Updated on July 1st, 2008.
ETA:
Character profiles on Baxter Stockman, Agent Bishop, Oyuki Mamisha.
Movie summary for TMNT IV
Storylines for Seasons 4-6


Hi! I'm nightwalker and I'll be driving one of the small fandom vans this month - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Good God, you're saying right now, someone actually wants to rec for the Ninja Turtles? Does that series even have a fandom?

( Oh, yes. We certainly do. )

Hi, I'm morgan32 and I'll be reccing for Stargate SG-1 this month. I like well-plotted stories with a sense of humour and good characterisation. I'm planning to rec stories in a range of genres, but I'm going to concentrate on fics that focus on the women characters, because looking through the archives those have been somewhat neglected by the van.

Fandom: STARGATE SG-1
Pairing: Sam/Janet (friendship)
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Pink Rabbit Productions

Why this must be read: Beware Goa'ulds Bearing gifts is the seventh story in Pink Rabbit's "Bits and Pieces" series. The series is based around the Stargate season one episodes, which means that although there is an ongoing storyline which charts the (very) slow development of a romantic relationship between Sam and Janet, it's possible to read most of the fics in the series as stand-alones. Pink Rabbit's SGC is a world where men are men, with all their faults and quirks as well as undeniable heroism, and where women are smart, strong and sexy.

Beware Goa'ulds Bearing Gifts is a postscript to the episode Hathor, and I recommend it for that alone: a Hathor fic that's not all about Daniel is a pearl beyond price. Without neglecting the male characters, Pink Rabbit's story is describes the consequences of Hathor's takeover for the women. Though Hathor has escaped the SGC, her power over the men on the base is not as gone as everyone thinks. Remember how the women used their feminine charms to escape the cell? Their ruse involved Janet kissing one young Airman. Inspired by that one kiss, the Airman develops a crush on Janet, which soon turns into a dangerous obsession.

( Exerpt... )

This story is a strongly characterised piece, and though there is an underlying sexual tension between Sam and Janet the story is essentially gen. The plot is original and exciting and deals with a frightening subject in a way that will resonate with most women readers. But it's not just a thriller. Pink Rabbit writes with a sense of humour that is sometimes gentle and sometimes wicked, but always very funny.

Whether you like femslash or not, I recommend everyone read this for the wrestling scene. Janet is ordered to take a refresher course in self-defence - from Teal'c. And Pink Rabbit has Teal'c's voice down perfectly, as well as his early confusion with the ways of Earth:

( Another exerpt... )

...and that's just where it starts to get fun. If you enjoy a long, well plotted story with a good mix of UST, suspense, mystery and humour, what are you waiting for? Go read.


Beware Goa'ulds Bearing Gifts

Fandom: ANGEL
Pairing: Cordelia/Doyle subtext
Author On LJ: None
Author's Website: Better Vitual Living
Why This Must Be Read:

A lovely first season look at Cordelia that shows how she survives the wilds of Los Angeles. The hints of Cordelia/Doyle are true to the show and natural in their bittersweetness. It is interesting how Cordelia and Doyle treat and view Angel during this time; the sense of isolation that Cordelia feels never lets up or overwhelms.


Real

Hi! I'm the House van driver for April and here is my first rec, thought we'd start off with something from the first season [seeing as I'm in Australia and Season Two has only just started really over here!

Fandom: House
Pairing: House/Cameron
Author on LJ: teenwitch77
Why this must be read:

As a fic written just after seeing the first few episodes of the first season teenwitch has captured the essence of the H/C dynamic; he being all cynical and depressing and her wondering why he is like he is. In one car ride home nothing is resolved but you know that there's something underneath the exterior of both characters that needs to be explored.

In Rain and Shadows

Fandom: WBrps
Pairing: Jared/Jensen (called j-squared by many)
Author on LJ: winterlive
Why this must be read: More than likely, if you're in this fandom, you've already read this fic. We have shortcut names for certain stories. This one is "the ipod playlist" fic. You have to read it to understand the sociological milieu of the fandom. In other words, MAYHEM abounds. This is one version of Jensen. There are many. winterlive paints a very appealing Jensen, who *thinks* and is a good person. If he's really like this, I don't know why the earth hasn't been thrown off its axis from his utter perfection. Also, grilled cheese sandwiches should *only* be made with butter and Kraft singles.


Read on, intrepid slashers!



By the Letter by winterlive

Fandom: WBrps
Pairing: Jared/Chad
Author on LJ: azewewish & cupiscent
Why this must be read: We all gravitate to fandoms and fic based on our own particular prejudices and inclinations. Personally, I love WBrps because I love boys and men who behave like males. This is a story about boys. Boys with attitudes, with chips on their shoulders and mean streaks.

Backstory: While filming House of Wax, MTV followed the cast around making a "reality tv" show. There is a clip of Chad accusing Jared of being bad at "the reach around". Scroll down in the comments for links, for commentary, and for tinhattery!

Amusing sidebar: CMM is the source of much consternation, debate, and haterade in good fun in this fandom. It's FUNNY! A fandom where CMM is the most controversial topic is a fun fandom.


Payback (Is a Bitch)

This week, to start off the month of recs, I'm doing a random collection. You could say the theme is sex or love.

Fandom: STARSKY AND HUTCH

Pairing: Starsky/Hutch

Author Website: http://www.geocities.com/jat_sapphire/shfic.htm

Why this must be read: This is a missing scene between the zoo and the tag of Pariah. Starsky's been talked out of killing Prudholm, but he's still running on tension and adrenaline. The zoo holds horrible new memories for the both of them and they're lost in a sea of uneasiness and pain. This time, it cut too close to home. And sometimes, you just want to forget. For just a little while, you want to feel something good instead of all that hurt.

Starsky lay across the foot of the bed, still in his windbreaker. Apparently, he'd sat down and then flopped back, legs hanging. His arms were folded behind his head; the jacket had fallen open at his sides; he was looking up into the dimness of the alcove. Hutch moved around the end of the bed, put the bottles on the bedside table, and sat down, then half-turned to put one hand on Starsky's head. Hutch used just his fingertips, stroked from between the rough eyebrows into the softer hair, then did it again. Starsky closed his eyes.

"Been awhile," Hutch said. "This what you want, tonight?"

"I guess."

An unwilling smile tugged at Hutch's mouth, and he lowered himself to the bed, propping his head on one hand while the other reached for Starsky's cheek, backs of the fingers pulling across the roughness of the growing beard. "I've had more flattering propositions."

Finding solace in one another is a good escape once in a while. When all the pain eats away at you, you have to step back and embrace some pleasure. You just have to feel.

What You Want, What I Need

Fandom: STARSKY AND HUTCH

Pairing: Starsky/Hutch

Why this must be read: Amnesia stories have always appealed to me. What changes take place in a person when they no longer know who they are or who the most important people in their lives are? Who do they become? This story shows what a difference a year can make. In the past year, Starsky and Hutch have gotten together and bought a home and they're happy. But then an accident erases that year for Hutch and Starsky's left with a partner who doesn't remember the love they shared.

Starsky held himself still, hardly even daring to breathe until he knew Hutch was asleep. Only then did he allow himself to feel the effects of his worst fear realized: Hutch wasn't in love with him and didn't remember that he ever had been. He probably never would. The pain of it was so deep and so sudden that Starsky groaned before he could stop himself. He sat up and clutched his stomach, trying to will the pain away.

Hutch shifted and rolled over to face Starsky, a lock of his fine blond hair falling onto his forehead. Without thinking about it, Starsky reached out and pushed it back into place. He remembered kissing Hutch's forehead just the day before and instantly felt the incompleteness of it. If he'd known it would be the last time, he would have kissed Hutch's eyelids, his temples, and his chin. He would have taken one last kiss from Hutch's lips, the knowledge that it was the last one making it all the sweeter. Starsky slid from the bed to the floor, folding his arms to rest on the edge of the mattress. Emotionally spent, he rested his head on his arms.

We change, everyday, becoming slightly different. Looking back in time, who we once were is no longer who we are now. And sometimes, who we become is intertwined with someone else. What happens when the person you love most doesn't remember their love for you?

April Fool

Fandom: STARSKY AND HUTCH

Pairing: Starsky/Hutch

Author on LJ: sjames_centre

Why this must be read: The night before Starsky's birthday and all is not happy. It was a close call, too close. Hutch is still alive, but the witness they were escorting is dead. It was too close. And Starsky needs to be close to Hutch, needs to remind himself that his partner is still alive. So, in a little detour situation, Starsky thinks up a game of "I Never" to take their minds off it all. Over the course of the game, it's discovered that Hutch has done a whole lot more than Starsky, but there's one thing that Hutch hasn't done--kissed a guy. And the stage is set. What to say to that? Take a drink or not? Is this an opening or a closing of the door? Decisions made could change everything.

Hutch looked confused. "So did you or didn't you?"

"Didn't." Thought I would send you running if I did.

"Did you ever want to?" Hutch's voice was husky, his words a little
slurred.

"What would you do if I said yes?" They were playing a different
game now.

Hutch was staring in his own glass. "I don't know. Are you saying
yes?"

"Yeah, Hutch, I guess I am. What about you? Did you ever want to
kiss a guy?" Say yes, Starsky thought, for god's sake, just say yes.

Hutch looked up and stared at him for a minute before
answering. "I'm from Minnesota, Starsk. Guys don't kiss guys in
Minnesota."

Fuck Minnesota. "You're not in Minnesota now. And that wasn't an
answer."

A wonderful glimpse into their lives. A beginning to something great? We shall see.

I Never

Hi! I'm bluebrocade, and I'll be your Sentinel driver for April. My recs will be primarily J/B slash first-time stories. Angst, discovery!fics, humor and jealousy/possessiveness will be heavily featured. Enjoy!

Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: Jim/Blair
Author on LJ: N/A
Author Website: Josephine's Place
Why this must be read: One of the 'ol standby clichés in Sentinel slash fanfic is 'the sentinel and guide must have sex.' There are dozens of stories centered around this beloved cliché. This is one of my favorites. Blair determines that after three years, it just isn't going to happen. He puts aside his own feelings and tries to be professional about it; he prepares several dossiers on more "suitable" guides for Jim and presents them to him one morning. Jim thinks he's lost his mind. Angst and discovery ensue.

( Excerpt )

Choosing Guides

Hi, I'm Killa, and I'll be reccing Highlander this month. Duncan/Methos is my favorite variety of Highlander fiction, but I have a great and abiding love for all the characters, and will be reccing some het and gen as well as slash, so hopefully there'll be something for everyone. I'll be trying to mix up older and newer stuff as well.

Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Author on LJ: stealingpennies
Author Website: http://www.angelfire.com/home/pandoemonium/

Why this must be read:
The episodes "Judgment Day" and "One Minute to Midnight" tell one of the most interesting and nuanced stories in Highlander canon, yet there are surprisingly few stories set in the days and months that followed. This is the one I've always found most compelling, and that I come back to most often. It's also incredibly hot, managing to weave a powerful erotic atmosphere with great economy of words. A rare and beautiful story -- believable and melancholy, an affecting combination -- and it answers the question: What did ever become of Methos' Watcher tattoo?

Wish you were here?

Four words and a question mark written on the back of an unsigned postcard. Nothing special, Duncan told himself, just the casual enquiry of a friend. A throwaway cliché, written with a momentary intent to amuse and no sooner posted than forgotten. Nothing to quicken the breath or to cause the heart to stumble, beating too hard and too fast in the struggle to regain equilibrium. No, nothing at all...

Not in the Winter

Fandom: WBrps
Pairing: Tom/himself
Author on LJ: scribblinlenore
Why this must be read: In rps, characterization tends to fluctuate until there is hardcore fanon personalities for the players, so from one story to another the same guy can be either a huggy peacenik and in turn a baby seal clubber. None of the guys in WBrps have really been fanoned into place yet. This story represents my favorite version of Tom Welling. This isn't the guy you see very often in fic, and I just adore him for keeping it real (and by real here, I mean bitchy).


Bubblegum

I'm rosiespark, and it’s my watch on the Hornblower Crack Van this month. I'm a slash girl at heart, mainly movieverse, with Archie/Horatio being the pairing closest to my heart, but I’ll happily read (and rec!) a wide variety of fic including gen, bookverse stuff, AU’s and any pairing that’s plausibly written. I’d say my primary demands of any fic are good characterization and good writing.

I’d enthusiastically lined up a number of wonderful fics that are personal favourites. And then I had a good look at the archives and discovered that they’d almost all already been rec’d. Oh woe! So I’ll adopt a different approach and will be rec’ing mainly shorter pieces that maybe didn’t get the attention they deserve and that are far too good to be forgotten.

Fandom: HORNBLOWER
Pairing: Could be summed up as "Everyone wants Horatio."
Author on LJ: clotho123
Author Website: http://uk.geocities.com/clotho1231/home.htm
Why this must be read:

The author refers to this fic as a farce – I’d prefer to call it a piece of inspired silliness. Humor is rare enough in this fandom, but this little fic has its tongue tucked firmly in its cheek and is consequently a great favourite of mine. Clotho weaves a delightful web of situations and unlikely encounters that pokes gentle fun at the fanfic cliché of a sexually oblivious Horatio by having everyone (and I mean everyone!) lust after him unrequitedly.

Every time I read this fic, I’m always impressed by the way all the characters are so recognizable and well drawn – and with a cast of thousands (well, almost!) spanning the first six films, that’s no mean feat. I mean, how often do Captain Sawyer and Major My Lord Edrington share the same page? And as an irresistible bonus, we finally get to find out the reason for Horatio’s penchant for cold showers on deck…

Object of Desire

Hi, I'm eponine119 and I'll be driving the Lost van this month. While I tend to favor Jack/Sawyer slash, I will do my best to feature a variety of pairings and ratings.

Fandom: LOST
Pairing: Jack/Sawyer
Author on LJ: uberaeryn
Author website:: N/A
Why this must be read: Stories that remove Jack and Sawyer from the island and instead feature them meeting in some other time and circumstance are both popular and common. The trick to them is to use the new setting to showcase sides of the characters we would never see on the island, while retaining the essence of the characters from the show. uberaeryn does a fantastic job in this story, which transmutes Sawyer into a tattoo artist and Jack into the dark, masochistic customer who intrigues him enough to make him break all his rules. What I love about this story is that it doesn't pull back from pain. It eroticizes it for the reader through the characters' own experiences and reactions, culminating in an incredibly hot sex scene.

( excerpt )

Rosetta Stone