Hoyaheel

OK, here's the real question of whether or not we're soul sisters Madamecleo--how do you feel about Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradey and the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon??For vamps, I am a fan of Buffy (tv show, not movie) but seeing as how I fell in love with Angel AND Spike, I can't view all vampires as bad, you know? I don't think I've read story of O but I probably own it--I went through an erotica period in college--have a pretty large collection but I haven't read it all. Wish I were at home to check--there's one title in particular I'll recommend if I can locate the book--ties in to ancient mythology too (another love of my youth)

Right now, I've read all the books written as Elizabeth Peters (Vicky Bliss, Amelia Peabody, and Jacqueline Kirby) and I'm working my way through the gothic books (not series) written as Barbara Michaels. I like historical romances as well. One of my recent favorites is Julia Quinn (not only because I went to high school with her ) I think I've only read a couple Liz Carlyle. A friend of mine got me into the Stephanie Laurens books and Jo Beverly. I also liked the Stella Cameron "Mayfair Square" series.I've been in grad school most of my life, it feels, so what some might consider "trashy romances" or beach reading--it's a nice respite for my brain!! I love 'em!

Yes, I've read all of Karen Harper's books as well as Elizabeth Peters! Other historical series I like are a couple in ancient Rome--Lindsay Davies and Steven Saylor (different time periods of ancient Rome), Sharon Newman (very strong female protagonist, early middle ages), Elliott Roosevelt (mysteries his mother, Eleanor Roosevelt, solves--fictionally, of course ), Stephanie Barron, who writes as Jane Austen solving mysteries, and Kathy Lynn Emerson (noble woman, famous herbologist, also Elizabethan times--very popular period for historical novels & mysteries!). Carola Dunn writes cozies in Edwardian England (well, maybe a little later--into the 20s)I just started reading Fiona Buckley--another Queen Elizabeth contemporary.My reading list is 8 pages long, 8pt font, tables & columns, etc. I have to keep track of all the books in a series that I've already read or else I'll pick them up and start reading again--I read so much it's hard for me to remember some books until I'm about 3 chapters in and start to feel a lot of deja vu. And thanks to this board, I've been adding more to the list I was a hyperactive kid, and my parents discovered that giving me books was more effective (and cheaper) than putting me on Ritalin

I never could read the Anne Rice Vampire books! I read the witch series, and that's it for her stuff. Well, I LOVE the erotica she wrote under pseudonyms!! But I couldn't even get one chapter into Interview with a Vampire (and I can and have been known to read ANYTHING)

I love historical novels! I've read a few of Philippa Gregory (think she's been mentioned in the "What are you reading" thread) Queen's Fool is my favorite so far, though the Virgin's Lover was really good as well. The first historical novel I remember reading that was not a trashy romance (which I do still adore!) was The Autobiography of Henry VIII--I've always LOVED Tudor England history (I was a european history major as an undergrad as a result) by Margaret George--I stole it from my dad when it came out (1987, so I was 14) Since then, I've read a few of her other books--most recently Mary Called Magdalene, which I thought--eh. Memoirs of Cleopatra was quite good, as was Mary Queen of Scotland. Checking on Amazon, looks like she has a new one coming out in August about Helen of Troy.I like historical mysteries too. The majority of the mystery authors I read have historical series....

I'll look up Ward--don't know if I'm familiar with that. I don't typically read "vampire" novels, though I have read some--I read the Blood Countess years ago. There's a fun series from Katie Macalister about vampires--really about Aisling Grey, a "Guardian" I like her stuff--quick beach reads. I actually just ordered the most recent one at the library a couple weeks ago...She has some other non-series books too. I guess I prefer my vampires lighthearted and sexy

I've long believed that geniuses (in whatever medium) are hardwired differently than "normal" people. Something has to be different to allow them to create such wonderful things (art, music, science, comedy) Most people learn how to control their gift so they can function in society. Many have people who help them (family, managers, etc) but those who cannot control their "gift"--find themselves in a downward spiral (Belushi, Chris Farley) or whacked out and living in Bahrain (Michael Jackson, that one's for you!)

I freely admit I loved Dark Angel. But Alba really only had to do a couple of things well, and I think she did....

*plug for another site* I moderate a Vegas message board (hah, actually, that's the new URL--www.vegasmessageboard.com) If you go to the Entertainment forum on the message boards, there's a good review from a guy who saw it last week. Oh heck here's the link: http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/sh...ead.php?t=21703

From Norm Clarke's column, Las Vegas Review Journal, 6/16/06:

I just adored the Historian!!

I don't think that was an ad--I think that was just how she insisted she be photographed to accompany an article in a magazine. I know I saw it, just can't remember what magazine it was in....

Before everyone started bringing their Scientology up in interviews, it never bothered me--why should I care what people do in their private lives--like any "religion".....But today, it's like Scientology told all its celebrity members to go forth and publicize....Except Jason Lee--his interview in Playboy was great--he wouldn't talk about Scientology at all. Wish some others would take that road!Anyway, I'm still able to separate a celeb's work as an actor and their Scientology beliefs--I still like Jenna Elfman, Jason Lee, and Kirstie Alley.....

Umm, Harry Connick ain't no country star If ever there were a "crooner", it would be Harry.....

This was in Cindy Adams' column today (6/6/06) in the NY Post:

Funny--I didn't see this until you posted but Grease was on tv this weekend and I was wondering if they had ever solved that case! I've always thought he faked his death.....

Nice find/plant by his lawyers and PR people--this won't look good in the custody battle

I think I said it earlier in the thread but I'll say it again--I'm just happy she's off the coke--which is what kept her skinny back in the Cheers days. I like her a lot as an actress and really like how she handled the weight issue.....

For me it was a field trip to the Metropolitan Museum in NYC and the mummy room! For years I wanted to be an archaeologist....Now I just read about them and watch shows on the Discovery Channel

That's gotta be all him, then--he's notoriously private and won't ever talk about relationships, and most of his girlfriends don't either. Given he's so private and she's so open, doesn't sound like an ideal match to me.....

I think he's 17 or 18--I remember looking it up a while back (I was looking for photos that I couldn't find...) when someone (you, Hep?) he might be a "friend" of Jake's.....

I love Barbara Mertz, who writes historical mysteries about Egypt as Elizabeth Peters and some freaky-ish gothic type novels as Barbara Michaels (Mertz has a PhD in Egyptology from Chicago's Oriental Institute) Anyway, a Barbara Michaels book I just finished (The Dancing Floor) was about one of Tradescant's gardens--very very cool book and a quick read. It's a paperback I got at a book sale so if you're interested, send me a PM and I'll mail it to you I prefer her egyptology books (fantastic characters--if you read, try to read in chronological order to get the best family character development) Her website is http://www.mpmbooks.com/ for a complete bibliography...

Considering she (originally) kept saying she wanted to lose weight so she could have a healthy pregnancy, I kind of figured this marriage to a gay man was ALL about the biological clock. Besides, if they do a c-section they can do a little nip & tuck at the same time, right??

What were all our guesses back in 2003-04 on how long this contractual obligation, er, "marriage" would last?? It's actually a little shorter than I'd guessed because I figured she'd at least get a baby out of it (turkey baster or not...)

I've read most of those--love historical fiction as well! I think the Queen's Fool is my favorite....