Fandom: POPSLASH
Pairing: Lance/Reichen, Lance/Chris
Author on LJ:
Author Website:http://www.fubitchacademy.net/
Why this must be read:

I am, as those who know and love me will be aware, a Trickyfish addict, and I love stories in which one of them has to convince the other that they would be perfect together. This is such a story. It's another from the handsome crop of MTYG stories. It's also beautifully characterised and full of moments which make me think yes, yes!
( For example... )
Spelling Things Out

Vidder: thebigbluemeany and dreamybluemeany
Musical Artist: Eytan Mirsky, "I Wanna Be Your Steve McQueen"
Pairing: Napoleon/Illya, sort of
Vidder on lj: dreamybluemeany
Website: youtube channel dreamybluemeany
Why this vid kicks ass:


This is a splendid example of how fanworks are as much in dialogue with other fanworks as they are with their source texts. pavlowsdog, playing with the fact that both Robert Vaughn and David McCallum had been in movies with Steve McQueen, whipped up a video based on the McQueen connection (you can watch it here). In their turn, the bluemeanies expanded on the idea, intercutting MfU material with shots from McQueen movies. The end result is fast-paced, funny and sweet. It's amusing to see our two spy heroes dreaming of an even bigger hero, and there's something oddly thrilling about the juxtaposition of material from the actors' other incarnations with Illya and Napoleon's story. It's also visually very impressive, matching movements and moments from the various sources to create interconnections. If you haven't already seen it, rush over and watch it now!


The Steve McQueen Affair

Fandom: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
Pairing: some Kara/Sam; gen content--lots of Sam and the survivors on (old) Caprica
Length: 3600 words
Author on LJ: lyssie
Author Website: BSG fic tag on LJ; also Lyss' Insanity Lair
Why this must be read: I'm a big fan of stories that fill in the blanks--what happened on Caprica after the attacks, what went on during the Year in Baltar's Hair. Using Sam Anders' POV this story gives an excellent portrayal of how the C-Bucs and other survivors might have started their resistance, then moves on through the messy Kara/Sam relationship. Spoilers through 3.19, so information from the season three finale isn't factored into this.

Broken Windows and Ashes

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: Harry/Pansy, past Draco/Harry
Length: ~ 60,000 words
Author on LJ: fourth_rose
Author Website: None that I know.

Why this must be read:

Because this is such an unlikely pairing and and an unlikely situation, and yet it works. At first I was a bit skeptical, but then I started reading and I just couldn't stop. It has great characterization, and good plot and really good dialog.

It's a very grown up story, not so much because of anything sexual but in the way the characters mature and grow. I think it's a very realistic portrayal of a relationship. I can see this happening. That doesn't mean this story is all serious, there a lot of funny and humorous moments and witty banter.

( snippet )

From the Ashes

Fandom: NUMB3RS
Pairing: Don/Charlie
Length: 6,610 words
Author on LJ: castalie
Author Website: Castalie
Why this must be read: A nice romantic weekend, with fluff and smut. Who could ask for anything more? *g*

Don yawned and put his left arm over his eyes. He wasn't ready to completely leave the Land of Nod yet; he wanted to take advantage of the cozy moment. With their hectic lives, it wasn't as if they had so many of them. He took a deep breath, enjoying how it let him feel Charlie's presence against his chest even more strongly. It seemed his brother always found a way to zero in on him; he'd always been like that, Don thought fondly. Even as a child he had constantly found a way to sprawl on his big brother's body whenever he fell asleep next to him. There was a time when Don had complained about that habit, but he never complained anymore. Quite the opposite.

Weekend

Fandom: STAR WARS
Pairing: Anakin/Obi-Wan
Length: 21574 words
Author on LJ: eryn_skynobi
Website: Profile with Fics tagged on Memories
Why this story must be read:

For a last rec for April, this fic floats in from the supernatural genre where the Force is a main character. It takes a delicate touch to write a tone that is playful, yet tinged with seriousness about the issues raised. Being dead, who knew there would be so much work involved and unending complications from life? eryn_skynobi has written a mostly light-hearted romantic version of the Blue Glowy-Zone, replete with characters 'morally, ethically, spiritually, physically, positively, absolutely, undeniably and reliably Dead,' just like the Munchkins declare the Wicked Witch of the West to be. Her zone does have some soothing grounding touches such as gardens, quarters with comfortable beds (as this genre often has sexy people who happen to be blithely dead), but the thing I liked a lot about it was the sense of the Force's power, thrumming just out of sight of the characters and of the readers. When Anakin gets upset, the Force does his bidding and the entire galaxy may fall. Obi-Wan wouldn't like that, but then Obi-Wan isn't Anakin's Master anymore. Oh, and there are live characters in this story, too. The link is to part one of a five-part story, but each segment is graciously linked to the next. Goodbye to everyone, and please sign up for a crack at driving the crack_van for Star Wars. It has power steering and extra-large cup holders.

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