Fandom: HORNBLOWER
Pairing: Bush/Hornblower, implied
Author on LJ: quigonejinn
Author Website: http://quigonejinn.livejournal.com/tag/hornblower+fic
Why this must be read:

This is an unusual fic in that it consists of a series of single sentence snippets written to a list of pre-set theme-words. They’re wonderfully evocative: some straightforward and obvious, some that make you puzzle for a moment and then go, "Oh. Yes. Of course". Quigonjinn’s affection for Lt Bush illuminates both his own character and his relationships with others, especially Hornblower. The language has a deceptive simplicity that conceals a depth of emotion and beautifully nuanced reflections by and about Bush. This is a wonderfully insightful character piece and if you’re looking for new authors currently writing in this fandom, quigonejinn is definitely one to watch.

Steady

Fandom: THE X-FILES
Pairing: Mulder/Krycek
Author on LJ: Not that I know of
Author Website: unknown
Why this must be read:

This story has everything. Great banter, lots of angst, and voices that are true to the characters. Mulder recognizes that all that self-righteous indignation has made him just a little bitter, and Krycek, as usual, can control just about everything except his reaction to Mulder. There's honesty and introspection, fantastic dialogue and a romance that doesn't leave you feeling covered in sap.

( Just two sad, lonely bastards who can't sleep at night. )

Shades of Gray

Fandom: STAR TREK ENTERPRISE
Pairing: Archer/many (m and f)
Author on LJ: misssunbeam
Author's Web site: http://www.waxjism.org/cimorene/trek/sunbeam/
Why this must be read: This story borrows a conceit you may recognize from Voyager and twists it sideways, although Miss Sunbeam herself says that this story is "A hypothesis about the obvious regression that occurred in the time between 'Enterprise' and 'TOS.'" Enterprise is far away from home, in cold space, trapped by a dark anomaly, and they've discovered only one way to get back: Archer's fire, and the sacrifice, one by one, of the crew:

So many saints ended up in the fire. Ironic really, given how chilly the universe was. Fire and ice. Even more opposite than men and women. More opposite than black and white.

Extinguish'd (NC-17)

Fandom: LOTR
Pairing: Frodo/Merry/Pippin
Author on LJ: strangerian
Author Website: check lj profile for updates.
Why this must be read:

strangerian, for her coherent and beautiful world- and character-building, her evident love of all the hobbits and refusal to vilify anyone gratuitously, and her "everyday life" stories that evoke just why everyday life is interesting and worth reading about, is one of my favorite hobbitfic authors; I could fill this month with recs of her works alone. (Her Shire Reckoning 1412 series is mentioned/recced here.)

With all that said, I chose this story in particular because it has one of my favorite threesomes (Frodo/Merry/Pippin) written in a comfortable, warm, in-character way. (Be reassured, Sam is not slighted in the least.) The voice Stranger constructs for Frodo is intelligent, slightly detached, dryly witty, and above all lovably recognizeable. Around the hobbits Rivendell glows, slightly strange and very beautiful and yet not home, and the complexities of the hobbits' perspectives on the place they are and this moment in their journey are evoked with a light, warm hand. Also, there is porn, extending to all five senses, plausible and gorgeous.

All in all, I really love this story; it's not just well-written erotic fanfiction (in itself no small feat) but also a worthy extension of Tolkien's universe into the realm of the erotic. .

( Excerpt: )

At Play in Rivendell

Fandom: SUPERNATURAL
Pairing: none, general
Author on LJ: ignipes
Author Website: N/A
Why this must be read:

My favorite thing about Supernatural is the relationship between the two brothers and how they work together. This story really delves into that relationship as Sam tries to figure out Dean’s language and what he’s really saying. I loved this piece, loved how some things Sam can figure out right away and some things it takes him awhile.

( Still need convincing? An excerpt... )

So go read it here: The Language of this Foreign Country

As always, if you enjoy the story, let the author know.

Fandom: FIREFLY
Pairing: Wash/Zoe
Author on LJ: thestickywicket
Author Website: The Sticky Wicket
Why this must be read:

Adorable, hilarious, in-character story about how Wash learned to stop worrying and embrace a life of crime, and also how he and Zoe got together. Featuring a jailbreak, a volcano, and some snappy banter.

( an excerpt )

Embracing a Life of Crime by Macha

***

If you enjoy the story, please let the author know.

***

Fandom: CSI: LV
Pairing: Catherine centric, some Gil/Catherine, hints of Gil/Sara
Author on LJ: mandysbitch
Author Website: Mind Games
Why this must be read: 
 
A case calls up memories of Catherine's life, past and present.

The way Catherine remembered it, taking off her clothes was easy. Trying to look like she was enjoying herself on her bad days was harder. There was nothing like faking flirtatiousness when you'd just had a fight with your boyfriend, and there was nothing like smiling until your face ached when you were behind on the rent on a slow night for tips. She supposed then, and her position on it hasn't really changed, that every job has its bad days. There are moments in every career where you pretend the world is a lot prettier than it looks through your dark glasses.

The Legend of Don Jose

Fandom: STARGATE: ATLANTIS
Pairing: Sheppard/Weir
Author on LJ: miera_c
Author Website: coffeeslash by miera
Why this must be read: An AU reworking of Duet, Miera swaps Rodney and Cadman with Sheppard and Weir, and tries to answer that age-old question: just who does have it better, men or women? It's well-written, sexy, and has some absolutely spot on dialogue.

( excerpt )

What I See

Fandom: MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Napoleon Solo/Illya Kuryakin
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Taliesin’s Reach
Why this must be read:

Taliesin has written some wonderful Man from U.N.C.L.E. stories, and she knows how to balance humor and angst beautifully. I think that one of her most enjoyable stories is "The 'To Thine Own Self Be True' Affair." For me, it’s a textbook example of how to flawlessly incorporate fanon into canon, taking everything we know – or think we know – about Illya Kuryakin and running it through a fine filter. The sieve, in this case, is none other than Napoleon Solo.

Told from Illya’s point of view, Taliesin spins a yarn that explores the fallout of a mission where Napoleon's been rescued after having been captured and interrogated by THRUSH. What’s the fallout, you ask? Well, let’s just say Mr. Solo’s not himself right now. This little twist, which could easily have walked off the pages of a MFU script, sets the stage for Illya to not be himself either, which leads, inevitably to a solution, which leads directly to our two favorite men from U.N.C.L.E. tumbling into bed together.

( Have a taste... )

The “To Thine Own Self Be True” Affair

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: James/Lily
Length: 10,000 words
Author on LJ: mad_martha, marthas_library
Author Website: Mad Martha's Yahoo Group

Why this must be read:

Mad Martha is ordinarily a slash writer, so this story is a departure from the norm for her. She wrote this shortly after Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix came out. The story is a response to Harry's dismay over his mother's animosity towards his father in Snape's Pensieve memory. Mad Martha realistically depicts that animosity, as well as James Potter's recently deflated head. This story shows how Lily Evans went from despising James Potter to enjoying his company, and it all centers around their new status as Head Girl and Boy of Hogwarts.

This story is a delight to read, and it's almost completely canon compliant, except for the occasional hint of Remus/Sirius. Even in light of the more recent Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, it still holds up as a canon-based story. Now, if only Harry could see a memory of his parents like this.... Highly recommended.

* * *

( Excerpt )

Broomflight