TLS Special SNEAK PEEK Feature

The Lemonade Stand has spent years bringing you the best the fandom has to offer, and we are very excited to have the chance to offer you MORE. We’ve watched stories grow and develop from first post through COMPLETE in The Nursery, and now we’re sharing previews of the stories that will soon be your new addiction.

This week, the exquisite Pattyrose, author of many great stories like The Cullen Legacy and Indecent Proposal, shares some details about her upcoming story Begin Again.

banner by Lolypop82

Begin Again

by pattyrose

Summary: When your nineteen-year-old boyfriend breaks your heart, you move on and build a life without him. When he pops up in your world almost a quarter of a century later, you wade through the time and misunderstandings to see what, if anything, remains. When you’re done going through it all, if you’re lucky, you might be ready to begin again.

~~~~~

Jesus Christ, it’s Bella Swan - or I suppose these days she’s better known as Bella Laurent: Widow. She looks…well yes, older. After a quarter of a century, there are bound to be changes. The round youthfulness of her features have narrowed and matured into an elegantly attractive face. There are a few laugh lines around her eyes. Her figure is curvier than that of the slim seventeen-year-old girl of my memories. The dress and heels she’s wearing are unlike anything the grunge-loving, Seattle-dwelling Bella of my youth would’ve worn. 

Yet so much of her is still the same: that smile, Jesus, I should’ve recognized that off the bat. Her eyes…even in this dimly-lit restaurant, her dark eyes still stand out against her creamy skin. And her hair – it used to fall in curls to her bottom; now the soft waves end at her shoulders. She used to be a pretty girl; that was never a question. 

 Now she’s an absolutely gorgeous woman. 

“Bella.” 

Her eyes sweep over to me, and I’m equal parts thrilled and surprised by the easy grin she graces me with.  

“Edward.”  She says my name in that pleasant way in which you’d greet a friend you haven’t seen in over two decades, not the way you’d greet an old boyfriend who…who stupidly cheated on you. 

Right around here begins the story of Edward Masen and Isabella Swan Laurent, a couple whose romance ended almost twenty-five years earlier when a then nineteen-year-old Edward made a disastrous decision. But how many of us can cast our memory back a couple of decades, when we were just beginning to learn about life and love, and not cringe at some of the choices we made?

A lifetime has passed since Edward and Bella last saw one another. Both have gone on to lead full lives with experiences that have shaped them into the individuals they are now. Edward has a failed marriage under his belt, while Bella, after almost twenty years of marriage, now finds herself a widow.

Yet it’s never as easy as meet again, fall in love again, and live happily ever after. The years have reshaped the world around them, piled on responsibilities, and introduced into their lives priorities which take precedence over all else – even over the one they once thought they’d love above everything.

Add onto those difficulties the complications that arise from events of the past, and you’ve got a road ahead with twists, bumps, and a few turns.

But Edward and Bella haven’t spent the past couple of decades stuck in the past. They live every day, normal, and sometimes humorous lives. Some of the situations they deal with while trying to find each other and themselves may sound familiarly like our own lives. So too may their reliance on close friends to keep them sane during some of their more irrational moments.

“Number one: men, in my humble opinion, are like cuts of steak: they must already be of some quality to age well. A piece of chop meat won’t ever morph into a filet mignon. Number two: don’t start with your self-deprecating bullshit, Bella. You look great.”

“For someone my age.”  

“For someone any age. Don’t fucking start!

“Alright, Alice. Alright!” I raise a hand in equal parts surrender and a plea to halt her tirade. 

“Number three…” She grins. “What you’re saying without actually saying is that he’s hot.” 

“He was always good-looking, and he knew it; consequently, he couldn’t keep his dick in his pants.” 

So although there might be some soul-searching up ahead, there will also be laughs and friends with whom to share both the highs and lows. We’re dealing with an Edward and Bella who are past the games of immature youth and are ready to explore the possibility of doing more than starting over.  

“Edward, it may just be a cosmic fluke or the universe playing with us. Nothing more and nothing less. After all, actually starting over after so many years…if you knew me, you’d know that’s not part of my belief system anymore. When you fuck up a batch, you fuck up a batch.” 

“The problem is you’re seeing it wrong. It’s not starting over, Bella.” He whispers the words close to my ear, and the strength and tenacity in them make my entire body shudder. “If you fuck up the batch, you go ahead and gather up all the ingredients that worked the first time around…leave out the ones that didn’t…and you begin again.” 

Begin Again will begin posting May 30, 2016. It will be approximately 30 chapters and will post three times a week: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Rated M because we’re not kids any more.

 :)  PattyRose

Be sure to pop Pattyrose on alert so you don’t miss out!  

~Nic

TLS Special SNEAK PEEK Feature

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

This week, the lovely magtwi78, author of the brilliant Yosemite Decimal, shares a little detail on her upcoming story Starlust.

banner by FrozenSoldier

Starlust

by magtwi78

Summary: Stars are made, not born. Know your competition. Win at all costs...and try not to lose yourself in the spotlight.

~~~~~

I remember the moment this story came to me.

It was a bright, sunny, incoming-Spring day, and I was on my way to pick up my daughter. I was driving through my town, stereo up, flicking channels. I left the station on something I wouldn’t normally so I could change lanes, and the song that was on made me prick up my ears. The song itself isn’t particularly important, but an entire story wrote itself in my head while I waited for the lights to change.

Having it in my head was a start, and sketching it out came easily. It’s the writing part that’s been the most challenging. You see, I’ve barely written anything that I thought was worth posting for around two years. But the passage of time has made me realise that not everybody is going to love what you write. In fact, some will go out of their way to tell you so. But, on the other hand, there are people out there who think things are funny, or cute, or tug at their heartstrings… and they share the same, sometimes-quirky sense of humour as me.

As I’ve been writing, some characters have spoken to me louder than others—others demanded a little too much time (bless your heart, Alice), and Edward in particular has been rather moody. I’m also aware that people love (or hate) reality talent shows, and I wanted to get the details right around without being bogged down in them. It’s important to me to give the characters the freedom to tell their story. But instead of your usual, transient plot bunny that hops in and out again, Bella’s story, and that of those around her, hasn’t left me alone in over a year.

Every Sunday night all over the United States, families sit down together to watch the next band of hopefuls try to make it big. Reality TV is like a parallel universe—in front of the cameras, everybody’s on their best behaviour, playing their part, and trying to win the hearts of the American public. But behind the scenes, there’s contestants who will do anything to make sure it’s they who finish on top, dark horses who are far beyond what they appear, judges who are playing their own game, and maybe in all this, some people you can trust… and probably many that you can’t.

This is a story about a small-town girl who chases her dream, in the way that it seems most people get famous these days. She thinks she knows what comes with fame and the whirlwind that is the music industry, but once she’s living that dream, the cracks in the glossy veneer begin to appear. 

Starlust is what you get when the stars in your eyes get so bright, it makes you crazy. They dazzle you, and they change who you are. You end up doing things you might not normally do. But the challenge is in remembering who you are, and never letting that part of you fade.

This feels like a story that needs to be told.

I hope you like it.

~~~~~

Teaser:

Clipboard-lady looks past bored—she looks desperate to get home. “Isabella Swan?”

“Yes, that’s me,” I say, scrambling to my feet. “But you can call me—”

“Whatever.” She cuts me off and turns her back, headed for the hallway. “This way.”

Stuffing my book back into my bag and rushing after her, I catch the swinging door before it closes, and follow clipboard-lady down the hallway. I mentally curse myself for dropping the ball—there’s so much riding on today… and it feels like my only chance. Turning up to some mass audition for a TV show, of all things, is already way out of character for me, but this is it. I’m small-town, and I drove fourteen hours away from that small town so that if I fall on my face, there’s a slim chance of anybody recognizing me and knowing how badly I screwed up. Unless, of course, I screw up so badly that I end up in the blooper reel, embarrassing myself in front of my friends, my family, and the whole damn country… not to mention the millions of viewers online. 

No, I had to be here. I have to be here. And I can’t screw it up. I won’t let myself screw it up.

I sing. This is what I do. It’s all I’ve done my whole life, and I’ve never wanted to do anything else. 

This competition is my big chance.

.

Don't forget to pop mags on alert so you don't miss out! 

♥ Kim 

TLS Special SNEAK PEEK Feature

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

This week, the lovely Ellie Jacks, author of the brilliant Hounding for Love, shares a little detail on her upcoming story The Antithesis of Zemblanity.

Summary: Many believe that if you were to look up the word, altruist, Bella Swan’s name would be in bold, underneath it. She has spent her life helping others without intention or motive. 

Bella and her best friend, Rose, have both worked for one half of the Cullen brother’s empire since they graduated high school. When Emmett Cullen, their kind and benevolent boss decides to transfer Bella to his tempestuous and cutthroat brother’s department, she fears the worst. 

Does Edward Cullen have a soul, or is he as beastly as she initially feared?

I started to write The Antithesis of Zemblanity when I first dipped my toes into the amazing fanfiction world, six years ago. Most of the ideas that I get are from my random daydreaming and this was no different; I had my bright yellow, rubber gloves on, washing up dishes and singing along to some random music, when it hit me. It was a story that I wanted to write straight away and I actually got my laptop out, the teetering pile of dirty kitchenware was left forgotten as I started tapping away on the keys. Within a week I had the whole story, plus back stories of all the characters written out on my ancient and spluttering laptop. It was merely a month later when my laptop croaked for the last time and went to gadget heaven, taking my stories with it.

I went through one more laptop and when my other half surprised me with my fancy new one, I dug out the sacred hard drive of my old laptop and carefully took it on the journey to getting that information back. I climbed mountains and barged past Hobbits to get to the handy computer geek room on the second floor at work and finally, with the help of Simon, I had the four stories back that I had written long ago. Since that day, I have re-written and tweaked it in places. I finally feel ready to share it!

Teaser

Bella knocks on the open door, a little more timidly than she would've originally liked and walks tentatively towards his desk, which is also a colossal size. Bella briefly considers the thought that perhaps he's overcompensating for something. He now has his head lowered, reading some papers and doesn't even glance up, all she can see is the perfectly styled, messy dark bronze hair on the top of his head. His voice comes out as a deep growl, which seems to emanate from deep inside of his chest.

"What do you want?"

Bella picks at her nails, feeling unsure by the anger that emanates from him and hangs, heavily in the air between them. After a short pause, she realises that she needs to answer him, her brain seems to be on hiatus as she rummages around for the correct words.

"It's um, Isabella Swan. Emmett, um, sent me, sir." She adds the sir, as an afterthought, hoping that if she strokes his ego, he won't kill her and bury her body parts in his potted plants. He definitely has an air of a potential serial killer. Her eyes flit around his office, looking for sharp implements and sheets of plastic, they snap back to him as she hears a movement.

He seems to pause and tilts his head to the side before taking a long, leisurely drag on his cigarette and she watches in fascination as his lips wrap around it. There's no denying the fact that Edward Cullen is incredibly good-looking, even if he does act like an ass. He still doesn't even grace Bella with a look in her direction as she anxiously shuffles from foot to foot.

"Your desk is out there." He flicks his hand dismissively in the general direction of behind her. "I want all the paperwork out there sorted before you leave today. If you think it will take longer than your working hours then I suggest you don't bother with lunch. There's also a list of other jobs out there that I want done. I want coffee on my desk in precisely three minutes, no more. I also want you to make me a reservation at Skyline for one o'clock tomorrow."

Bella considers asking him to say the magic word, but quickly dispels that errant thought before it makes her giggle. She realises that now really isn't a good time to be laughing, she's sure that the 'laugh' is probably just a mythical creature to Edward Cullen. It's doubtful that many jolly chuckles have broken the stifling silence of his office. He flips through the papers on his immaculate and overly, organised desk. She wonders if he’s forgotten that she’s there or if that was a dismissal.

"Why are you still here?" His voice snaps loudly with anger and impatience. It makes her wince and turn immediately back to the door, almost tripping over her feet as she quickly scarpers out of his office.

Unbeknownst to Bella, Edward finally lifts his eyes to watch the little brunette stumble from his office as he leans back in his comfortable chair and stubs out his cigarette in the crystal ashtray.

.

Don't forget to pop Ellie Jacks on alert so you don't miss out! 

♥ Kim 

TLS Special SNEAK PEEK Feature

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

This week, the lovely Vancouver-Canuck-Girl, author of the hilarious Awkwardly Yours, shares a little detail on her upcoming story A Father's Love with us.

A Father’s Love - A Different Kind of Love Story

First of all, a big thank you to Nic for inviting me to do this! 

A Father’s Love has been in the works for two long years. I previously wrote The Real Life of EA Masen in which Edward is the father of three teens. Some of my favorite parts to write were Edward's flashbacks with his babies, and I wanted to write another Daddyward.

I had this crazy idea in my head of Edward raising Bella. I know, it sounds...weird - even to me. I tried to write it as Charlie raising Bella or Edward raising Rosalie but nothing felt right. I doubted myself many times along the way and asked the opinion of countless fandom friends if the plot was too far out in left field. Some said it might be, but most told me to stay true to my vision so I plugged along. 

And then life happened. 

I got pregnant again (with baby number three), my first fur baby passed away, we got a new puppy, I went back to work full time, we started home renovations, and we got a second puppy. Yes, we’re crazy. 

God didn’t think I had enough on my plate. In early January, my dad was taken to the hospital via ambulance in respiratory distress. He was diagnosed with end stage cancer - a massive tumor blocking 98% of his trachea. The doctor informed us he had maybe six weeks to live. Dad proved them all wrong and radiation zapped that tumor down to nothing. Unfortunately, five months later he was diagnosed with Stage 3B non small cell lung cancer.  Don’t google prognosis, it isn’t great. 

When you’re facing something like this, your mind starts to wander. I tried not to look too far into the future and chose instead to focus on the happy moments we’ve shared; so many were from when I was a little girl. The love for my dad, his unconditional love for me, inspired me to start writing again. 

And so here I am with a completed story, ready to begin posting nearly two years after the plot bunny entered my head. It’s the story of love in its purest form. In so many ways, it’s the telling of my dad’s never-ending love for me. 

The story, sixteen chapters in all, is pre-written and already beta’d. I’ll post every Tuesday, and maybe on Thursdays as well. Like most of my other fics there’s some heart, some humor. My goal is to make you laugh and cry. Most of all, I hope this story warms your heart and makes you fondly remember the love of someone special in your life.

And since this is called Sneak Peak - here’s one for you taken from the prologue which will be posted soon!

~**~

I always encourage Isabella to take chances. Tell her failure is an opportunity to practice being brave. I let her know mistakes happen and it’s okay if they do. As my Dad told me, mistakes do not define you. Good people can make bad choices— it doesn’t make you a bad person, it makes you human. And sometimes mistakes lead you down a path you were meant to take. My ‘mistake’, my sweet Isabella Claire, turned out to be everything I never knew I wanted.

And one day, if some rotten boy breaks her heart, I want her to know that not all boys will hurt her. There’s one who loves her beyond reason. That someone loved her first, with a fierceness which can not be explained or reasoned.

Isabella turned a boy into a man; a man into a father. Correction, she’d turned a man into a Daddy,  and no other title could be more important than that.

This is our story but most importantly, it’s the story of love.

A father’s love.

 .

Don't forget to pop VCG on alert so you don't miss out! 

♥ Kim 

TLS Special SNEAK PEEK Feature

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

This week, the lovely drotuno, author of the brilliant Man Behind the Mask, shares a little detail on her upcoming story A Few Tables Away with us.

A Few Tables Away

SUMMARY: Edward spent most of his life trying to be invisible until he got to college. All alone, 3000 miles from home, there’s only one person he wishes would see him. His Library Girl, just a few tables away. AH/Rated M/Canon couples 

~oOo~

This idea started when someone posted a meme on Facebook containing a letter. It was the sweetest, shyest, most honest thing I’d ever heard – whether it was real or not. My head locked onto it and didn’t let go. It’s the only thing in the fic I didn’t write, but I wish I had. 

To the girl at the table near the back of the library,

I almost asked you what was wrong the first time I saw you crying. Then I saw the book you were reading and realized that you were crying because of it. And I was interested, because I’d never read anything that moved me that much.

I checked out the book you were reading, and guess what? I cried – just a little – too. That’s how it started. Every time I go to the library, you’re almost always there, usually with a completely new book. Sometimes you smile, or laugh out loud, or cry again, and when you do, I check out the book you’re reading.

That was it, really, until I realized how gorgeous you are. You’re not pretty in the normal kind of way, but God, when you smile, it lights up your face in the best way. 

I wish you’d notice me, sitting a few tables away from you, reading the book you were reading a few days ago. I wish you’d smile at me. I don’t have the guts to talk to you. I’m afraid you won’t be anything at all like I imagine.

One of these days, I’ll work up the courage and I’ll ask you about what you’re reading. And maybe you’ll smile that gorgeous smile and tell me all about it, and then we’ll talk about all the books we’ve read. But until then, thank you for the book recommendations. I love them.

Love, the boy a few tables away from yours

This boy in the library got into my head and wouldn’t leave, and the ideas ran the gamut – shy boy, confused vampire, back to shy, somewhat awkward human guy. That last one was the winner. It also didn’t help that when I showed Beffers87 the letter, she immediately had an idea for a banner – title and all. It’s gorgeous, along with the manips she made to put it together, so there was no fighting this plot bunny.

A Few Tables Away is set in a fictional town and college in my home state of Florida, though there are some canon touches here and there. I wasn’t expecting the turns this story took, but I hope you give Bookward a chance. 

The story will go live Sunday the 9th (tomorrow), and I’ll update Sundays/Wednesdays as long as my schedule holds true. I want to thank TLS for inviting me again. Here’s a bit of Chapter 2…

The weather in Florida was still warm, though with September almost over, I was told that the heat would lessen soon, that fall would bring less humidity. I was looking forward to it, if only for the change from what I was used to; it would be interesting to see the holidays wearing short-sleeved shirts instead of heavy coats and even heavier boots. Because there wasn’t a chance in hell I was going home for Christmas.

The coffee shop was pretty busy, with plenty of people taking up the tables outside and the sofas and chairs inside. Most of them were probably college students, though there were a few I’d guess were in high school, too. Sunset Roast had free WiFi, so the younger people of Glenhaven took advantage of it.

Jasper was running the counter when I stepped through the doors, and he grinned my way. “Ah, there he is. I’m glad we haven’t scared you off yet.”

Smiling a little, I shook my head. “No, sir.”

He snorted, gripping my shoulder. “I’m about five seconds older than you, bud. No ‘sir’ needed.” When I nodded again, he chuckled. “Actually, I’m only about two years older than you. What are you…eighteen? Nineteen?”

“Nineteen.”

“Ah, yeah…well, I’m almost twenty-two, so… Don’t ‘sir’ me.”

Grimacing, I said, “Habit.”

“And it’s a good one, Ed. But save it for the old lady at the bakery for extra donuts or the old man who runs the flower shop when you need somethin’ for your girl.”

“I don’t… I mean… There’s no…”

His brow furrowed at me, but a half smile played on his lips. “Good-lookin’ kid like you? Pfft… Shit, you’ll be knockin’ them off with a stick before your first semester is over.” I could only stare at him in confusion, which seemed to amuse him more, but he changed subjects quickly. “Oh, hey… I was putting your file together. Come with me. I need to talk to you before you get to work.”

I started to panic, thinking I’d done something wrong, but he’d said I’d be getting to work, so I figured I wasn’t fired…yet. “What’d I do?”

He led me through the kitchen and down the hall to his office. Papers and files were strewn all over the top of his desk, which made the neat freak in me break out into a sweat and swallow thickly. I shifted on my feet, gazing down at my sneakers as he shuffled through some stuff, only to slap down a manila file folder with my name on it.

“Listen, I was doing the paperwork on you, and I noticed you didn’t put down a name and phone number in case of emergency.”

“There’s no one to call.”

Jasper stared at me for a moment, and I frowned at his finger pointing to the blank line on the application. He opened his mouth and then shut it, only to say, “Where’s home, Ed?”

“Washington. And everyone I know is too far away to do anything about any emergency.”

Jasper sighed, falling down in his chair. “I gotta have somethin’. Even if it’s your roommate.”

My nose wrinkled as I shook my head, and I thought it was pretty damn sad I didn’t have Ben’s phone number, but I didn’t think I’d need it.

“Parents? Mom or Dad?”

“No… N-No mother, and my dad wouldn’t care if there was an emergency.” The truth came flying out of my mouth quicker than I could pull it back in, and Jasper flinched. “If I give you my brother’s number, just…don’t bother to call if something happens. He’ll just…freak out that he can’t do anything. Then he’ll call my sister, who will… She’ll panic. I…”

Something akin to pity warmed his usually jovial, easygoing blue eyes, but he nodded, pushing the file toward me. I jotted down Emmett’s name and cell phone, looking back at him.

“And I thought my family put the fun in dysfunctional.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “From what I can see, you’re pretty normal, so… I probably win.”

 .

Don't forget to pop Deb on alert so you don't miss out! 

♥ Kim 

Welcome to TLS Nursery!

Welcome to TLS Nursery!

Here we nurture all of the newborn stories (stories published within the last thirty days or so) 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'll enjoy cuddling up to these babies as well.

As ever, there are some incredible stories to check out this month.

Remember to leave these lovely ladies some love, and let them know TLS sent you!

♥ Kim 

Vices by allihavetodoisdream

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11335933/1/Vices

A struggling girl lives a colorless life. Until it all changes and her world is filled with neon-bright color. She soon gets swept away in the luxury and glamour of her new life. But everything comes with a price. ExB. Rated M for violence, drug use, language, and sexual content.

A Case of You by SparrowNotes24

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11344594/1/A-Case-of-You

He's her warning. She's his sweet temptation. An addict always wants what he can't have, even if it will ruin him. "Speak of the devil and she shall appear. Who am I kidding? I'm Beelzebub."

Island Nights by compass54

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11370259/1/Island-Nights

I would always remember him as a dangerously beautiful twenty-two-year-old, a sensual and affectionate lover who could put a gun to a man's head and pull the trigger. Why I couldn't forget him was no mystery. I was still in love with him.

The Broomstick Train by Soleil2

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11360267/1/The-Broomstick-Train

"They buried them deep, but they wouldn't lie still, For cats and witches are hard to kill." -Oliver Wendall Holmes

Between Goals by tiffanyanne3

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11334948/1/Between-Goals

He's green eyes, messy hair, and a brilliant smile. He's confusing and exasperating. He's just a teammate, the goalie for our recreational soccer club, but when it comes to our flirtation, he plays forward. I didn't particularly like Edward Cullen the first couple of times I met him. But now? I want him. This is what happens between goals. BxE, rated M for the usual reasons.

Watch and See by JiffyKate

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11331150/1/Watch-and-See

Her sexual experience is limited, at best. She's never found pleasure in it, so what's the point? Now, though, she wants what he's giving. Seeing the women fall apart against his window has her yearning and wanting to the point she almost combusts sitting on the ledge, merely an observer. What would it be like if she were one of them?

I Do, Maybe by twilightladies

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11313927/1/I-Do-Maybe

Swan's White Weddings is the love of Bella's life, consuming her days and nights, but she wouldn't have it any other way. After securing Chicago's wedding of the year for Tanya Turner, the elite socialite daughter of Turner Industries' CEO, Bella thinks all her hard work has finally paid off. It's just a shame she's already well-acquainted with the groom.

Birmingham by ThisIsReallyHappening

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11315602/1/Birmingham

I loved her, even when she didn't know love was possible. Most folks don't see the beauty in that, but if they saw what I felt, maybe the world would be a little less blind. ExB. Rated M.

Through my Eyes by muselover75

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11316153/1/Through-My-Eyes

After witnessing Bella's broken heart, Edward's determined to put the pieces back together.

Born of Ash and Fire by MandyLeigh87

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11330052/1/Born-of-Ash-and-Fire

As the kingdom prepares for a grand tournament, Prince Edward becomes captivated with the Blacksmith's daughter. But despite her love for him, her secret may tear them apart forever. BxE Rated M EPOV

Mad Masen by yalegirl915

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11355708/1/Mad-Masen

Edward Masen was once on his way to being one of the most feared gangsters in Chicago. He didn't believe he deserved forgiveness for any of the things he'd done, but when he meets Bella Swan, he learns a lot of things not only about himself, but life in general. AU/AH

TLS Special SNEAK PEEK Feature

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

This week, the lovely compass54, author of the brilliant Baby Whisperer, shares a little detail on her upcoming story Island Nights with us.

Summary: I would always remember him as a dangerously beautiful twenty-two-year-old, a sensual and affectionate lover who could put a gun to a man’s head and pull the trigger. Why I couldn’t forget him was no mystery. I was still in love with him.

Have you ever gone away to work somewhere for the season, like the ski fields or a resort? 

Have you ever lived with your co-workers, isolated away from the rest of the world? 

It’s a fascinating human experiment where some thrive and others don’t do so well.

I inhabited that world for a while and found that people backpacking around, living the itinerant lifestyle, go a little wild and then anything goes. People make their own rules in a society more free than the one they left behind. In an environment where everyone is young, clothes come off, drinking to excess is the norm, and gossip abounds.

Forming a relationship can make things easier, but what happens when your other half loses their job or has to go abruptly? Is your impulse to follow them or can you stay for the reasons you went there in the first place, writing it off as part of the experience?

I saw it happen so many times and often wondered about that person we never heard from again.

This is the story of the good girl, the daughter of a cop, who falls for the dangerous bad boy while working on an island resort, becoming best friends and then lovers. What happens when he has to leave suddenly, is the rest of the story.

...

I’m trying to read, but a craving for something cold and sugary is eating at me tonight - an icy Coke with bubbles that go up your nose. Hmm. I slip my feet into my flip-flops, then look down at what I’m wearing. I don’t want to have to get fully dressed for something that will only take me a minute, so I pull on my robe, wrap it over, and tie a tight bow. Checking myself in the bathroom mirror, I’m nice and demure, showing nothing at all.

Everyone walks around here scantily clad in pajamas and bikinis, so I don't know what I am worried about, really. It’s just that I have to go to the staff bar to get the Coke, and he is there. Locking my door, I put my long chain with its keys around my neck, jingling the coins in my hand, as I cross the service road and walk down the short path to the bar.

The smell of fresh toast is always strong in here. The jukebox is playing, and a couple is cuddling as they scan the selection. Edward is polishing wine glasses, sliding them upside down into a rack over the bar and, when he sees me approach, his eyes widen.

"Can I have a Coke please?"

He cups his ear before leaning forward so far that his cheek touches mine. I jump back slightly and repeat, "Coke… in a big glass, no ice?"

Still leaning forward, he looks right into my eyes and smirks. "I knew you'd come to me eventually. I didn't think you'd come ready for bed."

I swallow and lift my chin. "I'm not staying."

"Oh, come on, stay for a while. It's quiet tonight. I'll get you something to sit on." He’s already bringing the stool from the other side of the bar for me. "Have a seat."

He stands back, raising his eyebrows, and waits. When I sit down, he smiles, returns to his side, and fills a huge glass with Coke from a gun, placing it in front of me and squeezing the trigger a few extra times to fill it right to the top.

There is no way I can pick it up without spilling it everywhere. Pulling my hair back, I lean forward and suck at the rim of the glass. When I glance up, he is studying me, his eyes wandering from my lips to my eyes.

With a sudden glint in his eye, he says, "You said you wanted it big."

I gulp at the innuendo, take my chain off, and place it down on the bar. He picks it up, fiddling with the keys like he is going to take them. Then he stands back near the register and watches me struggling, smirking before giving me a straw.

Once I take a deep pull on the icy Coke, I close my eyes, savoring the sweetness and bite as it races down my throat, the cold radiating out over my chest.

"Why don't you ever come to the bar?" he asks, with eyes already assessing me. He lowers the chain on the bar and picks up another wine glass. "Are you scared of me?"

.

Don't forget to pop compass on alert so you don't miss out! 

♥ Kim 

TLS Special SNEAK PEEK Feature

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

This week, the incredible SparrowNotes24, author of the beautiful Sea Salt, shares a little detail on her upcoming story A Case of You with us.

Banner by timelights

Summary: He’s her warning. She’s his sweet temptation. An addict always wants what he can’t have, even if it will ruin him. “Speak of the devil and she shall appear. Who am I kidding? I’m Beezlebub.”

A Case of You is a story that's been hiding in the back of my mind since I started writing fanfiction. My longtime love affair with the Arctic Monkeys and a conversation with Kim about our favourite type of Edward, gave me the burst of inspiration I needed for this Edward to finally come to life. It’s the first EPOV I’ve ever written, and he’s already under my skin, stealing my attention and driving me crazy.

Edward is trouble.

He wrestles with his demons on most days—until he doesn’t. Then he lets them crawl all over him until he’s ready to shake them off again.

Bella is temptation, a game he will play knowing there can be no winners. She is everything he cannot have. 

But that’s never stopped him before.

...... 

The irony of a bar opposite an AA meeting is not lost on me. A few of us have joked about escaping there if it ever gets too much. It always fucking feels that way,  but I've never crossed the street. Others have, and they wear their guilt like an invisible cloak,  unmistakable to others skilled in the art of denial.

A coffee shop and secondhand book store cling to either side of the bar, cowering from their brighter, noisier neighbor, and a Chinese restaurant blocks off the corner. Tonight, the smell it churns out make my mouth water. On previous nights, earlier in the year, I would’ve lost the contents of my stomach to the gutter.

I check the bus times. Ten minutes until the next one. With hunger twisting my insides, my decision is made. I dash over, push the door open, and walk into a cloud of heat and spice. It’s pretty full already, but nobody takes much notice of me, so I head to the bar. Again, habit. 

The waiter uncorks a bottle of red wine, and then takes my to-go order. “It’ll be about ten minutes. Can I get you something to drink?” 

Yes. “No. I’m good, thanks.” The draught tap has condensation dripping down it. The sight draws all the moisture from my mouth. “On second thought, a club soda.” 

I’m so full of amazing ideas, I astound myself. Em tells me I’m a masochist. He’s usually right. I turn my back on the devil, facing the restaurant.

It’s then that I see her. Brunette, curves poured into a red silk dress covered with dragons breathing fire. It’s burning in her cheeks as she rushes around the tables. I’m not the only pair of eyes following her around the room.

She’s fucking beautiful. A little harassed and tired as she catches me looking and raises a brow. She’s not familiar. I would’ve remembered those eyes. Dark and dangerous. 

A stray hand belonging to a sweaty, fat fuck in a suit brushes against her ass. She laughs and slaps it away, but she flashes me a look of disgust as if I’m a friend. It makes me want to punch his lights out. I just smile.

She heads over to the bar, the tray balanced on her hip. “Assholes,” she says under her breath to me. “Can’t ever get away from them.” She stands on her tiptoes, stretching her body over the bar as she reaches for some shot glasses. When they’re filled with Patron, the smell of her perfume mixed with the liquor is enough to drive any man crazy. She turns to me. “Someone lookin’ after you?”

“Yeah, thanks.” I gesture to the waiter. “I’ve ordered takeout.” 

She scans me like a book, tilting her head the opposite way to her smile as she takes in my damp hoodie and hair. “That’s a shame.”

Her invitation settles in my nerve endings, and I see the night in front of me, the way I want it to play out, what it’ll take to have her body underneath me, the sounds I’ll pull from her, the way she’ll taste. It’ll be easy.

...... 

When Kate sends you a text one night along the lines of, “So, I’ve shared a doc with you for something but it may be crap”, you know it’ll be anything but. It's no secret that I love this girl and her writing, so it'll come as no shock when I say how truly brilliant this story is. From the very first chapter, I knew I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about it, and I haven't. It's clever and gritty and I know you're all going to love it as much as I do. 

Don't forget to pop Kate on alert so you don't miss out! 

♥ Kim 

TLS Special SNEAK PEEK Feature

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

This week, the gorgeous duo JiffyKate, authors of the brilliant The Other One, share a little detail on their upcoming story Watch and See with us.

Jiff: Hey, Jenny Kate, remember that one time at TFMU-Nashville, when we were in our hotel room completely hammered and looking out the window? Inspiration struck, and amazingly enough, we remembered our plot bunny the next day!

Jenny Kate: I’m a little shocked we remembered anything from that night! Why do we always wait until the last night of a trip to get plastered? I’m glad we remembered the details of this plot bunny. And here we are, one year later, finally posting the first chapter.

Summary:  Her sexual experience is limited, at best. She’s never found pleasure in it, so what’s the point? Now, though, she wants what he’s giving. Seeing the women fall apart against his window has her yearning and wanting to the point she almost combusts sitting on the ledge, merely an observer. What would it be like if she were one of them?

Watch and See

His large palms and long fingers are pressed firmly against the glass, while her pale white back slides vigorously up and down, her mess of red hair all over the place.

Everything I observe on the other side of that window hits somewhere deep within me, igniting a fire I didn’t know was possible.

I watch.

I see.

I feel.

Her legs unravel from his waist, and he spins her around. She braces her hands against the window as her mouth drops open, and he enters her from behind. I get the first glimpse of her face, and she’s beautiful. But they all are. Her features are soft and delicate. When she finally opens her eyes, I zoom in closer and see that they’re blue. They’re not the same shade of deep blue that his eyes are. They’re lighter with a hint of green.

This is his favorite position. He takes almost every woman like this. And since it’s a favorite of his, it’s also a favorite of mine. Well, a favorite to watch. I’ve only ever had sex in the missionary position, but I’ve got a good imagination.

I continue to watch. He pushes; she pushes. He pulls; she surrenders. Sometimes, it’s slow and sensual. Other times, it’s fast and hard. It’s up to him. He sets the pace. The women are merely at his mercy, but I never see them leave without a satisfied, sated expression. So I can only guess that it’s as good for them as it is for him… and for me.

Her beautiful face contorts as she throws her head back. Judging by the way her mouth is hanging open and her throat is moving, I imagine she’s screaming, probably his name.

He bends her over farther, his strong hands gripping her torso as his hips collide with hers, and he continues to thrust in and out forcefully. The sweat coating his chest accentuates the definition of his muscles. Gritted teeth and a tight jaw tell me he’s getting close, which disappoints me because I could watch him for hours.

I let out a breath I’ve been holding, licking my dry lips as I watch him push in even harder, his movements becoming erratic.

I probably shouldn’t watch. I’m sure some would think it’s perverse.

I don’t have a fetish, per se, but I do have to admit I get off.

I’d have to be dead not to.

.

Don't forget to pop JiffyKate on alert so you don't miss out! 

♥ Kim 

TLS Special SNEAK PEEK Feature

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

This week, the lovely twilightladies, author of the addictive I Belong With You, shares a little detail on her upcoming story I Do... Maybe with us.

Title: I Do... Maybe

Summary: Swan’s White Weddings is the love of Bella’s life, consuming her days and nights, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. After securing Chicago’s wedding of the year for Tanya Turner, the elite socialite daughter of Turner Industries’ CEO, Bella thinks all her hard work has finally paid off. It’s just a shame she’s already well-acquainted with the groom.

The idea for my new story has been with me for a while. At the moment, between helping my sister plan hers and planning them as a job, I pretty much live and breathe weddings. It's only right that one of my favorite films is The Wedding Planner (I'm a sucker for Matthew McConaughey!), and I thought it would make for a good story. 

I Do... Maybe, will be loosely based on the film. Bella's on her way to becoming one of the best wedding planners in Chicago, especially after securing what the press is calling the wedding of the year. Enter our groom, Edward, who she's already met. 

I won't give much of the plot away. While, it's based on the film, I've also made this story my own. I hope you enjoy it! 

... 

Teaser:

“You know, it’s usually polite to tell someone your name once they’ve introduced themselves.”

I look up again to see him grinning down at me, and I blush.

“Bella. My name is Bella.”

“Bella…”

And I love the way he says my name.  I want to hear him say it again.

He smiles softly, and I turn my head, leaning against his shoulder. I feel a hum vibrate through him, and I like that he seems to be enjoying our dance as much as I am.

We don’t speak again as the music surrounds us.

But it’s not forever

But it’s just tonight

Oh, we’re still the greatest

The greatest

Edward bends down, his lips brushing my ear. I can feel more than hear him sing the chorus of the song, and it’s making me shiver. I haven’t had a guy show any interest in me in months. It’s been even longer since I’ve been on a date, and now I have a gorgeous guy singing Kings of Leon to me.

I pull myself tighter against him but don’t say anything. Does he feel this intensity between us, or is it only me? Maybe it is just a dance for him.  I roll my eyes as I imagine Alice telling me off for overthinking something. Again.

Instead, I close my eyes, enjoy the feel of his body against mine, and don’t even notice as he moves us to a darkened corner of the dance floor.

The song finishes, launching into another more upbeat song, which I don’t pay attention to. Edward’s grasp on my waist tightens, and we don’t stop moving. Shadows creep over us as we’re pushed farther into the corner as the dance floor fills up.

Feeling his gaze on me, I look up. He smiles and brings one of his hands to my cheek, pushing a stray piece of hair behind my ear. Even the simplest of gestures makes my knees go weak.

“Why did you ask me to dance?”

“Why did you say yes?”

“I couldn’t say no.”

He takes a shuddering breath as his eyes dart from my eyes to my lips and back again. I place my hand on top of his and lean forward silently, telling him I want this kiss as much as he does. If I’m being honest with myself, I’ve wanted this kiss since I saw him at the bar, saw him smile at me, and definitely since he asked me to dance.

Before our lips meet, he scrunches his eyes as if he’s in pain and drops his hand like he’s burned.

“Edward?”

“I can’t…”

With a last glance, he turns quickly and pushes his way through the crowd without looking back, leaving me hurt, dazed, and bewildered behind him.

.

 Don't forget to pop Karen on alert so you don't miss out!

♥ Kim