Fandom: Star Wars
Pairing: Obi-Wan Kenobi/Anakin Skywalker

Author on LJ: corialis
Author Website: Sadly, none I could find.

Why this must be read: I gotta say, generally not a fan of the crack-fic, unless it's totally and utterly silly. Crack-fic porn generally just makes me all cold and serene and rather annoyed that someone's wasted good space in fic-verse when they've could've actually written hot sex between these two kids. That said, this is a shameless little PWP, including stripper!Anakin to boot. But here's the kicker: it's ridiculously hot. Anakin's being an ass and begging for it, and Obi-Wan decides he might, in fact, give it to him. Alley!sex included, free of charge. It's humerous, it's told from the point of view of a very flustered Obi-Wan (and the voice is rather convincing), and the sex is hot enough to melt. What reason do you not have to read this?

Excerpt:

And if that wasn’t blatant misuse of the Force, a small voice in the back of his brain contributed, he didn’t know what was, because it was definitely not humanly possible to bend like that and undress at the same time.

(Paved With Good Intentions)

Fandom: THE PROFESSIONALS
Pairing: Bodie/Doyle implied
Author on LJ: brenk
Author Website: Writing - Hobby or Obsession
Why this must be read: Sometimes a story comes to you from a friend. This one amused blandine to no end, so I had to read it because she got me interested in PROS. And it amused me too. The boys find a list lying about and aren't quite sure what it means. This is a short humourous piece that pokes good-natured fun at the Alternate Universes (AU) we put characters into. The story's almost a work of meta because at times it seems like the characters are discussing the ideas as "characters" (if you follow me), and other time they're convinced the women in the typing pool have been up to no good. And the ubiquitous Murphy seems to know entirely too much about what's going on here. One final thing: I'm pretty sure that (almost) all the AUs on the list have been written by someone, and that's definitely food for thought! *g*

( Excerpt from The Art of the AU )

Read the story on LJ: The Art of the AU
Or on the website: The Art of the AU

Let the author know you enjoyed it.

Fandom: THE PROFESSIONALS
Pairing: Bodie/Doyle
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: stories available at the Circuit Archive
Why this must be read: The premise of this story is sweet. Not cloyingly sweet or saccharine sweet - it's just touching in a way. There's a bit of magic in it (perhaps), or a bit of outrageous coincidence, but it works here.

The story starts with Doyle trying to figure out why his partner's been moping. (Not moping, says Bodie.) Once Doyle makes the connection, he offers the only gift he can think of - three wishes - hoping that Bodie will wish for the relationship they're both wanting. Except neither of them wants to take the first step. However, as is the way with wishes made in haste, nothing turns out exactly as expected. As in all good fairy tales there's a happy ending, although the sex scene seems almost unnecessary at the end, but I love the bit about showing their real selves to one another: "I told you before, I want you. Stop it, Ray. Stop changing on me. Be you, or I'll go find another bed with another stranger." You'll have to trust me with this one - it's a bit surreal at times, but it's well worth reading.

I'm off for the Thanksgiving weekend (Canadian, you know)!

( Excerpt from If Wishes Were ... )

Read the story: If Wishes Were ...

Fandom: BUFFY
Pairing: Angel/Buffy/Faith
Author on LJ: faith_delivers
Author Website: My Dark Life

Why this must be read:

Okay, so apparently I'm into threesomes this month. I didn't realize I would be, but when the threesomes in question are writing gold, you go with what you've got!

faith_delivers is a relatively recent addition to the Buffy-ficcing world, and therefore, you probably haven't discovered her yet, and therefore, you most definitely should. Now, some folks out there write fluff, and let their characters breeze through their problems, and get away with too much; and there are folks who wallow in angst, and torture their characters until they break, and it looks like there's no way to heal them. I can find arguments for either side, and I'm happy to read both types of fic, but what I really, truly appreciate, is when someone finds a balance between the two. I believe faith_delivers has not only found that balance, but she understands it. She knows when to give her characters something they need, and when to let their lives get messy and complicated--and best of all, she does both at once.

In "Boomerang", Buffy and Angel are together. But just because they're soulmates, true loves, whathaveyou, doesn't mean that their life is perfect, or that they're not lacking...something. When Faith comes to visit, the dynamic between the three of them twists, changes, and becomes a bit darker and a whole hell of a lot more doubtful about that "happily ever after" stuff. faith_delivers gives strong, fast-paced prose, with a first-person, present-tense Angel POV that works.

( exerpt )

Boomerang

Fandom: SPORTS NIGHT
Pairing: Dan/Casey (sort of...)
Author on LJ: lordessrenegade
Author Website: Lordess Renegade's Fic
Why this must be read:

Lordess Renegade calls this 'pre-slash', but it could just as easily be Dan/Casey friendship. The most important thing is that it's sad, beautiful angst from two of the most angst-ridden guys ever to star in a sitcom. Set immediately after Isaac's stroke, one thing this fic does perfectly is really emphasise how much of a family the entire 'Sports Night' team are.

( excerpt )

Tell Me A Story

Fandom: LOTR
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: jenlittlebottom
Author Website: fanfiction.net profile
Why this must be read:
"Thirty-one Kings of Gondor in the Third Age, from Meneldil to Earnur. And thirty-one Queens to match them, but only two are ever named. Who were these women, these Queens and mothers of Kings?"

This series of drabbles is a wonderful use of the form. Jen gives each queen a distinct voice and personality, even though she may be unnamed.

Voices of the Forgotten