Happy Birthday Charlotte!

Today would be Charlotte Bronte's 194th birthday. And it's also the official release date of Jane Slayre in the UK. YAY! Lots to celebrate. :) By picking up your very own copies of Jane Slayre and Jane Eyre? Why, yesssss. Great idea.

Cheers!

Weekends

Sherri's Weekend:

Went to New York City. Signed books at some Borders and Barnes and Noble stores. Made some new discoveries. Chocolates at Teuscher. Craftbar. Magnolia Bakery Cupcakes (red velvet!). Terraza Toscana (handmade fresh pastas and wild boar stew over polenta, yum). Chicago(great cast, loved Bianca Marroquin as Roxy and Raymond Bokhour- great name!- as Amos). NIOS.

Charlotte's Weekend:

Dear reader, werewolves prowl amongst us. Quite by chance, I discovered a singer named Beyonce while trying out this websurfing of which Sherri seems so fond. It became apparent to me while listening to her howl a song called Halo that she is likely one of Bertha Mason's kind. Be warned. There might be many like her. She is yet young and lovely (when the moon is not full) but thanks to Jane Slayre's adventures, we all know what became of dear Bertha. I shudder to think that the lob hombre might again become an epidemic.

What Would Charlotte Think?

Who really knows? Charlotte and I have a lot of fun here but truth be told... she's dead (shh, not too loud, don't scare her off). I hope the news doesn't shock you. So while Charlotte is not around to answer for herself, the UK's Telegraph and Argus went to the next best source: Ann Dinsdale, the collections manager for the Bronte Parsonage Museum.

And what Ann says may surprise you (a warning to the purists).

"The Brontes' association with the gothic tradition lends itself to such adaptations," Ann said. "Jane Eyre is a strong, independent character with moral integrity so I can see how they've used that aspect of her. If it inspires people to read the original, fine."

She added, "It doesn't surprise me that it's being used in such a way; there are literally hundreds of adaptations of the Brontes' novels, including comic books. It illustrates how much they are part of popular culture, and continue to inspire writers."

Asked what Charlotte would think of her heroine as vampire slayer, Miss Dinsdale said: "I think she would be non-plussed."

Miss Ann Dinsdale, my new favorite person of the week! You can read the whole article, which is pretty freaking fantastic, at:

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/8096716.print/

Janeslayre.com

Fabulous new website for Jane Slayre, thanks to Simon & Schuster. Great job! Explore and enjoy.

And for Charlotte, yes, a little Bradley Cooper.

Happy Jane Slayre Day! Jane is now in stores everywhere.

Jane Slayre, Video Interview

Jane Slayre, In the News

Movie blog Cinematical asks "Can Jane Eyre Slay Buffy?"

Amusing speculation, but Jane Slayre and Buffy fans all know that the two would pair up and fight on the same side, never against one another. There's room for both! But I'm honored that Jane is getting so much attention.

Charlotte: Who is Buffy?

Sherri: She started as a movie character, a teenage girl who finds out that her destiny is to fight demons. Much like someone else we know. And then there was the TV show, which is one of my favorites, no surprise.

Charlotte: Does Buffy date Bradley Cooper?

Sherri: No. Buffy has a complicated romantic history. In the Joss Whedon series, she was in love with a vampire named Angel. Actually, Angel and Mr. Rochester would be a more interesting match-up than Buffy and Jane Slayre. They share some similarities. Actually, Jane Slayre has her own sort of Scooby gang.

Charlotte: You've lost me.

Sherri: She meets her Willow early on in Helen Burns. She has her Angel in Mr. Rochester. There are really a few Giles types. Miss Temple. St. John Rivers.

Charlotte: As portrayed by Bradley Cooper? (raises brow).

Sherri: Possibly. It's a little too early to speculate. Who knows? Maybe Leo or Brad would want the role. But back to Jane's own Scooby Gang of sorts. You know, I don't think she has a Xander.

Charlotte: A Xander? She does have fine Egyptian daggers and then the crossbow and stake-o-matic. What does a Xander do?

Sherri: Xander's not a weapon. He's a wisecracking friend. But maybe she doesn't need a Xander because she has no shortage of snarky thoughts on her own, and plenty of friends. Like Diana and Mary. Mrs. Fairfax. Adele. Sophie. Georgianna! I think Georgianna might be sort of a Xander. Or maybe she's more of a Spike. She's really more of a Big Bad...

Charlotte: Now you've really lost me.

Sherri: Ah, but there is a Cordelia. Blanche Ingram!

Charlotte: Ugh. Do not speak to me of that horrible woman. Tell me Cordelia meets a nasty fate, if she's anything like Blanche.

Sherri: Actually, she goes on to lead a life of adventure in the spin-off series Angel.

Charlotte: (rolls eyes). It figures.