Crystal Starr Light wrote: "I'm trying to think of what my favorite line was, and I think this is it:

"pulchritudinous brunette’s blonde tresses, flowing from her head like a stream but made from hair instead of water and without any fish in."

"It made his insect eyes flash like a rocket."

Jane wrote: "This made me so happy that even renowned author Dan Brown may not be able to describe how happy I was."

OMG! May I just say that was positively awesome?! LOVE IT!! I'm trying to think of what my favorite line was, and I think this is it:

"pulchritudinous brunette’s blonde tresses, flowing from her head like a stream but made from hair instead of water and without any fish in."

LOL!!

Willowfaerie wrote: "Hey thanks, Jane, for friending me! Yay!"

I seriously thought we'd been GR friends for ages. We always seem to be on the same threads. How could I have been so blind? *lifts tiny lace-trimmed handkerchief to brow and sniffs delicately*

Hey thanks, Jane, for friending me! Yay!

Anthony wrote: "Thanks for the request, and Bowie is my all time favorite musician. He has been an integral part of my life since I was 15."

I fell for Bowie's music at about the same age. I saw him in concert at Wembley Stadium during his Thin White Duke phase, which must have been 1977 or 1978. I can't say I've followed him (or any other musician) much in the last few years, but it's weird how that song just jumped back into my head when I saw the title. I'm glad he's appreciated by your generation.

Loved your review of Willie Masters' Lonesome Wife! I'm always looking for GR friends who will pull me out of the reading ruts I tend to dig myself into. So many books, so little time.

Thanks for the request, and Bowie is my all time favorite musician. He has been an integral part of my life since I was 15.

Jane wrote: "You need to realize that I will be back checking on your updates of the Vampire Chronicles obsessively like I did with the Earth's Children books. I went through a HUGE Anne Rice phase in my late 20s (ye gods, how long ago was that) and the books are still on my shelf, but they are covered with the dust of slight embarrassment and jaded disillusionment. "

Well, the first two books I thought were really good. This third book is just soooooo slooooooow. I'm 65% through and only now is it a bit more interesting - problem is, nothing is really happening. People just stand around and talk. At least in previous books, you got to watch Louis and Lestat live their vampire lives out along with long talky scenes.

I like Kevin Spacey but, well, from the trailer it looks like his fourth wall-breaking is trying too hard. Richardson was so effortless. Plus the politics are so mired in Thatcherism and the MONARCHY, which can't really translate to the US. I'll give it a shot since it'll be right there on Netflix, but I'll be judging. ;)

Karla (Mossy Love Grotto) wrote: "I just recently saw House of Cards and was bowled over. I can't believe they're doing a US version. Why mess with perfection?"

I know! Ian Richardson could not have played the part better. The supporting cast was amazing. I honestly can't see how they can translate it into American.

I just recently saw House of Cards and was bowled over. I can't believe they're doing a US version. Why mess with perfection?

Kim wrote: "Have you seen this, Jane?

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16..."

Ye gods, not another indie author whining about bad reviews. And in ebook format, to add insult to injury! I really liked this review and am now following that reviewer. I agree with her that the reader/reviewer community is wonderful, supportive of new authors and intolerant of any kind of BS be it from bestsellers or the most unknown of indies. Granted there ARE unfair reviews, ranging from fanpoodle attacks to you-scratch-my-back-I'll-scratch-yours author cliques to people who hate a book for some reason that has NOTHING to do with the book, but I believe they are pretty easy to spot and therefore unlikely to kill a book in the long run.

After all, what the author's got on her side is the sheer size of the internet community. Back in the day when reviewers were a powerful few, I'm sure some books got unfairly killed. But now, look at what we've got! Every kind of reader has a fair chance of getting out there and promoting their favorite authors. These people need to stop whining and concentrate on writing better books.

Have you seen this, Jane?

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16...

Pierre wrote: "hi Jane! Merc for friending!"

A pleasure :)

hi Jane! Merc for friending!

Jane wrote: "Hayes! I'm on the Nook! Kobo coming any moment now..."

Yay! Good work!

Jane wrote: "The Da Vinci Code was defeated by The Hunger Games this weekend. Started reading the second book before I went away and just had to know what happened, even though I didn't particularly enjoy the books as such... "

Not a problem!! I know how it can be, the call of another book.

Jane wrote: "Yay! I didn't dare look at your statuses in case you were miles ahead. I'm hoping to get some Da Vinci time either this evening or over the weekend, after I've cleaned up the huge pile of mail and assorted papers from my desk. I never had ANY time to myself in England. "

Excellent! I really love reading your status updates; you always manage to catch something that I somehow missed.

Crystal Starr Light wrote: "I wanted to let you know, I haven't forgotten about our Da Vinci Code read! I slowed down a bit so you could catch up :) Glad to see you back on Goodreads!"

Yay! I didn't dare look at your statuses in case you were miles ahead. I'm hoping to get some Da Vinci time either this evening or over the weekend, after I've cleaned up the huge pile of mail and assorted papers from my desk. I never had ANY time to myself in England.

I wanted to let you know, I haven't forgotten about our Da Vinci Code read! I slowed down a bit so you could catch up :) Glad to see you back on Goodreads!

Michelle Elizabeth wrote: "Hi. Just wanted to say congrats on getting your book published. I haven't read it yet but I honestly plan to soon. :)

~M"

Thanks! I've had so much encouragement from my GR friends, it's just amazing. It sounds like false modesty to say I wasn't expecting it, but I really wasn't - there are so many books everyone could be reading. I hope you'll review it whatever your opinion; the feedback I'm getting has been wonderful.

Hi. Just wanted to say congrats on getting your book published. I haven't read it yet but I honestly plan to soon. :)

~M

Sounds excellent!! I'm pumped :)

Crystal Starr Light wrote: "The narrator for mine is Geoffrey Harding.

No problem, if this book turns out to be like what I've heard, I can see how it would be draining :)"

Interesting that it's a different narrator... because Paul Michael made me quite furious, I remember. OK you're on - want to start this weekend?

The narrator for mine is Geoffrey Harding.

No problem, if this book turns out to be like what I've heard, I can see how it would be draining :)

Crystal Starr Light wrote: "I've got the audiobook--I figure it will be fun to listen to while at work. (Plus, I'll actually finish it within this lifetime--I am soooooo slow if I don't listen!)"

Is it the one narrated by Paul Michael? I would have to listen to it in the evenings, as I can't work and listen (saps the creative juices summat awful).

Jane wrote: "I need a laugh...but I'm a bit buried in reading commitments right now (isn't that awful? Reading COMMITMENTS?).

On the other hand I could always suffer through the audiobook again--just checked a..."

I know what you mean. I somehow ended up with 5 books in my currently-reading, and I STILL have books that I should get around to reading!

I've got the audiobook--I figure it will be fun to listen to while at work. (Plus, I'll actually finish it within this lifetime--I am soooooo slow if I don't listen!)

Just let me know what works best with you!

I need a laugh...but I'm a bit buried in reading commitments right now (isn't that awful? Reading COMMITMENTS?).

On the other hand I could always suffer through the audiobook again--just checked and it's still on my Audible app. Are you planning to do audiobook or actual book?

Let me know if you are ready or still game to read/listen to The Da Vinci Code!

Crystal Starr Light wrote: "Thank you for that link!! I will definitely be checking it out.

I have not read any Mary Russell books yet, but I wouldn't be opposed to reading them."

It's a good series - I'd be interested to see your reviews.

Thank you for that link!! I will definitely be checking it out.

I have not read any Mary Russell books yet, but I wouldn't be opposed to reading them.

You mean you have a LIFE???? :D

Given that GR is being a bit unfriendly to itself at the moment, I'm trying to remember that reading books is EVEN MORE important than chatting about them, so I think the "no Goodreads till after 6 pm" rule is going to have to kick in soon. Although the withdrawal symptoms are always really bad :(

Glad you agreed on the friend thing too, I was so surprised when I realized we weren't already friends. I guess that is because we have quite a few friends in common. Glad we have that cleared up and now back to some interesting conversations.

Sorry it took me a bit to complete my side of the friend request thing, it's been a busy week, not fair interfering with my GR time like that!

Mermarie wrote: "Thank you for accepting my friend request! I've spotted some of your reviews and commentary, and they're most excellent, ma'am! :)"

You're very kind. I look forward to getting to know you, and I hope you'll leave some comments. What I love about GR is all the different opinions!

Thank you for accepting my friend request! I've spotted some of your reviews and commentary, and they're most excellent, ma'am! :)

Naomi wrote: "Hey Jane..thanks for the friend request! I read about a book a day. I work as an independent contractor, but I still read about a book a day. It is my downtime. Plus I write a book blog, so i do al..."

Thanks - yes I like Terri, she's a very active online personality. I'm so impressed by your reading speed! Even though I'd rather read a book than watch TV I'll still feel proud of myself if I hit 100 this year. SO much else to do... Last year I was incredibly busy and only read 40 books which was just awful. My Shelf of Shame is groaning with unread tomes. Of course Goodreads is partly at fault - all those fascinating discussions and snarky reviews to enjoy.

Hey Jane..thanks for the friend request! I read about a book a day. I work as an independent contractor, but I still read about a book a day. It is my downtime. Plus I write a book blog, so i do alot of reviewing!

Your friends with Terri Long..you must be ok!! :)

Hayes wrote: "Well any friend of Kim's is a friend of mine, especially if she's a Sayers fan!!

I just read Cutting for Stone and adored that.

Off to watch the Italian production of Nero Wolfe, and very fine ..."

You have pleasingly eclectic tastes...one of the things I love about Goodreads is that my friends are expanding my range and depth of reading.

Well any friend of Kim's is a friend of mine, especially if she's a Sayers fan!!

I just read Cutting for Stone and adored that.

Off to watch the Italian production of Nero Wolfe, and very fine it is too. Catch you later.

Jane, thank you for the friendship.

Always glad to meet another Janeite! ;-)

Nancy wrote: "Hi Jane, nice to meet you!

To answer your question, no there is no genre I will not read, but I do have a preference for fantasy, horror and mysteries."

I like mysteries, but not so much horror or fantasy. Still, with your eclectic tastes, maybe you'll convince me!

Hi Jane, nice to meet you!

To answer your question, no there is no genre I will not read, but I do have a preference for fantasy, horror and mysteries.

Tammy wrote: "Hi Jane, thanks for the invite, it's nice to meet you. :) I'm looking forward to chatting with you, I'm off to check out your bookshelves."

Great to meet you too, Tammy! And I know what you mean, I love seeing what everyone else is reading.

Hi Jane, thanks for the invite, it's nice to meet you. :) I'm looking forward to chatting with you, I'm off to check out your bookshelves.

Yes, it's important to give those brain cells a rest from time to time. Mysteries are the best medicine for mine.

Jane wrote: "Orsolya wrote: "Thanks for the friend request! You seem like an upbeat indiviual with a great outlook, a love for historical fiction, and a wonderful namesake!:)"

It's good to meet you! We have qu..."

I prefer history bios/portraits but intertwine with historical fiction and then "other" books in between to give my brain a rest. I am about to start a historical fiction book based in Victorian England, called The Journal of Dora Damage I believe it is purely fictional and not based on a true character but it sounds interesting!

Orsolya wrote: "Thanks for the friend request! You seem like an upbeat indiviual with a great outlook, a love for historical fiction, and a wonderful namesake!:)"

It's good to meet you! We have quite a few books in common so this should be fun. I do tend to gravitate to historicals, although I try to read as widely as possible with the exception of the fantasy genres, simply because I prefer stories grounded somewhat in the real world. Wherever that is :D

Thanks for the friend request! You seem like an upbeat indiviual with a great outlook, a love for historical fiction, and a wonderful namesake!:)

Sophia. wrote: "Hi Jane! Thanks for friending me! I'm glad you could relate to what I wrote. I hope we'll get to chat in the future :)"

I hope so too. I meet some fun people on GR.

Hi Jane! Thanks for friending me! I'm glad you could relate to what I wrote. I hope we'll get to chat in the future :)