Completed Fic of the Week: 8/6/12

Eclectic by chatterbox33

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6990398/1/Eclectic

Review by AnonymouslySufferingFromOCD

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

Summary: In one day Bella's life changes tack; she learns thieves threaten to sink her life's work and Charlie is nearing the end of his voyage, but her friends are the wind in her sails as they set course for smoother sailing. M for language & future lemons. AH & OOC

I have been more or less stuck at home from work for the past couple of weeks and truthfully rather bored. In order to try and keep myself entertained, I have been searching for completed stories that I haven’t read and that will hold my interest. Trust me this isn’t an easy task considering the number of fics I’ve read, and finding one that won’t kill me on the angst side, you all know I am a huge wimp when it comes to the angst, made it all that much harder to do. That is how I stumbled upon this weeks Completed Fic of the Week. Eclectic was the breath of fresh air that I needed in my reading material.

Set in the Chicago area, Eclectic is a story about a very strong and outgoing Bella, who is dealing with some drama. Bella, after a stint in the Air Force, has started her own business, Eclectic, a design firm that caters to the average person, and sells designs from all around the world, ensuring that their designers and employees get paid a respectable livable wage, even in some of the most remote villages in the world.

Bella surrounds herself with friends and people she trusts with her life for the most part, and is shocked when it is brought to her attention that one of her employees has been embezzling funds, leaving her designers with way less money than promised to them. She finds this out on the same day that she finds out that her father, Charlie, who has been her biggest cheerleader her whole life, is battling a disease that no person should ever have to face.

 "WHAT? Emmett, what are you talking about?" 

"You claim you want people to earn a living wage, you claim it's your mission and yet, look at this!" He waved a stack of papers under my nose. Nothing, and I mean nothing, could prepare me for what he found. The invoices my company paid was significantly smaller than the amount I'd set, however the intended payment amount was still deducted from the account. Somewhere, somehow, someone was skimming the till! 

"Emmett, where did you find this? This is not me, someone's stealing from Eclectic!" 

He scoffed at me. "I'm serious Emmett, this amount," I pointed to the amount withdrawn, "that's what should've been paid! Why would I withdraw that amount but pay this? This isn't me, Emmett! You've got to help me get to the bottom of this!" 

Emmett watched me intently, his expression softening but still clearly upset then responded, "You seriously had no idea this was happening?" 

"Why would I steal from myself? Please, Emmett, help me with this. Clearly we have someone here who's up to no good." 

Edward, a lawyer from New York City, has recently moved back home with his parents after his divorce in order for him and his kids to lead a less hectic life. While Bella has known Carlisle and Esme for a few years, she has only recently met Edward and she adores his children. Edward is there for Bella, while she struggles with the issues at work and Charlie. Bella is there for Edward as a mother figure for his kids and it doesn’t take them long to figure out how good they are for one another.

Just then Edward knocked at the back door, Emily and Bono bolted for the door with me following on their heels. 

"Hi" he said as handed me a big bunch of beautiful sunflowers, then he gave me a little peck on the cheek again. 

"Hi! Thanks so much! These are beautiful. How did you know these are my favorite?" I said. 

"I didn't, they just looked pretty and reminded me of you," he said with a shy smile. 

I ran off to put them in water then tossed the pasta in the boiling water on the stove. "Dinner will be ready in about 10 minutes," I said. Edward do you want beer or wine? Or I think we have some pop around here somewhere." 

"A beer would be great, thanks," he responded as he came up behind me in the kitchen and stole another smooch, this time on the back of my neck, sending chills down my spine. He had to end it there, Emily ran in and started to show her daddy the cookies she'd made and told all she did to help make dinner. 

What I like most about this story is that even though Bella is successful and they both have money, it is real. ‪Dealing with real life issues, a sick father, a single father, trouble at work, and a Bella and Edward who are Catholic and have Catholic values is a lot to take in. However, don’t worry there will be lemons that are completely worth the wait but for a little while there is just some really hot lemonade. Chatterbox33 has made sure that the things that they deal with are real problems and issues that many people face on a daily basis, I love FanFiction, I really do, but I especially love when the stories are more realistic. Let’s face it, we all want to think we could be the next Bella and Edward, and I think that this story gives us a glimpse at a real family, real friends and real life. While the story is long and progresses a little slowly in a few places, I thought it was a great plot and I was so thankful that it wasn’t something that I have read a million times. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Banner by JaimeArkin

Completed Fic of the Week: 6/18/12

Angels We Are Not by Gnomea

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6767122/1/Angels_We_Are_Not

Review by AnonymouslySufferingFromOCD

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

Summary: AH. OOC. He was here in this situation he was most afraid of. The one thing he was scared would happen to them. It was the beginning of the end of their story. ExB

I have read a lot of completed stories in the fandom, and it makes me sad when the short stories are so neglected. Now don’t get me wrong, I love to sit down with a great, long, completed story as much as the next person; however when a story is good, it deserves as much support as the next, even if it is only fourteen thousand words.

With that being said, this week our Completed Fic of the Week is a short one, just fourteen thousand words and eight chapters long. Don’t judge this one by its cover though, those fourteen thousand words really do say a lot.

 In Angel’s We Are Not, Edward is very much in love with his Bella, and his Bella is very much in love with him. Unfortunately, sometimes love isn’t enough and Edward let’s his family and job dictate what he should do in his life.

Edward has had to fill some very large shoes in his life. His father died in a car crash where Edward was driving and even though his mother has never outright blamed him, she chooses to make him feel guilty about her loss and has put all of her grief into dictating Edward’s life. Edward being a good son, who is running the family business, doesn’t want to disappoint his mother and therefore he unfortunately chooses her over Bella more often than not.

Upon finding out that Bella is pregnant, Edward says some extremely hurtful things, making Bella the strongest woman in the word. No longer wanting to feel like she’s complicating his life, she decides to make Edward’s choices easy by leaving him.

"Do you love me?" she asked after a few minutes of silence. She suddenly shifted in my arms so I was facing her as she waited, her eyes were full of anticipation. 

"Yes, Bella," I poured my heart into my words, wanting more than anything for her to believe me at that moment. "I love you so fucking much, it hurts." 

She sighed, maybe in relief. I wished it was because she wanted to hear me say those words to her. Her eyes shined with unshed tears. "If you really love me the way you say, then you go now," she said softly, but the confidence lacing her words was undeniable. "Leave me alone now. Please." 

I knew my time was up. I took a deep breath, flooding my nose with her scent, locking it to memory. I reluctantly released my arms from around her with a heavy heart, and left her alone. 

As I passed the living room, my eyes landed on the divorce papers I had brought earlier. They were lying on top of the coffee table conspicuously. I knew then what I could give her to make it all better for her. 

I signed the papers, releasing her from our legal bond. Somehow, even as my heart was shattering into a million pieces, I felt I had done this one good thing for her by finally freeing her from me. 

Bella isn’t only the strongest woman in the world but the smartest one as well. While Edward is lost without her; she takes the opportunity to make him see the things that are really important in life, which eventually paves the way for them to have the fresh start that they need and deserve.

"I had to leave because I didn't want to one day hate you because of my love for you. I couldn't risk it." Her eyes were shining with unshed tears. "I even divorced you because of it." 

I was just nodding, trying to block the anger and pain flowing through me. 

"The main reason for the divorce was because I wanted a fresh start." It was understandable that she did want that. That was why she had to remove my name with hers legally. So she could start anew. 

She was staring at me intently, searching my face for something. Her eyes flickered with some emotion I couldn't decipher as she continued to hold my gaze. 

"A fresh start is good," I said softly, interrupting the silence that was surrounding us. 

"I want a fresh start with you, Edward." My heart almost jumped out of my chest. She had said the words I wanted to say, but was so afraid to say. "That was why I came here. I came to fetch you, darling." 

Now, I’ve read stories like this before, but I find this one refreshingly different. Maybe it’s because the story is told from Edward’s point of view, or maybe it’s because even though it is Edward telling the story you still see and feel how Bella is so strong, you feel her strength. I’m not sure really, but honestly it really is a great, albeit short story that I know you will all love too.

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!

JasperLuver48's Rec of the Week: 11/28/11

His Grandfather's Watch by owenic

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7464226/1/His_Grandfathers_Watch

Review by JasperLuver48

Rating: M
Genre: Hurt/Comfort
Characters: Edward & Jasper

Summary: It was just another day at Cullen Antiquities for Edward, until Jasper walked in with a watch. "It was my grandfathers. I was hoping you could tell me something about it." Rated M. E&J Slash.

His Grandfather’s Watch by Owenic is one of the most beautifully told stories I’ve ever read and has quickly made its way to the top of my favorites list. It’s a short story, told in only six chapters and one outtake, but don’t for one second believe that just because it’s short that Owenic doesn’t have a full and amazing story to tell.

Jasper Whitlock has an old pocket watch that belonged to his grandfather and he’s trying to find out as much information about it as possible. He brings it to Cullen Antiquities where he is led to Edward, an expert in old clocks. He asks Edward to take a look at it and tell him anything he might be able to find out.

Edward finds a photograph in the back casing of the watch and calls Jasper immediately. They determine that one of the men is his grandfather who is in an embrace with a man that is clearly that of a lover. This is when Jasper decides to ask his grandmother about the photograph, but is scared.

You see, Jasper’s grandmother has dementia, a disease that deteriorates the mind and causes you to lose touch with reality at times. Edward offers to help Jasper get the answers he wants because Jasper is alone in his search.

In the following days, Jasper and Edward make a connection with each other and it leads to something special. The more Edward finds out about Jasper, the more he wants to be there for him and comfort him in ways that Jasper obviously needs but has a hard time showing it.

They get some information out of his grandmother and go on a search through old photographs and such to find their answers.

Then there is the outtake. I will warn you ahead of time that you are going to need tissues for this outtake because it’s heartbreaking in parts yet one of the most brilliantly written pieces of writing I’ve ever read. It’s the story of Hale Whitlock, Jasper’s grandfather, and the love of his life, Billy.

I absolutely can’t not express to you in words how much I love this story and how heartwarming it is, yet so sad and full of questions that Jasper needs to have answered in order to really understand who he is.

Now, let’s take a moment to let me fangirl over Owenic because I swear to you she is one of the best fan fic writers I’ve ever encountered and that’s saying something because believe me, I read a lot. It started off when I read a review of one of her other stories, Sixty Five Hours, written by the girls of the Perv Pack’s Smut Shack and I couldn’t pass it up, they made it sound far too amazing but in reality they were being completely truthful. Every story I’ve ever read by this amazing author has grabbed my attention in the first few paragraphs and held it tight until the end.

There’s something so special about her writing style and the way she tells a story. The descriptions, the characters, the overall plot line are all weaved together so intricately that even if you wanted to stop, you probably couldn’t. (But I assure you, you won’t want to!)

I can’t say enough good things about this story. To sum it all up, if you want to read something sweet and to the point about a boy who needed some help understanding some things from his past and in the end finds more than he ever could have hoped for, His Grandfather’s Watch is the story for you.

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!

Completed Fic of the Week: 11/21/11

La Bella Addormentata by Einfach Mich

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7513116/1/La_Bella_Addormentata

Review by TheRainGirl

Rating: M
Genre: Mystery
Characters: Edward & Bella

Summary: Bella gets a new job with a strange twist. Edward is a vampire with a very particular fetish. AU, OOC, Dark fun. Halloween Treat.

This was poetry.

Dark, coiling, sensual, and enthralling.

I didn't want to like EFM's Edward and I really didn't know what to make of Bella, yet I kept reading.

I found myself gripping my computer like a vice as I read the words that circled my heart and mind in a haze of beautiful words and terrifying images.

It was so intriguing and encapsulating that I couldn't stop. Mere moments and I was finished. I actually went back and reread.

Einfach Mich has written a stunning and appealing tale with such evocative imagery, it grips you. It holds you tight, but not like a mother’s embrace. Her story of desire and lust, protection and predation coerces you into a grasp of claws and blood, but there is beauty in pain.

A selflessness is embedded in each of her main characters, not a self-loss, but an unselfish desire to be whole, to do the right thing, and to behold the perfect piece you didn’t know you had lost. Her Bella is a strong, smart, emotional girl struggling to protect and stay true to her loyalty.

Her Edward is a beast filled with vices and pain, but an overarching desire to be good, do good, and have good.

They both sacrifice and suffer. They both succeed and survive.

This is a short look into their dark world and their even darker journey. We can follow along as they stumble into the light.

I was thoroughly enticed and delightfully entertained. Truly. Go read- La Bella Addormentata. <3 Tell her Rain sent you.

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: 11/7/11

In the Shallows by Porcia

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6806523/1/In_the_Shallows

Review by IcarusToSun

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

Summary: Everywhere I look, something reminds me of him. Smells, words, colours, songs. For two years I've cried over him. The best thing that's ever happened to me. The love of my life. He left because we were hurting. Because I was in the shallows. 

In the Shallows by Porcia fell into my lap soon after it was posted on FF. The mysteriously poetic title called to me while fic diving one day and even though I wasn’t familiar with the author, I began reading. The summary hinted at angst, and it delivered just that in oodles. But what In the Shallows offers its readers is so much more. It’s a relatively short story, completed in 12 tiny chapters. Barely an eye full. But what it lacks in length it more than makes up in depth.

With poignant and skilfully chosen words, Porcia tells us the story of the joy of love, the sorrow of love lost, and the serenity of forgiveness. Mostly told through Bella’s point of view, the story opens on a sad note where we meet a 27 year old Bella still reeling from the sudden abandonment of Edward two years prior. The heartbreaking narrative makes it clear that she is far from over him:

The man beside me is wearing his cologne. Suddenly, I am seventeen years old again, my heart beats a bit quicker. After ten years, you'd think I would be used to it. After two years, you'd think I would have reversed the Pavlovian response I have to the smell. To the smell of him. (ch 1) 

The chapters leap back and forth in time as it is revealed how the two met and fell in love as teens. Seeing the encounter through Bella’s eyes, the intense draw she felt for Edward is clear to the reader:

Green eyes. Green, green, green, green, green. He's tall, awkwardly so. His hair is brownish red. Freckles. His freckles match mine. 

I'm convinced this is love at first sight. Green, green, green, green, green. (ch 4) 

As the chapters unfold, we find out a thing or two about the blissfully happy life they once had as well as the gut wrenching tragedy that led to Edward’s departure from Bella’s life. We learn that it was a decision made unilaterally by Edward, and that at the time Bella did not understand it and was more or less an unwilling participant in the dissolution of their marriage:

If I sign these papers... I will have no family. No husband. No sister. No mother. No father. I will lose everything. He knows this. He knows how important they all are to me. But he still wants this. Up to now I haven't fought. I keep the apartment. That's it. There's nothing of his I want. I just want him. But that's apparently not something I can get in a divorce settlement. (ch 5) 

Porcia does a magnificent job in depicting the journey that brings them back to one another again. Given its length, it’s a challenge reviewing the story that will do it justice without giving out too many spoilers. That being said, I wouldn’t be exaggerating one bit if I claimed that it’s one of the best love stories I have ever read. Some say that every story harbors a little part of its author in its folds. That statement is perhaps truer for In the Shallows than most. The concluding lines of the story, and the short AN that follows, touched me deeply and brought tears to my eyes. I couldn’t urge you strongly enough to read this special tale. It definitely deserves more attention.

Banner by JaimeArkin

Einfach Mich's Rec of the Week: 10/31/11

Belonging by forthelongestday

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6873760/1/Belonging

Review by Einfach Mich

Rating: M
Genre: Angst/Horror
Characters: Charlotte/Peter

Summary: A routine walk down an alley in Laredo sets into motion the events that end Charlotte's life, and sends her tumbling into a dark world full of hate and war. 

One of the things I love about fan fiction is how it allows us to fill in the gaps. I don’t mean it like that you pervs! I mean, the gaps in canon. The untold stories of Twilight. There are so many untold stories that could be based before the events of the books. Entire lifetimes that passed before Bella Swan was ever born. In those lifetimes are love stories as equally powerful as the one told in Twilight.

Belonging tells the story of how Charlotte became a vampire and met her mate, Peter. It’s dark, haunting and utterly entrancing. We begin the story at the end of her life, on the shadowy floor of a barn in Laredo. Charlotte awakens to a world painted in shadows, pain and death. Peter is her guide through this terrifyingly violent life, much to his apparent displeasure. Charlotte obligingly hates him in return. However, it is the silent, shadowy figure of Jasper that terrifies her more.

There are so many amazing things I love about this story, I don’t know where to start with listing them. I love that we see this world through the eyes of newborn Charlotte. Her fear, anger and curiosity mirror the conflicted kaleidoscope of emotions I went through while reading. Even though I know the Twilight universe, this part of it was still strange and new, which kept me hooked and fascinated to see what was going to happen next. Sure, I knew how Peter and Charlotte’s story was going to end, but it didn’t stop me from fearing for them and wondering how these two people, who initially have every reason to hate each other, will fall in love.

forthelongestday breathes life into these characters and brought me around to loving them dearly. Peter is an intriguing and enigmatic man. His entrance into the story is memorable and to be honest, damn sexy.
\

"You." The word came out as a growl, and my hand flew to my throat; I wasn't capable of such a sound.  

"Sir," the man corrected, raising his right eyebrow in a perfect arch. His skin had a strange pattern etched into it, every few inches semi-circles shone just a little lighter on his flesh, and had I not known better I would have sworn they were teeth marks. The patterns stirred a memory within me, and in that moment I could just barely see his face in a memory of an alley in Laredo; I could almost feel his hands on my shoulders and teeth against my throat, and I bolted backward from him; my back against the wall. 

  The man laughed darkly, "The danger I present to you has mostly passed." 

The most intriguing aspect of this story is the chance to see pre-canon Jasper from the point of view of a member of Maria’s newborn army. Here we get a very different, much darker version of the fandom’s favorite Texan.

Hate, pain, fear, desolation...  

It all wound around my neck in a tightening noose, and it was no wonder that Jasper's victim didn't fight back; I couldn't even move a finger with all these constricting emotions flowing over me. He was savage, brutal, and when he finished with the one he turned on the two standing closest to him and ripped each of their limbs off before kicking them off to the side, paying no mind to the screams of agony that tore from their mouths. 

 

He pivoted in place slowly, glared into each of our eyes as he blanketed us in acknowledgment, and we all nodded our understanding tentatively. This was not a man to defy, no matter the order. 

In the end this is a story about two people finding each other and finding love under the worst of circumstances. Their careful, compelling dance is fascinating to watch even if you know how it will all end. After all it’s not about the destination, but the journey, right?

If you love AU vampire fic, especially if you love pre-canon and wonder about the world that Jasper lived in before he found the Cullens, Belonging is the fic for you.

TheUnderStudy's Rec of the Week: 10/31/11

Real Plastic Trees by Hotmessica

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7148003/1/

Review by TheUnderStudy

Rating: M
Genre: Romance
Characters: Emmett & Rosalie

Summary: In the pages of every high school yearbook, there is a girl that everyone thinks they know. I'm her, and sometimes, I don't even know myself. But he does. A/H

There are not a lot of Rosalie/Emmett stories in fandom, but this one was a perfect slice of heaven. Co-authors, Mer & Jessica, have placed our blondie and monkey man in high school. This story is a search of Rose’s journey to discover her true self. This is one of the best written Rosalie’s I have seen in a while.

The first chapter is a bit of a revelation for Rose. She is starting to remove her ‘rose’ colored glasses and realizes that maybe she wants something more. She is the it-girl, the senior, the rich girl with the similarly classed besties and a boyfriend that is expected of her. So why is she not happy?

“Scrolling through my contacts list, I scan every name, thinking about whom I could call to talk this through before I do it. Usually all life decisions, major and minor, involve the input of Jess and Lauren, but lately I've felt this inexplicable distance from them. They seem so happy, so content in their relationships, in their skin. They truly seem to enjoy everything we're doing, the way we're living, and if they're not, they've given no indication otherwise. They're always so much more involved than I am, planning the parties, the outings, reveling in their popularity. They seem to thrive on it all. At this point, I'm just along for the ride, and barely.” – Chapter 1 

I love this Rose, even in the first chapter. The ladies have written her with her usual snark and roughness, but we also see the inner workings – the heart of the bitch people think she is. As Rose begins to break out of her old skin, shedding the life that she once thought was for her, she understands that maybe it was all fake and nothing was real. Yet, one night Emmett McCarty changes all that and with a simple extension of his hand, Rose gets a taste of how the over half lives.

The story may not have an Emmett POV, but we see him so clear through Rose. He is strong, yet over-protective. He is charming and flirtatious. His ego could swallow you whole, but his dimpled smile warms your soul. There is no way Rose can resist him. He introduces her to some people she has seen around her high school, but never really given them a chance. However, Edward Cullen, who was once in her social circle, is a familiar face with this new group. She thinks that maybe she can fit among them too.

Bella looks from Edward to Jasper and back again. "Keep it up, you two. Rosalie's never going to hang out with us again." 

I know she's teasing, but really, it's moments like this that make me want to spend more time with them. It's so easy to see the real friendship between them, to feel it, and I bask in the warmth of it. It feels so different with my crew. There's no posturing here; there's a depth, a trueness to all of them and how they interact with each other that I never knew I always craved. 

Alice nudges me with her elbow and I look over at her, returning her soft smile. "You look happy right now," she whispers. 

Coming from anyone else, the statement would sound insane or at the very least completely cheeseball. But Alice is so like that, just telling her truth. And I suppose it's my truth, too. "I am happy right now," I whisper back. 

She smiles wider and squeezes my arm, then turns back to the computer. "Okay, so these are amazing," she says in a louder voice. Jasper and Emmett are rough-housing and shit-talking, but in my periphery I see them pause. Emmett shoves him until they're hovering behind us. Bella and Edward hop up, too, and they all crowd around us and murmur their agreement. Emmett's palm comes to rest at the base of my neck, making me shiver. 

"Hey look, you got my good side every time," he says, leaning down so that his forearms are resting on the back of my chair. His cheek brushes mine; I can feel the stubble growing in, can smell the grass and cool air and spice on his skin, and my heart skips a beat. 

This moment is perfect. I feel like I'm living inside of a picture, like I've captured something that I want to tuck into a picture frame next to my bed so I can forever remember what this is like. 

"That, in and of itself, is a win, Ro," Edward says. – Chapter 10 

This is a great story that I absolutely enjoyed from beginning to end. There is plenty of drama, comedy, cliffhangers, angst, and a sweet lemon that sex doesn’t have to always be written so descriptive. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I loved this story for its creativity, giving life to our canon couples, and giving us a Rose we can learn from.

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

Submitted Fic of the Week: 10/17/11

Making Memories of Us by AngelGoddess1981

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5939047/1/Making_Memories_of_Us

Reviewed by phoebes.promise

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

Summary: Edward & Bella's life together couldn't have been more perfect: their courtship, marriage & the birth of their beautiful baby girl. When tragedy strikes, can this family pull through? Rated M for language, dark themes & adult situations. AU/AH/BxE

AngelGoddess1981’s powerful storytelling will quickly sweep you into the most beautifully told pain and angst. Within the first chapter past go, Making Memories of Us will grip you in a helpless hold, begging and anxious for the next.

Edward and Bella in perfect romantic soul sold form of love began a path of successful, picket fence life to envy…

"Since that day I saved you from that football in our senior year of high school, I knew that we were fated to be together." I stated with a light chuckle. 

Bella's eyes widened in realization. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Edward Cullen?" Her chest began to heave with her heavy breaths. I pulled a small black box from my pocket and dropped to one knee beside her. "Put it away," she hissed. 

I laughed and looked her in the eyes as I took her shaking left hand in mine. "Isabella Marie Swan, I can't imagine my life without you. Marry me?" 

I opened the ring box and her breath caught in her throat. "It's beautiful," she whispered as she looked down at the half-carat princess cut solitaire ring nestled in the blue velvet pillow. She raised her tear-filled eyes and smiled. "Yes." 

My heart soared with joy as I took the ring and placed it on her finger, where it would stay forever. I stood and pulled her into my arms, and our parents started to applaud, which only caused the rest of the restaurant to join in on the celebratory cheers. 

I pressed my lips to Bella's, and could feel her smile against my mouth. "Forever, Bella. Without a doubt, you are my forever." 

However, as milestones drift and morph to years, layers of their story become raw reality, peppered with hints of truth. A marriage deteriorating, a sweet baby girl growing to know the only parent ever present. Flashbacks laid tenderly throughout each chapter tell and show the brutality of post partum depression and it’s emotional, physical torture. Bella’s battle so severe, it left her desperate, medicated and monitored.

I stood from the bed and gripped her waist firmly as I placed a kiss to her nose. "We always said we wanted more than one," I reminded her. "You loved being pregnant." 

She placed her hands on my jaw and smiled. "I did. It was wonderful, and one of the best experiences of my life. But the year after?" 

The memory of that dark time stung to the very centre of my being. "There's a chance that you wouldn't experience that again," I breathed. 

She shook her head. "And also a chance I could. Edward, you were there, you saw just how bad it was. I missed most of the first six months of her life." 

I smiled reassuringly and spoke softly, "I remember, but now we know what to look for, we'd be better prepared to handle it." 

Her face fell. "I'd be medicated again," she whispered sadly. 

"Again?" Placing my fingers beneath her chin, I forced her face up. "Bella, have you gone off your meds?" She didn't have to answer, her eyes spoke volumes. "Love, was Tanya okay with that?" 

Bella pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. "It's been a year since I started them. They made me feel foggy, so I stopped taking them slowly. And I've been doing really well these last two months." She paused for a moment before looking at me with conviction. "Even you couldn't tell the difference," she tried to explain. 

I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration. "So, you're telling me you came off your meds, and your psychiatrist has no idea?" 

"I am," she replied confidently. "I'm also telling you I'm not interested in having any more children. At least…not for awhile." She turned from me then and closed herself in the bathroom. 

Family and close friends become key players, supporting… knowing… the past and the present. It is only in Edward’s periphery relationships that he’ll find the healing and hope he craves and needs. A simple phrase, a turn and telling changes the trail to the end. Incredibly well thought and planned, AngelGoddess1981 will have you so wrapped in their world you won’t believe the page and words.

Gentle as it could be the most bittersweet glue and threads remain in the love between father and daughter. This is a beautiful bond that stirs and warms throughout the piece. Edward’s selfless devotion to his child’s heart and mind is intense and poignantly written…

"I drew you a picture, Daddy!" she told me excitedly. She ran over to my bed—where her pink baby blanket was now folded on top of my pillow—and grabbed an eight-by-eleven piece of white poster board. I stood up and moved to my bed, sitting on the edge, and pulled Nessie onto my lap so she could present me with her gift. My emotions caught in my throat as I looked at the image she had drawn with crayons.

"This is me right there," she said animatedly, pointing with her finger to the picture of herself. "You can tell 'cause I has red hair. I'm wearing a blue dress because blue is your favourite colour." 

She turned her head up to look at me. "Do you still like blue, Daddy?" her voice wavered with the uncertainty, afraid that maybe I had changed since being here. 

"Yes, bug. I still like blue," I assured her as I tucked a loose curl behind her ear before turning my attention back to her drawing. With a smile, I pointed at the person standing next to her. "And who's this handsome man?" 

Nessie giggled. "That's you, silly! Can't you see?" 

Though complete, Making Memories of Us, features a few lovely, important outtakes that only enhance the emotional journey of love, suffering and renewal. There are authored warnings throughout the postings, heed them for certain, but please don’t allow them to deter your experience. This is a stunning, wonderfully complicated peek of life and love’s greatest challenges.

Completed Fic of the Week: 10/17/11

Public Relations by snshyne
 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5781997/1/Public_Relations

Review by fnoslvrvlvo4lif

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

Summary: Bella Swan, the President of Black-Swan, Inc, WANTS Edward Cullen Owner and Creative Director of ECSquared. What is she going to do about it? A fun fic mini-series. M, AH, OOC, E/B, canon pairings. 

This story caught my eye the moment Lori asked if somebody could read and review it. So...I told her I would do it. From the moment I started this story, it sucked me right in. I couldn't help but fall in love with Shyward and Aggressivella. By the way, you read that right...Shyward **squees a bit** Pardon me...I had a moment.

This story starts off with Edward going in to pitch an advertising idea to Bella's company for her friend, Alice's new clothing line that she's started. Bella made Edward a bit nervous at how beautiful he found her, but still gave a flawless presentation. The only problem is...Bella said it needed work and he needed to come back. This throws him for a loop because he knows, as well as Bella's partner in the business, Jake, that it was flawless and that she is just a perfectionist. This is funny because so is Edward, which is how he knew there couldn't be anything wrong with it. He shows up in Bella's office to find that it's not his presentation she wants to look over, it's Edward himself! Here's the kicker, Edward has NO experience when it comes to sex. **gasps** I know! Edward doesn't have experience?! It's a crazy thought right? But guess what? He totally doesn't and he is just so loveable. You just can't help it.

Here is a little of what you’re missing...

When his voice came over the speakers, I bit my tongue in hopes to thwart the surmounting wetness pooling behind the thin barrier of my panties. He looked at me periodically throughout the viewing and I so badly wanted to know what he was thinking. I remembered I was supposed to be showing him points of interest and we were halfway through and I had not picked one. 

I picked up the remote and paused the disc. "See this here?" I asked, pointing at nothing in particular. Edward looked at me with a quirked eyebrow. "Uh, no." 

"This?" I said, standing up and leaning over the monitor in front of his seat. I leaned in dangerously close. So close I could smell his aftershave and that sweet manly-musk that I wanted to taste. My hair brushed against his crotch and he stiffened in his seat before he squeaked out, "I'm sorry. I just don't see what you're showing me." 

I sighed out loud, realizing that if I wanted this, I was going to have to be less subtle. It wasn't a problem really, I could be more direct. I just didn't want him to think I was some slut-bag who did things like this on a regular basis. For some reason, his view of me mattered. 

I took his hand in mine and leaned forward close to the monitor, now able to see my reflection, and brought his hand with me. 

"This," I said one more time. Except this time, I brought his hand to my mouth and sucked on his index finger. Showing him what I was talking about. 

"Oh," was his response as I continued to glide his long, elegant finger in and out of my mouth and imagining it elsewhere. 

I pushed his chair back, leaving room between him and the table and watched as his hand dropped to his side. My eyes trailed down his body from his sex hair, to his shocked expression, down his chiseled chest, evident from the shape in his perfectly crisp oxford, then down to his crotch where a large bulge was very happy to see me. 

"Miss Swan." 

"Bella," I corrected him. 

"Bella. Uhm. What are you? What?" Poor boy was in so much shock he could barely speak. "I thought you wanted to show me points of interest that needed work." 

"That's exactly what I'm doing. Here, here, here, and here." 

I can only here the questions now...what the hell is Bella pointing at? Well go read Public Relations yourself and go find out. You won’t regret it.

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!