TLS Fics of the Week 3/25 - 3/31/2012

Terms & Conditions Apply by TheSaintsMistress
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6916502/1/Terms_and_Conditions_Apply

There's only one person on this earth that Edward Cullen hates, and that's his boss...Bella Swan. She's cold. She's ruthless and incapable of human emotion, and to Edward's greatest frustration, the hottest woman walking the face of the planet. Twilight - Rated: M

Review by: AnnaLund http://www.fanfiction.net/u/2307684/AnnaLund

It started (for me) with a tweet from @katinki01 about a hot hot hot hot hot lemon, telling us all to go read it, and LEARN to write lemons like that one.

Well I did. I often follow good advice. At least when it tells me to go read stuff. Especially lemons. Yeah, sue me. Well, this one truly was. Hot, I mean. Sizzling, steaming, and yet, still both elegant and sensual. Blew my mind, it did. Right out the window. (The lemon is in Chapter 24 if you are into in cutting corners.)

But then—after fanning myself thoroughly—I realized that the reason I loved it was that the writing was so good. Like, all the way through. This author could really paint a vivid image. So then I just had to go back and start from the beginning, from chapter 1.

”What?” you all scream, ”having already read the lemon?”

Hell, yeah.

Because it IS that good. The writing. The storyline. The whole thing. The masterfully done lemon is just the icing on the cake. The proverbial cherry.

  So, when I got back to the lemon again, (still in Chapter 24, in case you missed my mentioning the fact above) it was just WOW, HOLY, HOT, HOT, OUCH, WOW, WOW, WOW. Because it was suddenly in context, and TheSaintsMistress had worked up such UST that the whole story exploded around me. Of course, I cannot guarantee it, but you are more than likely to go up in flames right with it, too.

Let's face it, there is just NOTHING lamer in the world than a lame lemon. I call them Lamons, and fanfiction stories are full of them.

THIS IS NOT ONE OF THOSE. THIS GOES HOT, AND THEN IT GOES HOTTER. THEN IT GOES NUCLEAR MELTDOWN.

To give you a sense of how the lemon gets underway, here's an excerpt:

“Signs of dehydration:

Thirst

Flushed skin

Dry mouth

Chills

Head rushes

1. Thirst

You know that feeling when you've had a wild night of partying and consuming copious amounts of alcohol? When you wake up from dreaming about drinking gallons of water? You know, that intense need to thrust your mouth beneath a tap and just drink and drink until your stomach bursts or the desperation subsides.

Well, that's what it feels like being kissed by Edward Cullen.

I feel like I've reached an oasis in a desert and just want to suck and lick and consume each drop of wet relief. The craving is so intense that I literally mold my mouth to the source and claim.”

After Thirst, she moves along, through Flushed skin… Dry mouth… Chills… and so on, until the end. Now, sit back a second, and taste those words in your own mouth. I dare you. Flushed skin. Chills. Head rushes.

Yeah.

It is a brilliantly executed lemon, in a brilliantly written fic. You can actually grow as a writer when you read and analyze what she is doing with her words, how she strings them together, one after the other. Or, you can have a lot of fun just speeding through it as a reader. Whichever way you decide to devour this story, it is made of win. Pure win. To think that she is not a native speaker of English just makes it even more brilliant.

Okay, well, now—I've gone on and on about the lemon, what about the story itself, what is it about? Let's see, the storyline says:

“There's only one person on this earth that Edward Cullen hates, and that's his boss... Bella Swan. She's cold. She's ruthless and incapable of human emotion, and to Edward's greatest frustration, the hottest woman walking the face of the planet.”

So, Edward works for Bella—who is an editor at a big publishing house. She is having her parents come visit her, and she has been deceiving them for a long time, telling them she is in a long-term relationship. She needs a stand-in. Pronto.

"You, Mr. Cullen," she practically growls. "I need you to be my boyfriend." Her knuckles turn white as she massages the taut skin stretching over her forehead in frustration.

"Excuse me?" I'm sure that she's finally going off the deep end. Did my boss, the bitch I could hardly stand to face, just ask me to be her…boyfriend?

"I need you to pretend." She pauses for emphasis. "To be my boyfriend, Mr. Cullen. Starting this Monday."

This is of course where the Terms & Conditions Apply… After which hilarity, three variations of crazy and sadness ensue, always balancing on the right side of truly believable, credible, touching and real.

TheSaintsMistress also manages to master the male voice (the fic is written in switching BPOV to EPOV), but without ever falling into ridiculous descriptions of colors like “mauve”, or plastering the fic with descriptions of fashionable clothes and such nonsence. To Edward Cullen, quite the man, blue is simply blue. Remember our good old Rob’s answer when asked the color of his burgundy suit? “Eeeeh… Red…?” There you go. That’s a male voice. Red. Brilliant.

Now, instead of giving you line after line from the fic itself and risk destroying your reading experience—because I want YOU to read it and feel all the goodness first-hand and on your own—I am going to go with a different approach here.

  I’m handing you excerpts from actual reviews on the 32 chapters and an Epi. Yeah, TheSaintsMistress uploaded the last chapter and the Epi at the same time as I was writing this very review. How very thoughtful of her.

I’ve tried hard to just use the excerpts that won’t spoil your fun, so you can safely read on. No spoilers here, just a way to show you how this story can reach your mind.

  Without further ado, some lines to amuse you and possibly make you want to read the story that has inspired so many of us:

This lemon is seriously the best I've ever read. I think perhaps it needs a warning sign at the beginning. Or free cigarettes. Or something.

Or:

You just keep giving, one emotion after the other. I love it. just love it. 

Or:

Just when I think you can't do it better, you go and just Do It.

Or:

I love love loved it. oh man, you write the socks off of me. this edward is to die for. Gah

Or:

I just love how tight they have become, how close everything feels. beautiful. sexy. hot. sweet. supportive. and hot. yeah. 

Or:

I love how your Bella takes charge of herself, not just being made come by super-E... No, no, she is taking matters into her own hands, and rocks the socks off him.

Or:

Well done. Now, is there more of this coming? Pun intended.

Or:

Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh. oh. boy. oh help.

Yeah, I believe that’s enough. I think you get the idea.

Truly, TheSaintsMistress possesses amazing skills when it comes to describing a scene so vividly it comes alive in front of you; however, I give her extra brownie-points for her especially-super-special-awesomesauce-skillz for the lemony bits. Oh, yes. It is never crass or icky, it is always sexy as fuck and sensual to the umpteenth power.

I rest my case. Go read it. Now.

I salute you, oh Mistress of the Lemon. Rock my world.

Come again, please?

AnnaLund 

Unrequited by Perry Maxwell
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7446868/1/Unrequited
Edward left Bella almost a year ago, upending her whole world. What happens when Bella receives a phone call that just might shatter it? "Wait, Alice…Edward is dying?" I choked out. Twilight - Rated: M

Review by: Twilover76

All stories we read have authors who have poured parts of themselves into them…whether it be time, creativity, emotions, or all of the above.  And then there are the stories based on actual events in the author’s life.  Unrequited by Perry Maxwell is a true testament of a writer giving blood, sweat, and tears in sharing their story.

I was fortunate enough to stumble upon meeting Perry in a random WC, and we became fast friends.  It’s hard not to love her as soon as you meet her.  Aside from her being one of the nicest and most supportive authors around, she’s also uber-talented with her words.  It took me about two seconds of reading her not-yet-posted story before I was jumping at the opportunity to be a part of Team Unrequited.

From the prologue, your heart wants to shatter as Bella’s nightmare begins:

"No Bella. This is not my home. This is where I live, but this is not my home. I'm not sure it has ever been my home." He responded with a resigned sigh. I couldn't tell if he was mad or frustrated.


His words felt heavy and obstructive, and my chest responded to their weight accordingly.
Breathing in deeply and finding the courage to speak, I tried to reason with him, convince him that we could move to Dallas together and fix whatever was broken, not that I knew what that was. Didn't he know that my home was wherever he was?


"Okay. If you wanted to go back to Dallas, and you were uncomfortable here, why didn't you just tell me? I can work from anywhere, and we can start looking for houses. I know your parents are there, and so is your brother, and - "


"Bella…stop. I said I'm leaving...not we're leaving." He ran his hand over his face and then returned my stare. His eyes bore into mine as if searching or maybe pleading – no, begging me to understand what he meant without making him say it.


I fell silent as I let the gravity of his words sink in. My lips started to quiver, and my eyes began to water. As tears fell, my trembling lips asked the dreaded question even though the answer could destroy me.


"Edward, don't you want to be with me anymore?" I couldn't even look at him when I asked it. Instead, I stared at my hands in my lap and watched as a single tear turned into a staccato of salty droplets.


He sighed and shifted on the couch, turning to sit side by side with me, his shoulder brushing against mine. Normally, I'd find his touch, his presence reassuring…but not now.


"The truth is, Bella, I simply don't love you as a husband loves a wife," he explained.


Shocked, I turned my head to look at him; he showed no signs of emotion.


No remorse. No regret. No tears.


No reaction to my state of despair.


The Edward I knew would have comforted me; it would have torn him apart to watch me cry. I was sitting next to a complete stranger and looking into the eyes of a man I did not know.


Perry has you gripped from the start, wondering what it was that changed Edward.  How could the perfect husband so quickly turn into a monster?  How does Bella deal with this level of betrayal and grief?

Chapter one picks up about a year after the prologue…a year after Bella’s heart was crushed and left abandoned by her husband for reasons unknown to her.

"Wait, Alice…Edward is dying?" I choked out.


"Bella? Oh my God. I didn't realize that asshole finally gave you the phone. I'm so sorry you had to hear that," she said in one breath.


"Alice, what's wrong with Edward?"


"Bella, he's in the hospital. Look, there's so much I need to say to you…so much you need to see. Can you come out here?"


"Alice…I…I…"


"Bella, he needs you. I don't know…we don't know how much time he has left. Please say you'll come," she begged me.


I was straining to keep grip on my emotions but was losing control fast. Time seemed to slow down, but nothing could slow the ache in my chest or the tears that inevitably fell. I couldn't form a coherent thought much less a sentence, and I faintly heard Alice repeatedly calling my name. Jamie came to wrap his arms around me and took the phone from my hands as I collapsed to my knees.


"She'll have to call you back, Alice. Listen, she can't give you an answer right now, okay? I'll have her call you when she is ready. Bye, Alice," he said, hanging up and turning his complete attention to me.


"Bella, talk to me."


I turned my watery eyes to him and whispered, "The only man I've ever loved is dying; I have to go be with him."


Bella does go to her ex-husband and not only has to face the man who left her, but also his family.  She felt just as rejected by them as she did Edward.

We made it to the hospital in record time, which really wasn't a difficult feat at the ungodly hour of five in the morning.


Carlisle and Esme were already in the waiting area when we arrived. Standing to meet us, Esme opened her arms to me as if asking for a hug. "May I?"


"Of course, Esme. Sorry we had to see each other again under these circumstances."


She shrugged, placed her hands on my shoulders, and pulled away to look me over like a concerned mother. "While it isn't ideal, I still get to see you. So I'll take it. I still claim you as mine, you know."


I didn't want to cry, but Edward's mother's words cut right through me. I missed her. I missed all of them. Yet, no one called me, except Alice. I was hurt; I felt my annoyance and indignation begin to bubble inside me. If I was still hers, why hadn't she or any of them reached out to me? I had assumed that they just took Edward's side in the divorce. Not that there was really a side to take. He wanted out, and I let him go.


What else do you do when someone says they don't want you anymore?


As you read through the chapters of Unrequited, Perry has masterfully blended present-day circumstances with insightful flashbacks.  I have never read a story that so seamlessly intertwined the two throughout.  With Bella’s memories of earlier times, Perry shows the readers the important background information rather than tells them.

It is hard not to hate Edward, and his family by extension, for the trauma Bella has gone through and continues to go through when thrown back into their world.  However, as time passes, Bella learns more about the reasons behind Edward’s decision to leave.  I won’t give too much away here, but you slowly start to understand and sympathize somewhat for both sides.  Even if you want to strangle Edward’s pretty neck more than a few times.

With only a couple chapters left to post in Unrequited, run and read this amazing story by Perry Maxwell.  It will make you cry, laugh, and engage with the characters like few other great stories out there.

Last Call by Robsmyyummy Cabanaboy
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7596421/1/Last_Call
The past she's struggling to remember is the time he'd rather forget... Can they move beyond the scars and forge a new beginning together or have they missed their Last Call? AH, Rated M for language & eventual lemons. Twilight - Rated: M

Review by: Southern Fanfiction Review
Bella King suffers from retrograde amnesia which resulted from a car accident on her wedding night. The accident took the lives of her new husband and her parents. She's been left with no memories of her husband and only remembers her parents from years ago. She has no memory of her own life during the years leading up to the crash and is desperate to discover who she was.

While visiting a bar called Last Call, Bella and her friend Rosalie run into a handsome bartender.  He knows Bella’s drink of choice before she orders it.  He obviously knows Bella, but when she goes to the Lady’s Room and Rosalie asks him about it, this is his response:

"Who? Isabella? Hell no! I have a pretty liberal checklist on who I spend time with but kindness to other human beings falls into those standards. I wouldn't have dated your friend for all the money in the world. She was a raging, selfish bitch from the instant I met her until the blessed moment I didn't have to see her face anymore. Does that answer your question?  I'm your bartender here and will happily take care of your drink orders for the night. But honestly, there's not one shred of decency in your little friend back there. At least there wasn't when I knew her. And I really don't care to revisit those days, ok? Life's too short, you know? My name is Edward. Let me know if I can get you anything else."


Something tells me Edward is NOT interested in Bella.

Last Call is set on the Southern New Jersey Shore.  I asked Yummy (the author) where she came up with the idea for the story.  She said she grew up on the South Shore of New Jersey and there is actually a bar called Surf City Pub that reminds her of Last Call.   She even told me that a guy she had a crush on in High School has worked that bar and gave her free drinks…I wonder if he looked like Edward…

After talking with Yummy, I also learned that she is a Speech Pathologist, so she works with people who have retrograde amnesia just like Bella.  It’s facts like this that make Last Call not only believable, but very enjoyable to read.   Yummy gives you facts that are true, but also, very rarely answers all your questions.  The UST at this point in the story is killing most of her readers!!   But OH What a Way to Go!!!

I wanted to see what some of her readers were saying about Last Call.  This is what I found out:

ilive2read: ooohhh this is going to be a mystery for a while isn't it? going to keep me coming back trying to figure everything out lol. Looking forward to the next piece of the puzzle.

Kitty Vuitton: The suspense is killing me FYI. I want to see the fireworks and entertainment from when Edward and Bella finally meet again and he realizes she's completely different lol! Thanks for the early update love

FFLoverLaura: dun dun dun! holy crap so so good! effin love this babe! you knocked it outta the park. this chapter was awesome. gah! cannot wait for more! :)

There are lots of twists and turns in Last Call.  Bella ends up dating James (Edward’s Brother), Edward is engaged to be married to Tori.  And, oh, did I mention:  Edward Hates Bella?  Looking at all this, I don’t know how in the world the story is marked E/B.  But I promise the two love birds will eventually get together. 

Last Call’s beta is Monica Manunta or LaMomo.  Yummy told me that she absolutely could not write the story without Monica and that she trust her beta to keep her on track.  She said that if she ever felt like she couldn’t finish Last Call, she knew Monica could be there to make sure she stuck with it.  I appreciate relationships like this one in the fandom.  I think it’s a good thing that we learn we can’t always do it ourselves.

If you are looking for a fun read that keeps you on your toes, you can look no further than Last Call.  It is suspenseful, ustful, and a lot of fun to read!  We are also promised smokin’ hot lemons (and her readers plan to hold her to that).  Robsmyyummy Cabanaboy updates weekly on Wednesdays and she even gives us a teaser every Sunday.

We would love to have you join us Call Girls at The Cabanaboy’s Playground on Facebook.  That’s where teasers are posted and there is lots of RobPorn and conversation surrounding the story Last Call.  Thank you for taking the time to read my review!  I hope you will give Last Call a read, you will be glad you did!

Ride by Kris Salvador
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6253744/1/Ride
Bella wanted to fulfill a fantasy - to be groped inside a crowded train. She gets her wish and more, when a sex-starved ex-convict decides she's fair game. ALLHUMAN. Mature but with plot.
Twilight - Rated: M

Review by: Crooked Smile http://www.fanfiction.net/~crookedsmile101

This ride is hot. Fast and hard.

A girl.

Curious.

Let’s see if I can.

A man.

Gracious.

Let’s make sure you fucking can. And again and again and again.

"…without warning, he plunged his hand into my skirt and my leggings under it, going straight for my pussy. He started finger-fucking me in earnest, just in and out, in and out, fast and hard. His hand rubbed my clit hard, while it pistoned in and out of my tight, wet, hot pussy and it was insane, so fucking insane. Pleasure, hot and cold, raced all over my body. I didn't know where to concentrate, whether on his long finger fucking me, his breaths, ragged and crazy in my ear or the fact that I'm about to cum in a train full of people. I pressed my ass against his hard cock, grinding it. He pushed against me and I knew he must be dying to ram it inside me…"

Edward is just out of prison.

"Spread 'em, sweetheart."

Bella is a collage student.

"Don't stop. Don't stop. Don't fucking stop. Don't stop fucking."

Their union is hot, fast, hard.

"FUCK! Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

And impossible.

I walked a little faster, not looking back. Whoever it was better not make the mistake of harassing the chief of police's daughter. Everybody knew who I was and I wasn't exactly defenseless. Fuck you, fucker. “What do you want?”

Edward has secrest. Bella has a weakness. Starting with the words;

"Wanna go for a ride?"

"Hold on tight."

Oh God, oh God, oh God!

She tries to stay away.

But he is hard to deny, easy to comply.

And oh so very polite.

"Please, Isabella. Let me fuck you."

And she lets him in. And out. In and out. In and out. In and out.

"Breathe...," he gritted out. "Breathe, dammit."

"No, no more..." The pressure was rising again with him inside me and if I came one more time, I was certain I'd break.

"Just one more, baby, one more." Her skin glowed from exertion, her hair a wild cloud on her head. Gorgeous, just fucking gorgeous.

"One more...just one more..." Too much...oh, God. Edward! Oh God, oh God, oh God.


Life puts them on a train and sends them on a ride. A ride that is fast and hot and hard. A ride that you’ll love and hate with equal passion. Why don’t I ever find that kind of train?


Kris Salvador doesn’t put unnecessary words in her Ride. A story with a perfect balance of plot and smut. The best smut! We all were still screaming for more but when she was done, they were done. And it was perfectly done.


Now...wanna go for a ride?

Words With Strangers by Nolebucgrl
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7176635/1/Words_with_Strangers
EPOV Companion Piece to Words with Friends. Movie star Edward Cullen is done with women and focused on his career. A stranger reaches out to him via Words with Friends. Will her words change his mind? Twilight - Rated: M

Review by: JenRar http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1669516/

I just have to say it's an honor to review Nolebucgrl's Words with Strangers. I love Nole...her stuff is amazing.

Now to the nitty gritty. Words with Strangers is the companion piece to Words with Friends and tells the story through Edward's POV. Some of the chapters are a bit repetitive if you read the same part in Bella's POV, but I like to read them both anyway, because she does a fabulous job of getting into Edward's head. Yes, we “hear” the same dialogue, but what was Edward thinking when they talked? You don't know unless you read it from his POV. And Nole is good about telling you ahead of time if the chapters are virtually the same or if there are enough differences, you need to read both. Even when she said they were the same, I still read both—because like I said, I love getting into Edward's head, and she does it so well.

Now to the heart of the story... Bella and her friends are huge fans of movie star Edward Cullen. One day, they see him on an interview talking about playing Words with Friends—you know, that game you can play on your phone and what not—and she and Alice both decided to try and figure out his username to play with him.

Imagine sitting down at your computer, trying to figure out what Robert Pattinson's username is. You could try silly things like his actual name (but he'd be kind of stupid to do that. ;) ), or KStewLuvr, or EdwardCullenRocks. That's the dilemma Alice and Bella are faced with—and when both start talking to someone, they both think they are right. Of course, this wouldn't be a Bella/Edward fic if Alice was the one talking to him, would it?

So Words with Strangers opens on the day Edward receives a new game invite from someone named BluBell22. He decides what the heck, he might as well see if it's someone he knows, so he plays and then asks if he knows them before closing the game. When he comes back, it's their first conversation :
______________________________________________________________

No, I just wanted someone new to play with.

You and me both, my new friend. Too bad the only playing I'd be doing would be with myself for awhile.

Oh, I didn't mean it like that! Sorry, I'm a spaz.

I found myself laughing. A spaz? That was different. Well, better a spaz than a stalker, right?

She/he had played spy. Hmm, that was an interesting choice of words to go with my stalker thought. Oh well, what was the harm in responding? I needed to find out if my new friend was a male or a female, because calling them he/she was kind of dumb. Time to have a little fun with my spaz.

A spaz? That's too bad. Here I was thinking my favorite cheese had come to life and was reaching out to me. I guess my nutritionist will be thankful that's not the case. I like playing with someone new, on occasion. Your move, Cheese Girl/Guy?

We'll see what they have to say to that. I played phage on their spy. Dad would be so proud of me retaining some of his medical knowledge, though I'd actually learned that one when I'd guested on Grey's Anatomy.

I closed the app just as Garrett told me it was almost time. Here we go again.
________________________________________________________________________

That's how their communication is for quite a while, and their relationship grows from there. It's so fun to watch as they both develop feelings for one another. I don't want to give a lot away, but suffice it to say, it isn't a totally smooth road!

One other thing Nolebucgrl does well is her side characters. I will state here (and I told her this in reviews, too! LOL) that I HATE Alice at first. I love her now, but she is a hard pill to swallow at first. But Rose (Bella's other friend) and Emmett (Edward's brother) are the perfect companions for Bella and Edward and just so much fun to read. Not only are Rose and Emmett great, but Edward's manager and publicist, Garrett and Kate, and his parents—his mother, especially—Esme and Carlisle, are quite hysterical. I've laughed so hard I've nearly been in tears several times because of one of more of those people.

To me, that's the mark of a great fic writer. There are a lot of people who can write an Edward (and Bella) that we fall in love with. Let's face it...Edward isn't a hard character to make lovable! But in the books, the other characters are mainly in the background. Nolebucgrl can take her side characters and make them just as lovable, just as fun and funny, without them taking over the story. They make you want to be their friend or their family member. I love that. There's not a review that goes by that I don't mention one or more of them when they appear. They are just that damn good.

If you haven't given Words with Strangers (and by extension Words with Friends!) a shot, this is your chance. She posts fairly regularly, so you'll never be left wanting *too* long, and they are fun, easy, and highly entertaining reads. Plus, the eventual lemons are damn well worth the wait! WWF/WWS gets a definite 5 out of 5 stars for me. (And don't forget to check out her other stories. First & Ten and Sideline Collision are both also brilliant.)

Welcome to TLS Nursey!

Welcome to TLS Nursery! Here we nurture all of the newborn stories (stories published within the last 30 days) that we love! Everything in our nursery has been read and approved by a few - or a lot - of the TLS ladies and we think you will enjoy cuddling up to these babies as well.

There are some great stories to check out this month! So let's help nurture these babies with the love they deserve. Happy reading, and remember to let them know that TLS sent you.

Have a great Saturday!

XOXO

Name by LitLover808

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7945544/1/Name

Edward Masen, recently released from parole, meets Bella Swan. As their lives intersect, he realizes he cannot seem to get the beautiful brunette out of his mind or his life. All Human with Regular Pairings.

Storm Warning by SydneyAlice

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7924366/1/Storm_Warning

Living in Tornado Alley has made Bella very cynical when it comes to weather. When she and Edward find themselves trapped in the storm, both learn a lesson in heeding warnings and trusting your heart.

No Measure of Time by cosmogirl7481

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7876593/1/No_Measure_of_Time

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, no matter how much time and distance you allow, there are some things, some people you never get over. What happens when the one who got away is the very one you refuse to let go? E/B Rated M for adult themes.

Everybody Knows by TheSlantedKind

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7909447/1/EVERYBODY_KNOWS

Innocent Bella is shunned, convicted of betraying Fork's very own golden boy. He turned his back on her. Finding out the truth may break him. Based on John Legend lyrics. Credits to: EmPaige original author.

Lucky Girl by zaza724

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7897598/1/Lucky_Girl

"Wise guys, shy guys, and sly lover boys with big bad bedroom eyes. I never loved a man I trusted as far as I could pitch my shoe 'til I loved you. I'm a lucky girl." M for language/lemons. Canon couples. AU/AH

Happiness Defined by muggleinlove

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7907272/1/Happiness_Defined

After the death of her parents, Bella moves in with her aunt Esme and her family. Edward is Carlisle's brother who is starting his life over in Forks after a bitter divorce. Can the two make it despite outside obstacles?

Review by SusanQ

It’s been over a year since we’ve had a new story from Muggleinlove and this one is off to a great start! Bella is a 17 year old who just lost her parents in a car accident. Edward is in his late 20s and just moved to Forks after a bitter divorce. They’ve both come to stay with Carlisle and Esme and the attraction to each other is immediate.

"Welcome to Forks," he replied returning a half smile. Our eye contact lasted a little longer than usual before I broke away biting my lip nervously.

…I could still feel his eyes on me as I started to eat, but I avoided looking his way focusing instead on my food.

Edward and Bella both have a lot they’re dealing with and they share a lot of common interests. The pair meets to talk each evening and despite their difference in age, have formed a nice bond. It’s all very innocent until Edward hears Bella talking to her friends about her feelings for him.

"I've tried to stay away," he said his fingers softly caressing mine. "But I can't."

Then don't," I answered…

Get in on this story while it’s still new. Muggleinlove doesn’t disappoint.

Watching Her by les16

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7956616/1/Watching_Her

She's his Drummer Girl. She plays. She dances. She's got secrets. He watches her. If he comes out of the woods will she let him in or close the doors forever? Daily Updates. AH.

Meet the Poll: What we read in TLS this week

Each week we share with you what we are reading and enjoying. The following made the top of our lists last week. Please help us determine which 5 of these will be featured as fics of the week, next week, by choosing FIVE from the poll on the right



A Room With A View by ShortHappyLife-rec'd by Jaime Arkin

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6326472/1/A_Room_With_a_View

Endless scripts to read, a tyrant boss to tolerate, and a rather lackluster personal life. It was a good thing Bella Swan's office provided the perfect view of the building's hotshot lawyer. Now if only they'd share more than a glance each day. E/B  Twilight - Rated: M



An Angry Man by Katinki-rec'd by Suebee Betafairy

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5883000/1/An_Angry_Man

Edward is a bitter, angry man, a man suffering the sins of his past. An emotional & physical recluse, he pushes everyone away. That is, until Bella, a mysterious woman with her own demons, enters his world and forces him to face himself. AH Twilight - Rated: M



An Unobservable Entity by Mortissues-rec'd by Susan Q Susan

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7894824/1/An_Unobservable_Entity

I look like you, but I'm not. I see your world, but I'm not a part of it. I could be the college kid sat across from you in the coffee shop, the young runaway beside you on the bus, or the beauty you're admiring on the dance floor. Pray that I'm not. Twilight - Rated: M 



Choices by Twilover76-rec'd by Remmy

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7220545/1/Choices

Did you ever wish Bella was more confident? Edward less rigid? Jacob less of a pain-in-the-ass? This is Twilight if Alice saw everything coming before Bella moved to Forks. AU/Canon/M

Twilight - Rated: M 



Collared by Irishchicka1-rec'd by Twilover76

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7719787/1/

The Volturi brothers have their hands in everything bad...Drugs, Murder & Sexual Perversion. FBI Spec. Agent Edward Masen joins DEA Spec. Agent Isabella Swan in a dangerous undercover operation of BDSM and their own unspoken desires. Twilight - Rated: M



Full Circle by JenRar-rec'd by Drotuno

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7731747/1/Full_Circle

Edward left Bella in New Moon to keep her safe. Not all monsters are immortal, and fate usually gets its way, no matter how hard you fight it. Rated M for language, lemons, and adult situations. Twilight - Rated: M 



Harvard Can Wait by Tongue-Twied-rec'd by Shahula Fanfiction

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7745971/1/bHarvard_b_bCan_b_bWait_b

Growing up, Bella and Edward learn that being able to be yourself is 50% about where you are and 50% about who you are with. Twilight - Rated: M



In Places No One Will Find by CarrieCee-rec'd by Edmazing

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7440948/1/In_Places_No_One_Will_Find

When a hazing prank goes wrong, troublemaker Edward is thrown together with the unpopular daughter of the Police Chief. Bella Swan was the last person Edward was likely to fall for. But Bella has a lot to teach Edward about himself, love, life and loss. Twilight - Rated: M



Last Tango in Forks by Awesomesauce76-rec'd by Jordan929

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5918985/1/Last_Tango_in_Forks

Bella Swan has spent a lifetime putting everyone else's needs before her own. Could a chance encounter with a mysterious stranger begin to change all of that? AU/AH Twilight - Rated: M 



Once Bitten by TwiLoverSue-rec'd by Suebee Betafairy

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7046967/1/Once_Bitten

Edward finally meets the love of his existence but can't resist her singer's blood. Can their fairytale love survive a horror beginning or will Bella's newborn grief, an outraged wolf pack, and the offended Volturi deny them their happily ever after? Twilight - Rated: M



Rosebud by Arabella's-rec'd by Jessica Meraux

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6806825/1/Rosebud

Millionaire Edward fell quickly for small town Bella, and their dreamy romance soon led to wedding bells. When their new marriage is about to fall apart, Bella goes missing. Edward is determined to search for her, but does Bella want to be found? AU-Human

Twilight - Rated: M 



Secrets, Lies and Family Ties by IdPattThat-re'cd by Agrutle

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5450045/1/Secrets_Lies_Family_Ties

He walked away from his true love for his career. Now, five years later, one phone call changes Edward Cullen's life in a way he never expected. AU/AH. Rated M for language.

Twilight - Rated: M 



Shattered Perfection by Josabbimommy-rec'd by Six Dlbfive

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6329159/1/Shattered_Perfection

Bella has everything. Perfect husband, perfect kids, perfect life. Until one day, her world changes, and the perfection she thought she had is shattered. Will she be able to pull her life together and survive on her own? AU, AH, Rated M for eventual lemon Twilight - Rated: M 



Surrogate Love by Shwriteme-rec'd by Lamomo

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4962935/1/

Bella is a sexual therapist with unusual methods. When she goes on sabbatical to write a book, Dr. Hale calls in a favor and sends her a new patient. Bella must put aside her training and follow her instincts to help Edward overcome his difficulties. Twilight - Rated: M 



The Bear by Lady Gwynedd-rec'd by Nic

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7827855/1/The_Bear

I wasn't at all sure about returning to Forks after my father died. But like a siren—not the one that came with his police cruiser, but the ones that lured you in too close to the rocks—I couldn't resist. Fate has a funny sense of humor. Twilight - Rated: M



The Selkie Man by DarkBlueBella-rec'd by Jessica Meraux

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6758760/1/The_Selkie_Man

 A summer studying Scottish folktales leads to Bella Swan meeting a stranger unlike anyone she has ever met. Can she let herself believe that myth and legend might also be reality?

Twilight - Rated: M



The Vagina Monologues by Jtmd24-rec'd by JC Mazen

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7154948/1/The_Vagina_Monologues

What happens when 2 strangers have a 1-night-stand in college? Life. But not the way you planned. It's raising a foul-mouthed toddler, selling sex toys & trying to make your dreams come true. Oh, and running into your drunken hook-up 5yrs later. AH/AU Twilight - Rated: M 



Theories of Bellativity by Kikki7-rec'd by Twilover76

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6932812/1/Theories_of_Bellativity

Bella Swan is a physician assistant student trying to survive a grueling clinical year. Add Dr. Edward Cullen, a cocky, irresistible ob/gyn resident. Throw in some chocolate, sprinkle with a few of Bella's quirky theories about life, and see what happens. Twilight - Rated: M



This Buried Life by Emmanuelle Nathan-rec'd by Nic

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5783211/1/This_Buried_Life

Bella Swan is content with her career and her new life in London but feels that there is still something missing. Will a chance encounter with sinister yet intriguing stranger hold the answer to what she truly desires? AU. Rated M for lemony reasons. Twilight - Rated: M



Volition by Rochelle Allison-rec'd by Michelle

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5115662/1/Volition

It's Belfast, N.Ireland and the year is 1972. Bella's worried about her brother and his best friend, Edward, and their dangerous involvement in the Irish Republican Army. Is it really wise to fall in love with a rebel? Twilight - Rated: M 

TLS Fics of the Week 3/22/12 - 3/28/12: The Fab Five reviews are up!

Close Your Eyes by CaraNo

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7799137/1/Close_Your_Eyes

Bella barely remembers her godparents, but after losing her mom and dad, she's shipped off to rainy Washington to live with the Cullens for her final semester in high school. On the outside, the Cullens are perfect. Behind closed doors is another matter. Twilight - Rated: M



Reviewed by: Lisa A. Hollett


If you’ve read Cara No’s stories before, please heed this warning, this story is not like the others! Close Your Eyes is full of angst. Hard-core angst. The prologue gives you just a hint of what sort of heartfail is to come. But if you trust Cara as I do, you’ll steel yourself and keep reading. She will always make the pain worth it.



Her story starts with a Prologue which gives the reader a glimpse at the future for Edward and Bella. And from the looks of it, it’s bleak.

--

Tears stream down her cheeks. I swallow bile.



"What?" I exhale harshly.
 

Her last words are soft, shallow, but they couldn't cut deeper.
 

"I hate you."
 

With that said, she turns to leave.


I hate you.



I hate you.
 

I hate you.
 

It's suddenly impossible to breathe.


My eyes blur.



I watch her retreating form until she's out of sight.
 

Don't worry, baby. I hate me, too.

--



Bella’s parents have been killed, and she has moved to Forks live with her godparents, the Cullens. The circumstances surrounding her parents’ deaths have yet to be fully disclosed, but Bella’s guilt over the event is obvious immediately. We get glimpses that the life she left behind in Phoenix was full of heartbreak and tragedy.



--




Rosalie, who has her back to me, asks the question I want the answer to. "Her name was Alice?"


Tinks looks down at her lap. "Yeah, she died when we were fifteen."


Jesus.



Emmett hands me the joint we share, and I take a deep pull from it, feeling my eyes glaze over as I hold my breath.
 

"She always reminded me of Tinkerbell," Tinks…my Tinks…continues quietly. "So, last year I managed to convince my folks to let me get a tattoo in her memory."
 

I exhale.
 

"That sucks," Rosalie mutters. "That she died, I mean. How'd she die?"
 

It's clear that the questions are unwelcome, but I fucking want the answers.
 

So, I don't interrupt.


"She killed herself."

--- 

Edward Cullen lives an incredibly private life. Big Man on Campus in public; in private, it’s a very different story. He is desperate to get out of Forks and head off to college, even if it is to Johns Hopkins to pursue a medical degree he has no interest in.
 

He’s counting the days until he’s away from his father. Snippets of just what sort of a father is Carlisle have started to appear in the story, but the full scope of Edward’s waking nightmare has not yet been revealed. Though from what we’ve seen, it doesn’t look pretty.

--

I kill the engine and switch off my phone before stepping out of the car.



Dad hates it when my phone rings. It's a distraction.
 

"Here we go," I sigh, opening the door. The house smells clean. Maybe because I've spent the past two days making sure there are no traces left of my two weeks without parents.
 

I clear my throat and take off my jacket.



"Dad?"
 

My mind is going hundred miles a minute as I try to come up with anything that may piss him off. Have I accidently left a pizza box somewhere? Didn't I empty the laundry? Has he heard anything from school? Are there any test results he could be disappointed in?



"In the kitchen, son."


Funny how my spine reacts to his voice before my fucking ears do.


Fourteen steps later, I reach the kitchen. As always, Dad is in a suit.



"Hey," I say lamely, shifting on my feet. My hands go to my pockets.


Dad looks up from the mail he has spread out on the kitchen island. Then he looks down again, saying nothing for a while. He has a knack for making a guy sweat. And I can see that it's not just the mail he has on the island. There are also a few tests and school reports I've gotten back while he was away.

Straight A's. Anything else is unacceptable. When I came home with a B- once…

--
 

But, don’t fear that it’s all sorrow and sadness, Edward and his Tinks connect very quickly and very intimately. It wouldn’t be a Cara No story without some insanely hot lemons. These two share a love for marijuana and a growing, inescapable desire for each other. Luckily for us, they act on that desire often.


--

"Ride me," I pant. "I'm gonna film us."
 

She moans loudly, using my thighs as leverage, and then she fucks me.
 

Slowly and deeply.
 

With each swivel of her hips, I groan.
 

And I look at us through my phone.
 

Recording.
 

Capturing.
 

I watch how my cock, wet from her juices, slips in and out of her.



I feel how her muscles constrict around me.



I blink slowly, caught in something weird. It's like I'm lost. The pleasure fucking consumes me, and I drop the phone…Iforget the phone…and am I even breathing? I have no fucking idea but, suddenly, my hands are on her hips, and I slam her down on me, making both of us cry out. Euphoria. Dizziness. And then she's coming. And then I'm coming. Every muscle in me tenses. My fucking toes curl. My thighs throb. My cock pulses in her pussy. Nope, not breathing.

--

I’m her beta, so I have a little bit of advance knowledge of what’s going to happen in this story. She advised early on for readers to “put on their big girl panties”, and I second that advice. It is not going to be an easy road for Edward and Bella; they are going to struggle and suffer, and there will probably be chapters when it seems like all hope is lost. But it isn’t. They’re Cara No’s characters, and they adhere to her rules. They don’t cheat on each other, and they always get their Happily Ever After. Take a chance on this story. It’ll make you hurt, and it’ll make you cry, and it’ll make you believe that love conquers all.

Rhapsody in B by Lillybellis-rec'd by Jaime Arkin

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5427856/1/

When a rising musician falls in love with his small-town childhood friend, can their yearly New Year's Eve tradition bring them together once he rockets to stardom and leaves her behind?

Twilight - Rated: M

Reviewed by: Jaime Arkin


It's hard for me to explain how dear this author is to me and how much I adore her writing. I fell in love with Lillybellis when I stumbled upon Rhapsody in B. Of course, I was late to the party but I do remember sitting up until an ungodly hour in the morning devouring the chapters, needing and wanting more, wiping the tears and stifling the laughs.   I'm not even exaggerating in the least with that statement.  In fact, this story was my absolute favorite story of all time ... until she wrote We Come to Life Beneath the Stars.(lol I'm allowed to say that right cuz it's the same author! Come on! She holds my top 2 spots!!)



I struggle with putting into words all the different parts of this story because it's not just about loss or love or traditions... it's about all those things, but it's also about friendships, and growing up, and dreaming, and ultimately about finding your place in life. Knowing where you're supposed to be and who you're supposed to be with.  And to be perfectly honest, I’m afraid I can’t do this story justice.
 

Rhapsody in B takes place over a series of New Year's Eves starting in 1975 and it all begins with one person's desire to build and have a tradition to cling to.  We get Charlie's point of view in the prologue:
 

"I know you didn't. I just...I miss being home. Doing these things makes me feel like I'm there with my family, even though I'm not."
 

 She leaned back into my chest, so warm and small. I wrapped my arms around her, so tight, because I just wanted to protect her. I wanted her to have everything, but we were both so young, and we barely had a pot to piss in. If I could make her happy by watching a stupid countdown and eating whatever it was she was cooking that really did smell delicious, then I would do it.
 

 "This means a lot to you," I said.
 

 "I thought it would be a nice thing to do every year, something we could share with our kids once they're old enough, and then they could share it with their kids, and on and on and on...
 

 Our first new years officially happens in 1990 when Bella is 14 and she’s recently lost her mother.  The yearly tradition of celebrating with family and friends still stands as a testament to what she meant to everyone.  The whole gang is accounted for, Jasper, Alice, Rose, Emmett and Edward.  While Renee isn’t physically at each one of the celebrations, she’s definitely a big part of each chapter, whether it’s the mention of a song, or someone sharing a memory and I love the way Lillybellis weaves all the details together.  The guitar she gave Edward and even something as simple as making hot chocolate reminds readers that this person had a profound impact on the two main characters of this story.



When we first meet Edward, he's the awkward older brother of Bella's best friend Alice.  He's sweet, he's cute and he's adorable. Did I mention that he sings and he plays the piano and guitar too?  He's an aspiring musician but in 1993 everything changes.  Edward is 'discovered', and it forces them to acknowledge (sort of) their feelings:
 

"The greatest thing. It's the best thing I could've ever wished for you, Edward, and I'm so excited that your dreams are coming true," I told him, more tears falling from my eyes as I spoke.
 

 "You're excited and you're crying." He shook his head, smiling.
 

 "Well…" I began, not really sure what I was supposed to say.
 

 He moved his hands so that I could feel each of his thumbs right by my ears as he brought his face closer to mine. The only sound I could hear was my breathing as he leaned over and gently kissed the spots where my tears were falling, first on my right cheek, and then on my left.
 

 I brought my hands up to grip his arms, because I felt like my world was spinning and I just needed something to hold on to, and I wanted it to be him.
 

"I'm going to miss you," I whispered, and I knew he heard it, because his forehead was resting against mine, and I could feel his breath on my cheek.
 

 "Say that again," he asked, but he was telling me more than anything. "Please…say it again."

"I'm going to miss you," I whispered. "I'm going to miss you so much."
 

 "God, I..." He stopped himself before he said anything else, and I could feel him shifting his feet just a little bit, like he was fighting with his body to stay where he was. "I'll come back, B. I promise you that I'll come back." His thumbs moved up and down my cheeks, soothing, comforting. "I shouldn't..."
 

 I felt every word he said on my skin, his lips so close to me that even though they weren't quite touching me when he talked, I could feel them moving anyway. He stood there, battling with himself, and I wasn't sure what he was fighting,  but his mouth was right there, and all I could think about was what it would feel like to kiss him.
 

 I moved my face toward his just the tiniest bit, and I felt his top lip on mine, and his breath mixing with mine, and it was wrong and it was right and my heart and my brain were all jumbled up, and he was so close, and I thought maybe he wanted it too, but he'd been drinking and it seemed like he was getting ready to run away, and I wasn't sure of anything anymore. But I made up my mind to move forward the two centimeters it would take to taste him, because I had never felt anything like this before, and I just had to know-
 

 I want to copy and paste every damn chapter here for everyone because I love every single word of it.  But I won’t.  I won't give anything more away about this beautiful story. I honestly can't without telling you the whole thing and I won't do that, you need to go read it for yourself.  Lillybellis's writing is incredible.  It has a clean and natural flow with intelligent dialogue layered with emotion.  The story isn't filled with lemons, it isn't based on an over the top premise and never ending angst, it's simply a superbly told story that brings back memories of growing up.  I promise you will laugh (slap bracelets, Crystal Pepsi, 90210 & NKOTB references) you will cry (I did, and I never ever do!) and you will want more and more.  There are twelve chapters to this lovely story and I suggest you go now, and read them, and please leave her some love.  

Distractions by Windchymes

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5759303/1/Distractions

An unexpected discovery and Bella realises Edward lied when he left her. She is determined to find him, but as she searches she finds there is more to Edward Cullen than she ever realised.

Twilight - Rated: M



Reviewed by: Dragnfli



I have been meaning to read a windchymes story for quite some time now and was not disappointed when I picked up Distractions.  Now, I am not a Stephanie Meyer hater, or one to bash the wonderful books that brought us all together here, yearning for some more Edward/Bella time, BUT this story could easily replace New Moon for me.
 

The story starts the December after Edward leaves Bella in the woods. Jacob comes over with a Christmas tree as per Charlie’s request. The thing with this is that Bella and Jacob never get to have the deeper friendship that they had in New Moon because after Christmas and New Year’s, when Jacob is helping to take the tree down, Bella has a major discovery.
 

The tree makes a hole in the ceiling and amongst the plaster that falls, certain things also fall down, such as the cd Edward made her, the plane tickets to Florida, the pictures.  Bella quickly stashes them, only to lay them out on her bed later that night and ponder what it all means.
 

It all fell into place. I groaned as I slid from the rocking chair and sank to the floor, resting my head on the edge of the bed while I hugged myself and a new pain ripped through me.
 

It had been a lie.
 

Not about loving me, about leaving me.
 

He'd left to protect me.
 

From his world, from him.



And slowly, my mind put out a toe to test the water, and then it unlocked my heart and let it out.


He still loved me.
 

My heart started to pound and my breaths were sharp and shallow. Tears spilled onto my cheeks and ran down my face.


He still loved me.
 

I began to shake, almost too scared to believe. This new truth was a fragile, delicate thing. I had to embrace it slowly, gently, in case it broke and shattered and I was left with the emptiness again. I'd been so long in the dark, I was squinting now against the light.
 

I hugged my new truth, letting it grow and strengthen. Letting it fill me up, I checked it for flaws and impossibilities, but could find none.
 

He loves me.


And now, the truth became solid and real and sure as I remembered new things, things I'd been too distracted to see before.
 

The press of his lips against my forehead as he'd said goodbye - how they'd lingered.



He loves me.


The flicker in his eyes as he'd pulled away. I'd been so distraught I hadn't understood it at the time but I understood now. It was the moment his heart had broken.


"Oh, Edward." My tears flowed faster.



This urges Bella to try and find Edward...to let him know the she knows the truth, even if he still doesn’t want to be with her anymore. 
 

The thing that I ultimately love about this story is the evolution of Edward and Bella and their love for one another, their acceptance of each other and of themselves.  Bella realized things about herself and her actions toward Edward that she wouldn’t have if she hadn’t gone on her journey to find him. Edward also finds himself and we see a playful, seventeen-year-old side to him as well. 



Windchymes did such a fantastic job with this AU story and I can’t wait to read more by her!  Please give this a read!  It’s complete and completely wonderful!

Ethan Church by Dryler-rec'd by Twific Crackmum

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5090892/1/

When Bella accepts an offer to write the biography of a severely reclusive author, the old, dying man she's presented with and the young, too perfect man she meets while there convince her she's missing some very important parts of the story. E/B, AU. Twilight - Rated: M



Reviewed by: Twific Crackmum

I'll start by saying that I love a mystery story - and while Ethan Church by dryler isn't exactly a mystery, it certainly is mysterious. Bella Swan works for a publishing company, which is a well-worn career path for our heroine, except in this case she is not an author, but a translator of other people's work. That's why she is amused and suprised when she receives a letter from one of her employers most successful authors, Ethan Church, asking her to personally write a memoir of his life. She politley declines his offer, advising him that there must have been a misunderstanding because she is not actually an author. However, she decides to read one of his books, and ends up completely besotted (a la Twilight - we've all been there!) reading book after book, calling in sick to work so that she can keep reading.

Ethan Church is a very old man. His first book was published in 1938. He has 48 novels published, and is a world-wide success. Yet very little is known about him. Theories abound that he is not even actually a real person, but a collective of writers who have secretly banded together. Surely no one man could have produced these books over such a long period of time? After her mini reading meltdown, Bella vows to put aside any more reading of Mr. Church's books, and get back to her old routine. However, she receives another letter, assuring her that there has been no misunderstanding, and that Mr Church does indeed want to hire her. Included with the letter is a plane ticket to Seattle. The old man needs her to come and stay with him, in his home, so he can tell his story, as he is too old and infirm to travel. Bella decides to go.

Bella's introduction to Ethan Church is a shock:


The appearance of the man sitting on the couch on the other side of the room stops me in my tracks. His frailty is shocking. He has pale, delicate looking skin, white wispy hair, and his hunched frame is dwarfed by the plush couch and pillows surrounding him. Logically I knew he couldn't be young, but the power of his words seems to have led me to unknowingly expect someone with the physical power of youth, despite the rational impossibility



They quickly get down to business though, with Mr Church nonchalantly explaining that he is dying, which is why he requires Bella to write his memoir, quite urgently. So Bella settles into this strange household, run by Mr Church's elderly housekeeper, Adelaide. She agrees to meet with Ethan every morning, as that is when he is at his most energetic.

On her very first night in the house, Bella has an "encounter", or is it her imagination? During a severe thunder storm, she believes she sees a young man, illuminated in the dark by a flash of lightning, but soon dismisses this as the overactive imagination of a tired girl living in a creepy house. When she mentions it to the housekeeper the next morning, Adelaide alludes to the fact that the house has a resident ghost.

Work with the enigmatic Mr Church begins. There are problems right from the start:

"Alright." He takes a deep breath and carefully adjusts the sleeve of his shirt. "I suppose I should start at the very beginning, which precipitously enough happens to be one of the most important parts of my story. I, Miss Swan, was birthed from death."

 "You mean your mother died in childbirth?"

"I'm going to have to insist that you don't ask me any questions. The only way to properly tell a story is to tell it the way it's meant to be told, and questions only pull you out of the narrative and put you down somewhere else you're not meant to be yet, if at all. One must let a narrative follow its natural course."

"I'm sorry."

"I'll also have to insist that you don't do that. I can't stand apologies; people so rarely mean them. Not that I'm saying you don't, you seem like a very genuine young woman, it's merely a general rule. As for you having something to apologize for, I'd say you most certainly don't. I had meant to tell you that before we started, but as I'm sure you've noticed I'm well aged, much like wine, but with less positive results."
 

So, Ethan begins to tell the story of his life, often in ways that sound like riddles. Here's another example of his strange tale



"In 1935, I got a brother. It only happened because of my sister. She was obsessed with children, babies in particular. She insisted the family be expanded, and our parents were loath to deprive us of anything that would make us happy, within reason, of course. So I gained a younger brother, a very happy one. I'm sure he was a pleasant change for our parents.


"They got along very well, my sister and my brother. We all agreed she was much more palatable to live with after that, not necessarily pleasant, but palatable."


Can you see what is happening here? It's such a strange and wonderful story - and I don't want to give too much away. Yes, Edward does show up, never fear! He captures Bella's attention with his love of literature and astute mind. Bella is perplexed though when Edward tells her that he has never read any of Ethan Church's novels - and never will. I'm just going to give you one more clue as to Edward's role in this story - hope I don't give it away ;)



"What's the point of avoiding Ethan Church's novels if you already think like that?"


"Like what?"


"Like... everything is bad, like life and people are completely horrible."


"The books tell stories, unpleasant stories about crumbling people, but they aren't intended as an analysis of life or mankind in general."



"I thought you didn't read them."


"I don't. That doesn't mean I don't know what's in them. There's a big difference between knowing and experiencing."



This is a short story, at only 13 chapters, so it's a really quick and very satisfying read. You wont be sorry :)

Mine by SuzyQSparkles-rec'd by Dragnfli Threethreesix

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7623135/1/Mine

Bella, a sophmore in college, is an artist who has recently joined a sorority where she does not fit in. While Edward, a senior in college, is the all too perfect president of the fraternity two houses down. In this story all characters are human. Twilight - Rated: M 




Reviewed by: evilnat
 

‘Mine’ by SuzyQSparkles is an AH E & B fic set in college.  It is well written and a little serious, but it doesn’t come across as too heavy.  Each chapter is an alternate Edward or Bella point of view that replays each situation as the other sees it, and you might think it would be repetitive seeing as they are both going over the same thing, but it isn't.  A lot of the beginning of the story there is minimal interaction between the two and when they finally do spend some time together their internal monologues and demeanors are so different that you find it interesting to find out what they were thinking.  Especially Edward.
 

Bella Swan is an arty sophomore and an unlikely member of a sorority.  Edward Cullen is an intense serious senior and president of a fraternity.  Bella has a history that seems to have affected her more than she wants to admit.   Edward also has some demons that are slowly being revealed.  He has sworn to himself that he will never fall in love and his fascination with Bella almost shocks him, because of this, he tries to act distant but just comes across as an asshole. 
 

The UST is high from the moment Edward and Bella meet.  They have a class in common and are partnered up for an assignment, so as much as they try to avoid each other they can’t. 
 

FUCK. The word screamed through my mind. I hardly ever swore, but right now I was cursing up a storm in my head. Of course, Hands would be Edward Cullen. And, damn him, even his voice was sexy. Rough, sex-warmed velvet.




"Jessica, who's your friend? I don't believe I've had the pleasure."




Jessica giggled. I suddenly fiercely hated her giggle. "Oh, this is just Isabella Swan. So, I heard you were in France last semester?"
 

"Hello, Bella" he murmured. The four syllables caused a slow meltdown inside of me. And then his words fully registered.
 

My head snapped up and I responded quickly, "How did you know to call me Bella?"
 

His face shuttered and he shrugged. He shrugged as if my question meant nothing, as if he wasn't going to bother answering me. Whatever. Now I was pissed. I was still turned on and somewhat, well…..dazzled…. but my anger was focusing my thoughts. He was going to answer me.
 

"How did you know to call me Bella?" I demanded. I wasn't going to be treated like I didn't matter, like I was nothing. He wasn't going to just ignore me. No freaking way.


He smirked as if my anger was somehow amusing to him; then he lifted his gorgeous, supercilious eyebrow. "I was up when you called Emmett last night" he said. His tone was bored and slightly condescending, as if I was ridiculous for even asking such a mundane question.
 

I stared at him. He looked pissed. Why the heck would he be mad at me? What did I do? He didn't even know me. Maybe he was mad because I called last night. He probably didn't want anyone disturbing the fraternity house he lorded over. Whatever. I hated him, I told myself fiercely. He was a supercilious, arrogant asshole and I didn't care how sexy his hands were. My body whispered that it did care but I resolutely decided to ignore it.



Bella’s bedroom window faces the window of the president’s office in his frat house; he sees her and has feelings for her before they even meet. 
 

I bent down slightly to take a peek. It probably didn't even work. I put my eye to the eye piece and started to tinker with the focus. Slowly the blur cleared and a picture came into focus. My breath caught. It was a woman's naked back.
 

My eyes widened and my heart sped as I realized that the telescope was being used to spy into a sorority house three houses down.



I told myself to lift my head and stop looking. That spying on someone was wrong in so many ways. But I couldn't lift my head. I was transfixed. Her long shapely legs led up to the most luscious ass I had ever seen. And her narrow waist accented it perfectly. Her long luscious hair fell in wavy russet curtains down her back. It would give a man something to hold onto, I mussed in appreciation. I felt my dick harden as I continued to stare at her.



She bent at the waist leaving her legs straight and slightly parted. It gave me a perfect view of the little cleft of her pussy. Fuck. My dick was standing at full attention now desperately wanting to ram into that little cleft. Pound into her. Hear her cries echoing off the wall coupled with the rhythmic slap of our bodies.
 

Fuck. I felt like I was going to cum and I had only been looking at her for sixty seconds. Where was this shit coming from? I usually liked control. Liked to make it last. Pleasurable vanilla sex with only a few twists and turns. But one look at this girls pussy and suddenly I wanted to dominate her. Fuck her without preliminaries. Make her admit my ownership.

 Wait. Ownership? She was a stranger. I didn't even know her. I needed to stop looking. Right. Now.



I didn't stop looking.
 

Jessica is the character you love to hate; she’s a bitchy, jealous, fake sorority sister who deliberately makes trouble for Bella.



Angela looked at me. I could tell she was debating about whether or not to press me for more details but before she could, Jessica walked into the kitchen.



"Hey girls" Jessica called out.
 

"Hey Jess" I responded and bit my lip. I didn't want to have to tell her I didn't drop the class. I knew she was going to be upset.



"How did it go at the advisor's office?" Jessica asked.


"Oh. It didn't. I decided not to drop the class." I said.



"Really? Why?" Jessica asked



"No reason. Just didn't feel right." I responded.
 

"Whatever." She said. She looked at me as if she was assessing me. I thought she was going to start grilling me. But then her eyes hardened and she walked out.



I knew why she was disappointed. She thought if I dropped the class she could be Edward's partner for the semester. Damn. I had totally forgotten about that. Not only was I staying in this class, but I was literally academically required to get to know Edward Cullen. How was I going to deal with that?



As the story proceeds, we meet some of the regular cast of characters.  Emmett is a great character; he is Edward’s best friend and fraternity brother.   Angela, the sorority president, is nice, and a great friend to Bella, she is there to guide her when she needs some advice.  Alice, Jasper and Rose are there but not necessarily present, we hear about them, but I don’t want to give anything away.
 

‘Mine’ is a great read, it’s not too long and the angst is there but it’s an undercurrent to the rest of the story and doesn’t take it over.  The UST is great and the humor is well placed and really funny.  Edward’s POV is my favourite; he’s intense and hard to work out.
 

Check it out!

Nat

xx