What we're reading in TLS this week:

We are happy to bring you the most recent round of TLS tested and approved recs. The following stories have caught our attention and we want to share them with you! Check them out and let the authors know where you saw them featured. Enjoy!

♥ Six

As Leaves Fall by myonlyherion

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12186362/1/As-Leaves-Fall
Can a bearded, quiet man, a shy, sweet four-year-old and a cup of hot chocolate be enough to entice an even shyer woman out of her shell. A birthday fic for sweet Ericastwilight.

Rated M

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

CONSENT by PearlyFox
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14137261/1/CONSENT
Forging the divide between who you are and who you want to be is always a challenge. Even worse is when opening up to your childhood best friend brings chaos, fear, and lies. The fine line separating trust and betrayal is easily broken. And when given the chance, can you fix what you’ve broken, or do you let the dust settle? Rated M

First & Ten by Nolebucgrl
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5874934/1/First-Ten
Bella Swan is an aspiring sports writer and her first big assignment is to interview the league’s biggest, not to mention hottest, quarterback. Will Edward Cullen school her in the rules of the game or will she teach him a thing or two? Rated M

Hay Bales and Hot Bylines by KoalaLou
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12246981/1/Hay-Bales-and-Hot-Bylines
My entry in the Falling Into Autumn Contest. I won Judges Vote – 1st Place, Public Vote 3rd Place, and 2 Judges Picks. "My first serious journalistic field assignment was to cover the 35th Forks Fall Festival. Who do I run up against but the hottest byline in the county...I couldn't believe this was happening. "Out of all the guys in Forks, it was him. Of course it was him." 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

Silent Sweetheart by EvangelVamp511
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14072098/1/Silent-Sweetheart
A doctoral candidate in child psychology in the midst of a quarter life crisis, a single father with a a thick accent and some handyman tendencies, a two year old in pink boots and pigtails that refuses to talk, and a new relationship that’s turning heads. Small town gossip in the South is already out of control, but at the point, it’s downright an epidemic. Rated M

The Bond by Eep118
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14049219/1/The-Bond
Can fate be predetermined? The citizens of the Courts live, breathe, and die by the Royals and their rules. The future is defined by sealed letters, which determine your schooling, career, and spouse. Will Edward and Bella be a match? Or will Edward’s rebellion test the Royals too many times? A wonderful tale of a world filled with magic & more. Lemons. Canon pairings. Always HEA. Rated M

The Masks We Wear by Saritadreaming
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10758721/1/The-Masks-We-Wear
Leading a double life is never easy. Bella straddles two very different worlds and finds herself torn between two very different men. One man is suave and confident, the other awkward and sweet. Is destiny a matter of chance or choice? AH 1st Place Public Vote (tie), 2nd Place Judges’ Chocie Wonkyward Contest. Rated M 

Uncharted Destination by Foenix2phorks
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13970903/1/Uncharted-Destination
Complete. Searching for your missing fiancé aboard a ship that’s in imminent danger of sinking is bad. Floating on a life raft with the brooding ship’s captain and a handful of fellow survivors is worse. My vacation in paradise has officially gone straight to hell.  All human. Almost all humor. BxE  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 featuring Saritadreaming, author of  A Measure of Grace, I Saw You Coming and Speak Now. She’s sharing a sneak from her upcoming fic Animal.

banner by wmr1601

Animal

by 

Saritadreaming

Summary: Edward is relieved when an old college buddy becomes the silent partner in his struggling tattoo business.  He’s happy when Jimmy moves to town with his girlfriend and becomes part of everyday life.  But Jimmy has secrets, and Bella has bruises.  AH, ExB, Angst/Drama/Romance, Drabble *Trigger Warning*

~*oOo*~

The steady chop of an axe draws me behind the house.  Jimmy is working near a small shed, chopping and stacking firewood.  He's shirtless and sweaty.  The steady way he keeps arcing the axe—jaw tight, eyes intense—makes me wonder what demons he’s trying to exorcize.

When I call out his name, his head whips my way, the look in his light brown eyes almost savage.  My heart beats faster for a few seconds.  He embeds the axe in a stump and smiles at me, all trace of whatever I just witnessed gone.

He holds his arms out wide.  “Welcome to my humble abode!  It needs some maintenance, but it’s going to be a perfect haven.”

“It’s great!” I glance around.  Up close, it’s obvious the house could use a coat of paint, but the roof looks solid.  Some of the outbuildings in the distance are sagging a bit but still look serviceable.  “What can I do to help?”

I end up stripping off my shirt and using the ride-on mower to cut the lawn.  I start with the front yard and continue halfway into the field behind the shed.  After a few hours, my ass hurts, and my arms are tingling.  I turn the mower off and use my shirt to mop the sweat off my face.

Jimmy brings out a six-pack of beer.  Condensation beads on the brown bottles, some of it dripping off.  I can’t remember the last time a beer looked so appealing.  He hands me one, and I drink half of it in one go.  “Shit—that’s good!”

Jimmy grins. “There’s nothing like a cold drink after some manual labor!”

We drag an old wooden picnic table and barbecue grill out of the shed.  There’s a small market a few miles away, so we take a ride there to pick up some steaks, fresh corn, and a propane refill.

Jimmy grills the food, a beer in one hand.  The sun sits low, sending streaks of pink across the cloud dotted sky.  I relax, enjoying our easy friendship.  It’s like no time has passed at all.

When I’m halfway through my steak, Jimmy tilts his head, watching me with one of his intense gazes. “Why are you alone?”

I’m taken aback, and I must admit to feeling a bit defensive.  I shrug.  “I don’t fucking know, man.”

He smiles.  “That, my friend, is a bullshit answer.”

I close my eyes and blurt out my fear.  “I think there’s something wrong with me, Jim.”

“Do you want to find that special someone?”

“Yeah.  Maybe I’m too picky or something.”

Jimmy shakes his head. “No.  When you least expect it . . . boom!  It's like being hit by a meteor.  Totally decimates everything you thought you knew.”

Well, now I know I haven't met the one yet.  Nothing remotely like that has ever happened to me.

Jimmy's phone vibrates, and his eyes light up.  "Hey, babe! . . . I miss you too . . . I'm sitting in our backyard with my buddy.  We grilled some steaks, and we're knocking back a few cold ones.  Say hello to Edward."  Jimmy puts the phone on speaker.

"Hi, Edward."

"Hi . . . um . . ." I realize Jimmy never told me his girl’s name.

"Bella."

~*oOo*~

Emmett turns and gravitates toward Rose, giving me a view of the other person in the room.

She’s fair-skinned with long, chestnut waves and feminine curves.  Soulful brown eyes meet mine, and my breath hitches.  She smiles shyly, a blush staining her cheeks.  My heart starts beating harder, and something inside me stirs.

Is it possible Jimmy is already making good on his promise to find a match for me?  I haven’t been instantly attracted to anyone in a long time.

“Hey” is what comes out of my mouth as my feet propel me in her direction.

“You must be Edward.” She steps forward and takes my hand, looking up at me.  A cute smattering of freckles dusts her nose and cheeks.  “Jim’s told me so much about you.”  There’s something so familiar about her voice.

Jimmy comes to stand next to us, placing his arm around her shoulders.  “I’m so excited for two of my favorite people to finally meet.”  He looks toward Emmett and Rose.  “You already met Emmett.  Edward, Rose, I’d like you to introduce you to my girlfriend Bella.”

The smile freezes on my face.  I release the soft, warm hand that feels so good in mine and pray that my expression doesn’t give away the shock I'm feeling.

~*oOo*~

Be sure to put Saritadreaming on alert so you don’t miss out. Animal begins posting on October 1. 

What we're reading in TLS this week:

We have a few old favorites and a few new ones for this week’s rec list. We hope you enjoy these selections as much as we do. Please leave the writers some love in the form of a review and let them know where you saw them recommended! Happy Reading!

♥ Six

Blown Away by Eternally Addicted

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12926680/1/Blown-Away
For all the power of Mother Nature's raging storm lighting up the night, sometimes the fiercest storms with the most damage are the ones inside us. So busy with holding back to avoid the heartbreak, we forget we're also hiding the sun and warmth. What if we just gave in to the honesty in our hearts instead? Would be be able to weather the storm, or get blown away? Rated M

Booed After Midnight by AngelDarkness791
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14132792/1/Booed-After-Midnight
Edward Cullen's family was the most powerful family in the Midwest until they were gunned down in the middle of the night by the local sheriff. Now, Edward haunts the halls of the mansion and pledges to drive the woman from his house. Sometimes things don't go as planned however because with each passing day he loses a little of his frozen heart while clinging to Bella's warm body. Rated M

Deceit and Destiny by sukiethree
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13870732/1/Deceit-and-Destiny
A teenage mistake compounded by a marriage built on deception. Returning from a glorious week of freedom brings revelations and consequences Bella never thought she'd have to face. But as the lies unravel and secrets are revealed, an unexpected connection brings an abiding love and a new life emerges. Rated M

Hunted in Seattle by Elise de Sallier
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8342904/1/Hunter-in-Seattle
Edward wasn’t the only vampire to find Bella’s scent mouthwatering. A delay in her journey meant she never made it to Forks, but she did become a vampire…in the worst possible way. What sort of a newborn will she make without the Cullens to guide her, and what will she think of Edward when they meet? No rape or graphic violence. Edward & Bella. HEA…eventually. Rated M

More than Skin Deep by purpleC305
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11837255/1/More-than-Skin-Deep
REPOST - He lived a life as fast and free as the bikes he raced. She was as complex and controlled as the codes she wrote. Each burdened with their own dark secrets, can they ever speak more than half truths? Some scars are more than skin deep. Rated M

My Brother's Pet Vampire by ooza
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13835993/1/My-Brother-s-Pet-Vampire
There are many things that keep people awake at night. For Bella, it's her brother's angry pet vampire locked in the basement. Rated M

Once Upon Another Time by Curlywurl95
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14118461/1/Once-Upon-Another-Time
Edward and Bella were high school sweethearts until she left for a new life in LA. Seven years later she returns to Forks for the holidays, unexpectedly bumping into the love she left behind. Inspired by the song Tis The Damn Season by Taylor Swift. Rated M

Princess by Saritadreaming
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14129752/1/Princess
Bella, reluctant daughter of mob boss Aro Volturi, was raised by outsiders until forced into mafia life at the tender age of fifteen. Seven years later, Aro wants her to marry into another family. A late night attack leads Bella into a dark situation—a night that will have far-reaching consequences. When the masks are removed, all bets are off. *2ND PLACE BODICE RIPPERS CONTEST Rated M

The Practice of Love by Belladonnacullen
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5995388/1/The-Practice-of-Love
When the disarmingly handsome Edward Masen turns up as a new patient, the life Dr. Isabella Swan has carefully put together will be shattered forever. What will it take to put the pieces back together again? What does it take to heal? AH/AU, canon parings Rated M

The Remnants by maembe13
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13546656/1/The-Remnants
When a forensic archaeologist is called to investigate an old grave site, he isn't prepared for what he finds. He unearths a long forgotten tragedy and the story of an unbridled obsession that consumed all in its path. This contains canon characters who go in very "uncanon" directions. Rated M