Guest Review by Read 'n Love 2Gether — "Monster" by The.Bloody White.Wolf.xoxo

"Monster" by The.Bloody White.Wolf.xoxo
Emmett & OC, Angst, Romance, MA/NC-17

Summary: I am a monster—born to protect, yet living only to kill. My humanity is gone, all until one harmless glance changes everything. Just one glance has bound two sworn enemies together. But is it fate or a joke? Can one who has lost herself be found again by another? Or is this another dark, dirty, trick of my own mind? A forbidden passion, heat, and intense anger—this is no fairytale.
Content Warnings: Alcohol abuse and graphic violence

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The.Bloody White.Wolf.xoxo's "Monster" is a gripping tale of action, angst, romance, and fluff that teaches a common lesson: sometimes the biggest obstacle in our lives is ourselves.

My first encounter with "Monster" was late in the night when I caught the attention of it, and I started the first chapter in a half-awake stage. I was interested, and something kept me reading. Before I knew it, I was on chapter 20. I was awake by then, as the fantastic attention to detail kept me reading. I saw that the first four chapters of the second part were an exposition and thought I would stop. But, just my luck: I got to the 25th chapter and the happenings had me hooked. Hours passed as I read all the way through to the 50th, and I was awed by this fic.

This isn't your common fic, and I believe that because of that, this undiscovered gem has yet to be discovered. "Monster" is the tale of a Quileute woman by the name of Jordan Uley. She has struggled through her childhood filled with hardships, which eventually build into a stunning fury that's bottled up into her until she explodes and ends up losing herself to the 'monster' within herself.

"Wild at Heart" by @sleuthinpumps

"Wild at Heart" by silveraure
James & Victoria, Drama/Western, AU, MA/NC-17, WIP

Summary: Cold, deadly, and haunted, James Wilder is a frontiersman in the Old American West who becomes the unwilling protector of his boss' frightened and abused daughter Victoria Childress. Pre-Twilight, Dark Themes, Vampires

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I can't tell you how many hours I spent searching for this De Vill's AdVocate. Last weekend, I sat down at my computer and decided to search for a story with Victoria as one of the main characters. I wanted to find a well-written story with an interesting story line. Victoria, as a villain of the Twilight books, is often written off as purely evil. I wanted to find a story that gave her character more dynamic. I wanted to know the human Victoria in order to understand the vampire Victoria. After bookmarking several stories, and reading more than a few, I finally started reading Wild at Heart. I knew, two sentences in, that this was my winner. I was immediately hooked.

Have you ever really considered the differences between James and Victoria's vampiric gifts? James is the tracker—a vampire with the ability to hunt people. Victoria, on the other hand, has a knack for escape—for staying hidden. One is the very antithesis of the other.

Wild at Heart opens with an introduction to the Hunter. A man crouches, waiting for the perfect moment to pull the trigger. His hands are shaking, and his heart hammers in his chest, but not from fear. No, this man feels the pure thrill of the hunt. Adrenaline runs through his veins in anticipation of the kill. He paralyzes his victim, preferring to deliver the final death blow himself. James slices through the doe's neck and slings her body over his shoulder, relishing the sensation of the animal's warm blood washing down his back.

Vouched! "The Newborn" by @BellaDCullen

"The Newborn" by belladonnacullen
Edward & Tanya, Pre-Twilight, T, WIP

Summary: Edward's life from 1918 - 2006. See him as a newborn, a rebellious killer, as his family grows, and as he turns into the vampire we know and love him as today. P.S. Tanya's always been in love with him. E/TPOV

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I happen to be a big fan of Edward/Tanya stories. Unfortunately, there aren't many of them out there. When I stumbled upon this one, I have to admit I squealed like a school girl.

Now, I feel like I have to give fair warning here and tell you this story is currently on hiatus. In fact, I really went back and forth with myself on whether or not to post it for that very reason. Maybe I'm secretly hoping that if enough people read and review it, begging belladonnacullen to continue it, that she might give in.

Like my fellow readers and writers out there, I love that SM left so many possibilities and unanswered questions for us to explore. Belladonnacullen does just that in this pre-twilight story. She takes the hint of a relationship between Edward and Tanya and runs with it.

Our first glimpse of Edward shows us a skittish newborn who's red eyes flicker at every movement. Still, even in the chaos of this new life, Tanya is drawn to him. She tries to maintain her distance—both physically and in her thoughts—but she can't help but be drawn to him.

Will the idealistic Edward be able to accept Tanya? Will he be able to see past her nighttime escapades to find the intelligent and insightful woman beneath?

Take a journey with The Newborn and see Esme's change, and the interesting dynamic it creates for the new coven. Feel Edward's resentment when he discovers Carlisle's reason for changing Rosalie. Join Edward in his fall from grace as he becomes the red-eyed vigilante. See Emmett's struggle to handle the blood and the jealousy. Then, kick me in the ass when you get to the last chapter and realize that's it.

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

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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.

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.

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

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

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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!

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"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

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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.

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.

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"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.

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— 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.)

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"Home: Carlward Contest Entry" by dirtybrat

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.

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— 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.

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"Free the Woman" by wonderwoundedhearers

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."

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— 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.

"And Yet Dusk Fades" by AndYetDuskFades

"And Yet Dusk Fades" by AndYetDuskFades
Demetri & Leah, Fantasy/Romance, AU-BD, T, WIP

Summary: If she could paint the world, she would color it black and white. Then everything would be simple.

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After searching for what seemed like a century, I squealed with excitement when I found And Yet Dusk Fades. We couldn't have just any old story for the grand opening of our new and improved website and this, my friends, isn't just any old story.

I have to admit that I went out of my nice, little comfort zone to read this fic. I'm Team Vamp (notice I didn't say Team Edward) and reading a story where the main character is a wolf meant stepping pretty far out of my box. Needless to say, I'm glad I did. AndYetDuskFades aptly captures the mental turmoil of Leah Clearwater expounding on what Stephanie Meyer created and taking her character to a whole new level. Couple the amazing character depth with a purely original storyline and you get one kick-ass story.