Title: A Common Dilemma by Ren
Pairing: Leroy Jethro Gibbs/Donald 'Ducky' Mallard. Silver/Steel
Author on LJ: feenixandashes
Author Website: N/A

Why this must be read:
Ren is the only other writer I know who not only writes about both Gibbs/Ducky and Silver/Steel as individual pairings, but also crossovers. As such A Common Dilemma seemed the natural crossover story to choose from the various excellent Gibbs/Ducky crossovers out there.

The story is told in two parts: the first from the point of view of Silver and Steel, the second from the point of view of Gibbs and Ducky. Each part looks at the relationship of the couple and how it has developed over the time they have been together. The story shows how regardless of whether you are human or not, there will always be external obstacles to be overcome in any lasting relationship. We are shown four men, very much in love, two human, two 'elements', focussing on their own relationship and pondering about the nature of the other couple. The story is rich with lasting affection, love, an element of 'perfection' and what it would be like if . . . and yet it all very believable. The four men never actually meet; in fact they have no idea who the other couple are, however, Ren leaves us with the certainty that if they did, they would get along. She keeps all four characters very much in character and as individuals, and despite Steel and Ducky being played by the same actor, they are not the same character. There is a mixture of emotion in the story, most of it happy, but there is more than a touch of sadness, poignancy and wistfulness.

( Extracts )

---

A Common Dilemma (Part One)
A Common Dilemma (Part Two)

Title: The Adventures of a Displaced Watcher by Antennapedia
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: antennapedia
Author's Website: Antennapedia

Why this must be read: While fairly new to the fandom, Antenna has a wonderful grasp on who Giles is and what it means for him to be a Watcher. She shows just wonderfully the true depth of his character and explores places and feelings the show didn't.

In this story, Giles runs into Ethan Rayne, again. And of course our favorite Chaos mage is up to no good. Giles is swept back in time and finds himself in the era of one of the greatest dectectives, Sherlock Holmes. Antenna explores Giles' wonder at getting to meet and interact with the great man and his companion, Watson. Giles helps them solve a case and they help him find the means to get back home. A fun and interesting read, this story is a must for lovers of both fandoms.

The Adventures of a Displaced Watcher

Apologies to the Pirates of the Caribbean fandom for failing to post for the first two weeks of March -- RL and my general flakiness are to blame. I had a dozen recs planned, too. Hopefully I'll be able to do another month soon, and make up the six I'll have to leave out due to the late start.

Fandom: Pirates of the Caribbean
Title: American Revolution Series (R, except for Crossing Lines, which is NC-17)
Pairing: Jack Sparrow/Elizabeth Swann/Will Turner
Author on LJ: artaxastra
Author Website: Outlaws, Aliens, and Mutants
Why this must be read: I was awake at three in the morning last night, thinking about this series, and trying to determine what to say to you that could possibly explain just how outstanding it is. artaxastra certainly has the Gift, -- which is likely why she is about to have one of her original novels published and has a contract for a follow-up. The chapters that comprise the American Revolution Series are well-researched, complex yet clearly written, and convey atmosphere and emotion that truly engage the reader. The author's characterizations of Jack, Elizabeth, Will, and a number of secondary characters from Pirates of the Caribbean, are spot on, obviously extrapolated from canon. She has a clear vision of who Jack Sparrow, Elizabeth Swann, and William Turner are, and where they could be headed in certain circumstances, as delineated by the fascinating plot.

The story begins thirteen years after the events of Dead Man's Chest and (a speculated version of) At World's End. There are frequent flashbacks and reminiscences that give glimpses of those intervening years, but the current story involves the lives Jack, Elizabeth, and Will have built for themselves after settling in Teach's Hole on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina and how they become involved in the colonies' bid for independence. The author incorporates some of the era's actual events and personalities with a deft hand, and really makes history come alive.

artaxastra is also personally familiar with the geographic area of which she writes, and her knowledge and love of the location is apparent throughout the story. Additionally, the canon characters are joined by a number of OC's, all of whom are so well drawn that they immediately endear themselves to the reader. One of these is Sadie, a middle aged widow, daughter of one of Blackbeard's pirate crew, who adopts "her" pirates (particularly Gibbs), fortunately for all of them; and another is Jamie Swann, Elizabeth's son by either Will ("Pa") or Jack ("Da"), who comes of age against the backdrop of the Revolution, amid the dynamics of a most unusual family.

artaxastra has written lots of great pirate!fic since joining the fandom post-'Dead Man's Chest', all of it well worth reading, but the American Revolution Series is truly exceptional. It is a work in progress, and though I've no doubt it will be finished by and by, each chapter is a jewel on its own. Don't miss it!

The Tiger's Cub is the most recent chapter, and there are links to all the previous chapters in the header.

Enjoy!

~ Geek Mama ~

In 1949, C.S. Lewis wrote a note his young niece a novel. In doing so, he opened up a world not only to his sister's daughter, but to readers both young and old.

I have to confess, Narnia holds a very dear place in my own heart. The series was one my mother read aloud to me when I was a child, and I have read it every single year since I was capable of holding a book on my own. It is with this in mind that I will try to tackle one of the difficult issues with fanfiction about Narnia--making something associated and steeped in childhood into something far more adult.

But first, an introduction.

( History )


( Characters )


( Timeline )


( Books )


( Maps )


( A Childhood World and Adult Fantasy )


( Fanfiction Resources )


( Additional Information )


( Conclusion )

Title: Seven Days in November by Brandon D. Ray
Pairing: Gen, minor Bill/Tara
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: Brandon's Gossamer page
Why this must be read: This story is part of Brandon's campaign to "salvage Bill Scully, jr's poor, pathetic soul", and he does a damn good job of it. He's still recognizably the overprotective, bully-ish older brother we meet in the series, but Brandon writes him in a much more sympathetic light than many other authors I've read.

The crossover aspect is the plot of the book (also a movie) "Seven Days in May" transposed in the X-Files universe. It's not a complete reproduction of the plot, since the main character of the book is more peripheral here and the story is told from Bill's perspective. The crossover leans more towards the X-Files universe; you don't have to read or see "Seven Days in May" to understand what's going on--I haven't. And I might have passed this story by, just because I didn't know the other fandom--but I had faith in Brandon's ability to suck me into the story and have everything make sense, and I wasn't disappointed.

Seven Days in November

I apologise for my lack of recs lately. The real world snuck up on pounced on me. I do intend to still do all twelve. WATCH THIS SPACE.

Title: Breathe, Keep Breathing by thedeadparrot
Pairing: House/Wilson
Author on LJ: thedeadparrot
Author Website: parrotfic
Why this must be read:

This isn't a proper crossover, thedeadparrot says in her author notes, but really more of a House AU. I choose to see it as an expansion of the BSG universe much like the webisodes were: an exploration of the lives of the people who are smaller in the grand Earth-finding destiny-endowed Cylon-airlocking higher-up scheme of things. Here, House and Wilson don't interact with President Roslin and Admiral Adama et al. Rather, they are civilians of the fleet who must--as everyone must--live as best they can, given that their homes have been destroyed and they accidentally managed to survive.

The writing is concise and hurting, the characters are themselves transplanted to the ends of the universe, and the pairing is sold through the sad inevitability of the story. You can read the entire series here, but each story stands alone--and stands out.

Breathe, Keep Breathing