TeamBella23's Rec of the Week: 1/31-2/6

"Boy next door..." by Taintedvile

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5538542/1/Boy_next_door

Review by TeamBella23

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

Summary: Edward Masen is the boy living next door... Bella has various names for Edward these days; but she no longer calls him friend. Depressed, angst filled teens; trying to cope without the love of a friend. Disclaimer - I own nothing Twilight.

I often find myself frustrated with this fandom; call me finicky, but I'm impossibly peculiar when it comes to the fan fiction I read. I may bring this up every once and a while -understatement- but I find it very difficult to find a story with the ability to keep my interest. It’s completely ridiculous, and I curse myself because there is so much to choose from. Name a plot and I'm sure it’s been done. It may even be done well, but I'm picky with writing styles and character personalities. I'm willing to give any fic a chance, but usually know within the first couple of sentences if I'm interested or not.

I'm not a grammar Nazi, I don't insist on a 'happily ever after' and I'm pretty much down for anything. I love angst, and comedy. Nothing is too taboo for me, but I'm not a huge fan of fluff. Disjointed is my favorite and I actually like waiting for new updates. Cliff hangers make my heart beat fast and I love the suspense.

You're probably asking yourself, what the fuck is the point in all of this? 
 
The point is, like I said before, I'm often left extremely frustrated because it’s hard to find stories that meet my standards.

Now you're probably thinking: Well, that's your fucking problem.

Sadly, it is my fucking problem but it is also your gain.
 
I would imagine that having sex with Robert Pattinson would feel pretty fucking fantastic. Right? Right? Right? Yes. Do you know what else feels pretty fucking fantastic? Well, to me anyways. Finding a fic that I actually love.

Yeah, I just compared fic finding to sex with Rob.

I'm only reading a handful of fics at the moment. A few off the top of my head are: Love is the End, Drift, Slippin Trippin Stumbletumblin, Seventeen Men, Uncomfortable… White Swan Lodge, On Grey Mornings… but I'm not writing this review for any of those.

There is one fic that I hold exceptionally close to my heart. It's a story I found the old fashion way, through the search box, and one that I have already written a review for previously.

I love it so much I decided to write about it again.
 
It's a gem, with only a little over two-hundred reviews and over twenty chapters long. "Boy next door…" is beautiful executed and wonderfully perfect. The author, Taintedvile, has become a friend of mine and can be found on Twitter (Taintedvile) I often bother her for updates and scream in her face like a fan girl whenever she logs on.

Finding "Boy next door…" was as good as I would imagine sex would be with Rob. I read through all of her chapters in a single sitting and pouted because she didn't even have one-hundred reviews.

Fiction gold, literally.

Think Wide Awake meets Revelry, mixed with a little Stampede of a Thousand Pulses, with a dash of Swirl and Daisy and you have "Boy next door…"

Official Summary: Edward Masen is the boy living next door… Bella has various names for Edward these days; but she no longer calls him friend. Depressed, angst filled teens; trying to cope without the love of a friend.

My Quick Summary: Edward and Bella, friends and next door neighbors since diapers, lose each other after they each lose a parent to death. They should be leaning on the other for support, but instead of falling back on their greatest friendship, they drift away. Bella becoming a recluse, hidden behind her hair and made a mockery of. Edward turns to drugs and alcohol. Making the wrong decisions and using rebellion as a means to cope.

Little do they know that as the years pass neither one of them completely lost faith in their bond. Stealing small looks at school, spying through bedroom curtains… nightmares and wishes.

Can a damaged friendship be repaired? Can that friendship become more? Will they kill each other in the process? Can the past ever be left to the past? Will love conquer when they are so broken?

"Boy next door…" captures your heart and leaves you at the author’s mercy. You will cry and you will scream. You will beg for updates, and continue to think about her characters hours after you've read the latest chapter. If you're anything like me, as you read, you will cringe, swoon, throw your laptop, pick it back up and hold it close to your heart.

Her use of music is magical, and her words are hypnotizing. Sadly underrated, I plead that you give "Boy next door…" a chance because it is literally 'Indie fan fic' personified. One of the best fics I have ever read, it’s an honor to be able to spread the word. Show her some love and appreciation.
 
You won’t be sorry.

Chapter 2

Bpov

"Bella, why can’t we be friends?" Edward blurted, almost shouting. I didn't even know what to say; I was so fucking confused…"Stupid shiny Volvo owner, really?" hearing him say it; I couldn't help but laugh. 

"You want a hug?" My laughter faded. I realized how easy it was to let myself fall into old times with Edward; forgetting how harsh the sting of reality was. 

"I do…" Edward laughed softly. We'd often tease each other and play hug, only to push the other away. Just this time nobody was pushing…

Edward's warm embrace enveloped me; swallowing my tiny frame in his arms. A warm hug that melted the tension raging inside; except for the awkwardness of the moment. We hugged for what seemed like awhile before a mutual break occurred. We both slowly pulled away. I expected Edward to say something, make a joke…

I certainly didn't expect his mouth to come crashing onto mine. Confused, I fought against the tug of his anxiously roaming lips as he raised his hands to cup my face… 

I'm kissing Edward…. Kissing, as in a really fucking…it wasn't a peck from a lanky awkward…boy. 

"Edward..." I breathed; gasping as his lips traveled across my jaw, on a mission toward my neck as we landed against the door. 

"Bella…" 

Chapter 24

Bpov

"Edward reminds me to breathe when I'm not of any use to myself." That's hits Charlie harder than I anticipate, but it’s not as is there weren't warnings. Signs that Edward has been my rock. 

"I've spent more than half of my life with him. Don't try to tell me that I don't know him or that I'm young and naive. That there's someone better. Nobody else can measure up to a decade worth of memories, most of them beautiful…" Nobody. 

"I blame your mother, I warned…." Charlie starts, then quickly closes his mouth. Listen…

"You still love mom and I love her too, buts she's dead…." 

Banner by JaimeArkin

WIP of the Week: 10/25-10/31

Bookends by BellasExecutioner

 http://www.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/library/viewstory.php?sid=928

Reviewed by Teambella23

Rating: NC-17
Genre: Hurt/Comfort/Romance
Characters: Edward/Bella

Summary: AH/AU Edward and Bella are two lost souls in a sea of lost souls, but love conquers all. Right? Rated M for harsh language/Lemons and Drug Use. Winner of Two Sparkle Awards: The Bella Best Angst & The Heat Best Lemon . R&R Plz.

If you're familiar with me as a writer; not only reading my stories but my interviews and other things, than you know that there are only a few stories and a few authors that I hold up on a pedestal. If you were to ask another fanfiction author who or what their inspiration for writing themselves is, most answers would be Angstgoddess and Wide Awake, EP or maybe even MoTU.

Those examples are wonderful fics; WA was one of my first reads, I think we will all agree on that. While I haven't read the others, I have nothing bad to say except they're not on my list of inspirational fics.

After I finished Wide Awake I discovered my inner angst junkie. I was on the lookout for something to rip me apart and leave me begging for mercy.... So if you do know me then you should already know that my ultimate source of inspiration and my personal hero is BellasExecutioner and her fic Bookends.

'I reverently ran my fingers over the red circles and green ribbons on my post card. I smiled remembering the first picture I got. It was an apple. No note. No words. Just red, perfect shiny apple with our addresses and names on the back side of the page. I had accepted the apple with a hell of a lot of pride. Edward was hard to get along with-even for me. But that little red apple spoke more than any amount of words.' Bella, Chapter 2

I remember reading Bookends and being amazed... It deals with an array of difficulties. Edward and Jasper are siblings and rescued from their drug abusing mother by their Uncle Carlisle. Bella and Emmett are also siblings, living with their single mother Esme, while trying to deal with an insufficient father, Charlie. Jake becomes a Rose, while owning my heart in the process of self-discovery. There are so many layers of depth to this story that trying to explain them all would cheapen the read....

BellasExecutioner leaves me in awe with her words. Her ability to make me feel is what I love about her most. Her Edward and Bella are difficult and frustrating but never once do you ever think that they will not make it. They leave you on edge while you're screaming at you computer screen for them to just fucking listen... To just fucking look. Of course the author doesn't let us off easily....

Angst just to write angst seems to be an on-going trend. People have the tendency to write shit just to make their readers cry, leaving us feeling empty and cheated. Bookends contains angst for reason. There is a reason for so much hurt and struggle. The battle is the point from the very beginning... It’s a lifetime for these characters. We are taken from their childhoods to their late twenties... It’s like watching them every step of the way.

You will cry and you will yell but I promise that you will love....It’s not an easy task to inspire, move or effect me but it’s been done with Bookends and that is why it will always be one of my favorites.

'MUD' Edward, Chapter 6

Want to know what that means? Go read and find out... You won't regret it.

TeamBella23's Rec of the Week: 8/27-9/2

Grave Intentions by ss10

 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6181464/1/Grave_Intentions
Review by TeamBella23
*This story is no longer available*

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

Summary: An odious fixation seethes beneath a make believe alliance. When Edward dies, he leaves Bella to stew and regret. But his presence has yet to depart. He haunts, causing her not only to remember their shared hate, but also their passionate devotion.

I am a huge fan of everything this author writes. She has recently completed two of my favorite fics; Stampede of a Thousand Pulses and C-56. ss10 isn't afraid of what you'll think of her stories and she isn't afraid to bend and break the rules... She writes what she knows and she writes what she feels.

Her newest story isn't an exception. Grave intentions, while only one chapter long, already has me hooked and begging for more. If you know me as a reader and as an author you know I like different, I like taboo and I like angst. She delivers all three... On top of that she delivers the most fucked up, controlling, jealous and conniving Edward I have ever read.

"Death is not something that should be celebrated, and so in a bid to be normal, I bow my head somberly-" Bella, chapter 1

Edward and Bella are less than high school sweethearts but he has his claws embedded into her. She belongs to him and everyone knows it but he does not necessarily belong to her. Their relationship is complicated... Its controlling and the ultimate kind of fucked up but its theirs and as much as both of them hate the other for having such a powerful hold on them they are useless to part.

"I love you Bella, I hate you because I love you, and despite that fuckery, you still stupidly love me back." Edward, Chapter 1

So what happens when Edward dies? Their tie is broken and Bella is free? Not exactly, their bond is too fucking powerful for something like death to let them part... He haunts her... What happens now? How will their relationship work if he isn't really around?

I am officially hooked, I am the ultimate fangirl... I encourage you to read this, and everything else she writes. ss10 leaves you on the edge of your seat and screaming for the next chapter.

"You love me, I can see it in your eyes.

"Fuck you're pathetic...

"Do you wanna know what's even more fucked though...

"I think, no, I know...well shit Bella...I think I love you too."


Banner by JaimeArkin

Writer Submitted Fic: 7/16-7/22

Red Devil by dirtycheekymonkeys

 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5935086/1/Red_Devil
Review by TeamBella23

Summary: When Edward Masen, the talented, cocky & irresponsible star of Manchester United football club's contract & career come under threat due to off the pitch antics will his new American agent, Bella Swan be able to save him from himself or resist his

In a fandom filled with every type of "ward" from Doctorward, Hockyward, Geekward, Closerward, Domward, Vampward, Bikeward, hateward...Stoneward...Ladies (and gentlemen) I bring you Soccerward.

It was only a matter of time before someone tapped into the head of a hawt soccer player...Red Devil is a collaboration between two authors; one writing Edward and the other writing Bella. The initial idea sprouted from the love of The Manchester United Soccer club. With the recent excitement of the World Cup this fic couldn't come at a better time.

"Flashes of thousands of cameras went off trying to capture the moment..." Edward, Prologue.

This story starts off throwing you in the center of the chaos...you feel like you’re down on that field being admired by thousands of fans. I myself am not a soccer fan but can honestly say I may reconsider after reading Red Devil.

If you love a smartass, cocky, foul-mouthed Edward you will love this take on him.

"Is there a fucking intermission in this lecture?" Edward, Chapter 1.

What Mr. Masen doesn't realize is that just because he's a womanizing, famous soccer player doesn't mean there are not consequences to his actions.

Insert Bella Swan, Edward’s new agent. She's a woman scorned and doesn't put up with his bullshit.

He's surrounded by “yes” men, but not Bella, she gives him a run for his money.

He's sworn away commitment, preferring a life of partying with a different woman in his bed each night. She's sworn away love after being hurt by a former client turned boyfriend.

But it’s never that easy... "Bella, if you don't mind I'm going to fuck you now." Edward, Chapter 10.

It never is...

If you're sick of the same recycled fics and want to read something entertaining I recommend you click on the link. Hold on tight and be ready to laugh your ass off!

WIP of the Week: 6/11-6/17

Uncomfortable by Savannah-Vee

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5526868/1/bUncomfortable_b

Review by TeamBella23

Summary: Got 'Best Angst' mention in 'Slash Backslash' contest! 'The way he looks at me makes me feel...uncomfortable.' Jasper's girlfriend's brother, Edward, keeps staring at him. Why? Who knows. Seems like even Edward is confused...SLASH, AH, very OOC.

One-shot for the Backslash contest, continued into a full length fic. Mentioned for best Slash and Judges Pick.

"The way he looks at me makes me feel...uncomfortable." Jasper, Chapter 1...first line.

That very first line alone describes exactly what the entire fic is about...that very first line draws you in and captivates you, leaving you sucked into a world of confusion, lust, anger, madness, insecurity, experimentation, love...denial.

That very first line sent a chill down my arms.

That very first line made me an instant fan of Savannah's and automatically gave me a new outlook on what 'Slash' stories can be about.

The first chapter introduces you to a young Jasper; high school student...shy, handsome...and meeting his girlfriend, Alice, parents for the first time.

This is also where we meet Edward; he is breath taking, strong, assertive...and making Jasper feel uncomfortable with the way he looks at him.

Jasper learns quickly that maybe he is not as confident in his sexuality as he thought; knowing instantly that it is Edward that he wants.

Problem...

Edward is his own worst enemy, he is the poster boy for the 'straight male' he drinks beer, plays video games, has the girl on his arm...college student, bad mouth...friends.

Edward offers the looks; giving Jasper a reason to suspect that the feelings are mutual...only confirmed when Jasper and Edward have a late night run in that leaves them both experiencing their first homosexual act.

The way Savannah has written their "first experience" (and not the actual act of sex) is almost innocent and sweet but Edward's confusion radiates and eventually wins. He throws Jasper out of his room.

"I pretended you were Bella..." Edward, Chapter 1

We see a lot of this side of Edward, almost to a point where you scream at your computer screen for Jasper to fuck his shit up and leave...but you don't.

Jasper is the optimist.

Edward is the pessimist.

The author is the realist.

Edward is confused and as a reader I can't help but understand, his entire life is changing at a rapid pace and he is afraid.

"A fucking fag who hates fags..." And "this is some kind of punishment..."

These are Edward’s words but then he has moments where you just want to hold him and tell him everything is ok.

"...this feels right..." And "...I love you."

I have read many Slash fics in my time and never once have I come across one that has a plot and background that is so entirely special and meaningful. As of chapter 7, Jasper and Edward have yet to have sex, but when they do act on their impulses its meaningful and sincere...so entirely bitter sweet.

I can't help but to feel that this is how it must feel for people dealing with coming out and experiencing the confusion of sexuality must feel. She writes in a true and honest way.

For now we are left at another impasse and I look forward in the conclusion of this story.

Edward, Chapter 2 "...mad at myself for feeling this towards another guy...felt like this was all your fault...it was you making me feel...gay."

I'm on Team Edward and Jasper for this one...

Hopefully Jasper's insistence work's in the end and he 'gets the guy'

Banner by AngstGoddess003