Some of my favourite authors... Megan, Holly, Nautibitz, Unbridled_Brunette, Niamh, Eurydice, Rikki_oko, KnifeEdge, Spikeskat, dreamsofspike, anaross, kantayra, slaymesoftly, sweetprincipale, greyangel, ashlee - all of which write consistently fabulous fics.

The story where the writing quality amazed me the most for sheer depth of the characterisation was an AH fic by Nautibitz. I think it is only available on her LJ and it says it is a WIP but the author notes say the plot concludes in Chap 41 with just epilogue-esque ones remaining, of which there are a couple of posts made so it definitely works where it finishes.

Crave by nautibitz
Devilish billionaire Spike Pratt is accustomed to getting what he wants -- and what he wants is his beguiling, headstrong new daughter-in-law. Buffy refuses to give in to his relentless advances -- at first. As she learns about the amazing man behind the armor, she can't help but shed her own... But what will happen when she finally digs up his family's buried secrets -- and when her husband discovers hers?

For canon I would have to say Holly features the most in my favourite fics list with Beloved in Blood (under alternative pen name Ameeya), The Writing on the Wall (epilogue separate) and the Yellow Brick Road series being ones I could never bore of reading.

Those are all great choices.

Crave is basically complete. Where it stops seems like the end to me.

I really wish Nauti would finish the Season 3 fic based after Helpless called Poweroutage on her LJ. It was gonna be some hot smut and she writes the hottest. It's a crime she hasn't been published yet.

My real guilty pleasure fic she wrote.

I don't hide how much I love it. It is well written. Complete

http://www.nautibitz.com/fic/older/index.html

Title: Older

Author: NautiBitz

Show | Pairing | Rating : Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Spike/Buffy | NC-17/M (not for kids)

Summary: A novel-length super-AU (everyone's human) story in which Spike is Buffy's new stepfather and they can't help but have a torrid, sekrit affair and fall crazy in love.

Originally Published/Completed: July 2003 / Oct. 2004

Genres: AU Fantasy, Smut, Drama, Romance

Stats: 22 chapters Available via download only

Awards Won: "Best Fantasy Saga" from The Spuffy Awards, "Best Smut With Plot" from The Fool For Love Awards, "The Ecstasy Award" from The Forbidden Awards, "Best Smut" from Love Is Blood Awards and the Shagging Like Bunnies Awards, and more.

I still need to come up with my fave Canon one.

Can't pick just one.... Love all of the authors mentioned so far.... here's a few more
One of my favorite current writers, that I don't think has been mentioned, is spuffy luvr
all very well written stories - A Gem of a Soul, A Gem of a Deal & my personal favorite of their stories - Proud Trophies Won in Foreign Fights

As far as dark stories go - DreamsofSpike stories are very well written - with Because He needs Me, Blood Bound & my personal fav - Saving Grace (because I HATED Warren)

Love is Blind by Avalon - written long ago - holds up just as well today as when it was written. Great characterization.

Battlestations by Vic Noir - written long ago - holds up just as well today as when it was written.

Dee Bradfield - Shades of Grey - Love this Spike - Love this Buffy - sequels weren't as good as the first story but still well written...

Nanny Spike & Aunty Buffy - one of my new favorite (just found this story recently) smutty baby stories - very well done.
I'm sure there are more that I'm forgetting....

It's really is hard to remember all the amazing fics. I've read So many over the years. Well after a while they blur together for me. I do remember authors mentioned are the best ones. I'm sure there are more.

I miss Buffy and Spike Diaries and Vampire's Kiss too.

We lost a lot classic fics.

At least Vampire's Kiss works some on Wayback.
Thanks goodness we still have other archives.
Like this site has been around a really long time.
I'm glad Sinister Attraction is still up.


I love we still are getting new authors/fics after all the years.

spuffy luvr is a new fave author.

I'm addicted to this fic. Can you tell I love smut?

Piece of Cake by spuffy luvr

http://dark-solace.org/elysian/viewstory.php?sid=3770&ageconsent=ok&warning=6

This is a story of sexual awakening, and as such, delves into some of the kinkier sides of sex. I really wanted to practice writing sex scenes, okay? But it's not just porn - there's a whole plot and everything!

Everybody has different limits for what they consider taboo or unacceptable. I don't stray into hardcore BDSM or extreme fetishes, but I will warn that there is one (brief) scene of dubcon bordering on noncon towards the end. The people who have pre-read the story thought it wasn't too extreme, but I always prefer to warn for that kind of thing ahead of time. As always, this story is already complete, and I will post frequently. This is plot with smut. In conclusion, please expect lots of character development along with your smut.

Summary: Buffy is devastated when Liam marries the woman he was cheating on her with - a woman with certain talents in the bedroom. Enter William. He knows exactly what her ex craves, and he's willing to teach Buffy the skills she lacks. But will it help her to win back her ex? Does she even want Liam back?

William has spent his adult life satisfying Drusilla's every whim and desire, but her latest whim involves getting married - and not to him. Alone now, he somehow finds himself Buffy's tutor. Although he enjoys their lessons, what he really wants is her. Will he be able to let her go when the time comes?

I enthusiastically second the recs for all the fics mentioned, and especially those by knifeedge, anaross, mustangsally/rivkat, darkapple, holly, herself and unbridledbrunette. Besides those already rec'd here, I'd add the following extremely well-written fics:


Clocks of the Long Now by lostboy (here on TSR)

Summary: This story begins post-Chosen, then rockets into an angsty, dystopian post-NFA future that finds Buffy questioning the loyalties of her closest allies.

Four years after the gang helped Sunnydale perform its swan dive into Hell, a terrifying new enemy emerges from an unexpected quarter. As secrets are revealed and old friends are reunited, the greatest Apocalypse of all looms ever closer. Will they manage to save the day one last time?



Adieu, A Dew, I Do by Lizerrrbeathan

Summary: AU/ seven years post 'Chosen' --Willem is in hiding in Newcastle upon the Tyne, UK; given the magnet of hot souls and mutual minds--he is found.


Haunted by kantayra

Summary: AU after Dead Things. Seven years ago, Spike fled Sunnydale and his abusive relationship with Buffy. Now, he and still-best-friend Dawn are working together in their own demon hunting agency. However, when they're called out to investigate a chain of supernatural murders at Cascade Mountain Lodge, they discover that Buffy's on the case as well. Will they be able to solve the mystery before they become the next casualties? And what does the solution have to do with the events of seven years ago?


100 Years of Solitude by Isabelle

Summary: Series set 100 yrs after the Season five finale. This is part AU and futuristic. Spike has been alive for 100 hundred years after Buffy's death. Whistler comes to him to let him know that Buffy has been summoned to fight a new evil.



The Bittersweets series by Herself

Summary: She can't go on, she'll go on. Spike and Buffy meet again, post Wrecked.


Cousin Arabella by lilachigh (here on TSR)

Summary: A party, lots of demons, hatred, passion, white hot jealousy and several glasses of pink champagne. Not a good mixture for a Slayer and a Vampire whose cousin is trying to make Buffy admit her feelings.....


Journeys Series by Mary (series is a WIP)

Summary: We are shaped and fashioned by what we love...



Promise of Frost by Eurydice

Summary: When a snowstorm strands Buffy and Spike, they are forced to turn to each other for strength, especially when a missing Giles, mysterious visitors, and way too much magic threatens to turn it into a not so very merry Christmas.


Spiegel Im Spiegel by fallowdoe

Summary: Buffy never makes it up Glory's tower. The experiences of Spike and Buffy in an apocalyptic world.


Prophecy and Warmth by TheBear (here on TSR)

Summary: She tries not to think of him, she is afraid if she does he will consume her and there will be nothing left of her for the daytime


Where Pies Go When They Die by ghostyouknow27

Summary: Hell, as it turns out, serves a great cherry pie.


Heroes in Hell by shapinglight

Summary: Post-Chosen. The events of AtS season 5 are playing out but without Spike's involvement, for reasons that will become clear pretty quickly. There are also very vague references to BtVS season 8, the comic. However, familiarity with it is not needed to understand the story.

Thought of a couple others:

Always Wait for You by slaymesoftly (here on TSR)

Summary: It is more than ten years after the events of NFA and we find Buffy in a familiar place - sitting in a crypt with a stake in her hand.


At Your Service by dampersnspoons

Summary: Buffy Summers, a human girl terrorized by the horrors of the supernatural, has finally been robbed of everything she ever held dear. It is the last straw. In a desperate attempt to save herself and seek justice for the wrongs dealt to her loved ones, Buffy makes a contract with a demon for help and protection. However, this demon isn't ready to be ordered around, having put his own demons to rest long ago and had thought he was free of the obligation. Until now. Will it end up being the terrible mistake everyone warned her against, or will Buffy and Spike come to realize something bigger is at stake?


Daemons Luminati by kalima

Summary: Can a vampire be dragged, kicking and screaming into the light? We'll see. Spike's a complicated guy, isn't he?

DramaQueenLucy
I have to agree with this, by far one of my all time favorites I've lost count of the number of re-reads I've done!

One of my favorites (sorry if it's already been mentioned) I'd called 'Coming Through' right here on the SR
http://spikeluver.com/SpuffyRealm/viewstory.php?sid=36979

A lot of great stories and authors! But i must mention Barb C again becasue WOW that story is one of my favs. And i have a few others in my sleeve that wasn't mentioned yet

The Barbverse by Barb C

Living Conditions and Offers You Can't Refuse by Sweetprincipale (ok she was mentioned but it's the same as Barb C too amazing not to mention more than once )

Things Present Things Past by Estepheia
Two timelines. Two Slayers. One problem! How does Buffy get back to her own time when she's sucked into the body of a Slayer in 1880? Can another Scooby who tries to rescue her survive the past? Plus, meet William and witness Spike's decision!

Pandora's Boxer by speakr2customrs
At the completion of his trials in Africa, Spike is offered an alternative to a soul; a second chance. The cave demon sends him back in time 3 years - but wipes his memory of the intervening time! Will the same things happen all over again - or will it work out a little differently? Could this be a second chance not only for Spike, but for Buffy and the Scooby Gang? In a world in which "Kick the Spike" is a game more dangerous than juggling with nitro-glycerine, can they learn to respect the vampire and avoid the mistakes they made first time round? Or will entirely new mistakes lead them to a different but equally catastrophic destination?

Can I Keep You? by Candyknicks
Vampire Spike meets runaway Buffy on the streets of Victorian England. He takes her home fully intending to kill her after he's had his way with her, but falls in love with her instead. Buffy needs a place to hide, but will she stay once she finds out who Spike really is?

Five Words or Less by AGiffinWriter
Spuffy AU Season 5: What if Buffy had paid more attention to what Spike says directly after, "Out. For. A. Walk . . . B*tch."? How would she have responded if she'd caught his blunder?

In His Shadow by Night Nymph
When Spike makes a deal with a demon to find out what is wrong with Buffy, he gets more than he bargained for. Set post Normal Again.
This one has an idea I haven't see done before!

Great listing so far - and it so good to see some of the early writers like Battlestations by Vic Noir - and 100 Hudred Years of Solitude by Isabelle.

I love the Bloodly Soul Series by Kally77 and all of this writers works -

http://archiveofourown.org/series/47110

Another work that has stayed with me all these years is "A Terrible Thing" by Herself. I admire all the works from this writer, but this story is unique because it is is a very compelling exploration of the Shanshu and how Spike might react to that transformation. This is Spike in a very dark and heart breaking phase of his life. The link for her works archived at Nocturnal Light: http://www.nocturnal-light.net/fanfiction/authors/91

For another great series that features my favorite of all original characters is Business as Usual by Lilachigh - Her Agnes Pringle is a wonderful character and so very different from any vampire in the Buffyverse FF. This writers has a wonderful style.

Unfortunately one of my favorite writers Ariane only can be accessed with The Way Back Machine.

Annie Sewell-Jennings- The Last Summer. Tissue warning. This fic is as heartbreaking as it is beautiful. http://www.allaboutspike.com/fic.html?id=132

Old fic. that I just found - Even in the Real World by Flibble. Amazingly well done. It is an AU spin on Normal Again. Love it. Wonder if this person did become an author as they mention in their bio. I'd definitely give their original work a try.

A new (to me) gem to add to this list:

Distress Signals by PeaceHeather

Summary: Post-series, post Angel. Some references to events in canon. Probably rated higher than needed, for violence and nudity (but as yet no strong sexual situations). Also Spike can be a potty-mouth when he wants to be.

And this list could not be complete without lilachigh 's Cousin Arabella

Summary: Winner of Best Original Character in Blood Ties Awards Round 4. I’ve always been fascinated by Spike’s remarks about his cousin in Goodbye Iowa. This is set just before Christmas and so before Buffy’s birthday party in Older and Far Away. Spike has a big favour to ask the Slayer and it will lead to all sorts of jealousy when she meets a certain member of his family.

Both these writers have an incredible flair for characterization, and both these fics introduce brilliant OC's.

I already posted a few of my favourite ones but i thought i would leave a link to my fic rec page that i update from time to time.

A lot of already mentioned stories are there but there are a few that aren't

my fic rec: HERE

Aknien
Awesome! So excited to see some recs on your page for fics I've never read before. Just spent a wonderful evening with "Things Present, Things Past" thanks to your Tumblr . What a great fic! Definitely deserves a mention on this thread.