The first crush I remember having was on Barnabas Collins (ok, so I'm dating myself, but tough). Thus began a lifelong love affair with vampires and the paranormal. I read Interview with the Vampire when it first came out and read the next two books and The Witching Hour, before abandoning Anne Rice for other pastures. And yes, I've read Dracula, many times.

Then, just last summer, I discovered "TrueBlood". I literally sat up all night and watched a marathon of all the episodes to the end of Season 3. I was in awe. I had never read Charlaine Harris until then, and I quickly found all the available volumes in local used book stores. Soon, I had all the books up to Dead in the Family. I read them all, very quickly, and realized what most readers know--the books are always better than the television show.

Well, after reading Dead to the World, I happily anticipated TrueBlood Season 4 and of course, was bitterly disappointed. And to top it off, Dead Reckoning had come out and the reviews were less than stellar. In fact the book was considered one of the worst in 2011 (from CH's own website--look it up)!

No matter what, Eric and Sookie remain my favorite couple--theirs is an epic romance, in my opinion, kind of like Jane and Mr. Rochester or Heathcliff and Catherine. And I hate 1) that Alan Ball is so cavalier with his treatment of them in TrueBlood and 2) so is CH in the books. They don't deserve the treatment they're getting. That's why I come to this site (and others) to find what is lacking in both the show and the books later on. Here, I can get a happily ever after...well, maybe.

I have to add that I'm a Caskett fan (if you're one, you know who I mean) and I'm a rabid Doctor Who fan (#10, 5, 9, and 4, in that order) and Tin Man.

I have found amazing writers on Fanfiction(dot)com. The amount of talent is staggering and I'm so grateful for all you authors that have sweated blood and cried tears and produced amazing works of fiction simply for the love of your characters. Thank you so much! One of these days, I might just make the leap and join you, but for now...I'm just happy to be here.

November 9, 2012: If anyone pays attention to reader's accounts, I have to say something. I have found so many wonderful stories by talented authors that are incomplete and seemingly abandoned. Like so many unwanted puppies, these stories are flailing about, flapping in the wind (mixed metaphors much?). Authors, if you have one of these stories, all you have to do is click "COMPLETED". So what if it's a cliff hanger? Some of the best stories are. It hurts my heart (and wastes my time) to read many chapters of a story that hasn't been updated in a year. Or more. I realize that real life happens, and no one is getting paid for these stories, but these are your creations, and they deserve at least a modicum of your attention. I also realize how easy it is to write oneself into a corner, and if that's why you're not finishing a story, I say, tough. Write a better one next time. Complete the one we've been reading, and move on. You're not doing your readers or your story justice by making us wait, possibly forever, for you to finish what you started.