Fandom: THE O.C.
Pairing: Anna/Summer/Seth, Anna/Ryan
Author on LJ: lalejandra
Author Website: None that I know of
Why this must be read: Because lalejandra makes Anna into a real girl, because the sex is scorching hot, because wouldn’t you have trouble choosing between Seth and Ryan?

Hello, I’m Pouncer and I’ll be your O.C. driver for May. Ryan is my favorite character, because I love seeing him suffer and I adore his fashion sense (see icon), but I adore the rest of Newport’s residents as well. My recommendations will include slash, het, and gen, so you should hopefully find something to your taste along the way.

This series starts off with Anna and Summer conspiring to give Seth the Best Christmas Present Ever, then moves on to Anna’s dilemma as she realizes Seth might not be the one she wants. Lalejandra imbues Anna with an outsider’s observational skills and make her into a girl who notices and ponders the reality of the teenagers who surround her. The writing has humor and insight and sadness and heat in just the right places.

An excerpt, after Anna has broached the topic of what to give Seth for Christmas:

"No. I was thinking that we should --"

"No comics," interrupted Summer firmly.

"No, no comics," agreed Anna. "Us."

"Us?"

"Yes. Us. Together. For his Christmas gift."

"Us. Together. Like, together together, or just. Together?" Summer raised her eyebrows.

"Like, together." Anna raised her eyebrows back at Summer.

"Sure." Summer shrugged. "He'll die and go to dork heaven."

Dork Heaven
Hell
Circumstance

Fandom: The West Wing
Pairing: Joey/Donna
Author on LJ: julianlee
Author Website: The Thwarted Invasion
Why this must be read:

Julian Lee is obviously a gifted writer, and this short, lovely fic is a perfect example of her talent. She deals with the idea of Joey and Donna in an established relationship deftly, so it doesn't seem jarring. It just seems right. Not to mention the credible, entertaining, and semi-rambly Donna POV, and the overall loveliness of the relationship the two characters have. Julian writes about love without dragging it down with sap, and that's a beautiful thing.

There are also two follow-ups dealing with some more of Joey and Donna's relationship that come just as highly recommended. You can find them at her site. But, of course, start with:

Dots and Dashes Like Thunder by Julian Lee.

Fandom: Pirates of the Carribean
Pairing: Gen
Author on LJ: firesignwriter
Author Website: Firesignwriter’s PoTC Fanfiction
Why this must be read:

Why to read this fic? Well. . . because it’s damn funny, that’s why. Without a doubt, this story features one of the most charming (and original!) protagonists I’ve yet to meet in a piece of PoTC fanfiction.

The watchman looked from him to me and back again. "Your name, sir?"

"Sadly. Jack Sadly."

I stomped his foot in protest. He slapped me again, hissing.

"What brings you to Port Royal, Mister Sadly?"

"Ahhh..."

~I got nothin'.~

Brown eyes snapped to me, suddenly intent. "Entertainment," he declared swiftly. Hands gestured in a grand sweep that resolved on yours truly. "For the happy couple."

"What matter of...entertainment?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm an ass charmer."

A Fine Pirate Ass

Fandom: POPSLASH (NSYNC)
Pairing: JC/Lance
Author on LJ: none that I'm aware of.
Author's website: taken down. This story is hosted by Synchronik with her permission.

Hi, I'm Sandy the Older, your popslash rec'er for May. This month I'll be kickin' it old skool.* Every story written and posted before the hiatus (before April 28, 2002 when *NSYNC played their last concert together to date). Before solo albums and solo projects and Broadway and Britney and Justin's break-up. Back when you couldn't swing a three-legged cat into a teen magazine or US or People or the Enquirer without reading about *NSYNC.

Why this really should be read:

One of the first popslash stories I ever read. Even before I liked *NSYNC. To give a brief, irreverent, intro:

on IM, Friend: I bought Celebrity today. I like *NSYNC, don't hate me.
Me: Hahahaha, Lance Bass! Junkie rentboy whore! Hahahaha!
Friend: Wha?
Me: Oh, it's this nsync slash story I read. Heh.
Friend: People write slash about *NSYNC?
Friend: ...
Friend: Give me that URL right now.

Two months later, we were both writing popslash.

Stay the Night is a gripping AU about, well, Lance Bass, rentboy junkie and the john who reluctantly falls for him. To quote Em's introduction: Lance is a hooker. JC is lonely. And this ain't Pretty Woman, y'all. A story very much worth your time.

Stay The Night.

synchronik has written an authorized sequel which is linked from the intro page and a remix of sorts as well. Both stories are worth checking out as well.

*A reference to the very funny Simpsons episodes where *NSYNC guest-starred and every single one of Joey Fatone's lines ended with "OLD SKOOL!" Like, "Those wacky crustaceans will sting you OLD SKOOL!"

Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Author on LJ: Not that I'm aware of
Author Website:Glorybox
Why this must be read:

Monica became one of my favorite writer in Highlander very early. When I found the Domesticity series (no, it's not a series about Duncan and Methos doing the laundry to quote Monica) it was up to part 5. Monica left and came back to the fandom to write the last part of the series in 2001.

( Domesticity series )

It's a witty tale, it's a hot PWP, it's part horror story, it's part romance. That's the beauty of Domesticity for me.

"Funny that for a time I wouldn't trust Methos with my friendship, but I never once stopped trusting him with my life. " - Duncan TDS-1

Comments?

Domesticity series

Fandom: BLAKE'S 7
Pairing:  None
Author on LJ: No
Author Website: http://homepages.tesco.net/~N.Faulkner/blakes7/index.htm
Why this must be read:


This is a brilliant reinterpretation of the events of the Star One story arc, plus answers to various questions left dangling by canon. It's one of those stories that takes canon and puts a different interpretation on the events, completely changing the meaning of what you see in screen.

( more details about the story )

The story has a hard sf tone, with some discussion of the cyber-engineering that's relevant to the story, although I don't think it goes too far in that direction for those who don't like techie talk. There's also an exploration of politics and the structure of the Federation woven smoothly into the story. This story takes a good hard look at the political dimension often ignored in fanfic (and canon, for that matter). As someone who likes both character neepery and heavy political discussion, I'm enchanted with this story.

One word of warning - by its very nature, this story is a major spoiler for the story arc that dominates the end of season two.

The story was first published in Star Three (still available at the time of writing), and is now available online in the Hermit library.

The Wit and Wisdom of the Dead (first page of 8)

The Wit and Wisdom of the Dead (whole story on one page)

Fandom: CSI
Pairing:  Grissom/Lady Heather
Author on LJ: not that I'm aware of.
Author Website: Typhoid and Swans

Hi, I'm soo and I'll be your pimp for the month of May. This month, I thought we would try something a little different. I love Greg/Nick, Catherine/Nick & Grissom/Sara but this month I'm intending to focus on the myriad of other couples (slash and het) and a few gen stories thrown in for good measure. So without further ado, I give you the first story.

Why this must be read:

This was the first Gil/Lady Heather story that didn't involve bashing of Grissom and/or Lady Heather or turn Lady Heather into a weepy little girl. So for me this was the story that led to the Grissom/Lady Heather obsession.

This story picks up right at the tail end of Lady Heather's Box and deals with the aftermath of the warrant debacle. The characters are spot on and doing what they do best. Grissom is clueless and uncomfortable in dealing with people and their feelings. Lady Heather pushes Grissom to open up to her.


Old Dogs

Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: Jim and Blair (although this story is gen, not slash)
Author on LJ: No
Author Website: Fidus Amicus
Why this must be read:

To me, a well written story is a well written story, whether it be slash or gen.

Fidus has given us a nice long (177.5k) story filled with angst, hurt/comfort and a damn fine plot. The story begins three months after Jim's memorial service (don't worry, this isn't a death story). Jim and Blair have been torn asunder, this is their story of how they work themselves back to each other.

The rating of PG-13 is because of the angst.

Link: A Soldier in the Rain.
If your system can't handle big files, this story has also been broken down into two parts: Part One, Part Two.

Be sure to leave feedback for the author if you enjoyed the story.

Fandom: ANGEL (crossover with BTVS)
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: neonhummingbird
Author Website: seanachais

Why this must be read:
Hello, I'm happy to be your crack van driver for Angel during May. Like I did for BtVS last month, I'll try to vary the pairings and tone, as well as rec old and new stories--but I am going to mostly rec slash for Angel. This story is one of the exceptions.
This short gen piece is on my list of favorites because it's light-hearted, and Perri captures the voices of the characters on both shows, while subtly sketching in the plot as details emerge from the exchanged messages. The story is a few years old, and at the time I first read it, it was the first story written in e-mail format that didn't make me want to stop reading in frustration.

techsupport@demon.com

Fandom: KNIGHT RIDER
Pairing: Kitt/OFC (Not a Mary-Sue!)
Author on LJ: N/A
Author's Website: elfin productions

Why this must be read:

For the first recommendation, how could I possibly choose anything other than elfin's "Soul Survivor"? This HET story is the one that hooked me into the fandom... the one that hooks most fans into the fandom. Heck, it's practically a tradition! As one of the Top Five authors of Knight Rider fic, all of elfin's works are superb -- in every fandom she writes for, of which there are many.

But this story in particular is a heart-wrenching tale, so beautifully depicted it can't help but capture your attention and hold it fast. Yes, there is an OFC, but she is in no way a Mary-Sue. And even if she were, the story itself and the deep bond elfin develops between Michael and Kitt would more than compensate. It's so good, it's won four Edwards Awards: Best Story, Best Dramatic Scene, Best Romantic Scene, and Best Longtimer Story. Go, read! (And remember to feed the author!)

Link to Story: Soul Survivor by elfin

There is also an NC-17 sequel, called Lattiece Requiem, if you're in the mood for more.

Fandom: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E
Pairing: Napoleon Solo/Illya Kuryakin
Author on LJ: ellessaretta
Author Website: Yes, at: http://www.geocities.com/elfstone810/index.htm . Her fiction is also available at the MFU archive, File 40.
Why this must be read:

Hi, I'm kelliem and I'll be your Man from U.N.C.L.E. driver for May 2004. I'll let you know up front that I'm primarily a slasher, so most of what I rec will be slash, though there are some gen recommendations I plan to make as well. I don't read the het side the fandom, so I'm afraid you'll have to rely on someone else for those recs.

My first rec is one of those gen pieces I mentioned. This is a priceless little story, which despite being nearly a parody, has on-target characterization and a plot that could almost have been an episode. I could hear the dialogue in my head as I read, always the mark of an author with a real love for the characters. It also happens to be funny as hell. It's published as part of an online zine called "Taken to the Cleaners".

Without further ado:
The Lost Innocence Affair by Loretta Ross.

Hope you enjoy it!

Fandom: X-men comicverse
Pairing:  Emma/Bobby, Emma/Scott
Author on LJ: cherryice
Author Website: Cherry Bombs
Why this must be read:

Hola. My name is Zeelee and I'll be your X-men comics reccer for the lusty month of May.

It was really a challenge to pick just one story of Cherry's. I love all of her fic, especially her spot-on characterizations of Emma Frost, one of my favorite characters. The reason I went with this story is that I feel it sheds quite a bit of light on recent canon events that seem to come straight out of the blue.

The complicated relationship between Emma and Scott and Jean, and the purpose behind Emma's actions is explained through Bobby's eyes when he finds out about Emma and Scott. It's dark and cold, just like Emma herself, and the imagery is fantastic, as is the case with all of Cherry's fic. I love everyone's characterization in this piece; it's a scene that I really would have liked to see in the actual comics.

( Excerpt )

Spent Casings

Fandom: The Fast and the Furious
Pairing: Brian/Dom
Author on LJ: khaleesian
Author Website: Reflections in the Inward Eye
Why this must be read:

Because it's a fun and well-written first-time story, set during the first movie. This author has a fabulous take on both Brian and Dom's characters, portraying a tenser, more even-powered relationship than often gets written for these two. The story centres around an impromptu night-time race, and khal is something that weirdly rare for the fandom - a writer that actually knows about cars and driving, as well as driving in Los Angeles. She gives us a cool, realistic backdrop for Dom to brood in, weaving in the sex and relationship stuff easily.

Brian was using every intimidation tactic in the book to try to get over on Dom. His engine was roaring and he weaved from one side of the road to another in an effort to pass. He was doing everything short of tapping Dom's rear bumper. Dom dared a glance into the rearview and just managed to see the lower part of his face. Brian’s lips were pursed, pressed together. He almost looked as if he were trying not to laugh.

Madrugada