What we're reading in TLS this week:

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

♥ Six Dlbfive  

Common Ground by drotuno

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14212371/1/Common-Ground0
Common ground or mutual understanding – the ability to find a shared event, feeling, or mind-set. Detective Edward Masen rarely cared about finding common ground with anyone, but he may find he has no choice when it comes to solving his current homicide case. AH/ExB/Rated M

Day Bleeds into Nightfall by JenERoseCullen
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14039770/1/Day-Bleeds-into-Nightfall
While on a break from distance learning, Bella is reminiscing about why her dad's kitchen has an overabundance of one food item. There are many answers to that question, but the most logical answer has to do with a secret she and Edward had tried to keep. Set in the present day. Rated M

Façade by AngelDarkness791
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14056125/1/Facade
After impulsively snagging a bag full of cash, Bella finds herself in debt to Edward Cullen, a notorious crime lord. His demand? Marriage. Marriage for one year to avoid the conniving plan of his father to marry him to an Italian princess. When his plan goes awry, he finds himself in a race to protect the wife he never wanted. Rated M

Honeysuckle by StarryBlueEyes
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14214342/1/Honeysuckle
When Edward left, my shattered heart followed him. When he didn’t return, it broke all over again. But now he’s back, and I don’t recognize the boy with the dark cloud shadowing his sea-green eyes. What happened when he was gone? And how can we ever get back to what we once were? Edward, Bella, AH, AU. Rated M

Little Happy Mess by Honeybeemeadows 
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12880637/1/Little-Happy-Mess
Don’t Think. Just say yes. Rated M

Of Kith and Kin by Chicklette
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6148438/1/Of-Kith-and-Kin
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return." -Nat King Cole. This story is about that. Rated M

Stupid Little Game by Powered by 23 Kicks 
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14119273/1/Stupid-Little-Game
In high school, Edward ruled and Bella suffered the consequences. Years later, they meet again as different people. Still hurt and pretending she's not, Bella is confused by the pull she feels for the man she once knew as a bully, and begins a game of angry indifference to keep him at arm's length. But does she want to win or lose? Rated M

Two Side of the Same Coin by Swanderful 
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13823863/1/Two-Sides-of-the-Same-Coin
After the tragic death of his wife, Edward is struggling to move forward with his life. When something unexpected happens, he must face ghosts of the past to untangle a mystery. What will life be like when the dust settles? AH Rated M

When The First Snow Falls by Izzy Nava
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14200299/1/When-The-First-Snow-Falls
Emmett and Rosalie died in a car accident, leaving behind their daughter, Macy Cullen. Edward and Bella, Em's brother and Rose's sister, are left to the task of looking after her for a few months while everything gets settled in court. What happens when their time comes to an end? Will she be able to leave? Will he let her? Summary in the 1st chapter. 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.

Opening day for America's national pastime is March 30, so it is only fitting we share an upcoming baseball fic. This week we are thrilled to feature DrivingEdward, a reader-turned-writer who will begin posting her very first fic, The Love of the Game. We think this one will be a home run!

banner by Lizzie Paige

The Love of the Game

by 

DrivingEdward

Summary: Love of family and love of the game drive Braves shortstop Edward Cullen. His focus has always been on striving to be his best, to giving his all. But what if that isn’t enough? When Bella Swan enters his life, they begin a game of love neither of them expects or is sure they can win. Baseballward and Soccerella. AH/ExB/Rated M

****

Thank you so much for having me. I am DrivingEdward, aka Pamela Lorraine for those who don’t know me by my fic name. I’m a long-time prereader and lover of words. I am humbled by the opportunity to sneak my very first fic here. What started out as a Fic Lab prompt, a love of baseball, a muse, and a movie, spawned a story I’ve been excited and itching to tell.

With the love, guidance, and support of my amazing prereaders and beta encouraging me along, I have mustered the courage to step my big toe into the world of writing fic.

This has been a labor of love and baseball. A huge challenge to push myself and do something outside the box in the year 2023. So, with that, I am excited to share with you The Love of the Game. This story is loosely, and I stress loosely, based on the movie For the Love of the Game. It’s a whole lot of love story with a side of baseball. I hope you enjoy this Edward and Bella as much as I have enjoyed creating them.

*<>*

Excerpt, chapter 2: The Love of the Game 

Edward touched her arm and stopped her. “I’m not even close to being ready for this evening to end, are you?” He looked deep into her eyes, hoping for some sign she was interested in spending more time together. 

“Not really,” she replied as goosebumps broke out on the arm he was touching. “What do you have in mind? Is there another bar nearby we can go to?”

“Not a bar, exactly,” he responded, a bit unsure. “I want to show you one of my favorite places. Are you game? It’s not far, I promise. I know you’re in heels.” 

“Where precisely is this favorite place?” Bella asked with curiosity.

“Well, it’s in the Omni Hotel, right across the way.”

“I’m staying at the Omni, and I don’t recall anything remarkable in the hotel.”

Edward gave a sly smile as he responded. “Well, that’s because you aren’t in a suite overlooking the stadium.” His eyes twinkled with a bit of mischief as he attempted to woo Bella back to his room. The view at night with all the lights was extraordinary. It was his church, and in that moment, he wanted to share it with her.

Bella looked at him hesitantly, but nodded in agreement, as she began to walk toward the bathroom. 

Edward gathered their drinks, one in each hand. “Look at me,” he called after her. “I’m rendered completely helpless.” He chuckled. “I can’t use either of my hands. You’ll be safe with me. And I promise I’ll be the perfect gentleman.” 

Bella turned around and saw the jovial expression on Edward’s face as he walked toward her. 

“Yeah, yeah, keep telling yourself that, Cullen.” She laughed. “You’re not the first professional athlete who’s tried to get me to their room, and I’m sure you won’t be the last.” Bella glanced back at Edward right before she entered the bathroom and noted the look of contemplation on his face. 

As she entered the bathroom, she heard Edward shout, “I’ll meet you at the door.”

Standing at the mirror, Bella smoothed down her hair, and swiped a bit of lipstick on her lips. She gave herself a good, hard look while she delivered a silent pep talk. She felt assured that going to his suite was a good idea. He knew she was Emmett’s sister-in-law, she considered. Nothing bad could possibly happen. They were teammates, friends, compadres. 

Edward was truly a stand-up guy. A possible hookup with that desirable man could be a possibility, and Bella decided she was up for it. She hadn’t opened herself up in a long time. Edward was easy to talk to, and the whole evening had seemed effortless. 

She knew, just by the interaction they’d had tonight, that Edward was nothing like her ex. He had the wholesome, boy-next-door quality that made him quite endearing. Everyone around him seemed to want to be in his presence. She was just lucky enough to garner his attention, and she was not complaining. An unfamiliar emotion overcame her as she looked at herself for the last time before leaving the bathroom—desire.

When Bella walked out of the bathroom, she spied Edward standing by the door, holding not only both drinks, but a bottle of chardonnay under his arm. 

“Where did that come from?”

“I know people.” He shrugged as he gave her that sweet smile. “Ready?”

“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, Darling.” 

*<>*

After a lazy walk across the Battery to the hotel, Bella and Edward found themselves patiently waiting for the elevator to take them to Edward’s suite. Both of them were aware of their surroundings and hoped no one was around to catch them going up together. The gossip would be relentless, and neither one of them was interested in perpetuating that. 

As the elevator dinged and the doors opened, Bella and Edward walked in. They took one last look into the lobby, checking to see if there were any witnesses. When they were satisfied, Bella asked Edward what floor he was on. 

“Sixteen,” he replied gruffly. Clearing his throat, he gave her a reassuring smile. 

Bella hit the button for the sixteenth floor and rested against the back wall next to Edward. 

The moment the door closed, the atmosphere changed. Something about the fact that they were alone, in an enclosed space, made the ambiance feel electric. They were both reticent, wondering what the other was thinking. The silence was deafening as the elevator moved up the floors. They turned to each other simultaneously, each with a lingering gaze, both deciding what they wanted to say or do.

Bella reached over to take the wine bottle out of Edward’s arm to lighten his load, and in that slight turn of their bodies, as she removed the bottle, they came face-to-face. Their eyes locked, and without any delay, their lips crashed together.

*<>*

If you’d like to read more, please put me on alert and follow me here: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/2561609/DrivingEdward

Thank you, and hope to see you March 30th when I post the first chapter!

****

Remember to follow DrivingEdward so you don't miss out on The Love of the Game. 

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.

Today we are featuring the amazing drotuno, author of fandom favorites like the Gravity Series, the Angel Series, Once Upon Another Time, Man Behind the Mask, and Masen Manor. She has graciously agreed to share a sneak of her upcoming new fic, Common Ground. 

banner by Lizzie Paige

Common Ground

by

drotuno

Summary: Common ground or mutual understanding – the ability to find a shared event, feeling, or mind-set. Detective Edward Masen rarely cared about finding common ground with anyone, but he may find he has no choice when it comes to solving his current homicide case. AH/ExB/Rated M

~oOxOo~

The sun tried to peek through the early morning drizzle of Seattle as I made my way across to the park. I pulled my truck up next to the Crime Scene Unit’s van, reaching into the console to pull out a few pairs of rubber gloves.

Garrett was standing by my door when I opened it.

“Who’ve we got?” I asked him, pulling on the gloves.

“Maria Navarro. Originally from Texas. Twenty-seven. Her throat was cut, so she bled out.”

“Here?”

“Looks like it.”

Nodding, I gestured for him to lead the way. His former partner had retired six months ago, and I’d put in the transfer from Narcotics to Homicide. Garrett Spears was a few years older than me. He was tall, lean, and as laid-back as someone who’d smoked a joint, though his came naturally. His wife, Kate, was expecting their first kid by summer, and he was obnoxiously happy about it.

I ducked under the crime scene tape, ignoring the media and waiting for the coroner to finish making an assessment. Once he stood up, I stepped closer to the body.

No wounds showed other than the slice across her neck. The ground beneath her was saturated in blood, so she did die at the scene.

“I know her,” I said, glancing over my shoulder to Garrett.

“Yeah, she’s from your old department, I’d guess.” He pointed to the track marks along the inside of her arms – and probably between her toes if we took her shoes off.

“Mmhm, she’s a dancer down at The Inferno, but she had lots of extracurricular activities – online adult entertainment, part-time prostitute, and drug mule. Nasty drug habit – heroin. All under the watchful eye of James Hunt.”

“Fuck me,” Garrett hissed.

I gazed back down at the victim, pulling out a pen from my pocket to shift her hand a little. “She’s holding something,” I stated, waving over one of the CSI techs. “You might want to bag her hands. She’s got something in a grip.”

“Will do, Masen,” the young girl said, taking a few photos before pulling out a bag to cover Maria’s hands. She looked nervously to me. “We’re just about finished processing, which means we’ll be moving her soon.”

Nodding, I stood up and walked the whole scene. As the morning got lighter, I could see that they’d picked the perfect location to kill her. She was on the bank of a small pond, not easily accessible from the park’s walking trail. The park was known for drug deals – nothing big, just weed and a little coke. 

With a glance around, I saw a middle-aged man holding the leash of a black lab.

“Let me guess. The dog found the body,” I asked her.

She smiled. “Good guess. He’s the one who called 911. He said his dog went after a duck, and well, there you go.” She gestured to the body. “She’s soaking wet, and rigor has already set in, so she’s been here several hours. Overnight.”

“Thanks…”

“Jessica.”

“Thanks, Jessica. Can you let me know when you’ve processed evidence? And a tox report too?”

“Yeah, yeah. For sure.”

Garrett stepped up as Jessica started to turn the body over to document more pictures.

“It doesn’t bother you that every female on the fucking force knows your name, yet you pay zero attention to that shit?”

Raising an eyebrow his way, I shrugged a shoulder. “Why would I give a shit?”

~oOxOo~

Remember to put drotuno on alert so you don't miss out! Common Ground will begin posting soon.

What we're reading in TLS this week:

Here are the latest round of TLS approved recs just for you!  As always, be sure and leave the authors some love in the form of a review and let them know where they were recommended! Happy Reading!

♥ Six Dlbfive  

Angel Series 5: When Angels Fall by drotuno

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14158153/1/Angel-Series-5-When-Angels-Fall
Fifth in the Angel series. It’s been nine years since the Cullens moved to Montana with a bigger family. They’ve shifted and adapted to new careers and homes, but a shadow hides, biding their time before seeking power and revenge. AU ExB Rated M

Animal by Saritadreaming
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14143102/1/Animal
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* Rated M

ConSeQuences by themoonwriters
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14011851/1/ConSeQuences
A consequence is a result or conclusion. Most actions have a consequence that follows as a result. Will Edward be able to withstand the repercussions of his actions? Has he pushed Bella one too many times? Rated M 

OPERATION: Light the Fires by katinki
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14200506/1/OPERATION-Light-the-Fires
A bomb goes off in Paris. A World leader is executed in Davos. Scientist are again disappearing, and a powerful new enemy has risen from the ashes of Aronovic’s Deathstalkers to finish what was started. The situation is dire, but nothing is impossible. The Marines who took them down the first time are back in action. Sequel to OPERATION: Break the Dawn. AH. Rated M

SALIGIA by The Sinners
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10160719/1/SALIGIA
Seven sinful one-shots from seven of the Twilight Fandom’s most sinful. Rated M

The Guard by PearlyFox
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14082699/1/The-Guard
He's hired to save me from myself. To keep me in line, my picture-perfect life intact, and dumb decisions at bay. All he did was show me just how foolish I've been and offer me a way out to escape my miserable life. Rated M

The Oath of My Guardian by Izzy Nava
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13400086/1/The-Oath-of-My-Guardian
Facing the past is never easy. It never will be. But what do you do when the past you ran from finds you and demands your attention? For Bella, it has never been easy. She thought by walking away she could stay away. But now that it’s here will she be able to turn away? Rated M

The One That Got Away by creaatingmadness
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13852802/1/The-One-That-Got-Away
Four years ago, he broke her heart into a hundred pieces, but Bella was over him, she was. She had a good job, the perfect boyfriend; everything in her life was fine. He just had to come crashing back in and ruin everything. ExB. Rated M

The Pact by Fyrebyrd
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14158612/1/The-Pact
When a rival family kills Isabella Swan's brother, it will irrevocably change her life. After a hellacious beating, she turns the tables and runs—straight into the clutches of her family's mortal enemies. Will the pact she offers be enough to save herself, or will she follow in her brother's footsteps? MOBWARD/CONTENT WARNING/ABUSE, physical and emotional.

Rated M

The Sixteen by fanficsR4nerds
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14074523/1/The-Sixteen
There is a secret over the world. Shrouded in lies and unmatched authority, the Sixteen answer to no one but each other. When young Bella is thrust into their elite world, she must quickly learn how to survive. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, and with more than her life on the line, Bella must now figure out who to trust, what to believe, and how to grab power when she can. Rated M