Tuesday's Best - Feb 23rd, 2010

So you know what today is. This is the day we bring you the very best we can find. Well, normally we do. Today is no different. We hope you've come prepared *snicker*! If not go grab some towels!

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Whitlock's Girl's Pick of the Week...

Brand New Start
by Darkira

When an event rider and his horse go through a serious trauma, a "horse whisperer" is needed to try and get the horse back on track. But is the rider beyond any help? How about the whisperer himself? AU/AH/M/Slash/Jasper&Edward M for future lemons.

I just started this fic and I'm loving it. As an avid horse lover and a former eventer, I know the perils that Edward and Calla put themselves in for their sport and I have seen and been involved in similar accidents, though definitely nothing quite this severe. I also know how connected a horse and rider can become and the fact that these two are so intrinsically linked doesn't surprise me in the least.

The Horse Whisperer is one of my favorite movies and I love the twist that Darkira has made on the movie and the Twilight boys. I can't wait to get completely caught up. I suggest you run and not walk to read this amazingly beautiful fic. You won't be sorry.

Check out Darkira's blog for Brand New Start and also her Outtakes.

FYI~For those of you with a better memory than me, YES, this story was rec'd by Nae about 2.5 months ago and it wasn't tagged and I didn't realize it had been rec'd cause it was during my involuntary internet hiatus. (My laptop had died!) Anyway, the story is so good, that one rec just wouldn't do. LOL! So, if you didn't read it the first time, I hope you'll give it a shot this time.

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Naelany's Pick of the Week...

You know how for some people, their first time truly is one to remember because it is so sweet and tender and just everything a first should be?

Well, First by OnTheTurningAway is just that. It's her first fanfic, her first slash story and she tells of Edward and Jasper's first times. In everything. You truly get the feeling from Edward that he is loved and cherished, and the love he feels for Jasper is almost tangible. These boys have known each other for a long time, and are best friends before anything else.

Here's a little snippet to show you the love that's there (and I'm not talkin' about the sexual kind. If you want to get to that, you'll have to read).

Jasper and I were in high school, relying on and supporting each other as we tried to find our way in such an intimidating new setting. Having Jasper by my side made the transition much easier than I expected and I eventually settled into a routine, even managing to make a few new friends. Months passed and things went on as usual until my world came crashing down around me with the sudden passing of my mother.

Jasper was there for me then, as he had been so many times before, doing what no one else could. He soothed me. He sat with me in silence and held my hand. When even that became more than I could bear, he put his arm around me, pulling me close, as I rested my head on his shoulder. Jasper understood without a word that I wasn’t ready to talk, that I didn’t really have anything to say. I closed myself off to everyone but him. He stayed at my house night after night, without question. It was clear to everyone that I wouldn’t make it through this okay without Jasper, that I needed him.

Weeks later, when anger bubbled up through my overwhelming sadness, Jasper brought me to the batting cages, not to play but to throw and hit things, physically expelling my rage until all that was left was an exhausted teenage boy with tear-stained cheeks. When I screamed and sobbed about the unfairness of life, Jasper held me for what seemed like hours, never once shying away from my emotional outbursts, regardless of where they took place. It was almost as if he surrounded me in a protective bubble of friendship and love, absorbing the emotions pouring out of me and replacing them with calmness. Jasper instinctively knew what I needed and he gave it to me without question.

OnTheTurningAway has painted a very believable, very vivid picture of these two boys. I know I'm not alone when I say I would love to see more of them. They are endearing and will grab your heart and hold on tight.

Thanks for poppin' that cherry, OnTheTurningAway!

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There you go, another week gone by, I hope you remembered your towels! I won't be held responsible for any messy clean ups, after all.

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Hey, now y'all know we're lovin' the boy-lovin' over at TU, right? So I'm just going to go right out and beg. Yes, that's right, beg. Me. I know y'all can write some good stuff. I need for the rest of you to find that out, too, so come and give it your all and send us your slashy goodness. We have a contest going on, after all! Any boys will do! They all need some good lovin', and I would love to see them comin' our way ;-).

There's still 5 days to enter, so bring it! Gimme that lovin' feelin', y'all!

Tuesday's Best ~ December 8, 2009

Tuesday's are for the best slash stories we can find, and this Tuesday is no different. Well, perhaps a little, if only because I'm on my own today. Poor Whitlock's Girl has had laptop fail and is without internet until her new one arrives.

Don't worry though; I've got ya covered, darlin'!

You're all used to receiving two recommendations, so who am I to deny you two awesome stories? Okay, let's get this started, shall we?
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First off, I found something really sweet the other day and wanted to share it with you. It's another one-shot, and it's short, but the glimpse it gives into the lives of the main characters is beautiful.

It's EJ_Santry's Coming Home

“I can taste our toothpaste,” I said, still smiling.

“Mmm. I taste…” he responded raising his eyebrow playfully before leaning in and thrusting his tongue deep into my mouth, leaving me breathless before surfacing, “coffee. Knowing you, I taste a Pumpkin Spice Latte.”

“Indeed, you do,” I laughed, but then pulled him close to me. “I love that you know me so well.”

I know that this isn't much, but once you read the rest, I think you'll understand that just that bit paints a picture of home. At least, it did to me.

Now, a little birdy tells me that this may be continued. I'm seriously hoping that it does, because I've fallen in love already. I'm sure most of you will, too.

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Now I promised you two rec's today, right? Let's see what else I've got for you, hmm?

So there's a story that started a few weeks ago that caught my attention. And shocker of shocks... it's not a one-shot! *gasps* I know! I actually read something new that was going to continue. And boy am I glad that it's continuing! ;-) It's one of the stories I'll read as soon as I am able, preferably while I'm waking up with my coffee. Don't know why, but this story is just perfect for it - for me, at least.

The story in question? Why it's by Darkira (you remember her, don't you? from Comfort in Pain?) and it's called Brand New Start.

When an event rider and his horse go through a serious trauma, a "horse whisperer" is needed to try and get the horse back on track. But is the rider beyond any help? How about the whisperer himself?

Curious yet? No? Want a little more? Well, let's see what we can come up with, shall we?

“Mrs. Cullen, nice to meet you, Ma'am,” I said in a low and calm tone, so the mare would see that I was friends with someone she knew.

“Mr. Whitlock, call me Esme. And it is nice to see you ignored my request to meet me for lunch in favor of meeting Calla. I appreciate the dedication,” she said, shaking my hand. Her handshake was firm and friendly, just like she seemed to be.

“Call me Jasper.” Smiling, I turned to look at the mare. “She is a lovely horse,” I said looking at the mare.

Hearing Esme sigh next to me, I looked at her and saw tears in her eyes and I wondered what I said to cause them.

“Oh...it's nothing...it's just...you're the first person that's come to see her who says she is lovely, not was.” She looked at me through her long, and thick lashes. Being she was a petite woman, I towered over her.

“Anyone can see that she is just that. I can't guarantee anything, though. You need to keep that in mind.” It was best that I was upfront with her about this fact right away.

“It's allright. I have a good feeling about this. At least you're willing to try. Usually, people take one look at her body language and decide she's not going to make it. Most say we should have put her down,” she said with a sigh.

“I don't think that would have been the right thing to do,” I replied as she placed her tiny hand on my forearm.

“Thank you for coming, Jasper.” She smiled at me warmly, and I truly felt welcome.

“There's no telling how long this will take. All I'm asking for are meals and a roof over my head for now. It might take a week or it could take months; I have the time. I can try to do this but it will be on my terms. If I tell you, at any point, that I think she's out of reach of my help, I will need for you to respect that,” I said in the same quiet and courteous tone.

If you want more (and come on, you know you do, because...well, where's the rider? Who is the rider?), you'll have to go check it out for yourself. When you do, be sure to check out her outtakes, too. Enjoy!

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Okay, this was my first time posting recs, so hopefully I did okay ;-) If not, you have my sincere apologies. Whitlock's Girl should be back next week. *crosses fingers*

Oh! Almost forgot. I know that the contest is over, the polls have closed, and you're all anxious to find out who won. I hope that you can all be patient for just a little while longer, until WG is back again, because (being the New Kid) I'm not entirely sure what's what as far as 'procedure' goes. I promise that we will get back to you with the poll results as soon as possible, though.

Anyway, there you have it. Another Tuesday, another towel ;-) (don't blame me if you forgot, you oughtta know by now that you're likely going to need one).

Happy Holidays, y'all!