This week Katie and I are bringing you a special Fan Art Madness dedicated to the women of some of our favorite supernatural books. They are strong in so many ways and have friends that love them. They are leaders and even in some stories the hope to survive. Enjoy!

Sookie Stackhouse by Nikie

I like the way her hair is done, the different shades of color give every curl its own movement. The proportion of her head with the look in her face gives her quite an attitude; no vampire will mess with Sookie Stackhouse. I like the author’s technique and every detail she put, even the bloody red background gives it its own style. (Caro)

Spell Time with Rachel, Ceri 2 by ValerieJB on DeviantArt.

This piece is so detailed, it’s amazing! Everything from the writing in Rachel’s spell book, to Mr. Fish on the window sill. It also captures everyone really well, Rachel always trying to learn more, Jenks and his love of honey, and the pixies getting into mischief. And to top it all off, the artist did this with only a mouse, now that’s talent! (Katie)

Wings: Laurel by oceanstarlet on DeviantArt.

I like how the author of the piece drew Laurel’s wings and gave it that sort of faerie dust around her makes you think of a real faerie. The colors used stay true to the book cover and that is really good when you’re drawing a fictional character for the first time, you have a source of inspiration. (Caro)

Wolf Gang by ebas on DeviantArt.

I always enjoy pencil drawings, I think this one might have to be one of my favorites. It totally catches the essence of Mercy, throughout her life shes been surrounded by wolf packs. Also the detail in this piece is great. (Katie)

What do you think of today’s Fan Art Madness? Who else would you like to see in the Supernatural Women?

In December we gave you what the best of the year was… now we have put together a list of what to look forward to in 2010. Check out out lists for the can’t miss books, movies and TV shows coming up this year. What should you pay attention to in 2010? Read on to find out!

Top 10 Books You Should Buy in 2010 – Krystal

1. Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris (5/2010)
What can possibly happen to Miss Sookie Stackhouse next? I can’t wait to see, especially after we posted the first chapter in December.

2. The Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (9/7)
Cassandra Clare’s books have always peaked my interested and I’m really looking forward to seeing what this new series has to offer.

3. Vampire Diaries The Return: Shadow Souls by L.J. Smith
I can’t wait for both the TV show and the books to pick up again this year. I just have to have my yearly dose of Stefan Salvatore.

4. Burned by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast (4/27)
Emily-June is in love with House of Night series and I can’t wait to see her reactions on our forum after she reads it.

5. The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong (4/1)
Kelley Armstrong is back again with even more from The Darkest Powers series. What is in store next for Chloe this tie around?

6. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (7/20)
After the hype of Shiver, I really am looking forward to Maggie’s new book.

7. Everlasting Life by Cate Tiernan
OBS owner Dawn was the one who introduced me to Cate’s work and it is brilliant. If you haven’t checked her out, do so now.

8. The Necromancer by Michael Scott (5/2010)
Michael Scott’s Nicholas Flamel tales are perfect for any fantasy lover. Although not well known to YA reader’s this series is great.

9. Hourglass by Claudia Gray (3/2010)
Part of Claudia’s Evernight series, this book is a definite read for me. I really hope guys enjoy it as well.

10. Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison (2/23)
This is for all you Kim Harrison fans, you know who you are.

Top 5 Movies of 2010 – Chris’ Version

1. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2/12)

2. Clash of the Titans (3/26)

3. Robin Hood (5/14)

4. Eclipse (6/30)

5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (11/19)

Top 10 Must See movies of 2010 – Krystal Version

1. Daybreakers (1/8)
Ethan Hawke as a dark and sexy vampire, need I say more?

2. Eclipse (6/30)
This was hard to put second and only is because I don’t want to suffer ’til June.

3. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (12/10)
Oh Narnia, how do I love thee, why must you only be out every 2 years?

4. Iron Man 2 (5/7)
Robert Downey Jr. rocked my world in the first film, let’s see if he can do it again.

5. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2/12)
I’m a Greek myth fanatic and therefore I will either love or hate this movie, only time will tell… and my review.

6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (11/19)
It’s not a proper November without a Harry Potter movie now is it. I’m looking forward to the end, but also wishing it wasn’t coming so soon.

7. Alice in Wonderland (3/5)
Tim Burton better not destroy this brilliant book, that’s all I have to say about that.

8. The Wolfman (2/12)
Rose would kill me if I didn’t put this up here. So here it is – shut up Rose.

9. The Last Airbender (7/2)
As much as I love what I’ve seen for this, I’m really concerned that M. Knight Shyamalan might destroy the original show’s work.

10. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (7/16)
This would probably be a lot higher on my list if Nick Cage wasn’t in it, but who knows it could shock the hell out of me.

Top 5 TV shows you have to watch in 2010 – Krystal

1. Lost: Season 6 (The Final Season)
Duh, and all for you Rose.

2. True Blood: Season 3
Also duh, in fact why isn’t this #1… Oh right because I have no idea when the hell this is coming back. Supply me dates HBO.

3. Vampire Diaries: Season 2
After last seasons awesomeness, how could they not make a new season. More naughty Damon and sexy Stefan, please.

4. V: Season 1
To be continued… that’s what were were left with only a few episodes in last year. Now they have to deliver the rest, or I’ll smack them.

5. Smallville: Season 9
I sadly only catch this series once in a blue moon, not the Alyson Noel kind, and I really want to pick it back up… at least I own all the seasons on DVD.

So much to buy and watch this coming year. I have no idea how i’m going to manage the time, money to do all this. I hope you enjoyed our list.

Let us know if you agree. If not, WHY?

Here is the fourth installment of Fan Art Madness: Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood Edition. We’ve got some great pencil work and some good photoshop work this week. So check them out and let us know what you think.

Sookie Stackhouse by S-von-P on deviantART.

I love how the artist kept the picture black and white, but had the blood in color. Gives the picture a little extra something. They also did a great job with shading. The picture looks just like Anna Paquin. (Katie)

True Blood Pam and Eric by Texas Bones on deviantART.

I like that the author of this piece kept the details of Pam’s dress really well, just like their expressions and other background details. I’m really bad when it comes to drawing fingers, so I really like how Pam’s hands look like. A food capture from when we first see Eric and Pam in True Blood. (Caro)

Eric Northman by Kittrose on deviantART

I’m always looking forward to Eric fanarts, and this one looks really great. But I would have liked for the background to be all black, so his skin color wouldn’t get so lost with light color behind it. It makes his eye look a little weird. Rather than that I love it, and if you’ve seen True Blood you will remember where that scene is from. (Caro)

Lafayette Reynolds by Artistic-Freedom on deviantART

The resemblance is great in this piece! But I think the shading could have been better, more blended. Still a good piece for any Lafayette lover. (Katie)

Which picture is your favorite? What do you think of each artists work and do you wish to see them do more True Blood stuff?

Happy New Year’s everyone.

According to OBS True Blood December here is a re-casting of HBOs ‘True Blood’ Season One – it was first known as Charlaine Harris ‘Sookie Stackhouse’ or ‘Southern Vampires’ series.
The story is based around 25 year old barmaid and telepath Sookie who is living in the town of Bon Temps, Louisiana. There she is meeting vampires and later shapeshifters, witches and fairys.
I do this re-casting by questioning, if this series would be made for the stage – the stage only with Country-Stars … who could play which role?

Sookie Stackhouse, 25 year old human telepath and waitress at Marlotte’s is strong-willed, beautiful and compassionate. Carrie Underwood would be a nice choice playing her. The winner of 4th ‘American Idol’ is very popular at the moment. Her three albums are placed #1 and #2 in the US and she got Platin and Gold for a lot of her singles.

Bill Compton is a 174 year old vampire. He is gentle, mysterious, serious, possessive and he loves Sookie. I’d love Jace Everett for the role of this southern gentleman. We all know Jace Everett from ‘True Blood’ main-theme ‘Bad Things’, which won a 2009 Broadcast Music Incorporated award in the cable television category and was nominated for a 2009 Scream Award for Best Scream Song of the Year.

Eric Northman, Sheriff of Area 5, owner of Fangtasia and the most gorgeous about 1000 year old vampire from Scandinavia is powerful, incredible sexy, magnetic and very strong. I guess Brad Paisley is also an incredible kisser and lover and can play a viking vampire who will stand up to his obligations perfect. The Grammy Award-winning artist is also 2008 CMA and ACM Male Vocalist of the Year winner. Brad Paisley has recorded seven studio albums and a Christmas compilation and all of his albums certified gold or higher.

Pam is from London and about 200 years old. It’ll be nice to see Miranda Lambert as the clever, speedy, fashionalbe and strong 2nd in charge at Fangtasia which has a sense of humor (rare in vampires). She gained fame as a finalist on the 2003 season of Nashville Star, where she finished in third place. The Grammy Award nominated Miranda Lambert is only the 3rd country female singer in history to have three records debut at #1 on Billboard Country Albums.

Sam Merlotte is in his early 30th and owner of Merlotte’s. Rodney Atkins could do the part of the quickly healing, loyal and trustworthy shape-shifter from Wright in Texas. He placed his first single on the Billboard country charts in 1997. Rodney Atkins’ twelfth single, ‘It’s America’, was released in late 2008 as the first release from his third album – and the song became his fifth Number One on the chart May 2009.

Tara Thornton, 26, is Sookies best friend. She can’t manage to hold a position for long because sometimes she’s loosing her temper with ’stupid people’. How’s about Sheryl Crow acting as the currently bartender at Merlotte’s? Her music blend is not only country, but also rock and pop into one mainstream sound, and she has won nine Grammy Awards. Sheryl Crow has performed with the Rolling Stones, sung duets with Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Kid Rock and many others and she appeared on a few soundtracks like ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’.

Jason Stackhouse, Sookies brother is 28 years old with a Renaissance sculpture body. He is outgoing, sexual and even so he is not that bright I can imagine Alec „Boss Burns“ Völkel the Parish worker. Boss Burnes is part of Germanys Countryband ‘Bosshoss’. They started in 2004 with Country & Western style cover versions of famous pop, rock and hip hop songs and the band refers to their music style as Country Trash Punk Rock.

Grandma Stackhouse is in her 70th and Sookie and Jason’s loving Gran. In the four-and-a-half decades since Dolly Parton’s début, she remains one of the most-successful female artists in the history of the country genre which garnered her the title of ‘The Queen of Country Music’. Dolly Parton has 25 #1 singles and 41 top-10 country albums.

Lafayette Reynolds is very erotic and very gay. But don’t let this fool you, he can kick some butt when provoked. Perhaps Darius Rucker could play the fry cook at Merlotte’s. He is known as singer of Hootie & the Blowfish. Darius Rucker has also recorded two solo albums 2002 and 2008. His first three singles have all reached #1 on the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart and he won the 2009 Country Music Association Award New Artist of the Year.

Arlene Fowler is Sookie’s co-worker at Merlotte’s and very easily to influence by men in her life. Reba McEntire could portrait the 40 year old shallow character. The Grammy award-winning Reba McEntire released 25 studio albums – they have been certified Gold, Platinum or Multi-Platinum in sales – and acquired 22 #1 singles in the 80s and 90s. She has sometimes been referred to as “The Queen of Country” and in the US she ranks as the 7th best-selling female artist in all genres and she is the 2nd best-selling female country artist of all time.

Rene Lenier is in his late 20th, Arlene’s boyfriend and Jason’s co-worker. Keith Urban is a New Zealand-born Australian who has released a total of eight studio albums (one of which was released only in the UK), as well as one album in The Ranch. He has charted more than fifteen singles on the US country charts, including ten #1. Keith Urban is married to actress Nicole Kidman since 2006.

Hoyt Fortenberry is a good friend and co-worker of Jason. Jason Aldean could play the honest, honorable and romantic boy who still lives with his obnoxious mom. Jason Aldean has recorded 3 albums (2005, 2007 and 2009), which have accounted for 9 singles on the Billboard country singles charts, including the #1 hits ‘Why’, ‘She’s Country’ and ‘Big Green Tractor’. His 1st album is certified platinum while the other two are each certified gold.

Andy Bellefleur – Kenny Chesney
He has recorded 13 albums since 1993, 11 of which have been certified gold or higher. Kenny Chesney has also produced more than 30 Top-Ten singles, 17 of which reached #1. In addition, he has received six ACM as well as six CMA awards and he is also one of the most popular touring acts in country music.

Sheriff Bud Dearborne – Randy Hauser
In early 2005, Randy and co-writers Jamey Johnson and Dallas Davidson were on the charts with ‘Honky-Tonk Badonkadonk’ and his tunes have been picked up by John Michael Montgomery, Justin Moore and other artists.

Terry Bellefleur – Sascha „Hoss Power“ Vollmer
Hoss Power is the second main-part of Berlins Countryband ‘Bosshoss’. They released 4 studio albums – 3 of them in the Top-10 – from 2005 to 2009 and 11 singles.

Now, I’m done – what do you all think of my re-casting? Do you agree with the Country-Stars I chose? Or any other ideas that fits better? Please tell me here – thank you!

As you know this month has been dedicated to  “Sookie Stackhouse Series/True Blood”. All month long, we have transformed our original features to go along with the world that Charlaine Harris created, or the hot actors of the hit HBO show ‘True Blood’. So here is one more transformation, OBS’ monthly must-see list. Being as the smash hit show is a definitely must-see, OBS Staff member Caro, has created some highlights from Season 1 & Season 2 of ‘True Blood’. We have also complied a few good movies, that the main star of the show, played in before her ’southern vamp’ days! Enjoy…

SEASON 1 & SEASON 2 OF ‘TRUE BLOOD’ by Caro
If it were for me I’d tell you to watch the whole both seasons, every episode has its own reason why to watch it, but here are a few that you must see. Feel free to give us your opinions and if there’s another one you would have liked to see.

Season 1

Episode 1: Strange Love
Aired- September 7, 2008

This is a definitely must see episode. It’s the start of everything and the first time we get to see the characters in flesh and bones. Vampire Bill comes into Merlotte’s, sits in Sookie’s section and the rest is history.

Episode 4: Escape from Dragon House.
Aired – September 28, 2008

This one is a must see for all the Eric fans. You know who you are. In this episode we get to see Eric and Pam for the first time, while Sookie and Bill visit Fangtasia to ask people about Maudette and Dawn.

Episode 6: Cold Ground
Aired – October 12, 2008

After seeing the dead body of her grandmother, Jason’s reaction toward what happened and yelling that it should had been her, Sookie cry’s and grief’s over the last pie her grandma did, to at the end rest in the arms of Vampire Bill. You must see this! Why? Not only you get to see that scene where Sookie cleans her grandma’s blood acting brave for her own sanity but you also get to see Sookie and Bill’s first love scene.

Episode 10: I Don’t Wanna Know
Aired – November 9, 2008

We finally get the truth about Sam being a shape shifter. And more importantly is that while Tara has her exorcism we get clues that lead us to the next seasons plot.

Episode 11: To Love is to Bury
Aired – November 16, 2008

Bill is forced to turn Jessica into a vampire and get’s buried in the ground with her. Sam and Sookie search for the girl of her visions to end up knowing that…yes, he is the killer. I not going to tell you because you must see it. Isn’t it thrilling? What I liked about this episode is the way Jessica turned out to be. She has become one of my favorite characters.

Episode 12: You’ll Be the Death of Me
Aired- November 23, 2008

Season finale’s are always a must see, and this one had a lot of action. Not only did we got introduced to the next season’s new characters but we got to see the Killer chase Sookie to the woods, cemetery and then almost kill her! You must see it, Bill risked his life by coming into the sun light, showing his love for Sookie.

Season 2

Episode 1: Nothing But the Blood
Aired – June 14, 2009

This episode is a must see for the way Eric “handles situations” and also you got to love him with foil on his hair. But we also see where and who had Lafayette, Jessica’s other side and the Light of Day Leadership.

Episode 3: Scratches
Aired – June 28, 2009

Don’t you just love a scary scene where something creepy and mysterious follows you through the woods? Jessica, Sookie and Bill act like a big loving family? Jessica giving love advice to Bill? Then it’s a must see. We also get to see Eric and Pam at Fangtasia “He can do it. I’m wearing my favorite pumps.” and Sookie rescue Lafayatte, a good episode to watch.

Episode 4: Shake and Fingerpop
Aired – July 12, 2009

As the more time Jason spends in The Fellowship of the Sun, he comes to understand that vampires are no game and that war is coming. Bill starts to act more like a parent than a maker, and while Sookie arrives to Dallas with two vampires in coffins and a few little bottles in her hands she finds out that some had come to kidnap them. Not to mention that Sookie finds another telepath like her. An episode that’s fun to see.

Episode 8: Timebomb
Aired – August 9, 2009

A few of the reasons that you must see this episode are Godric saving the day, Eric sacrificing himself for Sookie and the others, Jason and Sarah’s paint fight, an “it’s mine” fight over Bill between Lorena and Sookie, but mostly because of what happens at the end. The title of the episode says it all “timebomb”.

Episode 9: I Will Rise Up
Aired – August 16, 2009

For all the fans that Godric gained, this is for you. A must see, were you’ll get to see the “pretty blond lady on TV” as Eric once said, the results of the bomb, and Sookie’s new feelings over Eric.

Episode 10: New World in My View
Aired – August 23, 2009

“It is me. The god who comes!”. Jason, Sookie and Bill return to Bon Temps to find that everyone if under Maryann’s control. And while Andy and Jason rescue Sam he reveals that he’s shifter. An episode that has a little of everything.

MUST SEE TRUE BLOOD ACTOR by Dawn

Anna Paquin

X-Men – The Last Stand
When a cure is created, which apparently can turn any mutant into a normal human being, there is outrage amongst the mutant community. Whilst some mutants do like the idea of a cure, including Rogue, many mutants find that there shouldn’t be a cure. A teenage runaway mutant who has found a home at Xavier’s school and falls in love with Bobby Drake. When she touches someone she absorbs their life force, their powers (if they are a mutant) and, if she holds on too long, she ends their life. She only uses her powers one time in the film, when she absorbs Colossus’ power to protect herself from the Sentinel. (Source IMDB)

Anna plays Rogue in this installment of X-Men. A cure, that takes away their powers, is found for mutants. Sadly, Rogue decides to take it so she can be with her boyfriend.

The Piano

It is the mid-nineteenth century. Ada is a mute who has a young daughter, Flora. In an arranged marriage she leaves her native Scotland accompanied by her daughter and her beloved piano. Life in the rugged forests of New Zealand’s South Island is not all she may have imagined and nor is her relationship with her new husband Stewart. She suffers torment and loss when Stewart sells her piano to a neighbor, George. Ada learns from George that she may earn back her piano by giving him piano lessons, but only with certain other conditions attached. At first Ada despises George but slowly their relationship is transformed and this propels them into a dire situation. (Source IMDB)

Anna plays Flora McGrath, the daughter, in The Piano. This was one of her first movies and she shows a lot of promise as an actress. It’s a great film that won 3 Oscars.

What do you think of our picks for the ‘must-see’ episodes of ‘True Blood’ and our movie picks for Anna Paquin? Did we miss any other worthy ones?

A-Z is a new article that OBS will be posting twice a month; all your favorite books and movies with terms from A-Z.

What better way to celebrate our Sookie Stackhouse book club then bringing you True Blood: Season 1

True Blood: Season 1

Vampires have come “out of the coffin” and are now living amoung us. Surviving on synthetic blood, they no longer need human blood to survive. Or so it seems…

The small town of Bon Temps, Louisiana boasts a wide array of colorful locals. Meet Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), a sweet and innocent waitress who hides her powerful ability to read minds; Bill Chomption (Stephen Moyer), a 173-year-old vampire who’s just moved back to town; Sookie’s brother Jason, a ladies’ man who can’t seem to stay out of trouble; tough-as-nails Tara, Sookie’s loyal best friend; Sam, the owner of Merlotte’s who tries to keep his feelings for Sookie to himself; Lafayette, a man about town who’s always cooking up something illicit and “off the menu” and a quirky cast of characters who each hide their dark secrets in the shadows of night in this series that’s like no other.

From Allan Ball, writer of Oscar-winning Best Picture American Beauty and creator of the Emmy Award-winning HBO series Six Feet Under, comes the critically acclaimed world of True Blood.

A: Anna Paquin
(Actress who plays Sookie Stackhouse – 25 year-old telepathic waitress and main protagonist of the series)

B: Bon Temps
(The fictional town in Louisiana where Sookie & friends live)

C: Carrie Preston
(Actress who plays Arlene Fowler – Co-worker of Sookie’s and mother of Coby and Lisa, she gets engaged to Rene Lenier during Season 1)

D: Descendants of the Glorious Dead
(The club that idolizes the members of the Civil War, Adele Stackhouse invites Bill Chompton to speak at one of their meetings)

E: Exorcism
(Tara’s mother, Lettie Mae, gets one of these when she thinks a demon is causing her alcohol addiction)

F: Fangtasia
(The vampire bar in Shreveport, owned and run by Eric Northam a vicious businessman and vampire)

G: Great Revelation
(Political term used by the vampires for when they came out in society due to synthetic bloods creation)

H: Hepatitis D
(The blood infection that Jerry had, which only affects vampires. Sookie warns Bill just before he drinks from Jerry and the other vampires are shocked at the information)

J: Jace Everett
(Singer of the title sequence song “Bad Things”, which we hear every week)

K: Kristen Bauer
(Actress who plays Pam – Vampire progeny to Eric and Fangtasia’s bouncer)

L: Lizzy Caplan
(Actress who plays Amy Burley – Jason’s bohemian, V-addicted love interest who is killed by Drew Marshall)

M: Merlotte’s Bar & Grill
(Bar owned by Sam Merlotte and the place where everyone spends their time, spreads rumors and where Sookie works)

N: Nelsan Ellis
(Actor who plays Lafayette Reynolds – Flamboyant cousin of Tara’s and Merlotte’s cook)

O: ‘Out of the Coffin’
(Other term used for the Great Revelation and the fact they now roam amongst human in the open)

P: Priapism
(The condition Jason gets when he downs a bottle of V blood, it couldn’t have felt good)

Q: Quiet
(All vampires are fast and quiet and can easily sneak up on people, this annoys Sookie when Bill startles her multiple times)

R: Ryan Kwanten
(Actor who plays Jason Stackhouse – Sookie’s slow-witted brother and the male harlot of Bon Temps)

S: Stephen Moyer
(Actor who plays Bill Chompton – The 173-year-old vampire that Sookie ends up dating, also a main protagonist of the series)

T: Telepathic
(The ability that Sookie has which enables her to hear others thoughts, but also hinders her from having a normal life)

U: Underground
(Sam and Sookie bury Bill underground after he burns from the sun) and nearly dies)

V: V-juice
(The drug of choice now, made from vampire blood, that is available on the black market and sold by Lafayette)

W: Wake
(When Adele is killed Sookie holds a wake, which is interruped by Jason hitting Sookie, whom accuses her)

X: Xenophobia
(Dislike and/or fear of that which is unknown or different from oneself; a lot of the townsfolk of Bon Temps exhibit this toward vampires)

Y: Y’all
(What southern town doesn’t use this common expression)

Z: Zest
(Liveliness or Energy; Sookie has this everytime she’s around Bill)

Check back often because we’ll have even more for you coming up before the end of December.