Welcome 2016! And here to kick off the new year are January's terrific Members of the Month -- Tennessee Whiskey and Peonies01!

Tennessee Whiskey - Author of the Month

What draws you to the Caryl ship?

It took me a few seasons to pinpoint what it is exactly, but I think I have narrowed it down to two things - Firstly, call me crazy, but I LOVE a slow burn.  I love that slow progression and I crave the little moments.  I swoon over a look or a tiny conversation and I pretty much die when we get a big moment like the reunion hug.  I'm surprised I'm even still alive after Consumed.  An entire Caryl episode - best thing ever!  The second thing is that I root for the underdog.  Who would have ever thought at the start of this show that Carol and Daryl would become one of the most popular ships on the show?  Daryl was the sex symbol right from the start.  In a more traditional love story he would have ended up with Andrea or Maggie, but they didn't go there.  Instead he's totally in love with Carol (right??) and it's just perfection.  Whether or not they ever go Canon - their story has been and continues to be beautiful and I will watch and root for them until the end. 

Who are your writing influences?

I honestly don't know that I have any significant influences.  I have a lot of writers that I enjoy, but I don't think they necessarily influence my style.  I very much just go with the flow so to speak when I write.  I don't even really know that I have a style yet - I'm still figuring things out.  But just to give you an idea of what I like to read I can throw a few names out there - Ellen Hopkins (if you have never read her work I highly recommend it.  She's a YA author, but I adore her unique writing style and how each story has a twist), Diana Gabaldon, Dan Brown, George RR Martin, Dean Koontz and Nicholas Sparks. 

How do you handle writer's block? 

I haven't had an issue with this yet that I know of.  But I do find that I like to start new things frequently because I have so many ideas and I love the high of starting a new story and seeing what people think of it.  If I feel like I'm losing reader interest in a story (whether it's true or just my perception) I will start something new to get excited again.  I suspect as I write more I might find writer's block popping up from time to time so I will probably hit up youtube and watch Caryl videos and hope the feels get my juices flowing again. 

Anything you want to say to your readers? 

I am honestly in shock right now.  I didn't expect to win this ever, let alone so soon.  It blows me away that people sit down for a few minutes to read what I write.  I am so grateful to those reviewers who take the time to let me know what they thought.  I would love to bestow you all with awards for doing that.  It means so much.  To all of you who voted for me - I don't know how I can ever express my gratitude other than to promise to keep writing and hope you continue to enjoy reading it.  There are so many incredible authors out there and so many amazing stories.  The fact you are even reading what I write is very humbling and inspiring. So thank you a million times over.  Happy New Year to everyone.  May 2016 be your best year yet.  Caryl on!  And bring on Valentine's Day.

Peonies01 - Reviewer of the Month

What draws you to the Caryl ship?

"I cannot fix the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation.  It is too long ago.  I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun."--Jane Austen, 'Pride and Prejudice'

This quote pretty much sums up my feelings.  I binge-watched Seasons 1&2 right before season 3 started.  I loved Daryl and Carol's closeness and similar backgrounds, but where I went off the deep end (literally) with this ship was when Daryl stabbed the floor with Carol's knife right before he rescued her.  His angst during that scene made me realize how special their bond is and WTF, why haven't I realized I've been shipping it all along??  I've shipped various pairings in other fandoms over the years, but NOTHING has held my fascination like Caryl.  I think the canon relationship has SO MUCH potential to be wonderful.  I only hope tptb do it half the justice all of you wonderful fanfic writers do them.  Which leads me too...

What do you look for in a story to keep you reading?

Characterization is the primary driver.  If I can't "hear" Daryl or Carol speaking, thinking or acting a certain way in a story then it won't hold me.  I've read high school stories, cross overs, westerns, sci fi etc. that I've absolutely loved because the author is writing with Daryl and Carol's voices in that setting.  Lately, I've been obsessed with non-zombie AU stories because of my frustration with the show.  But I love Season 1-3 fics with farm and prison stories as favorites.  Another smaller quirk of mine is that the story can't have too many grammatical and spelling errors.  They become too distracting after a while and I'm forced to stop.

What are your top five favorite Caryl stories?

This question is impossible to narrow to 5 because different moods strike and different favorites will emerge. This list is by no means exhaustive and it's not in any order, but I've tried to pick some Nine Lives Categories as a guide:

Oneshot:  In the Night Garden by EleanorK.  This is a gorgeous one shot at the prison.

Season 2/3 Interlude:  Tethered by SamiWammy.  I love, love this story.  I mean love.  Slow-burn at it's finest! 

Season 5:  Arrows and Roses by Rhinozilla.  651 chapters?  All of them amazing. I mean every word is brilliant.  A must read.

Alternative Universe #1:  Broken Mirrors by Ramblinrose. As this was being written, I had a crazy obsession with this fic.  I've read it 3 more times in its entirety since it's been completed.

Alternative Universe #2: If It Helps by Sweettooth.  This is such a beautiful and compelling story.  One of my favorites for certain.

McReedus: All That And A Bucket of Chicken by Three Little Kittens. This is a fun and smoking hot story!  I loved it all the way around!

Anything you want to say to all the Caryl authors out there?

I don't review as often as I should, but I am so grateful for every word you write.  Thank you for writing such amazing stories for all of us hopeless romantics!!  Caryl on...Always!