Fandom: The West Wing
Pairing: Josh/Sam
Author on LJ: N/A
Author Website: Wayfinding

Why this must be read: Jackie Thomas is a classic "old-but-good" author in West Wing fandom. A couple of her stories have been widely recced, but I was pleased to discover that she has quite a few others that are also good, but less widely known. In fact, I had a difficult time choosing which one to rec. I chose "Rough Magic" because of its nifty and rather unusual premise--imagine a spy novel plot intertwined with the characters and situations of The West Wing--not to mention a truly innovative take on the question of "what happened to Mandy?" Although there are occasionally missteps of language and tone, I think this story is well worth reading. At the beginning of the story, Sam Seaborn has been missing for over six months, leaving behind only an ambiguously-worded note that many interpret as a suicide note. Josh, however, has never believed this, and while he's in London, he received a mysteriously worded message asking him to go to a particular location. Sound melodramatic? Maybe, but it's a fun, wild ride, and how can you not enjoy the spin boys as less-than-totally-competent spies?

Here's a taste, from a conversation between Josh and FBI agent Mike Caspar:

( Read more... )

Rough Magic

Fandom: MASTER AND COMMANDER
Pairing: Aubrey/Maturin
Author on LJ: destina
Author Website: lyricalmagic.com
Why this must be read:

I'm a sucker for canon, and this is just delightful. It's like finding a shell from the beach, so long after the holiday you'd forgotten you ever picked it up; small, but a pointer to greater joys nonetheless. I especially like the domestic element here. One of the things that I love about Jack and Stephen is that they are both, in their way, difficult people to live with, and yet with each other, they manage it for years. Under difficult circumstances, too; as this fic shows, they have to deal with each other being grouchy and bitchy and caffiene-deprived, but deal with it they do. It's really very cute, if not quite perfect in style.

Nesting Place

Fandom: DUE SOUTH
Pairing: Fraser/Vecchio
Author on LJ: N/A
Author Website: Acer canadensis' Forest of Fanfiction
Why this must be read: This is one of those could have happened in canon first time stories. It's a very gentle, very sweet slow coming coming together, stage by stage. It shows each littel physical touch becoming something more. It also deals with the Vecchio family reaction as Fraser moves in with them, starting the whole process of he and Ray coming together. It has an upbeat ending.

Nesting

Fandom: MASTER AND COMMANDER
Pairing: Aubrey/Maturin
Author on LJ: wearemany
Author Website: The Collected Fiction of Tiffany Rawlins and SN Kastle
Why this must be read:

This is one of my very favourite Master and Commander stories. One of the great things about the books is that events have consequences; good and bad, the effects of the things Jack and Stephen experience linger. They act like people who still remember past events, even where they've recovered from them. This fic is a really gorgeous illustration of that. This is a Jack and a Stephen who've seen the world, but still aren't immune to its effects. They have coping mechanisms, know that they will get through this bad thing just as they have before... but that doesn't stop them feeling it. And that sense lends them a kind of emotional realism as characters that I really like. The books do well at showing the ongoing impact of the lives they live, but given the nature of the books, it's mostly through small glimpses as the years go by. Fics like this get to show us some of the times we miss.

I also like that this doesn't fall into the two traps of Master and Commander fanfic, trying too hard to be O'Brian and not trying hard enough. It's definitely a difficult fandom to write for, with such a very distinctive canon voice and a lot of history to get to grips with, but this manages to keep close to O'Brian's style while remaining both immensely readable and different, a piece in its own right.

Butcher's Bill

Fandom: MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: None (Gen)
Author on LJ: leethet
Author Website: Her stories, both gen and slash, can be found on File 40

Why this must be read:

Another fun, angst-free read, this story is as gen as they come and features a wonderful OC Innocent who nearly bests Illya at the spy game. A Mary Sue? Only in the best sense of the word, so that the reader is firmly along for the ride. Better yet, the story reads like a classic screwball comedy - think Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable.

But the best part of the story, for me, are the two scenes between Napoleon and Illya, full of affection, banter and understanding. It makes me happy to see them like this - relaxed and playful.

( Read more... )

The Special Delivery Affair

I hope you enjoy this story as much as I do.

Fandom: X-FILES
Pairing: Mulder / Krycek
Author on LJ: flambeau
Author Website: the flambeau factory
Why this must be read:
Stories by Torch are always well-characterized, well-written, and incredibly hot. This short story is almost a PWP, but the atmosphere Torch creates for the characters in their last stopover in civilization before venturing to the wilds of Tunguska produces a steamy environment full of half-revealed backstory. And, of course, great sex.


Russian Roulette

Fandom: X-MEN MOVIEVERSE
Pairing: Scott/Jean, Logan/Jean, Scott/Rogue, Logan/Rogue
Author on LJ: seperis
Author Website: Indulgence
Why this must be read: There are lots of Logan/Rogue/Scott/Jean quadrangle fics out there. This is one of the very best. Go. Read. Now.

( Excerpt )

No Secret at All: A Change to Color