New Fic of the Week: 8/6/12

The Heist by KreativeKreature

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8348430/1/The_Heist

Review by Twilly

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

Summary: Have you ever felt like every event in your life is out of your control? Like it's all a lie? Hoax? Sham? "I'm no one, and pretty soon… you will be too." Welcome to The Heist.

The Heist is great, and it’s only three…wait, did it update already? Okay, four chapters in, so go read it .

There. Review done. Easiest review I ever wrote. I totally wrote that in like thirty seconds. I’m on fire.

What do you mean why? Because I told you to!

What? That’s not good enough? When did I lose my authority?

I never had any authority? Really? You mean I’m not the boss, I’m just bossy? Where’s the whiteout? I need to take “Fanfiction Boss” off my resume.

Fine, here’s why you should read it.

This Edward is different. Down on his luck, he stumbles into a convenience store and a chain of events that have him confused and scared for his life. A pretty brunette forces him at gunpoint into her car and on one little high-speed chase and the boy loses his shit.

Speaking of pretty brunettes, this Bella is dangerous. She’s a no holds barred, take no prisoners, shooting automatic weapons with both hands badass. Well, except she did take Edward prisoner; but come on, who among us wouldn’t take Edward hostage? Except she’s not holding Edward as her personal love monkey like some of us…I mean some of you all would. She has orders.

At this point, I’m not really sure what Bella’s motivation or intentions are and I really can’t tell if she’s a good guy, bad guy, or a good guy pretending to be a bad guy. I can’t wait to find out.

The Heist literally has me on the edge of me seat for the entire chapter. You all know me, I’m jumpy, it’s dangerous for me to sit there! I can’t help it; I need to know what’s going on. I need to know why Edward Masen has to cease to exist. I need to know what’s up with Bella and who all these people are in The Grotto and what they want with Edward. And I need to know who the blond man Bella shot in the convenience store was.

Come read The Heist with me. We’ll bite our nails together; we can call it The Heist manicure.

Banner by Twilly

New Fic of the Week: 6/18/12

A Street With No End by ExquisiteEdward

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8130220/2/A_Street_With_No_End

Review by Agrutle

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

Summary: One night, Dr. Cullen's life becomes painfully entangled with a woman whose world he alters forever. What lengths will he go to in search of redemption? Or can the redemption he so desperately seeks be found within himself? AH.

I must say when I signed up to write this review for A Street With No End, I was rather excited. I loved author, ExquisiteEdward’s story Color of Loneliness, so I was eager to see what this story was going to be. I wasn’t disappointed and I’m hooked after reading the first two chapters.

We are introduced to Edward as he is seeing his last patient for the night. He’s tired, starting to get sick and has been at the hospital for almost 36 hours. He just wants to finish up and go home to his fiancee. When he finally gets to leave he fights sleep as he drives.

Once seated in my Volvo, I blow out a heavy breath. I watch it spin a white color before it vanishes in the chill of my car. My head falls back against the headrest, and I close my eyes. Even my neck aches. For a moment, I consider crawling into the backseat to take a quick nap but decide against it when I begin to shiver again. I just want to get home to my soft bed that's covered in insanely expensive sheets. Sheets that my fiancée had insisted upon. 

Cupping my hands together, I blow into them before I flip the heat on high. The clock on my dash reads 12:30 a.m. I should be home and in my warm bed no later than 1:00. Sighing, I hold tight to that thought. Just a little bit longer… 

As I drive, the car begins to warm. I feel the heat around me like a blanket that's been pulled out of a hot dryer. Every muscle in my worn, exhausted body relaxes. My eyelids feel heavy. So heavy. 

I watch the lines on the pavement. Each line whipping past in a soothing, rhythmic pattern. Lulling me. Pulling me under. Deeper… 

My eyes snap open, my heart pounds. I must have dozed off. I'm not sure how long. Although it must have only been a few seconds. But that's all it takes… just a few seconds. 

Scrubbing my hand across my eyes, I straighten in my seat and switch off the heat. I roll the window down about two inches, letting in the chilled Chicago air, knowing that will help keep me alert. 

 Silent, tiny droplets of rain begin to spray across my windshield. I don't turn on the wipers right away. Instead, I watch as the water collects and makes streaky kaleidoscope-like patterns as the wind pushes and pulls the beads across the window. 

As I exit the highway, I drag in a deep breath. I'm about half-way home. There's not much traffic out this late at night. For a while, I watch the taillights in the distance until my gaze is pulled back to those lines on the pavement again. Line. After line. After line. After line. So hypnotic. My body feels weighted. I am so tired. So very, very tired… 

My ears are pierced by a deafening crack of thunderous sound. Like metal being smashed instantaneously in a compactor. My body is violently jerked and tossed about. And then silence. I feel disoriented. And there's pain. A throbbing sensation. Intense. Not like the body aches I had earlier. Much sharper. I feel it radiating down my chest. And across my stomach. I find it difficult to breathe. Someone shouts. I hear several voices. They're fearful and panicked. 

Where am I? 

Edward wakes up and realizes there has been an accident. His adrenaline kicks in causing him to slip into doctor mode. He asses the situation, and checks on the people in an old red pickup that has been flipped over. While he is doing all of this he is thinking in the back of his mind, Am I a Murderer?

Come and get into this story with me, the author ExquisiteEdward has a way of painting the picture so that you can see it in your mind. You know you want to see what happens! I, for one will be there to find out if Edward is a murderer or not. Don’t forget to leave the author some love!

New Fic of the Week: 1/30/12

Red Kryptonite by SaritaDreaming

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7486753/1/Red_Kryptonite

Review by maxandmo

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

Summary: Edward Masen: Bounty hunter. Isabella Swan-Hunter: Bail jumper. He's hired to bring her back for trial, but he's not prepared for what happens once he gets a taste of her. Death, lies, betrayal, toxicity, hope, desire. Who will survive? AU/Lemons

What sounds more intriguing than Edward as a bounty hunter? In my opinion, not much! Add a bounty hunter who is hired by Senator James Hunter to find his wife, who happens to be a Mrs. Isabella Marie Swan-Hunter, and who happens to be a vampire, and we have the start of a very interesting story.

Edward uses his vampire assets to easily find his subjects making him very good at his job. He reads their minds and his strong ethics make it so that he never takes a job looking for an innocent person.

My name is Edward Masen, and I'm a bounty hunter. A vampire bounty hunter able to read the minds of my quarry, which greatly assists me in ascertaining their guilt or innocence. I also have a hobby of drinking blood—both from those I hunt and those who hunt me; I tend to be quite popular with the ladies. 

He is estranged from his family because they don't agree with his quest for human blood. Edward only kills those, who, in his opinion, deserve death. Having said that, I've never read a fic where the act of feeding on a human was sexy, until now.

The members of my former 'family' don't approve of my habit of feeding off humans. 

They all subsist on animal blood—a practice that turns my stomach. It's unnatural to attempt to deny our vampire nature. On the other hand, I understand their desire not to kill innocents. Those I kill deserve death. The vile filth, the dregs of society, are deaths easily justified, but I find that women in the throes of sexual pleasure taste best, which is why I employ the art of seduction. 

Edward easily locates Isabella Swan-Hunter, but quickly realizes that there is more to the story than he knows. Her record is clean, and he learns she is suffering from a serious illness making him wonder how she ended up being wanted for Attempted Murder.

Red Kryptonite is only four chapters in, and without giving too much away, we are in for a really different vamp fic. Saritadreaming is doing a great job at writing an exciting and well written story with a definite twist. I can't wait to see where this goes!

New Fic of the Week: 1/23/12

Blind Spot by FictionFreak95

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7705638/1/Blind_Spot

Review by Obsmama

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

Summary: All her life, Bella Swan saw things before they happened, until him. He was her blind spot. How do you stay out of someone's life when you see it flashing before your eyes on a daily basis? AH,BxE

You have me. Forever. 

Those four words speak so much to me as a reader. Because as a reader, Fictionfreak95 does have me. Forever. I adore her writing style and she's a master storyteller. I have such a personal connection to this story because I was lucky enough to be there the day the idea came her. She mentioned in passing a tv show that she was losing interest in but had sparked the idea of a psychic Bella; not necessarily the fortune teller type psychic we are use to in canon Alice, but a more modern day version. One that feels peoples pasts and futures, one that struggles to fit in her small town with the knowledge that she has. I was hooked and begging for more. Jo was still writing Meet the Masen's, so she just kept saying we’ll see. Here we are and I can’t tell you how blown away I am already, only 5 chapters in. The reason this story is already so fascinating to me is how layered her characters are, how emotionally connected I am.

His voice was low and needy, rough and sultry as he teased, "You're mine, now." 

I always was. 

The illumination of a soft glow shimmered from one of the windows as we approached our new home. I felt the anticipation of what was about to take place when he opened the door for us, whisking me up into his arms to carry me across the threshold. 

His smile was disarming. His lips even more so as they traveled along my jaw, underneath the soft curls that dangled against the back of my neck, then finally, near the upward tilted corners of my mouth. He was everywhere. 

Soft fabrics surrounded us in the bedroom. In our bed. I couldn't quite make the colors out, but they felt like deep purples and reds and sheer curtains rippled from the breeze flowing into the room as though reaching out to me.. 

Gently scented candles flickered and danced, invading my senses, romanticizing the mood. As though it needed any help. 

"I want you." 

You have me. Forever. 

The dress I'd worn was gone and his black suit as well as he hovered above me, placing soft, tender, needy kisses, much like he was following a map of some sort to my lips. 

The backs of his fingers moved lightly against hardened nipples… down along the dip between my breasts, slowing against my belly, stopping only when he found the wetness that was a direct reaction to his touch. 

To everything about him. 

Slight wrinkles appeared at the edges of his eyes when he smiled down at me and my heart wanted to burst from the intensity of what he was conveying in that smile. 

I knew him. 

Better than he knew himself. 

"I'll always protect you." 

From what? I wondered, but not for long. 

As we meet these characters, they feel like friends already. I feel comfortable with them, their life so relatable. With Edward there is such sadness but you get these fantastic flashes of happiness from him in his past, how carefree he was and its so heartbreaking to see where his life is now. So as he sets off for a tiny Louisiana town full of crazy characters. We have hope that maybe he can find some of that carefree back. I’m so excited to watch the supporting characters plot lines, as well. I know she's got some superb things worked out for them. One of the biggest characters so far for Edward is his relationship with his dead brother, Garrett, and how much it tortures him even though we don’t know why yet. This story is so full of relationships and love in all forms and we see how family (blood and and chosen) work. Bella’s friendship with Emmett might be my very favorite thing in this entire story so far.

"Yo BELL!"
 

I pulled the door open again and smiled at him. "What are you doing? I thought you had to cover all of Rose's shifts for the week?" 

"On a break, wanted to come by and say hi to my favorite girl." 

Emmett winked and then picked me up to twirl me around just like he had my whole life as I squealed. 

"I'm telling Rose you said that," I teased, slapping his arm when he put me down. 

"You wouldn't." 

"I totally would." 

"Bella, no." He got down on one knee and pretended to beg, kissing my hand. "Please!" 

I just laughed at the buffoon. He was so terrible, that Emmett McCarty. 

"You want dinner, I'm guessing." 

"You offering?" 

I threw my hands up and turned to go to the kitchen. "I don't understand how you own a diner, and yet come to Gran's to eat." 

He closed the front door for me. "Too much of the same food over at the diner, and besides, Gran's a better cook then me any day of the year." Then he elbowed me as he made his way past me into the kitchen and helped himself to some of Gran's leftovers. 

I sat down across from him at the kitchen table and watched him eat like he hadn't been fed since Rose left. I just had to laugh at him as I picked from his plate of fried chicken legs and mashed potatoes. 

Come on down to Madisonville, Louisiana have some catfish, a cold beer and settle in with me while Jo tells us a tale.

New Fic of the Week: 11/21/11

Rogue by Openhome

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6642206/1/Rogue

Review by Ruibin Rua

Rating: T
Genre: Humor/Drama
Characters: Jasper & Alice

Summary: Rogue is the continuation of Coalescence. It is Alice and especially Jasper's journey through the Twilight Saga. Jasper's past intermingles with his present as he comes to terms with himself and his choices.

Openhome’s story begins very dramatically with a human Jasper being forced to master a man’s horse at the age of just four years’ old. We watch how the young Jasper calls out in terror for his mother while she looks on in anguish, prevented by her husband from coming to their son’s aid.

“He is too small, William. Damn you! You'll kill him by forcing him! You'll kill him! He isn't big enough for what you want him to do.” She wrenched at her arm, trying to reach her son, but her husband held firm. 

“Get control of him, son,” William called to the child as the horse turned and nearly knocked the small boy off. “Calm him down and get control.” 

"Papa!" Jasper shrieked in terror. 

“No, boy, you do this on your own. You are strong enough for this, boy. Don't you fail me!” 

This scene, where Jasper’s father goes on to rail against showing compassion for others, which he perceives as weakness, is very telling to an understanding of the man, and indeed, the vampire, whom Jasper becomes and undoubtedly exacerbates his long struggle with his gift as an empath versus his desires as a predator.

We move from this snapshot of Jasper’s past to the point in time where this narrative begins. It is 1963, Jasper is a vampire and his existence is brightened by the beauty of Alice’s presence in it.

Her peace surrounded me as we sat under the ancient, twisting oak. The mist around us glowed pink with the rising sun. Once again, I wished for a slowing of time so that my endless life could somehow wrap itself around moments like this. 

It is the love of Alice and the Cullens that fortifies Jasper and allows him to endure, but viewing the world through his thoughts, it is impossible not to pity him the daily struggle of being immersed in the emotions of others, while hungering for a food source that brings him nothing but the blackest of pain.

Openhome paints the Cullen family so well and it is refreshing to read such a believable account of their history and to experience it through the eyes of one of the family’s most intriguing members. This story is a continuation of two previous stories she has written concerning the lives of Alice and Jasper (Singularity and Coalescence), neither of which I have read, but this didn’t ruin my enjoyment of what Openhome has written and it has whet my appetite to go back and read the histories she has created for them.

Reading this story is also a first for me, as I have never before read a story where Bella and Edward were not the central characters. I am pleased to admit that I was wrong to think I wouldn’t enjoy such a story!

Openhome has a gift for gentle storytelling and this makes her words very pleasant to read. While her work is rated ‘T’, the absence of graphic violence or overt lemons is not a drawback - in fact, I didn’t notice any real difference! Nor do her romantic descriptions, especially of the deep bond of Alice and Jasper, suffer from lack of illustration

"In all the universe, Alice Whitlock, you will forever be the only one." 

At just five chapters in, this is a perfect time to start reading Rogue and to give Openhome more readers, something she richly deserves.

Banner by JaimeArkin 

New Fic of the Week: 11/7/11

Five Colors in her Hair by Jennrosee

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7016581/1/Five_Colors_in_Her_Hair

Review by AbbyCreations

Rating: M 

Genre: Humor/Drama 

Characters: Edward & Bella 

Summary: Conformity has always been the key to success in the sleepy town of Forks, Washington, but when the punky Bella Swan arrives, nerdy Edward Cullen learns it's okay to be a little different. The town of Forks will never be the same! Nerdyward/Punkella 

When I first started reading fanfiction, I was mostly drawn to stories that followed the original story. At first I had no clue that it was ok to write the characters differently. Five Colors in Her Hair by Jennrosee gives us a Bella and Edward that are totally OOC but lovable all the same. Of course there are other characters who are less lovable- such as Alice and Carlisle. Alice is mean and bitchy, ruled by all that is superficial. She is not nice to Edward at all. Carlisle isn't much better, he is lacking parental skills.

Edward is a shy and nerdy kid who gets picked on by Mike "the dick" Newton. Bella is the new girl but she's not the shy, clumsy, socially awkward Bella we're used to seeing. She's feisty and a bit of a punk. She isn't one to take any shit and yet she's sweet to Edward. She takes to him rather quickly and it's interesting to see these two characters engage in what is a bit of a role reversal.

The story is told from Edward's point of view. Here is a little snippet of how he views himself:

Finally, there were my friends, Ben Cheney and Angela Weber, and I – the Outcasts, the bottom of the social food chain. Ben spoke with a lisp and had bad skin, but he was the most talented artist in the school and had won awards for quite a few of his paintings. Angela was a bit rounder than the rest of the girls; she was also kind and extremely intelligent. She and Ben had crushes on each other, but both were too shy to do anything about it, so they just sort of admired each other from a distance. As for me, well, there was nothing really special about me. I was a hardcore gamer, and I had a zombie apocalypse survival plan but no real talents to speak of. I was simply a loser. 

His introduction of himself to Bella does not go well at all either.

"I'm Edward Cullen," I said with a smile, introducing myself to the empty chair next to me. 

Yeah, I was a total loser. 

Poor Nerdward needs a hug and some serious help. In the four chapters that are up we see him conquer his fear of speaking to Bella and a little progress is made. In Edward's corner, however, we have Emmett. As his older brother Emmett is also his protector offering to beat up whoever is giving him a hard time. He seems like a good seed thus far.

It's hard to tell where the story is going to go but I foresee a lot of character development for Edward. I find that the high school depiction is accurate and pleasant to read even when it's not pleasant at all.

I am happy that I was able to read and review this story. I will be following it from now on. Give it a chance and you will too!

New Fic of the Week: 10/24/11

I Never: Edward & Bella by SqueakyZorro

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6886928/1/I_Never_Edward_Bella

Review by AbbyCreations

Rating: M
Genre: Romance
Characters: Edward & Bella

Summary: OS expanded. What makes a first love special? Is it worth waiting for? Is it worth working for, to make it last? Our favorite couple as college students who find each other and some answers. AH. M for underage drinking, drug reference, and later citrus.

I have come across few stories, if any, that devote much time to exploring Edward and Bella without each other. In other words, most stories have these two character's meet almost immediately. Most readers, and by extension most writers, are eager to get to the meat and potatoes of a story and that involves having their pair meet. SqueakyZorro is a breath of fresh air. The story is currently four chapters in and Edward and Bella are yet to meet. Now I know that this might seem unacceptable to some but please give this story a chance before passing judgment. It's truly a good read.

I was excited to read a story that explored Bella before she met Edward and vice versa. They are both students at William & Mary and their first semester of freshman year is spent making new friends and forging their collegiate paths. They are separate but sharing the same endeavor. We are assured they will eventually meet and get together but it will be a slow journey. The story flows easily and it's a pleasant read. I have no doubt that those patient readers will be rewarded.

As Bella's roommate Kate is the more experienced of the two, both sexually and socially. She offers advice liberally and so far seems to be a good friend to Bella.

Kate's voice matched her smile. "It sure can be." She tilted her head. "Why? Are you thinking about letting Mike or Eric stamp your v-card? They both looked like they'd be happy to oblige." 

Mike and Eric are both trying to get Bella's attention and of course there is Jacob who doesn't get the hint. The Jacob and Bella dynamic is a little different in that Bella is much more upfront about her feelings or lack thereof. I am interested to see where SneakyZorro takes their relationship in light of the fact that Jacob might be joining her at William & Mary.

Clearing his throat when he realized I wouldn't bite, he asked, "So, are you seeing anyone?" I sighed. 

Like Charlie, Jake's strengths did not include subtlety. 

"I've been dating a little, nothing serious. How about you?" 

I heard a snort over the line. "Duh, no. I told you; I'm waiting for you, babe." 

I snorted impatiently. "I told you, too. It's not gonna happen. Let's not have a repeat of that conversation. Please." 

As usual, anything he didn't want to hear just didn't penetrate. "Hey, I applied to William & Mary. Should hear sometime after the holidays. So, who is this guy you're dating?" 

"Just another freshman. I said it's not serious." I did not relish the thought of a detailed conversation about Mike when I wasn't sure myself where that relationship stood. "Jake, don't come—or at least, don't come for me. You're just going to get hurt. I love you. You're my best friend. But please let that be all." Why does he have to be so stubborn? 

I have found it to be very well written and the characters that are commonly pushed aside and ignored are given a prominent role in these first four chapters. They are fleshed out and interesting. I did not, as I often do, find myself skimming past anything in order to get to Bella and Edward. I'm excited for them to meet but I will patiently wait!

 If you're looking for something new to read I strongly encourage you to give I Never: Edward & Bella a try. It's definitely worth it.

New Fic of the Week: 10/17/11

World's Most Dangerous Dad by denverpopcorn

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7453090/1/Worlds_Most_Dangerous_Dad

Review by JaimeArkin

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

Summary: Edward Cullen leads a double life: Doting dad and devoted husband by day, special-op Navy SEAL by night. What happens when the government's number one gun is forced to balance work and diapers? Life's a bitch and then you kill someone. E/B, vignettes.  

It’s no secret that I adore denverpopcorn’s writing, I fell in love with her reading her first story, drift, and everything that has followed has been just as wonderful. World’s Most Dangerous Dad is something a bit different, a short series of vignettes she wrote initially for her friends. If you haven’t read anything by denverpopcorn, I will tell you this, she has incredible storytelling abilities and this story is a lot of cute, a lot of funny and a lot sweet.

The first chapter started out with a bang… literally. Edward and Bella are married… with kids. So sneaking in a little bit of naughty when time allows is definitely a must … until life interrupts.

"Fucking, Renee." 

"Ignore it," she says, with her mouth half under a pillow. Edward, having not really heard her through his own grunting, decides that's exactly what his wife is saying between her moans. 

She's under him, belly-down, and he's thrusting slowly, making sure his body slides on every pass. He's close and Bella's hand, snaking its way under her body to rock 'the little man in the boat', tells him she's close, too. 

Nothing feels as good as his wife under him. He can forget the outside world, the dangerous, unapologetic world, while he's rubbing up inside his wife, the mother of his... 

The phone rings again and he can't help curse out another, "Fucking, Renee." But in his state it comes out breathy, like it would be a pleasure to fuck his... 

"Stop...saying...that," gasps the voice under the pillow. He uncovers a smile under the ponytail stuck to her cheek with sweat. He kisses the side of her mouth. 

A few more passes, he thinks. 

There's stirring in his belly, and there's stirring from the other side of the baby monitor. 

Oh no. Not now. 

"The baby," she says, rising. 

Don't get up, my honeypot. Don't... 

"Edward, the baby's waking up." 

A few more grunts; his eyes are closed. When he was younger, he'd have been done and in the other room with the baby by now, but he's older, he found a gray hair on his chest the other day telling him so. He wants to blame work, but maybe he's simply getting old. 

"Edward," she pushes her ass up, forcing him to lift on his forearms. 

Ass up, just like on his birthday. 

But it's too late, she's pushed him off completely, mid-coitus, and it hurts like a son of a bitch. He's a stoic man and can take more pain than the average heavyweight. His breathing is laborious and his jaw is clenched tightly. He's on his back, forearm over his eyes, while the sounds of his wife walking around and pulling clothes out of a drawer take up head space. 

His dick is steel in the forge, his hand moves toward it. 

"Don't you dare!" she says. "If I go without, you go without." She throws a pair of boxers on him. "Get up. You have to get a haircut today, come with me to Home Depot, pick up my mom, and then I'll need you to go to the grocery store. The school wants Anthony to bring cupcakes again..." 

Edward has a secret, one he keeps from his family and friends. He’s a Navy Seal, a top-secret agent, but he’s also a husband and a dad with a ‘honey do’ list. The juxtaposition of these two big elements of his life make up this story and it’s done in a wonderful way. This story is only 3 chapters in at the time of writing this, but I promise you will enjoy each one of them. From a cockblock, to a teen daughters prom drama to the story of how they came to be, this promises to be another wonderful story from the incredibly talented denverpopcorn.

Banner by JaimeArkin

New Fic of the Week: 8/22/11

Dear Maggie by Jenny0719

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7179931/1/Dear_Maggie

Review by Agrutle

Rating: M
Genre: Romance/Angst
Characters: Edward/Bella

Summary: A heart leads Bella back home to Forks... and to the brother of the woman who donated it. M for Lemons/OOC/Language

This story starts out with Bella moving to Forks after she’s had a heart transplant. She’s searching for someone...someone that knew Maggie, her donor. Carlisle is her new doctor and tells her about a job at his son’s shop. Bella stops by and meets Edward. He is a complete ass to her, blowing smoke in her face, even though she tells him she can’t be around it. Thinking that she was just being bitchy he continued doing what he wanted, not realizing that it was for health reasons. Although Bella is dumbfounded by this person, she doesn’t let him walk all over her.

He shrugged and turned away to dig in the massive toolbox behind him, leaving me to stand there stupidly. My jaw dropped at his blatant disregard for manners, and anger pounded through me. 

"What a fucking prick," I muttered, spinning around to leave. 

I was almost to the door when another loud clattering cut through the air behind me, stopping me dead in my tracks. I craned my neck slowly around to see him, catching him as he dragged his gaze over my ass. Heat bloomed inside me so strong that for the second time in the span of only a few minutes, I lost the capability to breathe again. 

"What?" I eventually snapped, still fuming through my haze. "Like what you see? Expect me to just bend over and let you do me here?"

As much as Edward wants to, he can’t get her off of his mind. All he can think about is her in her workout gear. Edward has his own demons that he keeps hidden from everyone, even his parents. He doesn’t know her name but he knows that she’s innocent and she was off limits. He could handle it since he was leaving for medical school after the summer. This was just temporary. After Carlisle lets the cat out of the bag about her coming to see if she could get the job at the shop, Edward admits that she had been there and would be coming back to talk to Emmett, the owner.

"You are, aren't you?" 

"I am what?" 

"Taking the job." 

She nodded. "Yeah." 

"Yeah. Of course you are," I groaned angrily, shoving my hands through my hair. 

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, putting one hand on her hip and glowering over at me. 

"It means that I would really rather you didn't. That's all." 

Her mouth sprung open in surprise from my honesty. "God, you're rude, you know that?" 

I shrugged, causing her to let out a little screech of frustration. 

"You really don't care?" 

"Not really." 

She huffed. "Look, I want this job. Need this job. So as much as it pains me to say it, I figure if we're going to work together, I should at least try to be nice to you. But let me make something clear. If it were any other circumstance, I would introduce my kneecap to your balls right now." 

Bella is drawn to Edward and she knows why, but she hates it. She wants to get to know him but he won’t let her close. Edward is just as drawn to Bella. He can’t stand that he wants to grab her, rip her clothes off and have his way with her. He is letting his past dictate to him what he does and he doesn’t think he is good enough for her. Even though we are a mere four chapters in, I am hooked and waiting for the next chapter eagerly. I love her Edward, even if he is a jerk. Her Bella on the inside is unsure of herself but stands up for herself despite it. All of the other characters lend a balance to her story and the small amount that you get of them makes you want more. Run, read this story and leave the author some love!! I assure you, you won’t be disappointed!

New Fic of the Week: 8/8/11-8/14/11

Sexual Napalm by KlrTwiluver

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7055480/1/Sexual_Napalm#

Review by Les16

Rating: M
Genre: Romance/Suspense, AH
Characters: Edward/Bella

Summary: Edward Cullen's a 28 y/o billionaire who makes his fortune being a savant of sorts when it comes to world currency markets. He's firmly ensconced as Wall Street's Golden Boy when he meets his match in tigress, Bella Swan. Cosmopolis Edward. AH Lemon

Sexual Napalm is written by the very talented KlrTwiLuver who is 1/2 of TheBondGirls. The author tells us that her Edward is based very loosely on Eric Packer from Cosmopolis, but she has most definitely made him her own. If you like brash, confident ... naughty Edward, then this is the fic for you.

The first line of the story, I think, gives us quite the hint about Mr. Edward Cullen:

I don't interact with the world, it instead reacts to me. ~ Edward Cullen 

Can anyone say confident? As he should be, I suppose, seeing as how he's a 28-year-old billionaire that has taken the financial world by storm.

At twenty-eight, I've done what no one my age should do. I've commandeered the world's currency market. I own it, I control it, and I leverage it. My wealth didn't come from some strange fortune teller or crystal ball. Instead, it comes from my very being, my essence. I am the ringmaster as the world exchanges brawl in the fields of battle. 

To be honest, he's not the most likeable fellow, but his charisma leaps off the screen at you. There aren't a lot of details given out yet; KlrTwiLuver is very sparing at the pieces of information she shares with the readers so far. The writing is ripe with imagery and it flows effortlessly. You really feel like you are a part of the story, not merely reading it. I love finding a story that totally pulls you in and won't let go, and Sexual Napalm definitely does that.

Once we get our first glimpse of Edward, we find ourselves following him as he attends a black tie benefit. You know the kind, where the movers and shakers are, where the beautiful people go to see and be seen. As Edward enters, he's of course the man of the moment. Tall, good-looking, sexy … aloof, and knocked totally off his game when he spies a certain brunette across the room. He's immediately intrigued, something we find out doesn't ever happen. He's in for quite the shock, however, when the woman immediately turns the tables on him for a change.

"Let me introduce myself. In polite company I go by Bella Swan, but in hushed whispers I've been called the Man-maker." I watch as she winks and runs her little tongue across her bottom lip. I swallow, hard. "I'm a specialist at taking boys like yourself and turning them into men. I've never failed. Not once." 

Ohhh, it seems like Miss Swan has a secret or two herself. That's what makes this story so refreshing. It's impossible to tell what everyone's angles are at this point. Bella obviously knows more about Edward than she lets on. Her mother, Renée, is the wealthy widow of the founder of the charity the benefit is for. Jasper is her half-brother who from first appearances, definitely gives the impression that there might be something else going on.

I'm telling you, after only two chapters, you'll find yourself wondering what the hell is happening and waiting anxiously for the next update. Sexual Napalm has it all: mystery, complex characters, the promise of hot lemons, writing that is refreshingly original, and a plot that can go any number of directions. I have no idea where it's going to end up, but I do know I'll be along for the ride until the end. Read it now … catch up and strap in. I think it's going to be an exciting one!

New Fic of the Week: 8/1/11-8/7/11

Restless by RandomCran

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7012660/1/Restless

Review by Maxandmo

Rating: M
Genre: Romance/Hurt/Comfort, AH
Characters: Edward/Bella

Summary: Bella's monochrome existence has left her feeling apprehensive. When the circumstances of tragedy introduce her to Edward, she feels emboldened. What will happen when her life begins to intensify? AU/AH/OOC

Restless is the first story that author RandomCran has posted. The fandom is nothing new to this beta and wife of Morgan Locklear. There are three chapters posted so far, and an update is expected soon.

The first chapter begins with an unexpected phone call about a family member who has been in an accident. Bella rushes to the hospital and receives terrible news from Dr. Carlisle Cullen. She is left with feelings of guilt and regret about her relationship with this family member.

At the funeral service she meets Edward Cullen, who is not only the doctor's son, but also friends with her friend Alice's husband, Jasper.

"My name is Edward Cullen. I didn't have a chance to introduce myself before the service began."

I nodded in acknowledgement. "I'm Bella Swan. Your father treated my dad at the hospital…" I trailed off, not knowing exactly how to finish the sentence.

Recognition flashed across Edward's features and I understood that he had heard my breakdown from the other side of the door. He looked apologetic as he spoke.

"My father asked me to send his regards. He's working today, otherwise he would have attended the service with me."

"Be sure and tell him I said thank you for everything he did for Charlie. And for me."

Edward drives her home after the service and offers her a peanut butter cup. Bella holds her breath and immediately gets out of the car. He can tell something is amiss, but gets out and says goodbye asking her if he can check on her in a couple of weeks. She quickly responds and let's him know she'd appreciate that.

She wants nothing more than to throw herself into her work after her life is turned upside down by this family tragedy. Her boss and her friends won't hear of it and encourage her to take a weekend trip to Charlie's cabin. Bella is pleasantly surprised to learn that Jasper has also invited Edward to come along for the weekend.

Edward is very observant and notices that Bella hasn't eaten due to a stomach ulcer. Swearing that he has just the thing to make her feel better he makes her a peanut butter sandwich, only to learn she is incredibly allergic to peanuts. He feels terrible for offering her peanut butter twice, but also realizes that was the reason she got out of his car so quickly the day he took her home.

They take a walk and she shows him around the property. She realizes that he is a good man, and she encourages her new friend to stay for the weekend. He seems to be very good at making her forget the pain she is in.

A nightmare changes things for these new friends. The mood shifts and they realize there is much more to discover about each other.

"I'm sorry, Bella. This isn't why I came in here."

I took in a breath and raised my hand to rest my palm against his cheek, copying his movement. Edward tilted his head and leaned into me, offering instant reassurance.

"What happened in your dream?"

"I don't know, really. I was falling into darkness."

"I heard you from my room. I didn't know what was wrong but I wanted to help you."

I knew there was only one way he could help me in that moment.

"Will you stay with me?"

RandomCran's writing style is very easy to read, and the story is well written. I am interested to see where the story will go, and can't wait to see how Edward and Bella's relationship will evolve. Now is the perfect time to start reading Restless.

New Fic of the Week: 6/20 - 6/26

Set Fire to the Rain by SunshineGal3

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7056954/1/Set_Fire_to_the_Rain

Review by Obsmama

Rating: M
Genre: Hurt/Comfort/Drama, AH
Characters: Edward/Bella

Summary: A woman whose job is to bring people back from the brink of self-destruction. An alcoholic who prefers his addiction to facing his demons. Everyone has given up on him...everyone but her.

"Edward," Dad speaks again, more softly this time. "You need to have a seat, son. It's your sister's wedding for Christ's sake."

I roll my eyes, the lightheaded feeling coming back again. I have to hold my arms out to steady myself while taking in a deep breath. "I'm sure that's what you think, Daddy Dearest," I grumble. "But you don't have a fucking clue what I need." I move to charge past him, but he reaches out and grabs my arm tightly.

"I'll do it," he whispers harshly into my ear. "There are officers right outside this room, Edward. You know I won't hesitate..."

"To have me arrested? Again?" I ask incredulously. "What a fucking stand up guy you are, Doc. Having your own son arrested, and at your little girl's wedding no less." Yanking my arm from his grasp, I continue toward the bar, leaving him frozen in shock. I don't know why he's so surprised - this is the Edward he knows...and he helped make me this way.

Thus begins the sad and mysterious tale of a broken man and the woman who refuses to give up on him. We meet Edward Cullen at his lowest, making a complete spectacle of himself at his sister Alice’s wedding.

There is so much tension between his family and himself that you can really feel it through the author’s words. We then meet Bella, a rehab therapist, working at the rehabilitation center that Edward has been sent to. He is an alcoholic and has no want to change that. Rehab is the very last place he wants to be but when confronted with the choice of rehab or prison, it makes the decision for him. He has 30 days to turn himself around and yet he wants nothing to do with any of it.

This story is brand new and I’m so enraptured already. The author really does a fantastic job connecting us with the characters and I can’t wait to see the interaction between Edward and Bella and what kind of chemistry they have together. My heart breaks for Edward as he enters this world, meeting people that want to see him succeed, even if he is the last person to have faith himself.

New Story of the Week: 6/13 - 6/19

Dripping Red by PunfoxAngel

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6844516/1/Dripping_Red

Review by Obsmama

Rating: M
Genre: Horror

Summary: People are dying in the close knit town of Forks, WA. Does the new kid, outcast Edward Cullen, have something to do with it? Or is there something more going on in this small town? Can Bella Swan figure out the connection? Or will she be the next victim?

Are you like me and love watching a great scary movie with the lights turned off and the door locked? Then this is the story for you. I was captivated from Chapter 1 where we meet Sam and Emily, a young sweet couple of seventeen having a private, not-so-tender moment on the beach, living out a fantasy. The imagery is fantastic and really sets the scene; as a reader, you feel what the characters are feeling from the chill of the water to the heated skin that slowly becomes exposed. Then we are introduced to another character, a hunter who watches his prey and strikes behind a hockey mask. We feel the fear of our young couple but what is extraordinary with this well done 3rd person is that we also feel the exhilaration the killer is experiencing at the same time.

The killer jerks Sam's head back harder, eliciting a gurgle of pain, as he pulls the blade slowly across his throat cutting into his skin deeper. Euphoria cascades over his body as the first rivulet of blood runs over his fingers making him grumble with pleasure, and he plunges the knife in deeper severing the main artery completely. Blood is spouting out of Sam's neck slower and slower as his heartbeat starts failing, sprinkling the white sand in the crimson fuel of life.

"Nooooo!" Emily screams, immediately placing her hand over her mouth in horror and regret; Regret that she's reminded the crazed killer of her existence. Scrambling to get up from the blanket that Sam had laid out, she tries to convince her frozen muscles to start running.

We are slowly introduced to our cast of main characters; a loner, new kid Edward Cullen, who is bullied and mocked; to Bella Swan, a girl haunted by a tragic loss over a year ago. The death of her classmates brings up memories Bella would have rather stayed buried. The population of Forks High slowly begins to decrease and bodies begin to pile up. Suspicion quickly turns to the pierced outsider Edward as his mysterious past cast a shadow in Chief Swan's vision.

The authors writing this story do a wonderful job with the the mystery and building the tension through this story. It's only 4 chapters in and the story is brilliantly done. They really make the fear and terror palpable I’m having the best time reading so why don’t you join me? I mean if your brave enough.

"Who the fuck is there?"

Eric is scared, and that is exactly what the killer wants. The killer can smell his fear in the air as they toy with their prey.

As Eric makes out the faint glow of light at the end of the room, he takes a step forward. But, before he can move again searing pain shoots through his leg as a flaming sharp blade cuts through his Achilles tendon. Eric crumbles to the ground screaming in pain, gripping his leg, panic rushing through his veins. He tries to stand up again in an attempt to escape, but his tendon is severed making it impossible to stand.

He knows that he must get out of there. He knows that his life is in danger and the killer knows that they are going to enjoy this kill just as much as every other kill. Eric begins to slowly crawl towards the light, towards salvation, towards life. The killer slowly follows him, inhaling the air around them, savoring the metallic smell of his blood, dripping red from his wound.

The killer allows Eric to climb up a few stairs, giving him hope, toying with him before grabbing onto his injured ankle, yanking him harshly down a few steps, his head hitting a few stairs in the process.

"Argh!" Eric cries in agony, rolling over onto his back as he tries to see who is doing this to him. What he finds both confuses and scares him so much so that he is at a loss for words. He is so petrified that he can't even find the power to scream. The look on his face is enough to satisfy the killer's morbid desire. Eric's fear is his own personal brand of heroin.

What Eric sees before him appears to be a man with a painted white face, blue eyeshadow and black lips staring at him. An evil murderous clown looks down at Eric, a smile pulling at the corners of his black lips, showing black tinged teeth. Eric sees the killer raise a big axe above their head and just before they bring it crashing down into Eric's body, the killer says, ""Boo!"

New Fic of the Week: 5/23 - 5/29

Love in Idleness by twanza

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6960328/1/Love_In_Idleness

Review by fnoslvrvlvo4lif

Rating: M
Genre: Romance/Drama, AH
Characters: Edward/Bella

Summary: Bella Swan meets the perfect boy during her junior year, but when she finds out he's a freshman, and an evil mastermind, all hell breaks lose.

So...you move to a new school, you meet this cute guy and then the unthinkable happens, you find out the guy is two years younger than you?! Oh no?! What is a girl to do?! It's OK for a guy to be into an older woman, but not so much for a girl to be into a younger guy.

Edward and Bella don't talk too much at first, but a sudden change of events alters all that, which leaves Edward coming to Bella's window, but never actually stepping foot into her room. They talk about anything and everything and quickly become very good friends. Edward wants to be with Bella, but her reaction to him is always pointing out that he is much younger than him by saying the infamous, 'maybe when you're older'. Oh, how that pisses him off when she says that.

This is such a cute story and I'm loving it so far. The last chapter left me wanting more and looking forward to the next update. Here is a taste of what you’re missing...

"Did he try anything?" Edward repeated. Despite all evidence to the contrary, he liked to take the direct course to information whenever possible.

Bella smirked in what he took as a condescending manner. "None of your business," she said blithely as she rested her cheek on her arms, and read: "A lion among ladies is a most dreadful thing." The new words popped up just as Mote slammed face first on to the floor. Bella laughed.

"I would have if I were him." Edward didn't beat around the bush, and he wanted her to know he wasn't a little kid, which was the category she filed him under whenever the topic of his obvious affection came up.

"Would what?" Bella only half listened to him as Mote's flailing cartwheel brought about: "Lord, what fools these mortals be!" That was an obvious line to have chosen, she thought, but it was very Edward, so she let it go. "Thank you for fixing my phone." She said softly and smiled.

"And you would have liked it." Edward's confidence was really quite shocking.

"Liked what?" Bella didn't want to stop playing with her phone, nor did she want to get into this with Edward, but she pulled herself away from her phone to listen to his answer."

"Liked it if I tried something." Edward wanted to climb through the window and try something right now, despite the fact that her hair was a rat's nest and she had black smudges under her eyes.

"Doubtful." Bella was of two minds about this, and was shocked at his nerve, but gave herself away by turning red. He looked very serious on the tree, framed by her window.

"So?" Edward needed an answer, even though he was fairly certain he knew.

"So what? Bella retreated to the age-old strategy of buying time by pretending not to understand what he was talking about.

"Did he try anything?" Edward was nothing if not relentless.

"End of conversation," she said, knowing that this line of inquiry was leading nowhere good.

"Can I ask one question?" he asked, because dogged determinism was one of the traits they shared.

"Maybe." Bella felt like humoring him, at the same time that she wanted to hear what he had to say.

"Did you kiss him?" Edward hated to be obvious, but it had been the topmost thing on his mind all night.

Tyler had gone in for the obligatory kiss at the end of the night. It hadn't been bad. It hadn't been good. 

Mostly she had concentrated on the fur of his upper lip and the fact that his lips weren't open as much as they were flat and dry. Mostly it had been a press more than an actual kiss, and really, if she thought about it, which she wasn't really inclined to do, it had been all his doing.

"He kissed me, but I didn't kiss him." Bella liked to be specific, as well as honest.

"A kiss needs two people." Edward's curiosity was driven as much by logic as it was by hormones, but he grasped what she meant. "Have you ever kissed anyone?"

As the child of Charlie Swan who, even in the face of the most wily criminals and lawyers, liked to tell it like it was, Bella felt there was every benefit in keeping the conversation matter-of-fact. "No. Not yet."

"Me neither." He was sure this wasn't a surprise, but it was a relief to say it.

So go read Love in Idleness. You won’t regret it. **wink wink**

Banner by JaimeArkin

New Fic of the Week: 5/16 - 5/22

The Elusive Mr. Cullen by dariachenowith

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6972004/1/The_Elusive_Mr_Cullen

Review by Les16

Rating: M
Genre: Romance/Angst
Characters: Edward/Bella

Summary: Bella is a high class escort, Edward her newest client. They soon realize that there's more between them than great sex and witty conversations. While Bella doesn't believe in fairy tales, her life seems to be turning into one fast. Or is it? AH/OOC

At only 4 chapters in, I have to say this story, The Elusive Mr. Cullen, more than lives up to its name. When I was asked to read this story for this week's review, I have to admit, I did an embarrassingly giddy happy dance. If you've read some of dariachenowith's other amazing works, you surely understand why. She is incredibly talented, with a unique way of approaching even the most taboo of topics with class and wit, and The Elusive Mr. Cullen, thus far, is no different.

dariachenowith writes complex, multilayered characters and she tells you that up front. Her Bella and Edward aren't your typical Twilight fare, so be ready for that going in, but also be prepared to be find yourselves involved in what makes them tick right from the get go. Case in point - the very first line of the story:

Women are complicated. Men are easy. I prefer easy. That's why I'm a whore.

Bella Swan in The Elusive Mr. Cullen, is indeed a whore. A high-class one to be sure and she's not the least bit embarrassed about what she does either. dariachenowith's Bella is refreshingly bold and confident and as honest as she can be considering her line of work. I love that. She's learned from the best seeing as Rose is her Madam and there is definitely a love/hate relationship there that I can't wait to see more of.

We meet Mr. Cullen in Chapter 2 and the chemistry between the two is immediately apparent.

He's in his mid-thirties, tall, trim, attractive, very easy on the eye, but it's his obvious confidence that draws me in. I like men who know what they want, and it only takes a second to see that he is definitely one of them.

Of course, if you're like me, the very first question that pops into your head is why on Earth does someone like him need the services of someone like Bella? During their introduction it is also apparent that there is a connection there, and on a level that goes beneath the sexual, though there is no doubting that either. Especially because after the preliminary introductions are over, Edward asks for Bella to masturbate in front of him. A request she is most willing to fulfill.

"Why don't you show me how you like to be touched? I want to watch you make yourself come right here in front of me on the table."

"Now we're talking," I whisper, then extricate myself from him.

If you have any question about Bella's confidence in herself, don't.

I have one rule, mostly to myself – I don't fake. I love sex, or else I wouldn't do my job. When a client wants me to come for him, I do.

The rest of their first night proceeds much the same way, after he takes her to dinner where they engage in adult, sometimes flirty conversation. This is going to be an interesting match to be sure and I'm dying to see where dariachenowith takes this story. So far it has the perfect blend of strong characters, brilliant dialogue, a bit of intrigue, and some very hot, steamy lemons. Give The Elusive Mr. Cullen a try. Knowing her other work, this one is going to be every bit as good, and as a bonus she's updating on Tuesdays and Fridays, so hurry and read. You have plenty of time to catch up!

New Fic of the Week: 5/9 - 5/15

Music of the Night by theladyingrey42

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6859831/1/The_Music_Of_The_Night

Review by Dragonfly336

Rating: M
Genre: Drama/Romance
Characters: Edward/Bella

Summary: He seeks atonement through music. She seeks solace in an unseen world behind the curtains of a stage. What they end up finding is each other. Written for JAustenLover and Durameter for FGB:Eclipse. AU / BxE.

Music of the Night is the new story by theladyingrey42. It is loosely based on The Phantom of the Opera, with each chapter title being one of the songs from the musical. The story starts off with a canon Edward, awakening in 1918 to his vampire life.

In 1918, Edward Masen wakes from a sleep of fire and ash, his eyes opening to stare up into a cold, golden gaze. For a moment, there is disorientation. Silence.

 And then the world is a cacophony of sound. Voices. Darkness. With his hands over his ears, Edward finds himself in a crouch in a corner of a room he doesn't know, the floor tiles cracking beneath his feet as he shifts. The golden eyes are in front of him again, one voice ringing out just slightly louder than the others. After a few moments that feel like hours, Edward realizes that this voice, alone amongst the hundreds waging war inside his skull, matches the motion of the lips before him.

The person behind the lips before him is Carlisle, taking on his role of Edward’s creator. Among all the wisdom that he bestows upon Edward about his new “unlife”, Carlisle also tells him that he should keep his human memories close in his first year so that he won’t forget his humanity. Carlisle brings a piano home and leaves it for an unsuspecting Edward, which sparks very vivid memories from his childhood and playing side by side with his mother.

The first note fills the room and his empty chest, but it is accompanied by a crack and the smell of fresh ivory as it is exposed to the air. The second is equally satisfying but more sour, the end distorted by a piece of wire stretching and then snapping. The third hears the breaking of a hammer and the obliteration of a key, and Edward is already relearning all over again that vampires cannot cry by the time his hands move automatically for a chord that he remembers his mother teaching him.

As the three keys depress at once, the entire front of the piano collapses, a host of wires surrendering en masse to the call of non-being, steel and wood all giving. With a dry sob, Edward looks at the destruction his monstrous hands have wrought through the blur of dry, unsatisfying sobs, his fist coming down on the top of the piano as he abruptly stands.

He flees back into the woods, leaving behind him the shattered ruins of the piano, and with it, the broken shards of his lost memory.

Of his love.

And of his humanity.

I love that theladyingrey shows him not being in control of his vampiric strength and lets us feel his frustration.


Some things are very true to canon in this story, such as Carlisle changing Esme and bringing her into their home while Edward feels abandoned by his companion. She does veer away, when Edward decides to break away from Carlisle and Esme, before Rosalie comes along, to succumb to his true vampiric nature.

Over the course of many years, Edward revels in killing humans to becoming loathsome of his true nature. Although, instead of returning to Carlisle and Esme, he finds his salvation in a small theater.

The steps that take him to the bench are silent and swift, and his unsteady breathing is calmed slightly when he manages to sit without incident, the wood failing to creak or to crack under his weight. Edward does not even dare to blink as he lifts a cold white hand to off-white keys, pressing down so subtly. So gently.

The warmth that moves through him at the resulting note is almost as powerful as that of the sun, and Edward exhales raggedly, unnecessarily, with the lifting of a weight that has hindered him for so long. A second soft, musical tone rings out, and then a third and a fourth. Stinging with venom, his eyes cloud and close as finally he dares to make a chord. And then another.

And before he knows it, lost in memories of his mother and of love and of home, Edward is playing. There are old songs and silly songs. Songs that haven't even been written, but which flow from his hands like water. 

Like blood.

And like blood, the music sustains him. Beneath the slowly rising notes, there is a silence he has never known, the thoughts and voices outside of the theatre slowly fading until it is just him and his memory.

Soon we meet Bella, an eleven year old girl who desperately wants to be part of the choir, but is rejected. Through a series of letdowns in her life, she becomes a shy, withdrawn girl who eventually moves to Forks for her senior year of high school. It is there that she decides to take another shot at her dream of being onstage, only to get laughed at by her peers.

 After leaving in tears, Angela Weber introduces Bella to the world of working behind the scenes. Eventually going to college to study theatre production and stage craft, she ends up with a job building sets and working backstage. It is there that she hears a beautiful voice belonging to a beautiful man with golden eyes.

Music of the Night is only three chapters in and theladyingrey does not disappoint. I have always admired her writing style and she goes above and beyond with this story. Please go read it and become swept away with Phantomward.

Banner by JaimeArkin

Brand New Fic of the Week: 5/2 - 5/8

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il Sensale by Kassiah

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6923064/1/il_Sensale

Review by Obsmama

Rating: M
Genre: Adventure/Romance
Characters: Edward/Bella

Summary: When the prophecy of war reaches the cusp of reality, Alice and Edward enlist to join the Volturi Guard. His priorities shift when he meets his Match. What do you do when the person that was made for you belongs to someone else? AU M for lang & vampsex

il Sensale is the brand new, intriguing story from Kassiah. She is creating a whole new world in this AU Vamp story. Vampires are at war and Edward is fighting for his sister Alice’s freedom, from a cause she herself is dedicated to. The story opens with a glimpse of the price Edward is willing to pay to see his sisters future secure and free from the grasp of the Volturi.

"So we have an arrangement?"

Pressing his hands together, he circled me like the predator he was—the predator we all were. Thoughts full of appraisals and devious plans flew through his mind so quickly I could barely register them. Then again, it was understandable; he was trying to keep me out.

No matter though. I heard them all as if I were the one making them.

"Your terms," he murmured in a low tone, his calculating gaze flashing to mine. "Repeat them."

He knew the terms. He also knew he was going to accept them—that much was readily available to me in his mind. He just wanted to force me to explain again, to show that he was the one in control. There was no need—we both already knew that.

"In exchange for my sister's freedom, I will agree to…" I paused, thinking of the most diplomatic word to use in this situation. "…observe the other contestants and report my findings back to you."

Edward is entering a war that he does not believe in and fears the worse. Alice is dedicated to the cause and feels that this is her destiny. The story is two chapters in and I, as a reader, am CAPTIVATED. The sense of devotion he feels to her is overwhelming and the fire in this Alice is refreshing. It seems their canon abilities are intact and make them very, very intriguing to Aro; so much so that he agrees to Edward’s terms but at what cost? Come immerse yourself in this spectacular interactive world that Kassiah is creating one chapter at a time.

Brand New Fic of the Week: 4/18 - 4/24

Sweet Science by fanboymike

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6834948/1/

Review by phoebes.promise

Rating: M
Genre: Romance/Drama
Characters: Edward/Bella

Summary: Edward had a simple goal. To become a successful boxer and prove his father wrong. That was until he met Cullen Gyms new Media Consultant Bella Swan. ExB AU AH Mostly canon pairings.

“Sweet Science” refers to the European tradition of schooling ‘gentleman’ in the “sciences” of sword, gun, and fist fighting. Fisticuffs, being the least lethal, was called… The Sweet Science.

First time author, fanboymike, offers a unique fictional journey into the modern boxing ring through a timeless Edward and Bella romance. The use of EPOV allows the reader to experience first hand the intensely competitive nature of the sport and the lifestyle’s impact on love.

The story opens two years in the future with dramatic images and sensory bliss of cinnamon and lavender… canvas and counting. Edward’s thoughts in the first chapter seem full of heartache. The storytelling is full of rich phrasing and palpable emotion. He reveals facts with a conversational technique. Character’s motivations and histories are uncovered purposefully through interaction and reaction.

“Boxing isn't for everyone, Edward." He turned back to face me, his expression unreadable but no longer irritated. "And with your particular skill set…" He paused again toying absently with his glasses.

I pushed aside any uncertainty I felt at this sudden shift in his demeanor. This time I wasn't interested in his bullshit.

"My skill set?" All traces of the calm I had been working gone, my ever present frustration springing back again to my defense. "I made it to the finals of the Golden Gloves tournament when I was an amateur and I won my first professional bout." I knew I didn't need to justify myself, but Carlisle had a knack for bringing out the worst in me.

Edward is a complicated man. The author bravely steers clear of the clichéd, infallible romantic hero. This Edward can be explosive yet gentle, he emotes honestly and deeply. Before even breaching the love story, the tenuous Cullen family dynamic is exposed. Father and son caught in a battle of wills. Edward makes a hasty decision out of frustration setting in motion a course of events that will ultimately guide his hopeful boxing career and quite possibly his personal life as well. As he tempts fate to train with an opposing gym, past demons continue to tempt and test. However, no amount of shadow boxing and sparring would prepare him for the battle within as he meets strikingly beautiful Bella Swan.

As she reached the top of the stairs she made one last sweeping glance of the gym and the most stunning deep chocolate brown eyes, hidden behind her retro oval shaped thick rimmed glasses, could be glimpsed for a moment before sliding past, leaving me standing there unseen, frozen in place.

Hired to market an image for the Cullen family gyms Bella Swan immediately consumes Edward’s being. Bella is confident, where Edward has insecurities, Bella is measured, where Edward is impetuous… together they are a toxic mix of want and need. A room number scripted on paper, a simple invitation, evolves into a fantasy realized. Edward falls fast and he falls hard.

"Are you planning on coming in?" Bella tilted her head, emphasizing the invitation.

I walked into her room on shaky legs, following silently as Bella slipped past, leading me in. I fixated on the gentle sway of her hips as she moved, afraid of saying something that might heighten the awkwardness, I wavered, uncertain.

I had felt after my win tonight that my confidence was at an all time high, but in Bella's presence I was completely undone. Unsure which way to turn, needing to know what she wanted from me. Whatever it was I wanted to give it.

Desire is realized in a perfectly told scene of lovemaking…

As we move together, I try to capture every detail; the feel of her body against mine, the way her pale skin has flushed pink, the tickle of her breath against my face as she whimpers at my touch. My fevered mind can barely hold these moments clear, distinct, combining in a whirl of senses and emotions that my body doesn't feel equipped to contain.

Promoters and patterns, skipping and speed bags, worn hand tape never seemed so sensual… At only five chapters in, Sweet Science promises to be a wonderfully weaved tale of family loyalty, professional ambition, and significant love.

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