TLS Fics of the Week 8/6 - 8/12/2013: The Fab Five are up!

Hi everyone, PAWsPeaches here... I put together our poll each week and last week I had a little problem. I accidentally deleted the wrong poll when trying to create a new one. The poll had just closed and unfortunately I hadn't gathered the winners from it before I pressed the wrong button. I decided not to panic and re-do the poll- which would have set us behind- but to just let TLS Admins choose the five Fics of the Week instead. I couldn't be more pleased with our choices and I think you will be too:

Soul by Denverpopcorn
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6928840/1/SOUL
Meet Edward Cullen, boy next door, dreamer, and self-proclaimed virgin.
Take a journey with him as he heads out in search of The One. AH. EPOV,
E/B. Rated M

Review by GeekChic12

We start out meeting a twelve-year-old Edward, too distracted on Christmas morning by his new toys to realize his mother is walking out on him and his father.

Being raised by a single dad doesn’t seem to be much of a hardship for Edward though. He knows it wasn’t his fault, and he moves on, taking care of his broken-up dad the best he can.

As Edward goes through his teenage years, he realizes he’s different from most other guys his age—that is to say, not so focused on girls.

I wanted to set my own course.

His father worries about him and sends him to “tutor” a former child beauty queen—one Miss Rosalie Hale.

Rosalie tells Edward like it is but doesn’t pressure him. She can understand where he’s coming from, and they strike up an unlikely but unbreakable platonic friendship.

"Edward, be yourself. So casual sex is not your thing; that's fine. That's honorable. But you're going to have to face a sex-filled world and do one of two things. One, you can own up to it, and when the subject comes up, as it always will, you can proudly call yourself a virgin. Like, 'Hi, my name is Edward Cullen and I am a hot as fuck, 9-inch-cocked-up self-proclaimed virgin."

We both howled at that. The dreamy weed made us burst into fits of wheezing laughter and arm slapping.

"Or, two, you can fake it," she said.

I snorted. I never said I was proud; there was no righteousness in my system. Sex was everywhere, sure; there was no hiding from it. I got it, everyone else was normal; I was not. I knew I was odd, but I didn't dress differently, I could carry a conversation. And so long as a girl was wearing clothes, I wasn't nervous. I was just me.

I wanted to tell her that, but I could barely form a sentence.

Rose spoke. "Everyone, everywhere, talks about sex like the weather, and you, with your…dear God, your beautiful face, and hair that women want to tug, you are the embodiment of their wants and their needs. How are you going to get past that? What have you done to those nubile young princesses who think you belong to them? And let me tell you Edward, they are possessive of you. I hear them talk. That's why I know about you. They want you."

We would become friends over the summer, figuring out who we were and who we were meant to be. And we had a kinship neither wanted to sacrifice to sex just to be like everyone else.

Rosalie Hale didn't lay waste to my dignity. She cultivated it.

She helps him realize what makes him different.

It took a stranger to pull it out of me, to make me think about it, put a name to it.

I was holding out, alright. I had a downright crazy, crazy desire. I didn't want to get my heart broken. I wanted to believe in the impossible.

I wanted a soul mate. I wanted someone to unlock the giant ball of love I kept reserved in my heart.

Now if that line doesn’t make you fall in love with this Edward, I don’t know what will. He’s one of my favorite Edwards of all time.

We follow Edward on his journey to find his soul mate (his snowflake). He is persistent and refuses to settle for anything less.

And once he finds her...a totally unexpected world opens up for him.

"I've just met the woman of my dreams."

"I want to do bad, bad things to her."

Horny Virginward emerges, and his inner monologue will make you laugh out loud.

Isabella Swan is quite an interesting character herself, from her dog named Bacon to her collection of rare spiders.

Be sure to check out this gem of a fic, and leave Denverpopcorn some love! We’re all crossing our fingers for an update soon!

Always an Edward by LifeInTheSnow
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7180165/1/Always-an-Edward
Bella wants to say yes to kind, handsome Ed…but can't stop meeting Eddie for martini lunches. Eduardo just wonders why she's avoiding his yoga class. And who is this "Edward" leaving cryptic messages at work? A story about people and how they change. Rated M

One Day by RueforRegret
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/9147787/1/One-Day
Over a quarter of a century separates single-mother Bella Swan from her hormone-riddled adolescence. Watching her teenaged daughter navigate her way through various rites of passage, Bella can't help falling prey to nostalgia. "One Day" brims with steamy reminiscences of first love and traces one woman's mid-life attempt to reclaim it. ExB, AH, mild angst, Rated M

The Chosen Ones by AmaranthineX
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/9488969/1/The-Chosen-Ones
A new world order emerges after an epidemic alters the foundation of life as we know it. The human race is in danger of extinction, but a select few have the ability to propagate life. This is the ultimate survival of the fittest. AH/ Rated M

Unraveled Knot by Twistedcoincidence
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4919822/1/Unraveled-Knot
A round peg in a square hole. It's not always the easiest fit that works the best. Maybe if it's not hard it's just not worth it. AU/AH E/B Collab with astilbe13 Rated M

TLS Fics of the Week 1/19 - 1/25/2012: SIX Sexy Reviews are up!

The Fiercest Sun by Bitemenowplease
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7507406/1/The_Fiercest_Sun
There is danger in pursuing what your heart desires. A seductive and mysterious stranger leads Bella into a path of unsettling self-discovery. How much can she sacrifice to find out what she wants, what she needs? AH Darkward BxE Sexual themes. Twilight - Rated: M

Reviewed By:  Dragonfly336I found The Fiercest Sun by BiteMeNowPlease right here on TLS.  The ladies on FB were flailing around about this Edward and I just had to see what all the fuss was about.  Well, I definitely wasn’t disappointed.

Bella is married to Emmett and they have a five year old boy. She’s in her early thirties and owns her own art gallery.  She seems to have everything good in life, but she is discontent.  This is a curious Bella, one who wants to explore the world with someone enjoying new things with her.  Unfortunately, Emmett just goes along with Bella to make her happy.

She meets our beloved Edward at Jessica’s anniversary party.  She bumps into Edward and effectively spills his drink on him.  She drops to her knees to clean the spilled liquid and we get to read one of the best opening lines.

She'd immediately dropped to her knees, trying to sop up the liquid from Jessica's parquet floor, blushing when she realized she was eye level with the man's crotch, while drops of liquor dripped from his belt. Her eyes traveled up a long, lean body covered in tight, dark wash jeans and a green button-down shirt. The face above was smiling. "Well, now," said a voice as thick and smooth as honey, "I do enjoy the sight of a woman on her knees." Bella mentally rolled her eyes, dabbing at the puddle on the floor. "Let me help you with that."


We soon learn through Lauren, who is actually likeable in this story, that Edward is into the whole BDSM thing. Bella is intrigued and they start discussing modern art, which they both have a passion for.  They become friendly over the next few months.    She agrees to have lunch with him after she finds him a rare piece of art. It is here that they discuss Edward’s lifestyle.

"Play room?" she asked innocently.


His eyes said he wasn't fooled by her show of naiveté, but he answered anyway. "I am a dominant. It's a place set up to facilitate play with my submissives."


Bella could feel the blood rising to her face. Mentally, she rolled her eyes at herself. She always pictured herself as this very urbane, worldly woman, yet a simple conversation about bondage was making her blush. "I'd heard something about that," she admitted, twisting the stem of her water goblet in her fingers.


"And?" he asked, his eyebrows raised.


She inhaled, shrugging her shoulders and trying to be nonchalant. "I have to admit to some curiosity."


"What would you like to know?" He was leaning forward, speaking softly against the hum of the restaurant.


"Um, I don't know," she said. "I guess, why?"


A smile spread across his face. "Well, that's the sixty-four thousand dollar question, isn't it? And everyone in the scene that you talk to has a different answer. Despite the popular view, most of us were not abused or traumatized as children." He paused, obviously thinking. "It's an exploration of oneself, about limits, about power. And about sex, obviously."


"I just don't think I could get dressed all up in boots and bustiers. I'd probably start laughing," she admitted, chuckling uncomfortably.


"Oh, I don't see you as a dominant at all," Edward said, obviously appraising her.


"No?" Bella asked, not sure if she was being somehow insulted. Bella liked control; she ran her own gallery and did it well. She ran her home with the same precision. Most of her girlfriends were envious of her; she always seemed to have it all together.


"No," Edward answered softly. "I see how controlled you are, how on top of everything. I see you needing a place to let it go, a place where you are allowed to not be the boss."


Edward decides to send Bella a gift and this is where she really starts to question her life and her curiosity gets a hold of her. She is struggling with the fact that she is married, but she has an undeniable attraction to Edward.  He’s mysterious, powerful and dangerous to her life as she knows it. Bella struggles with what she should do, choose what is right or what she desires deep down.

The Fiercest Sun is currently sitting at eleven chapters and it is the perfect time to start reading!  I will leave you with a little Edward.

"This is what it's like," he whispered into her ear. His words and his breath were searing her ear, transmitting heat into every part of her. "To be taken and used for pleasure, unable to stop it or say yes or no." His hands slid to the bare skin of the décolletage of her dress. It was a wrap dress, crisscrossing in front of her breasts before skimming her body. There was give in the stretchy material of her neckline, and he pulled at the fabric to expose her bra, hooking it under her breasts. "Feel it, Bella. How vulnerable you are. How open."


Her breathed hitched as he pressed his naked chest against her back, wrapping his arms around her while his hands dropped to her pelvis. He slowly gathered the material in her dress in his hands and she felt her hem rise higher and higher, sliding up her thighs. "You're wondering if you can really go through with this, but at the same time, there is something in you, that recognizes that you have no choice. That you need to do this." His voice was like warm honey, wrapping her up in it, twisting her until she couldn't tell if she was up or down. "You think you have taken a step that now requires faith and trust. But the person you need to trust is yourself. Your body, your soul are trying to tell you what they need. Be brave enough to listen." He bunched the dress around her waist, then twisted it back in and on itself, so it was trapped in place. His hands slid across the soft skin of her belly, while she closed her eyes and bit back a moan. Her stomach muscles trembled under his hand.


"I can feel you, Bella. I can feel your need." His fingers inched below the elastic of her panties. Her legs involuntarily tried to close but the restraints kept them open. She cried out softly when she felt the incessant prodding of his fingers as they slipped lower and lower. Her thighs began to tremble.


He pressed his groin harder against her ass. She felt the length of hardness in his pants pressing insistently against the fleshiness of her ass. "Can you feel mine?" he murmured. "Do you know how much I want to lay you down? To fuck you? To do things to you that you have only seen in your darkest dreams."


Now, tell me you don’t want to read that.  I dare you!

Drift by Denverpopcorn
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6388820/1/
A blizzard blows in and shuts down the City. Everyone prepares for a snow day, including Edward and Bella. They each have a life-changing decision to make, but will their sudden confinement cool their passion and force them to face certain truths? E/B,AH Twilight - Rated: M

Reviewed By: Bellaflan

Drift begins bravely, and if it wasn't for Deverpopcorn's skill in drawing the reader in with straightforward yet poetic prose, I think most readers would flounce in the first chapter. Wait, there's a compliment buried in that convoluted sentence. Can you find it?
The Edward and Bella we are introduced to are morally ambiguous; actually, the story itself is somewhat ambiguous:

She was tucked in and smoothed over like a wrapped present meant for someone else. He knew better than to touch her. Hand on door, he leaned over her, the other hand on her hip.
Lightly, lightly.
Breathing her in one more time.
"When will I see you again?" he stalled with clenched eyes, counting away the panic. He knew the answer to this already, and later that night, he wouldn't recall if she actually pointed at her ring finger and rolled her eyes, or mumbled incoherently about a business trip, or in-laws and people whose names he could never know.
They made plans for phone calls. They made plans until his return.
They were always making plans.

It's evident that there's some sort of betrayal occurring. Is Bella married? Is Edward taking advantage of the situation? The story is told in vignettes, and at first it's a little unclear if the reader should like these people or not. But they're Bella and Edward, and whether they're good or bad, we want them to get together, dammit!
As a winter storm rages in the city, the reader is blown into the story and emotional the chaos of Edward's mind, until we drift into the calm eye of it:

"Bella, bo bella, her feet do smella..." he sings into her toes with a smile. She chuckles but pulls her foot back.
"I was singing to that foot. Give it back." He snatches it by the ankle.
"My feet don't 'smella', Edward," she says in a playful huff and sits up straighter, letting the sheet settle around her waist, exposing round and heavy breasts.
Her lack of modesty, long since fucked away, makes his stomach clench and the back of his eyes prick. The wanting settles low in his spine. He stares for lack of air.
"Do you remember when we first met," she asks, watching his finger glide over the lacquer of a red toenail.
"Sure, I do." He sighs. "You always bring it up." He puts her foot down and works his own under the covers, sneaking its way toward her.
"I believe," he says as the sole of his foot finds her in-between, "you called me a dick." He rests his foot at the base of her wet fuzz and applies a well-known pressure.
"You're silly." Without thinking, she guides his foot further into her. She hums.
Both sets of eyes grow big, and after a surprised pause, they laugh. She swats at his leg like she meant to do, but he doesn't move it. And she doesn't tell him to.
"That's because you were arrogant," she says, getting back on topic, and remembering it her way. "You had so many girls throwing themselves at you that night. But you talked to me. I don't know why." She casts the line out, hoping for a tug. It does not come.
Resting her head back, she focuses on the blades of the ceiling fan slowly slicing the edges of stray light.

See? I can't describe that kind of writing. It's effortless and lovely and so evocative I want sing songs about it. I'm not sure if that's what Denverpopcorn was hoping to elicit as a response, but dude...

There's this underlying theme of hunger throughout the story that sometimes manifests through sex and sometimes, just through food:

When he sets her feet down, his fingers graze her chilled thighs and rub them, as if by extension, he can warm them both.
She chokes back a tiny sob into his chest and masks it with a plea for food.
She is ravenous.
"Feed Me."

This is a story about deception, but not in the way you might think. It's awesome to watch their truth unfold through fragmented memories, drunken sex, and sweet moments. The lovers are so entangled by their own fear they can't see what's in front of them.

I'm not doing it justice. Read it. Not for graphic lemons or angst or UST, but for all of the beautiful moments that make this story and these iterations of Bella and Edward so real and flawed. The author breaks my heart and mends it.

An Education by CarrieCee
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5915228/1/An_Education
A story of love, desire and obsession. New teacher at Forks High, Edward Cullen, knows he needs to stay away from Bella Swan. She's so beautiful, so intelligent and as his student, so out of bounds. Sometimes forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest. Twilight - Rated: M

Reviewed by: Vampshavelaws Fanfiction

I’ve been reading An Education by CarrieCee for a while now. I have a not so secret love for student/teacher stories, or any other type of illicit situations, but it’s very rare to find an honest to good fic in this category.

An Education is one of the good ones.

This isn’t your typical, schoolgirl in a uniform bent over her teachers desk because she’s been a bad girl scenario that so many stories go down. This is smart, and believable and has a lot of heart.

Bella is mature for her age. She’s a thinker: kind, independent. One damp, Friday night in Forks, she meets a certain green-eyed character we all know and love. They bond over coffee and Wordsworth.

"She reads Wordsworth for fun, and is friends with cheerleaders despite her inherent lack of spirit," he mused aloud, and emboldened by the blush on her cheeks and the smile on her red lips he added, "so… does she have a name?"

He didn't think it was possible for her to possibly look more flustered, but she did. The colour on her cheeks deepened, and she stammered when she replied.

"Oh - um, it's Bella."

Compared to some of the aggressive women he had known, Bella's obvious shyness was endearing.

"Bella," he repeated, then reached his hand out. She took it, and they shook briefly. Her hand felt exceptionally tiny folded in his. "I'm Edward."

Edward believes Bella to be a college student, and vice versa, neither one correcting the other. Bella plays along, thinking she’ll never see him again, but fate has a cruel sense of humour sometimes, and Edward turns out to be none other than Bella’s new English teacher.

"Isabella Swan." If he recognised her name, he gave no indication. After all, she had introduced herself as Bella, and hadn't told him her last name. No-one had actually called her Isabella in years, apart from her Dad when she was in trouble.

She could hardly move, she opened her mouth but could barely croak the word out. Jessica turned to her, an amused look on her face. "Raise your hand," she whispered to Bella, who ever so slowly, ever so reluctantly raised her right hand into the air.

Edward's eyes flickered to her, he had to lean to his left slightly to see past the student in front of her. He looked at her so briefly, then glanced down at the attendance sheet to mark her off, and Bella let her breath out thinking it a miracle that he hadn't recognised her. For once she was grateful for the hideous uniform they all had to wear - she must have completed blended into the mass of green and grey. But her relief was premature, because he was looking at her again, his piercing green eyes were staring at her, first in confusion, as though he couldn't quite place her face. That was then followed by disbelief, then obvious shock. He paled. He dropped his eyes back to his attendance sheet, and she could see his adam's apple bounce up and down as he swallowed.

They both attempt to brush it off, even laugh and smile over their mistake, but the attraction - while fought adamantly along the way - only gets stronger with each moment they spend together.

Edward has a history that hangs over his head, clouding his judgement and strengthening his resolve. Bella’s best friend is pulling away, leaving her more hurt and confused than ever as she tries to deal with the intense feelings she has for her teacher.

The writing is great, story telling enthralling - you really fall in love with these characters. You feel exactly what they’re feeling, sympathise with their situations. And the UST... Oh, God. Some of the best I’ve ever read.

A flicker of something crossed Edward's face. "I didn't mean to make you feel un-important," he told her, his voice serious again. "And trust me when I say I would have much preferred to sit with you than with Ms. James. But I just…" He paused, mid explanation, then asked gently, "Bella, why didn't you just tell me that I'd upset you? Instead of… well, this." He spread his arms out, indicating their current situation. Standing in the dark, in the rain.

"Because of what I said before. I felt stupid. I mean, it was nothing - nothing! But it really bothered me and… I was scared that if I told you… I thought that you would think…" she hesitated, then reached up to tug on the damp ends of her ponytail.

Edward's brow drew together. "You thought I would think what?" he prompted her.

She bit her lip, then just blurted it out. "I thought you would just think I was some silly school girl… who thinks she's in love with her teacher."

Bella was staring at the ground again, trying to hide the rush of colour she felt flooding her cheeks, so she didn't see Edward's face, just heard his voice. It was hoarse. "Bella, I don't see you that way at all."

There was a pause, it lay thickly between them. Bella bit her lip harder, felt the pulsing below her skin. Felt her heart begin to pound beneath her ribs, as she realised what she was about to say. Whether she wanted to or not.

Her lips trembled, but when she spoke her voice was low and steady. "You should."

She raised her head. At her words Edward's eyes had widened noticeably, and when their eyes met she saw him swallow, saw his Adams apple bob up and down in his throat, saw his jaw clench. The pupils of his eyes dilated until his eyes appeared nearly completely black. Liquid onyx.

Their situation really tugs at the heartstrings. But the thing I love most about this story is that there’s nothing sordid here - their feelings are pure and real and true.

Please give An Education a try. I'm in no way doing this great fic justice. Go read and leave some love. You won’t regret it!

Slippery Slope by Bornonhalloween
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7527938/1/Slippery_Slope
A crash course with destiny brings together a burned-out social worker seeking to rekindle her faith in mankind and a disillusioned attorney running out of chances to be a real life hero. Written for Texasfires compilation. E/B, AH, M for language Twilight - Rated: M
Reviewed By: Kitkat Cullen


It is an exhilarating feeling.

Surrounded by white, chilled to the bone, palms sweating as you’re suspended high in the air with two pieces of fiberglass strapped to your feet.

Even experienced skiers feel that little bit of anxiety as the lift lets you off at the top of the mountain.

And somehow, Bornonhalloween manages to capture everything about the experience and throw you right into the middle of it.


She had done this little bit of love for the Fandon4Texas fundraiser and I think the support has even stunned her.  We were desperate for more when she posted the first two chapters as a teaser back before the compilation was sent out with the announcement that she would be continuing it starting January 1st.

And then we waited.

And waited.

And read the chapters we had over and over.

And finally…FINALLY January first arrived and we were able to see where she was taking us.

And it was addictive!

"Holy shit!" I exclaim, tipping over to get a closer look at a girl making her way across the mountain in a full snowplow wedge. "What the hell is that girl doing on this trail? She looks like she's been on skis less than a day and she's somehow skied herself over to Devil Basin. Damn, I wish I had a two-way radio!"
This girl has no business up here and no visible means of getting down. The top part is relatively flat and she's struggling to make turns; heading into the steep part of the mountain could be life-threatening, for her and anyone in her path. I keep my eyes trained on her. Holy hell, she is headed straight for Goosebumps!
"Do me a favor, folks," I say, lifting the safety bar and preparing early to dismount the chair. "Tell the lift operator to have ski patrol on call at the bottom of this lift, would you please? Nice meeting both of you!"
I jump off the chair the moment it's safe and ski over to Goosebumps as fast as my skis can propel me. Luckily, she hasn't gotten very far, but she's already become the epicenter for all kinds of traffic problems. People are passing her closely on both sides as she carves her turn and heads back across. By the time I'm almost caught up to her, she's skidding sideways down the mountain. Her arms are flailing, hair is flying; she's completely lost control. She's off balance, leaning backwards, causing her tips to point up and pick up speed. She's heading straight for the edge of the north face, and I don't even want to think about what's on the other side waiting for her.
I serpentine around the moguls at the right side where she's headed, hoping I can time this perfectly. It's risky at best, and I fear I could get both of us seriously hurt, but I don't see an alternative short of standing back and watching her take a header over the cliff.
My heart is pounding with hot pursuit and inherent danger. I've got one eye on the girl and one on the hills littering my path. I slow my descent so I'll still have some forward velocity when our bodies meet.
I have no choice. It's her only chance. 3…...2…...1….BAM!

And BAM it was.

Born pulled us in.

We felt that thrill when Bella realized she was rescued to the fear when she discovered she was going to have to actually ski down the double black diamond she had somehow managed to find herself on.

And then…

The love story began.

My eyes blink open to the welcome sight of Edward returning with the hot chocolate. Relieved of the panic and anxiety accompanying our life-threatening trek down the treacherous slope, I can now truly begin to appreciate Edward's otherworldly beauty. He removed his gloves earlier, before he went for the cocoas, uncovering smooth, elegant hands that set my mind to wandering in all sorts of inappropriate directions.
It gets even better, though, because as soon as he sets the cups down, he starts stripping off layers of outerwear. First, he unzips and discards his jacket, revealing a long, muscular build in tight black pants similar to mine, and a royal blue sweater that matches his parka. Without his coat blocking my view of his neck and chin, I can fully grasp the rugged appeal of his scruffy trapezoidal jaw, complete with a Dudley Do-Right-sized cleft on a much prettier chin. Next, he bends forward and unbuckles his boots, exposing the tiniest sliver of lower back between his sweater and the black waistband of his Under Armours. Gah…are they boxer jocks or long underwear? He releases a low, relieved moan as he extracts each foot and gives both shins a rubdown.
Finally, he peels off his wool cap, unfurling a completely unexpected crop of gorgeous reddish-gold hair with the craziest case of hat head I've ever seen. So crazy, in fact, that I start giggling, much to his consternation.
His mouth curls down around the edges into a little frown and he says, "Oh crap. It's really bad, isn't it?" He fruitlessly slaps at the cowlicks and runs both hands through the wild tangle.
I instantly feel terrible. "It's fine," I say, because telling him he's excruciatingly beautiful might be a little bit much.
"It has a mind of its own," he shrugs and shuffles toward the fire, turning his body to face mine and tucking one foot under the opposite knee. He picks up both drinks and hands me mine.
"To a bold and heroic rescue," I toast.
"To a courageous and wildly insane first day on skis," he answers before tapping my cup lightly with his.


Born offered me the rest of the chapters when she found out I was doing the review but I declined.


Crazy?

I know.

But I also know there are only a few more chapters left and I really need to stretch this out as long as possible.

People want to learn to ski because of this.

She almost has me ready to get back on those fiberglass slats of death just because of this tale.

It is exhilarating.

It is heartwarming.

Is it citrusy?

No…no it’s not.

But I might have convinced her to let Yummy and I write a lemon outtake.

So keep your eyes out.

But even without the tartness…

This is a ride NOT to be missed!!

Do the Right Thing by LyricalKris
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7470780/1/Do_The_Right_Thing
When a bust goes wrong, FBI Agent Edward Cullen is faced with a terrible choice. No one knows of his secret affair with comatose victim Bella Swan, nor that the child she carries is his. How can he do the right thing when he doesn't know what that is? Twilight - Rated: M

Reviewed By: Cesjmom Twifan

LyricalKris is one of my favorite authors, so I was thrilled when I was asked to write a review of one of her current wips – I think she has about 100 going on right now, she is that prolific!!  You can even vote for another one of her stories this week.  I’m enjoying “Do The Right Thing” for many reasons, 1) well, cuz she wrote it - like I said, one of my fave authors, 2) It is an FBIWard story and I’m a big fan of those stories and 3) I have no idea how she is going to solve the dilemma that Edward is faced with and can’t wait to see what happens with each update.

The summary tells us what is going to happen and the prologue expands on it greatly.   FBI Agent, Edward Cullen is in a relationship with Bella Swan, a victim in his current investigation as she is left in a coma and he is the only one who knows of their relationship.  When Edward learns that Bella is pregnant, and no one is aware that he is the father, what should he do, what would you do?   As she does so well, the author has added another character into the drama and to the dilemma, Bella’s ex-boyfriend – Jacob, who was the whistle blower in Edward’s investigation.  He is killed in the opening scene, yet everyone believes he is Bella’s boyfriend and the father of her child.

To the best of his knowledge, the only people who knew that Jacob and Bella's relationship had been over for the last five months were Bella and himself. How was he supposed to do this? To take responsibility for killing Billy Black's only son and in the same breath tell him that Jacob's relationship the last five months had been a sham? Would they even understand... or would they think she was a cheater? She couldn't exactly defend herself. Jacob knew about them, but they would only have Edward's word to verify that.

The word of the man who had gotten Jacob Black killed.

The word of an FBI agent who had slept with the woman who was part of his sting, who it had been his responsibility to protect.

Edward stared at the bright florescent lights above him at a total loss for what to do.

As the story progresses, we gradually learn through a series of flashbacks, of the development of Edward and Bella’s relationship.  Although they did go to High School together, they were in different grades and aside from a brief encounter many years ago; they never were friends till they met again in current time.  While Bella is dealing with no longer being in a relationship that no one knows no longer exists, she is lonely and seeks out Edward where a friendship forms first.  It is their mutual attraction and respect for each other though, leads to their eventual love affair.

When it was time for her to go, he walked with her to the door. As they were saying their goodbyes, it was the most natural thing in the world for him to tilt his head down to kiss her - a simple, sweet kiss goodbye.

Except that they'd never kissed before - a fact Edward only realized as he straightened up, looking into her wide, startled eyes. He sucked in a quick breath, his mouth forming a distinct 'O' shape, and though he opened his mouth to apologize, no words came out.

In fact, he wasn't sorry at all.

They were completely frozen, Bella with her hand still on the door jamb as she looked up at him and he down at her. Quite suddenly it was a whole different ballgame, the atmosphere in his apartment going from relaxed to incendiary. His very skin pulled toward her. In training at Quantico, Edward had experienced the flight or fight reflex many times - an innate instinct for action. It was much the same then, except his every muscle was tensed, pushing him toward her, because that tiny taste of her lips was more.

That's it. She was simply more.

More than anything he'd ever experienced or wanted.

She raised onto her tiptoes, her arms wrapping around his neck as his circled her waist. They paused like that, both of them inexplicably breathless. Edward tilted his head down and as they breathed, their noses brushed each others cheeks.

"What are we doing?" Bella breathed.

"I don't know," he admitted, his voice so soft it was hardly a whisper.

"Can we do this?" she asked, looking into his eyes. She was scared but he could see the fire in her eyes, like she could feel the same pull he could.

"I don't know," he murmured truthfully. He was approaching complete anoesis, and while he knew there were things he was supposed to be thinking about, complications that were probably better avoided, he knew nothing besides the feel of the woman in his arms and her skin brushing his.

His lips brushed hers just as they breathed and there was no turning back. He kissed her once, feeling the fullness of her lips between his. His mouth turned up at the corners and he kissed her more fully.

Her hands were in his hair then, pulling him closer. When they parted again she laughed, the sound so happy that Edward's heart pounded harder, and he couldn't help but laugh too.

Looking at him with happiness in his eyes, Bella kissed him once more before she sighed a goodbye, disappearing out his door.

We are left for a while wondering about Bella’s fate.  She remains in the coma, and it is only when her mother and her non-scientific means comes to a head where Bella’s fate is revealed.  Meanwhile, we are taken on their journey through Edward’s eyes as he sneaks in visits with his love while dealing with the fallout of his case.  Do go read!!  I promise you won’t be disappointed and as the updates come in, maybe you can help me figure out what is going to happen!!!

Summer Breeze by BriannaMarley
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7710002/1/Summer_Breeze
Newly named Chief of Neurology Edward Cullen's worst fear comes to life when his wife Isabella is involved in a motor vehicle accident. EdwardxBella All Human short story. M for Mature audiences. Twilight -
Rated: M

Reviewed By: Shahula

If you’re like me, you read a lot of fanfiction. And a variety of it; everything from fluff, drama, romance to mystery and even a little bit of angst. I like all the various categories, and consider myself to be pretty well-read in our fandom.

But very rarely in my four years of reading fanfiction have I come across a story that has grabbed me within its first 1,000 words like Summer Breeze by Brianna Marley. If it was a book, your fingers would be clutching the edge of the page, ready to turn to the next as soon as you finished the last word. It’s that heart-thumping, pulse racing, wild ride of a story that you can’t put down and you can’t wait to have the next update when you reach the last posted chapter.

Summer Breeze centers on the repercussions of a tragedy seen in real life, a drunk driving accident, where Bella has been gravely injured. The fallout from that accident and how each character in the story faces the path they must now forge is told in quick paced chapters that still manage to evoke deep and resonating emotions.

"Oh, God." A surgical nurse holding the paramedics notes gasps from the side of Bella's stretcher. As the good doctor continues to study Bella's face, he see the nurse's fingers shoot up and hover over her own mouth in horror. At a loss, she continues to gaze down at a woman that she knows, but hardly recognizes.

As Doctor Gerandy studies Bella's injuries, his eyes land squarely on her heavily disfigured face. The flicker of recognition that had passed through his mind just second before is now like a flashing neon sign. He blinks, it's clear he's trying to convince himself that this can't possibly be the bright, beautiful woman that is married to one of his colleges.

However, as he looks to the hollow of her throat there is no longer any way to deny the truth. There, resting in the delicate dip of her throat, he recognizes a symbol hanging around her neck. Spattered with drops of crimson and the dirty airbag grime, sits a small blue opaque cameo. The moment he makes out the lion etched into the charm, he knows.

Brianna Marley has crafted a story that is so intriguing, so heart wrenching, you will be consumed by it within minutes and find yourself swept up in the emotion and drama playing out in each scene, begging to know what will happen next ,and if Bella will survive. I kid you not, dear readers, when I say you will be reaching for a tissue or two before this story completes.

Don’t let that keep you from reading it, though. Because even those who are wusspervs will be grateful they took the time and found the courage to read the beauty that is Summer Breeze.

#TeamGerandy

Happy Reading,

Shahula

TLS Fics of the Week: 10/26 - 11/1- The Fab Five Reviews are up!

Cracks In the Pavement by VampiresHaveLaws - rec'd by Nic
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6765479/1/Cracks_in_the_Pavement
Life is never perfect, the cracks always appear. "My Polaroid would show the face of a girl who has forgotten how to truly smile." Even the strongest of dreams can fail to become enough.
Twilight - Rated: M

 Review by: Troublefollows Edward

When I read There is a Light (one of the Fics of the Month here on TLS), I thought there would never be another story that would move me as much as that one. One that could stir my emotions just so.

I was wrong.

Cracks in the Pavement by Vampshavelaws is that story. CitP is one of the best stories I have ever read and it is only nine chapters in. I am a VERY picky reader and I don't read very much because it has to be good for me to give up my time. I can honestly say that I have never had such a physical reaction to a story before. I can actually feel my chest tighten and my shoulders tense as I read. If you are a wussperv, this story may not be for you. Angst is high in this one.

Vampshavelaws has created an Edward and Bella who are at a very painful crossroads in their marriage. We readers have no idea what has brought them to this terrible place, and sometimes I get the feeling neither do they. What we do know is that they once were very much in love. Vampshavelaws sends us back in time every chapter, giving us glimpses of what the old Bella and Edward were like. They met in high school when they were fifteen. These two were young and madly in love. Her memories are certainly bittersweet.

"Saturday mornings used to be spent in the best of ways; skin against skin as he moved above me or under me with reverent curses and parted lips. I'd pull him to me so close, fingertips pressed into his back as I met him again and again with eager hips and urgent pleas of, 'don't stop' and repeats of, 'I love you'.


The way he'd gaze down at me with heated expressions—mixed with love and longing—would leave me all the more breathless and enraptured, my heart so full I'd been sure it would burst.


I would plead with silent words as trembles shook my body inside and out, clinging to him as he did the same. We'd lie together in the middle of the bed, our faces just far enough apart to be able to see the other clearly. My fingers would explore his jaw as his hand rested against my heart, feeling just what he did to me.

His expression would let me know he was feeling it just as much, leaving wonder behind in its wake."


I love this Edward a little bit more every time she lets us in on their happier days. She also has written THE BEST marriage proposal ever. EVER. I want to marry this marriage proposal. I’m serious.

But the happy times didn’t last. Bella often looks back and questions why she led with her heart and not her head.

“We married at nineteen without telling anyone. We were young and naïve – stupid. But I was in love…so, so in love. My chest had been full with adoration and impatience to start something that perhaps we weren’t ready for. And now, six years later, I know we weren’t.”


The story begins with Bella and Edward attending a party at Edward’s parents’ home around Christmas time. Immediately we are made aware of how isolated and alone Bella feels even in a room full of people. Vampshavelaws’ writing is so beautiful, it is easy to get swept away by the imagery.

“Our communication has become lost, buried beneath the sand or trapped in that bottle floating out to sea. The longer we leave things unsaid, the further it wanders out of our sight until we can no longer spot the early morning light bounce off the glass as it drifts and drifts and drifts.”


Gah! You can see how Bella feels completely helpless as she watches her marriage dissolve slowly, unravel in her hands. It’s easy to want to blame Edward for what is going on in the present, but I think that’s because we are only in Bella’s head. Bella admits she doesn’t say much out loud. She believes that because she feels so much love for him that he knows that’s how she feels, but in the flashbacks, Vampshavelaws lets us know he really does have a hard time knowing what she’s thinking. I think Edward is hurting just as much as Bella and I can’t wait to find out what got them to this point.

Bella is going to make you mad, too. She feels defeated and tries to stand up for herself the only way she knows how. The way Vampshavelaws describes her pain after Bella makes a huge decision makes my heart hurt.

“Dawn breaks, but the electrifying colours don't last. Ashen skies in heavy slate loom through glass; oyster clouds with a sombre undertone, soot choking the heavens. A chiffon sheer coats the windows, flecks of falling tears, morphing into a river of despair... and I follow it. I let myself be carried away—I don't fight it. I float, waiting, cold, but nothing changes.


I sit and hate myself. I sit and hate him. I sit and wonder if I've made a mistake.
I stand and quickly stop myself from making an even bigger one as I reach for my keys.

It hurts being here without him, my insides torn to shreds; confetti in the shape of paper hearts ripped in two. But there's no celebration—no head tilted to the sky with smiles that blind, no ears full with the sound of cheers.


Nothing hits my cheeks or gets stuck in my hair. There's no hand cupped with mine, pulling me forward through a crowd. It's just hit after hit to pumping red muscle. And all I want to do is scream.


I'm all cried out, clear tracks of once tears coating my cheeks, now as dry as the desert, a writhing pathway of hopes dashed.”


The raw emotion of this story will choke you up every chapter. I wait patiently for the next installment. Always wanting more, more, more. Why did this happen to them? Why aren't they both fighting harder? Why won't they talk to one another? Can't he see her pain? Why can't she see his? When are they going to figure each other out and make this right? So many questions. Warning - this is not a once a week updater. I’m happy to let her take her time between updates because I know she’s creating something worthy of my time and my heartache.

Go read Cracks in the Pavement and tell her Trouble sent you. I promise you she will not disappoint. She might put some cracks in your heart but she will never fail to deliver something amazing.

How to Paint a House by Maggie's Gutter - rec'd by Monica NP
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7107558/1/How_to_Paint_a_House
Bella Swan is a naive fifteen year old, set to spend another kiss-less summer alone. Edward is new to town, and doesn't know a soul. Watch an unlikely friendship blossom over the simple task of painting a house. But for these two, nothing is simple. Twilight - Rated: M

Review by LaMomo

Do we all remember how it feels like, to be fifteen, going on sixteen, and to be crushing on a guy to the point you're in love, and he's all you see, and yet you have absolutely NO CLUE how to go about it?
There are no clear lines. There are no codes of conduct. Everything is too much. Or too little. Or too soon. Or too late. There is only uncertainty and expectation. There is the thrill of anticipation and agonies of doubt and rejection.
There is the unspeakable limbo of "friendship".
And slowly, you change, things change, he changes…and one day, things fall into place for a brief second. You both become "more" to each other.
And cue a second slew of agony, harrowing doubts, second-guessing and inadequacy in spades.

Still..he is your whole world. You only think and see in absolutes. Meeting him is the best thing that has happened to you. He's the most beautiful, the bravest, the kindest guy you ever met. And he is. Because young love only factors in the absolutes, where feelings are concerned. One moment is misery, the other is bliss.

This is what happens in Maggie's Gutter incredibly sweet and beautifully written tale, How To Paint A House. The usual suspects live in Forks. Charlie Swan wants his house repainted over summer break but he gets his leg broken and is confined indoors for a few weeks. The new addition in town, the doctor's son, Edward Cullen, is recruited for the job. And he shares the task with Charlie's daughter Bella.
Bella is a shy, bookish, socially reclusive teenager on the verge of her 16th birthday, and she's losing her usual footing because her closest friend Angela is going over to the Skank Side.
Edward puts her to work, and lends an ear to her musings. She does the same, because the guy is, after all, the new kid in town, and has no one to talk to. And he has baggage.

Follow these two very closely as they explore their friendship, their companionship, and whatever else is coming their way. Their connection will tug at your heartstrings every single time, and nothing will sound contrived, silly, or overdone. Bella is a faithful portrayal of a 15 year-old girl in love for the first time, and Edward is an adorable tangle of boyish charm going on to a more manly appearance (which doesn't help Bella's plight any), of doubts, guilt over his reckless past, and insecurity about his future.

This is a heartfelt, wonderfully written, evenly paced and emotionally intense journey. It will suck you in, like current while you're going rafting on a nearby river, on a long, hot, end-of-summer day…..

The Port Angeles Players by WriteOnTime - rec'd by Graymatters Fanfiction
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4917570/1/
New in the town of Forks and eager to please her boss at the university, Bella auditions for a local production of Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing". Her co-star is a handsome but confusing local doctor. Is it curtains-up on love? AU/AH Canon pairing Twilight - Rated: M

Review by OneBraveLamb

The Port Angeles Players is a wonderfully written story by WriteOnTime. It’s witty, charming and sucks the reader in almost instantaneously. At least it did for me.

The story starts off with Bella making a big move with her best friend Alice after a terrible break-up. Bella has been put through the ringer by a younger man and her confidence is severely lacking. Jacob, the younger man in question, was hot and heavy with Bella for a while before abruptly turning on the deep freeze and ignoring Bella completely. Bella ends up feeling like she’s not good enough and is afraid of being hurt again when another man realizes that she’s not worth his time.

So after a while of Bella’s moping and with much persuasion, Alice convinces her that she needs a fresh start and the girls pack up and move to Alice’s home state of Washington. Bella quickly finds a job at a local university where she meets Jasper. They strike up a friendship due to Jasper’s gentlemanly southern manners and laidback personality and things seem to be going well. After dinner with Alice’s mother one evening and agreeing to take leftovers to her father, hilarious hijinks ensue when Bella spots Edward for the first time and nearly gives herself whiplash.

Edward doesn’t hurt himself or anything, but he definitely notices Bella too. But like Bella, Edward is leery of relationships. Only, he’s the jackass that treated his previous girlfriend callously. Before you write him off, you must understand that it wasn’t his intention. With his friend Eric’s help, Edward had no problem with finding a flavor of the week and the women he was with weren’t really interested in commitment either. Edward even started imagining the ladies as famous women and played his role accordingly.

But when Eric decided to settle down with Lauren, Edward panicked. He was accustomed to his flavor of the week sexcapades and if Eric wasn’t going to be there to toss women in his direction, he’d be sorely lacking in that department. When Lauren offered to set Edward up with her friend Tanya, he jumped at the chance. He played his role of Tom Hanks to Tanya’s Darryl Hannah perfectly. So perfectly that Tanya actually fell for him. And by him, I mean Tom Hanks. After asking Tanya to move in, since that was what Eric had done with Lauren, Edward realized that he may have gotten himself into a bit of a mess.

After a pretty horrendous break-up that Edward admits was all his fault, he packed up and moved from Chicago to Washington vowing to become ‘a real boy’ and leave his playboy and asshole ways behind him.

Add in a comical twist of fate, that has Bella auditioning for a production ‘Much Ado about Nothing’ and being offered the role of Beatrice alongside Edward as Benedick, while Edward is struggling to be real and worthy of a person like Bella and you have a cute and funny glimpse into the minds of our favorite couple as they traverse the path of getting to know one another, figuring out how to not only trust each other -but how to trust themselves and ultimately falling in love.

The Port Angeles Players is complete and one of my go to fics if I’ve had a bad day and need a little cheering up. So go on now, read it and fall in love with this story like I did. You won’t regret it.

Thief of Hearts by PattyRose - rec'd by Kitty
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7415720/1/
FBI Agent Edward Cullen knows the assignment: Go undercover & infiltrate the ring. Bring them down. He doesn't bargain on the mysterious thief who turns the case upside down, or on the mortal danger protecting her will put them both in. E&B OOC  Twilight - Rated: M

Review by Kitty Vuitton

Thief of Hearts by Pattyrose is an action/suspense type story with a romantic twist that has me on the edge of my seat in anticipation of what will happen next. The first chapter is a prologue set in the future and it captivated my attention with the first paragraph. I am instantly pulled into plotline, wondering what the hell has is going on with Edward and what has happened to Bella that makes him so scared that she may not survive.

When I pull my hand away from my head it's coated with bright red blood; slippery and warm. For about five seconds I stare blankly at it before wiping my hand off on my pants and transferring my weapon to my other hand. My head is pounding; I've got a thousand heavy jackhammers digging into my brain insistently. Still, I force myself to keep going. I'm dazed and unsteady on my feet. My vision blurs. I drip blood as I go. But I don't stop. I'll drag myself along on my stomach, slide and slither like a goddamned snake if I have to until I find him. He can't be allowed to leave this place alive. Not if she's to survive.
And she will survive.

The prologue also provides with the fact that Edward is an undercover FBI agent posing as Dr. Anthony Masen. As he is fighting for his life with an unknown assailant, he continues to think about Bella and how he must keep her safe, even if it means losing his life to do so.

No, he never knew her the way I did. No one has ever known her the way I have.
I promised her I'd keep her safe.
"For you Bella," I murmur as I hold the gun with both hands and cock the trigger. "Always for you."
Those are my final thoughts; my final words; just as the gun gets kicked out of my hands…

The next chapter moves us back to the past as we start from the beginning of this adventure. We learn that Edward is going undercover to get to the bottom of what Dr. James Penn and his team are doing. It seems they are testing non-FDA approved drugs on terminally ill patients without letting them know and in the process, draining the patients’ bank accounts as well for their own personal gain. Edward’s job is to become Dr. James’s right hand man, so he can expose and eventually shut down this operation. Bella is a snarky thief who has a run in with Edward while both are breaking into the same hotel room. I love this Bella because she has an attitude and is not afraid to put Edward in his place.

She smirks. The amusement's back. She pretends to look at a non-existent watch on her wrist.

"Doc, doc, doc," – the fine hairs on my arms stand on end at the casual way she addresses me, the way her brown eyes take me in as if they've looked into mine a thousand times before – "while I'd love to stick around and play shrink while you confess all your life's transgressions, I really do have to get out of here. You see, your soon-to-be fuck buddy Kate will be back soon, and while all you have to do to distract her is whip out your bulging manhood and show her that lovely six-pack you've got going on there," – she waves an arm towards my stomach – "I'm afraid I don't have a cock, and my presence in this room would be a bit harder to explain away." She taps her foot lightly on the carpet, as if I'm keeping her from some pressing engagement.

"So if you'll excuse me," she says. Her eyes move to the door and she makes to move past me.

I block her way and without thinking, as I've lacked to do throughout this entire exchange, my hand shoots out to stop her, because there's not a chance in hell I'm letting her out of my sight yet. I grab her just below the elbow and wrap my fingers around her arm.
A thousand sparks flow through my hand, up my arm and into the rest of my body. I look down to where I've touched her to see if I've been shocked by a live-wire. I shudder, and I can swear I feel her do the same. My eyes open wide and I trail them back up to hers, sure I'll see the same shock in them that I'm feeling now. Sure enough, she looks beyond shocked.

She's pissed off.

Of course, Bella runs off after their brief encounter, leaving Edward to wonder who she is exactly, and why does he have this pull to be close to her again. With sexual tension this high, I cannot wait to see just how hot the lemons turn out. The story is only 5 chapters in so far, and Pattyrose is setting up the plotline beautifully, with many twists and turns along the way. I know that I have tried coming up with a few theories on what may happen, and so far each one has failed once a new update has been posted. Thief of Hearts changes POV’s often as well, to provide the readers with a look inside each of the characters minds. I highly recommend starting this story soon as it’s going to be a great ride.

Then he walked out of that bathroom shirtless and with his pants unbuttoned. Out of all the people in that fucking hotel that could've walked in on me, it had to be a half-naked Dr. Masen. I hadn't known whether to run away or help him finish taking the pants off. So I'd just remained frozen to my spot.

And dropped the fucking necklace.

I close my eyes and groan quietly. Even three days later the fact that I didn't get the bitch's necklace still irks me no end. None of the other pieces make up for having lost that one. Well, except for maybe…
I turn and stare emptily at the backs of the first class passengers, remembering the feel of Dr. Masen's mouth on mine. A warm tingle goes up my spine.

I'm convinced he hypnotized me with those unbelievably green eyes of his. They must be learning some voodoo on top of everything else in that medical team. That's the only explanation for why I'm dreaming about him day and night for the past few days.

I still don't know where I found the strength to pull away from that kiss.
That goddamned kiss. What the fuck was I thinking? I wasn't thinking, that was the problem.

World's Most Dangerous Dad by Denverpopcorn - rec'd by Ryden Dirtay / Nic
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7453090/1/Worlds_Most_Dangerous_Dad
Edward Cullen leads a double life: Doting dad and devoted husband by day, special-op Navy SEAL by night. What happens when the government's number one gun is forced to balance work and diapers? Life's a bitch and then you kill someone. E/B, vignettes.
Twilight - Rated: M

Review by Shahula

Let’s face it we all love a good lemon. We want them hot, tangy, and often. We want our B&E going at it often and with vigor, as soon as we can get it. And then we want more lemons in each succeeding chapter.
I love reading lemons just like the rest of you, but nothing can spoil a good lemon faster for me than being interrupted mid, ahem, squeeze. Imagine the frustration the characters must feel when it’s happening to them every time they attempt to get down and dirty in a story.
This is what is happening to Edward and Bella when we first meet them in WMMD. And sadly, keeps happening.
The phone rings again and he can't help curse out another, "Fucking, Renee." But in his state it comes out breathy, like it would be a pleasure to fuck his...
"Stop...saying...that," gasps the voice under the pillow. He uncovers a smile under the ponytail stuck to her cheek with sweat. He kisses the side of her mouth.
A few more passes, he thinks.
There's stirring in his belly, and there's stirring from the other side of the baby monitor.
Oh no. Not now.
"The baby," she says, rising.
Don't get up, my honeypot. Don't...
"Edward, the baby's waking up."
A few more grunts; his eyes are closed. When he was younger, he'd have been done and in the other room with the baby by now, but he's older, he found a gray hair on his chest the other day telling him so. He wants to blame work, but maybe he's simply getting old.
Edward," she pushes her ass up, forcing him to lift on his forearms.
Ass up, just like on his birthday.
But it's too late, she's pushed him off completely, mid-coitus, and it hurts like a son of a bitch.
If you’re looking for a blend of intrigue, humor, real life, and a dash of mystery, WMDD is right up your alley. It’s sexy and dangerous, but frustrating and hilarious at the same time
Denverpopcorn has created a lovely collection of vignettes of our favorite couple, giving us a taste of their life in each chapter. She has an incredible gift with words, and uses it brilliantly in this story. Weaving together the daily life of a dad devoted to his wife and kids, along with the dangerous, thrilling life of a Navy SEAL. The kicker is Edward’s life as a deadly assassin is a total secret from his family. They think he is a salesman! I can just picture Edward ready to explode with piss and vinegar when other men try to ‘show him up’ with incredible work stories and he has to remain passive and talk about insurance.
Edward even struggles to remember this himself at times when he’s feeling less assassin-like and more like a bumbling father.
"You don't take shit from anyone. You're classified, you're a Navy Seal, a top-secret agent. You've shot to kill. And you've taken a shot at a lot of assholes."
For the next five minutes he keeps up the inner-rally, reminding himself that he's not just an insurance salesman. He is an undercover agent that his wife knows nothing about. He's living two lives, both honorable, both noteworthy.
When he isn't asked to pick paint chips, that is.
He hangs his head. "Sometimes, I wish I could just tell her."
For what? How would that change anything?
The history of the couple is touched on but you understand that what Denverpopcorn is trying to do here isn’t give an elaborate story filled with angst and drama but a glance at life, and all that goes with it. She hasn’t ignored building mystery (she is a master at that, after all) but we aren’t focused on the who, what, where, and why. Instead, we are much more interested in seeing if this hot, older Edward is ever going to get to finish his lemon treat with his wife.
Personally, I can’t wait to see it happen. Or almost happen again.
Happy Reading,
Shahula

Nursery Time with TLS: come and see the new babies (new stories we love)

Welcome to the TLS Nursery. This is where we display the new babies, (stories) born within the last 30 days, that we are extremely excited about.

There is something completely thrilling and satisfying, about finding a story, right from it's beginning, knowing how wonderful it is, and will be, and watching it grow into an adult completed fic.

By visiting the TLS nursery each month, you too, can watch them grow with us! All of the stories listed below have been read and approved by TLS as great reading material.

Meet the Masens by FictionFreak95
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6987169/1/Meet_the_Masens
Edward Cullen was done with cons until Marcus Volturi pulled him back in for one more job with his new front man, Bella Swan. Edward wants out for good but in a world based on deceit, who can he trust? AH BxE possible lemons if they don't kill each other

I WAS OUT LOUD READING THIS. FUNNIEST STORY I HAVE EVER READ, TO DATE. Masen is so sexy-sarcastic, tall, witty, beautiful and more than intelligent. The Prologue will hook you alone, the first chapter will have you wrapped.

There is a Light by BelladonnaCullen
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7015642/1/There_is_a_Light
This was 1987; before the Internet, before Twitter, before Facebook – this was back when it was still possible for people not to know about things: big things - like bands, and little things - like G-spots. AH, ExB, with some other parings along the way.

Keds, Turtlenecks from the Gap, and cassette tapes. Oh, don't let me forget a band. A band called The Masens. Seth and Jacob idolize this band. When super cute and tall, almond-eyed, skater Seth, asks Bella to come over after school, she knows what she must do. She takes a trip to the record store in the mall.  What Bella doesn't know is when she purchases The Masen's music and memorizes all of their stats, she will be falling in love with more than just a few lyrics. This story makes me smile ear to ear while reading. I love every character I've met, well, except for the b*tches, of course. You will want to inhale this story.

Don’t You Forget About Me by 107yearoldvirgin
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7048458/1/Dont_You_Forget_About_Me
Figuring out "Why am I here?" is hard enough on its own. Six strangers with nothing in common, except each other... and a mental hospital, have been given eight hours to figure it all out. This is the chance of their lives. AH/ExB

I know. I know. This alone, is cause for a celebration. The 107 has posted again!!! I was ecstatic to find one of her stories live again. I have a deep driven love for 107yearoldvirgin. I've loved every one of her stories and find that I can go to her for any read and never come out disappointed. Same with this story. I can't say anything about this one because it will spoil the fun for you. Please just trust me when I say, GO MEET ALICE. If you don't cackle when you meet her, check your pulse. In just 2 days this story has over 700 reviews, I think that speaks for itself.

HERE ARE A FEW MORE THAT COME HIGHLY REC'D FROM THE LOVELY NIC, JAIME ARKIN, AND BUSYMOMMY - THESE REC'S ARE ALL SEALED WITH A KISS AND THE OFFICIAL TLS STAMP OF APPROVAL!

Perceptions by GiveUsAKiss413
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7045953/1/Perceptions
Society told them exactly what they should be, and it's so much easier to stop fighting it. A depressed, successful Edward, and a debt ridden, beautiful Bella come together to finally be themselves. AH, B/E, E/T, a smattering of B/Jasper. Dark.

The Elusive Mr. Cullen by dariachenowith
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6972004/1/The_Elusive_Mr_Cullen
Bella is a high class escort, Edward her newest client. They soon realize that there's more between them than great sex and witty conversations. While Bella doesn't believe in fairy tales, her life seems to be turning into one fast. Or is it? AH/OOC

Once and Future Lovers by littlesecret84
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6996824/1/
He told me once that he preferred brunettes, but his fingers were always playing with long, blonde strands. He could never make up his mind... until he did. And now that I'm back I don't think he deserves a second chance.

SOUL by denverpopcorn
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6928840/1/
Meet Edward Cullen, boy next door, dreamer, and self-proclaimed virgin. Take a journey with him as he heads out in search of The One. AH. EPOV, E/B.

How the Mighty have Fallen by hobee1971
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6997570/1/How_The_Mighty_Have_Fallen
Jasper is a washed up rock star and meets Bella in the produce department of a grocery store. Is she the one who can make his life whole again?