March 20th, 2004 
12:14 am The Laurel and the Rose series by Cimmerian Willow
Fandom: HORNBLOWER
Pairing: Horatio/Archie
Author on LJ: [livejournal.com profile] cimmerianwillow
Author Website: Vinegar and Sugar

Why this must be read:

There are many long stories in this fandom but few approach the scale of CW's epic romance series The Laurel and the Rose, which follows Archie and Horatio's relationship from Ferrol to England, to, believe it or not, outer space. CW has a great range and switches between angst, humour, sexyness, creepiness and other moods seamlessly, and although her technique of switching between first and last names can sometimes make it seem as though there are four people in the room, her dialogue is delightful and her grasp of the characters is excellent. With loads of (rather hot) sex but loads of plot and character moments too, this is the story to turn to when you just want to revel in just how sweet and lovely the boys are. Also contains the most bizarre crossover in Hornblower fiction you will surely ever read and is worth a look just for that (not in the least because it actually works).

An excerpt )

The Laurel and the Rose Collection
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08:26 am The Driving Me Crazy Affair by Patti Ellis (G)
Fandom: MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: Not that I know of
Author Website: None. As far as I know, this is the only story of hers that is online.

Why this must be read:

This story is something different than I've recommended before, because it isn't a partnership story. Although Napoleon appears in this story, he isn't central to what's going on here. This is an Illya character piece, plain and simple - and one that knocked my socks off. Patti takes the All-American obsession with personal freedom and material possessions, and juxtaposes it against Illya's socialist sensibilities. The end result is a delightful examination of one man's struggle to reconcile his ethics and world-view to the new society in which he now lives.

But don't be alarmed - it's not a heavy-handed examination, either. The author's touch is light and the story is leavened with the same self-mocking awareness that permeates the show itself.

read an excerpt )

I hope you enjoy this story as much as I do.

The Driving Me Crazy Affair
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10:54 am Sinner's Grove by Martha (NC-17)
Fandom: STARGATE SG-1
Pairing: Jack/Daniel
Author on LJ: [livejournal.com profile] soulcake
Author Website: http://www.skeeter63.org/~soulcake/
Why this must be read: Sinner's Grove is one of the most disturbing, beautiful, deeply emotional stories I've ever read in this fandom. I recommend it for several reasons: it deals with the aftermath of a scenario that's all too possible, but remains untouchable on the show; it shows us that Jack does have a breaking point; and it gives us a Daniel who is strong and knows how to weather traumatic events. Martha deftly zeroes in on the heart of the emotional devastation produced by the events depicted in the story. The story is very dark, but hopeful, in the end. If you are sensitive to certain things in fan fiction stories, please read and heed the warnings.

Excerpt from Sinner's Grove )

Sinner's Grove
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10:55 am Reveille by shalott (NC-17)
Fandom: STARGATE SG-1
Pairing: Jack/Daniel
Author on LJ: [livejournal.com profile] astolat
Author Website: http://www.intimations.org/
Why this must be read: This story is a terrific example of how a writer can take an old cliche and turn the scenario on its head, thereby producing a fresh new take on things. I have always felt that this is the perfect double-cliche romp in the fandom. It's hot, it's funny, the characters sound very true to the versions we see on the show, and did I mention it was hot? On top of all that, there are some poignant moments, too.

Excerpt from Reveille )

Reveille
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11:30 am Gifts for your Gift by The Grrrl (NC-17)
Fandom: STARGATE SG-1
Pairing: Jack/Daniel
Author on LJ: N/A
Author Website: http://www.geocities.com/coffeeslash/thegrrrl/
Why this must be read: I go back to this story when I need a break from angst. It's a happy story. Jack and Daniel are in an established relationship here, but they are still learning about each other, moving through some awkward moments as they find their way through new territory. The story is a progression of scenes -- at home, on base, offworld -- as Jack and Daniel fall deeper into each other and create new boundaries. I loved the way even the most ordinary of moments become temptations; the characters are discovering things about each other in unexpected ways. There are some lovely, subtle moments of realization. And also, some scorching hot sex. And great dialogue.

Excerpt from Gifts for your Gift )

Gifts for your Gift
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11:36 am Erotica from the Edge, by Devo (NC-17)
Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: http://enook.net/hl/devo/devo.htm
Why this must be read: All of Devo's Highlander poems are wonderful; angsty, funny, always sexy and just beautifully written.

This particular set of poems is inspired by [livejournal.com profile] elynross's story "Over the Edge," (recced in February by [livejournal.com profile] anglopollyanna ) in which Methos takes Duncan to an erotic poetry reading at a club where the audience does more than just sit and listen. 8-) Devo has given us some of the poems read there.

----------

was it sweetness you were expecting?
this is the real deal
dripping driving quick succumbing come
come cucumber quumquat coney island hot dogging
tramp, slick with salty acerbic wisdom and wit and withholding nothing,
bring it
on, baby! bring it all on

tonight.


----------

And don't leave Devo's site without reading "Trust," "Why," and the mirrored pair, "Adam is My Strange Beloved One, and In A Dark Mirror."

Erotica from the Edge
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11:45 am Muses from Hell, by Suze (R for language)
Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: Duncan Muse/Methos Muse/Amanda Muse
Author on LJ: [livejournal.com profile] suzecarol
Author Website: http://slum.slashcity.com/suze/
Why this must be read: When I say "metafiction," I mean that in a good way.

" I don't try to explain the voices in my head, I just let them talk -- and bitch, and moan, and whine." -- Suze

"Muses From Hell" is the first in a series of twenty-six -- what are these, anyway?

They're stories in which Our Heroes -- chiefly a very snarky Methos -- come out of Suze's Muse Closet to look over her shoulder and carp about the story she's writing about them. They're thinly disguised recs of other stories. They're a funnier way for the writer to let off steam when the writing just isn't coming than throwing things at the walls. They're commentary about her own stories, other people's stories, and HL slash in general. And they're funny as hell.

Listen to the Muse from Hell )


Muses From Hell
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06:31 pm Dancing Drunk by Teanna
Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: CJ/Toby
Author on LJ: not anymore
Author Website: Roadkill
Why this must be read:

This is an unhappy, complicated story that's lovely nonetheless; it examines CJ and Toby's relationship - in all its forms - in jagged snapshots scattered over the years. It deals mainly with the gut-wrenching reality of Season Two, the year that started with Josh and the President getting shot and ended with the MS scandal. Teanna draws some suprising parallels between the two.

Through it all, they have each other. Each other, and the specter of Toby's ex-wife hanging over them. And they're never kind to one another. Teanna shows us just how unkind.

an excerpt )

ETA: And. The link.

Dancing Drunk
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09:05 pm Berrying the Past by Hellesgift, rated R
Fandom: The Sentinel
Pairing: Jim/Blair
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: seems to have vanished but her TS-stories are available at the 852 Prospect archive
Why this must be read:

Usually it's other stories of this author that are recommended more often so I decided to concentrate on this one. The summary says "Jim and Blair go for a walk in the woods and down memory lane" and that's pretty much what the story is about.

I like it because it never fails to capture me with it's dream-like quality. It's like having a slow walk in the woods on a warm summer day. Time doesn't matter for a few hours, you relax and simply enjoy your surroundings. That's how this story makes me feel - good.

It shows a little of the dry humor Jim shows in the series, something I miss way to often in fanfiction and I simply can't resist a story that has a line like this: "Sandburg, how the hell do you think sentinels survived if they were allergic to every damn thing in the forest?"

Berrying the Past
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10:56 pm Steamy Conversation by Em_Meredith (PG-13)
Steamy Conversation by Em_Meredith (PG-13)

Fandom: ALIAS
Pairing: Sydney / Weiss UST
Author on LJ: [livejournal.com profile] em_meredith
Author Website: Under the Sink
Why this must be read:

Steamy Conversation and its companion
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11:16 pm Turning Tide by Em_Meredith (PG-13)
Turning Tide by Em_Meredith (PG-13)

Fandom: ALIAS
Pairing: Sydney / Weiss UST
Author on LJ: [livejournal.com profile] em_meredith
Author Website: Under the Sink
Why this must be read:

As the companion to Steamy Conversation, the author once again eloquently captures the dynamic of Sydney and Weiss, but this time, their bubble bath isn't so innocent.

"Weiss?"

"Yeah," he says again, staring intently at her bathrobe, which is lying on the floor.

"You're quiet tonight."

Weiss drops her hand and pours himself another glass of wine. He takes a long sip before answering. "I'm not sure where this is leading, Syd."

She suddenly feels very naked. She's been nude in the same room as Weiss a million times now, but she's never been so aware that only a few small bubbles are concealing her body from him. She's hyperaware of every inch of skin that peeks above the water and every inch that's hidden just below. They've been in this situation more times than she can count, but she's never felt vulnerable before.

"I don't --" she starts, but he cuts her off before she has a chance to feign ignorance.

"The way I see it, there are two reasons why you're doing this. Either you're pissed about Vaughn and you think that seducing good old Eric will make you feel better, or you've forgotten entirely that I am, in fact, a man. I hope it goes without saying that neither of those options is very appealing to me."


Turning Tide
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