Heh, I don't think I've read The Panther and the Lioness! I have read others by Valenque, though, and totally agree with you.

The "Old Classics" got me into the fandom in 2004. I had very mixed feelings then about reading fanfic, LOL. I enjoyed The Fire and the Rose, but had trouble with Pawn to Queen, that pretty much squicked and fascinated me at the same time, and it wasn't a nice fascination, either *snerk*.

Thanks for pointing out Anogete and Delayed Poet. I've put them on my to-read list.