Vouched! "Cowboys & Indians" by Minisinoo

"Cowboys & Indians" by Minisinoo
Jasper & Leah, Drama/Humor, AU-BD, T, Complete

Summary: Lessons on the road in a journey through time. Existentialism, a Texas pow-wow, a '67 Mustang, a bar brawl, Pocahontas, and Jack Kerouac. Sometimes, family is chosen, even if they're not who we expect. Jasper, Leah & Seth, Edward

---

---

This story is truly a journey in every sense of the word. As the reader, you join Jasper and Leah on a physical, spiritual, and emotional journey of discovery. Honestly, the story was nothing like I expected. That being said, "Cowboys & Indians" was so much more than I dreamed of.

Here we have two strong characters—Jasper and Leah. Both have a strong sense of purpose, yet both tend to struggle with their place in the world. Leah assumes Jasper is the eternal cowboy, unable to move forward in a world that has changed so much since he was turned. Leah lets her own fear of judgement dictate her gut reactions to others, often jumping to the wrong conclusion. She soon finds that she was wrong about Jasper Cullen. Not only does his gift make him more yielding than his stone facade may suggest, he's also a sponge when it comes to knowledge—open to receive Leah Clearwater's "education."

Minisinoo weaves a fascinating tale so unlike the linear journey most stories take. Her lessons of friendship, culture, family, and self-awareness are broad and relatable. This is not a story of how a vampire and a wolf fall in love. Instead, it is a story of how a vampire and a wolf find a middle ground—an inherent understanding.

I have to agree with Arianna-Janae—"Cowboys & Indians" is nothing like I expected it to be. It's so much more. More than a romance and your average, typical fic.

Pre-E/B wedding, all the characters are steadily canon. The relationships: Jasper and Esme's, Edward and Seth's, and yes, even Jasper and Leah's—especially theirs—are believable and deep. I am so left in awe of the dynamics, I fall in love with the fact that the main characters are not a romantic couple. I don't wish for otherwise by the end.

The dialogue is above par, Leah's natural and having the unrelenting bite, while Jasper's refreshingly accurate and sans Darlin'. The discussions are intriguing, the topics moving. From well-known quotes to the unfamiliar book references, the writing is smart and fabulous, with the theme of differences and appreciating them clear.

"Cowboys & Indians" is real, fun, and doesn't only focus on self-discovery but also on "centering the periphery," as Jasper calls it. The plot is a journey, but with an ending that made me warm and fuzzy all over. This story ... has left me inspired. Love comes in many forms. Does a fic have to have romance to be great?

Absolutely not. Minisinoo's amazing fic proves it.

"The Cassolette" by @MaBarberElla

I decided to bite the bullet and break free of yet another one of my preconceived notions. After the encouragement of more than one fellow reader, I took the plunge and searched out a Carlisle & Bella story.

In order to do this, I had to get past the good doctor exterior and overlook the three centuries of age difference and life experiences between these two. In order to get over the "robbing the cradle" thoughts, I tried to wrap myself around the idea of how these two characters could relate to each other.

Well, rather than dipping my toe into a story that would ease me into this pairing, I dove in head first with the smutty goodness of The Cassolette. MaBarberElla has managed to keep Carlisle's outward demeanor intact while adding a whole other level of pervy-goodness brewing beneath the surface.

Outwardly, everything appears as it should. Carlisle is a skilled doctor, dedicated to his job and his family. He comes home to his loving wife, Esme, and is the eternal patriarch to his immortal family. Always kind and ever dignified, Carlisle hides behind a well-polished and controlled facade. Who knew it would take one human girl to bring his walls crashing down?

March 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.

---

"Those Who Wait" by BookwormBaby2580
Mike & Bella, Romance, MA/NC-17

Summary: Because nice guys shouldn't always have to finish last.

---

Wayward Girl: I have found yet another wonderful story written by BookwormBaby2580. This time, though, she paired up Bella with Mike Newton. *gasp* I know you are skeptical, but "Those Who Wait" has me willing to root for Mr. Golden Retriever himself. The author has created a very likable (and believable) Mike who you can't help but love. This one-shot is well written and has all the elements of a good story, go check it out!

---

"Lepidoptera" by smexy4smarties
Renee & Charlie, Hurt/Comfort, Post-BD, M

Summary: lepidoptera: Gr. lepidos "scale" and pteron "wing." Any of a large order of insects, including butterflies, that as adults have four wings covered with minute overlapping and often brightly colored scales. Brush the scales away and... Canon. NEHEA entry

---

RaindropSoup: Smexy4smarties is refreshingly smart. Brilliant, really. She has taken what is often a predictable, shallow, and overlooked character and given her a depth that left me aching—for both Renee-centric fics and the character herself. Renee is not who we think she is, not for the reasons we assume and always portray. Using the bare-bones of a character SM left us, Smexy4smarties has fleshed out a canon Renee with a haunting voice, a painful perspective, and startling realism, all the while answering a few questions. What happened between her and Charlie, when they were young and when she left? How do Bella and the Cullens—and Charlie for that matter—tie the loose ends that was once Bella's human life, post-BD? "Lepidoptera" is not about a how a seemingly scatter-brained woman thinks, but how she feels and is perceived. It could not have been better written. It's a one shot you'll never forget. Be sure to stop by and leave some love.

(Be aware that this was written for The Never Ever Happily Ever After Contest and tied third place in the public vote. No fluff or rainbows—except for Renee's outfit—here, which suits this spot-on characterization perfectly. And because it's sadly beautiful, captures the feel and essence of "Lepidoptera," along with further explaining the title, here's the quote used in the one shot:

"Imagine what it would be like to hold a butterfly in your hands, something bejeweled and treasured, and to know that, despite your devotion, it is dying by degrees." — Jodi Picoult, Harvesting the Heart)

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.

V Wicked Tease 03/01 – 06

"With You I Am Complete" by Jasper's Woman
Rosalie & Edward, Romance/Family, AH, MA/NC-17

Summary: Rosalie and Edward both have broken and hardened hearts. Their families have tried to help. Will fate and finding each other help them heal? Or will they hurt each other? Rosalie's a full figured woman in this story!

---

---

*** Chapter 6 Teaser ***

Carlisle walks to his house as quietly as possible opens the door. He's sure Rosalie's sleeping and doesn't want to wake her up. Imagine his surprise when he sees his daughter lying on the couch asleep with a strange man sleeping on top of her. He wants to yank the fucker up and throw him out. He restrains himself knowing his daughter would not just let anyone in the house, let alone sleep on the couch with her.

He lets go of his fatherly concerns and coughs to awake them up. Nothing happens so he coughs louder and both awaken by the noise. Edward and Rosalie catch each other's eyes and realize they are laying down, him on top of her. It feels right to them somehow, but then Rosalie catches her father standing there with concern and anger written on his face.

She pushes Edward up. "Dad! You're home, what time is it?"

Carlisle looks at Edward then back at Rosalie.

E/B teasers accepted quarterly: January, April, July, and October

Wayward Girl Found Completion with "Crashing Head On" by @LisaHR79

"Crashing Head On" by HopelessRomantic79
Emmett & Bella, Romance/Friendship, All Human, MA, Complete
Summary: Tempers flare and personalities clash as Bella cares for an injured Emmett, but does that hate translate into love? AU/AH.

---

---

One of the most unloved couples in the Twific fandom is Emmett/Bella. Anyone out there who enjoys the pairing knows that good Emmett/Bella fics are sometimes a challenge to find, I usually have to search for awhile before I come across something I really enjoy. "Crashing Head On" was one of the first Emmett/Bella stories I read and has stuck with me ever since.

Emmett is a star hockey player at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who has a promising career ahead of him. Bella goes to the same school and is dating Edward. Bella and Emmett's mothers are best friends and when Emmett is in a car accident, they ask Bella to help him recover. The only problem? They can't stand each other. Here is what Bella has to say about their relationship:

It was the first time I was actually glad Emmett and I had gone to the same college. He and I had never gotten along, no matter how much Renee and Esme tried.

We were just two different people. It was totally cliché, but I was the nerd, and he was the jock, simple as that. We'd never run in the same crowd, and had slipped into something like cool indifference leaning towards loathing when we were teenagers. Our moms had hoped we'd become a couple, but there was no way in hell that was ever happening. He always had a new girl on his arm, and I was a serial monogamist. The only two guys I'd ever even kissed were Jacob and Edward, and I didn't even want to know how many women Emmett had locked lips with, or worse.

Needless to say, Bella and Emmett are not happy when "The Mothers" propose the arrangement, but they know there is no other choice. What starts as a relationship full of bickering and annoyance turns into something more when the pair spends more time together.

HopelessRomantic79 always sucks me in to her stories and "Crashing Head On" is no exception. If you are looking for your first Emmett/Bella story, give this one a try, you won't regret it!

If you know of any good Emmett/Bella stories, I'd love to read them. Leave a link for me in the comments below, would ya? *winks*

Until next week...