Completed Fic of the Week: 1/30/12

Endings & Beginnings by JadedLadies

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6636957/1/Endings_Beginnings

Review by AnonymouslySufferingFromOCD

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

Summary: Some people say the third time's the charm. Can Edward and Bella find their way back to each other or does fate have other plans? AH **COMPLETE**

Endings and Beginnings is a collab piece. Jadsmama and ladyshark1 team up and really write an amazing story together. The story is similar to one we have all read before. Edward and Bella are high school sweethearts and break up when Edward heads off to college so he can spread his wings. While Bella is devastated, she doesn’t begrudge him his freedom and they remain friends. The difference with this one is that while they do find their way back to one another, there are mitigating circumstances that intervene and cause them to lose each other once again. The question remains, is the third time the charm?

I liked this story for a lot of reasons, it is dubbed a romance/drama, and it is true to form. There is sadness and I cried, but it wasn’t angsty, it wasn’t cold, and it wasn’t calculating in the way some stories can be.

JadedLadies did a great job of starting the story with Edward and Bella together in some sense of the word and keeping them that way. Even though they lose each other throughout the story, we don’t have to read about the long periods of time they are apart. Instead, we get well placed flashbacks and time jumps that make us not want to put the story down for any real amount of time. They keep us wanting more and as we all know, that makes for a great story.

After Bella and Edward go their separate ways when Edward heads off to college, Bella does her best to move on while Edward does his best to sew his wild oats with big brother Emmett encouraging him along the way. Bella meets Jacob while in college and they hit it off, Jacob learns to live with the fact that Edward will always be a part of Bella’s life. Jacob believes that Edward and Bella are completely over one another and that the love he has for Bella is a mutual and strong love. Edward and Jacob manage to become best friends and Edward is best man at Jacob and Bella’s wedding. Now don’t get discouraged, this story is a Bella/Edward story and while Jacob is mentioned we don’t have a whole lot of Jacob interactions.

My phone call with Jake had not gone as I had expected. He was not calling to threaten to kick my ass for sleeping with his wife or even to let me know that he knew about what had happened between us. He called to tell me that Charlie had been shot and wasn't doing so well. 

Jake needed me to pick Bella up and drive her to Forks as fast as I could, and that he knew I was the person Bella would want to comfort her. Not only was I sickened about Charlie's condition, but I was shocked that it had seemed Jake actually realized the comfort Bella and I gave each other, versus the comfort he knew Alice couldn't give her.

I did not have time to say much to him while we were on the phone. I felt uneasy from what lingered over our heads and he didn't even have a clue about it. I just promised to get to her there quickly and did just that. 

Bella was completely hysterical when I walked into their house. She was not dressed when I had arrived, still in her shirt and panties from the night before. I packed a bag for both her and Jake, and then helped her get dressed. It felt like such an intimate moment between us, I could feel how much she needed me. My touch alone was enough to calm her. 

As you can see from the above snippet, after Bella and Jacob are married for a few years Edward and Bella realize they can no longer fight their feelings for one another and give into temptation. Unfortunately, they have a major tragedy to deal with right after they betray Jacob. This is the catalyst that drives them apart once again. It isn’t for several years that they find one another again, but remember there are clever time jumps and flashbacks that explain everything so we don’t have a lot of time without them being together in once capacity or another.

Sometimes I find collab stories difficult to read or follow, but JadedLadies really worked out a great way to collaborate and build strong character dynamics that flow together seamlessly. I am thoroughly impressed with this story. It is written well and we hear a lot from both characters. We feel their emotions as they feel them and we fall in love with them and want to smack them all at the same time. I think this is one that everyone should read and review and I think I will be reading it again in the near future. Anyone that knows me, knows that if I am willing to re-read the story it has definitely wormed its way into my heart. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did and don’t forget to review.

Completed Fic of the Week: 1/23/12

Merry Textmas by DiamondHeart78

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6486529/1/Merry_Textmas

Review by AnonymouslySufferingFromOCD

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

Summary: Bella is forced to tackle the crowds on Black Friday with her best friend, Angela. Can a random text message from a wrong number change the course of her day and her life? Banter galore! AH. VOTER'S CHOICE WINNER for the Naughty & Nice Holiday Contest!

We’ve all done it, gotten that text from a random person that we have never met before. For most of us that means nothing. We ask who it is, they reply sorry wrong number, or something of the like and we move on never giving it another thought.

Imagine though, if you kept texting the random person, and said random person turns out to be Edward freaking Cullen…That would make all of our inner Bella Swan’s very happy indeed.

This story was a breath of fresh air for me. To be perfectly honest I have found myself sliding into that angsty place, that I really don’t like to go to, lately and I needed some good stories to pull me out of it.

The story begins with Bella and her best friend Angela out shopping on Black Friday much to Bella’s dismay, when she gets a text from a random unknown sender asking if she is meeting him out later that night.

I have a couple of co-workers, family members and friends to shop for, but something tells me I won't find anything here that my dad, Charlie, will like. I make a mental note to look for some lures for his fishing obsession online later. As I go rummaging through my black hole of a purse to find a pen to add a note next to my dad's name, my phone vibrates, signaling a text message. Strangely, it's from an unknown number. 

Hey. Just woke up. We still on for later? The Sleeping Beagle down on E 40th. 9pm. 

I look at it for a moment, running through the list of people I know who might be texting me this early in the morning. Did I make plans with someone without knowing? 

Angie briefly catches my expression, looking concerned. "What is it? Did something happen?" 

"No, no, nothing. But I just got a text from an unknown number, look," I say, extending my arm for her to read the phone's screen. 

"Hmm. Weird. Maybe you met someone, gave your number to them when you were drunk or something?" she remarks, grinning mischievously. 

"Ha ha. Not funny. I seriously don't know who this is." 

"Well, text them back, doofus." I widen my eyes at her and sigh. 

"Ok, then. Here goes." 

Who is this? 

Edward had just purchased a new phone and had accidentally superimposed Jasper’s number in his contacts, but becomes very intrigued by the random girl who received his text. The texting goes on for hours; random pictures are exchanged and they even get into the sexting department before Bella even leaves the mall.

This is the most unique form of twenty questions that I have read in a while. They really spend a lot of time getting to know each other with no preconceived notions, and they both feel that instant bond that we have all come to expect from Edward and Bella. The banter that goes on between them is hilarious and you can’t help but cheer for them right from the start.

Despite only being five chapters long, DiamondHeart78 really does a great job at bringing us an all around great story. There is the perfect amount of everything. From humor, to drama, to fluff and best of all for me no angst, this story has it all. Don’t get me wrong, there is some drama, things aren’t always perfect but that is okay, because we all know that life isn’t perfect. However we get to learn and grow with these characters and for me that makes a great story. I really hope you check it out, don’t let the title fool you it is a great year round story!

Submitted Fic of the Week: 11/21/11

Swim Tadpole, Swim

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6415144/1/Swim_Tadpole_Swim

Review by AnonymouslySufferingFromOCD

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

Summary: AU/AH EPOV Lemons/adult themes. "Grasp your partner's hips. Push deep with your thumbs," the teacher announces... I don't know what came over me but my lips were at her mercy the moment they touched hers. Why am I so mesmerized by this older woman?

Swim Tadpole, Swim, is the type of story that really has it all. It’s catergorized as Romance/Angst, and there is plenty of both throughout the story. However, there is also a fair amount of humor and smut to help balance it all out. The story begins with a twenty-one year old college student, Edward, lusting after a thirty-six year old, divorced, single mother Bella. It isn’t that he can’t get whoever he wants, because let’s face it, we know he can, but Edward, wise beyond his years and lacking the patience for women his own age has his heart set on Bella. He doesn’t know what he is getting himself into when he follows her to her yoga class and signs himself up.

She's looking at me; eyes tracing me up and down and she's acting like she's not interested but I know differently. She kissed me back when I practically assaulted her in the hallway here at the gym last week. I was feeling brave and she said she was having a bad day. I don't know what came over me but my lips were at her mercy the moment they touched hers. Why am I so mesmerized by this older woman? There are plenty of girls at school who are interested in me but they don't seem to hold my attention like she does. I don't follow any other women around like I do with her. She fascinates me. I watch her enter her favorite coffee shop in the morning, I watch her enter her office with her shades on and I envy every client that goes in there and has her hands on them. I don't care if she's sticking needles in them; if she's touching them then they're lucky sons of bitches. 

Bella, an acupuncturist/masso-therapist has some issues. She is still on relatively good terms with her ex-husband, Jacob Black. Of course that is because they still have sex regularly and Jacob, who cheated on Bella has verbally insulted her so much throughout her life that she believes everything he has ever said about her. She has horrible self-esteem issues, giving her a massive fear of commitment because she is convinced that if she doesn’t commit to anyone she can always have the upper hand. Bella doesn’t let her self-esteem issues ruin her though, most people see her as a confidant, sexy, and snarky bitch.

Bella falls hard for our favorite fictional character but she is afraid of her feelings, she tries to push him away and does succeed for a small period of time. Edward really has his work cut out for him in this story. He not only has to convince Bella that it is possible for a twenty-one year old to be irrevocably in love with a thirty-six year old, but he also has to convince her that he can be a worthy step-father to her daughter as well as a father to any other children they may decide to have. He also has to learn to understand her holistic life-style.

As always, Edward is good at everything he puts his mind to, and he takes to being a pseudo stepfather with his usual grace.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Cori's yelling in her bed for Bella and has woken me up out of a very deep sleep. Bella doesn't stir, doesn't move. I roll out from under her, slip into my boxers, my pajama bottoms and a tee shirt. I drag my feet out into the hallway and straight into Cori's room. She's crying and scared. 

"Did you have a bad dream?" I ask as I rub the sleep out of my eyes. I can barely think straight. 

"You left! You left me daddy!" 

"Shhhh, I'm here," I say as I pat her hand. She's completely out of it and thinks I'm Jake.

"I need snuggles." She whimpers. 

Snuggles? Does she mean – 

She clambers out of bed and jumps up into my arms. She wraps herself around me and cries into my neck.

I pat her back and rock her back and forth. 

"It's okay. We're still here." 

"Don't leave!" she whines as she clings even tighter. She's practically choking me. 

As I said earlier, Scarlettplay has done a great job with this story it really has a little bit of everything and I know that you will enjoy it as much as I have. Although I will warn you that it does end rather abruptly. However that is only because it is the first in what looks like will be a three story saga. The second story, Drifting in the Brine, is also complete. The third story only has one chapter posted and I am hoping if you all go out and read and review the first two, we may be able to convince Scarlettplay to write a little faster!

Submitted Fic of the Week: 11/7/11

1929 by deb24601

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5636885/1/1929

Review by AnonymouslySufferingFromOCD

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

Summary: In 1918 Edward survives the Spanish Flu only to find his world forever altered. He goes on, playing piano in a speakeasy during Prohibiton, struggling to find meaning in life. Meeting Dream Girl gives him hope. He gives her a new take on "life". Not A/H

This story begins in 1918, where Edward is a teenager dreaming of joining the war effort while his parents are hoping that the war will end before his eighteenth birthday. As Edward’s family is stricken with the deadly Spanish Influenza his father makes a rather quick recovery. Unfortunately his mother Elizabeth isn’t so lucky and we find her begging our favorite Dr. Carlisle Cullen to save and protect her son no matter what measures he needs to take in order for that to happen. Edward Sr. making a full recovery isn’t the only difference from the original Twilight Saga. After his mother passes Edward Jr. is brought home to be nursed back to health by Dr. Cullen, the key word here is health.

Edward Sr. begins to battle some demons without his beloved Elizabeth and Edward has to find his own way in life. The war ends shortly after Edward recovers and he instead decides to pursue his mothers dream for him by attending college in Boston.

Edward majors in music and after graduating, returns to Chicago to work in a speakeasy during prohibition. When we join him again it is 1928 and he is haunted by dreams of his father, Dr. Cullen and a mystery woman whom he has never met.

I still dreamed about losing my father in the fog. Once I was away at school though, I dreamt more and more often about the girl with mahogany hair. Always the same scenario: the thick mist, me following her, realizing I was gaining on her and then reaching out to touch. Sometimes I missed and she would disappear in the fog, leaving me feeling empty, hollow. Sometimes, I caught her. With each dream I was more determined to turn her to me. I needed to see her face. Always, I felt the surprising shock when I grasped her shoulder. Always, I felt the amazing warmth that made me wake feeling more alone. 

It isn’t until Edward meets his dream girl that he really begins to live. Edward was an old fashioned gentleman even in the 1920’s but Bella helps him find a new way. While he never gives up being a gentleman he is willing to make some sacrifices to be with a feisty, independent, free thinking Bella. Bella, who lives with her equally independent Aunt Rose (not to be confused with Rosalie) really turns his world upside down with her independence and he is in complete awe of her.

Edward and Bella begin a romance that can survive anything, as we all know they are destined to be together. He learns to be less old fashioned and more willing to go with the flow, while she learns to be less independent.

Bella was twisting the kaleidoscope in her hands and a little frown was creasing her forehead. Clearly, she still had something on her mind. 

"The problem is I've made and changed decisions so often in the past couple of months. I would never marry, I might marry, I'd travel around the world on my own, I'd stay right here. That's not like me." She screwed up her nose. "I'm not indecisive or," she searched for the right word, "flighty". I chuckled lightly at her expression; that prospect was horrifying to her. 

Bella brought the kaleidoscope up to her eye and gave a little sniff. "See there isn't anything in particular wrong with this picture... I just don't like it. I can feel the life being sucked right out of me just looking at it and I couldn't explain why. But I know I could never live with that picture." 

She gave the copper tube a vigorous shake and looked again. "Well that's very pretty; I could live with this picture." Bella didn't look at me as she told me how much she admired Rose's adventures and thought I felt her wavering, questioning herself again. I'd had almost ten years of dreaming, hoping for Bella, my Dream Girl and I was still overwhelmed with the intensity of the feelings, the changes they had brought to my life. I had some sympathy for what she was going through and her struggle to reconcile her plans with my unexpected presence in her life. But that didn't mean I was going to give up without a fight. I reminded her of Rose's own words about how rare this thing between us was and how lucky we were to have found one another. 

We do have some drama in this story and as the summary states it isn’t all-human. Dr. Cullen checks in on Edward from time to time, and it is a lucky thing he does when Bella gets into some trouble that Edward can’t help her through.

1929 is mostly in Edward’s POV, Bella’s POV comes around after we meet Carlisle again. Deb24601 really does a great job with writing this era. She has done a ton of research and it really shows in the story. Many times you feel like you are there and if you don’t feel like you are, you feel like you want to be. I love when authors really take the time to understand exactly what they are writing about instead of just guessing. This is a great, timeless story and I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I have.

Completed Fic of the Week: 10/24/11

Last Friday Night by KristenLynn

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7189822/1/

Reviewed by AnonymouslySufferingFromOCD

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

Summary: On Saturday morning, Bella wakes up to a broken hand, a trashed apartment, and no memory of what caused either of them! When the photos show up on-line, Bella must figure out what—and who—she might have done last Friday night. AH, fun/fluff 

Who doesn’t like a song fic? Especially a song fic about Katy Perry’s Last Friday Night. Seriously, this week’s completed fic based off of Katy Perry’s song Last Friday Night, gives us a whole lot of fun as we are along for the ride while Bella and her best friend/roommate, Alice, try to figure out what the hell went on Last Friday Night.

Saturday morning Bella wakes up with a monster hangover, rumpled clothes, her hand in a cast, an indent in the pillow that she doesn’t use and a roll of condom’s on the floor. To make matters worse, she has absolutely no recollection of what happened.

Some pictures on the internet, while embarrassing, do help her put some pieces of the puzzle together as does a phone call from Alice’s older brother (and Bella’s long time crush) Edward, an ER intern who happened to be the doc that helped her with her hand. He lets her know that her tests come back with evidence that ecstasy was found in her system, so she had to be drugged as our Bella, while not opposed to having a good time, doesn’t do drugs.

Edward stops by to help her put some more of the pieces to the puzzle together, like how she ended up in different clothes and who may have stayed with her that night.

"Edward?" 

"Yes?" His voice is wary. 

"Did you spend the night last night?" 

A slight pause, then, "Yes." 

"Did we, um… well… you know." 

I get no answer other than another frustrated huff. 

"Edward…" My voice is a low growl. 

"Can you just let this one go?" he asks. His voice sounds a bit desperate. "It might be for the best." 

Uh uh. I don't think so. 

"I need to know, Edward. What did I—er, we—do?" 

So what did Edward and Bella do? And did the cops tow her car? How did her hand get broken? These are all questions that will be answered in this fic. It is a quick read, only fifteen chapters, wrapped up in about thirty five thousand words but it is well written and well worth the time. You will find yourself giggling like a fool the entire story, and while we don’t know all of the answers of what happened to Katy Perry, I do promise that KristenLynn does answer the questions we have about what happened to Bella. In fact she answers them all for us, and then some. I hope you enjoy this one, I know that I did.



On another note, just some personal thoughts, for all of those that have supported my kids and I over the past couple of weeks as we dealt with the loss of their father, I just want to say thank you. Mary (who is not only one of my best friends but also my review beta, yes she actually looks these reviews over every week to make sure that they make sense and aren’t crap before I send them out) you have been wonderful and I don’t know what I would do without you. Bev and Heather (who I beta for) thank you for being so understanding, especially when you have been dealing with some things on your own. Lori, I can’t thank you enough for understanding me taking some much needed time off. I really appreciate all of the well wishes that I have received. It amazes me how an obsession with a series of books has allowed me to find an amazing family of people who I would have never met otherwise. Thank you again. Much Love, Jen

Completed Fic of the Week: 10/3/11

A Compendium of Thoughts by ItIsRaining

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6878388/1/A_Compendium_of_Thoughts

Review by AnonymouslySufferingFromOCD

Rating: M
Characters: Edward & Bella

Summary: After Edward is struck with a serious illness, Bella offers to give him a ride to school every day. His musings on life are priceless and unique. Based in its entirety on a true story.

This story is a short but sweet one, based on a true story, and enhanced with our favorite Twilight characters. It is about a young girl making friends, and forming a bond with a boy who is facing the biggest fight of his life.

We start off with an email asking Bella and Angela to help get Edward Cullen to and from school as he is once again having seizures that make it impossible for him to drive himself. Bella and Angela while never being close with Edward are two very thoughtful and caring students that Mrs. Cope thinks will be the perfect duo to help out. Edward has been suffering from a brain tumor and the effects of the multiple brain surgeries he has had over the past year and Bella, seeing all that he has gone through and that he really doesn’t have any friends of his own anymore is determined to be there for him.

Finally, he spoke in a low voice. "I'm not really used to making friends, Bella. When I found out about the…tumor I just kind of let all of mine go." 

This explained his hesitation to open up to me in the beginning, as well. He had yet to talk to me in any detail about his illness, or whatever it was, but I wasn't going to push him. Edward was the kind of person who would come around when he was ready to tell me, when he trusted me enough. 

"Edward," I said softly. His head turned slightly in my direction. 

"Look at me." He did, his deep green eyes looking sad and defeated. "You're allowed to have friends. They could help you through this. You just need to let people see how special you are." 

He absorbed this and looked down in thought. I waited for a few minutes before I looked at my phone, checking the time. 

"We have to go inside now. It's up to you, okay? I would love if you came and sat with us today, but I won't force you. Think about it, I'll leave a seat open for you next to me and you're welcome to it if you choose." 

The amount of bravery that these two young teen’s show is so inspiring, and to know that it is based on a true story, the author’s own story, is positively amazing. This one is a quick ten chapters, but completely worth the read. I have read many Edward and Bella stories, but I can tell you this one moved me in ways that I didn’t think was possible in the world of FanFiction. If this story doesn’t touch your heart, then none will. I hope you like it as much as I did.

Banner by JaimeArkin

Submitted Fic of the Week: 8/22/11

Hands Open by Nikita2009

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6104772/1/Hands_Open
Review by AnonymouslySufferingFromOCD

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

Summary: Foul mouthed Bella temporarily moves to Los Angeles for Alice and Jasper's wedding where she meets Edward "Firecrotch" Cullen. Will these two romantically challenged people be able to get it together and realize they are perfect for eachother? BXE, AH 

I was intrigued with this story from the moment I read the summary, I mean Edward “Firecrotch” Cullen, what could be more hilarious and awesome at the same time? Oh wait, I know, Bella “Grannypants” Swan could be!

We first meet Grannypants as she is boarding a plane to Australia and leaving behind her beloved Firecrotch just after he shouted to her that he is in love with her to the whole airport.

Was I worried to be leaving him for 3 months? Nope. I trusted in the fact that if it was meant to be, it would be, and that I had no right to ask anything of him while I was away. If it was meant to work out it would in all due time. 

I picked up my carry-on bag and turned to walk away. I got about ten feet away when he called my name, well, my nickname of Granny Pants. I stopped, but didn't turn around. If I would have looked back at his fucking beautiful face I would have stayed. 

So I kept walking, and he blurted out loud enough for me to still hear, "I just want you to know I'm in love with you Bella." I put my head down and kept walking. I was sad to leave but I had to go, and honestly really fucking pissed off that Firecrotch had pulled this moment to tell me he had fucking "feelings." Not Grannypants, my nickname he'd given me when I'd first met him, but "Bella." So that shit must have been serious. Argh. If he wasn't such a seriously intelligent person I'd think he'd had a brain injury for his lack of timing. 

The story then back tracks four months and allows us to understand first how this snarky Bella, and this anal retentive, closet nerd Edward met and then how they became known as Grannypants and Firecrotch.

If you are looking for a good laugh, this story will give you that. Bella and Alice are besties as they should be. They met when they were about twelve, and living in a group home. Bella had lost her mom when she was eight to cancer and her dad when she was twelve to a car accident. She has always been a bigger girl and because of that she was made fun of most of her life. The teasing that she is subjected to helps Bella become the strong, snarky, foul-mouthed Grannypants that we all come to love. Because of their friendship Bella is, of course, the maid of honor to Alice when she marries Jasper.

Edward, being Jasper’s best friend, grew up very differently than Bella and Alice. He was a doctor’s son and always had access to everything he wanted. Fortunately, instead of turning him into a snob, it turns him into someone that understands working hard to get what you want means more than having it handed to you.

Because of Bella’s past she does have a hard time letting our Firecrotch in. However, once she opens her heart she understands how good it can be with the one that you are meant to be with. Edward never has any doubts about wanting to be with his Grannypants, and is willing to take his time and let her be ready for him.

I closed my eyes. Bella, you're killing me here. All these mixed signals from here were confusing the hell out of me. 

"Edward." 

"Yeah." 

"Open your eyes." I did and met hers, a powerful emotion burning in hers. 

The sky chose this moment to let loose and the rain started pouring, drenching us in seconds. 

"Please. I want this to work more than anything I've ever wanted in my whole motherfucking life." She begged me, her voice taut with emotion. 

And against my better judgment, I made my deal with my own personal devil in a dirty garbage filled alley behind a restaurant. 

"Ok." 

A rain soaked Bella with her hair a mess and her makeup running, begging me for something was my undoing. I'd bet Bella had never begged for anything in her whole life. 

She closed her eyes, drew in a deep breath, and murmured. "Thank you." 

I wrapped my arms around her and buried my nose in her hair. 

Nikita2009 really does a great job making us laugh throughout the whole story. She also throws in some really hot makeout sessions and a few lemons along the way. I highly recommend you check it out when you need a break from all of the angst that is out there in the fandom. Oh and just so you know, Nikita2009 has decided to continue the saga of Firecrotch and Grannypants in the sequel, Over My Head, it is only 3 chapters in but, so far, I think it is promising to be as good as the first.

Completed Fic of the Week: 8/22/11

Lions Eat Lambs by Raggdoll of Twilight

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5753638/1/Lions_Eat_Lambs

Review by AnonymouslySufferingFromOCD 

Rating: M
Genre: Suspense/Horror
Characters: Edward/Bella

Summary: A camping expedition goes awry when Bella's friends turn up missing. While searching for them, she stumbles upon the manor of Edward Cullen, unaware that she is about to become a pawn in his dangerous game - a game she can't afford to lose. AU/OOC/V&H 

This week’s completed fic is listed as Suspense/Horror, and let me tell you, it truly is. I have never read such a dark and fantastically scary Edward Cullen in my almost three years of reading FanFiction.

As the summary states Bella and her friends go on a camping expedition, and true to every horror movie you have ever seen, they all go missing while Bella naps in her tent.

She paused in a thick clump and called into the velvet cloak around her, "Hello? Is anyone here?" 

Silence. 

Her chest heaved and her throat leapt. Her stomach protested against the lack of nourishment and she felt a slight sting of guilt for wanting to go back to the safety of camp to eat, and wait. What if they're in trouble?, she thought. The prospect became constant and settled into her mind that they needed her help. She pushed forward even though fear tried to pull her back. 

Edward Cullen is a bored, egotistical vampire who likes to play with his food. He lives in his vast manor, surrounded by its high walls, waiting for his meals to trespass. Once they enter his property, the game begins and the chase is on. While most people erect fences and walls to keep people out, Edward Cullen’s walls are designed to keep people in.

When she looked up, the weave of trees had disappeared in the filter of the blue moonlight. There was blackness ahead, as if something was obscuring her vision. Her steps quickened, but were still mindful as her feet were bare and vulnerable. 

As she closed in on the object, she reached out to touch it. It's rough texture and crevices caused her heart to sink, all hope fading with it. Her eyes trailed the monstrosity until its dark figure met the sky and trees.

The wall. 

This story is a horror story in every sense of the word. If you are looking for our evil vampire to change his ways and fall in love with the girl, this is not the story for you. However, if you have some time, this quick eight chapter horror fic is really worth the read for the pure evilness, and suspense. Raggdoll of Twilight really does a great job at weaving a suspenseful, horrific tale and I really did enjoy the read, even though it is against what I usually go for. I hope you enjoy it too!

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

Bella and the Beastward by Zhivago3

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6631907/1/Bella_and_The_Beastward

Review by AnonymouslySufferingFromOCD
 

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

Summary: A modern re-telling of the classic. Can Bella learn to tame the beast? Rated M for language, lemons, and themes.

 I have to say I was a bit skeptical when I was asked to review this one, the summary and title hint that it is a Beauty and the Beast re-make, and that made me nervous. I wasn’t sure what type of Beast we would be dealing with and I wasn’t sure I could handle the amount of angst that could go along with it.

With that being said, I loved this story! It quickly ranked among my top 25, with as much fanfiction I have read, that is saying a lot. Of course, it shouldn’t surprise me really, I have read and loved another story by Zhivago. Bliss, is also among my favorites.

We all know the story of Beauty and the Beast and this story does follow it very closely. Edward Cullen had the perfect life in the palm of his hands, he grew up rich and beautiful, everything came easily to him, friends, women, school, he had it all. Until one fateful night when he and two of his best friends decided to take out the family yacht, only to have it explode a few hours later. That is where our perfect Edward Cullen becomes a very reclusive and bitter Edward Masen.

Edward was the only surviving member of the trio following the explosion, suffering severe burns during the crisis his parents decided to allow the press to believe that he too was lost. Edward struggles with the fact that he is not the same person he once was, not only did he survive a tragedy, he also had to endure a painful recovery that left him disfigured and in his eyes a monster.

I didn't leave the house often, when I did it was at night and for very specific reasons. Garrett was one of those reasons. Alice found him for me because needed a way of documenting my mistakes, my anger, my frustrations, my regrets. He was a genius with a tattoo gun and slowly but surely, had been covering what parts of my body he could with ink. 

The first tattoos I got were angry, horrifying scenes. There were fires, death, visions of hell, flashes of misery from my dreams. Over the years though, things became less angry and more... I suppose sad is the word. My anger and fears had melted into murkiness. I felt restless and ill at ease. I was pathetic and I knew it. 

I felt heavy-laden and hunched over. It was a new, unwelcome feeling. That being said, it was better than the unrelenting anger followed by crippling depressing that followed in my past. All I could think of was this sad willow tree by the lake in the park where my mother used to take me as a kid. I don't ever remember it having leaves; it always seemed barren and dead. The irony was fucking palpable and I wanted the image to be part of the collage. 

 Bella Swan is facing demons of her own, after the death of her mother, our Bella escapes to New York City to find herself. She is a dispatcher for a bike messaging service by day and a jewelry designer by night. She only has a few close friends as she has a hard time trusting anyone enough to let them in. The question is can she allow Edward in enough to tame his beast and if she does will she be the one that is hurt along the way?

My mother killed herself when I was 22. 

The only people in the world who knew that were my father and Sue. She wasn't a traditional mother. When I was seven, we spent my summer vacation on a commune in Colorado, pulling carrots from the ground and becoming "one with nature." When I was twelve and got my period, she took me to a local Native American Reservation and we experienced a sweat lodge together as a celebration of femininity. She was a Vegan before it was cool. She wore crystals not because they were pretty, but because she thought they were healing. 

My parents split when I was five years old. It was a mutual and calm break-up. No courts were involved with custody or anything. I split my time equally between the two of them - playing caretaker to my free-thinking mother and chef to my kitchen-allergic father until he married Sue when I was 17. 

I never knew my mother was unhappy because she never said or showed anything. To me, she seemed to find peace in her crystals and mediation groups. It never once occurred to me that the reason she sought peace and tranquility with such a fervent passion was because she never felt either. 

While this story deals with a lot of seriousness and some angst, it is understandable why our two main characters go through what they do. The story is dubbed Romance/Hurt/Comfort and I think that aptly describes exactly what it is. You know I am a wimp when it comes to angst and as I have said earlier, I absolutely love this story. The chemistry between Bella and Edward is electrifying and seeing their love grow from the beginning will make your heart melt.

I let him up and looked around relieved that everything was in its place. That's when I realized that it was still light out. It wasn't quite fall and the days were still semi-long. It wasn't his usual night owl time. He came out in the light for me. I was really very touched. He didn't even think twice about it either. He just dropped whatever he was doing and came right over. 

There was a knock at the door. I peered through the peephole to see him standing at the door, gray hoodie pulled over his head. I undid the locks, opened the door, and he stepped inside. When he was in, I closed and locked the door back up. I turned to him just as he was pulling his hood off. It's not that I had forgotten what he looked like, but it would take time before I couldn't see those scars anymore. 

I couldn't stare for more than a second before he had stepped toward me and pulled me into him. I closed my eyes, let my arms wrap around his waist, and let out a breath I wasn't aware I had been holding. Again, being held by him felt so good - so safe and warm. 

"I..." but he hesitated. 

"Yes?" I whispered. 

"I missed you," he said simply. 

I squeezed him tighter. I didn't want to say it. Maybe I was having a hard time believing that after only 48 hours of knowing him, I missed him too - but I did. I missed being in his arms. 

The story itself is twenty four chapters that suck you in from the very beginning. I started reading it and couldn’t put it down, I finished it in a matter of hours and trust me when I tell you, it takes a lot to captivate me like that. Zhivago3 weaves a wonderful, truly modern day fairytale that you will have you believing could actually happen. Her descriptions of New York are amazing and make you feel like you are there. I highly recommend this story, it is only a few reviews away from one thousand but it deserves so much more recognition than that. I hope you find it as truly captivating as I did.

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

Red Shift by latessitrice

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6437358/1/Red_Shift

Review by AnonymouslySuffereingFromOCD

Rating: T
Genre: Drama/Supernatural, AU
Characters: Bella

Summary: Fearing for the wolves and Charlie, Bella realises she can't wait for Victoria to attack the people she loves. Diverges from New Moon at the end of chapter 14.

Red Shift is a quick five chapters that are completely worth the read. Set at the end of Chapter 14 in New Moon, Bella realizes that if she doesn’t do something Victoria will hurt the people she loves. So she does the only thing she can think of; she seeks out the easiest Cullen to find.

After finding Carlisle on the Internet at a clinic in Ithaca, she sends a message hoping for help.

Sleep didn't come again easy, but I did eventually succumb, and with my dreams came a solution. I dreamed of the sterile, white walls of a hospital — not the clinic in Forks, one I didn't recognize at all, a generic representation of one. I was all alone, free to roam the bleached hallways. Down one of those corridors, I came face to face with a brass name plate on an office door.

Dr. Carlisle Cullen

I was awake once more, the beginnings of a plan stirring. There was one Cullen who would be easier to trace than all the others, because wherever he was, he'd be practicing his calling. If he knew that Victoria was placing the people of Forks in danger, he'd do what he could to help, no matter what Ed — his feelings towards me were.

Carlisle receives a message for help and immediately leaves for Forks, putting Esme in charge of rounding up the rest of the family, as they have all scattered across the globe. Of course Carlisle, being the most rational one in the family, helps Bella understand that not only did Edward lie to her when he left but also about why he left.

"Because he's stubborn, too stubborn to listen to the advice of those of us who know what it is to be parted from our mates. For all his years of life, in the end he's only a seventeen-year-old boy, and sometimes fear takes him back to the emotional maturity and clarity any human boy has. He feared for you. He feared what could happen to you, at his hand, at ours, and although he never voiced it aloud, I think he feared that eventually you would wear his arguments down and convince him to change you."

After a conversation with Alice, Carlisle decides that in order to avoid a confrontation with Victoria on his own with Bella in tow, that he and Bella will need to leave Forks and head to their property in Canada. Along the way Bella takes her future into her own hands and has a conversation with Carlisle about what she wants, and why she wants it.

"I agree with everything you've said and I understand it. The bond you feel for Edward runs deep, and it runs both ways. You are vulnerable, especially if we have conflict ahead of us, and if something were to happen to you, it would destroy him. I don't want to lose either of you, and I certainly won't lose both. I know you understand the consequences of this choice. If you want me to change you, I will."

"Thank you," I said in an exhale. If I could have hugged him, I would, but the safety harness kept me in my seat.

This story is listed as a Bella story, and it really truly is, she interacts the most with Carlisle but it is all canon pairings. Each member of the family comes back and helps her train and she is allowed the ability to face her enemy on her own. Edward returns as well and sees that she isn’t a fragile human that needs him to protect her all of the time, but in fact a powerful vampire that can take matters into her own hands when necessary.

Again, this one is a quick five chapters about thirty thousand words. LaTessitrice gives a stronger, more confident Bella and I love the fact that Edward doesn’t return right away. It gives Bella time to grow as a vampire on her own for a bit, and while the story of course has a HEA it gives us a unique perspective into what Bella could have become had Edward believed in her a little bit more from the beginning. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Banner by JaimeArkin

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

Beneath the Undertow by aftrnoondlight

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6968728/1/Beneath_the_Undertow

Review by AnonymouslySufferingFromOCD

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

Summary: Dreams past, circumstance and sacrifice... young Edward and Bella bravely smile through the tears on life's complicated path. A short journey of pure and true devotion... of choosing love above all else. EPOV M for Language & Lemons

Beneath the Undertow is a short, three chapter, completed story that has an Epi and outtake for an overall five chapters. After reading this story a couple of weeks ago, I was glad that I had the opportunity to review it. Seriously, it is a really true to life short story of the struggle between two young people that face far more than they ever should have to.

It is about teen pregnancy and the struggles you have to endure, not the drama of shows like “16 & Pregnant” but real life drama such as, how are you going to face life when things don’t go according to plan and you are forced to face things that you should never have to face as a young parent, and you struggle to pay the bills when someone loses a job?

As Edward and Bella find their way through these real life issues, it shows us that while true love can conquer all it isn’t always an easy path to get to the finish line.

The story is entirely from former Golden Boy, Edward Cullen’s POV. He was a superstar baseball player that was offered a full ride to college, when he is faced with longtime girlfriend and love of his life Bella becoming pregnant. Their hopes and dreams have to change pretty quickly.

"Do you like my dress?" She beamed, blushed and natural. "I actually feel kinda pretty."

"That's why I picked this one. You look beautiful." I held her close, swaying barely. "Where are your parents, Bella?" I whispered at her ear. Pulling back, she straightened my collar avoiding my stare.

"We had a fight." I reactively kissed her forehead, cradling the back of her head. "They aren't coming."

"Okay. That's okay." We held hands, moving towards the small church entrance. I would forever remember her courage in that moment. "Mom's inside with Pastor Black."

"Good. Let's do this."

Beneath the Undertow is a really well written short story. If you haven’t read it yet, you really need to. Aftrnoondlight is great at making us feel the emotions of their characters. They help us feel their pain, their disappointments, and their joy. I really think you will like this one.

Completed Fic of the Week: 6/13 - 6/19

Bella's Lament by Tat2missy

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6173157/1/Bellas_Lament

Review by AnonymouslySufferingFromOCD

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

Summary: Bella's life is changing drastically and in a short amount of time. Can she reconcile the dreams she gave up for a man who really didn't love her? Can Edward get over his own loss in order to help her pick up the pieces?

I am a huge fan of this week’s completed fic. We have snarky, sassy, Tattella that is truly a bad ass; she really has one of my favorite Bella personalities. While she is sassy and snarky, she is still has a lot of self doubt and she uses her snark to help her cope. Bella’s mother was a nasty woman that used to beat her, finally dropping her off at local police department at 13 saying she could no longer deal with her. Bella goes from foster home to foster home until she finally ends up with her foster mother Renee who was really Bella’s saving grace.

The story starts off with an extremely creative Bella, who can do anything from sew custom made clothing, draw and even tattoo. Unfortunately, Bella is also dating a super oppressive Eric who is more concerned about maintaining his constant high than Bella and what she wants out of life.

Edward is a local bartender/composer with an awesome British accent, who works at Jasper’s bar. He meets Bella during a night out with her friend Abigail.

Abigail found a seat, and I pushed a stool out of the way so I could stand. I took the button up off and laid it on the stool. He was leaning with his back on the other side of the bar. His eyes were closed and he was pinching the bridge of his nose, looking very irritated.

When he opened his eyes, he gave a half assed grin. Still very hot, but not very happy. He walked over to us, and leaned across the bar. As I was feeling very brave at the moment, I asked, "What's your name?" He stood up and looked at me, and I wasn't sure he understood. So I planted my feet on the foot rest running the perimeter of the bar, making myself taller. "What's your name?" I repeated my question.

A look of recognition crossed his face and he smiled. "Edward," he said as he reached his hand across to me.

My heart stopped.

"My name is Bella," I half-shouted as I placed my hand in his. He was warm. I motioned with my other hand to my side, "And this is Abigail." As I looked over to her I noticed a man was standing next to her chatting. Edward offered her his hand too, and she said "Nice to meet you." before she went back to the other patron.

He was making idol conversation with Abigail, "I just moved here and this place is close to home. Do you know of any other good bars?" he asked her.

"Oh...not really. Bella and I don't actually get out much. You know boyfriends at home and all." I cringed when she said that. I had done a good job of forgetting about Eric for the evening. Edward backed up a little then, to lean on the bar. I watched him for a moment. He looked irritated again. Someone walked up to the bar, and he got them their drink, doing his duty at the cash register.

When he was done, I motioned for him to come over. He took a hesitant step. God this man is beautiful, I thought. "Edward, you look kind of bummed." He shrugged at me. "What's the matter?" I asked.

While Bella is with Eric and can’t do anything about her attraction to Edward, Edward is in a similar situation with a pregnant Jessica at home waiting for him.

Things happen and Edward finds out that Jessica was cheating on him, while Bella kick’s Eric out because he finally pushes her too far. Edward and Bella meet once again at the bar and form a friendship that quickly turns to more.

With Eric out of the picture Bella goes back to the career she loved, tattooing, in Emmett’s shop, who is a friend of Jasper.

Jasper came to stand behind me putting both hands on my shoulders, "And this is Bella." I smiled up at the huge man.

"Your an itty bitty little thing aren't you?" I shrugged and offered him my hand. His shook it firmly.

"Good handshake. So Jasper tells me you want to get back into the business?"

I looked around at the spotless area and said, "Yes," I paused, "But I want to check out the shop first. Not to be a bitch or anything, but I was trained with an extreme level of cleanliness."

Emmett's laughter boomed and I stepped back a hair. "And here I thought I was looking over a potential apprentice. Come to find out, I am under scrutiny." He laughed again, patted my head and looked at Jasper behind me, "I like her already." He looked back down at me, "Feel free to look around."

Unfortunately things for Bella are never easy and the drama ensues. Her and Edward have some hard times to face ahead but they realize rather quickly that they are stronger together. The bond that they form is nearly immediate and immensely strong.

While the story is dubbed, Drama/Angst, I think that it is more on Romance/Drama side. There is definitely drama that our favorite couple and their friends have to deal with but I didn’t have any trouble dealing with it, and as many of you know, I am a wimp and don’t like the angst. Of course, we don’t only deal with drama; we also get to read about great friendships, some amazing tattoos, and really hot sex. I highly recommend this one, it truly hasn’t gotten nearly enough love, and I hope that you will check it out.

Writer Submitted Fic: 5/23 - 5/29

Isabella Swan by verucasin

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6221051/1/Isabella_Swan

Review by anonymouslysufferingfromOCD

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

Summary: All Human. OOC. A model striving to reach a goal that was once her mother's. A young prodigy that has everything and is unwilling for change to happen. The attraction is there. Will it be enough

This week’s author submitted fic, starts off with our favorite couple in bed together. Never a bad thing in my book.

Bella is a model and college student that is following her mother’s dream. She hasn’t had the easiest life. Her mother is gone and Bella and her half sister Rosalie have a very estranged relationship with their father Charlie.

Edward is the rich and youngest son of the socially elite Cullen’s. He has been born and bred to take over as CEO of the family’s very lucrative company, and there are many expectations set that he needs to live up to. Problem is, Carlisle does not approve of his son’s choice of girl friend.

After overhearing an argument between Edward and Carlisle about Edward’s poor choice in women, and not hearing any real defense of herself from Edward, Bella ends their relationship.

"And don't you think she's with you because you're a Cullen?" he asked, and I gasped at the worst of his insults.

He thought I was after their money. That shit was fucking funny. I would even have laughed with him on that one, if only those words he uttered didn't cut through me like shattered glass. I didn't even know who he was when I had that one-night stand with Edward a couple of months ago. That he was a Cullen or that the Cullen's were scions of a multi-billion dollar empire was lost on me, and frankly speaking I didn't really care.

"Isabella earns her own money." I heard Edward say, but his voice had a different edge to it, one that I couldn't quite figure out. But what was clear to me was the doubt he was clearly having already. My heart broke because it felt like he was betraying me with his father.

"What, 10 million a year? Less?" Carlisle mocked in a voice that I was really starting to hate. "Edward, that amount is just the cost that we spend on our combined birthdays. Don't you see, she could most likely be just after your money."

I wanted to barge in and confront him or slap his face for insinuating I was a gold digger; but I stayed put, trying to rein in my anger. I waited for Edward to say something but he didn't, there was only silence.

Oh my god, he truly believes him!

After several months, Edward finally realizes what he feels for Bella is more than just lust and he can’t live with out her. He starts on a plan to win her back but Bella doesn’t make it too easy on him. Of course, he also has to fight his family on this which, the Carlisle in this story may be one of the most stubborn I have ever encountered.

"I fucked up," he said regretfully. "I shouldn't have let you go."

I closed my eyes, relishing in his words because this was what I wanted to hear from him. Now that he said it, however, I knew it wasn't enough anymore. They were just words, and because it was from him, they were without merit. There was nothing in his actions these past few months that said he meant any of those sweet things he said to me when we were still dating.

"I'm sorry I hurt you." His voice was hoarse, and I almost felt sorry for him—almost, but not quite.

"Edward," I started. "I can't do this again." I was waving my finger between us. I wasn't willing to give us another try, not before he was sure what he really wanted and could stand up to that decision.

His hand on my wrist tightened and his expression changed. My jumbled nerves didn't allow me to ponder about him or his feelings further, but I was aware that I had hurt him in some way with what I said. The funny thing was I knew he didn't need me. He was Edward Cullen. He needed no one but himself. I was a chase, a bunny to catch on the hunt, the one that got away, and he needed to prove he could and would get whatever he wanted.

"Bella," he muttered. "I know I'm a fucking asshole…"

"No, you're a spoiled rich prick," I quickly added, interrupting him. His lips pursed before his jaw clenched.

"Yes," he agreed reluctantly. "I'm going to change. I'm going to try." His expression was pleading, and I wanted to give in. "Give me a chance. You have to!" He was still holding my wrist and his grip was getting painful.

"No," I said determined. I loved him the way he was, but I needed for him to prove he wanted me just the way I was, and not the way his father or the rest of his family wanted me to be.

The story is 18 chapters in with a predicted 3-4 left, Bella struggles with a lot in this story and Edward really does help her through it. The dynamic between Rose and Bella is a fierce protectiveness, and Charlie is different then you would ever expect of him and even Esme will surprise you a few times. While the story is pretty heavy at times, Emmett adds his usual humor when we need it. The story is dubbed, Romance/Drama, and while the drama is there, I wouldn’t classify it as angst. I am sure that there is a HEA for everyone involved, and I think that Edward and Bella are well on the way there now.

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

True Companion by bellamarie117

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6876336/1/True_Companion

Review by anonymouslysufferingfromOCD

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

Summary: Bella Swan always believed in happily ever afters.When she marries her high school sweetheart & starts her own wedding business, she thinks she's living her dream.Then it all comes crashing down.Can a handsome photographer help her believe in love again?

First I have to say, I am really excited about this week’s fic, I love bellamarie117, she truly is one of my favorite FF author’s of all time. I loved her first story Take the Ice, I mean it was a masterpiece.

So on to the main event, True Companion, is a great short story. It is completed and six chapters long. I know that we have read stories where Bella is a wedding planner, but I promise you, this one is different. The first difference is that Edward is not the groom!

That’s right, in this wedding planner story, Bella is the wedding planner who always believed in the fairytale, and Edward is the photographer, to make sure that she gets to live it.

Bella is a planner. She does everything right, meets her first love, Jasper, in high school. They date, fall in love, are each other’s first everything’s. They go to college, get engaged, and get married; everything should be perfect, right? Bella and Jasper face normal newlywed issues, like money and no time for one another, but those are easy problems to work through until Bella arrives home one day to a distraught Jasper asking for a divorce because he has met someone. I am sure we can all figure out who it is too.

But still, I always thought we were just going through a rough spot, that things would get better. He was still my best friend and the love of my life.
 
Or so I thought.
 
I came home one evening after running a rehearsal for that upcoming weekend to find Jasper sitting in the dark at the kitchen table, his head buried in his hands. When he looked up at me, there was so much pain in those gorgeous eyes. He looked haunted.

Experiencing this life-changing event is hard on Bella, it would be hard on anyone, but add to it that it is Bella’s job to make sure that the brides she works for have perfect weddings. It makes it very hard not to become a cynic.

We meet Bella a year after her divorce, as she is in the midst of wedding day hell with a true Bridezilla, Lauren Mallory, having a breakdown about her hair.

"Alright, Lauren, let's just take a deep breath," I said in a soothing voice. "We'll get this all worked out."

"There's nothing to work out! I'm the bride, it's my day and I want the fucking stylist that I paid for!" Lauren screamed, towering over me as she continued to poke at my chest.

Bella finds that the one true bright spot to an otherwise crappy day is the top photographer in the area. While she has worked with the genius that is Edward Cullen before she has never seen him in the same light as she does on this day.

Shoving my hands into the pockets of my navy cotton dress, I played with the case of my phone while I crossed over toward him. As I stepped through the grass, the cool blades tickling my feet through the gaps in my flat sandals, my stomach started anxiously churning again.

Weird.

I shook it off as nerves. It was a huge wedding, after all, one of the biggest I'd taken on since starting up my business. It was understandable that I'd have a tougher time keeping my cool than normal. Still, I couldn't ignore the feeling entirely, nor the fact that the can-can line started up the moment I spotted Edward Cullen.

Bella, the consummate planner, spends the day facing crisis after crisis as her Bridezilla drives her literally to drink. While through it all, a casual smile from Edward seems to make it all seem better as he becomes the one bright spot in her day.

While I strolled around the room, keeping a lookout for anything that went awry, I found my gaze drifting back to the vendor table far more than necessary. Edward was sitting with his assistant and my team, shoveling down his meal while keeping everyone laughing with some sort of funny anecdote. More than anything I wanted to go sit and just listen to him talk, to hear the words that went with the expressions playing across his face and the gestures of his hands.

As the day finally ends, Bella finds herself talking to the man who just may be able to restore her belief in the fairytale she always wished she had.

"Do you think you'd ever want to get married again?" he asked. His eyes darting up to mine, wide with shock, and he quickly looked away while he tried to backtrack. He obviously hadn't meant to ask that question. "Just, uh, generally speaking. Someday."

"I'd like to think so," I responded after considering the question. "You're right; I'm not a cynic. There's still that little girl inside of me who believes in fairy tale endings. I'm not ready to give up on her completely yet."

This one is a quick 6 chapters, but you will love it from beginning to end. We get some important flashbacks mixed in with the wedding from hell, always in the perfect spot. As always bellamarie117 does a great job with the overall writing and context of the story. If I had to complain about anything it would be that I wish it was longer, but honestly, it covered everything it needed to and there is a hint that we could possibly get a future-shot later on. I do hope that you will read and enjoy this one as much as I did, and don’t forget to leave a review!

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

My Brother's Wife by mostly a lurker

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6338343/1/My_Brothers_Wife

Review by AnonymouslySufferingfromOCD

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

Summary: Homesteading on the prairie in 1864 is austere, beautiful, and deadly. Can Edward and Bella survive the hardships and flourish? AU/AH EPOV Originally an entry in the Age of Edward contest, now revised and expanded.

My Brother’s Wife is a short 3 chapter story about Edward, mostly, and the trials he faces after moving his family West. The story begins with Edward married to pregnant Alice, they have already have 3 children, Bea, Mattie and Sam. After tragedy strikes and they lose Bea to an accident, Alice and Sam become ill and don’t survive. Losing the love of his life and his children has been hard on Edward. He and 9 year old Mattie make a visit to his brother’s land only to find that his brother Emmett, and 3 of his children dead also.

After making a promise to Emmett that if anything ever happened to him he would take care of his wife Bella and their children, Edward immediately feels responsible for them. Unfortunately mix that with a very stubborn Bella who has always clashed with Edward and you have a whole lot of frustration.

"I know, Bella," I said in a voice meant to calm her. "I've wanted to talk to you about that very thing. If we're going to survive this winter, we have to work together."

"We don't need your help. We can do just fine on our own, thank you very much."

"That's not what I was saying..."

"I don't want to hear it. I've said my piece and I'm going home. You are not welcome on our property."

"But, Bella, I promised Emmett..."

"Don't you ever speak his name to me again. Do you hear me? I've had to put up with you all these years because you were his brother, but now he's gone and I don't ever want to see your face darken my door. Goodbye, Edward." She whirled and started back the direction she'd come.

"But, Bella..."

She whirled back and glared at me fiercely. "Goodbye, Edward," she hissed, and left me standing there on my own with my mouth open.

Emmett, need your help here. She's your wife. I know I promised, but she's forbidden my help. What do you want me to do now?

In answer, the heavens opened up and rain spilled from the sky.

After several months Thomas, Bella’s equally stubborn but very loyal son seeks out his Uncle Edward in order to help his sick mother, who has been refusing his help.

Edward and Thomas journey in the snow to save Bella and bring her back to Edward’s home where he and Mattie can take care of her better.

This story provides us a look at a very unique Bella; she is a very proud, very stubborn woman who is very angry that her husband has left her alone. She was very deeply in love with Emmett and it takes her time to come to terms with his death, hoping at one point to die herself.

Edward however is a bit more timid then we are used to seeing him, he too has a stubborn streak and eventually has to out stubborn our fair Bella.

"You have caused me to lose my temper and shout at my daughter. Get back in bed. This minute!"

 

"And if I don't?"

"I will put you there forcibly."

"You would hold me here against my will."

"I would, and I will," I said moving towards where she stood against the wall, clinging to my coat. Thomas came in the door at that moment.

"Thomas. We're leaving. Right now. Help me." She reached for him, but before she could touch him, I bent forward, grasped her waist, and threw her over my shoulder. I turned and bypassed the cot by the hearth, carrying her to my bed in the corner. I threw her down on the corn husk mattress none too gently. Her eyes blazed into mine with defiance and surprising strength. She moved as if to rise again, and I held her down by her shoulder.

"Thomas, bring me the rope, son."

While the story is dubbed Tragedy/Romance, mostly a lurker does a good job at throwing in a few humorous parts here and there, as well as some flashbacks, that help us to better understand the way things are/were. My Brother’s Wife, does give us a HEA, once our Bella and Edward both get their stubbornness under control we see them become the couple we all know and love.

Writer Submitted Fic: 5/9 - 5/15

Once Bitten, Twice Shy by CereuleanBlue

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5698597/1/Once_Bitten_Twice_Shy

Reviewed by AnonomouslySufferingFromOCD

Rating: M
Characters: Edward/Bella

Summary: AU, Bella x Edward, Bella was taken by James and held captive for weeks. She returns home with a special gift. Who was her mysterious savior and what is the cause of her new powers? Will she find the answers she needs in her new home in Forks?

As the summary states Once Bitten, Twice Shy is a totally different Twilight universe where a 17 year old Bella, who hasn’t even met our favorite of the Cullen’s yet, is kidnapped and held captive by James and his cohorts for a month. He treats her as if she is his pet and she is repeatedly bitten and abused. Rescued by someone who she thinks is an angel, Bella has become unique. Not quite a vampire but not quite human she has to learn to live with gifts that she has been given and to trust what she has learned to fear.

After trying to stay in Phoenix with Renee for several months after being found in the desert, Bella decides she needs to get away from the place where it all began. Her memories of being tortured by James are too haunting and since Phoenix is where she met her captor, she decides to pay Charlie a visit in Forks. Bella who as we know tends to stick to her decisions once they are made, actually has no desire to return to Phoenix and decides to start back to school in Forks.

"Well, umm . . . Actually . . . I was wondering if well . . . You wouldn't mind if I kind of stayed here with you for awhile. I mean Mom is kind of busy back at home, and I promise I won't. . ." She spoke quickly, her words stumbling over each other like stones tumbling down a hill.

"Whoa, wait a minute. I don't know, Bella. What did your mom say?"

"I haven't talked to her about it yet." Bella looked down at her hands folded in her lap. She hadn't spoken a word to Renée about her plan to stay here with Charlie. She expected that debate to go about as well as a root canal.

In this story, Bella is fully aware of vampires and what they can do, she immediately knows what the Cullen’s are as soon as she sees them, but they are more then perplexed by her.

The door opened as another group of students entered the classroom. A breeze caught her scent and blew it toward Edward's waiting nostrils. His throat stung from the smell of the blood pulsing through her veins, but something in the scent wasn't right. It was different than that of any other human he had encountered before, almost as if it had been diluted with something strange. The smell drove him mad with curiosity.

First the silence, and now this? What is this Bella Swan?

She glanced around the room and caught his stare. He heard her heart begin to race when her eyes made contact with his. What was causing her to react this way? Did she know something?

Cereuleanblue does a good job at weaving in some of our favorite parts of Twilight but changing things up enough that we really don’t know what to expect. We have many of the same enemies but we lose a lot of the messiness. This is also a more skittish, and actually if it is at all possible, a shyer Bella but really she was held captive as a vampire’s pet for a month. This story also shows Bella as more mature, she doesn’t immediately fall head over heals for Edward, but she does know that she is very drawn to him. Of course, don’t worry, there is plenty of romance and Bella does finally figure out what she feels for our favorite Mr. Cullen.

As we watch Bella grow to trust the Cullen’s more and more and understand that not all vampires are bad we also get to watch her learn more about herself. She has some unexplained gifts from her time with James, like super human strength, speed and even the ability to hear others thoughts. Thankfully, Carlisle is around because he knows where and how to get answers when he needs them.

"Well? What do you know?"

Carlisle walked from his position at the foot of the bed to stand beside Bella. Edward stood planted in the same spot his eyes fixed on Bella's face as Carlisle began to speak.

"Before I answer you, I have one more question to ask."

"Go ahead."

"Have you ever tasted vampire blood?"

The question sent a shock through Bella's mind. How could he know? She sat silently afraid to answer him for a second and merely nodded without speaking. She looked at Edward's face, and the shock that resided there said more to her than any words would ever say. He almost looked afraid of her.

"Bella, this is a lot for even me to take in. I am going to tell you everything I know. I have already shared what I have learned with Edward. Do you mind Alice hearing as well?"

Bella’s battle with acceptance is only the beginning for her, as if surviving a month of torture with James wasn’t enough, she has to fight with herself to overcome her fears, she has to convince the wolves that she isn’t a threat to them, and she has to face the ones who were a part of James’ life before his demise.
Edward struggles with wanting to keep Bella safe and by his side at all times without smothering her or making her feel uncomfortable. When he realizes he is in love with her, his need to mate with her is hard to control. Pair that with a very independent Bella who thinks vampires are bad, and you have an interesting mix.

This is a great story that is different than other vampire tales and I think you will enjoy where this one will take you. You will notice that the end of this story brings a cliffie, however it is, of course, explained by cereuleanblue’s plans for a sequel.