Guest Rec - Dtav

Hello all!  It’s Denise aka dtav.

When I was asked to do a rec here I will admit I did a little fangirl squee before composing myself enough to say yes! I’m so excited to be talking about some of my favorite stories!  It was hard deciding which ones to concentrate on, as I love so many, but since one of my choices, Sinners Island by TwistedforTwilight, was done already it narrowed it down for me.

When Fiction Comes To Life

The Kinsey Scale

One of my favorite slash awards categories is “but I thought I was straight”.  I love reading those stories!   My very first slash story involved a very confused popular ladies’ man named Jasper who questioned everything he ever knew when he fell hard for a man named Edward in All I Ever Knew by manyafandom .  Then there was Edward, who had a steady girlfriend, yet fell for Jasper in Secrets and Lies by OCDJen and in Masks by HopelessRomantic79

Then there is gay Jasper who only dates straight men and who snares Edward in

How to Turn a Straight Guy Gay by Lou-La  

So are these scenarios possible, and do they happen in real life?  Just ask gay Will and an actual “but I thought I was straight” RJ…

Such a sweet couple!  They actually went as a “pitcher” and a “catcher” for Halloween this year.

But does a straight person “turn gay”?  Well, not exactly, not if we study and understand the Kinsey Scale, a sexuality indicator from 0 – 6 developed by Dr. Alfred Kinsey.  This concept was discussed in The Kinsey Scale by Pastiche Pen, written for the intheclosetcontest

Personally I think the Kinsey Scale is pure genius.  It was revolutionary in its day.  It was a major breakthrough in studying human sexuality.  Genius, revolutionary, and breakthrough….  but only the tip of the iceberg.   It is so complex, and there is so much more yet to discover.  However, since our society is just barely coming out of the dark ages in this regard, we have only just scratched the surface.

The Kinsey definitions of the scale can be found at

http://www.kinseyinstitute.org/research/ak-hhscale.html

And much of Kinsey’s research continues on:

http://www.kinseyinstitute.org/

http://kinseyconfidential.org/

And there has been some attempt by Dr Fritz Klein to expand on the basic principal: http://www.bisexual.org/kleingrid.html

To understand the history of the Kinsey Scale a little better, there is a 2004 Movie about Dr Alfred Kinsey:  “Kinsey” (available at Netflix).  It is excellent and offers a great appreciation for just how far ahead of his time Dr Kinsey was.  There is also a PBC documentary:  “Kinsey: American Experience” that I have not seen yet, but is on my list.

I find it very frustrating when people appear ignorant of the Kinsey Scale.  Sometimes they claim that straight people can be turned gay, or that gay people can be “cured” (as if there is anything wrong with them in the first place).   Recently one such person who promoted gay “therapy” showed us all just how well it really works…  see the plight of George Rekkers   http://www.sunjournal.com/node/844399

I think ZJemptv provides a very nice summary of Kinsey scale:

Of course seeing ZJ brings other questions to mind!  I think it is important to note that

sexual orientation does not dictate gender identification and vice versa.  Nor does cross-dressing.  For example, Drag Queens are not necessarily transgender, nor are they always gay for that matter.  Those are topics for another day.

In the meantime, there is a very sweet story about a cross dressing Edward in The Measure of a Man by PolkaDotMoma

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6222996/1/The_Measure_of_a_Man

So where does the population tend to fall on the Kinsey Scale?   That turns out to be another very frustrating question.  Generally experts do not even agree yet.  I suspect it can still be pretty hard to get accurate information from people.  The following is the most recent study numbers I’ve seen, and it does not even incorporate the Scale:

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/10/04/National_Sex_Survey_Released/

I think most people don’t even understand the Scale, or their own sexuality, well enough yet.  I don’t think they can determine where they are on the scale; much less provide accurate information for a study.   There is still just too much left to learn.

So our favorite Twi-slash characters did not actually turn gay instantly.  They were probably low on the Scale (between 1 and 2 maybe?) and just happened to meet that one special person who rocked their world.  Have you ever played the game “who would you go gay for?”  Then you probably aren’t at “0” either.  Personally I believe we are all born with our own unique spot on the Kinsey Scale - which makes for a lot of decimal places....   and for a very interesting world.   

What do you think?

Slash Guest Author Rec - Ealasaid77

Okay, so this makes me more nervous than I ever thought I'd be.  Weird, huh?  No, not really, at least not according to nearly every other person.  I think they were all nervous.  Honestly, I feel like Bella did when she had to tell a little bit about herself in her class.  Yeah, I feel a bit like that right now... all nervous and shit.

Anyway, there are so many great stories I'd love to recommend, but most of them have already appeared on here once before, so narrowing it down has been challenging.  Naelany did tell me that I could rec things that weren't slash, but since I started writing it I honestly have trouble reading anything that isn't anymore. 

The newest story to capture my heart is Touchstone67 story If On A Winter's Night

Jasper and Edward make plans to celebrate their love on New Year's Eve, but that never happens.  Edward is hit head on, in a car crash, in his haste to see Jasper, and that one crash alters his life and that of Jasper's as well. This is only a few chapters in, but the story itself is beautiful and worth reading. 

Hard stone, cracked from attempts to break through their impenetrable protection, surrounded him.  His heart was safely locked behind the fortress, not even a drawbridge allowing visitors across the long dried up moat of emotions.

Only unlike a real fortress, this one hadn't taken years to construct.

It had only taken one night.

One horrific, terrifying night that left his eyes empty of light, hands empty of mine, legs empty of energy and life.

Watching from a distance, I stood quietly by a tree, desperately trying to recognize this new boy behind the walls, wondering if he still had my heart.

The story is heartwrenching, with a few breaks between to see the past relationship between the two so you don't become too overwhelmed.

My next recommendation is actually something written for me for my birthday. OCDJen wrote The Major's Pet for my birthday as a one shot that she's chosen to continue.  This one isn't sweet, sappy, or syrupy.  For Jen, it's one of the darkest things she's ever written and for that alone I love it because it's different. 

Edward becomes Jasper's 'pet' in this fic.  The Major seems to take a lot of enjoyment out of playing with his food.

"When the order is given you will stand and face front.  Your shoulders will be square and you will not attempt any form of contact with anyone else."  The female's voice was fearsome and strong, and demanding that we did as we were told.

The lighting came on, low enough that you could see, but not bright enough for it to hurt your eyes.  Looking around the room, I saw at least fifty men and women stripped down to their underwear, in the room.  I hadn't even realised I was in just my boxer shorts.  Maybe my mind hadn't fully processed all that was happening until the lights came on.

"Stand!"  The demand came from a male's voice.  Whimpers and cries continued to fill the room.  Fully grown men were reduced to tears, crying like babies over their fate.

The four figures slowly came into view.  The first was a woman with long brown, slightly wavy, hair that cascaded over her shoulders and down her back.  Her skin was pure white.  There was not a single blemish or marking.  She began to move first, almost floating down the lines of men and women studying them.  Next to walk down the rows was a man with shortish blond hair.  It came close to the bottom of his ears, falling in curls.  Again His skin, just the same as the woman's, was pure white.  He didn't seem to waste his time moving along the lines of men and women.  His light blue eyes looked at me before making a beeline for me.  I wondered if I had just sealed my fate by making eye contact with him.

"Perfect."  He drawled in my ear.  There was the faintest sound of a southern accent in his voice.  "Don't panic."  Was all I heard before a cloth was placed over my eyes.  Ice cold fingers brushed against my warm skin sending a shiver throughout me.

Fingers gripped my arm loosely, but not that loose that I could escape.  Fear washed over me as I was led away.  I could feel his cool breath on my arm as he led me down winding corridors and narrow paths.  My heart was beating like crazy in my chest, and I could hear its unsteady drum in my ears.

I'm going to die!  I thought as an almost crippling fear crashed through me.

The next story I'd like to offer isn't from a new author, but they are new to slash. Drizl's story When the Night Comes is also a Jasper/Edward fic.  Jasper hasn't been home in five years after Edward leaves him and has been running away from everyone, including his family, the entire time.  Now that Jasper's mother is sick and dying he returns home to be with her in her final days and all his old memories return of a time when he was happy and in love, and not broken.

"Mama, I'm sorry for not keeping in contact."

"You had your reasons and the past is just that...the past.  I can't change it, you can't change it, so let's move on.  I don't have a lot of time to be sorting through things that have already happened.  You're here now and that's what's important,"  she said giving me a small smile.  You don't need to tell me anything specific, Jasper, just talk to me.  I want to know you are going to be okay."

And so I started to talk.  I mustered up the courage and told her where I went after I left Forks, the interesting people I met and some of the jobs I held.  I edited heavily, until she put her hand on my arm.

"Jasper, just stop okay.  Did Rosalie tell you to fill me full of crap?  I'm not stupid.  I know way more than you give me credit for so please give me some truth here,"  she said.

My eyes widened.  "But Rosalie will have my head,"  I said.

"Now you listen to me.  I'm gonna lay it all out because like I said earlier, I don't have a lot of time left and I will not have my son painting a pretty picture because it's for the best.  I remember how broken you were,"  she paused and took a deep breath.  "I know why you left, Jasper."

She couldn't possibly know.  How could she know?  We had never talked about it.  Fuck I was going to have a panic attack in front of my mother and I didn't know how to stop it.  I wasn't ashamed of sleeping with guys, but it's not something I really wanted to talk about with my mother.  I cringed when she lifted my chin so I had to look in her eyes.

"Jasper, never be ashamed of loving anyone,"  she said fiercely.  "I never did go for labels.  Love is love.  Doesn't matter who you love, but that you did love."

"But...but,"  I stammered.  "Mama, I thought you would be angry or worse disgusted with me."

"What why would you think that?  You're my child, I love you.  I don't give a rat's ass who you love, only that they love you back and treat you right, because you my darling, are worth it."

At the moment, I didn't feel like I was worth anything, to anyone.

"Look baby, I knew about you and him.  You would have to blind not to see the love you held for that boy and the look in your eyes when you came home after that graduation party.  It broke my heart.  I don't need the details.  The look on your face haunted me for weeks.  You wear your emotions on your sleeve honey."  She brushed her hand against my cheek and I had to choke back a sob.

"I thought I hid it so well.  He didn't want anyone to know. I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid I would lose him if I said anything."

"And yet, you lost him anyway.  Keeping secrets is not a good way to live your life.  They eat at your insides until there's nothing left,"  she said quietly.  "I'm so sorry you had to suffer so, my beautiful golden boy."

All my muscles stiffened when those words came out of her mouth.  "Please don't call me that, Mama.  I will never live up to your expectations of me."

"Jasper, the only thing I expect from you is that you love me and that you try to be happy."

"I do love you Mama, and I would give anything to be happy again."

"Anything?"

"Of course,"  I answered.

"Then you need to talk to Edward."

I flew out of bed.  "I am NOT talking to him...ever,"  I snarled.

Those are my rec's, I hope some of you give them a chance.  Not a single funny, or crack piece in the bunch, unusual for me as I tend to love those.

Slash Guest Author Rec - mynameisserendipity

Hi Twi-Slashers!

I just can’t believe that I am actually doing a rec’ for TwiSlash Unveiled! I am incredibly nervous about it, especially as I am reading lots of incredible stories and had to choose only a few among them. That was by far the hardest.

So here is my selection of fics for today:

The Bad Boys Fics:

“Dark Salvation” by Kittenmischief (aka Fiberkitty and mischief-maker1) was one of the very first fics I read that contained slash.

Edward is a surgeon, who is completely depressed after the loss of one of his patients. He turns to Jasper, an unconventional therapist with a very dark past, to heal. The story is VERY dark and about a Dom/sub relationship. The plot twist is just amazing! The authors had me addicted to their story so much that I stayed awake a whole night to get to read the last chapter and then shared on forum with the others readers.

The storyline is very interesting; the whole thing is beautifully written and sexy as hell. And you get to read the Sequel “Dark Jewel”, which describes Edward’s life in Jasper’s universe.

So if you missed this story or didn’t start the sequel yet, go, read, and review these two ladies!

If you are not into D/s fiction, no worries, here is another kind of bad boys that will surely satisfy you!

Always fantasized about a Gangsper/Bondward story? Are you attracted by danger and lust? Well, this is the perfect story for you:

“The Edge of Love” by OCDJen 

Edward Cullen is an undercover British agent in charge to bring down Jasper Whitlock, one of the most dangerous and powerful mob bosses.

The storyline is incredibly exciting and full of sexual tensions. The author manages to slowly get you inside the perilous and dark world of crimes, while driving you crazy with frustration. The attraction between the two main characters is palpable and so well written that you will soon join me to beg her for the next chapter!

I love how the author created such complex characters. Edward is constantly struggling between his duty and the attraction he has for the man he is supposed to put in jail. Jasper is a real criminal, not afraid to kill, with a mysterious and traumatizing past that Edward has to discover.

The whole story is very compelling, keeping you on edge, always wanting for more.

So if you want to lose yourself in the arms of some sexy and dangerous men, run and devour this fiction!

The Angst Fics

I know how much some of you love dramas, heartbreaks, and make-up sex, so I have two amazing fictions for you that will completely fit these requirements.

“Destination” by Kerrfrano.

Jasper and Edward met on a plane and spent the next twenty-four hours having sex before one of them disappeared, just leaving a note. The next time they see each other, they finally get more time together and fall deeply in love with each other. But one of them disappeared, once again just leaving a note. What will happen the next time they meet?

I can’t tell you, but I can swear it is worth reading it! The author is able to mix angst and hot lemons to create a perfectly heartbreaking plot. You want to know more about these two characters, especially Edward, who stays a mystery for quite some time. You want to hug them or shake some sense in them. You want them to be happy, and at the same time you can’t get enough of their misfortune.

It’s a delight to read, so click on the link, enjoy, and review!

“It’s all relative” by Mauralee88.

The story begins with a devastated Edward leaving Jasper, certain that the man he loves is in fact in love with someone else. The author bravely pushes you directly in the heart of the drama before telling you, little by little, what happened to her characters.

This is a brilliant family drama, where true love fights against first love, where misunderstandings lead to pain and cries and you wish you could jump inside the story and tell them all what is really happening. But all you can do is sit back and enjoy this awesome ride.

This well-written fiction is certainly worth reading, so give the author some love while you’re discovering her story.

The Sweet Fic:

I want to finish with a light and fluffy note, because sometimes, real life drama is just too much to handle and all you crave is something funny and sugary.

“Mismatch Made in Heaven” by Mrs Agget is just what you need then!

Rough cowboy Edward is falling hard for shy and geeky Jasper, helping him to get out of his shell and getting more confident to face the world.

The plot is full of tenderness, delicious lemons, and funny moments. The author invites you into the world of barrel races and country music, where the Cullens are finally less refined to just be more human, playful and teasing. I just love the humor of the story and how the characters evolved. The storyline is well done too, mixing sweetness and drama, but always keeping you contented.

If you want to end your day with a smile on your face, this fiction is perfect for you.

Voilà!

I am done.

I hope you will find something to your liking in this rec! And Thank You Nae for giving me the chance to share some of my fave fics with you all!

When Fiction Comes To Life

Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) is a well known phrase these days and very popular in the news lately. It was a military policy implemented in 1993 under President Clinton. While nearly 80% of all Americans today are in favor of repealing DADT, it was actually seen as a major breakthrough in gay rights when it was first introduced. It was a bipartisan compromise that ended the outright ban of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals from the military. The compromise stated that the military would not ask, and the service people would not tell what their sexual orientation was.

Little did anyone know at the time that it would cost taxpayers over 400 million dollars. It also resulted in nearly 14,000 dismissals of which approximately 1000 were considered mission critical, thus jeopardizing military readiness. This does not include the numbers that did not re-enlist because the fear of being found out was just too great. Even those that did not ‘tell’ lived in constant fear, because it was quite common for someone in an act of vengeance or other harassment to report on someone else’s sexual orientation.

While we implemented DADT, most of our allies in other countries outright removed all military discrimination based on sexual orientation. And everything has gone very well for them. In fact, our allies also recently announced that they will no longer fight alongside US troops unless we end our discrimination. They cite concern for their soldiers from US homophobia. Our allies make some interesting points in the following article: http://www.truthwinsout.org/blog/2010/05/8992

Some question why it makes any difference and wonder why people cannot simply remain silent. However, the truth is that soldiers are being asked to constantly lie about a major part of their life. While many soldiers openly discuss significant others and have pictures of their personal lives, the gay and lesbian soldiers are forbidden to do so. It is a constant every day concern for them.

DADT has had an impact on several of our favorite slash characters. Jasper felt he must break it off with Edward to join the military in “It’s Fate" by OCDJen. Edward is currently in counseling after having had to hold it all in and lie every day for eight years about who he was in “Southern Charm” by Meikela. One of the most difficult of all stories involving DADT which permeated the story was “Chromaticity” by shoefreak37. My favorite quote from that story is “Edward would glare at the faded, ubiquitous 'support our troops' magnets that were on every other vehicle he saw. Support our troops, but only if they're straight, he would think bitterly”

Here is a real life plea from the boyfriend of a soldier. He made and posted several videos. The saddest of which he made is called “Boyfriend left for military” where he is in tears. He almost looks like Edward in that one. In this one he explains the impact on DADT on real people and he makes several good points:

Read more real stories here:
http://www.wegiveadamn.org/category/military
http://www.sldn.org/blog/c/letters

It may seem like a small thing to some, and others may wonder what the big deal is if they are not interested in the military. However, historically how we treat our soldiers does tend to impact other elements of society. Remember when the voting age was dropped from 21 to 18? The strongest argument was that if they are old enough to die for their country, they are old enough to vote. We can only hope that once DADT is repealed, we will see more positive changes to our society.

The House of Representatives approved a measure that would add the repeal of DADT to the Defense Authorization Bill. As a compromise, it will only go into effect when signed off by the Defense Secretary, Joint Chiefs Chairman, and the President. It is unclear whether or not actual nondiscrimination language will be added to the military code and if any consideration will be made for a soldier’s partner. Republicans in the Senate have threatened to filibuster the bill. (Now would be a good time to contact your senator.)

If you are aware of any other Twilight slash stories featuring DADT, please let us know in the comments.

Slash Guest Author Rec - OCDJen

Hi all!

So happy to have my turn to recommend some great little fics, though I have had a job and a half going through them all. :)

There have been some of my faves already recommended on here and pimped to death, that I thought I would pimp out two little, golden, unknown fics and Authors.

My first is: Scares and Nightmares by Ealasaid77!

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5546703/1/Scars_and_Nightmares


When Amy first told me about this fic, I got very excited, very fast. If any of you read my stuff you know I have a thing for the more heart breaking, more angsty fics. I really do get all happy when things start to go wrong. :)

This fic is not for the faint hearted. It deals with some real life experiences and how sick and twisted this world can really be. Having said that, there is also a strong message of hope and that things can and will get better.

Here's a snipet.

"Fine, except I didn't want to be here today, now did I?" I asked him bitingly. He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Okay Jasper, you didn't want to be here. Are you feeling any pain at all today?" He asked me.
"Only my arms, they feel like they are on fire. It's not like I can't deal with the pain though." I said. I'd lived through much, much worse.

"Jasper, I need to take a look at your wounds, if that's okay?" He asked me and I nodded. What did it matter now anyway? I was sure once I got out of here I'd do the same thing, only succeeding that time.

The doctor pulled the sheets back and pushed up the hospital gown looking at the old and fresh scars on my thighs. Tracing them his jaw clenched tight in anger. I'd seen that look, but where? "Do I know you?" I asked him.

Shaking his head no he said "No, I don't think so." Then he looked as though he was debating something berfore he leaned down and whispered in my ear "But I think I know what you're going through."

He unwrapped my arms and took a look at the long gashes I'd left there. They'd be ugly things for sure, but as I didn't plan on living much longer it didn't matter. I knew I had stitches where the deeper gashes were so he didn't cover them back up instead letting them heal with the air over them.

Then the doctor pressed against my belly feeling all around. I assumed he was seeing by hand if I'd done too much damage to my liver. I guess what he saw so far was a relief to him, but he told me he wanted to order more tests to make sure. I wanted to tell him not to bother, it wouldn't make any difference. I chose to keep my mouth shut as long as possible knowing they'd never let me out if they thought I would go back and do that again immediately.


My second fic is: Two Different Worlds by dtav

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5752004/1/Two_Different_Worlds

I adore this fic! There aren't enough good Vamp/Human fics, and this popped into my inbox to preread, I fell in love with it right away.

Here's a snipet:

He laughed, and what a beautiful laugh he had. "Yes, I survived. Although why I wanted to come back to high school, I'll never know. I didn't enjoy it much the first time around." He smiled at Emmett as he finished speaking and then I saw him throw a glance my way. I could see that Emmett was having a hard time with this.

Since Emmett certainly wasn't going to introduce me of his own accord, I had to take the bull by the horns. "Emmett, aren't you going to introduce me?" I said. I took a good look at him, drinking in the sight of his pale skin, and his eyes. His hair was a bronze color and sticking every which way as if he just rolled out of bed. His scent was getting stronger, and I could hear his heart beating in his chest.

"Oh, uh, sure, I guess." Emmett stammered. Gesturing to me, he said, "Jasper, this is my chemistry teacher, Mr. Cullen. Mr. Cullen, this is my cousin, Jasper."

I leaned forward and grabbed his hand. ""It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cullen." I said.
"It's nice to meet you, Jasper. Please, call me Edward." He replied. "Nice car." He added, looking over at my car.

"You like it?" I was surprised.

"I love it. I do. They are very hard to find and restore. Did you do it yourself?"

"I most certainly did. It took me forever to find all the right parts, but it's perfect now. Maybe I could take you for a ride sometime?" I could see it now, him riding me in the backseat of my car. Oh yes, I promised myself, that was going to happen.

"That would be nice. Then, maybe after that, I could take you for a ride in mine?" He said smiling at me.

"Yours?" I asked. What was he talking about?

"Yes, mine." He said. "I happen to have a 1971 Pontiac GTO in black."

No fucking way!!! "You're kidding me, right?" I asked.

"I kid you not. If you just wait here a minute, I'll get it." He headed over to the parking lot. The minute he left, Emmett was on me. He obviously didn't like the fact that I was getting all chummy with his teacher. Before I had a chance to tell him it was none of his business, Edward pulled up.

So there you have it. Run, don't walk and read these two awesome little fics!
Jen xoxo