurrents and deeper passion that it invoked.
• Judge 8: I would like to first say, both of these stories were amazing. I had a very tough time deciding which one I liked better. But, after consideration, I choose Story 2. I loved how Anton guessed Lily's secret desire to be a submissive and boy did he fulfill it. Great job! :-) Story 1 was great too. I loved how Chrissy almost got caught and hid her boyfriend under the bed. Sneaky girl. :-) 
• Judge 9: Both stories were unusual, written in the present tense. I think they were a good match for this round. I would vote for Story 2, as "hotter," because of the tense, charged interplay between the characters in the flashback. I like the way they communicate. Story 1 has a lot of fine elements as well, particularly the way Chrissy's inner thoughts are presented. Good work by both ladies!
• Judge 10: Damn! They are both so good. I hate having to pick. I think they both should move on! The first one is funny and sexy! I loved it. The second one is very hot. If I had to pick, I'll go with two for the hot quotient.

Story 1: 3
Story 2: 7

Tara Crescent, the author of Story 2, goes through to the next round, where she'll face Kiki Howell! Many, many thanks to Livia Grant for contributing the wonderful Story 1!

Round 1, Match C "Results"

Well, I think these past two "matches" provided us with hot stories, even if the competition in them wasn't really real! Kiki's mystery opponent was Phoenix Johnson, who wrote the terrific Story 2.

Here's what judges said:

• Judge 1: Wow! Can I just say I'm happy I don't have to vote between these two stories! They are both great! Loved the little twist in the second one - a dream come true. Actually, a dream come true in both because a whole new world would be great too! ;)
• Judge 2: The second story is great. It's so deep and entertaining where less is more. 
• Judge 3: Both excellent stories, with interesting twists. I found the first story hot in the main part because it had sex in it. It was quite creative, and almost mysterious with its paranormal aspects. The second story was so clever! I loved the way the characters related to each other; it was very romantic. And the surprise at the end was delightful. Good work, writers!
• Judge 4: Well, well...both these two stories were entertaining reads. I'm a big paranormal fan and the mystical aspects of Story 1 cast a spell on me from the opening paragraph. I like the idea of forbidden lovers using their powers to thwart their enemies. Story 1 also had plenty of sexual heat to go along with the magic. Ah, Story 2. This story took me on a roller coast ride of emotions; despair, lust and at the end an expected surprise. I greatly enjoyed how the passion between the couple was woven into the story. I did not see the ending coming. Kudos to the author for keeping us guessing to the very end.
• Judge 5: I adored both stories. Both were impeccably written. While story one was thick with desparate passion and desire, story two was a love story at it's core, with an undercurrent of lust always smoldering skin deep and a union that will face any obstacles that life throws them, together.

Just to formalize it, then, Kiki Howell goes through to Round 2 and will face the winner of the upcoming Match D, for which I've now loaded the stories, in this post on the stories blog (it will go live at 1am Eastern US time, on Saturday 6 December). Judges, you've had a holiday from those tough decisions, but it's time to return to duty!