Writer Submitted Fic: 5/2 - 5/8

Return of the King by A Cullen Wannabe

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6312308/1/Return_of_the_King

Review by Dragonfly336

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

Summary: When the body of a young girl is found, all signs point to convicted serial killer, Royce King, currently behind bars. FBI Agent Bella Swan and her team have to race against time to discern who the real killer is before time runs out.

Return of the King starts on a hot summer night at a crime scene. There we meet a team of investigators in the form of our favorites, the Cullens. Bella leads the team that consists of Emmett, Alice and Jasper as investigators, Rosalie as the medical examiner and Edward as a new member of the team and a very talented profiler. The first chapter is intense as we read about them investigating the murder of a young woman.

Hale turned and ran for the tree line, vomiting into the underbrush as McCarty ran after her, while Brandon melted into Whitlock's chest, quiet cries coming from her chest. At some point, I had fallen to my knees at the sight before us, as Cullen knelt beside me, his arm around my shoulder.

"Is this?"

I nodded mutely, staring at the words taunting us all from the back of the innocent bystander in his sick, twisted mindgame.

Okay Team,

Let's see if you can catch

the RIGHT MAN this time.

One year was enough of a vacation,

Time for the real work to begin.

XOXO

The King

Carlisle shows up in the second chapter. We learn that he was Bella’s former boss and Edward’s father. . He comes in as a consultant on the case, because they fear that it is a copycat crime of a serial killer they put away thirteen months prior, Royce King. It turns out that Rosalie was King’s first assault victim so she is taken off the case and put into protective custody, much to her dismay.

Things start to unravel in the case, linking King’s DNA with the current victim’s, which would seem to be impossible since he has been in solitary confinement. The reader will be captivated as they try to figure out this case.

I truly loved this story. It is a nice short story, complete with twelve chapters. It is told completely from Bella’s POV and if you love a strong Bella, then you will love her. There is also a nice underlying story of the budding romance between Edward and Bella. I felt like I was watching an episode of CSI when I read this. A Cullen Wannabe’s writing is so well done and keeps you engrossed to see what happens next. So, if you are looking for a nice, suspenseful story that you can read in one sitting, this is for you!

Brand New Fic of the Week: 5/2 - 5/8

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il Sensale by Kassiah

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6923064/1/il_Sensale

Review by Obsmama

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

Summary: When the prophecy of war reaches the cusp of reality, Alice and Edward enlist to join the Volturi Guard. His priorities shift when he meets his Match. What do you do when the person that was made for you belongs to someone else? AU M for lang & vampsex

il Sensale is the brand new, intriguing story from Kassiah. She is creating a whole new world in this AU Vamp story. Vampires are at war and Edward is fighting for his sister Alice’s freedom, from a cause she herself is dedicated to. The story opens with a glimpse of the price Edward is willing to pay to see his sisters future secure and free from the grasp of the Volturi.

"So we have an arrangement?"

Pressing his hands together, he circled me like the predator he was—the predator we all were. Thoughts full of appraisals and devious plans flew through his mind so quickly I could barely register them. Then again, it was understandable; he was trying to keep me out.

No matter though. I heard them all as if I were the one making them.

"Your terms," he murmured in a low tone, his calculating gaze flashing to mine. "Repeat them."

He knew the terms. He also knew he was going to accept them—that much was readily available to me in his mind. He just wanted to force me to explain again, to show that he was the one in control. There was no need—we both already knew that.

"In exchange for my sister's freedom, I will agree to…" I paused, thinking of the most diplomatic word to use in this situation. "…observe the other contestants and report my findings back to you."

Edward is entering a war that he does not believe in and fears the worse. Alice is dedicated to the cause and feels that this is her destiny. The story is two chapters in and I, as a reader, am CAPTIVATED. The sense of devotion he feels to her is overwhelming and the fire in this Alice is refreshing. It seems their canon abilities are intact and make them very, very intriguing to Aro; so much so that he agrees to Edward’s terms but at what cost? Come immerse yourself in this spectacular interactive world that Kassiah is creating one chapter at a time.

Completed Fic of the Week: 5/2 - 5/8

ABC Countdown by Aylah50

http://www.aylahfanfiction.com/?page_id=37

Review by AnonymouslysufferingfromOCD

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

Summary: With only twenty-six days left of school, second grade teacher Bella is supposed to be running her classroom ABC Countdown. However, all she can think about is her sexy co-worker Edward, and the much naughtier version of the ABC Countdown he inspires.

This week’s completed fic is a short 6 chapter, 50k word fic.

Our countdown begins with the letters A,B & C and a Bella who is seriously crushing on a recently divorced Edward. The typical ABC countdown is counting down the last 26 days of school with the grade school kids. Bella, however, can’t keep her mind off of Edward and all of the letters that he inspires.

Bella, who recently moved to Forks, to help take care of Charlie after a work related injury, forms a quick friendship with Alice, Edward’s sister and Rosalie, their sister-in-law. We learn through a couple of flashbacks that she immediately started crushing on Edward, however at that time it was a lost cause because he was married to his high school sweetheart, the ever annoying Tanya.

Bella watches as Edward goes through a very nasty divorce after he finds out that Tanya has cheated on him, nothing stays secret in a town as small as Forks, of course.

After months of pining, Bella finds herself day dreaming much like her students the last month of school.

Twenty-six days left of school. That's when the teachers in the primary grades began our ABC countdown: each day we did a fun activity starting with a letter in the alphabet. Today was "A" and my second graders were doing Arts and Crafts.

But me? All I could think about was Mr. Cullen's ass.

After Bella’s ABC’s and an impromptu almost kiss in Chapter 1, we move onto Chapter 2 where we have Edward holding Bella at arm’s length, a little bit of flirting, and Edward finding Bella’s personal ABC countdown on her computer we finally have some much needed lemons!

“Don't read that!" I yelled out as I attempted to climb down back onto the chair I'd used as a stepstool. "That's not the right one!"

 

My sweaty hands tried to grip the chair as I climbed down backwards onto it and I lost my footing, falling onto the hard floor with a heavy thud. I put my face in my hands, trying to hide from the reality that he was without a doubt reading my "ABC Countdown: 26 Days of Sexy Edward Cullen."

"I printed out the one that had the letters 'SEC' with it….I thought it was for second grade." His low, gravelly voice murmured quietly and I heard him walking slowly towards me. I kept my face hidden in my hands and began rocking backing and forth, overcome with pure humiliation.

Before I knew it he was standing directly above me and I couldn't hide from him any longer. Dropping my hands to my sides, I looked up at him in defeat, utterly embarrassed.

We find out quickly that the elusive Mr. Cullen may have some hidden feelings of his own, as we watch their relationship grow from a pretty smutty beginning to him actually admitting his feelings. They keep things secret for a little while but as I said earlier, things in Forks tend not to stay secret for long…

We heard a feminine voice clearing her throat from the doorway and we both froze. Edward's hands dropped as we both turned to see who was there.

Jane stood at my classroom door, her arms crossed over her chest.

"I assume you two have something to tell me?"

This is a really great short story. Aylah50 does a wonderful job with keeping us interested and wanting more. If you are looking for a quick read with a lot of humor, a lot of lemons, a little bit of nuttiness and a lot of fluff this is the one for you. The word that comes to mind when thinking about this story is fluffernutter, and if you have had a fluffernutter sandwich, I mean what is not to love? For those of you that haven’t, marshmallow fluff and peanut butter, it is like a match made in heaven, kind of like Edward and Bella.

If I had to change anything about this story it would be its length, fortunately Alyah50 is considering continuing it, so go read and tell her you want her to continue!

Hope you enjoy!

WIP of the Week: 5/2 - 5/8

Seeing Bella by sherryola

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6579398/1/Seeing_Bella

Review by Les16

Rating: M
Genre: Romance
Characters: Edward/Bella

Summary: Alice has a vision of a girl with no vision. She will either save Edward from his life of lonely brooding, or she will destroy him with his destruction of her. Can Bella discover the Cullen family secret if she can't see? Canon vamps and couples. AU

I was so excited when I got to choose a story to rec for this week! I've been reading Seeing Bella almost since the beginning and I fall in love with it more after every chapter sherryola posts. It's so well-written, so full of beautiful imagery, and it will seriously melt your heart it's so sweet.

Let's face it, we all love SM's Twilight. If we didn't we sure wouldn't love this fandom as much as we do, but we can also all admit that there were a few things...and maybe more than a few if we're honest, that we wish SM would have done differently. If you're like me, some of Bella's personality traits and especially those of our favorite vampire were a tad...annoying. In Seeing Bella, sherryola has managed to take all the best parts of every character and tweak them so that you will love them even more. Her story is a re-telling of Twilight with some fabulous twists and turns along the way.

You see, in Seeing Bella, Bella is blind, but don't let that fool you. She is as strong and independent as she can be and it is such a refreshing change. There are subtle differences between sherryola's characters and SM's, but they make all the difference in the world. Edward is still protective and worries about his mate, but they talk things through. With Bella being blind, you would think he would be even more overprotective, but he's not. The dynamics between all the characters has been changed and tweaked in such a way that everything just flows and blends together so well.

"Anyway, I guess my biggest objection to you becoming a vampire is that history. Bella, I don't want you to feel that bloodlust. I don't want you to have to live with the anguish of taking a human life, if you were to slip."

"But I have all of you," she said, "None of you would let me do anything to hurt another person or anything that could cause me such guilt and pain, particularly not you. I know you'd keep me safe, even from myself."

"I promise you I would keep you safe."

"I realize nothing can happen right now," she said, "We shouldn't do anything till after I graduate from high school, but I hope we can continue to discuss it. Charlie would expect me to leave after high school, go to college and all, so it would be a good time for my change, if we decide to do it."

"Of course we will continue to discuss it," he said, "We can make the decision together and plan for it, if you decide you want this life. Ultimately, the decision is mostly up to you, as it's your life, your human life, you would be giving up."

All the characters we know and love are on full display in Seeing Bella, and sherryola has truly made them her own. The canon characteristics we are all so familiar with are present and accounted for, but Sherry has done a masterful job making them...better.

There is enough drama, because we are talking about a very human Bella here, to keep the reader wanting more. James, Victoria, and Laurent all make an appearance, as do the wolves. Bella goes to Port Angeles with Jessica and Angela, but what happens is different than in the original Twilight. Jake is…Jake, but he’s different as well. Bella being blind makes the entire story dynamic different and it’s so interesting to read about Bella navigating her world while being immersed in the world of vampires and shape-shifters.

Had James sent one of his coven to the other door? She dropped to the floor, wrapping her arms around her body, trying to make herself small and invisible. It wasn't rational, but she was acting on instinct, out of pure fear. She huddled on the floor, crying.

"Shhhh, it's me, Bellarina," she heard Emmett's voice say, "I'm here to get you away."

He swooped her up into his arms and ran out of the house.

"You're ok now," he soothed her, "You're ok; you're safe."

Bella clung to him.

"Emmett, thank you," she sobbed, "But, what about the others? Is Edward-?"

She stopped. She couldn't ask. She couldn't think about anything possibly happening to Edward, or to any of the others.

Rose rushed up to them.

"They're ok, Bella," she tried to reassure her, "Edward distracted James, so Emmett could get you out of the house. Don't worry. We're taking you back to our house till it's over."

"No, I want to go back," Bella struggled against Emmett's hold, "They might need you both to help them. Please, I've got to know what's happening!"

I can't say enough about this story, but I can't give you any details either without giving all her surprises away. Seeing Bella is a light, sweet story perfect for when you've had a bad day, need a pick me up, or just simply want to read a well-written, totally-engaging story! Give Seeing Bella a try. I promise you won't be sorry!!

One Shot of the Week: 4/25 - 5/1

 

In You, I Am Complete by Bbebar

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6412185/1/In_You_I_Am_Complete

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

Summary: After meeting under unusual circumstances, Edward and Jasper quickly realize they share an unspoken connection. Will they find in each other what they've been unable to find on their own? SLASH, MA

Mehek18's Rec of the Week: 4/25 - 5/1

What if I Told You by ajsilentvoice

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6719390/1/What_if_I_Told_You

Review by Mehek18

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

Summary: After nearly a year, Bella finally finds a number for the Cullens in Ithaca, New York. A last minute invitation to a reunion bash at Mike Newton's, though, leaves Bella drunk, alone, and holding a cell phone. Will a stupid mistake bring them together?

Ajsilentvoice continued her entry for The PostSecret Prompt Contest. Her prompt: Drunk Dialing.

Ajsilentvoice questions: What if Bella never went to save Edward? What if Edward came back onhis own? What if Bella made a little mistake that caused all the Cullens to come back on their own?

One little phone call, a conversation only lasting a few minutes changed two people's lives. Was it fate? Or a mistake?

This one shot, continued into a multi chapter fic when the questions turned into much more.

“As if making sure she heard herself, and still trying to convince herself, she said it out loud. "It's time to move on."

Almost a year had gone by since the Cullens left after Bella's birthday. She hadn’t moved on, like Edward had predicted, but she couldn't stop living either. She daydreamed of Edward coming back. She dreamed of being the newest daughter in the Cullen family. She dreamed it all, only to have nightmares overtake her. She remembered the Cullens before they leftand the words Edward said before leaving her in the forest.

He said he'd do it, but she never believed he could. Well, he'd proven her wrong alright.

Her anger, resentment, and sadness spilled out in one drunken phone call she made to the Cullens.

"No, but I'd really...really like to talk to you. You're a...a...bastard, you know that?" She sat up straight and balled her fist at her side.

In her drunken moment, she opened up her fears of never being good enough, of never being with the Cullens again, of never seeing Edward again.

"NO! I know. I know this." She mumbled incoherently again before deciding on a memory. "You're in L.A.! You and your perfect family with your perfect life. I never fit in. You hate me, don't you? I'm not good enough."

Her slurred words were mixed with humor, about how she secretly thought Carlisle was hot, the apology she thought she owed to Jasper, the little truth she wished Rosalie knew.

Bella laughed louder. "No, you didn't! You said boobie! Carlisle Cullen said boobie!"

The only voice that made her phone call unbearable was one she she wanted to hear but couldn't stomach – his.

Then something dawned on her. She picked up the phone slowly, praying she was wrong. "Is he there? Please, tell me he's not."

The Cullen's came home, wanting their daughter back.

Every mile they flew, Edward's heart grew fuller, healthier, as if nearness to her was a healing balm. Carlisle clasped him on the shoulder, and Esme held his hand between hers.

But this time it was Bella who shut the door on them. Could they win back her love?

"I hated every day you were away. I hated every cloudy day, every song on the radio, every time I pulled into the parking lot and didn't see your car. I hated being happy because it felt wrong. I hated feeling it all, because nothing seemed real. I hated sleeping alone, I hated waking up alone, and I hated even thinking about time moving on. But you?" She sniffled. "I never hated you."

Could Edward?

Leaning his forehead against the barrier between them, he screamed his vow. "I am not giving up!"

In this little ride, Bella's and Charlie's relationship would be put to the test, with wars against family and love. The Cullen's would be confronted when it came to the little human girl who filled them with conflicting emotions. Could that simple phone call really change the path of lives?

Ajsilentvoice writes this fic with a little humor, a lot of angst, and a nice Newton? You never know what the next chapter will bring. Will it be Edward on his knees or Bella in his arms? Ajsilentvoice only starts this story with...What if I Told You...

Banner by JaimeArkin

Welcome to our weekly edition of The Banner and the Blurb! We are teaming up on a weekly basis with TwiFicPics to highlight their feature The Banner and the Blurb, bringing attention to the incredible banner makers that are out there.  We hope to bring more and more readers to these deserving fics show you some excellent graphics!

Please go check out the review on TwiFicPics and adopt a banner or two while you're there!

Asfocd Rec of the Week: 4/25 - 5/1

The Decision by windchymes

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6797418/3/The_Decision

Review by AnonymouslysufferingfromOCD

Rating: M
Genre: Romance
Characters: Edward/Bella

Summary: Edward made a decision after that second biology lesson. Two years later that decision is challenged.

I need to start this review by saying that I am incredibly excited about this week’s story, since it’s reviewer pick week and I have chosen the story to review. One of my all-time favorite AU vamp fics ever is Distractions by Windchymes, so when I saw that she was writing another multi-chapter fic, I was ecstatic.

As the summary states, Edward made a decision after that second biology lesson with Bella and it wasn’t the decision that we all expected him to make, he decided to leave and not risk Bella’s safety. Haunted by the memory of Bella, and faced with the knowledge that he loves her, he has to live with that decision.

The Decision starts out two years later. While in Chicago checking on his property there; Edward sees his one true love moving in across the street from his boyhood home. Determined not to make the same mistakes again, he works on approaching a more outgoing, college student Bella and tries to figure out the best way for him to date the woman he loves.

He'd spent every moment of the last two years dealing with his feelings for Bella, accepting them, managing them, and now...

It was like being back at square one again. Like he was back in that biology lab watching her walk down the aisle towards his desk.

He put his fist through the wall.

When Alice called an hour later Edward was sitting in his boyhood bedroom, hugging his knees to his chest while he watched the windows of Bella's apartment.

"What am I going to do?" he growled down the phone and Alice sighed.

"I don't know, Edward. Only you know that, I can only see the result when you decide."

He screwed his eyes shut and banged the back of his head against the wall. The plaster cracked.

"I can't let her go again," he ground out.

The Decision was originally slated to only be around four chapters; however, it is now looking like it will be closer to six or seven, with three chapters already posted.

Windchymes has an innate sense of being able to enthrall her audience us readers with the possibilities in her stories. Much like Distractions, I find myself saying, “now if only he would have done it like this.” She doesn’t write the normal angst that goes along with Edward leaving Bella, but instead gives alternatives to how that decision could actually have a happier ending without the angst. We see and sense Edward’s struggle with what is right and what is right for him. Her characters are more mature and much more capable to handle the obstacles life throws at them.

There are only a few authors that I will drop everything for when they post something new. I am an impatient reader, and tend to wait until a story is almost complete before I read them; but for Windchymes, I forget my general rule, not caring about my impatience and dive in right from the beginning. I can’t tell you how much I love this story and think that you will too…oh, and if you haven’t checked out her other stories, you should read those as well!

Banner by JaimeArkin