Fandom: STARSKY AND HUTCH
Pairing: Starsky/Hutch
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: unknown
Why this must be read: This quote is not only a good summary for the story, but it is also a very good rule to live by: “Don't ever go on vacation with a guy you work with.” (You know, unless you’re in love with him and making with the wild monkey love. ;)

“You are crazy. You have to be," Starsky groaned. "A two-bit, one-horse town like this, an' you reckon it's interesting? Listen, I oughtta have you committed, you know that?"

Merlin’s Keep





This story was originally printed in NIGHTLIGHT, published by Amapola Press in 1986. This zine is still in print and available from Lionheart Distribution: http://www.lionheartdistribution.com/starskyhutch.htm

Fandom: BTVS
Pairing: Giles/Xander
Author on LJ: realmitzvah
Author Website: Archived at http://www.dymphna.net/ucsl/archive/q-r.html#r

Spoilers: Season 6

Why this must be read: My last rec (Glossolalia) was savoury; this one is sweeter. Hands Clean is the second story of a trilogy that starts with Stay A Spell and ends with Hands On DIY Project for Beginners. (The first two parts are PG-13; the third one is NC-17. Read them all.) Like soft_princess said, this is one of the best G/X stories ever written.

Hands Clean

Fandom: STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MENACE
Pairing: Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan
Author on LJ:
Author Website: Via Pumpkin's Slash Patch
Why this must be read:
From the "I don't want to die a virgin"/"Virgin Sacrifice at Dawn" challenge cycle on the Master_Apprentice listserv in 2000, in "The Death Trap Test" Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan have a . . . rather unusual reaction to the news of their impending demise in the course of a routine stress management examination.
Read it for 1) The angsty sweetness and 2) the horrified/horny reactions of the council as they watch the exam. Augusta cleverly negotiates between parody (of the many other "die a virgin"/"virgin sacrifice at dawn" challenge respondants) and smutty romance making this fic funny in a deliberately cliche/over-the-top way, while retaining a sense of emotional continuity and realism.

The Obi-Wan here is still a padawan and (qusi-)underage, FYI.

Excerpt:
"Stop this, we must," Yoda exclaimed in annoyance.

"Stop this, we cannot, and you know it," Mace told him. "We've sat here and unwittingly watched a master KILL his padawan, and you would, if you could, interrupt the test rather than see Qui-Gon kiss his?"


The Death Trap Test

Fandom: Lotrips
Author: Kamil
Author website: Kamil's Mellifluous Malefactions
Pairing: Orlando/Viggo
Rating: NC-17
Warning: The occasional rampaging hobbit

Why this must be read:

This is another eternally fresh first time between Orlando and Viggo. It's set during the filming of LOTR and has Orlando's point of view as their first encounter is told in flashback. In just a few paragraphs, Kamil neatly conjures up a convincing group dynamic and shared history which explains and provides a solid background for her story.

This is a lovely piece; it's sweet and very funny in places and altogether has a fresh charm which makes it one of those fic that you read and reread just for the warm fuzzies. And the sex - don't forget the sex.

I especially like how Orlando watches and lusts after but fails to see what's actually happening in front of him. The moment when he realises is wonderful.

( When Viggo had asked him for pointers with the bow, Orlando had been more than happy to oblige. Putting his arms around the man, showing him how to hold the wooden shaft just so, flex his fingers around the string like that and feeling the hard solid line of Viggo pressed tight all along his body – and he never flinched away, seemed almost to lean into the contact – and what the hell was Orlando supposed to think? )


Genesis by Kamil

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: Remus/Sirius

author's website: Achromatic
musesfool

Why this must be read:
Because it's damn funny. During the early days of OotP, with all the gang at 12 Grimmauld Place, Molly Weasley decides that Fleur Delacour just isn't the right person for her son Bill, and decides to try her hand at a little matchmaking. Wackiness, as they say, ensues.

Featuring a v. amusing deluded Molly-voice, embarassed, exasperated Bill, and a little hot Sirius/Remus action, this is a fun little romantic comedy interlude from all the Book 5 angst.

Mother Knows Best

As with the Trek fandoms, we've now combined the Star Wars Trilogy and Phantom Menace fandoms into a single franchise category. We're still looking for a May reccer, so sign up HERE to pimp either or both of these fandoms!

Also, last call for Everwood and Man from UNCLE, which will be going on hiatus if we have no takers. Sign up for them and all other fandoms HERE.

Thanks!

Fandom: HORNBLOWER
Pairing: Horatio/Archie
Author on LJ: marzilla
Author Website: Cori Lannam's Fan Fiction
Why this must be read:
Stories set in and around the movie "Retribution" naturally tend to be fairly dark in nature due to the tragic turn of events. An Unnatural Condition is no fixit but rather a story that transpires off screen utilizing an unusual and extremely provocative point of view on those events, that of Captain Hammond. Hammond's uncompromising and seemingly cold-blooded perspective on events is fascinating to see all the more because as an outsider he perhaps sees things more clearly than the other characters in the story including Commodore Pellew with whom he shares the story. Cori makes excellent use of this secondary character whose presence and words in this story have striking resonance with the later movie "Loyalty." It's a striking story, sad and unsentimental, and a reminder of the harsh demands made upon the officers in His Majesty's service.

An Unnnatural Condition

Fandom: STAR WARS EXTENDED UNIVERSE
Pairing: Luke/Mara
Why this must be read:

I am taking shameless and early advantage of the mod post earlier today stating that Star Wars would now be one rec category in order to rec my very favorite piece of fiction. Yes, my favorite story of any fandom, any pairing, het or slash is the modestly titled "Stuff." This novel length fic takes place in an AU after the Zahn trilogy. This replaces the sudden Mommy!Mara of the latter Zahn books with a tenuous siblings-in-arms/buddy pairing. This is a Luke who gets a bit too morose and wrapped up in his own importance while secretly longing to be back in his pod racer wreaking all manner of un-Jedi-like havoc, and a Mara who doesn't let him get away with hiding behind his title and accomplishments to avoid his true nature and desires. However, the emotions of the story are never rushed and the romance isn't exactly the focal point. Rather their relationship slowly (very slowly - novel length fic) develops during a trade run to a rim planet where Mara's foster family ties and old Empire politics set the stage for a few unexpected adventures. I have a lot of trouble buying domesticated/maternal Mara - "Stuff" presents Mara as a tough, capable, no-nonsense smuggler walking on the edge of violence and morality. This fic does a tremendous job of working through the delicate power struggles between Luke and Mara (both very strong personalities), has excellent emotional and character continuity and creates intense and detailed alien cultures - overall an amazing acomplishment. Don't expect a traditional romance ending - but do expect to find happiness in surprising places.


Stuff