Summary: When Joe goes through old memories, it dawns upon him that he hadn’t really considered the how different his oldest brother’s childhood was from his own. With the help of a few old trunks of treasures, Joe learns more about Adam’s past and how, despite their distinct upbringings, they both share a history that will forever be intertwined.
Word Count: 2,820   Rating: G

Summary: Instead of excitement and joy over Adam’s imminent return from school in Boston, unexpected emotions and personal fears leave the Cartwrights struggling in their welcome. This story is comprised of chapters told from a family member’s POV.

Rating: G

Words: 26442

Summary:  In honor of all mothers who are still with us in person or in spirit, Bonanza Brand presents this Mother Day’s compilation containing the work Inca, MonicaSJ, faust, Southplains, Krystyna, Patina, DJK, and Sibylle–authors who responded to the 2012 Pinecone Challenge prompt:   “Mama died today…”  from The Stranger by Albert Camus.  These wonderfully creative writers had to limit their entries to under 500 words.  The stories are presented in the order of posting.

Rating: T Word Count:  3,880

Adam’s last weeks at college back East have him dealing with accolades, accusations, rivals, revenge, and possible expulsion.
Rating: Teen for mature references Word count: 7,942

Early one morning, Ben finds a baby left at the kitchen door of the Cartwrights’ home. In Sacramento, meanwhile, Adam and his family receive devastating news.
MA/R  For language, violence, and graphic descriptions of physical abuse of a minor
WC  91,159
Bloodlines Series

Summary: This prequel is set a few weeks before Adam’s departure for school.  A simple request to pick up Little Joe from a neighbor’s home where the little boy is playing, ends up bringing Adam into a world of confusion over what’s going on with the wife of his father’s oldest friend.

This is the first of 2 prequels, the first taking place in the weeks before Adam left for college, and the second story showing his return. Both take a fun, yet serious look at how the Cartwright family faces problems.

Rating: K    Word Count:  26419

Summary:  The latest in the Home is the Sailor Series
Rating:  PT   Words:  134,000
Part of the Home is the Sailer Series, links included within.

Summary: It was just an April Fool’s Day prank gone wrong.
Rating: General    Word count: 897 This was written in response to a forum challenge.

Summary: Marie wants a party, but it doesn’t end as she hoped. However, the man who caused the party to end finds his plans don’t go well at all either.
Rating T  Word count 2,698

This is a collection of vignettes written for some pinecone challenges in 2012.  Each challenge was generated by the first line of a novel.  The quote and source are used to title each piece.  They have a broad range of themes, and some are AU. 

Summary: A young librarian in Virginia City shares her story through her diary, including being smitten with one of the Cartwright brothers. This story has been incorporated into the Captain Cartwright/Home is the Sailor series. However, this is the original story. 

Rating: G, Word Count: 4824

Summary: A Cat and Hoss teach a hard-hearted boy about love and forgiveness.
This piece started out as a pinecone in August 2023, then I developed it a bit more into a short story.
It was also inspired by a story I heard on the radio long ago.

Rating: T  Wordcount: 2,228

Summary: Whether on land or sea, the North Star offered guidance to a young dreamer. Now it offers comfort and points to home for another young dreamer. 

Rating: G, Word Count: 4676

Summary: This is an adaption of the Big Valley episode Boy Into Man, S2, E18 written by A. I. Bezzerides

Rating: G, Word Count: 6976

Summary: This is a sequel to A Shadow Calling with the same OCs. A tragic experience from a decade earlier has consequences for the Cartwright family and triggers memories and fears until the threat is faced. It is a story within a story, and both tales are told.
T  12,921