December 11, 2011

We will be closed for pimpin' through the month of December for much needed time for the holidays and organizing!  I want to personally thank everyone who has helped with the blog this past year!  I couldn't do this without all of the wonderful support from staff, guest reviewers and people who get the word out about us! I will still be tweeting updates and will be around, so feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday season and fantastic end to 2011!  See you in the New Year! XOXO!

One Shot of the Week: 11/28/11

December 03, 2011

Cinnamon Bread and Awkward Head by VampiresHaveLaws

Rating: M
Genre: Humor/Romance
Characters: Edward & Bella

Summary: Entry for the Awkward Contest - Sugar and Spice and all things awkward. Will Edward's embarrassing behaviour blow his chances with the girl of his choice? Or will cinnamon gum lover Isabella Swan know just what to do with him? O/S AH - 2nd Place Winner.

TennesseeLamb's Rec of the Week: 11/28/11

December 02, 2011

Stolen Secrets & Shattered Dreams by FoxxyJ
Review by TennesseeLamb

Rating: M
Genre: Hurt/Comfort/Drama
Characters: Edward & Bella

Summary: A NYC barman views his mind reading as an isolating cancer, until he meets a lonely 28yr old trying to escape her sad reality. His life is full of harsh lessons. Hers an uphill battle, so she never complains when a beautiful boy treats her badly. EXB AH

If Tom Cruise had Renee Zellweger at “Hello”, then FoxxyJ had me at “No ripping foil packets!” That’s right, I was pulled into this story on the sole fact that I would not have my (yes, MY) lemon interrupted with a frigging condom PSA. Now, before you write me off or make an even bigger mistake and forgo this story because of your moral obligations to safe sex, you might want to take a peek at this fic and stake your claim as an early reader because it is about to take off like the Space Shuttle.

The premise is a truly unique twist on Edward’s mind-reading capabilities and the barriers he creates to keep people and their thoughts at bay. He is still our favorite tortured soul, but he has a playfulness that carefully masks his pain. FoxxyJ has an imagination like no other, taking the characters we love and turning them into people we want to meet. Most of her story takes place in Edward’s bar named BE Bar. Edward and Jasper are stars in a nightly show at the Manhattan BE Bar, asking their patrons to follow three simple rules:

1. Leave your troubles at the door. (You quickly find out why this is the Golden Rule of Be Bar.)
2. Address the staff by name. (I ask you, when is a name just a name?)
3. Just be. (This is harder than it seems, for us and for Bella.)

The moment Bella steps into BE Bar, she grabs our attention with her mind chatter and stream of consciousness. She is a young lady with a lot on her mind and it is taking its toll on her spirit. However, buried beneath the worry and stress is a simple romantic soul in need. Specifically, Bella is in need of change for the pay phone and an orgasm. Sounds simple enough, right?

"I want you to follow the rules." 

"I can't. They're too hard," she admitted, although it pained her to do so. 

"Ah, finally you're being honest. That's a start. Thank you." He leaned with his arms folded on the bar, bringing him down to her height. She could look him right in the eye. 

"I'll make you a deal then. I'll loan you the quarters. You have to bring them back here tomorrow night after work, but before I do, I want you to think about what you want. What would you like right now to make you feel happy and free? Maybe it's something I can give you—maybe not—but I want you to think about it. Deal?" 

Bella had to agree that this deal was a lot easier than what she had been expecting. At his words, she felt a sense of relief and wanted to try what he had suggested. 

"Deal. I'll bring the quarters back tomorrow night." 

"Good. Close your eyes." His smooth voice and the unusual ambiance of the place made it easy to do. Bella closed her eyes and held onto the brass railing to steady herself. 

"Now, think about the one thing that would make you feel alive and free right now. Anything you desire, if everything were possible." 

At the mention of the word desire, Bella's sexual thoughts reared again. She loved his voice. It was gentle on her ears, and she wondered if he could sing, too. Quieting her mind, she thought about what she wanted right now. 

What would end the day from hell on a good note? 

What do I want? 

Oh God, yes, an orgasm. 

But how… 

Oh, from him. Yes, from this annoying sexy stranger. He can give me one and the quarters. 

But where… 

Somewhere I'd never do it. Where? Just be… Just feel… 

Oh, yes, here…on the bar…in public…with his tongue. 

Trust me. You want to know how Edward sees this image in Bella’s mind and what it forces him to do. FoxxyJ’s Edward doesn’t just read minds, that implies a choice. It is more like he lives in a room of powered up TV’s - some muted and some with the volume up to deafening levels, leaving Edward forced to live with distractions. His trust and vulnerability are tightly guarded under a mask of games and parlor tricks. This story is not just generic fic with witty banter and steamy lemons. It is a story you want to go on forever because it pulls you away from your everyday routine, allowing a few moments of escape while reminding you that love and acceptance is all we really want in this life. Its immediate draw reminds me of a book I picked up a few years ago about a high school girl who falls in love with a vampire.

I suggest you block out several hours and put the Do Not Disturb sign on your door. This story is going to keep you up all night. FoxxyJ keeps your mind engaged with the carefully constructed plot line and your libido humming with the spicy lemonade served up at BE Bar. Currently, Stolen Secrets and Shattered Dreams is 9 chapters, which is just enough to make you sleep deprived for two days, but not nearly enough to satisfy your craving for more. FoxxyJ updates regularly and her author’s notes deserve their own reviews! I have been reading fan fiction for two years and I am uber picky about what I read. Life is too short and time is too precious for recycled story lines or sloppy lemons.  Stolen Secrets and Shattered Dreams is worth letting the laundry pile up on the couch and settling for that B- instead of the A. This is not a story to be put on your “to be read” list. This is a “drop everything and run right now” story that will end up in the Fic Hall of Fame.

There are many Edwards in fic archives and but only a few epic ones - Fifty, Penny, Ned, Dick,...ladies, meet Sugarlips.

LadyTazz7's Rec of the Week: 11/28/11

December 01, 2011

Compulsions by MissKingAtYourService
Review by LadyTazz7

Rating: M
Genre: Romance/Angst
Characters: Carlisle & Bella

Summary: Fate seems to have thrown these two together. Will one explosive night of sex be enough or will destiny bring them closer? Can a relationship develop among the shambles of both of their lives? OOC, AH.

Most people are aware that I’m helplessly in love with Carlisle Cullen. Carlisle/Bella is my favorite pairings to read. And write. When I came across Compulsions, I was instantly lost in the story. MissKingAtYourService takes you on a wild and amazing ride. This is a must read for any Bella/Carlisle lover.

We begin with Bella’s friends taking her out for a night on the town to a Swinger’s Club to make sure she gets laid.

(From chapter 1) 

Staring into the mirror, I cringed as my hair was tugged and teased into a tangled mess. Or as Alice and Rose would argue; sex hair. My eyes had never stood out so much, the black eyeliner framing my chocolate eyes, and black glitter eye shadow finished the look. I was going to look like a call girl. 

"Oh, Bella, you're gonna get so much attention, whoever gets you is one lucky guy," Rose beamed. 

Crap. "What if I get a fat middle-aged psycho?" 

"Um, well, you could just close your eyes and fantasize again. After all, that's what you're good at." 

"Shut up, Alice, this is serious. I can't believe I let you talk me into this." 

"Look, Bella, you'll be fine. This is just about sex, and you don't have to be attractive to be good in bed." 

Shrugging, I turned back to the mirror, "Okay, so what am I gonna wear? I could wear my little black dress." 

While across town Carlisle is getting ready to confront his cheating wife at the very same Swinger club.

(From chapter 1) 

Grabbing the package from the P.I, I pulled the contents out, splaying them over the desk. She had been with five different men that I knew of. I had to go to the club, to confront them, to find her. Looking through them, I found the name of the place; The Sleepy Hollow. How nice. 

Searching on the internet, I found the place she had been visiting. It was described as a place for couples to relax and socialize. Yeah right, my wife was apparently socializing with everyone she could get her claws into. Scribbling down the address, I stood and walked to the window. 

I had thought I was enough for her sexually, but obviously I was not. 

So, we have two lost souls going to a swingers club for completely different reasons.

(From chapter 1)

My breath caught in my throat when I came face to face with the girl standing there. She was stunning, her hair tousled beautifully, her deep brown eyes staring into mine. She looked so innocent. She was wearing a black trench coat that fell just above the knee, and her legs went on for miles, finished off with red stilettos.

Her attire screamed sex. However, her eyes betrayed her. She looked like a frightened deer caught in the headlights. What the hell was she doing here? 

(From chapter 2) 

Staring at the talk, dark, and handsome man in the doorway, I didn't know whether to run away and hide or to introduce myself. What was I supposed to say? 'Hey, my name's Bella and I'm here to fuck anything that moves. Maybe that would be a little too forward. 

"I'm here for the um..." 

A smile spread across his face at the sight of my blushing cheeks. Giving a slight smile back, I stepped inside, my eyes still glued to his bright blue eyes. 

"You could call it a party?" 

I nodded instantly, accepting his polite suggestion. And to think I had been worried about meeting a middle-aged man. I was extremely happy to have met him; age didn't matter when you looked as good as that. The rough-handed Mike shoved me hard with his bony shoulder, scowling at him. His eyes flickered from me to the handsome door man. 

"Oh, this is Mike, he's, um...my friend." 

The man before me nodded sternly toward Mike, "It's nice to see someone with such manners." His voice was soft yet stern. Blushing lightly, I smiled as I saw the anger growing on Mike's face. Nobody had ever stuck up for me like that before, and he didn't even know me. Perhaps chivalry wasn't dead after all. 

Muttering something under his breath, Mike stormed off in the direction of the low music. Glancing around, I didn't know where to put myself. Deciding I should probably go with Mike, I turned to the man, "It was nice meeting you...?" 

"Carlisle. And you?" 

"Bella." I nodded before turning and walking down the hall. 

I love this Bella, she is bolder and more confident than many I read. There are no words to describe how in love I am with this Carlisle, he is just sex on legs.

(From chapter 2) 

Turning, I saw that Carlisle was following me as I made my way to the stairs before stopping and tugging the horrible shoes from my sore feet. He let out another heartwarming laugh as he grabbed my shoes and helped to steady me up the stairs. "I should feel guilty taking an inebriated young woman up to a hotel room." 

Flushing, I tried to concentrate on my feet and keep my mind out of the gutter. If I analyzed it too much, I would end up backing out of it. Checking the key, I looked for our room; number thirteen, unlucky for some, but not for me. Fumbling around with the lock, Carlisle seemed to notice I was having a hard time, so he took the key from me. Opening the door, he allowed me to go in first. 

Before I could lose my nerve, I pulled the belt free and pushed the coat over my shoulders and allowed it to drop to the floor, revealing my outfit for the evening. Turning to meet Carlisle's expression, I let a sultry smile spread across my face. His eyes grew wide as he dropped my shoes and the key to the floor. 

Can a chance meeting a swinger club be more than a one night stand? Read this amazing, sexy story and find out. Compulsions is 10 chapters in and let me tell you, MissKingAtYourService keeps you on toes, and she leaves you wanting more! Tazzy gives this story 2 thumbs up!!