Good link...

http://www.amazon.com/See-Jane-Date-Melissa-Senate/dp/0373250274

http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=0373250118

http://www.absolutewrite.com/novels/see_jane_date.htm

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=melissa+senate&z=y

http://pnr.thebestreviews.com/book1132

For the faraway fan, on its most basic level, it is a story of career.  And because it involves a pretty, independent, and successful woman, it is also about gender and sex roles.

She is independent because no one can really help you become a famous actor.  Sure, some money or sex-crazed producer can give you an opportunity, but if you cannot do it or if audiences don’t like you on the screen there isn’t anything they can do about it.  Similarly, beauty and sexiness aren’t things someone else can impart, and if work or “enhancements” are involved, that’s also something the individual has to make happen.

Ms. Carpenter lives in San Diego with her husband and young child.  She was born in Las Vegas in 1970.  Apparently growing up she didn’t like the name Charisma (a perfume brand) but now it is a pretty good one – it is better than a new fake one.  She appeared in beauty pageants, was a San Diego Chargers cheerleader, and generally went through a career path reserved for beautiful women.  As an actress Ms, Carpenter has achieved success in teen off-network series including Buffy, Angel, and Veronica Mars.  In 2004 she appeared on the cover of, and inside, Playboy.

Her most enduring and endearing character so far is that of Jane Grant in the tv movie role.  Released as a novel by Melissa Senate in 2001 it became an ABC Family movie in 2003.

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I don’t know what it was, but when I first saw the promo for the ABC movie I just had to see it.  Charisma Carpenter really caught my eye.  She is gorgeous but I don’t think that was it.  I felt I recognized her or even, somehow, knew her.  A stalker who was also a police officer wronged her years ago and she cannot and should not be viewed as responsible for it.  Should I be chastened too if I drool over the fabulous Charisma?

 In probably five viewings I haven’t paid much attention to the constantly repeated and interrupted-by-commercials movie.  Now, this Thursday on Hallmark, I can’t wait to see it again.  What is it about this character, or is it just Charisma Carpenter?

 Am I sexist if I point out the smothering—pun intended—nature of Ms. Carpenter’s breasts?  She is a beautiful model and there are pictures of her since very early on.  She has a real talent in front of the camera.  Apparently now she is in a larger-the-better, completely unnatural phase.  Why, when she is gorgeous no matter how big her breasts are?

 It is a novel, a movie, and a person.  The book has been ordered and the movie is on in a few days.  I’m eager to get to the bottom of this . . .