Oh, Hear the Angel Voices! by Jasper1863Hale

Oh, Hear the Angel Voices! by Jasper1863Hale

When Jasper is unexpectedly asked to fill in for a musician during a Christmas church service, he very reluctantly agrees. He wants to shake things up a little and show his fellow performers, especially a handsome piano player, that new and different doesn't have to be scary. 

I don't want to give away too much of the plot of this one shot, but I can tell you that I was 100% moved by the end. The overall message is very poignant and applicable to all our lives, but I also enjoyed the sweet love story between Jasper and Edward. They both carry a lot of baggage in their lives, but they manage to find happiness and contentment with each other.

Please check out this beautiful story! You won't be disappointed!

~ M

The Thing about Falling by mistyhaze420

The Thing about Falling by mistyhaze420

Wonderful and fabulous Brady is looking for love. He's watched his good friends, Jasper and Edward, fall in love and longs to have someone special to call his own. When he and his friends travel to Texas to visit Jasper's relatives, Brady lays eyes on Jasper's mysterious and dangerous cousin, Brandon, and he's instantly smitten. Having just been released from prison, Brandon wants to stay on the straight and narrow, but small-town, small-minded people (as well as the stigma attached to the Whitlock name) continue to test his patience. He just wants to live his life and get through probation. However, when a feisty and adorable young man waltzes into his life, Brandon thinks that maybe, for once, he can have something good in his difficult and trying life.

Much like mistyhaze's story, Lessons Learned, The Thing about Falling is an epic tale that will immediately have you addicted. Brady has to be one of the best characters in fanfiction, period, and Brandon (imagine Charlie Hunnam from SoA)....lordy, lordy, lordy! Hot, masculine and rough around the edges, he's the type of man who will pick you up, carry you to the bed and then throw you down on it before he ravishes you. *swoon*

Definitely check out this awesome story! You will be so happy you did! :D

~ M

Not Quite According to Plan by naelany

Not Quite According to Plan by naelany

After spending Christmas away from his family and the love of his life, Edward, Jasper is more determined than ever to reunite with them, ring in the New Year and be there for his twin as she gives birth.

This is a quick and fluffy read that will definitely bring a smile to your face. Jasper and Edward are adorable and the side story involving Rosalie giving birth is touching and heartwarming.

~ M

Book Review: Kale's Spirit by Jackie Nacht

This is a cute story about a young man who is saved by a group of people after being brutally beaten by bullies in the woods. Two of his rescuers, Hunt and Volk, feels a strong connection and attraction to him. Through his recuperation, he develops strong feelings for both of them, but realizes he has to choose one once and for all.

A quick and easy read, Kale's Spirit, surprised me in a couple of ways. First, I did not expect the paranormal/spiritual aspect with the wolves. This isn't an shape shifter story, but many of the characters have a very strong spiritual bond with their wolf counterparts. Secondly, I really liked the fact that the reader could choose his/her own ending. I liked being able to pick the ending I would prefer and experienced nostalgia as I remembered reading "choose your own adventure" books as a child.

I was very happy with the ending I chose, but my curiosity got the best of me and I read both endings. I felt the ending I chose (with Hunt being chosen) (highlight text to view spoiler) was much stronger than the other and just made more sense overall.

I felt the two sex scenes (one for each ending) were a little lackluster and glossed over. The scene with Hunt and Kale seemed a little more detailed than the one with Volt and Kale, but as I said before, I preferred that ending as a whole. It would have been nice to feel more of the passion between the characters, but I understand they were experiencing first love and fumbled their way through their firsts.

~ M

Rainbows and Storm Clouds by alexajaye

Rainbows and Storm Clouds by alexajaye

Married couple, Carlisle and Edward, are faced with tragedy when Carlisle's sister and brother-in-law are killed in a car accident. On her deathbed, Rosalie asks Carlisle to take over the care of her daughters because she knows he and Edward will provide the life she wants them to have. He accepts without question, but nothing can ever be that easy. Carlisle's father and his homophobic brother, Jasper, are determined to stop the adoption at all costs...even to the point of calling Edward's abusive and psychotic ex, James, to help.

I stumbled upon this story while doing a search and I'm so glad I did! This story has so many twists and turns that you'll stay on the edge of your seat! It has a good mix of sweet, fluffly romance, angst, drama and suspense. I will warn you that Jasper is extremely OOC, but his character and storyline really give the story some extra umph! Be prepared to have your emotions go on a roller coaster ride in this intense and gripping tale. I highly recommend!

~ M

Driven to Distraction by AbstractSong101

Driven to Distraction by AbstractSong101

Carlisle works for a driving service in London. When a handsome and mysterious client catches his eye and stirs up some unprofessional feelings, Carlisle embarks on a journey he never intended to experience. Edward is used to people listening to him and jumping exactly when he tells them to. When his driver makes him experience feelings he's never felt, he wonders what could be wrong with him. Will Carlisle and Edward be able to overcome obstacles and their fears or will they be stuck in limbo?

Edward and Carlisle! Yum! The sexual tension between these two is through the roof! Edward is definitely the guy you love to hate with his arrogance, complaints and demands, but he also has a vulnerable side that is quite endearing. Carlisle, on the other hand, is a great guy who is far from perfect, but possesses the patience of a man willing to do whatever it takes to find love. I don't know why it's taken me so long to sit down and read this fic, but I'm so glad I did!

~ M

Rescue Me by KellanCougar

Rescue Me by KellanCougar

When Jasper's car breaks down on a deserted road, he never dreamt his rescuer would give him an experience, both sexually and emotionally, he'd never forget.

Talk about a HOT story! *fans self* Emmett and Jasper literally sizzle as they succumb to their intense attraction for one another in this incredible one shot that was expanded into a WIP. However, don't let the panty-melting sex scenes fool you into believing this is a PWP story. Both characters also show their vulnerable sides as they try to make sense of their developing feelings and overcome the distance that separates them.

Definitely check this story out!

~ M

Book Review: Gay as Mardi Gras by Lily Velden

Jesse believes he's straight. He's dated his high school sweetheart for years, but just recently broke up. His grandmother, however, thinks differently. She decides to send him on a month-long cruise to help him discover himself. Excited at the prospect of adventure and relaxation for an entire month, Jesse jumps at the opportunity. However, he is surprised when he discovers that his grandmother booked him for a gay cruise. Figuring he'll make the best out of the situation, he accepts his fate. His roommate, Daniel, has just broken up with his philandering boyfriend and is in no way looking for love, so the two men decide to watch each other's backs and develop a really sweet friendship that could possibly turn into much, much more.

I really enjoyed this adorable and romantic story. Jesse's struggle with his sexuality was portrayed realistically and it was nice to see his relationship with Daniel progress at a slower pace. There is no insta-love in this book. Insta-lust, sure, but Jesse and Daniel truly get to know each other before the thought of becoming more even popped into their heads.

If you're looking for a heartwarming, feel-good story, this is definitely one to check out!

The author provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Buy Gay as Mardi Gras here.

~ M

Betrayal by Hank's Lady

Betrayal by Hank's Lady

Tyler's life is chaos. He just caught his best friend, and roommate, in bed with his girlfriend, his father pays no attention to him and treats him like a burden, and he has anger problems, which almost always leads to a fight. When classmate, Jacob Black, takes pity on him and lends a helping hand, Tyler realizes there actually are good people out there and that he may not be the screw up everyone believes him to be.

I have been pleasantly surprised by this crossover Remember Me/Twilight fic! Using Tyler instead of Edward is nice twist, but what really caught my attention was the way Hank's Lady realistically portrays the struggles of the main characters. Seeing the slow and tentative progression of friendship between Tyler and Jake is refreshing and I look forward to learning more about these characters. I always get a jolt of excitement when I see an update for this story in my inbox and I know you will too!

~ M

Dreamt by Zero Skye

Dreamt by Zero Skye - COMPLETE 

In this story, vampires can occasionally be pulled into others' dreams.  They are usually unable to interact with the dreamer, so they stay in the background. However, when Jasper is pulled into a dream in which a small child is being abused, he is somehow able to tell the boy that what is happening to him isn't right and that he should get help. The little boy never forgets the vampire who helped him and hopes that one day he'll be able to dream about him again. As Harry grows up, he continues to pull Jasper into his dreams and they form a very strong bond. With mounting tension due to the return of Voldemort, Harry knows that he must stand up and fight to save the wizarding world. Jasper, on the other hand, must sit back and wait, hoping that that young man he loves comes out alive.

I first read this story a little over a year ago and it's stayed with me ever since. It's rare to see a Jasper/Harry pairing, but I think it works well in this story. Zero Skye effectively shows the slow progression of their relationship and the depth of their connection and love while telling a gripping story that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Definitely give this story a shot! It's well worth your while. :)

~ M

Wish Upon a Star by Bramble Iceweb

Wish Upon a Star by Bramble Iceweb - COMPLETE

Edward has been searching for his mate for decades. After wishing on a star one evening, he's surprised when an adorable young man with bright green eyes worms his way into his life and his heart. Even though he has as sunny disposition, Harry also harbors a great deal of pain and regret from his former life. Will he and Edward be able to move forward together or remain bound to past hurts?

I thought this story was absolutely adorable. It has a wealth of sweet moments with a few dashes of angst mixed in. I highly recommend this crossover fic! Both Edward and Harry will capture your heart.

Read the uncut version here.

~ M

Book Review: Dirty Laundry by Heidi Cullinan

Grad student, Adam, suffers from OCD and acute anxiety attacks. When he is harrassed in the laudromat by a group of frat boys, Denver, a man the size of a house, comes to his rescue. After some flirting, the two have sex on top of Denver's laundry and begin and tentative friendship and eventual relationship.

I really liked the free short story, Dirty Laundry, so I was excited when I realized this was an expanded version of that story. Unfortunately, the extremely slow pacing, redunancy and lack of plot killed my impression of this book. I did like the way Adam's OCD was handled. Cullinan described it in a realistic and true-to-life way. However, I felt like every single page dealt with Adam's anxiety attacks, insecurities, fears, self-loathing, etc. It was neverending (which may have been the point since Adam couldn't get away from those feelings, so I guess readers had to endure them as well).

After learning all about Adams issues, we soon find out that Denver also suffers from feelings of low self esteem. He's a high school drop out, doesn't believe he's very smart and feels inadequate next to Adam's intelligence. This new development seemed like too much after all we have to see concerning Adam.

Louisa was a cool character, but she didn't seemed all that developed. She was mostly just a shoulder to cry on whenever Adam was feeling insecure or suffering from an attack. Brad, the villain of the story, was just annoying. It boggled my mind that his behavior continued as long as it did and his "comeuppance" was extremely anti-climactic. The addition of BDSM, which made me more uncomfortable than intrigued, was the final straw for me, unfortunately, and the book completely lost me. I struggled to get through this book, especially the last 30%, and found myself skimming through most of it.

Buy Dirty Laundry here or here.

~ M

An Innocent Man by loopylou992

An Innocent Man by loopylou992

Sitting in a prison cell, Carlisle awaits his fate. He's been sentenced to death for the murder of his former lover, Edward. The only problem is that Carlisle didn't commit the crime. Unfortunately he was at the wrong place at the wrong time when he found Edward, covered in blood and clinging to life. The only thing getting him through this difficult time is his partner, Garrett. As they spend their last few moments together, the two men try to make it as special as possible, while at the same time saying goodbye.

This story is awesome! My heart broke for Carlisle because I, as a reader, knew he was innocent and that he was taking the fall for someone else. My heart also went out to Garrett, who has to watch the man he loves be put to death. There aren't enough good things I can say about this story, but I have to mention that the twist at the end will surprise you! Happy reading! :D

~ M

Remember Us by addicted-to-romione-bedward

Remember Us by addicted-to-romione-bedward

After a horrific motorcycle accident, Benjamin is in a coma for three months. Garrett, his partner, is by his side every single day, but when Benjamin finally opens his eyes, he can't remember anything: his name, why he's in the hospital, Garrett or the fact that he's gay.

After watching BD2, I've grown a soft spot for Benjamin. I never really paid attention to him in the books, but casting did an awesome job for the film. Benjamin (Rami Malek) was all kinds of sexy!!! *swoon* Remember Us is a beautiful story about two men who have to learn how to adapt to a new way of life. Benjamin was come to grips with that fact that he's gay, something he's not comfortable with; and Garrett must come to the conclusion that the man he knows and loves maybe gone forever. If you're looking for a story that will tug at your heartstrings and make you root for two very likable characters, this is the story for you!

~ M

p.s. Remember Us recently won second place honors & Alyse's pick in the Slash Writer's Workshop Anonymous Plot Bunny contest.

Waiting to Meet You by Seylin

Waiting to Meet You by Seylin

Jasper and Seth have been trying to have a child for a long time, but for some reason, a baby just wasn't in the cards, so the couple suffered loss and endured the pain of miscarriage. Pregnant once again, Jasper dotes on Seth, who is on bed rest. When Seth goes into early labor, the same fears and anxieties bubble to the surface. Will Jasper and Seth finally be able to have the family they always wanted or be doomed to more pain and sorrow?

I know MPREG stories aren't a lot of folks' cup of tea, but I thought this story was really good. Seylin conveyed the thoughts and emotions of all the characters, particularly Seth's, Jasper's and Jacob's, so well that I forgot it was a man carrying the child. I don't want to give away too much of this one shot, but I highly recommend that you check it out for yourself. It's a quick read that will put you through a wide array of emotions.

~ M