Fandom: LORD OF THE RINGS RPS
Pairing: Elijah Wood/Liv Tyler, implied Orlando Bloom/Liv Tyler, Elijah Wood/Orlando Bloom
Author on LJ: ??
Author Website: ??

Why this must be read:
It's angst that doesn't leave a bad taste in your mouth. Gentle. I like the progression of Liv and Elijah's relationship.


Waltz #2.

Fandom: LORD OF THE RINGS RPS
Pairing: Elijah Wood, Dominic Monaghan/Orlando Bloom
Author on LJ: ??
Author Website: ??

Why this must be read:
It's clever. Final score: Ian and Orlando - 1, Dom and Elijah - 0. But I think they're okay with that. :)



Bizarre Love Triangle.

Fandom: LORD OF THE RINGS RPS
Pairing: Elijah Wood/Orlando Bloom
Author on LJ: deleerium
Author Website: Deleerium

Why this must be read:

Admittedly, the end is a bit schmoopy but everything else is just ... guh. This story gave me a new happy place. And I swear, it's the last thing I'll rec by Dee. :)

T-Shirt.

Fandom:FIREFLY
Pairing:Simon/Kaylee
Author on LJ:Maystone
Author Website:Not yet but soon.

Why this must be read: I love a good story and I love one even more that takes me away from my OTP and shows me the very real possibility of Simon and Kaylee. Not because they were headed that way on the show but because the frienship with a hint of more is subtle but strong within the story written.

Mays does this and also shows a more complete Kaylee. Anyone even slightly obsessed with Firefly knows Kaylee loves her engines, is sweet and likes Simon. This story shows us more. It shows us a woman not seen very often on the show but within character.


And her Mal? Oh she writes Mal like she's been in his head. On character from beginning to middle to end.


"Whoa! Where are you rushing off to?" Mal held her firmly by the shoulders.

"Cap'n, you know I got invited to a dance tonight."

"Uh-huh. And you know the rule: no one comes on my boat unless I meet him."

"But he ain't really comin' on board. He's just meetin' me here, and then we're goin' to the hotel to the dance."

"Well, that sounds mighty unmannered of him. Doctor, don't that sound unmannered to you?" He didn't wait for an answer. "In my day a young gentlemen would come to the young lady's house and meet her father, chat a while, maybe sit and have some cider. That way her Pa could size him up, see if he was marriage material - or see whether maybe he should be gettin' out a shotgun to run him off the place."

"Oh, Cap'n, please! You're not gonna . . ." Kaylee pleaded, suddenly horrified at the possibilities.

"Now this ain't a house, and I'm not your daddy, but I am the captain of this ship where you make your home." He turned her around and set her walking through the doorway. "Let's go meet that young man."


Belle of the Ball

Fandom: SENTINEL
Pairing: Jim/Blair
Author on LJ:
Author Website:
Why this must be read:

"Just Like Coffee" uses a narrative structure that could have been cutesy and trite, but through excellent execution makes it something special. The story progresses from one type of coffee to another to explore the moods and themes of the boys' relationship, from rich dark roasts to sweet light roasts. And it has what may possibly be my favorite line from any fan fic, "God invented coffee so people can drink cream."

Just Like Coffee

Fandom: ROSWELL
Pairing: Jim Valenti; Kyle
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: Dark Labrynth
Why this must be read: This story gives insight into what was going through the sheriff’s head when Kyle was shot. Some of his memories are heartbreaking, so here there be angst, gang.

Excerpt: Kyle was 8. In fact, it was his eighth birthday. He sat at the kitchen table, the model airplane box in front of him. His eyes were bright and he beamed up at his father.

"You're gonna help me put it together, right dad?" he asked excitedly.

"Uh yeah," Jim replied, looking at the gift one of his deputies had picked up at his request. He probably should have asked what it was before he gave it to Kyle. At least then he'd have been prepared. But, like always, he had been too busy to be concerned with it. Besides, there would always be other birthdays.



Priorities

Esprit de Corps by Quercus and G (PG-13)
Fandom: STARGATE SG-1
Author: Quercus and G
Author website: Fanfiction by Quercus
Pairing: Jack O'Neill/Daniel Jackson
Rating: PG-13
Why this must be read:

So rarely in Stargate fanfiction do we get a sense of the wider SGC that the fact that this story concentrates on Daniel's realtionship with his team of archaeologists, linguists and antropologists, is enough to make it well worth reading. Of course, there's a lot more to recommend this particular story.

Esprit de Corps investigates the ways in which the members of SG-1 are tied to each other - and to Jack as their commanding officer. Even a cursory knowledge of Stargate shows the very different ways that Jack interacts and responds to Sam, Daniel and Teal'c. This story offers a credible explanation for how they all bonded so well so quickly and demonstrates these skills in action as Daniel applies the same technique to bring his own staff together. Daniel begins to understand Jack better and the delicate balance between them begins to shift.

This is a superbly written story; the writers contrast a fairly standard Stargate mission with Daniel's gradual understanding and team-building and the both are woven together very cleverly.

( Extract )


Esprit de Corps by Quercus and G

Fandom: STARGATE SG-1
Author website: Eliade's Stories
Author on lj: [Bad username or site: ~eliade @ livejournal.com]
Pairing: Jack O'Neill/Daniel Jackson
Rating: NC-17
Why this must be read:

Lovely, lovely, lovely. Jack and Daniel are stuck on a planet without a stargate millions of lightyears from home and it's just possible that they are 'a thing'. Great writing, great atmosphere to the story (which could have been an almighty angst-fest) and a gorgeous sensuality to the language.

"I think we're a thing," Daniel said.
"We're not a thing."
"I'd be willing to admit it if you were."
"Oh, for crying out loud."
"Would it be that awful?"
"We're not a thing."
"Look around you, Jack." He leaned his scythe against his chest a moment and swept one arm out wide. "Who else do you see?"
I glared at him from under the brim of my cap. "You know that saying, if you were the last man on Earth?"
"Well, this isn't Earth either."
"Rub it in, why don't you." We scythed another minute or two in silence before I spoke again. "The key word there was 'man' by the way, in case you weren't paying attention."
"I think we should be able to talk about these things." He sounded reasonable, but he was saying unreasonable things. Why was that, I wondered, then remembered: because he was insane.

No Man Is Born An Angler

Fandom: OZ
Pairing:Beecher/Keller
Author on LJ: not that I know
Author Website: none
Why this must be read: For my last record I chose the darkest story; darker than Dina's Bound; darker than anything I read; and still hot and despaired and perfect IMO from a characterization point of view. We're nearer from Gemma files than any other author here. Beecher is really crazy and violent and ... It's a nice change. And Chris is both cold, unloving (or so it seems) and obsessed. Saïd plays an important part in this fic.

Read it! It's wonderfully heartbreaking.

( a quote? )

Happy New Year!

Fandom: X-FILES
Pairing: Skinner/Kyrcek Mulder/Krycek
Author on LJ: ratadder
Author Website: the compound
Why this must be read:

A deceptively simple story of Mulder meeting Krycek a few years into the future. It manages to combine touches of humour, with wistfulness, and uses mundane details to give the whole thing a realistic framework that makes it credible.
( Want to know more? )

And Never Brought to Mind

That's the last of my X-Files recs, which I hope you've enjoyed. I really hope you've enjoyed them, since I'm back next month doing Star Trek!

Fandom:FIREFLY
Pairing:Simon/Mal
Author on LJ:Tynantblue0162
Author Website:None

Why this must be read: This deals with a scene out of "Bushwacked" and how it may have had lingering effects on Simon. Mal finds a unique way to help his lover in this story and never has tough love been as hot as it is here. I've read it several times and I find something new to like every time.


"Same dream?"

"Same dream. Inara had a good idea with the hypnosis, but obviously..." Simon sighed and rolled away, hating the desperation in his voice. "I don't know what else to do," he whispered.

Mal grabbed his shoulder and rolled him back. "Don't." He brushed Simon's lips with his own. "Don't do that, Simon. Fear's a right useful thing, but it don't own you." He kissed Simon softly, his tongue easing inside, relieved when he felt the doctor respond. He drew back, settled his body over Simon's, and began to drift off.

"Alliance experiments didn't stop River," he mumbled. "Few dreams 'bout nothin' won't stop you." Resting his head on the smooth chest, Mal slept.


Kenophobia

Fandom: BLAKES 7
Pairing: Tynus/Tarrant
Author on LJ: msmanna
Author Website: The Mannazone
Why this must be read: A sweet little story about why and how Tarrant deserted, in which Tynus comes off as less slimy than he did in canon. There is implied Tynus/Avon in there, which is another of my pet pre-canon pairings and some good explanations of the plot holes in 'Harvest of Kairos'. Then go read everything else on the site. Everything.

Fly-By-Night

Fandom: SPORTS NIGHT
Pairing: Variously, Dan/Casey, Dana/Casey, Natalie/Jeremy, others
Author on LJ: scrunchy
Author Website: 55 Scrunchy
Why this must be read:

Oh my God. It's brilliant, it's painful, it's neat and twisty and WOW. I still boggle at the brilliance of this series of stories.

Like the title says, it's twelve variations on ways SportsNight didn't end. The ways they twist around on one another made my jaw drop.

The second-to-last is the worst, because it's how it did end. How it would have, if the show hadn't been cancelled.

I can't pick just one excerpt from it. I urge you to read it yourself. And not to scroll ahead. Just read, and enjoy.

12 Latin Phrases... by Scrunchy

Fandom: FIREFLY
Pairing:Simon/Jayne, a little Kaylee/River
Author on LJ:Eleanor K
Author Website:ConsequenceFree

Why this must be read: It's a Christmas story and it's almost July! You know, Christmas in July? Anyway. I love the slow buildup of this story and I love Jayne as he is portrayed. I like Mal in this story too and River. Sometimes writing River is hard but in this story it seems right and everyone is happy and there's dancing of the horizontal and vertical kind.


He was never going to be rid of Simon now, and he knew it, so he'd tried to get used to him. Couldn't do it. He couldn't get a grip on the boy. Every time he thought he had him figured out...

Hell, and he'd thought Mal was complicated. Simon was fire and ice. One day he was stuttering with outrage at some joke Jayne had pulled, not able to get a coherent word out and looking so pretty with his face all flushed... and the next day he went and jumped that bounty hunter, took a bullet in his leg and jumped him again. Cool as anything. Jayne had worked with professionals who would have been hard pressed to get up so fast after a wound like that.

Simon pushed. Pushed Mal when any fool could tell it'd be better to shut up and follow orders. Pushed Jayne when he was already so mad he could burst. Pushed like he had no common sense at all.

And then he'd turn around and give Jayne this stricken look like he couldn't believe Jayne had said something like that to him, and he'd do the stuttering blushing thing, and Jayne didn't know how to deal with that.


Noel

Fandom: HIGHLANDER: THE SERIES
Pairing: Methos/Kronos
Author on LJ: kaiz
Author Website: Kai's Fiction
Why this must be read:

*coughs* I must apologize for neglecting my reccing duties this month but RL has been particularly unpleasant. I am therefore going to rec a number of stories in a last ditch flurry of enthusiasm to make up for this.

Degrees of Separation is the finest Kronos and Methos back story you will read. It's believable, its incredibly well written and the relationship dynamic is spot on.

Somehow Kai makes Kronos understandable rather then two dimensional evil while refreshingly, for this type of fic, there is no poor-little-victim Methos either. Instead, you get a wonderful piece of aching melancholy prose which leaves the reader with a 1000 what if's..

Make up, break up, start again. You can see the cycle repeating until we pick it up again in the TV series.

Degrees of Separation

Fandom: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Napoleon Solo/Illya Kuryakin
Author on LJ: kelliem
Author Website: http://kellie.mrks.org/

Why this must be read:

Kellie posted this story so recently that it feels a little awkward to be reccing it already. And then there's the fact that I was lucky enough to be one of the betas. But you know what? It's a damn good story and *I'm driving the van* this month (for a few more minutes, anyway). *G*

I've admired Kellie's writing since way back in the olden days when she was writing (and I was reading) X-Files. Het X-Files. So I'm definitely a fan. However, I think this is one of her best stories in any fandom. Ever. It's certainly among a handful of my favorites. Here's why:

* The characterization and general adherence to canon is wonderful. I recognized these guys from the TV show, which is always reassuring. Like you, I love those guys I see on the screen. I want to see more of them. And here they are!

* The sensuality - There's some fresh stuff here, too, that you haven't seen anywhere else. And oh my God, you won't believe how hot. (Yes, that's all I have to say about that.)

* The situation felt fresh and different to me, and it's a long, satisfying read. You won't find much case stuff here, but you will find plenty to keep you occupied if you prefer your stories plotty. (And also if you don't.)

* As usual with Kellie, there's lots of carefully researched period detail.

* I really love slash stories where the conflict involves a real, legitimate issue for the partners to resolve in their relationship (rather than just a small misunderstanding) and that is the case here.

* Finally, the language. Kellie sets a high standard for herself as a writer and, as a reader, I am grateful. The dialogue is spot on and the internal monologues *sound* right. I would quote some, but I couldn't pick just one piece.

Highly recommended. I know I haven't done this story justice, so I'll let the commenters have a say. Enjoy!

Safe Harbor at the Chrome and Gunmetal Madhouse Archive,

OR Safe Harbor (at Kellie's site)

Fandom: SPORTS NIGHT
Pairing: Dan/Casey
Author on LJ: sabine101
Author Website: you guys are just fucked
Why this must be read:

For my final rec, I leave you with a good old Dan/Casey story. And I do mean good. I can hardly believe it hasn't been recced already. Just exactly why didn't Dan remember he'd been to Spain? And just exactly how did he end up there?

Set in 1993, when Dan and Casey are just young things getting their start in sports. Also? Smoking hot. Seriously.

( they spoke in shorthand )

Euskadi Six Hour

Fandom: POPSLASH
Pairing: Jusin/Nick
Author on LJ: nevha (no used currently)
Author Website: http://shinetheway.fangirlz.net/haven/
Why this must be read:

This must be read, because it's about hot boys and hot cars. What more could you want in life a fic rec?


Speed

Fandom: HIGHLANDER: THE SERIES
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Author on LJ: beccaabbott
Author Website: The Erotic Fiction of Becca Abbott
Why this must be read:

Because it will reduce you to a small gurgling pool of liquid..

The Weekends Series is like a gloriously indulgent and wicked treat. The basic premise is that Methos and Duncan are in a casual relationship and each weekend they play out a different kink. The first part is called 'The Naughty Whore', the second is called 'The Pirate Captive', the third is called 'Fourplay' and the final part 'The Lodge'.

I should mention that the 'The Pirate Captive' features a guest appearance from Jim and Blair of The Sentinel fame and that 'Fourplay' lives up to it's name by involving two delightful OC's. None of this however detracts from the growing relationship between Methos and Duncan.

I should add that the final part, 'The Lodge', which happens to be my favorite, has a strong BDSM theme.

The sex is gloriously hot throughout and yet the characterization of Duncan and Methos remains strong as does the narrative theme throughout all four parts.

Take a change of knickers and enjoy a fantastic romp!


The Weekends Series

Fandom:FIREFLY
Pairing:Simon/everyone (or close to it, no CSI)
Author:The Tenth Muse
Author Website:TheTenthMuse1

Why this must be read: I thought I'd leave this piece of delicious candy for my last rec. It's a challenge story written by the prolific Nancy (who writes in many fandoms and if you read one in a fandom you never read before it can get you addicted) and she takes the idea and runs with it. Total PWP it may seem and it is but then she throws in a little surprise or two along the way.


"Having sex with the entire ship is a smart move!?" Simon shouted.

Without another word, Mal covered Simon's mouth, fingers clamping on his jaw to force open his mouth. Simon tried to yank free but couldn't, Mal wouldn't budge. A leg pushed between his, pinning him. It was a few minutes of useless struggling before Simon gave up, and that was when Mal stopped, leaning back to say, "It's gonna happen if you stay on this ship, Simon."

Wide-eyed, Simon stared up at Mal and whispered, "What do you mean?"

"This is something that happens with everyone new on the ship."

"Not River!" Simon gasped.

Mal shook his head. "No, no, don't worry. Even if she were right in the head, she's too young."

"But...Kaylee?"

Grinning, Mal said, "Remind me to tell you how we met little Kaylee sometime. No, the only ones excused are the Shepherd and your sister."

Simon frowned at him suspiciously. "Inara?"

"And Inara. Says that she'd have to charge us and we couldn't afford her anyhow," Mal explained with a snort.


Six Months


ETA: I had a wonderful and fantastic time rec'ing stories this month and hope to do so again in the future. I really love Firefly and hope I drew some others into giving the fanfic a try. Thanks to all the talented writers out there who made my job easy and fun.

Fandom: HIGHLANDER: THE SERIES
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Author on LJ: None
Author Website: Taterville
Why this must be read:

One of the new 'classics' of the fandom. If you have not read this epic then you have seriously missed out.

Chris writes Duncan and Methos as real human males with immortal attributes. The closely woven plotline snares you very early on and a delightfully well written selection of OC's will soon make you love them.

The story is set post Endgame in Normandy, France. Infact, Chris manages to evoke the French lifestyle so well you can almost taste the garlic. This fic reminds you that the TV series was frequently based in Europe and it is a pleasure to see Methos and Duncan not written as Americans for once.

Oh and there is rugby and an art deco house (which I wish to live in) and some of the sharpest, wittiest, most gloriously real dialogue you will ever read.

Treat yourself. If you read nothing else. Read this.


Phoenix Fire

Fandom: LORD OF THE RINGS RPS
Pairing: oh geez. um... Dom/Viggo, implied Liv/Orlando
Author on LJ: cupiscent
Author Website: Manflesh

Why this must be read:

Crack!Fic. All around good times. And if anybody have ever told me I'd read a gender-swapping Dom/Viggo, I probably would have punched them in the face.

Author's Summary: One day, Dom and Liv wake up to find the world irrevocably altered. This might be the biggest challenge of their lives, and acting careers. And for Dom, it might just be the biggest opportunity he'll ever have.



Plumbing.

Fandom: LORD OF THE RINGS RPS
Pairing: Elijah Wood/Orlando Bloom
Author on LJ: talesinbloom
Author Website: n/a

Why this must be read:

It's a spinoff of Dee's Football universe but it's not necessary to read that story in order to understand this one. It's just hot. I pretty much slept through the eighties but even I could get behind this.

Spirit Hell Week.

Fandom: HIGHLANDER: THE SERIES
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Author on LJ: 3jane
Author Website: Janefic
Why this must be read:

One of those fics which remains in your head for days after you have read it!

This is a gorgeous, shivery piece of writing all from Methos point of view and its a slightly twisted Methos whom I just adore. Jane manages to encapsulate exactly why living for 5000 years would make you a wee bit fractured. Sometimes you just wouldn't want all those memories!

The Duncan in this is wonderfully steady. You can see why Methos is drawn to him.



Three Days Down

Fandom: HIGHLANDER: THE SERIES
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Author on LJ: None
Author Website: Stories by Tessa Rae
Why this must be read:

This is one of the old slash fic cliches. A body-swop fic! In typical fashion for this author, however, she gives us so much more then the standard whoops-I'm-in-the-body-I-lust-after storyline.

Here you get a real insight into what it would be like to actually have this happen as well as how exactly both Duncan and Methos really view each other. The detail in this story is what makes it so successful. That and the usual Tessa Rae adeptness at conveying the emotions of her characters.

A charmingly warm story which avoids all the hackneyed plot devices.


Transposition

Fandom: HIGHLANDER: THE SERIES
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Author on LJ: shrift
Author Website: Shrift's Fan Fiction
Why this must be read:

This is one of the fics I read when I'm in need of the written equivalent of a cuddle and a hot cup of chocolate, with possibly a side order of sexual frisson.

Unusually for Highlander slash fics in this we have a more sexually aggressive Methos, or at least verging on the sexually aggressive. You also get some wonderful twisty Methos thinking and exasperating behavior, a suitably irritated Duncan and some wonderful vignettes between Methos and Joe which are just to die for.

It's a first time fic but it feels more like a holiday snapshot of an ongoing relationship/friendship. The story is set at the end of the TV series and Shrift has managed to capture both the main characters perfectly.

I'm a huge fan of the sun kissed flavour of Lisbon that permeates the first part but I must admit it's the jaw-dropping description of a freshly showered and mostly naked Methos in the second part which lingers the longest with me.

An image to keep you smiling for months..


I Know You - Like Swimming Part I

Swing It Low - Like Swimming Part II

Fandom: LORD OF THE RINGS RPS
Pairing: Billy Boyd/Dominic Monaghan
Author on LJ: glasgow_blue
Author Website: n/a

Why this must be read:
It seems so very much to me to be something that Billy and Dom would do. It's well-written. It's funny. It's something that I know six months from now, I'll be wondering, 'Wait, did that really happen?'

Fair Game.

Fandom: SENTINEL
Pairing: Jim/Blair
Author on LJ:
Author Website:
Why this must be read:

This one is all about my deep dark fetish for strong, hard, military bodies. Blair gets himself hot and bothered secretly wearing Jim's dogtags and Jim catches him. Short, hot PWP.


Dogtags

Fandom: LORD OF THE RINGS RPS
Pairing:Elijah Wood/Orlando Bloom
Author on LJ: buffett
Author Website: Stories by Buffett

Why this must be read:
I think this is one of the first stories I read in LOTRiPS and still parts of it stay with me. I just posted an inquiry the other day in my journal about it. So it's rather fitting, I think, that this be my last rec. I like it so much because Buffett matches a picture to every chapter or perhaps wrote every chapter about a picture. It's a visual aide that's completely unnecessary but gives something more to the story.


fucked*.

Fandom: HIGHLANDER: THE SERIES
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Author on LJ: None
Author Website: CrossWords
Why this must be read:

Because no one else could or has written a hard SF AU in the Highlander universe and got away with it so spectacularly!

This story features Duncan and Methos in a future so different and yet so real you will be amazed. Sharon manages somehow to keep all the basic tenets of the Highlander universe and twist them so as they look completely new.

Yet, with all this novelty her Duncan and her Methos remain recognizable and in character while we get novel takes on Amanda and Joe which are equally as perfect and fantastically imaginative.

If you like SF and you like Highlander you will seriously adore this series. The sheer breadth and scope of Sharon's creativity has me open mouthed with awe. She is at present writing the follow up to this story and I am on the edge of my seat waiting for each new installment.

Read this fic and really see why fanfic can be so much more then the TV series which inspired it.

I only wish the owners of Highlander would get Sharon to write the new mini series!


Specter

Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: Blair/Jim
Author on LJ: http://www.livejournal.com/users/cesperanza/
Author Website: http://www.trickster.org/speranza/
Why this must be read:

Jim is repressing things again (raise your hand if you're surprised) to the point that it literally makes him sick. As with everything Blair guides him through his past, his role as a Sentinel, and his own emotions as he gradually learns to accept himself and where he and Blair are going. This fic has pretty much everything going for it. Dead on characterization, careful and captivating exploration of Jim's Peru time, expansion of the Sentinel-Guide mythology, delicate and interesting take on Blair's power in their relationship, and amazing sex.

Armchair

Fandom: HIGHLANDER: THE SERIES
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Author on LJ: elistaire
Author Website: Taterville
Why this must be read:

It's the weirdest damn story you will read in this fandom..

No, I mean it!

It's a Gathering story and while they are never the easiest to read this stands out for the incredible hopeful quality it has to it.

There isn't really much more I can say other then read it.

I'd lay money on the fact you'll never forget it.



Proofing