Fandom: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
Pairing: gen/preslash, later Raph/Don
Length: 3447 words and 2775 words
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: LucyToo on ff.net

Why this must be read:

I believe I've mentioned before that it's fun to throw Raphael and Donatello in a room together and see what happens. Well, that's pretty much exactly what LucyToo does in this story. Raph and Don are trapped, Don is hurt, Raph has no freaking clue what to do so they end up talking about Hamlet. There's a little bit more to it than that, but trust me when I say that Defying Augury is sweet, in-character and just about perfect for these two. The author says it is technically pre-slash, but there's no hint of it at all in the first story. The sequel, Readiness is All is definitely Raph/Don.

"What are you doing in here?"

Raph heaved a breath. "Trying to figure out why your pal Shakespeare didn't write the play about Fortinbras instead."

Don blinked, and his smile grew wider. "That's not what I mean."

"Well, it's what I'm doing. Hamlet's getting on my nerves."

"You'll like the way the play ends, then."


Defying Augury by LucyToo

Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Pairing: Teyla/Rodney/Ronon/
Length: 4091 word count
Author on LJ: justabi
Author Website: unknown

Why this must be read:
Yes, a one shot that’s a bit on the short side (only because its so good), older, and originally posted back in May 2006, but damn not to be missed & is it hot! Set mid season 2, after The Hive, and dealing with addiction and the enzyme. IMO it’s guttural, hard-hitting, dirty and tangible. If you missed this hot little gem go and check it out.
Authors Summary:“We agreed that it would be best for all if we no longer relied upon the enzyme.”

( excerpt )

Sweat

Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Pairing: none gen. Characters: Teyla, Jeannie, Rodney, John, Ronon
Length: Long, several pages
Author on LJ: friendshipper
Author Website: City on the Ocean's Edge

Why this must be read:
Styled similar to Griffin and Sabine books— stories that aren't just prose. Right from the get go, Postcards, takes off and pulls you into Teyla and Jeannie’s respective worlds and surroundings. The art is exquisite and humorous. Epic in detail, where you quickly discover you're on emotional journey between friends that leaves you grinning happily for days. Normally I'm a slasher, my preferred genre, but Postcards literally blew me away on every level. Go discover it for the first time, or go and revisit-- remember and cherish this superb treasure.

Authors Summary: Teyla starts sending postcards to Jeannie on Earth. Soon the whole gang gets into the act.

( excerpt )

Postcards to Jeannie

Fandom: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
Pairing: gen
Length: 22,580 words
Author on LJ: not that I know of
Author Website: Cynlee on ff.net

Why this must be read:

Turtle Tot stories are by their very nature adorable. I mean, seriously, little baby mutant turtles? What's not to love?

Problem Solving 101 is a cute little story, set when the guys are seven and they're all still growing into their separate personalities. For the first time Donatello's become so engrossed in a project that he's shut out the rest of the world – and his brothers don't like it.

"I will swear a keppan!"

"Umm... Mikey?" Leo finally broke the stunned silence that this emotional outburst of their baby brother had resulted in, "Umm.. you KNOW That means a 'blood oath', right?"

Mikey, fire in his eyes, nodded fiercely. He stood there, trembling all over, fists clenched, resolve hardened.

"... 'cause you KNOW that means you gotta sign it with your own blood," Leo continued. "And that means you gotta cut your thumb or finger or..."

"I'll get the knife!" Raph shouted gleefully.


Problem Solving 101 by Cynlee

Fandom: STARSKY & HUTCH
Pairing: Starsky/Hutch
Length: 32K
Author on LJ: DNA (I don't believe.)
Author Website: Starsky & Hutch Slash Fan Fiction
Why this must be read: 

And forthwith cipher and show me to a cent, exactly the contents of one, and exactly the contents of two, and which is ahead? - Walt Whitman, Song of Myself

This is a tricky fic to describe.  It doesn't have a standard plot, it's slash--yet that desire is never voiced or acted upon, and you don't really get a sense of resolution.  Still, the story is so rich and evocative it sucks you right in to its world and keeps you there.  Dorian's images and use of language are gorgeous, but the piece never feels overwritten.

The story is from Hutch's POV.  It begins not long after Starsky and Hutch have become paired as detectives and continues through to Starsky's shooting.  We're given glimpses of their lives as detectives.  We get to share the adrenaline rush of a successful bust, the mind-numbing tedium of paperwork, and the despair of knowing no matter how many villains are taken off the street, others will be lined up, waiting for their opportunity.  Through it all, Hutch's world is largely defined by his partner.  It's clear Starsky means everything to him, yet we see no confession of these feelings and Starsky's own thoughts and emotions are a bit of mystery.  Yet the connection between these two men is palpable.  As a reader, you feel as if at any moment something of great importance could occur.  But it doesn't, not during this story.  There's a reason why the very last word in the fic is "Waiting."


Exactly the Contents of One

 Fandom: MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: Napoleon/Illya
Length: 6K
Author on LJ: (Yep - but site wobble again means no link) Viviana
Author Website: Archived at CGM

Why this must be read:

Last rec from me this month and it's a quickie by Viviana. Quite a lot of her stuff is short, much of it episode related, and the writing is dense and economical. This one charmed me with its sharp dialogue, it's sense of the professional in the midst of the domestic and the maturity of the relationship.

It's so short that a taster is likely to leave you with nothing to read.


One of those stories to cheer up a drizzly lunchtime at work or for when you have a few moments to kill before heading off for the dentist.

Go and read it here.

Thanks for responding to the recs this month. If you've enjoyed the stories you've read as a result then let the authors know. Remember feedback's the gas in the tank...