Sunday, February 19, 2012

"The Wolf Prince" by @BlackImprint & Writer-in-the-making16

Have you ever wanted to like a pairing or have pondered giving it a try, but just ... can't ? Either because of principle or because it's ... disappointing, an easy answer? Or maybe, because you just don't like the guy? Well, have I got a story for you to check out that falls in many of those categories but is so easy to adore: "The Wolf Prince" by BlackImprint & Writer-in-the-making16.

The pairing: Jacob and Renesemee.

Before you turn your no-wolf-or-Jacob-tails and run, hear me out.

I think we can agree that when it comes to Jake, the fandom is divided into three groups: the ones who don't like him, the ones who are completely indifferent to him, and those who truly love him. I wholeheartedly believe that all three of these groups can appreciate "The Wolf Prince" and fall in love with it.

It is about a dream come true, a fairytale—one, based off Beauty and the Beast. It is so well written, intriguing, and different—but with canon details sprinkled here and there—that I couldn't put it down. I even read it twice. Like most fairy tales, it starts with a curse, and the authors weave such a beautiful and detailed story in third-person narration that I, a person who really prefers first-person narration, find myself lost in their non-Twilight world of opulent castles and common villages, spooky forests and stunning, rose-vine-covered gardens of the Beast, which of course has his most-treasured (and damning) single rose.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Wayward Girl Found Completion with "Never Saw That Coming" by LJ Summers

"Never Saw That Coming" by LJ Summers
Leah & Charlie, Humor/Romance, Wolf Pack, MA, Complete
Summary: Winner of Best Overall in the Twilight Gem Pearl Round, this is the story of how Leah Clearwater met her biological match in the last man she would have expected. Rife with snark, Leah's spirit isn't broken, but made whole. Sixth in my Imprinting Series.



When I first stumbled upon this story, I did not think I would enjoy the pairing. Leah and Charlie?! They couldn't be more different or more incompatible...or so I thought. How wrong I was! LJ Summers has written an original imprinting story that is funny and very enjoyable to read.

Leah has finally moved on from Sam thanks to her imprint: the one and only Charlie Swan. It is difficult for Leah to be apart from her imprint, but she is afraid to let Charlie in on the secret. Instead, she stalks him. That's right, Leah stalks Chief Swan. It is amusing to read her inner monologue and awkward encounters with Charlie. The confident and snarky Leah Clearwater disappears when she's around her imprint:
He stopped, pursed his lips under his mustache – I never thought a 'stache was sexy before I imprinted on Charlie Swan, but I sure thought his was – and looked me dead in the eye. I felt my mouth go dry but I took a long breath through my nose to try to calm down. I was doing great, but then he did something I didn't expect.

At all.

He reached out to me and surrounded one of my shoulders with his hand. "So, did ya mean it, Leah? You and your mom taking pity on an old guy?" He chuckled so I could see he was joking as he slowly dropped his hand.

But inside, I was torn. It wasn't my mother I wanted him to see – it was me! What the hell could I do about that?

"Well, I – I haven't really a – asked her," I stuttered. Stuttering! When did I start that nonsense? I was turning into Jell-O, right here on the street! "I could, um, invite Bella and the twins, if you want. Make it kind of a deal, you know." I'd have to tell Bells what was up, too. Then, she could help me cook! Yeah! Charlie needed someone who could feed him, that was for sure... I could learn to do that. I could totally learn. Of course.
Looks like Leah has turned into a bumbling Bella *snickers*. With Leah's rambling thoughts and Charlie's awkward demeanor, this fic is filled with good laughs. It is a quick read -- only 8 chapters -- but tells a great story in that short span.

"Never Saw That Coming" is part six of the author's series Imprinting: The Mating Imperative. You can view the other installments on her fanfiction profile.

That's all from me this Saturday. I will see you next week with another completed story! Until next time...

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Fandom Picks — Love Songs



— @KayMarieXW's Picks —
"Prettiest Eyes" by The Beautiful South
This has always been one of my all time favourite love songs and gives me hope that true love can last a lifetime.

"Angels" by Robbie Williams
I fell in love with Robbie when he was 17 and I was a little bit younger! This song feels like part of my history because I heard it so much. I love it because it is about unconditional love in all forms, but also because it's about how it feels to be loved, which is quite rare when so many songs are about how it feels to love someone else.


— @wonderwoundedh's Picks —
"Bella Donna" by The Avett Brothers

"Sugar Mouse" by Oh, Atoms




— @vRSoup's Picks —
"Your Song" by Kate Walsh

"Find A Way" by Safety Suit

"The Only Exception" by Paramore
"Tangled Up In You" by Staind
My fav love song as of late. The words are dreamy, and what I'm about to say probably shows how big of a dreamer I am, but I would really like to see Caius singing this song in a fic. *looks around* What? It could happen. It'd be hard to pull off and make it believable, but it could be AH with a young Caius at his ... sweetest. o.O? There's even this line: "You're the only thing that I like about me."

"More Than Words" by Extreme
Some people might say this is completely anti-Valentine's Day since the day is all about telling the one you love that you love them, but I think saying "I love you" can be overrated. Actions speak louder than words, and pertaining to writing, it is often said, "Show us. Don't tell us."


Many thanks to the lovely @KayMarieXW for submitting song recs.

If you don't see your style music or favorite songs, make sure you submit a song rec for our next theme: Breakup Songs. You could be helping your fellow fandom writers and readers write their next chapter or a new fic, and the only way this segment can be helpful is by submitting songs. Fill out the Fav Picks form, or tweet the song title and video link to @TheLUVNV with #LyricalLibations as a trend topic. Don't be shy! Every genre is welcome.


We'll be back with more Libations March 15th.


Please let us know if you found a song for your chapter or were inspired by one in this post.
We'd love to check out the fic if you can send us a link.

You can find us and all the songs featured in Lyrical Libations on YouTube.
LUV'NV's YouTube Channel

For more love songs, click on:

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Introducing Lyrical Libations — Themed Fandom Picks

Have you ever tweeted for songs recs? Can't ever seem to find a song to get motivated for your next chapter? Do you just want new songs on your playlist because hubby hates listening to the same one on repeat?

Well, look no further!

We created Lyrical Libations for all your parched musical needs. For the first, regular part of the new segment, we're going by theme and enlisting the fandom for help. With Valentine's Day around the corner, we want sweet love songs.

It can be slow and new ...

"A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri


... a little old and well-known ...

"You and Me" by Lifehouse
"Say It" by Voices of Theory
"Iris" by Goo Goo Dolls


... fun and upbeat ...

"I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz


... the overplayed and slightly cheesy (but still good) ...

"Back at One" by Brian McKnight
"I'll Be" by Edwin McCain


... the seriously cheesy ...

"My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion


... the oldie but goodies ...

"(Everything I Do) I Do It For You " by Bryan Adams


... or classic and moving.

"Love Theme (From Romeo & Juliet)" by Andre Rieu
"Kissing You (Romeo & Juliet Theme Song)" by Des'ree

Slow and romantic, fun and juvenile, cheesy and totally sappy, any genre, any decade—we want it. Just make sure it's about love, but not about losing it.

Fill out the Fav Picks form, or tweet the song title and video link to @TheLUVNV with #LyricalLibations as a trend topic. Don't be shy. You're helping your fellow fandom writers and readers.

Poll closes on February 14th, 5:00 a.m. EST. Three songs max per person.

If you'd like to include why you love the song, where you heard it, or what it means to you, then by all means, write it below with the song. We'll be sure to include it in the post.

You can also make fic requests to accompany the songs. We not only want to help authors write their chapters but inspire new fics to be written as well. Please take into account that we are The LUV'NV. Let's keep it strictly non-E/B for the time being, okay?

Well written, Libation-inspired fics will be featured on the site, and there's no deadline to write one. Just let us know by filling out the Libation-inspired form, which will posted with the Lyrical Libation posts.

Next Lyrical Libation theme:
— Breakup songs —
Feb. 18th - 24th
Feb. 16th - March 15th

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

February One Shot Staff Picks


Every month, we rec under-appreciated one shots we simply adore. So get comfy, check out these short reads and try something new, and be sure to leave them some love.


"The Romantic" by vampireisthenewblack
Alec & Seth, Seth & Edward, Romance/Angst, Slash, AU, MA/NC-17
Summary: I will be punished when Aro finds out what I have lost for him, but I have served him well for centuries, and if I am lucky, I will escape with my life. Alec/Seth, Seth/Edward. AU.

— RaindropSoup: "The Romantic" has become one of my all time favorite one shots. The writing and narration are superb, the characterizations well done, and the ending makes me sad and want to squee at the same time. Vampireisthenewblack wrote the angst and Alec's voice perfectly. In the midst of dread and darkness, there was a tiny smidgen of hope—as angst should be. I could feel Alec's longing—an underlying despair with just a hint of ... innocence, and it really set the tone of the story. I often found myself at war with how I should feel, with Alec and his actions. I want to hate him because of principle, but I can't. All I feel sympathy for the boy who's supposed to be ruthless but deep down is—you guessed it—a romantic.

Sweet, sad, with the right amount of dark, Tim Burton-esque for a Post-BD/Volturi fic, it's a must read.
(Caution: contains non-con, which can be a hard limit for some.)


Carlisle & Edward, Romance, BDSM, Slash, MA/NC-17
Summary: Carlisle's tranquility has always been the balance to Edward's insecurities, both personally and professionally. Though their love for each other is unconventional, it is the foundation they both need to build a home. BDSM and Slashy lemons.

— Riotanthem: When it comes to BDSM, one of my top faves are Carlisle & Edward with the roles always switched. What I love about this is that it's clearly noticeable the evolution of Edward's true feelings for dear Carlisle. And the idea of being marked in that area of Carlisle's body is something I want to try.


Jane & OC, Romance, Femslash, K+
Summary: He had uttered three words which had sealed my fate for the rest of eternity. O/s companion to "Crimson Starlight."

— RaindropSoup: All right, "Crimson Starlight" lovers, you need to read this one shot. (And if you haven't read "Crimson Starlight", please do. It's an awesome Cauis & Bella fic. You won't regret it.) Now, I know many people might be a little squeamish about femslash, but you need not fear. "Free the Woman" is sweet and light—perfect to pop your femslash cherries. It popped mine, and now I'm the hunt for more fem-Jane fics. Wonderwoundedhearers gives the witch we all call Jane a dimension we rarely see—that of a young girl, who underneath all that viciousness is inexperienced and insecure when it comes to first love, offering us CS fans a great companion piece to a completed, already well-rounded fic.


Have you read one of fics mentioned above?
Tell us your thoughts in a comment below and give the fandom even more reasons to check out
these little known one shots!

One shots recs are tweeted various Fridays for six months.