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

Restless by RandomCran

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

Review by Maxandmo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"What happened in your dream?"

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

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

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

"Will you stay with me?"

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

AquariumJenn's Rec of the Week: 2/28-3/6

Release by writingbabe

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6313679/1/Release

Review by AquariumJenn

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

Summary: Ten years after Edward and Alice abandoned her, Bella returns to Forks. What brings Alice to her door? Why has Edward moved into the Cullens' old house? And who gives Bella the punishment she craves? Inspired by Beyond the Pale Contest photo prompt #5.

I have to begin this review by confessing that Release was one of those stories that made its way onto my ‘To Be Read’ list where it sat for untouched for several weeks but only because I didn’t have the free time to begin the story. I had heard incredible word of mouth about it from other readers, so I took the plunge one evening and was immediately blown away. By the end of the first chapter, I was kicking myself for taking so long to start the journey.

This is now one of those fics that I drop everything for when an update alert hits and I’m hopeful it finds a bigger audience quickly. It is well-written with both a strong plot and strong character development. In my opinion, there is nothing lacking in this exceptional story and I will do my best not to reveal too much about the unfolding plot.

Initially drafted as a one shot in the ‘Beyond the Pale Contest’ (where it was winner of a judge’s Cherry Popper Award and the Best Use of Photo Prompt Award) the opening chapter strongly impacts the reader by introducing us to a Bella who mysteriously seeks punishment and a less than likeable Edward who appears to be at the heart of Bella’s issues. In short, I loved to hate Edward but also wanted to know more about him. When I finished reading the first chapter, I felt immediate relief that I had more updates to pursue. It was clear that there was so much more to this story than a one shot could portray and I’m thankful writingbabe took up the task to complete it.

One thing that amazes me about writingbabe’s characters is that they are all flawed individuals. I had a difficult time finding redeeming qualities about any of them and yet I couldn’t get enough of them. I needed to know what would happen to them next, what they would do to each other and how their stories were going to progress. Edward has hurt Bella deeply and she continues to inflict punishment on herself. Alice hates her brother, Edward, (and his car) while she also struggles in her relationship with Jasper. Jacob finds himself deeply drawn to Bella who is incapable of returning his feelings. Eleazar and Tanya make for strong supporting characters and Rosalie is a damaged woman, but one who remains strong and street savvy in her surroundings. She is a character who I believe will serve an important role as the story progresses. Rosalie does not appear to be emotionally immersed in the lives of the other characters and that could make her a powerful neutral force in any number of scenarios.

Currently, only seven chapters have been posted and while it feels as though much has been revealed, it is clear writingbabe has only scratched the surface of this world and its inhabitants. Release is labeled as Hurt/Comfort/Drama and several chapters warn of dark and disturbing subject matter but do not let this scare you away. It is a compelling and intelligent story and I am excited to see where it ultimately takes us.

I would be thrilled to see many more readers discover this fascinating WIP and speculate its ultimate outcome with me.

Take it from someone who let this story sit on the sidelines for a few weeks too long…Run (do not walk) to Release.