Writer Submitted Fic: 8/6-8/12

Roman Candle by nowforruin

 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5884459/1/Roman_Candle
Review by Mistresselektra
 

Rating: M
Characters: Edward/Bella

Summary: Expansion of my entry from the "Geekward Shuffle" contest. Edward went to NYU dreaming of a future surrounded by academia. He ended up bartending in Brooklyn. Now he finds himself stuck with a bad job and a bad girlfriend


Roman Candle begins with a depressed and overworked Edward Cullen, a NYU drop out. He spends his days quoting literature in his head, being an alcoholic bartender in Brooklyn. He shares his life with Jessica Stanley, a princess who uses him, letting him do all the work to support her. She wants very badly to go back to Washington, but Edward isn’t so keen on it— he dropped out of NYU and his well-to-do parents cut him off. He believed he’d be able to make it in the big, bad world.

He spends all his time fantasizing about his co-barmaid, Bella. Bella’s a hard-ass, mysterious bitch with good taste in high heels who doesn’t have a lot of sympathy for his bullshit— like him being late all the time. She’s a tough nut to crack, and Edward hasn’t done it, yet.

Jessica starts fights with Edward that he’s cheating on her with Bella all the while trying to deflect her own affairs she’s been having on Edward. It seems a little too difficult to deny, lately.

They try to mend their relationship, but in the end, it seems pointless. Jessica leaves him one morning, and Edward pulls inside himself by drinking himself silly, throwing his own pity-party.

When he’s late to work, he calls Bella and tells her that he’s not coming into work tonight. She’s enraged at first, but then he tells her that she is the only person he has left to talk to and begs her to come over.

During the blizzard, she arrives at his apartment and they begin to forge an unforgettable bond and he begins to crack her hardened exterior, beginning a story with undeniable unresolved sexual tension. A must-read for the Twilight All Human Universe!

Brand New Fic of the Week: 8/6-8/12

Edroar the Angry Lion by Tropical Sorbet

 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6037621/1/Edroar_the_Angry_Lion
Reviewed by KylaPricky

Rating: M

Genre: Romance/Humor

Characters: Edward/Bella

Summary: Edroar the Angry Lion frightens all the girls and boys at Cullen Publishing with his loud roar. Will his new masseuse Bella Swan run away like all the rest, or can she tame this savage beast? AH/AU OOC

Bella Swan, the masseuse, has jumped at the opportunity of a new job at the Cullen Publishing house as the CEO’s, otherwise known as our boy Edward Cullen, personal masseuse. (Yeah, I know right? I totally don’t even need to write any more of this review for you to be interested, but still here it goes). She wants the job even though she has heard nothing but awful things regarding this tyrant of a boss. She is even told that his own employees wrote a book based on him, Edroar the Angry Lion.

Edroar the Angry Lion is a children’s book about an angry lion that scares everyone away with his angry roar and to keep them away and stay alone in the jungle.

And within the first few minutes of meeting Edward, this feisty, non-fearing Bella Swan decides that she wants to see just how nasty Edward Cullen’s roar actually is...for herself.

“She put a hand on each of my shoulders, and announced joyfully, "Mr. Cullen, this is your new masseuse, Bella Swan."

Silence…

There was complete silence for an uncomfortable amount of time.

I didn't want to blatantly stare at him, yet my nosy nature couldn't help but to eye this infamous man quite thoroughly.

It may sound weird, but the first thing I noticed about him…was his hair. It just seemed to contradict all else around him.

You couldn't … not… notice it.

It was completely disheveled. Strands of it were poking out in all directions. Even the color of it was unclear. I saw shades of brown, gold and even touches of bronze sweeping through it.
Curiously my eyes moved lower, down to his face.

I flinched from the fierce look his haunted green eyes were giving me. Instinctively, I turned away, from the sheer intensity of his fiery gaze.

It felt like he could grab me… with his eyes.

I watched the floor for a few moments, and then my eyes were drawn back up to his once again. I blinked rapidly, and continued to explore. I made my way around the outer edge of his face.
I noticed the strong masculine cut of his jaw line. It looked like it was etched in stone, almost inhuman really, except I could see the light stubble on his pale, white, skin.

My eyes flickered over to his lips, tightly pursed, and I could tell from the moment I saw them, they were used as a weapon to unleash whatever lurked within.

I carefully scanned his desk, and noticed how organized it was. I don't mean just neat. Only a person suffering from some form of OCD could orchestrate such order.

"Miss Swan," his velvety smooth voice uttered, finally acknowledging my existence.”

Their first meeting only goes south from there and this Bella promises to keep us in stitches as she tries to figure out and tame the beast that is Edward Cullen.

Bella’s best friend Jasper describes her as having the “...face of an angel…and the mouth of a sailor,” and that is such an awesome combination. This Bella is absolutely hilarious wrapped in pure win. She has kept me laughing from the very beginning and hasn’t let up.

“It seemed my personality was a major turn off for most guys. So after a totally disastrous dating record, I decided it was time to end my search for Mr. Right. I finally figured out that some girls were just meant to be alone. I quickly became a fan of smutty stories and self love. Though lately… I had the distinct feeling that even my long time vibrator, Dickie, was looking to see other people.”

This story has a really interesting and distinct premise that I haven’t seen anything like in any other fic. The placement is so creative and the supporting characters have been peppered in effortlessly and their roles no matter how big or how small, help roll along the hilarity of this story. You have to check this fic out, well, for many reasons but her description of receptionist Jessica, alone will have you in a fit of giggles. This Bella truly cracks me up and I’m loving every bit of her.

I truly can’t wait to see how this battle between the lion and the lion tamer (or if he isn’t careful slayer may be a more appropriate term) is going to play out. This Edward is one of those hot jerks that we just loooove and ache to hate. I can’t wait to see what lies behind his scary roar. Edward shows us that there is no way he is going to show Bella any part of him without a fight and this Bella got her punching gloves on.

This fic is four chapters in, and trust you don’t want to miss all the WIN this story has to offer.

Completed Fic of the Week: 8/6-8/12

Innocence is Dripping Red by EchoesOfTwilight

 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5480253/1/Innocence_Is_Dripping_Red
Reviewed by AydenM
*This story is no longer available*

Rating: M

Characters: Edward/Bella

Summary: Darkward Vampfic Contest Winner: A bored and jaded Edward has his own way of spicing up his lonely existence - until a chance meeting makes him question what he thought he knew about his life.

Intense. Enticing. Intricate. Erotic. Brilliant.

So many ways to describe Innocence is Dripping Red and still they don't feel like quiet enough to express my complete adoration of this continuation of EchoesofTwilight's Darkward Vampfic Contest Winner.

Edward is an unabashed killer, taking human life, human memory and sensation and using them to sate his own desires. Blood and sex twine tightly, desire for one fueling his desire for the other. He has chosen a different path in his Vamp-life and it is that choice that draws Bella into his life.

When he meets her, however, it is not a desire for her blood that draws him to her. It's everything else about her. The mystery. Her beauty. The way she feels against him.

"She pressed against my back then, and my body electrified. I turned swiftly – perhaps too swiftly – but her face registered no surprise.

Her face. Dear God, she was beautiful. Skin almost as pale as mine, were it not for the delectable pooling of blood in her cheeks as she blushed. Deep chocolate eyes framed in heavy lines of black. Hair I was sure was her natural shade of dark brown. Lips stained a deep, blood red.

Blood was absolutely the last thing I should think about when looking at this creature. But I couldn't help it. Her pulse beat in her ivory neck under smooth, translucent skin. And her smell, it was everywhere, inciting in me an unquenchable fire.

Unquenchable – because killing her, even if I broke my own rules, would not satisfy me. Oh, it would be pleasure of the highest order, but not of the kind I desired for the first time in my too-long life.

I wanted to lick, kiss, suck, thrust. I wanted to devour but leave her alive so I could do it again and again and again."

He wants her and he takes her, fulfilling her desire to join him.

At this point in most fics, Edward chooses Bella over that darker side of himself and reforms. That's not the case with Innocence is Dripping Red. It takes a different direction entirely and is absolutely captivating as a result. This is just the beginning of a journey as erotic as it is dark.

"Taste.

Sex and death. Want and need.

I swallowed the blood on my tongue.

It is all connected.

I could not have one without the other."

If you're looking for an apologetic killer... you won't find him here. Instead, you'll find Darkward at his finest. Eloquent, unapologetic and falling further into erotic depravity when Bella enters his world.

Innocence is Dripping Red takes you to a place so many Darkward fics do not. Bloodlust and voyeurism, devotion and masochism are combined flawlessly under EchoesofTwilight's pen and the result is breathtaking. This is not a story of redemption, but of devotion and the sacrifices and choices one is willing to make to avoid the torment of loss.

EchoesofTwilight has managed to paint a vivid backdrop for Innocence is Dripping Red and the prose, as much as the story, is spell-binding. If you read anything this week... read Innocence is Dripping Red. You will not regret it.

This Darkward will stick with you long after you finish that final chapter. He is, more than any other Darkward out there, an enticing embodiment of that dark side of vampire nature that many have attempted to weave but few have truly achieved.

Banner by JaimeArkin

 

WIP of the Week: 8/6-8/12

Camisado by Sophz456

 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5817208/1/Camisado
Review by Sscana

  

Rating: M 

Genre:  Drama/Romance

Characters: Edward/Bella

  

Summary: Special agent Isabella Swan has been sent undercover to extract agent Edward Masen form the world’s deadliest compound. Agent Masen has been deep undercover for the past four years and had lost all hope of getting out alive, well, until Isabella shows up one evening when he’s least expecting her. Will they be able to fool the world’s best criminals into thinking she’s his girlfriend who’s finally decided to join him?

This story hits the readers with a high velocity from the very get-go and is pumped full of clues and hints that promise to keep readers on the edge of their seats from the very moment they start reading.

When the story starts, Bella is doing what she hopes is the best thing possible to get brought in by the Volturi, and that’s hiking on their so called property. She needs them to pick her up and take her back to their compound. This is where the story starts moving and never slows down.

From the moment Bella’s blind fold is removed; she realizes that every eye in the place is on her along with some pretty heavy ammunition. She starts to think this might not have been her best idea. Aro makes it very clear that he does not tolerate trespassers on or near the compound and she will be punished severely. Seconds before she is to meet her untimely death we hear…

“She’s with me”

Let the *swooning* begin.

Yes, that’s right, the swooning starts at chapter one and hasn’t slowed down one bit.

Agent Masen, or who I call Undercoverward, immediately comes to her rescue and acts like the adoring, worried boyfriend every women dreams of.

Bella and Edward are literally thrown into a situation where they have to act and put on this rock hard façade of being a madly-in-love couple as soon as their eyes lock, even though it’s for the very first time. Both of them are fully aware that one little miscommunication from the other party will end both their lives.

Aro, the leader of The Volturi, has gotten away with murder and corruption for decades. They have corrupted every part of the legal system for years- they do not answer to the law, the law answers to them. The Volturi are unstoppable. So they think!

The true question is… How long will Edward and Bella be able to put on the charade of being madly in love before they actually begin to truly fall in love with one another? Falling in love with your partner is the biggest mistake any agent can make. You are taught to take care and protect yourself from everyone and everything. They are both extremely guarded people who trust no one, and this assignment is unlike any assignment anyone has ever been on. They both know how wrong it is to get emotionally involved with one another and how it is not in their best interest for something like this to happen. But can you really fight fate?

Bella and Edward learn quickly that they both have demons and secrets in their pasts that are haunting them both. They are trying to deal with that along with this new relationship that they are trying to figure out. Edward is having nightmares and completely shuts down sometimes, and Bella brings it upon herself to help Edward get through these episodes no matter what the cost. She finds that she can’t deny him anything, including herself. While Edward sees the hurt in her eyes, and will stop at nothing to make the pain go away.

As this story progresses, Bella learns quickly that The Agency has no clue to how large this operation really is, how many outside forces Aro has on the payroll and how deep Edward and her are truly in it. She starts understanding quickly why Edward is trying to protect her.

“Well, anyway, Aro continued clearly loving the glory of what he was saying. “Our friends down at the bureau intercepted the leaked information before it could actually get anywhere. The girls didn’t even have the sense to try to cover their tracks- they just marched straight in there, all guns blazing. So, as you can imagine, it didn’t take long for Felix and Demetri to track them down… plug the leak”

Oh, did I forget to mention the lemons in this fic? Well, let’s take a look. Because I’m telling you, Undercoverward will not let you down.

Undercoverward definitely knows how to keep his lady satisfied.

Before long, my back hit cool plaster, and I grunted in pain before crying out as Edward pushed my dress up and slid his fingers between my thighs. He groaned softly, breaking our kiss to press his forehead against mine as he murmured, "You want this."

It was a statement, not a question.

"You really want this." He seemed almost stunned by this realization, but I knew 'this' was more than just a reference to sex.

"I want you," I told him, nodding. He exhaled a sharp breath, then reached down and fumbled to undo his slacks with trembling fingers. I covered his hands with mine and hurriedly did the job for him, pushing the fabric to the ground along with his boxers.

"How do you want me?" I asked him. I knew he enjoyed feeling like he was the one in charge every once in a while, and I was all too willing to give him that power. It was an incredible feeling, giving control over to somebody else and not having to worry about restraining myself for once.

"Mirror," he mumbled, kicking his slacks away as I turned so my back was to him and I was facing the mirror.

"Like this?" I deliberately pushed my ass out and arched my back, looking at him over my shoulder as he moved to stand behind me.

"Bella… You deserve slow and loving and gentle, and I want to give you that so badly, but I just… I can't." His tone was almost pleading as he leaned down and pressed his chest against my back, gently kissing my shoulder blade. "This won't be any of that, and if you want me to stop…"

"I don't want you to stop," I assured him, spreading my legs a little to brace myself better.

Okay… Are you still with me after that, or do you need a moment to change those shamwow panties?

And, ladies, that’s just the first half of that lemon. Sophie and Undercoverward never let us down.

So, ladies, please give Sophz456 all the love she truly deserves. She is writing a truly original fic that sucks you in deep from the moment you start reading it. That’s one of the reasons I like it so much. She does an amazing job telling this story, and her supporting characters are some of the best I’ve read. You never know who you will meet and what they will be up to. So, please, show Miss @Sophz456 all the love you can. You know I will be there the minute this story updates, just dying to see what new information she is willing to give us… and to read about my beloved Undercoverward and Bella on their mission.

One Shot of the Week: 7/30-8/5

Strip Search by bellabee66

 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6159398/1/Strip_Search

Rating: M

Genre: Romance/Adventure
Characters: Edward/Bella

Summary: AH Officer Masen is the newest addition to the Forks Police Dept. He's been warned about the Chief's daughter. He finds himself pulling her over for speeding. Just how far will Bella go to get out of a ticket? Yummy goodness with twist of LEMON!

BellaLove72's Rec of the Week: 7/30-8/5

What Happens Tomorrow by birdee18

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4460754/1/What_Happens_Tomorrow

Review by Bellalove72

Rating: M

Genre: Romance/Angst

Characters: Bella/Edward

Summary: Bella and Edward are happily engaged with their whole lives ahead of them. What happens when a tragedy strikes that will change them forever? AU, all human.

Edward and Bella had it all…that picture perfect life that was headed right into the stuff of fairy tales and their happily ever after. They grew up together as their parents were best friends and they eventually started dating freshman year of high school. After reaching his goal of graduating from medical school, Edward proposed to Bella over Christmas. Of course she said yes and a July wedding was being planned.

Those of you that know me well enough, know that I don’t do fluff! Can’t do it. I need angst. I crave it. If there’s not some sort of heart wrenching conflict, I don’t read it. Ok, so maybe that’s not entirely true since I do read some fics without angst but as long as it’s not pure fluff and everyone is always so cheerful and happy. My point is, What Happens Tomorrow is NOT pure fluff. There is tragedy and heartache as Edward and Bella’s fairytale life takes a detour into a nightmare. And that kept my attention!

The detour of their perfect life happens the night of Edward and Bella’s engagement party where Edward falls ill. What happens to Edward leaves everyone in shock and confusion. And the road to recovery is long and painful. Not only does Edward have to deal with his physical recovery but the depression and panic attacks that come along with it. Everything in his life has to change. The career he worked so hard for, the life with Bella he looked so forward to…everything. But this tragedy doesn’t only affect Edward. It’s just as hard on Bella to have to watch him struggle. And between Bella and the rest of the Cullen’s they try to support Edward as best they can. But is it enough?

The relationship Edward has his family is very heartwarming. You can feel their hearts breaking as they all have to stand by and watch their son and brother crumble before them. They do their best to hold him up but you can only do so much. There is an additional family member also. Edward has a little sister, Elizabeth, who he calls ‘Bitt’. As a teenager, Bitt brings the family much needed comic relief but she also has to learn how to handle this family tragedy in her own way. It’s not easy for her to watch her big brother, her protector, have to struggle through his illness and recovery.

The way birdee18 has written this story makes me wonder if the plot wasn’t just something that she conjured up in her creative mind. The details and emotions that birdee18 has put into What Happens Tomorrow sound too personal for her to have just thought this up. This isn’t a typical ExB tale. They don’t start out in love, tragedy strikes; they overcome it and then finally get to their HEA. Life doesn’t happen that way. What Happens Tomorrow doesn’t either.

Banner by JaimeArkin

KylaPricky's Rec of the Week: 7/30-8/5

Nature of Love by drotuno

 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5990724/1/Nature_of_Love
Reviewed by KylaPricky

Rating: M

Genre: Adventure/Romance

Characters: Edward/Bella  

Summary: Hiking through the Appalachian Trail, Bella meets 2 brothers, 1 with a dark past. This is an adventure about friendships, love, loss and finding yourself. And just maybe finding more than you expected. AH/canon couples/Rated M

Bella Swan is a photojournalist that sets off to document the Appalachian Trail. It’s a six month journey that goes through thirteen states and over 2100 miles long and its traveled all on foot. Bella starts this journey a year earlier than planned after she finds out that her boyfriend, Mike Newton, had been cheating on her. She leaves home and everything behind only bringing her best friend and guardian German shepherd, Maggie.

Bella meets two brothers, Emmett and Edward, who are also escaping some issues of their own. After Maggie approves of both Edward and Emmett, the three (well, four because Maggie really is a crucial character in this story) decide to do the trek together. The very first night of camping we readers see that Edward is haunted by something dark that causes him not to be able to sleep and Maggie being the ultimate protector, comforter and wonderful judge of character that she is, decides to comfort him. That’s where it all really starts, Maggie’s love for Edward.

Everything about this story invites you in. It’s a completely unique and wonderful take on the Edward and Bella relationship. I have never seen a Bella and Edward blossom as they do in this story. They are thrown together in a situation where trust is mandatory and they both have secrets and scars from their pasts but the big question is will they ever reveal all their scars to one another?

I love everything about this story but the review can’t be longer than the actual story so I’ll narrow it down to my three key characters. While every character in this story is three dimensional, I will discuss my personal favorites; Edward, Bella and of course, Maggie.

Edward, who we lovingly refer to as Tentward...Ah Tentward......

Oh sorry! I was swooning...Anyway, Tentward is a self-deprecating Edward that is plagued with a past. He finds himself unworthy and lets no one in. One of the many reasons why Tentward is so unbelievably swoon-worthy though, is the fact that this Edward grows as a character. He wants to let Bella in and he is trying his damnedest to. As a reader, you will slowly but surely see him start open himself up because of, “his girls.” Edward is a broken man but he is trying through “his girls” to put all of the pieces back together.

Every time Tentward calls Bella and Maggie his girls...I die a bit inside... no lie.

This is by far one of my favorite Bella’s that I have ever seen in any story. Yes, she has a past too, but hers doesn’t haunt her. She has learned from it and realizes that everything that has happened to her has created her to be the person she is today. She is the strong one and she is the one that is showing Edward how to cope with his past. She is his comfort, she holds Edward during his nightmares (with the help of Maggie, of course.). This Bella is broken but not shattered. Even though she is drawn to Edward from the beginning, she puts up with none of his games to push her away. She is one tough broad.

And then there is Maggie... who in my opinion is the most creative use of an animal in any fic I have ever read. She is not just a pet in this story. She truly is one of the main characters and she is essential in the coming together and healing of Edward and Bella. Who wouldn't just love a dog that was a natural asshole detector and would chase all your bad dreams away. This story is incredible overall, but for me, Maggie really just takes it to a whole other level.

This Edward and Bella are the most realistic I have ever seen. Everything about this story is raw, open and honest, including the lemons. This story is a must read simply for how they lay claim on each other’s scars and I’m telling you it will turn you into a puddle every time.

Nothing about this story is a cliché and I love every second of it.

“Say it again.”

“Edward, I love you.”

PS. Tentward comes with a HUGE swoon alert warning. This comes from me and Guest Reviewers @sscana and @kymclark as well.