Mating Rituals (Sentinel zine)

Zine
Title:	Mating Rituals
Publisher:	published by Wild Side Press, distributed by Neon Rainbow Press
Editor(s):	Laura Grigsby and Brigid Morgan
Date(s):	1997-2003
Series?:
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	The Sentinel
Language:	English
External Links:
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Mating Rituals is a slash Sentinel anthology.

Issue 1

cover of issue #1, H. Ann Walton

Mating Rituals 1 was published in October 1997 and contains 152 pages.

• Blame it on the Night by Senta Nahll Jim's surprise for Blair has an unexpected payoff for both men.") (winner of 1998 FanQ) (30 pages)
• Guide Me by Ruby ("Admitting that you love is a first step, and one that's hard for Jim to take.") (4 pages)
• Dead as Dead Can Be by Ruby ("An encounter with a psychic, a séance, and a vengeful spirit leads to trouble and bad dreams for Jim and danger for Blair. Suspense and the paranormal.") (26 pages)
• Carolyn's Visit by Ruby ("Carolyn drops by the loft for a visit with Jim and leaves with a clearer understanding of his relationship with Blair.") (5 pages)
• Never Bluff, Sandburg! by Ruby ("Blair's got some interesting toys, but Jim can't come play, it's poker night. But graduate students have devious minds, and Blair knows just how to make Ellison squirm.") (4 pages)
• Heart Beat by H. Ann Walton ("Jim has a poignant disclosure for Blair.") (6 pages)
• One Night by Khylara ("A post-"Cypher" story. Blair's pretty rattled by his encounter with Lash, and Jim's willing to comfort him.") (14 pages)
• In the Heart by Casey Squire) A post-"Warriors" story. Jim knows what he wants, but he's not willing to act. That is, until his dreams and his subconscious conspire against him.") (14 pages)
• Down and Safe by Paige Aaron ("Blair's on an airplane that has to make an emergency landing. He's okay, but the adrenaline rush is interesting! (7)
• The Realities of Love by Mirenna ("No relationship is perfect all the time.") (3 pages)
• Letting Go by H. Ann Walton (" Death Story. Grab the kleenex box for this one. This is a death story that will haunt you. When Jim's in an auto accident Blair has to make the hardest decision of his life.") (28 pages)

Issue 2

cover of issue #2, H. Ann Walton -- the editors write in the zine's introduction: "Many thanks for Bare-Butt-Blair, he is adorable." Also see photo reference.

Mating Rituals 2 was published May 1998 and contains 136 pages. The cover is by H. Ann Walton and interior art Anja Gruber.

• Sharper Vision by Ruby ("Jim and Blair slowly realizing how much they care.") (9 pages)
• Christmas Wishes by Ruby ("Blair's spending the holidays with Naomi and Jim's home alone, which sparks some real soul searching and more than one revelation when Blair returns early.") (11 pages)
• Blair's Journal by Khylara ("Little did Blair know that a few words scribbled in his journal would lead to the love of a lifetime. (won a 1999 FanQ) (21 pages)
• Possessions by J.M. Griffin ("Jim and Blair's relationship through the eyes of a stranger.") (2 pages)
• Choices by Casey Squire ("Jim's feeling a little unsure about the relationship he's building, but when all hell breaks loose Jim realizes he might lose the most important person in his life.") (20 pages)
• Butterfly Wings by J.M. Griffin ("Jim and Blair babysit a special little girl.") (10 pages)
• Love's Cycles by Wanda and Summer Rain ("Jim's fear forces him to drive Blair away, but the only trouble is, Blair goes.") (12 pages)
• A Simple Shopping Trip by Mirenna ("An alternative universe story. In a world where Jim is an Enforcer (cop) and Blair a Mage, the partners must rescue a young boy from the ignorance of his father.") (25 pages)
• poetry by Khylara and Mirenna

• 

  from issue #2, Anja Gruber

• 

  from issue #2, Anja Gruber

Issue 3

cover of issue #3, K9

cover of issue #3, with an aggressive fig leaf applied in 2021 by an ebay seller, because, well... one can't have naked male skin touching other naked male skin...

Mating Rituals 3 was published April 1999 and contains 213 pages. The front cover is by K9.

• Dimensions of Sight by Ruby ("A post-"Golden" story. Jim and Blair are slowly realizing what they mean to each other.") (16 pages)
• In My Face by XFreak ("A post-"Crossroads" story. Blair's feeling like he's in the way, and he lets Jim know. Now, will Ellison be able to say what needs to be said to keep his guide?") (14 pages)
• Breakfast in Bed by Victoria Bayley ("When Blair finds a surprise while doing the laundry, one thing leads to another... and now he has to confess his feelings.") (28 pages)
• Alternative by Chris J. Ueberall ("A post-Alex story. Sentinel and guide are slowly recovering, but something is missing. It takes a shaman to nudge the pair in the right direction.") (12 pages)
• Together as One by Bast ("A post-Alex story. Jim threw Blair out, but forces greater than sentinel and guide are conspiring to bring them back together again. (6 pages)
• Bouncy Blair by Deana C. Jamroz ("A post-Alex story. Jim's having a bad day, and it only gets more strange when he opens a package sent to Blair. What he finds raises all kinds of questions that he must have answered.") (14 pages)
• Tell Them About It by Pumpkin ("Jim and Blair decide that it's time that they tell their friends the truth.") (12 pages)
• Brand Loyalty by Mirenna ("Jim and Blair are close, but that doesn't mean that they can't get on each other's nerves.") (10 pages)
• Guided Studies by J.M. Griffin ("Jess returns, all grown up, well, more or less. She's 16, a guide, engaged to be married and looking for her sentinel. And she finds her. Now, can they work out the kinks?") (26 pages)
• Spam, Florescent Lighting and Thou by Lori Buschaum & James Walkswithwind ("A parody. Blair really wants Jim to express his true feelings, but he doesn't pick the best route.") (8 pages)
• Abandoned by Rayden Star ("Building a relationship is hard, and it gets harder with bad dreams and bad guys trying to tear you apart.") (48 pages)
• Secret Admirer by H. Ann Walton ("Rafe has a secret admirer, and when he finds out who it is, he's thrilled!") (8 pages)

Issue 4

cover of issue #4, K9

Mating Rituals 4 was published in April 2000, contains 155 pages, and interior art by Anja Gruber.

• Slip Of The Tongue by Teri ("Jim and Blair get a little juiced and one thing leads to another . . . planting the seeds for things to come) (4 pages)
• Best Laid Plans by Teri ("After thinking about their hotsprings vacation, Jim and Blair both come to the same conclusion - it's time.") (crossover with a bit of Tony Hillerman's books and Officer Jim Chee) (10 pages)
• New Visions by Diamond ("A post-"Dead Drop" story. When Blair is almost killed, sentinel and guide both re-think their relationship.") (12 pages)
• Good To Be Alive by Diamond ("A PWP story. After Jim is almost killed, he reaffirms life in a way Sandburg can't help but approve of.") (8 pages)
• Making Up Is Hard To Do by Diamond (a winner of a 2001 FanQ) ("A post-Alex story. Blair is thinking about leaving, but he can't go without setting the record straight.") (12 pages)
• Surfin’ USA by Victoria Bayley ("Jim's attraction is growing, and it finally gets out of hand when he offers a massage after a long day of surfing.") (24 pages)
• His Father’s Son by Chris J. Ueberall ("Jim takes his father home and tries to explain about the twists his life has taken. But that explanation gets the sentinel to thinking, and that, in turn, turns to action.") (13 pages)
• Going For A Ride by Joanie ("A post-Alex story. Blair invites Jim on a bike ride so he can talk to the sentinel about the events surrounding his "death". One thing leads to another.") (10 pages)
• Sentinel Symbolism by Rayden Star ("Blair talks Jim into accompanying him to see an art movie.") (6 pages)
• Sepia Tones by J.M. Griffin ("An explanation on why Simon Banks has an Old West photo of his detectives.") (3 pages)
• Convergence by J.M. Griffin ("An AU story. What if Jim hadn't sought Blair out at the university? What if the Switchman had killed him? What if Jim had a son? What if Blair had a son as well? Find out in this poignant story that touches on a possibility that is very believable.") (5 pages)
• What Is Love by Bast and Shorts ("Jim's ideas about what love is are different. But this is one guide who is determined to teach that love can be beautiful and caring.") (14 pages)
• A Kiss To Build A Dream On by Methos ("A peek into the start of a beautiful relationship.") (7 pages)
• Insecurities Overruled by Bast ("A look into the relationship between Simon and Kix .") (4 pages)
• No More Left To Chance by Shar ("A post-"Dead Drop" story. When Blair is almost killed in that elevator, Jim decides that he can't hide his feelings any longer.") (11 pages)

• 

  from issue #4, Anja Gruber

• 

  from issue #4, Anja Gruber

Issue 5

cover of issue #5, K9

Mating Rituals 5 was published in April 2001 and contains 170 pages The cover art is by K9 and interior art by Anja Gruber.

• Fantasy by Meg Carruthers ("Every boy has his flights of fantasy, but Jim's are wandering off in directions he never expected after Blair starts hounding him for details about his latest "conquest.") (8 pages)
• Christmas Dream Come True by Lee Seibert ("It's Christmas time and Blair is wishing that Santa would bring him something special for the Holiday - namely his Sentinel in nothing but a bow!") (27 pages)
• Hot by Meg Carruthers ("A heatwave has turned the temperature up on more than just the weather. So when Jim catches Blair jerking off upstairs in HIS bed, he just has to push it as far as it'll go, and since it's Blair, it goes plenty far!") (9 pages)
• The First Noel by Duval ("Their Christmas break brings several unexpected twists - a snow storm, a hidden secret, and a Christmas Eve that neither Jim nor Blair will ever forget!") (46 pages)
• Natural Discovery by Bast & Tigermoon ("A camping trip - complete with a skinny dip - turns out to be VERY revealing!") (9 pages)
• Macho Man by Shorts ("Jim and Blair are comfortable with their on-going relationship, but they're still in the closet at work. But a Halloween party provides just the cover they need to dispel some rumors - and start a few others!") (10 pages)
• Second Chances by Lee Seibert ("When Blair is killed by a female Sentinel, Jim has to re-evaluate what his Guide means to him, and their future relationship.") (originally published in One in Ten #4) (16 pages)
• Jungle Love by Casey Squire ("Jim comes home to find Blair suffering from a bad headache. He only wants to help, but his Guide's reaction to his ministrations triggers a reaction in Jim that neither man would have prepared for.") (originally published in One in Ten #4) (22 pages)
• Good Samaritan by Casey Squire ("Jim and Blair decide to take some time and head up to Simon's cabin so they can sort out their new relationship, but a freak storm and an unexpected complication makes that easier said than done.") (originally published in One in Ten#Issue 2 #2) (9 pages)

Issue 6

cover of issue #6

Mating Rituals 6 was published in April 2002 and contains 148 pages.

• Sleepwalker by Melinda Holley ("In the aftermath of his encounter with Lash, Blair is having some problems sleeping, but his subconscious knows where to get help.") (5 pages)
• Unexpected Visit by KAM ("An old Army buddy of Jim's shows up at the loft, but when he wants more than either Blair or Jim are willing to give, all hell breaks loose.") (5 pages)
• Prisoner X Missing Scene by Melinda Holley ("Jim listens to the prisoners' comments about his Guide.") (4 pages)
• Guilt by Melinda Holley ("Jim just wanted a little time to himself, to sort out his feeling for Blair, but the best laid plans are bound to go wrong.") (8 pages)
• Love Me Silent by Amethyst ("After a long day, Jim goes home to the one person who fills him up in every way.") (6 pages)
• Baby Steps by Meg Carruthers ("Steven arrives, inviting Jim and Blair out to dinner and Jim decides he's going to use the opportunity to break the news of his relationship with Blair, but Steven has some secrets of his own to share.") (14 pages)
• Calming the Savage Beast by Melinda Holley ("Jim's in a downright pissy mood, but Blair knows how to fix it.") (6 pages)
• Broken by Garnet ("A poetic look into Jim's thoughts about Blair.") (6 pages)
• Blue Blair by Meg Carruthers ("Jim's been thinking about Laura McCarthy, and Blair decides to erase the memory in his own unique way.") (8 pages)
• Life on the Streets by Lee Seibert ("While doing ethnographic research within the homeless community Blair gets caught up in a gang killing that costs him his memory, and maybe his life.") (winner of 2003 FanQ) (25 pages)
• Before the Night Is Over by Duval ("While on a case, Jim is captured and faces certain death if his Guide can't find him in time. But Blair can't get anyone to believe him when he tells them Jim's in trouble.") (38 pages)
• A Little TLC by Lee Seibert ("Blair's had one very, very bad day, but Jim's home early and has the perfect remedy.") (7 pages)
• poetry by Duval and Khylara, and a filk by Melinda Holley

Issue 7

cover of issue #7

Mating Rituals 7 was published in April 2003 and contains 94 pages.

Summaries from the publisher.

• Love and Change by Meg Carruthers ("Jim and Blair begin to explore their changing feelings for one another.") (5 pages)
• Don't Come a Knockin' by KAM ("Two detectives find themselves in an unusual situation that leads to some unexpected revelations.") (5 pages)
• Bear Hug by Meg Carruthers ("An errand for Sandburg has some unexpected results.") (2 pages)
• Elemental Men by Valaria ("A poetic look at Jim and Blair.") (4 pages)
• Hero by KAM ("Anyone can become a hero, if they transcend hate.") (4 pages)
• A Guide Named Blair by Valaria ("Sentinel meets Dr. Seuss!") (3 pages)
• The Greatest Gift of All by Duval ("As their one year anniversary approaches, Jim and Blair are having problems, but a scare makes them both reevaluate what's really important.") (27 pages)
• Suspicions by Lee Seibert ("As their one year anniversary approaches, Jim and Blair find themselves on the verge of calling it quits. But love is powerful and they know they have more to lose than just a relationship.") (23 pages)
• poetry by Dana Edwards, Khylara and Valaria, and art by Anja Gruber

• 

  from issue #7, Anja Gruber, see its photo reference here

• 

  from issue #7, Anja Gruber