Fandom: VERONICA MARS
Pairing: Logan/Weevil
Author on LJ: fox1013
Author Website: http://www.innergeekdom.net/
Why this must be read:

Fox is one of the most prolific multifandom authors around, and sadly, she only has a handful of Veronica Mars fic. This, like her rest, is spot-on brilliant. Hot, yes, but the characterization of Logan is amazing. Fox understands Logan's character the way it seems half the fandom does not, and it shows. And really, with this pairing? You can never fail at bringing the hot.

Also, thank you for having me around! I had fun driving the van, and wish only that I could rec even more, for I have a LOT of links. ;)

The next time he saw Weevil, six minutes after he should have been in calculus and Weevil should have been off doing whatever bicycle gang members who couldn't pass algebra did, he didn't know what to say, so he insulted (in order) Weevil's grades, his friends, his grandmother, and his sexual prowess. In response, Weevil insulted his dead mother, his asshole father, and his lack of real friends, and then slammed him against a locker.

Almost Famous

Fandom: VORKOSIGAN UNIVERSE
Pairing: Gen; mention of canon m/m
Author on LJ: shusu
Author Website: Red for Pleasure

Why this must be read:
This story won't mean much unless you've already read the novel Ethan of Athos, and probably Cetaganda, too. I was predisposed to like it because it features a reluctant Ivan thrown into a hot situation. I also like that it's gen, rather somber in tone, and yet it's got enough action to be exciting.

The Talent of Imose

Post on LJ with detailed author's note

Fandom: VORKOSIGAN UNIVERSE
Pairing: Gregor Vorbarra/Mark Vorkosigan
Author on LJ: stakebait
Author Website: the diamond edge and tangled threads

Why this must be read:
( This is a completely spoilery rec, which is why I am cutting it. Those who prefer story warnings should read it even if you hate spoilers. )

Losing Sleep

I've really enjoyed driving the van for The Sentinel this past month. I hope some of you have found great stories you've missed before. And maybe some new fans have decided to give our Jim and Blair a try. Here's my last rec and I've been saving a special treat.

Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: none (gen)
Author on LJ: saffronhouse
Author Website: Good Morning Sunshine
Why this must be read:

I'm not usually a fan of horror or the occult, but for some reason I love it when things that go bump in the night come after our guys. Horror and the supernatural are genres that mix well with The Sentinel. Super senses are made for seeing past the surface and a shaman is tuned into other planes of existence. Even in canon visions, spirit animals, and a ghost make an appearance.

Martha is one of the treasures of Sentinel fandom. Here she tells a classic tale starting with the minutiae of normality. When odd things start happening at first Blair thinks it's stress or that he's imagining things. When the horror becomes undeniable can Jim's strength and Blair's faith in his Sentinel save Jim's soul... and Blair's life?

Read an excerpt from Snake Oil

"Shut up, Sandburg," Jim said softly and without anger. He leaned back against the orange crates. "I know you did your best, but this has gotten away from both of us. It's my fault. I knew I was slipping. I knew I was dangerous. I just didn't want to believe it."

"Jim, no."

"Here, take my cell phone. Call Inglewood and get them to send an ambulance. Be sure and tell them I'm dangerous, liable to be violent. Then call Simon. He can meet me there and fill out the paperwork. There's no reason for you to go. I'm afraid it won't be very nice, Chief. Just go home. Finish that paper of yours."

Blair felt his face growing hot. His stomach rolled sickly. "No! Jim, no, absolutely not. You're not crazy, and there's no way in hell I'm going to let you commit yourself. Do you hear me? You are not crazy. And you're not dangerous, not to anyone else, least of all to me."

"I tried to kill you."

Snake Oil

Fandom: ANGEL
Pairing: Liam/Francis; Liam/William; William/Drusilla
Author on LJ: deborahmm
Author Website: Distorting Mirrors
Why this must be read:


This is an AU...or is it? Liam is a psychotherapist working with a troubled and cocky client who seems to think he's, well, a vampire. Though Liam has a good life with a partner who loves him, he cannot stop thinking about the unstable and arrogant William. As he attempts to treat William through his delusions, he begins, without any sort of rational explanation and with increasing danger, to find William's fantasies very familiar.

deborahmm weaves a fascinating tale of obsession. Her use of canon characters in their AU roles plays out believably against a background of relationships breaking down past repair. The same lure of horrified fascination that draws in Liam preys on the reader's sensibilities in the best kind of shiver-inducing way. William's determination to get what he wants poses such genuine intrigue and threat to Liam that readers may find themselves simultaneously anticipating and dreading the potential outcomes.


Deja Vu


If you enjoy the story, please remember to send the author feedback.

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: Harry Potter/Luna Lovegood
Author on LJ: _fullofgrace
Author Website: museinmotion
Why this must be read: This fic isn't like most of the fics I've read about these two. It's part past, part present. It's about History Repeating Itself. It's about two different mothers but one situation and the ability for things to happen differently the second time around. An excellent fic.

Countdown

The first week of school took over life, and now I have to play catch up. There will be several posts today.

Fandom: VORKOSIGAN UNIVERSE
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: philomytha
Author Website: None that I know of except LJ

Why this must be read:
A dark, sad Simon story, this one is worth reading.

Lost

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: Hermione Granger/Voldemort
Author on LJ: sionnain
Author Website: sionnain_fics
Why this must be read: This is a piece that is not only about knowledge, but it is about understanding. Something about this clicked for me - the way Hermione progresses, her reactions to certain things, the way you watch her go from what could have been the end, to a new beginning. Most definitely 'R'.

( excerpt )

Illumination

Fandom: STAR WARS PT
Pairing: Mostly Gen, with Palpatine/OFC, Valorum/OFC, & Anakin/Padmé
Length: 138,000 words
Author on LJ: l_lyons_bailey
Author Website: LL's Fanfiction.net Profile

Why this must be read:

I finish my recommendations this month with this gem of a fic. This story sets out to do what I thought was impossible--redeem Palpatine!

Wait! Don't click on through your flist! Hear me out first. This fic is worth it. I promise.

George Lucas said something very interesting in an interview once. He said that all villains think they are the good guys. Vader certainly thought he was doing what was right, even if he was really lying to himself. Even Palpatine thought he was doing what was right and necessary to bring about peace.

And therein lies the potential for salvation.

You may not like Palpatine any better once you finish reading this story, but you will begin to understand why those closest to him wanted to save him. He does truly horrible things in this fic, and the author does not attempt to excuse or explain away his actions. But you will understand and have compassion for his advocates.

( More about the fic, with slight spoilers )

This fic can be slow paced at times, with a great deal of dialogue and political maneuvering, but it also has its gripping action scenes. The slow pace is deceptive, for many things are going on behind the scenes that are only fully revealed later. The reveals are usually quite startling and satisfying all at once. Character voices are mostly spot-on, and the only quibble I had with one person's characterization was resolved by the end of the fic. This is the most unusual and the best Revenge of the Sith AU I've yet read. Highly recommended.

* * *

( Excerpt )

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (TFN Version)

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (FFN Version, revised)

ETA: LL has chosen to remove this fic completely from the web. If you follow this link to the author's FFN profile, she does give the option of contacting her for a copy, which I urge you to do.

Right! I'd like to end the month with a little Hodges love, as the Hodges fans bring the snark like no one else. I had a lot of fun reccing this month, and I hope you all enjoyed the fics.

Fandom: CSI
Pairing: Hodges/Greg
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: none
Why this must be read: As the summary reads, "It's like Cinderella. Only with alcohol and hair gel."

Take one assholeish trace technician. Add a newbie CSI with a vast collection of rock t-shirts. Drown them in booze, and you've got some lovely, non-schmoopy, unexpectedly hot Greg/Hodges. Go forth and worship the hilarious one-liners, the return of fun!Greg and Hodges as an "I'm so drunk" drunk. And send love to the author so she'll write more fic!

They helped each other up the stairs, and Greg was ecstatic that they’d made it in record timing. Hodges was excited about it too.

“We are so fast!” Greg squealed as he tried to unlock the door. “We should like, run marathons.”

“Drunk!” Hodges contributed.



And with that, Hodges began stripping.

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: Sirius Black/Remus Lupin
Author on LJ: krabapple
Author Website: grimmauld_fics
Why this must be read: Lets start off saying this is AU, set during Prisoner of Azkaban. Lily and James were betrayed before the charm was cast, and everyone has their suspicions on who the traitor was. This is a fic about how a war can tare people apart, and the kinds of accusations that can fly when tension is high. It's about finding the truth, even if it hurts.

( excerpt )

Mischief Managed: Part One, Part Two

Alright, guys, thats it for this month. Hope you liked at least one of them.

Fandom: VORKOSIGAN UNIVERSE
Pairing: Taura/Unnamed Man I Assume Is Roic (but also could be considered gen)
Author on LJ: mamadeb
Author Websites: mamadebfic and Debra Fran Baker's Notebook

Why this must be read:

A bittersweet Taura story, set post-Winterfair Gifts, this made me sniffly. I've always wanted to know more about Taura, so I was pleased by the character's prominence in that novella. Here's a story if you want a little more.

Lies

Vidder: Luminosity & Sisabet
Musical artist: T-Bal and BJ
Pairing: Angel/various
Vidder on LJ: sockkpuppett & sisabet
Vidder's website: Luminosity's Vidworks & sisabet.com
Why this vid kicks ass:

Just start imagining Angel saying " 'Cause this is my West Hollywood lifestyle, whatever!" and you'll know at once why you should watch this deservedly famous vid.

Angel: the series has some fantastic humorous and campy moments (as well as more dramatic scenes that can be read that way), and this vid takes its pick of the best. Luminosity and Sisabet arrange very well edited and hilarious-in-context shots and clips (including Angel in chains or restrained, sensitivity-training!Angel, naked Angel pouncing on Wesley, Angel and Lindsey giving each other the eye, and Angel dancing like a maniac), recasting them into the makes-perfect-sense scenario of Angel as a cruising, bitchy West Hollywood guy.

Whatever

Fandom: VORKOSIGAN UNIVERSE
Pairing: None except canon; this is Gen
Author on LJ: p_o_u_n_c_e_r
Author Website: Pouncers -- TNG

Why this must be read:
After a few dark or sad stories, I wanted to leave you with something happy-making. I've enjoyed introducing new fans to the fanfic available in this fandom, and I hope there will be new writers and more stories in the future.

I love the overly persistent (to the point of annoying) Miles in this story. It's so very canon. *g* There's some good character interaction, and this tale of the dinner party from hell is very amusing. I love Lady Alys and Simon Illyan here.

Project Goldfish

Fandom: FARSCAPE
Musical Artist Coldplay
Pairing: John/Scorpius, John/Harvey, John/Aeryn
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Neural Cluster
Why this must be watched:

Leviathan is an accomplished vidder who’s clips, special effects, and choice of music are so perfectly matched up that the combination creates an emotional resonance that really sells the story she is telling. Rush Of Blood To The Head by Coldplay was the 2005 winner of a Shelly Award in the category of Infinite Possibilities. Leviathan writes of this vid:

The ‘gift’ the Ancients gave to John and what it’s cost him and others. Wormhole weapon knowledge, war, and losing loved ones; dangerous combinations. I can’t put the theme of this video into words. Just watch it.

Music by the amazing Coldplay. This video was re-edited on March 31, 2005.

Rush Of Blood To The Head

I can't believe this one has never been recced before.

FANDOM: X-Men Comicverse
PAIRING: Rogue/Gambit
Author on LJ: poilass
Author's Website: Poi Lass at Comicfic.net

Based on a memorably bad bit of apparent canon that had *everyone* shaking their heads with bemusement, this is one of the funniest X-Men Comicverse stories ever.

"One more t'ing chere. Wit' your powers negated, it means dis may be our night. Our first. Our last."

The two star crossed lovers held each other tenderly for long, precious moments, just savouring the chance to be close to each other. A brief interlude of peace and love, during their terrifying ordeal and cruel captivity. And then -

"Remy - are you saying you wanna have sex in a cave?"

"Non!"

"Oh good. Cos for a moment there I -"

Don't t'ink of it as a cave, chere... T'ink of it as a - Love Grotto."

You Did What In A Cave?

Fandom: X-Men Comicverse
Pairing: None, but all about the nonromantic relationship of Magneto and Xavier
Author on LJ: gardendoor
Author's Website: The Gardendoor Archive

Why this must be read:

This is an AU spinning off from the premise that Charles Xavier and Gabrielle Haller do *not* have a sexual relationship, and that Charles thus retains the moral high ground to persuade Magnus to join him. The two form a partnership -- and extremely stormy friendship -- to create the X-Men. This story does not whitewash the real differences or emotional conflicts between the two -- it does not make the mistake of assuming that because they are allies Magnus will think like Charles. He doesn't. They don't always (sometimes they don't usually) get along. They fight over things other than ideology. Both parties have serious character flaws. But their mutual dedication to the children they are trying to teach and save makes both of them noble even as the writing keeps them human. The relationship between Magnus and Scott Summers in this AU is particularly touching, and makes one wish for might-have-beens.

No one story in this series truly stands on its own, so I recommend them all, although "The Essential Thing" and "Carnival Mirrors" are two of my favorites. The entire series is located in a headlined box on the author's comic book fanfic page, so that is what I link to below.

Satan and Lucifer

Last recc of the month.

Fandom: FARSCAPE
Pairing: Chiana/Nerri, John/Aeryn, John/Grayza, John/Other
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: Neural Cluster
Why this must be read:

It is difficult to believe that HumansRSuperior is so young when she writes so beautifully. She has a deep understanding of the humanity of John Crichton as well as the psychology of love, hate, revenge, jealousy, friendship, sibling rivalry, and warfare. HRS uses her storytelling skills to involve us in the Nebari War and the hunt for John Crichton. I love this story because it involves Chiana and pits her between her brother, Nerri, and her adopted “brother” Crichton in a winner take all competition. The story deals with the “Contagion”, Grayza’s child and the mystery of its birth, Aeryn and John’s relationship, and ultimately the safety of the UTs. Naturally, John Crichton’s knowledge of wormholes is the pawn and ultimate solution. This takes place a few months after the events of PK Wars, so beware of spoilers.


( An exerpt from the story... )

The Nebari Factor

Fandom: Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Characters: Napoleon/Illya
Author on LJ: misspamela
Author Website: Miss Pamela's World Tour

Why this must be read:
This was written for MUNCLE's "Down the Chimney Affair." The request was Illya and Napoleon at age 21, so obviously it's going to be AU.

Napoleon is leaving for Korea tomorrow and he wants to spend his last night in Paris having fun. But none of the woman he's met are satisfactory. Then he meets a student named Illya:

“So, Illya, where does a guy go for fun around here?”

Illya smiled wryly. Napoleon liked the way it made him look, wise and mischievous at the same time. “I study too hard for fun, but I can show you my favorite places.”

Napoleon lifted his chin and cocked his head. Damn the women. He wasn't having any luck in that area, anyways. This Illya fellow was the most intriguing person he'd met by far. He was looking forward to getting to know him a little better.

The author does an excellent job of capturing the future agents' style of speaking and their personality quirks making it easy to believe that these two young men are going to grow into the agents we know. Illya takes Napoleon to a jazz club; Napoleon quotes literature.

This is my last post for March. I've had fun doing it and would like to encourage other people to volunteer -- please, please sign up for a month!

One Night in Paris

Fandom: ANGEL
Pairing: Wesley/Illyria; Angel/Spike
Author on LJ: uberaeryn
Author Website: none
Why this must be read:

Angel is a wonderfully dark and serious show, often heart-breaking in its depiction of isolation and loneliness. However, there are great comic moments in canon as well, and plenty of examples of strong friendships bolstered by laughter and silliness in times of great duress. It seems appropriate to close out the string of more serious fics already recommended this month with one very funny and endearing fic, which nonetheless manages to be true to the spirit of the series.

The character "Illyria" and the phrase "happy fic" are not often found matched in story summaries. But uberaeryn presents a version of the future in which Wes survives. A few years after the events of NFA, he is slowly falling in love with a god king who likes to spend her spare time stapling things so she can work Angel into a snit. The opening description eases us into the change with hilarious details:

( opening excerpt, cut for length: )

This fic isn't just silly and fun, though it is those things too. After all, there's a stapler, and ice cream, and a birthday party with practical jokes. But it's also about about how staying in her human shell inevitably begins to affect Illyria, making her curious about relationships and interactions, and drawing her into trying them out herself. It's about the joy of learning to be human as well as the loneliness it brings, the way in which humor is both a test and a mark of humanity, and the attempts that people make to connect themselves to others to find affection.

Dreaming In Blue

If you enjoy the story, please give feedback to the author.

Fandom: X-Men Comicverse
Pairing: Scott/Phoenix
Author on LJ: I don't think she has one anymore
Author's Website: I don't know if she has one anymore, but you can find a lot of her fic at Kaylee Jaya at Comicfic.net
Why this must be read:

This is a very, very short story about an argument between Scott and Phoenix. And I use those names deliberately.

One of the scariest short pieces of X-Men fanfic ever.

Green and Gold and Copper and

Fandom: X-Men Comicverse
Pairing: None
Author's LJ: qodarkness
Author's Website: Amanda Sichter at Comicfic.net

You know, I was going to rec a much more typical Amanda Sichter story, full of darkness and angst and horror. And then I finally got into the Memories, which has been down most of the day, and saw that a few of those have been recced already. So I present to you sillyfic by the Queen of Darkness. Read and laugh your head off.

The Beast knew they were in trouble when the cow flew into the window.

All Creatures Great and Small

Fandom: X-Men Comicverse
Pairing: Rogue/Joseph, Gambit/Storm, Beast/Cecilia Reyes, others
Author on LJ: indigoskynet
Author's Web Site: defunct, sadly

Well, I'm hoping not to spam, but with one hour left in the month and one rec left, if someone doesn't post something in the next ten minutes I'm going to end up posting three in a row. Sorry about that, folks. It's my 13th and last rec for the month. I apologize again for having to get these in frantically at the last minute, but this has been quite a month.

This rec is slightly unusual. It is not a WIP -- it was finished years ago -- but the author's web site went down, and then every copy of this story disappeared off the Internet. I have all of it and am restoring it to one of my archives, but so far, I've only gotten the first 9 of 18 chapters done and uploaded. I expect to be finished by the end of the weekend, so I'm going ahead and reccing it, because it's worth it.

This is a huge, sprawling epic of a story, featuring dozens of characters from all over the X-Books as well as original ones, which starts off with the infamous Trial of Gambit and Rogue's abandoning Gambit in Antarctica, and continues as an AU from there. Legacy Virus, Genosha, love and death -- this one has it all. Excellent characterizations, the ability to define everyone as an individual despite the huge size of the cast, and a plot that will keep you turning pages (well, clicking links, but you get the idea.)

( Quote inside... )

Crimes of the Heart

And that's a wrap. Thanks for listening, and enjoy the fic!

Alas, my last rec of the month. I've had a blast, and I thank Rebelcat who held my hand when html coding scared me. Before I hand over the keys of the Crack Torino over to S & H Crackvan expert and mentor kimberlyfdr, however, I'm going to take advantage of the Friday Night Drive-In. As I began my month with an agent molo rec, it is both harmonious and a pleasure to end my joyride with one of her vids.

Fandom: STARSKY & HUTCH
Vidder: Morgan Logan
Musical artist: Frank Sinatra (no kidding)
Pairing: all in the eye of the beholder
Vidder on LJ: morganlogan
Vidder's website: molo's place
Why this vid kicks ass:

While the multi-talented molo (she writes, she vids, she makes very pretty photo manips and lj icons> has since created vids that display even more of her technical flair and creativity, I love the sheer energy and joy of You Make Me Feel So Young. Plus she earned extra bonus points from me for combining 50s bad boy "Ol' Blue Eyes" Sinatra with 70s bad boy cops "Baby Blue" and "Oh Blue Seven Mystic."

Molo perfectly matches the upbeat swing of the music and lyrics with the fun and games of Starsky & Hutch. Click on the link below, and both Sinatra and Morgan Logan will make you "such a happy individual."

molo v-v-v-video

Please note: Whether you click on her website link or the one for her videos, you will have to scroll up a little bit to find You Make Me Feel So Young. But it's there, trust me! Or trust my desire to watch hot men in tight trousers running and jumping about.

Fandom: Lord of the Rings
Pairing: Erestor/Glorfindel, Elladan/Elrohir/Legolas, various others
Author on LJ: larienelengasse
Author Website: Rhovanion: Tolkien Fan Fiction by Larien Elengasse

Why this must be read: Another fine example of a long, rambling, involved, nc-17, huge AU arc. Aren't those the best?
You can read for days and enjoy more than one set of pairings! LOL I totally love this story (although some parts do make me feel uncomfortable) and especially how it begins, it's simple enough and innocent and then, wham! This plot comes out at you and the story keeps going and going.

As usual, warnings (it happens with Larien's stories way too often!): twincest! other sort of incest implied, but not graphic representation and of course NC-17 rating, but that's a given.

Love in a time of war Arc (at Of Elves and Men)

Love in a time of war Arc (author's website)

*rubs hands together.... my job here is done!*