Jenn is a daily inspiration to me and the most kick-ass beta I've ever had the pleasure of working with. She's an unbelievably talented writer -- Period. End of sentence. I love everything she writes, no matter the subject matter or pairing. Reading her writing has taught me more about style and tone than composition class ever did. When choosing favorites from Jenn's work, I had to think long and hard because everything is so damned good. "Jus Ad Bellum"... Wow. I have no words for how much I love this story. This novel length AU explores a "what if" scenario through the shifting perspective of a Rogue who learns just how important she was and is. Brilliant characterizations, mind-blowingly detailed plotting, and social introspection that will make you think long and hard about how you see the world. Don't miss this one. For pure, foofy fun, you must read "Happy Little Sounds". I laughed out loud several times and damn near destroyed my keyboard when I choked on my diet Sprite. If you haven't read Jenn, you're missing out. Go to her page. Send her email. Tell her she's a goddess. I keep trying to convince her, but she doesn't believe me. Her humility is endearing <g>.
Why do I love Bethy? Let me count the ways: She's a great stylist who can say more with a few sentences than other writers say with an entire story. She writes beautiful, hot sex scenes that never take characterization for granted. And I will be eternally envious of her knack for humor. To put it plain and simple -- Beth rocks. "Living Unto Morning" is a marvelous exploration of the feelings that arise when you save the world for a living. Defining what's just versus what's right is not easy when you have a conscience. Simply brilliant. "XXX Mansion" is one of the best, most original AUs I've read. Fully detailed world, wonderful characterizations, all with romance and heat to spare. How can you resist an AU about the X-Men as porn stars? I certainly couldn't. I didn't even try. Tell Beth you love her, because the fandom always needs quality fic like hers.
Being one of the first doesn't always make you one of the best. In Misty's case, it happened to coincide with amazing results. "Almost a Woman" is the fic that launched the L&R fandom, and what a way to start. Beautiful characterizations and a wonderful flow throughout. Exquisite story that began the continuing "Fatal Caress" series, which I have only just started reading and already love beyond reason. For laugh until you drop humor, do not miss "Spider Monkeys Prefer Banana Daiquiris", but be sure not to drink anything while reading if you value your keyboard. And I must mention the first Misty fic I read -- "Men are From Mars, Women are from..." is a lovely little "slice of life" scene that wonderfully demonstrates that the characters are people first, super heroes second. Communication between the genders is always a struggle. Go read Misty and be amazed. I certainly am.
Nacey, the fandom's one-woman welcome-wagon, always made sure that the newbies felt welcome when they arrived. Above and beyond that, Nacey is a marvelous writer and so much more. Artist, musician, web-site goddess -- These are just a few of her credits. On the fic front, Nacey always delivers inventive plot lines and hilarious dialogue. A perfect example is my personal favorite, "With Six You Get Eggroll"-- a fun romp with the X-Men at the zoo. Watch Jubilee find a new method of dealing with her fear of snakes and witness the hilarious results when an anti-mutant bigot spikes Logan's beer. This is fun with a gracefully delivered message. You can't ask for more. Although I haven't read any more of it yet, I'm shaking with anticipation for "Causa Anima" from the one chapter preview she provided. It's an epic worth waiting for, and I'm waiting... impatiently <g>.
And in the beginning, I read Diebin's site. And it was good. Scratch that. It was incredible. Through the grace of some benevolent entity, I stumbled across Diebin's site and spent my first day plus of L&R shipperdom devouring it. Diebin fic is more addictive than crack (well... not that I know personally, but I believe that scientific testing would prove it), and I was definitely hooked. Everything is brilliant. Personal favorites are "Torn" (angst), "I Don't Approve" (humor), and of course, the "Compass Points" series. Diebin is one of a kind. She brought many of us into the fandom, and we love her for it. We do.
I am a firm believer in the school of thought that there is simply not enough good Scott fic in movie-verse. Min is the best Scott writer I've come across, bar none, and one of the best movie-verse authors period. I've only recently discovered the joys of Min, so I've only read one fic of hers thus far (though I'm anxious to get to the rest <g>). However, being that the fic I read is the first and only movie-verse fic I've read thus far that made me break down in tears several times, it must be mentioned here. "Climb the Wind" literally broke my heart, tackling the tough issues with such brilliant characterizations and words that it took my breath away.