And another one bites the dust!

Thanks to the power of Twitter and with Kwana's (who just celebrated a birthday) tweet, I found us Crusaders another one to add to the Crusade. Maria has just discovered the love that is North and South and Richard Armitage. In Celebration, rather than another video, I thought I'd share my June calendar pic. My team laughed and oohed and aahed when I turned to this months calendar picture.

Our Newest Crusader!!

As mentioned in the previous post, I was on Twitter on Sunday night when I clued in from Mandy of Smexy Books that Heindenkind was watching North and South for the first time - and doing live twitting while doing so.

My goodness that was fun taking that journey with her. Each time she tweeted, I knew what was coming up. Right near the beginning from when I jumped in, she tweeted how much John Thornton reminded her of Derek Craven of Dreaming of You fame and I was thrilled beyond belief to point her to the interview Lisa Kleypas did with us on that very topic during the height of The Great North and South Crusade way back in the fall of 2007 - my goodness - such a long time ago now!!

Anyway, I tweeted how she could become the newest Crusader - and she was all on board about that. So - be sure to check out the thoughts of Our Newest Crusader - Heidenkind!!

Of course this calls for another video!!




I've posted this one before, but of all the hundreds - and I do mean hundreds - I've watched this one remains my favourite.

A Quick Poll

Katie sent me an email tonight with the following YouTube video. This to me shows our different generations.

So - here's the poll. Watch this following video and note the last actor. Love his hair or hate it?

Nothing wrong with it at all!!!

For Lisabea and all the other fans of Higgins (of which I'm one too!)

These are pictures of our man Higgins from a mini-series he acted in - The Glass Virgin by Catherine Cookson. I've read quite a bit of Catherine Cookson in my day and this was always my favourite book of hers. I saw the mini-series many years ago. Sadly, it doesn't seem to be available to us here on this side of the pond in DVD format although it is available on VHS.

And yes - without giving too much away, he plays the love interest!











******** ETA*******



For all us Crusaders - check out the SB's. They posted a list of all time top romance hero types and check out who made it to number 4!!!

Just 'cause

I've nothing else to write about at the moment. My kitchen is non-existent. The house is a mess and I have to go to Home Depot shortly *shudder*.











I have to disconnect my modem shortly to exchange if for another one and I'm worried about doing that











I needed something to cheer me up.









And if there are some fence sitters - well.....












Hopefully these will help















So if I'm not online for the rest of the day I screwed up the modem thing.











Thanks to the Armitage Army for such glorious pictures.

Just 'cause

For those who have seen it - aren't you glad?




"I was right Mother, Miss Hale would not have me."

















"And yet, I think I love her more than ever."










"No one loves me Mother, no one but you."










"The best thing you can do Mother is never speak her name again."







For those who are thinking about it - one of the best/saddest parts


*sigh - Must watch again*

*ETA*

And to end on a happier note - and I finally got back into Photobucket and I need to give it a try....

Because

Because I'm off today. And because I'm feeling silly. And because I just got back from shopping and finally got all my shopping done and I'm feeling a giddy sense of relief. And because I'm procastinating on emptying cupboards and wrapping gifts. And because I don't normally do this too often. And because I'm a normal kind of gal, I bring you





Are you ready?





Are you set?





Remember I don't normally do this kind of stuff since it's a bit silly.





Here we go





I may delete it when I get over being silly





But I may not.......

I called this one

Coat

I called this one

Needs a Name

And I called this one

Dreaming of You

yes, yes, I know I need a new hobby

Just ignore me - I'm playing with pics

OK - That works - carry on.


I think in this one he's either a mad chipmunk or saying the F word

And I've discovered a Jpeg file uploads faster than a Bitmap

See - it's not all about a fine face!

See - in case you wondering, I'm practising cropping pictures. Mind you I should be emptying kitchen cupboards but I had a cranky day at work and this is so much more..........soothing, shall we say.

The Great North and South Crusade Continues...

Day 3

The Pajama Party Comes to an End....

Like all good things, they must come to and end, and this means out lovely PJ chat on the merits of North and South, John and Margaret's romance and Richard Armitage himself. And if you think you have had fun reading our insightful and educational chat, Part 3 will amaze and astound. (Better not drink anything while reading, you may end up spraying your computer)

And tomorrow will be even better because we have a SPECIAL GUEST INTERVIEW that will be posted. Who could it be you wonder? Here's a hint - Kristie likes to compare Richard to Derek from Dreaming of You. Hmmmm...

Sula: I think Richard Armitage is still single
Kristie(J): Really?
Sula: yup
Kristie(J): *thinking*
Sula: Buy a ticket to Hungary
KatieBabs: I checked IMDB and he is single
Kristie(J): I wonder how much a flight to Budapest would cost
Sula: woot!
KatieBabs: No woman in his life! Road trip!
Sula: Yup!
Kristie(J): All three of us!
Sula: I have a Hungarian friend, maybe she will let us crash at her place. For real
KatieBabs: Imagine that??
Kristie(J): * laughing and sighing at the thought*
Sula: Tell him that his fame has spread beyond North and South fans and is not a viral infection in the romance reading community now
Kristie(J): And we have this campaign going
KatieBabs: definitely!
Kristie(J): And if he gets royalties
Sula: hehe
Sula: Katiebabs, did you watch any of the Vicar of Dibley episodes on Youtube? You really do have to. He is adorable. so FUNNY
Kristie(J): Oh you do!! He is SO different and shy
KatieBabs: He has been on an episode of Cold Case I have watched and in a Speedo. I like him with a little scruff
Sula: Ala Robin Hood?
Kristie(J): Oh man - Robin Hood! He is GORGEOUS
KatieBabs: If I was Marian I would forget Robin, marry Guy and give him all the babies he wanted. Guy hmmmm. What a guy!
Sula: s'riously that cape!
Kristie(J): those penetrating eyes
KatieBabs: I watched the first season of Robin Hood over the summer and I though Robin was wimpy. But Guy... ohh laa laa
Sula: Me too katiebabs
Kristie(J): I haven't seen any of it yet - but soon! Yes very soon!
Sula: I remember watching it and thinking that robin I could do without but the bad guy...
Kristie(J): Did you know who he was then?
Sula: No! That's what surprised me afterwards. When I saw North and South, I kept thinking that he looked vaguely familiar. hehe! Yeah, and then post-N&S when I was looking him up online...I figured it out
KatieBabs: Me too Sula! I was forwarding the scenes with Robin to get to Guy and even when he murdered someone, I thought that was so hot! I had no clue who he was, just that he was very yummy. Now I want to watch Season 2! all 21 episodes of Robin Hood
Kristie(J): I think he's a fabulous actor to go from Vicar to N&S then to Robin Hood
Sula: Yeah, very different roles
Kristie(J): And the bedtime story telling! Such a hoot
Sula: Isn't that the cutest thing? hello...my name is Richard
KatieBabs: Ah man, I need to watch these videos.
Sula: Yes!
Kristie(J): He's so .....enthusiastic telling those stories - quite a difference from the restrained John Thornton
Sula: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67Kwvl67P6M
KatieBabs: OMG the dinosaur!!!
KatieBabs: cbeebies?
Sula: Some British kid’s series
KatieBabs: I want to jump in the booth right now!
Sula: I know. It's so different to see him in casual clothes, no?
KatieBabs: omg now he is speaking Scottish
Sula: I know!!! double squee
KatieBabs: his eyes, such beautiful eyes And you... and me!!!
Kristie(J): Ooooh - that accent
KatieBabs: OCH!
Kristie(J): Och lassie
Sula: you just can't resist
KatieBabs: I will have 9 kids with him and name them all Jamie
KatieBabs: or Richard
Sula: haha
Sula: Jamie...sigh
Kristie(J): You can tell he must like kids to do that *g*
KatieBabs: hello my name is Richard!
Sula: love the way he says RICHard
Kristie(J): I love to hear him say KRIStie
Sula: I would love to hear him read stories to me. Bedtime stories. The adult kind
Kristie(J): Oh - how adorable when he says squirrel!
KatieBabs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig_r5M7Iohk
KatieBabs: Kristie I am now ruined for all other men
KatieBabs: Which brother could Richard play?
Sula: hmm
KatieBabs: Z?
Sula: No, not skinny enough
Kristie(J): The first one - what's his name? The king!
KatieBabs: Phury?
Sula: Wrath? I like him for Rhage, or maybe Phury
KatieBabs: Phury!
Sula: Yeah, I think Phury
KatieBabs: Those eyes of his!
Sula: They're pretty much the shiznit
Sula: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGZ9CzpppcQ
Sula: Some nice shots in this one
KatieBabs: If he played Rhage he would need blonde highlights
Kristie(J): So who in their right mind would prefer Robin over him????
Sula: No sane woman, that's for sure
KatieBabs: More slash?! lol
Sula: yep lmao
KatieBabs: Robin would give pecks, Guy would eat a women whole!
Sula: mmm.
KatieBabs: Marian is a twit. Forget about Robin
Sula: Guy is a much better choice he is a tortured romantic hero who just needs the love of a good woman
KatieBabs: They need a new woman for him other than Marian who can appreciate him. That could be me
Kristie(J): Or me
Sula: Me. Or it could be an Emma Holly story and be all of us
Kristie(J): I read where they were delving more into his character and history in the second season
Sula: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbmYkb8h3Ug&NR=1
Sula: No, it looks like an interview but the Guy of Gisbourne clip is...thud hawt! "beg"
Kristie(J): OK - we shall have to wrap it up then *g* Sula! I can't watch and type at the same time
Sula: hehe OK, but trust me, you will like this one
KatieBabs: His smile!
Sula: The beginning anyways
Kristie(J): OK - I've already seen that - a couple of times
Sula: hahaha Beat me to it, did you
KatieBabs: He is so modest. I love his nose and his ears and his scuff
Kristie(J): Yep I did *g*
Sula: aww
Kristie(J): And his shyness
Sula: Eyes
KatieBabs: and his hair
Sula: and everything
Kristie(J): that's why I love the Jann Arden video
KatieBabs: his eyebrows
Sula: OK, so anyways, back to the North and South thing
KatieBabs: looks at those hands!
Kristie(J): But isn't he adorable in that interview??
KatieBabs: and those jeans! And I really need to go to bed and dream
Sula: *sigh*
Kristie(J): Right! North and South - that's why we are here
Sula: Richard Armitage is just too distracting!
Kristie(J): Focus! Focus! *g*
KatieBabs: er.... how are you going to edit this? lol
Sula: Cut out the tree sex
KatieBabs: hahah
Sula: "you inspired a lot of attention, particularly on the internet"
Sula: really
Kristie(J): Well - was going to start copying from where we started talking N&S
Sula: and then stop where we started gushing about RA
Kristie(J): So then - Katie - why do you think others should watch North and South in a short answer?
KatieBabs: People should watch North and South because it is an incredible romance that includes the topics of family, feminism, and class society. And mainly the final scene! Flowers and trees and riding the train. Okay, I must go now. On that note! Richard rules and I want to be his mistress! (against a tree!)
Sula: I would recommend North and South for both the very satisfying romance but also for the unique look at a period of history that we don't always get to see...the industrial revolution. I would add that the romance feels very real and well-developed. You understand WHY these two should be together.
Sula: And now for you, Kristie
Kristie(J): OK - me. I think North and South is a romance come to the screen. We often wish they would make movies out of romance books. Well they did that with this. In addition, we get to see so many other things, class struggles, working man/employer struggles. We often mourn for richer more historically correct books. One can get it all in this series

*I must also give a shot out to The Armitage Army for all the great Richard Pictures!

(They are the true hard core fans)

Katiebabs

The Great North and South Crusade!!

DAY 1

The Pajama Party

We’ve been promising something special this week starting today and – today’s the day. It might not come as a surprise to some of you who drop by and visit that when I get passionate about something, I tend to go a bit overboard.:) The reason is I’ve enjoyed it so much I just want everyone to enjoy it too. I don’t think there will be any raised eyebrows when I say my latest one is the British series North and South. I started hearing about it on the AAR boards and didn’t pay much attention since I thought it was a do over of the US miniseries. But then Sula posted about how much she enjoyed it and many others chimed in agreeing with her. I ordered it, watched it and fell completely and totally in love with the story. Then my partner Katiebabs watched it and experienced the same thing Sula and I and many other did too.The three of us exchanged emails and we all thought it a grand idea to really encourage other romance readers and romance bloggers to see this great series. If you’re a romance reader, especially a historical romance reader which I think many of us are or were at one time, I think you’ll really enjoy this. We tossed around ideas of what to do and one of the ideas we came up with was a 'chat' we thought we would share with everyone.

So one Friday night after trying to figure out what IM to use and with the help of “The Sidekick” we connected. I can’t speak for Katiebabs and Sula, but I was sitting nice and cozy in my jammies with a nice cold beer and settled down for what really felt like a cyberspace pajama party.

So for the next three days, you get to see into our North and South Pajama Party discussion. Part one is here with me posting. Part two is at Sula’s blog and Part three is here with Katiebabs posting.

So sit back and enjoy. We tried to be serious at times but at others descended into girlish silliness.

Kristie(J): Question: So what makes N&S so special that it's grabbed our attention and won't let go? Either of you?

Kristie(J): (The sidekick - you can listen in 'cause we will be after you to watch this too)

KatieBabs: The subtle love story without all the over the top passionate words and touches. When John is watching as Margaret leaves and he says, look back- swoon!

Sula: Also I liked the social clashes (the working class, the nouveau riche, and the elite) and how some of those contrasts are exemplified in the characters of Thornton and Margaret. I mean, she is coming from a rather posh background...or at least some of her family are in the Ton, and now she has been brought down a level, and Thornton, who should be beneath her, is actually above her socially

Kristie(J): That's true - he is above her in some ways and beneath her in others. Like our wonderful Derek -he thinks he is unworthy of her. I do think he came from a better background originally - before his father blew it.

Sula: Yeah, but he had to work his way up from zero

Kristie(J): and yes though, he did raise himself and his family from the ground

KatieBabs: I like the fact that Margaret is strong and outspoken and that is why John loves her

Sula: Yes, I liked that too. She's not afraid to speak her mind even though she's a little naive in some ways.

KatieBabs: She is very caring and understanding, well with John, he rubs her the wrong way though. John was a lot like Derek in most ways. The looks he gives Margaret are much like the ones Derek gives Sara. And whenever someone is critical of Margaret, he defends her.

Sula: true

KatieBabs: He reminds me also of Darcy from P&P

Sula: Yeah, in some ways he is like Darcy, but he's also more emotional I think

Kristie(J): I haven't seen that so I can't really compare them

KatieBabs: OMG you have been deprived!

Kristie(J): I did watch the latest version the other day and there really was no comparison

Sula: Yeah, you really do have to see that one

KatieBabs: No Colin Firth swimming in the lake?

Sula: hehe

Kristie(J): But after watching North and South I don't think I would care for it nearly as much. P&P that is

Sula: I loved how erotic just seeing Thornton's NECK was after going through the entire movie in such conservative clothing

KatieBabs: LMAO!

Kristie(J): Yes!! At the train station when he didn't have his cravat on

KatieBabs: When he took off his neck thingy, that was very sexy.

Sula: Don't you think his starched cravat says something about the way he holds himself? His chin is always up

Kristie(J): I do. It's like he is holding himself back

Sula: Yes, or being held back by convention

KatieBabs: The smoldering looks said it all

Sula: And yeah, the eyes tell the true story. Yowza!

Kristie(J): Another thing I noticed upon many viewings is how he covers his mouth when he is feeling strong emotions, like he is trying to hold himself in somehow. It really starts getting noticeable when you watch it a lot.

Sula: hmm, you're right

Kristie(J): He hardly ever smiles at all!

KatieBabs: he hardly ever smiled unless he was with Margaret

Sula: Did we all swoon over the part where he watches Margaret's carriage drive away and he says, "look back, look back at me"?

KatieBabs: OMG!! I was a puddle on the floor

Sula: Heart-breaking

KatieBabs: That scene... no words!

Kristie(J): Oh me too! You can just feel his pain and longing

Sula: He's so vulnerable

Kristie(J): But yet - he turned his back on Margaret first when she was open to something

Sula: Well...to be fair he did propose to her and got turned down

KatieBabs: He doesn't want to give his heart away

Kristie(J): One thing I'm puzzled over is why she turned him down so rudely

KatieBabs: His proposal was an angry one because he is angry for loving so deeply

Sula: Yeah, I thought she was pretty mean to him

Kristie(J): But I think she was almost afraid of his passion

Sula: Did you watch the extended proposal scene? The one thing that I got out of it was that she was angry that people were assuming that she was chasing after him because he was rich. Again, I think she was upset that SHE (who would normally have been the catch but is now poor because of her father's loss of fortune) is the one that now is looking like a gold digger

KatieBabs: Her parents IMO were so weak

Kristie(J): Yes they both were she was the leader of the family especially after her brother left

KatieBabs: John and Margaret are very strong. Their wills clashed and John's sister was weak and empty headed

Sula: Oh yeah, but funny

Kristie(J): His mother sure was strong though. She would make a frightening mother in law

Sula: I liked his mother. She was a bit of a battle ax, but she really loved him

Kristie(J): Almost too much though. Having two sons who have both been disappointed by women, I would never say I hate them. Especially if they told me they loved them.

KatieBabs: It is funny because John was close with his mother and Margaret was close with her father

Sula: Yes, well I think you can see where John gets his passionate nature from.

Kristie(J): And she did talk him out of going to see Margaret right away after he left the house when Margaret was hurt

KatieBabs: John's emotions were dark

Kristie(J): Yes - like the first time Margaret saw him. He beat that employee up pretty good. I imagine that did frighten Margaret quite a bit.

Sula: He has a lot weighing on him. He's responsible for the factory and for the jobs of everyone and for his mother and sister being kept in style

KatieBabs: But did you see how he changed towards the end of the movie. And when he found out about her brother, his face lit up?

Sula: Yes! "Her brother"

Kristie(J): I loved that part too! Like a light dawned

KatieBabs: His smile!

Sula: Love the change in his whole demeanor when he finds out that the guy she was embracing was her brother

Kristie(J): *swoon*

Sula: Random bit...I like when he's sitting in the cafeteria with the workers. That whole section shows how he's changing and growing

Kristie(J): Oh yes - I like that part too. I thought it interesting that it was Higgins who told him

KatieBabs: Poor Higgins

Sula: Also the interactions between him (Thornton) and the kid

Kristie(J): And how gentle he is with the little boy

KatieBabs: I felt sad for Margaret's friend who had originally asked her to marry him

End of Part 1

And we have a couple of other things planned for after including a Very Special Guest. So – hopefully you get curious and want to see what makes three grown women gush like teenagers. I'd also like to add another link. If you're curious, if you've seen North and South and can't get enough of it, there is a very good discussion also going on another blog - Lights, Camera...History, an excellent blog dedicated to historical books and the movies.

So - Stay Tuned. Part two of the North and South Pajama Party is up tomorrow at Sula's!

'til later

A sad day - with a happy ending

Bed of Roses by Bon Jovi - one of my all time favourite songs
Yes, today is rather a sad day for me. You see Bon Jovi is playing in town tonight. Since I LOVE Bon Jovi, I fully planned on getting tickets and going to see them. But then the cheap part of me figured they were just too pricey and I decided not to go for it. But then I changed my mind! How often does one get a chance to see their favourite band in person - not often.
But alas - by that time the tickets were all gone. Seems I'm not the only one who loves Bon Jovi. I heard they sold out faster than any act that has come here so far.
So I lost my chance. And what's worse, one of my close coworkers is going so tomorrow I'm going to have to listen to her rapture on about them *heavy sigh*
In order to soothe myself, I've decided I need to do something extra special. Buying a couple of books - while good, very good - just won't quite cut it.
So - I've decided to purchase something else once I get home tonight - something that would cost half of what a Bon Jovi ticket would have cost, but something that will also give me hours of entertainment, something that will make up for going the cheap route.
I give you........this


Katiebabs named this particular clip the apt title - Chest. Now I know this is from season 2 and won't be in the set I get but still, can one say yum?
You see, I've tried finding the first season of the latest version of Robin Hood all over but I can't find it - not at Blockbuster or any other video store, not at the library - nowhere. And apparently it's playing on BBC America - but I don't get that channel. So I am forced to get a copy of my very own. I think that will take the sting out of missing Bon Jovi quite well - don't you?

'til later

Recent Reread - and other stuff.

First off – I changed my wallpaper. I tried to find the meme that went around so I could find instruction on how I did it before, but I couldn't so I’ll just have to post the picture. A mighty fine backdrop me thinks!

(yep - no question - I'm obsessed! )

Making out my top 100 list has caused me a lot of nostalgia for some of my older treasured books. I’ve been reading them for a while now – since I started the ‘Guess that Book’ contest – which will resume shortly by the way. Now, although I have a TBR pile that is starting to really freak me out, I’ve been called by The 100 to read them all again. I tried ignoring their call, but they woke up when I started listing them and the darn things are getting louder in their screams. So what can a reader do except heed them?

Silk & Shadows by Mary Jo Putney

Published: December, 1991

This one is book No. 28 and the loudest of the bunch. I think when I read The Serpent Prince, that’s when this one really started to roar at me.

Here’s a brief blurb from Barns & Noble:
Cutting a dazzling swath through Victorian society, wealthy and seductive Peregrine weaves a web of desire around Lady St. James, who's pledged to wed Peregrine's enemy. Only the burning power of love can pierce Peregrine's chilling silence about his secret past and hidden purpose, and Sara plunges into a whirlpool of uncertainty with a man who has everything a

woman could want--and fear.

I’m happy to say this reading was just as good as the first.

In this historical, Mikahl Khanauri is a mysterious visitor to England from the East. We quickly learn he has come to England to finally begin his revenge that he has been planning on for years and to help in that revenge, he is willing to use Sara St. James, a strong young woman with ghosts of her own, who just happens to be engaged to his most bitter enemy. But as we read along we learn that Mikahl is not at all what we think he is.

Mary Jo Putney wrote some of the best books back in the 80’s and this is certainly one of them. It’s a story of revenge and the power of love.

I adore Mikahl in this book. Like Simon from The Serpent Prince, he’s not always easy to like and he does some very questionable things. But he’s a fascinating and very charismatic character.

Sara is a very strong heroine and works wonderfully well as his conscious. She is a great match for Micahl.

I’m not sure how easy it is to find. I’ve had my copy for years. But it is well worth the effort to find.

This one is definitely a 5 out of 5!

I’m not sure if I mentioned it or not, but before heading to visit Nance, I ordered quite a few books and while we were there, I bought quite a few more. They’ve gotten a bit mixed in the TBR pile that terrifies me so hopefully I remember them all. This was my haul

Of course I had to get all 3!













I had to get this one - she lives in the same city as me.






(I now have the entire series of these ones too without reading a one of them yet - and they are trade sized!)
















And I think I got more - but they are all jumbled up now.

'til later