Fandom: ANGEL
Pairing: Fred/Gunn, Connor/Justine, Wesley/Lilah, Cordelia, Angelus
Author on LJ: viola_dreamwalk
Author Website: FF.NET page
Why this must be read:

"People Undone" is a series of loosely linked character studies. The process of "undoing" that Viola explores with each character in turn is, in a way, the flipside of that Buffyverse obsession, "becoming." This story chooses a moment, at the end of season three, when every character is in a state of uneasy transition from his or her previous self. The only missing voice is that of Angel himself (appropriately, as he is lying at the bottom of the ocean), although we do get a glimpse of how his alter ego, Angelus, views events.

This passage, from the only first-person section, goes into Lilah's voice as she observes Wesley:

( He may hate the game. . .but it lets him pretend )

People Undone

Fandom: FIREFLY
Pairing: Mal/Inara
Author on LJ: Maystone
Author Website: "The Incurable Disease"

Why this Must be read: Maystone is one of those Firefly writers that make it seem easy. She writes a Mal that is flawed and angry but capable of great tenderness. Her Inara is interesting and insightful. In this story you can see what Joss was possibly trying to do with their relationship.


( Excerpt )


Story

January drivers are needed in the Lord of the Rings, The O.C., The Professionals, and West Wing fandoms!

In February and beyond, drivers are needed for Hornblower, Lost, OZ, and Sports Night fandoms.

Sign up here to help out. Thanks!

Fandom: LOTRIPS
Pairing: Dominic centric with various of the fellowship
Author on LJ: mirabile_dictu
Author Website:NA
Why this must be read: mirabile_dictu has her own fabulous niche in the lotrips fandom, she writes excellent future fics, The Amateur Naturalist is no exception. The extensive detail is lush. The love depth and flaws of her characters is nothing short of brilliant. The Amateur Naturalist, is a roller coaster ride of the heart, and a four dimensional look into and at the characters, so go and enjoy this long luscious read.

( excerpt )

The Amateur Naturalist

{{{Huge apolgises for the end of the month recs, I should have passed, but I couldn't say no, was to excited to rec...either way I hope you enjoy the coming recs}}}

Fandom: LOTRIPS
Pairing: Sean Bean/Viggo, (Orlando/Sean)
Author on LJ: widdershin
Author Website:NA
Why this must be read: AU, or alternate reality. Sean a businessman has to make some ‘sea changes’ on orders from his doctor and ends up owning/managing a small bookstore. I was lucky; this was the first Sean B/Viggo fic I read, and WOW. The plot, the dialog, the characterization is all spot on. No doubt this story will pull on your heartstrings, the sweetness, the angst, the humor---I highly recommend & it is perfect read for a cold winters day. Note: widdershin is writing a sequel ‘Chapter & Verse’, but ‘A Note in the Margin’ is complete and can, does stand on it’s own.

( excerpt )

A Note in the Margin

Fandom: LOTRIPS
Pairing: Elijah/Billy
Author on LJ: shaenie
Author Website:Mindless Entertainment with Absolutely No Redeeming Features
Why this must be read:First Shaenie wrote this, and I as much as I love all her work this stands out as a true gem, and one of my absolute favorites. This is angst at its very best. The push and pull of the characters, their inner voice and conflict, it’s painful, but absolutely beautiful to read. Shaenie captures the depth, and messy emotional human complexity of Elijah and Billy’s friendship turning into something more. A definite must read.

( excerpt )

The Only way Out is Through

Fandom: HOUSE
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: mayatawi
Author Website: zippos and safety pins
Why this must be read: This story is one of the best reads in the fandom! There's lots and lots of snark and House/Wilson friendship, spot-on characterisation, and a highly readable medical-thriller plot. This is the good stuff.

Safe From Harm: Part 1, Part 2

Fandom: STARGATE ATLANTIS
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard, McKay/Brendan Dean
Author on LJ: smittywing
Author Website: Smittyworld
Why this must be read: Technically, this is a crossover with the movie Thoughtcrimes, but you don't need to know anything about it, except that Brendan Dean was Joe Flanigan's character. I liked Thoughtcrimes and I love SGA, so it was kind of a given that I liked this story as well. And I seem to be a sucker for Harlequin romance stories (this story was posted in response to the Harlequin challenge in the sga_flashfic community). Rodney McKay meets John Sheppard, who looks exactly like Rodney's dead lover. What's not to love about that? ;-)

The Brendan Hypothesis

I am back! I am going to drive again the crack_van for MFU next month but, as I will be on vacation during the first week of January, and probably unable to update my LJ on my hosts' PC, I am allowed, as compensation, to post my two first recs today and tomorrow, before my leaving for the snowy countryside.

Fandom: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Napoleon/Illya
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Unknown

Why this must be read:

Again I start my recs with a Jane Fairfax story. But, very, very different from the first one, except for the talent, style and sensibility.

This is a first time story; an emblematic and examplary first time story, with Napoleon and Illya isolated in a closed space (a boat, the open sea, no wind in the sails, the stars for witnesses). To sum up the situation, we have a shy and over repressed Illya, a shrewd but caring Napoleon, a romantic background. With this fairly trite and conventional ingredients, the clever author manages to concoct a powerful elixir, capable to command the reader's feelings and to curb any cynical reservation.

And we are only too willing to submit ourselves to the spell of romance; isn't it a pleasure to watch Illya slowly approached and tamed by a Napoleon in full seductive mode? Besides, everything sounds perfectly right, every move (always seen through Illya's eyes) is likely and understandable; the moods, in Illya's mind, are changing like the clouds in the sky, but are noted with subtlety and accuracy.

This relatively short text closes up with an interrogative: "The End?" Alas, I don't know any sequel.

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