What we're reading in TLS this week:

Let’s ease into Monday with a fresh batch of recs from The Lemonade Stand! There’s something for everyone with this list. Be sure to let the author know where you saw them recommended when you leave a review! Happy Reading! 

♥ Six Dlbfive

Behind The Ivories by LaMomo
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14023202/1/Behind-The-Ivories
A serious accident ended Edward Cullen's career as a war correspondent six years ago. After a personal and professional betrayal uproots her life in Europe, Isabella Swan has navigated a sexist and elitist industry one concert and one social media post at a time. They have nothing in common, until their worlds collide. OlderWard. Full summary inside. Rated M

Don’t Stare by LyricalKris
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14025667/1/Don’t-Stare
Look, it’s hard to ignore and attractive man when he’s traipsing around your own backyard. There’s nothing wrong with looking as long as you don’t stare. Rated M

From the Ground Up by iambeagle
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14020481/1/From-the-Ground-Up
When faced with betrayal, Edward is forced to rebuild his life, but that's easier said than done once he realizes he's stuck between his past and his present. EPOV Rated M

Impossibly Yours by PearlyFox
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14000625/1/Impossibly-Yours
Summary: I’m not his, but I am. He’s not mine, but part of him is. It’s impossible, this is impossible. I’m as impossibly his as he is impossibly mine, the pull is just too strong. Rated M

Judas by drotuno
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13779288/1/Judas
The sky opened five years ago, destroying more than just cities and buildings. It eradicated the thin veil that protected humans from the monsters. When society fell, those monsters starting hunting, and so did I. Someone had to protect humans from the beasts they never knew existed. Those monsters call me Judas…because I am one of them. AU ExB Rated M

Mated for life by MaryJorine
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13911453/1/Mated-for-life
Bella was changed by Aro in the 1950s for her gift. When after 50 years she has made no progress with it, Aro is done with her. He sells her to Edward Cullen as part of a truce. Edward Cullen, ruthless and feared, is the leader of the up and coming Cullen coven, who are threatening the Volturi power.. but is that the real him? Is Bella his prisoner or something else? AU Rated M

Maybe a Dance by Anton M
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14011867/1/Maybe-a-Dance
Edward is in need of a fiancée for Christmas. OOC, AH Rated M

My Vampire Nanny by Pandora’s Box Is Heavy
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14023154/1/My-Vampire-Nanny
Struggling to control his daughter's vampire boyfriend from manipulating him, Edward turns to the one service he swore he would never use. V.A.M.P. The Vampires Assisting Mortals Program. Rated M

The Devil Next Door by NightBloomingPeony
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13908348/1/The-Devil-Next-Door
Bella has had fantasy after agonizing fantasy about her new wickedly-sexy bronze-haired neighbour, who never leaves his house before sunset. One evening, she decides to risk it all and follow him into the dark for a night that will forever etch itself into her memory. (My entry for the "Bodice Ripper's Contest", winner of "Best Dirty Talk" and "Cliffhanger Queen" awards) Rated M

The Face of All the World by staringatthesky
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10703304/1/The-Face-of-All-the-World
A head full of dreams, an eye for the beautiful, and a wistful hope for adventure. That was Esme Platt. A husband, a baby, and a dark night on a cliff later the dreams are gone, beauty has turned monstrous and the adventure seems over before is even begun. But the world has other plans for Esme Platt, and a doctor with golden eyes and the face of an archangel will change everything. Rated M

Walking on Thin Ice by addict-writer
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13958488/1/Walking-on-Thin-Ice
The sin of love united them, but the strength of that love is what keeps them together. When people discover their relationship, will the thin ice they're walking on begin to crack? Illicit Affair sequel. I recommend reading that one first. Rated M

When Cowboy Met Swanie by Assilem33
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13627754/1/When-Cowboy-Met-Swanie
"I have just met you, and I love you." EPOV from When Bella Met Edward. Rated M

TLS Special SNEAK PEEK Feature

 

The Lemonade Stand has spent so many years bringing you the best the Twilight fandom has to offer, and we are very excited to have the chance to offer you even MORE. We've watched stories grow and develop from first post through COMPLETE, and now we're lucky enough to share previews of the stories that will soon be your new addiction.

This week we are thrilled to feature LaMomo, author of fandom favorites Correct the Narrative and Business Class Girl. Today, she's sharing a preview of her upcoming fic Behind the Ivories.

banner by Mina

Behind the Ivories
by 
LaMomo

Summary: A serious field accident ended Edward Cullen’s career as a war correspondent six years ago, and left him with more scars than are visible to the naked eye. After a personal and professional betrayal uprooted her life in Europe, Isabella Swan has navigated a sexist and elitist industry by smashing stereotypes and glass ceilings everywhere, one concert and one social media post at a time. They have nothing in common, until their worlds collide one fateful day for an interview that can’t be rescheduled. What kind of havoc will Isabella’s appearance wreak into Edward’s monotonous, solitary life? OlderWard. PianistElla. Set in Boston.

~ OO oo OO ~

I throw a glance around the room to peruse the varied sample of humanity that makes up our team at The Back Bay Tatler—the preferred culture, lifestyle, current national, and local issues magazine of the greater Boston area.

Jasper Hale is our music editor and critic. He writes about new releases from local and national artists, but his specialty is keeping his finger on the pulse when it comes to live music venues of all stripes in and around Boston—such a hardship.

Some celebration out on the bay last night was feted with a barrage of noisy and protracted fireworks. Who wastes money on fireworks in Boston in fucking November? The continuous booming shook the floor-to-ceiling windows of my loft and kept me awake. And triggered my flashbacks again. I tried to fight it; after a while, all the techniques my therapist taught me—breathing and grounding exercises, mainly—did ease the anxiety enough to lull me into sleep. But the headache flared this morning like a bad hangover. At least it will give me some half-assed cover for my usual abrupt manners.

“If nobody has emergent news, we can confirm the cover shoot and story for January,” Tanya begins. 

“Actually, I’ll need that bumped off the cover,” Jasper pipes up. He doesn’t have the authority to bump anything anywhere, but the fact he’s even asking for it … “I swear, Cullen. It’s a top story. Hear me out.”

“Okay. Sell it to me, Hale.”

“I have it on good authority that Jacob Black will be opening a new Sharps & Flats club in Boston in the new year.”

The name does ring a faint bell. Faint being the operative word. As I’m about to prod Jasper for details, Mac precedes me.

“Wait a minute. We’re talking about that guy from New York who single-handedly got Sharps & Flats topping the charts as the best jazz and easy-listening venue in the city in less than five years?” 

Mac is a New Yorker born and raised. It’s his turf we’re talking about.

Jasper nods. “Same guy. The club in New York rakes in more than any other venue within that target audience and demographic. Every season, he has a line-up chock-full of Grammy and Tony nominees or winners. And if they’re not, they quickly become so, often after snagging lucrative record deals. The club is a notorious scouting ground for A&R executives.”

“That’s the guy, Mac. Good catch.”

“I don’t understand how a new club trumps a piece that’s all wrapped up in a neat bow already,” Jessica complains. 

I’m tempted to agree with that point, but it would defeat the purpose of my role—playing referee among my editors and choosing the best material for our first print issue of the year.

“It depends on the club, Jessica. This is one scoop we don’t want to miss,” Jasper continues. “First, it’s going to be in a slightly unusual location for a jazz club. Rumor has it they’re taking over the old ‘Howl at the Moon’ warehouse in the financial district. Second, he’s gutting the entire place and redoing it top to bottom. It’s going to be on the chic side, not a generic, dark club with skeevy furniture. Third, the act for the grand opening will be … drumroll … Isabella Swan.”

Our advice columnist—and Jasper’s wife—Alice Brandon-Hale gasps, jumping up and down in her seat. “Isabella Swan? In Boston? For real?”

“One second. Give me one second,” I interrupt, desperate for someone to give me more information so I can decide for myself what to do. “Who the hell is Isabella Swan, and why do we care? More importantly, why will Bostonians care?”

Feedback from Team Momo

AGoodWitch: “This story reminds me of a mosaic. Some people see what’s broken and think it should be discarded. But it takes someone special to see the broken pieces and fit them together to make something more beautiful than the original. Sometimes, those broken pieces are people, and love is what will make them whole.”

IAmBeagle: “Behind the Ivories has everything I love in a story. Sizzling chemistry, witty banter, and compelling relationships. Edward is sarcastic, but emotionally (and physically) wounded. Bella is strong and compassionate, and so refreshing to read. This slow, delicious burn of them learning to open up and trust one another is a true gem.”

Driving Edward: “Behind the Ivories is a triumphant story of Edward learning and trusting himself and his instincts after being hurt emotionally and physically. His transformation is slow but sure and the relationship he develops with a wonderfully strong Bella is beautiful to watch. Each chapter peels back another layer for these two characters and watching it evolve is heartfelt and stunning.”

Emma: “This story sucked me in right from the off! It’s truly heartbreaking at times but heartwarming at other points. The character development is great; it’s made me want to slap Edward, then hug him all in one chapter. Plus Mac is my fave!”

Midnight Cougar: “What Behind the Ivories is to me as a story . . . well, it’s beautiful, skillful writing; it’s deep and special characters, even the supporting ones; it’s hurt and love and connection grown from years of journalistic experience and soulful melodies. It’s a gradual, sweet build-up of a relationship; a love that heals two prodigious people who connect on a whole other level, behind the ivories.”

Alice’s White Rabbit: “The biggest thing I love about this story is that it's based, in part, on something that really happened in history. That always intrigues me with any story or movie.  It also helps that I love how LaMomo has intertwined Twilight into that small piece of history.”

~ OO oo OO ~

Don't forget to put LaMomo on alert! Behind the Ivories begins posting later today. 

What we're reading in TLS this week:

It is time to kick off your reading year with our first rec list post of 2022! There are lots of new fics that have hit our “drop everything” radar that we want to share with you.  We hope you enjoy them as much as we have. Be sure to let the authors know where you saw their story recommended when you leave them some New Year's Love.  Enjoy! 

♥ Six Dlbfive

A Soft Place to Land by Sunshine1220
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14018843/1/A-Soft-Place-to-Land
When Bella’s life takes a nosedive, a cocky flyboy makes it his mission to give her a soft place to land. Rated M

Beauty and the Priest by CLWN
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14019032/1/Beauty-and-the-Priest
Sequel to The Princess and the E. All good fairytales have a happy ending, and the Cullens have been enjoying theirs. But someone from the past is out for revenge, and when they set their plan in motion, E might just need his Princess to save him once again. Rated M

Between Love and Hate by iambeagle
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13999516/1/Between-Love-and-Hate
I unconditionally and irrevocably love to hate Edward Cullen. Rated M

Colliding Hearts by creaatingmadness
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14013952/1/Colliding-Hearts
It was supposed to be once. It was supposed to mean nothing. A couples experiment to spice things up goes awry when two people with inexplicable chemistry cross paths. Giving in to temptation is wrong, but why does it feel so right? Rated M

Consecrated by Mrs.ClarkKent4
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13994070/1/Consecrated
Edward had been waiting seventeen years for the girl in Alice's vision. What he finds is no ordinary human girl. She has a heartbeat, and blood, but she's... different. And she knows she's different. Isabel just never knew how much until she comes across the strange family when she moves back to her home town of Forks. slight OOC and slight Bella background change EXB. Rated M

Give and Take by Hopesparkles
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13570113/10/Give-and-Take
What's left to take when everything and everyone you've loved is already gone? Rated M

Gravitational Collapse by addict-writer
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13998349/1/Gravitational-Collapse
Gravitational collapse is the tendency of matter to move toward a common center of gravity. When Edward and Bella's paths cross again, their worlds crash despite their reticence. This story is based on One Look, which was part of the Song to Story contest in September.

Rated M

Hollywood Drive by aushapasha
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14001035/1/Hollywood-Drive
After the death of her former best friend, Bella Swan returns to LA to reminisce and relive some of her teenage dreams. A chance reconnection will prove that fate is funny and sometimes dreams really do come true. Rated M

In N Out by assilem33
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13995995/1/In-N-Out
I should stop her. I need to stop her, but she's already pulling my zipper down and it'd be fucking rude to stop her from doing her job. Rated M

InstaPals: (the Actor and) the Painter by CullenCherries
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13996250/1/InstaPals-the-Actor-and-the-Painter
Bella, a full figured painter and baker, is surprised when a random travel photo account starts interacting with all her instagram posts. She's more shocked when their DMs turn steamy. What's she going to do when he turns out to be sexy A-list actor Edward Cullen? Rated M

Just Friends by Pandora’s Box is Heavy
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13999489/1/Just-Friends
Wanting to keep their relationship a secret from meddling family, Bella and Edward make a promise they won't reveal they are dating. Heading home for the holidays just got a little more complicated. Rated M

Until You by RMacaroni
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13998323/1/Until-You
I haven't really taken interest in another man since my divorce. It's been two years but I've been busy. I'm a single parent. I don't have time to notice other men. Or I didn't. Not until you. Rated M

TLS Special SNEAK PEEK Feature

 

The Lemonade Stand has spent so many years bringing you the best the Twilight fandom has to offer, and we are very excited to have the chance to offer you even MORE. We've watched stories grow and develop from first post through COMPLETE, and now we're lucky enough to share previews of the stories that will soon be your new addiction.

This week our feature is the talented iambeagle, author of fandom favs Between Love and Hate, Shiver, The Procedure, and Don't Delete the Kisses. She's sharing an excerpt of her upcoming fic From the Ground Up.

banner by LizziePaige

From the Ground Up

by

iambeagle

Summary: When faced with betrayal, Edward is forced to rebuild his life, but that's easier said than done once he realizes he’s stuck between his past and his present.

X ~ X ~ X

--Teaser is from chapter 2:

“So, what do you do?” Bella asks.

It’s late—after midnight. The moon is high, and the pool is glowing. We’re a few more beers in, sitting side by side, our bare feet in the water as we learn about one another.

I know she’s from Eastern Washington. Her parents are hop farmers, but she moved to Seattle on her own at nineteen. I know what her favorite movie is, that the four delicate birds tattooed along the inside of her wrist represent her family, and even though she’s slightly allergic to dogs, she just can’t help but love on them whenever they’re near.

I find her interesting and enjoy listening to her talk. There’s a genuine air about her that makes me feel comfortable. 

A light inside the house switches off and it catches my attention. 

Jasper and Lauren swam for a bit then disappeared inside the house half an hour ago. I'm pretty sure I know what they’re doing.

It’s what I think about when Bella touches my inked arm, or when her skirt rides up a bit like it is now. It’s what I’ve been thinking about since Lauren said we can crash here for the night if we want.

Bella thanked her. I stayed quiet, weighing my options. 

When I drove here from the bar earlier, I was only a few beers in. Now I’m a few more beers in, and thanks to Jasper’s insistence, two whiskey shots as well.

I’m fucking beat. I have work tomorrow. Today. In seven hours. I could easily head inside and pass out on the couch, which would kill my back. But I’m not about to leave Bella or end the night. Not yet. Not while everything feels so good and easy.

I’m taking my time and feeling this out. I don’t wanna make a move and get shot down. But I also don’t want to miss an opportunity.

This is why I don’t date. Or hook up or… whatever. I get in my head. I’m too old for this shit. 

Bella gently kicks the water with her feet, grabbing my attention.

She’s staring. Waiting.

“I work in commercial construction,” I finally tell her. “That’s how Jas and I met.” 

“I bet you look really cute in a hard hat.”

I pull on the back of my neck and duck my head. “I dunno.”

“Shut up. Yes, you do know. And I already know how good you look in your Timberlands, so…” She smirks. “Do you wear those to work?”

“Not those,” I say, nodding toward the boots that are on the pavement next to me, socks stuffed inside. “My work boots are the exact same but, uh, dirtier.”

“I’ll bet they are.” There’s a fucking gleam in her eyes. “So, do you like it?” she asks. “I mean, what exactly do you do, anyway? I don’t know much about construction, but that sounds pretty broad.”

“I don’t think anyone’s ever asked me that before,” I reply.

“No one’s ever asked what you do?” she asks with a teasing tone.

“I just mean most people don’t want me to expand after I say I’m in construction,” I clarify. “I do masonry work.”

She thinks about this and takes a long pull from her beer. “Like, a bricklayer?”

“Not just laying bricks. I work with all kinds of materials, but yeah. I like it,” I continue. “I’m good at it, I guess. Patient, but I work fast. I like the repetition of it and being able to move and do stuff with my hands. I could never sit behind a desk, or be inside, for eight hours a day.” She’s quiet, but it doesn’t feel awkward. “It’s exhausting, but…” I finish off my beer. “What do you do? You mentioned a salon or something back at the bar.”

She dips a hand in the pool, swirls it around, then wipes the water on her thigh. I stare at those droplets while she speaks.

“I’m a hairdresser. That’s actually how I met Jasper,” she says, kind of amused. “I cut his hair. Or used to. He hasn’t been by in a while, the fucking scrub.”

It makes sense why earlier she was fussing with his hair and giving him shit for not calling.

I was so off.

I laugh about it now.

“What?” she asks, bumping my shoulder with hers.

“When you first came to our table earlier, I thought you and Jasper had hooked up or something.”

She pulls a face. “He’s nice and all, but… no. He’s kind of a pretty boy. I’m not really into that. To be honest, if I hadn’t seen you sitting there with him, I probably wouldn’t have even gone over to say hi.”

This shuts me up. “Really?” 

“Really.” 

I look at her. “So, you only came over because of me?” 

She grins. “That’s what I’m saying, Edward.”

I don’t know why, but I like that she says my name.

“Wow,” I muse.

She pulls her feet out of the water, her legs tan and her toes painted white. “Wow, what?” 

“I'm just… I’m fucking flattered.”

Her bottom lip is between her teeth, like she’s fighting a smile. “You are?”

“Look at you,” I murmur, bold from booze. “You’re so fucking…”

She leans closer. “What?”

I shake my head, laughing once. “C’mon. You already know.”

“Maybe I do. Or maybe I wanna hear it from you,” she teases, just like she has been. With the looks and the subtle touches. The tiny skirt and the flirting. 

“What do you wanna hear?” I ask quietly. 

X ~ X ~ X

Remember to put iambeagle on alert so you don't miss out! From the Ground Up will begin posting on Monday, January 10th.