JR's Parlor -- Older Recs

Fanfic Recommendations

I read a *ton* of fanfic, some of it good, some not so good, and some of it in between. It's my pleasure to offer up these suggestions to other readers. They are sorted by fandom and are in no particular order. Erring on the side of caution, please assume that all Adult and Slash stories are NC-17, so don’t go where you shouldn’t.

Interested in knowing more about what I like?

Can't believe it's been almost 2 years. Damn you, Sparkly Dancing Boys! Damn you! I'm in the process of cleaning up the links on these pages, so please hang in there with me. Thanks!

The impatient types can just cut to the What’s New page.

Shortcuts

Page 1: Buffy - Willow/Angel Buffy Slash Angel: The Series BtVS - Graham stories Roswell
Page 2: Due South Highlander Sentinel
Page 3: JAG The West Wing Once a Thief X-Files
Page 4: Battlestar Galactica Stargate SG-1 SW:Phantom Menace
Page 5: Comics
Page 6: Voyager - Chakotay/Paris Paris/Kim Janeway/Paris Paris/Seven of Nine Enterprise
Page 7: Crossovers
Page 8: Miscellaneous
Page 9: Smallville
Page 10: Harry Potter - Gen/Het Harry Potter - Slash

Please help keep this page up-to-date. Report broken links.


Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Willow/Angel
Links last checked on April 15, 2003.
Garden Willow GardenAngel

My favourite pairing, obviously. This is a relatively new but growing fandom with some incredible contributing writers.

Friendship by Melinda Dawney

Adult. - but there is also a PG version. Read the story credited with starting it all. Beautifully written with a great plotline. And best of all -- there are lots of sequels!

When Stars Collide by Serendipity
Adult. A lovely and touching story about the evolution of W/A’s friendship after she brings him back from Hell.

Friendship Building by Saber Shadow Kitten
Gen. Saber is an awesome writer who does stories for all sorts of Buffy pairings. This is the first story in the Abracadabra series (NC-17) which shows a more playful side of the Slayerettes when Willow decides to draw Angel out of his shell. It's where the 'General' and 'Red' nicknames began!

Flavor Favor - The Obesession series by Lorelei
Adult. Oh.My.God. My computer almost had a meltdown when I read the first part! Tired of Xander and Oz both wanting to be her first, Willow seeks out a third alternative, leading to some unforeseen consequences. Twenty-seven stories later, the Obsession series is just as compelling.

Blood on Ice by Ossian
Gen. Who knew that hockey could be the basis of a beautiful friendship?

Willow's Secret by Emmangel
Gen. This is the second part of a wonderfully written friendship series.

Take Your Time and It's About Time by Carrie
Adult. -- PG version available. A wonderful back-in-time story involving Angel, Willow, and Spike?? This is a work in progress, but Carrie is a great writer (and I'm not saying that just because she's my beta reader either ;-)

Principal Revulsion by Dayna
Adult. Wow. Dayna has created quite a tale involving sexual harassment, a grab for power, and a hell of a bodyguard for our favourite redhead! Lovely first time scene, too. Now, if only she’ll write a sequel.

Broken Link! When You Meet a Friend by Jessica
Gen. A lovely friendship piece set a few years in the future.

Misery Loves Company by Anya
Gen. Just what the title implies. When Buffy and Xander start going out, who better for Angel and Willow to turn to than each other?

Salvation by Teri Leigh
Adult. Oh.My.God. This is probably one of the best 'first time' stories I've ever read. Now if only Teri would write the long awaited next part...

Me and You and a Dog Named Boo by LightLes
Adult. I really love ‘set in the future’ stories, and Leslie’s was an exceptional one. Switching back and forth between the past and the present, the story covers a lot of emotional ground. Read it, you won’t be sorry.

Entangling Alliances by Avenzuli and Ruby
Adult. Drusilla leaves Spike a nasty little parting gift -- one that makes him need Willow’s blood. And of course Angel sticks close by to watch over our favourite redhead. Nice Spike-Angel-Willow interaction, with no slashiness for those of you squismish about such things.

Triune by The Wicked Sluts
Adult/Mild Slash. (X/W/A) Yowza!! With two of my absolute fave W/A authors at the helm, this one just had to be good. This has to be one of the most believable scenarios I’ve seen yet for an ‘unconventional relationship’ story. When Angel discovers Willow’s diary, he learns that she still dreams of Xander from time to time, and is willing to let Willow’s dreams come true.

Demon... Angel... series by Bad Girl of Buffonia
Adult. Oh man, oh man. This series was totally awesome! Buffonia has done an incredible job of revising BtVS history with this whole series. Beginning in season 2, what if Angelus decided to go after Willow? Later parts of the series covers what would have been different in season 3.

Trapped Inside a Month of Grey and Walking In A Winter Wonderland by Beth M.
Adult. Although they are unrelated, this pair of holiday-centric stories is beautifully written. Beth has a real gift with crafting realistic scenarios in order to bring Willow and Angel together. And since she’s also 1/2 of the Wicked Sluts, you know the sex is going to be steamy!

The Path Less Traveled Series by Lucy
(Eventually) Adult. Talk about a completely different approach to W/A. Lucy does a great job as she examines what would happen if the pair were forced together by TPTB. Believe me when I say that neither is overly-happy with the situation...at first!

Silence Speaks by Karen Upchurch
Gen. For those of you who enjoy more action (as in the fighting kind, you fic-sluts), check out this story from Karen. When traumatized Willow shows up on Angel’s doorstep, it takes the combined efforts of Buffy, Angel and both their crews to get to the bottom of it. Well plotted and nicely written.

The Elsewhere by Morgan R.
Gen. Now, I have to say that I’m not a big fan of AU stories in general, but this one is superb. Morgan’s writing style is incredibly descriptive, and she somehow manages to keep the characters ‘in character’ while transporting off to another realm -- one where Willow is a princess destined to marry...well, check it out!

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Misc. Buffy Slash

Links last checked on April 15, 2003.

A Boy Named Xander by Saber ShadowKitten

Slash. Saber has done an incredible job weaving the story back through the events of the actual episodes, creating a lovely and believable scenario. I’ve recommended this story privately to a couple of people who have never read X/A slash before, as it’s a great introductory piece.

Even Angels Have Needs by Chesire Cat
Slash. Part of a series. When Angel can’t get what he wants from Buffy, he turns to...Xander?

DMZ and Stand Down by The Spike
Slash. The Spike has managed to create two steamy PWP stories with just the proper amount of ‘Xander-humor’ from the show. Sit back and enjoy this one.

The Post Grad Series by Te

Slash. I’m a big fan of Te’s, but for some reason I never stumbled on to her Buffy slash. (Thanks to James Walkswithwind for pointing me in the right direction). When a depressed Xander finally reaches the end of his rope, Spike is there to help him pick up the pieces. Beautiful, angsty and everything else you’ve come to expect from Te’s stories. 287k

The Sands of Time Series by James Walkswithwind and Wolfling
Slash. This is one of those series that I’ve been meaning to rec forever. The writing is nothing short of amazing and the plot is fascinating. It’s a lengthy A.U. -- one where Giles adopts Xander, and Xander find himself

The Filling the Gap Series by Lar and Kassie
Slash. Things between Xander and Riley change when the former discovers the latter’s new all-you-can-drink habit. But are either of the guys ready for the new turn in their friendship. Nicely handled.


The Connections series by Lisa Martin
Slash. *Happy dance time* Oooh, I *love* this series! Xander and Giles finally find each other -- with a little bit of outside help. Each section is written from POV from different characters, and Lisa manages to capture each one just perfectly. This series was so incredible, I *begged* Lisa to continue it -- and much to my delight, she did! A must read -- even for non-G/X readers.

River by Agnes Joseph
Slash. Another great slash writer turns her attention to BtVS. It’s Christmas and Xander spends his yearly retreat in a new location -- across from Giles’ apartment. But when our favourite Watcher invites Xander in from the cold, emotions begin to slowly warm up. Don’t miss this one! 65k

Truth or Dare by Byrne
Slash. Truth or Dare is such an overused plot device in fandom, but it's always nice to see it done well. An incident at the Bronze sets Xander against the other Scoobies in a game that just might prove to be more important than he could have ever dreamed. Then again, who knew that Xander's dreams would turn to...Spike? Great characterization and hot sex, what more can you ask for in a story? 145K

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Graham stories
Links last checked on April 15, 2003.

Who is this, you may ask? He's Riley's other friend -- the strong, silent soldier type. Quite the eye candy, too, for that matter.

Bringing Out the Big Guns by Anya

Gen. The only bad thing I can say about this story is that it remains unfinished, but please don't let that discourage you from reading this wonderful W/G fic. When Willow finds out that Tara has been using her for her powers, Graham is there to offer his protection -- even if that means taking Willow home with home over the summer break. Anya has outdone herself with the 'meet-the-family' storyline. 80+k

Say Goodbye by Grace
Adult. This is one of those 'slightly more than a PWP stories', and is it hot! Willow does a little spell to get what she wants -- Graham, one night, hot sex, and no recriminations. Do not miss this one. 60k

Rainy Days and Mondays by Samantha
Gen. Okay, the characterization may be a little off, but this story brought back a lot of my own college memories (sans demonic activities, natch). A sudden storm forces Graham, Riley and Forrest to offer some simple hospitality to Willow and Buffy. It's nice to see the five of them acting like normal college students for a change. 151k

This Side of Dawn by Joe Lawson
Slash. Under orders from Maggie Walsh, Graham is pushed far beyond the limits of duty. When Graham's life is threatened as a result, Riley discovers that the 'cure' to save his friend's life may not be the sacrifice he originally thought. Riley and Graham at their best, plus a little Spike thrown in for good measure. Bonus points, also, for incorporating Stargate SG-1 in a 'blink and miss it' cameo. Rape story warning. 272k

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Angel: The Series
Links last checked on April 15, 2003.

Okay, I just have to say how impressed I’ve been with this show so far. (Well, except for the loss of my other favourite half-demon). There isn’t a lot listed here...yet. But I have a feeling that this fandom is going to continue to grow. Here are a few of my favourites so far.

Matched Pair by Brenda Antrim

Slash. (A/D) I’m happy to see that Brenda is adding ‘Angel’ to the massive assortment of fandoms in which she writes. This one is a ‘fixit’ story for the episode ‘Heroes’. Read and discover why Brenda is one of the best overall fanfic writers on the web.

Irresistible Force by Destina Fortunato
Slash. (A/D) I stumbled across this story through somebody else’s recs page, and I’m damn glad I did. This is a tad bit rougher around the edges in terms of plot, but Destina’s writing style packs a hell of punch. Thanks to a little help from an outside source, Angel and Doyle fall in lust.

And What Would You Like From Santa This Year? by Saber ShadowKitten
Gen/Humor. This little holiday gem had me laughing out loud. A witty must-read for anybody who has been forced to endure Christmas shopping and those biblical signs of the Apocolypse - Pokemon!

Me in You by Brenda Antrim
Slash. Set after the end of the second season, a drifting Lindsey finds himself drawn back to one particular Angel in the City of. This is a beautiful character study, and since it's one of Brenda's, you know the writing is solid. 35K

Unexpected by Robin
Adult. The title says it all on this one. In Sunnydale to attend the wedding of Xander and Anya, Cordelia and Angel come to some realizations about their feelings for each other. Solid writing; I just wish I could find other C/A stories by Robin.

Vivere by Rheanna
Gen. Oh, I really enjoyed this one, AU and all. It's been eight years since Angel entered a hopeless fight and never returned. What have the (expanded) AI been up to, and how will they handle seeing someone they thought was lost forever? Rheanna does an amazing job with the alternating first-person POV's. 180K

The Epiphany series by The Brat Queen
Slash. I don't know how I've missed this series up until now, and it's a damn shame, because these stories deserved to be recced here months ago. An excellent, in depth series chronicling the relationship between Angel and Wesley.

Reprieve by Rabid X and Wyrd
Slash. Xander is dispatched to deliver some books to L.A.. Sounds uneventful, right? But then again, Xander was expecting to find the Buffyverse 'I-was-a-wuss' Wesley, not the new-and-improved Angelverse version. Be sure to check out the sequel Just Dinner and a Movie. 80K, 50K

Sea Change by Yahtzee
Slash. Wanting to get away from it all, Lindsey catches an outgoing freighter. But "life at sea" turns out to be not at all what he was expecting - especially when a certain souled vampire is aboard the same ship. Painful, beautiful and real. 113K

Condemned to You by Rabid X and Wyrd
Slash. Standard BtVS and HP plot device #1: A spell gone awry puts Character A in life-threatening situation unless s/he has sex with Character B. It's an old tale, but Rabid and Wyrd tell it incredibly well. Xander shows up in L.A. in desperate need of Angel's assistance. 100K

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Roswell
Links last checked on April 15, 2003.

Sigh. Just what I needed, *another* fandom. I know, I know, what the hell is an old slash-slut like me doing watching teen-trash like Roswell? But oddly enough, I like this show...

Genesis Series by Annie

Slash. Good fiction is hard to find in this fandom (must have something to do with the fact that most of the fanfic “writers” aren’t old enough to drive yet). That being the case, it was a lovely surprise to not find a slash story, but a well-written slash story as well. What if it had been Kyle that Max saved that day in the diner?

Redrawing the Lines by Matthew Haldeman-Time
Slash. There isn’t a lot of good fiction in this fandom, so finding something worth recommending is always a good thing. Max suffers a breakdown after being ‘experimented’ on by Agent Pierce, and Kyle is reluctantly there to help pick up the pieces. This story deals with the aftermath of a pre-story rape. 81k

Butterfly Dreams by Alerion
Slash. This story AU's after season 2, and is still a work in progress. It's still worth the read, though. Max and Kyle find what is missing from their lives in each other.

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