Fic Dive: Rubies, Coins, Emeralds... and Pearls!

Investigator at Large: britpacksuccubus

Diver Alias: The Alpha Betafish

Mission: To step outside my comfort zone and find a hidden gem.

Parameter: Genre = Hurt/Comfort

The Pearl: Crack the Shutters by Ish Cat

Summary: Edward has just learned that he has cancer. Him and Bella decide to go on a cross-country road-trip to experience everything he hasn't yet experienced...with a few little bumps along the way. AH EPOV. M for a reason!

Twilight - Rated: M - English - Drama/Hurt/Comfort - Chapters: 18 - Words: 28,463 - Reviews: 52 - Updated: 7-5-09 - Published: 6-19-09 - Edward & Bella - Complete

Why I read this: Not gonna lie, my heart literally ached and I bawled like a baby reading this. It's along the lines of watching The Notebook over and over even though you know what's coming and that you'll need a whole box of tissues. You just can't stop yourself. We get to be in Edward's head as he deals with his tragic fate and undying love for Bella. They live their lives to the fullest before she has to face a life without him. This very young author did an excellent job portraying love and hurt experienced through life and death. Reaffirming that life is short, but that someone can live on through their legacy. The time transitioning gets a little blurred within chapters, but it's not hard to figure out. If you're not afraid of heartfail or are in need of a really good cry, I highly recommend this quick read.

Mission: Find some fluff to quell my angst overload.

Parameters: Genre = Romance

The Pearl: Ivy League Romance Part I by ReddTwilight

Summary: By God's Grace, or so it would seem, I got into an Ivy League college. At first it felt like I didn't belong here. But now there's someone making it all worthwhile. His name: Edward. AU- All human!

Twilight - Rated: M - English - General/Romance - Chapters: 27 - Words: 82,148 - Reviews: 60 - Published: 5-10-09 - Bella & Edward - Complete

Why I read this: Needing something to calm my heart after a few rough updates, I found this either little known or underappreciated story about Bella going off to college. Although Bella wasn’t very confident in herself or her abilities, she wasn’t the sacrificial lamb that is portrayed in the books and many fics. She hadn’t given up her life and friends in Phoenix to accommodate Renee. It’s Freshman Year at an Ivy League college where Bella rooms with a genuinely pleasant Jessica, who describes Edward Cullen as wealthy, well-known and reclusive when Bella lays eyes on him at a party. They meet when Edward asks Bella to be his lab partner, but there are some minor bumps in the road. Bella and a virginal PoliteWard do finally strike up a very close friendship eventually discovering that it’s so much more. An enjoyable read with very little angst which did my heart good.

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Investigator at Large: ilsuocantante
Diver Alias: Peenpire Extraordinaire

Mission: Find an angsty HS fic that isn’t lamesauce
Parameters: Genre = Romance/Angst
The Pearl: Changing Perspectives by OrionCat
Summary: Bella arrives to live with her father in Forks instantly adored by the town except for one person, Edward Cullen. An accident brings them together, but what happens when he chooses to leave his family and her? AH/AU mild OOC
Twilight - Rated: M - English - Romance/Angst - Chapters: 7 - Words: 35,901 - Reviews: 30 - Updated: 7-10-09 - Published: 5-21-09 - Bella & Edward

Why I read this: Because instead of Edward saving her outright from Tyler’s Van o‘ Death, he helps Bella pick up the pieces after she is seriously injured. Though she feels the burden of her physical limitations, Edward’s presence in her life keeps her afloat. When he goes New Moon and leaves suddenly to reunite with his biological father, Bella gets all sad spice – but I don’t blame her, Edward doesn’t even attempt to contact her while he is away. She questions his feelings for her, and her insecurities are further validated when he returns wants her to stay away from him for unknown reasons. (Probably because he’s Edward, and therefore emo-tastic.) The fic is low on the normal teenage angsty drama, and for that alone it is worth a read. At times the writing does feel amateurish, but she improves with every chapter and I am interested to see where she takes us next.

Mission: Find an indie Jasper/Bella fic
Parameters: Genre = Tragedy/Romance
The Pearl: Peace and Answers by abbymickey24
Summary: Bella came to Seattle wanting peace. Jasper came wanting answers. Both would find something much more important. All human. B/J, E/A, Em/R.
Twilight - Rated: M - English - Tragedy/Romance - Chapters: 4 - Words: 6,879 - Reviews: 5 - Updated: 7-2-09 - Published: 6-29-09 - Bella & Jasper

Why I read this: Because the very first chapter drew me in. Bella moves to Seattle to escape her abusive ex-husband and start over. She changes her name and alters her appearance (dude, she used to be blonde. The mind reels.). Jasper is an FBI agent (hot) on a mission to solve the mystery of his parents’ murder. They meet and are immediately attracted to one another. One of the best things about this is that there is not even a whisper of a love triangle. Edward is with Alice (ikr?! Ngl, it kinda threw me, too but I’m hoping they’re going to be secondary characters so the squick fact will be minimal) and when he and Bella meet there is absolutely nothing there for them. It is refreshing and well-written and intriguing, I can’t wait to read what happens next. There’s dancing involved. Possibly even some J/B grinding. I know, I’m excited too.