Tuesday's Best 7-10-2012

Good morning, my lovelies! Hope you're enjoying some beautiful summer weather and staying cool, safe, and healthy. MizzDee and I have heat of a different sort to bring you, so settle in and get comfortable and we'll get right to it.

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Tuesday's Best 4-10-2012

Good morning, my lovelies! I hope today finds you all happy, healthy, and safe. I know I said last week that Connie would have a rec for you today, but a tornado hit her town and while she's okay, she's had some power/internet/amenities issues. Luckily, SorceressCirce is an utter sweetheart and has kindly jumped in to help us out with a wonderful rec of her own. So this week, you'll get two guest recs. Why don't we get right down to it, I'm sure you're all just as curious as I am.

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Slash Guest Author Rec - mrsyt31

Okay, so I have to admit, when Naelany asked me to do this...well, I might have panicked a little at first. Admittedly, I’ve been happily lost in Jewnicorn/TSN RPF for weeks now. If you have no idea what that is, well, look back to ArcadianMaggie’s guest rec from a few weeks back. I could go on and on about my love for that fandom, but I won’t. Instead, I’d like to focus on what keeps pulling me back in to the TwiFandom.

So I will admit, somewhat shamefully, that I really only read slash. I can’t help it, boy/girl pairings just haven’t been able to draw my attention for awhile, and there is SO MUCH GOOD SLASH in this fandom that, really? Why would I want to read anything else? And, while I still enjoy all the full length WIP’s that I’ve been following for months (and sometimes more than a year or two), what I’m really loving right now is the uprising of the drabble fic.

Tuesday's Best 3-8-2011

Good morning, everyone! Hope you're doing well (and playing nice with each other, because really, nice and/or naughty are the only way to go ;-)). Life sometimes relishes in throwing a wrench in the best laid plans, and so it is this week. Our beloved Captain Jezebel sends her apologies (and many hugs and kisses to y'all. Or maybe just to me, but I'm happy to share ;-)), but she got called away by Real Life duties this week, so I'll be filling in for her.

Aradi is with me today, though, so let's see what kind of mischief the two of us have got in store for you today ;-) Oh, and there's a special little extra at the bottom, as well ;-)

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I'm always grateful for the generosity of the writers in this fandom.  Not only do they write stories for us to enjoy, but they write even more things as gifts to each other (and in contests and in fundraisers) and they graciously share them with us!

It's like getting a piece of everyone's birthday, not just your own.

(It could only be better if there was cake involved.)

OnTheTurningAway wrote Imperfect Timing for Ahizelm's birthday.  It's a story made of 30 drabbles (and you know how I feel about drabbles).

It's also Jasper & Peter, and you know how I feel about non-E/J pairings.

(You also know how I feel about E/J pairings, but that's a story for another day.)

The first week at the shop was incredibly busy and Jasper had (mostly) gotten over being awestruck in Peter's presence. Peter had asserted that if good coffee was properly prepared, no additions were needed. Jasper readily agreed and a friendship was born.

Jasper spent breaks in the café, poring over travel books, scribbling in his journal and sneaking looks at Peter. They'd shared several sexually charged glances but never spoke of their obvious mutual attraction.

Jasper genuinely liked Peter. If the timing had been different, he would have made a move, but he was focused on saving money for Italy.

The timing is indeed imperfect.  Jasper is earning as much money as he can for a semester abroad when he meets Peter at his new job.  There's a friendship and an attraction, but Jasper doesn't want things to go any further since he's about to leave the country.

On top of that, Jasper starts getting mysterious messages.

You are beautiful. I want to know you.

(*swoon*)

I loved this story because Jasper is a sincere and well-meaning guy, who is just screwed by circumstance.  Also, the notes are disgustingly flirty and romantic and made me completely jealous.  

Will Jasper give Peter a chance and quit cockblocking himself?  Will Jasper still go to Italy?  Will Jasper figure out who is leaving him the anonymous notes?

(Will there be birthday cake?)

Read Imperfect Timing and find out!  

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As most people probably know by now, I’m not that much of a sports person. I don’t play them, and have little interest in them (barring an exception or two *clears throat*). However, being surrounded by football-lovers does tend to rub off a little over time. Between a husband who loves the game, and a co-writer who’s a die-hard Falcons fan... well, I’ve had to learn to enjoy it. At least a little.

Here’s where ICMezzo’s brilliance comes in handy. She wrote Score! in honor of SorceressCirce’s birthday a while back, and boy oh boy does it help to get a new appreciation for the game ;-) Pun may or may not be intended - you’ll have to read for yourself to figure that out, hehe.

Anyway! ICMezzo and SorceressCirce’s shared love of the game prompted this story into existence, for which I’m very grateful. ICMezzo brings Jasper and Edward alive in a way I don’t think I’ve ever really come across - and I love it. Oh, and let’s not forget Emmett (and Rose), of course ;-)

Emmett and Jasper are out together watching the game. They’re having a good time, even though for a while there things don’t look to be going so well for their team. Emmett doesn’t let the fact that Rosalie roots for the other team distract from his flirting with her.

Since Emmett got them into the game, Jasper’s paying for all their refreshments - fair deal, right? During a break (see, not a sports person, so no technical terms here), Jasper tries to get them beers when he runs into Edward. Literally. Jasper ends up with beer all over him, and Edward insists on getting him new ones, so who can blame Jasper for doing a little snooping of the crowds once they’re back in their seats?

It was only natural to scan the crowd between plays. And really, was it my fault that my eyes were trained to pick out Falcon's red in a sea of black and silver Saints paraphernalia? Thanks to the binoculars I recognized plenty of Matt Ryan jerseys, enjoyed some creative face painting, read a few signs, and... spotted another pair of binoculars framed by messy bronze hair and a red #88 jersey—aimed directly at me from two sections away.

Edward. It was Edward. And then Edward gave a shy wave in my direction.

I smiled and waved back.

"Hey! Who 'dat?" Emmett joked, punching me in the arm, before stealing the binoculars and training them back in Edward's direction.

"Emmett! No, stop, please," I begged, and futilely tried to grab them back.

I saw the tiny spec of Edward quickly pull his own pair away from his nose and turn back to face the field.

"Shit," I muttered under my breath.

Emmett shrugged and handed them back to me after a few agonizing seconds. "Nice," he commented. "#88. He's a fan of tight ends."

*chuckles* Leave it to the big guy. Read for yourself to see what happens after this, and to find out just how big of a fan our Edward really is ;-)

 

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Now for something a little out of the ordinary. Conversed came to me the other day, with a story she wanted me to look at. I enjoyed it, so asked her to write a little something for it, and luckily, she obliged (Thanks, bb!). With everything going on of late within the fandom (and let's face it, outside of it, too), I thought it prudent to have a little reminder on what fanfic's supposed to be - for authors as well as readers: fun. 

If a little crack-fic can't do that, then I don't know what will ;-)

Here's what Conversed has to share:

Outside the Bubble.

I first found this story before Christmas and thought it might be one to watch.  As the chapters have mounted, I’ve lurched from snorting with laughter to shaking my head, and I blame OvertlyConcealed for that.

Her Edward has issues.

I might be understating it a little.

Her Edward has ISSUES.

He’s insular, insecure and utterly socially inept. To be honest he doesn’t have a lot going for him apart from the fact that he’s gorgeous, and Edward, and sweet, and Edward, and lovable, and Edward.

He’s so self aware that it’s painful;

“I may have an irrational fear of sea creatures”

His real issue is that he’s hopelessly in love with Jasper, but truly believes he has no hope of getting his man. In a display of typical avoidance he hides from his feelings;

“However, "Operation Don't-talk-to-Jasper" didn't really work out for me when every day for the last month – no matter what I did, no matter what time I left – we always ended up together on the elevator at the end of the day”

That’s because Jasper has a crush on you, fool.

“Of course, I will start out small. Maybe say a 'good bye' or a 'see you later,' nothing fancy, just a nice little baby step”

Just talk to him, fool.

I swallowed hard. This was it, time to man up.

"Good you later, Mr. Whitlock!"

My body tensed and I saw Jasper stop mid step.

Did I just say, "Good you later?

Fool.

The story is just heating up; there’s been rocking in the corner, fears about his administrative assistant giving birth in his office, rocking in the corner, reminiscing about Riley’s tongue down his throat….wait, did I mention Riley?

"Oh, sorry about that," Riley said as he tried to adjust the cart to fit into the elevator properly. "It's just that my thing is so big, sometimes it can get a little hard to maneuver in such a small place."

Jasper hates Riley, Riley wants Edward, Edward wants Jasper.

Fools.

Jump in and get reading.  OvertlyConcealed has just taken on the lovely sapphirescribe and cocoalvin as betas to whip her chapters into shape.  It’s already quirky and funny and a leetle bit crack-ficy, and that’s exactly what I like.

Because I’m a fool, too.

Conversed.

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There you have it, folks. A couple of lovely stories to sink your teeth into. Be sure to leave these wonderful ladies some love, and check back next week to see what Stolenxsanity and I have in store for you.  

 

In the mean time, let's all remember to try to let the fandom be the fun refuge/play area it's supposed to be. After all, we're all adults here, right? Right? (y'all better be, or else shame on you for reading this here blog. Go sit in the corner and wait 'til your Mama tells you you can join in on the fun. Hmm, wait a minute...) 

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!