The Book of Secrets (Beauty and the Beast zine)

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Zine
Title: The Book of Secrets
Publisher: Dapplewood Press
Editor(s): Sharon Wells, Kay Simon
Date(s): 1988-1992
Series?: yes
Medium: print
Size:
Genre: het
Fandom: Beauty and the Beast
Language: English
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

The Book of Secrets is a het Beauty and the Beast anthology fanzine. Story lines in this zine focus on Vincent and Catherine and their growing relationship.

An ad in Datazine #56 says that all volumes of The Book of Secrets were available "on tapes for the blind."

Issue 1

front cover of issue #1
back cover of issue #1

The Book of Secrets 1 was published in 1988 and contains 194 pages.

The fiction and the art are by Sharon Wells.

From the editorial:

Welcome to the first issue of THE BOOK OF SECRETS. I’m very pleased that you have joined me in my very first journey into the world of beauty, romance and mystery, the world of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. It has called to me since I saw the pilot episode and I became obsessed with the idea of creating an entire fanzine about the characters I had come to love.

Actually, this all started with Vincent. As I was trying to fall asleep one night, I kept hearing the words of "Passage at the End of Time". He wouldn’t let me sleep. I had to get up and write it down, .then the story grew around the poem. The same thing happened with the prose/poem Catherine wrote in her "Book of Secrets" for "Spring Fever". I didn’t even know, at that point, that there was a "Book of Secrets", little alone two of them. Once Catherine had told me about hers, Vincent opened up and I learned all about his.

So it was, that the characters (and their inspiration) told me their stories. "The Legacy" started out as a story, turned into a script then evolved back into a story. While "Trial of the Rose" was born a full-fledged script which was adapted to a story.

There are more stories waiting to be told, but they will have to wait for Volume II. I am sure that many of you have your own stories. If you answered "yes" to even half of the questions in "Are you a Fan", then you have gone Below in spirit. You have met Father and Mary. You’ve listened to Mouse’s secrets. You've visited Vincent in his chamber and you've stood with Catherine on her terrace wondering when Vincent might show up again.

The world Father has created (thanks to Ron Koslow and others) is populated by charming, interesting characters; many of who grace these pages. I’ve attempted to place these stories in chronological order and, to aid you, I have added a CHRONOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE. I would greatly appreciate your comments and suggestions. I would enjoy it if you would write to me about your own ideas concerning the world Bolow. Do you have a 'tunnel name' and history? How did your fantasy-self get to the tunnels? I would like to get the stories of your alter-egos and incorporate them in my next issue. I am also in desperate need of a real artist, my own work, I admit, leaves a great deal to be desired.

My Magnavox Videowriter has a ghost in it. The screen often shows a correct text, then it prints up something with 'glitches' in it. I can only apologize for the numerous typoes.

Contents:

  • Are You a Fan?, essay (inside cover)
  • Editorial (3)
  • The Book of Secrets (4)
  • A Life that can Never Be (8)
  • The Silver Answer (15)
  • A Different Life ("Someone out for revenge, and Vincent is his target.") (17)
  • The Passage at the End of Time (44)
  • A Page from Vincent's Book of secrets (49)
  • Trial of the Rose ("A not-so-innocent teenager comes Below and her infatuation with Vincent leads to accusations of rape.") (50)
  • Escape from Hell (95)
  • Spring Fever ("It has taken its hold on Vincent and he must face his greatest enemy -- himself.") (103)
  • The Legacy ("As a mysterious force is awakened Below which threatens Vincent's life, Above a huge reward is offered for the capture of the legendary man-beast haunting the New York subways.") (142)
  • Chronological Perspective (186)
  • Just a Kiss (inside back cover)
  • inside issue #1

    inside issue #1

  • inside issue #1

    inside issue #1

  • inside issue #1

    inside issue #1

  • inside issue #1

    inside issue #1

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

Story lines in this zine focus on Vincent and Catherine and their growing relationship. In a series of short stories, Vincent loses him memory after a head injury and is found by Catherine's neighbor, the daughter of a helper develops a crush on Vincent and lies to try to force him into marriage, a friend of Jason Walker wants revenge against Vincent, and Mouse finds a mysterious crystal pyramid in the tunnels that affects Vincent in strange ways. [1]

With one or two exceptions, "The Book of Secrets, Volumes 1-4" constitute one continuous story with lots of subplots. Spirals were not large enough making the pages towards the end difficult to turn.

Print Quality - 2.7
Proofreading - 1.0
Sexual Content - 1.0
Plot - 4.0
Character Integrity - 4.2
Believability - 4.0[2]

Issue 2

front cover of issue #2, Lynne Gutshall
back cover of issue #2, "Vincent and Catherine at Christmas" -- Sharon Wells

The Book of Secrets 2 was published in 1988, contains 200 pages. It was edited by Sharon Wells. Cover art by Lynne Gutshall, interior art by Sharon Wells, Peggy Spalding, and Frances Quinn.

from issue #2, some RPF meta commentary -- "We just got a call from the Censor's Office," the Director told her. "They say 'No Beast-Touching.' Sorry guys!"
from issue #2, more RPF meta commentary

From the editorials:

THE GATHERING OF ROSES:

Perhaps once or twice in a lifetime are our hearts captured. When that happens, it seems that most of us are elusive creatures, like the unicorn, and only taken dragging and screaming into our heart"s desires.

So it was for me with Beauty and the Beast. Against my better instincts I watched it once. The second time I was hooked, and the third sent me into a new electronic age of learning to program VCR's, wrestle with scripting terminology, etc.

Even the stimulus for my writing can be attributed to this phenomenon. Pain and powerful feelings, laced with the heady scent of entwined roses, can make prose and poetry sing.

Ultimately, the gathering fandom has begun to find one another. Some of those with similar interests, e" writing, have begun to either collaborate or share in the production processes. Few shows have inspired such devoted group from only twenty-two episodes. Few have inspired such friendships and bonds.

Sharon and I began to communicate after she wrote a note to our "Supporters" group saying she had submitted scripts to Witt-Thomas. It just so happens several of us in Colorado had submitted synopses to them. Common ground, common interests, and we have been encouraging each other's writing, and possible careers from same ever since.

  • The Missed Kiss (inside cover)
  • A Gathering of Roses (3)
  • Editorial (4)
  • Catherine's Book of Secrets; May 21, 1988 (5)
  • A Happy Life Found (6)
  • Seeds of Doom Chapter One: Seeds of Doubt (7)
  • Catherine's Book of Secrets; June 18, 19, 1988 (11)
  • To Be A Father (17)
  • There is a Bridge (29)
  • All Hallows' Eve ("Catherine plans a very special party.") (30)
  • Invictus by Wm. Ernest Healey (55)
  • Seeds of Doom Chap. 2: Seeds of Hatred ("Elliot Burch takes an active interest in Catherine's secret life and Paracelsus plans his take-over of the tunnel world and the destruction of Father.") (56)
  • Memories Past/Future Dream ("While Catherine and Vincent dare to dream of a future together, Father recalls how he rescued the infant Vincent from the clutches of evil Paracelsus.") (59)
  • Time of Roses by Thomas Hood (89)
  • Catherine's Book of Secrets Oct. 30, 1988 (90)
  • He. She. They. (92)
  • Vincent's Book of Secrets Oct. 30, 1988 (93)
  • The Magic Night (94)
  • Vincent's Book of Secrets Nov. 9, 1988 (95)
  • A White Rose by John Boyle O'Reilly (97)
  • The Lady and the Lion (98)
  • Catherine's Book of Secrets Dec. 26, 1988 (99)
  • The Highwayman ("A timeless poem comes to life once again in a story of true love.") (108)
  • A Glimpse of Mouse (121)
  • A Tyranny in the Soul (122)
  • The Paradox (128)
  • Attack on the Sea God part I ("When terrorists threaten Catherine and Charles Chandler aboard a luxury liner, she fears that Vincent has been trapped on board the nightmare cruise.") (129)
  • Attack on the Sea God part II (a fan's sequel to this story is "Passions Discovered" in Something That Has Never Been #1) (156)
  • Seeds of Doom Chapter 3 Digging Deeper (183)
  • Filksongs with a Note and Index (186)
  • Newsflash! (inside back cover)
  • from issue #2, Peggy Spalding

    from issue #2, Peggy Spalding

  • from issue #2, Peggy Spalding

    from issue #2, Peggy Spalding

  • from issue #2, Sharon Wells (Vincent and Catherine in the Gazebo)

    from issue #2, Sharon Wells (Vincent and Catherine in the Gazebo)

  • from issue #2, Sharon Wells, "Vincent's Highwayman Dream"

    from issue #2, Sharon Wells, "Vincent's Highwayman Dream"

  • from issue #2, Sharon Wells, "Catherine's Dream of Vincent"

    from issue #2, Sharon Wells, "Catherine's Dream of Vincent"

  • from issue #2, one of the filks

    from issue #2, one of the filks

Reactions and Review: Issue 2

The story line continues from Book 1 and we learn more about Vincent and Catherine as their love deepens. In "All Hallow's Eve," Vincent and Catherine attend a Masquerade. Vincent proposes to Catherine. In "Attack on the Sea God," Vincent and Catherine battle terrorists at sea along with an engineer named Scotty and "Seeds of Doom" begins as Paracelsus plots to take over the Tunnel World and Elliot looks into Catherine's secret life. [3]

Again, spirals were not large enough.

Print Quality - 3.7
Proofreading - 1.8
Sexual Content - 1.0
Plot - 4.0
Character Integrity - 4.0
Believability - 4.0[4]

Issue 3

front cover of issue #3, Peggy Spalding (looks like someone sat on it)
back cover of issue #3, Sue Dawe

The Book of Secrets 3 was published in February 1989, contains 229 pages. It was edited by Sharon Wells and Kay Simon.

The art is by Peggy Spalding, Sue Dawe, Rhoda Strobel, and Sharon Wells, plus plentiful Dover clip art.

From Sharon's editorial:

I guess it's no longer a secret that I was the 'Beastess' at the June 18th 1989 convention in L.A.. I was new to random. and I knew nothing about fanzines that day. I must thank all or those who have helped me. especially Sheila Kaminsky who 'plugged me' into the network!or 'BEAUTY AND THE BEAST' fans.

[...]

I must once again dedicate this "Book or Secrets" to: Ron Perlman, who is always generous and unassuming in his kind acceptance of us, the fans; to Linda Hamilton, who went out or her way on a cold night to share a little time with me; and last, but not least, to Ron Koslow who wrote that he applauds the effort I have put into my zines.

I must admit a big hunk of my heart goes into every zine. Vincent... but only so that he could be comforted once again...

"The Secret" is a story written to satisfy many of your requests. I hope it is what you really wanted. My editor comments that the ending of "A Wish in Time" was a little unbelievable. All I can say is, it happened to me. She and Julie were also upset about how I dealt with Elliot... sorry guys.

  • Vincent and his Book of Secrets, art by Peggy Spalding...... (front cover)
  • As he walks her home for the first time...., poem (inside front cover)
  • Title page (I)
  • Credits (1)
  • Table of Contents (2)
  • Editor's Letter: "Buttons" Speaks (3)
  • The Beastess Speaks (4)
  • Seeds of Doom Chapter 4 (5)
  • The Visitation (7)
  • The Saint, by Sharon Wells (10)
  • January Thirteenth (13)
  • The Golden Lock ("A piece of Vincent's hair threatens to become his undoing.") (15)
  • Catherine, art by Sharon Wells (35)
  • Vincent, art by Rhoda Strobel (46)
  • Vincent, art by Sharon Wells (60)
  • The Quiz (61)
  • How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Kay Simon (64)
  • Vincent, art by Sharon Wells (85)
  • Seeds of Doom chapter 5 (86)
  • The Shadow-Man, art by Sharon Wells (87)
  • Paracelsus, poem (88)
  • Father Daughter/Father Son, poem (89)
  • January Twenty-First, from Catherine's book (91)
  • The Secret Part 1 ("...belongs to Vincent and Catherine, as they make a decision that will change their life.") (92)
  • Young Vincent, art by Sharon Wells (103)
  • Father, art by Rhoda Strobel (110)
  • The Secret Part 2 (118)
  • She Laments Upon Their Separation, poem (127)
  • Vincent's Book of Secrets (129)
  • Seeds of Doom Chapter 6 (130)
  • The Secret Part 3 (131)
  • Vincent the Lover, art by Sharon Wells (138)
  • Seeds of Doom Chapter 7 (140)
  • Seeds of Doom Chapter 8 (154)
  • Seeds of Doom Chapter 9 (158)
  • Seeds of Doom Chapter 10 (165)
  • Sleeping Vincent, art by Sharon Wells (167)
  • Seeds of Doom Chapter 11 (172)
  • Seeds of Doom Chapter 12 (185)
  • Seeds of Doom Chapter 13, Catherine by S. Wells (193)
  • Vincent, art by Peggy Spalding (201)
  • Measureless, poem (207)
  • The Two Lovers, poem (208)
  • A Wish In Time ("takes Vincent to another time, to help make a special someone's wish") (209)
  • Vincent & Catherine by Peggy Spalding (211)
  • The Scene on Her Terrace (228)
  • Of Velvet Wind, poem (inside back cover: "Of Velvet and Wind")
  • Vincent and Catherine art by Sue Dawe (back cover: "Vincent and Catherine")
  • from issue #3, Sharon Wells

    from issue #3, Sharon Wells

  • from issue #3, Rhoda Strobel

    from issue #3, Rhoda Strobel

  • from issue #3, Sharon Wells

    from issue #3, Sharon Wells

  • from issue #3, Peggy Spalding

    from issue #3, Peggy Spalding

  • from issue #3, Peggy Spalding

    from issue #3, Peggy Spalding

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3

In "The Golden Lock" a friend who is staying with Catherine glimpses Vincent and is convinced she saw an extraterrestrial. Father tells Catherine stories of young Vincent. "Seeds of Doom" continues from Book 2 as Elliot Burch's surveillance of Catherine reveals her secret and Paracelsus captures Vincent as he plans his take-over of the Tunnel World and the destruction of Father. [5]

Contains a fun quiz.

Print Quality - 3.5
Proofreading - 2.2
Sexual Content - 1.5
Plot - 3.8
Character Integrity - 3.8
Believability - 3.7[6]

Issue 4

front cover of issue #4, Sharon Wells
back cover of issue #4, Barbara Gipson

The Book of Secrets 4 was published in May 1989, contains 217 pages.

It was edited by Sharon Wells and Kay Simon. Art Information: Barbara Gipson, Peggy Spalding, Frances Quinn, Star, J. Ley, Vickey Kime-Macky, Sharon Wells.

From the editorial:

I am constantly amazed by the kindness I find in the fandom of "Beauty and the Beast." I like to think that, in a small way, we try to be as much like Vincent as possible when it comes to our dealings with others. What good would it be to be a fan of this particular show, and be gossipy, egotistic or cruel? Thank goodness, I have found very little of this among all those who write and call me!

  • From the Beastess (4)
  • Many Truths, Chapter one ("Catherine begins a personal investigation into Vincent's past, trying to get to the real truth.") (6)
  • Many Deceits, Chapter one ("Paracelsus will not admit defeat and plots to regain control of Vincent and his world.") (27)
  • Many Truths chapter two (28)
  • Many Deceits chapter 2 (37)
  • Many Truths Chapter 3 (39)
  • Many Truths Chapter 4 (43)
  • Many Deceits Chapter 3 (47)
  • The Enchanted Knight, poem by Gina Alkazian (49)
  • Catharine's Book of Secrets March 16, 1989 (50)
  • Vincent's Book of Secrets March 16, 1989 (52)
  • The Story Teller ("As Catherine is drawn Into a case with a colorful author who has some very dangerous people after him.") (55)
  • Hope (108)
  • Devin's Gift (127)
  • Brother, poem (133)
  • Father's Journal March 25, 1989 (134)
  • Catherine's Book of Secrets (139)
  • Catherine Daydreams, poem (141)
  • Vincent's Book of Secrets undated (142)
  • Song of the Beast, poem (143)
  • Many Deceits Chapter 4 (145)
  • Many Deceits Chapter 5 ( 147)
  • The Whole Truth (148)
  • Narcissa's Visit (175)
  • The Gift of Words, by Kay Simon (177)
  • More Revelations (revelations?) (186)
  • The Heart Sees Truly Chapter 1 ("Vincent and Catherine's wedding day is drawing near. Will they be joined as husband and wife? Will Paracelsus ruin their plans?") (192)
  • The Heart Sees Truly Chapter 2 (205)
  • My Darkness (216)
  • from issue #4, Sharon Wells, portrait of Ron Perlman. In the fifth issue of "The Book of Secrets," the artist alerts fans that Perlman has signed this page in her personal copy.

    from issue #4, Sharon Wells, portrait of Ron Perlman. In the fifth issue of "The Book of Secrets," the artist alerts fans that Perlman has signed this page in her personal copy.

  • from issue #4, Sharon Wells: "Vincent at the Hot Pools"

    from issue #4, Sharon Wells: "Vincent at the Hot Pools"

  • from issue #4, Peggy Spalding: "Paracelsus"

    from issue #4, Peggy Spalding: "Paracelsus"

  • from issue #4, Vickey A. Kime-Macky

    from issue #4, Vickey A. Kime-Macky

  • from issue #4, Star: "Remember Love" (portrait of Catherine)

    from issue #4, Star: "Remember Love" (portrait of Catherine)

  • from issue #4, Frances Quinn: "Vincent: The Enchanted Knight"

    from issue #4, Frances Quinn: "Vincent: The Enchanted Knight"

  • from issue #4, Sharon Wells: "Vincent Feeds the Kittens"

    from issue #4, Sharon Wells: "Vincent Feeds the Kittens"

  • from issue #4, J. Ley: "Devin's Memories"

    from issue #4, J. Ley: "Devin's Memories"

  • from issue #4, Barbara Gipson: "Little Vincent Reads"

    from issue #4, Barbara Gipson: "Little Vincent Reads"

  • from issue #4, Barbara Gipson: "Piggy-Back Rides"

    from issue #4, Barbara Gipson: "Piggy-Back Rides"

  • from issue #4, Star

    from issue #4, Star

  • from issue #4, J. Ley: "Vincent at Seventeen, with Father"

    from issue #4, J. Ley: "Vincent at Seventeen, with Father"

  • from issue #4, Frances Quinn: "This is the Creature"

    from issue #4, Frances Quinn: "This is the Creature"

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4

The series continues as Catherine investigates Vincent's past and Paracelsus once again pops up intent on destroying everyone. Vincent is shot when Catherine tries to protect a writer who is doing an exposé about corrupt FBI agents. In "The Heart Sees Truly," Vincent and Catherine finally marry. [7]

Again, spirals were not large enough.

Print Quality - 4.0
Proofreading - 3.0
Sexual Content - 1.0
Plot - 3.8
Character Integrity - 4.0
Believability - 3.7 [8]

Issue 5

front cover of issue #5, Sharon Wells: "Perchance to Dream"
back cover of issue #5, Marilyn Cole: "Eternally Yours"

The Book of Secrets 5 was published in December 1989, contains 164 pages. It was edited by Sharon Wells.

The art is by Anna Deavers, Star Cook, Holly Riedel, Edith Crowe, Frances Quinn, Alice Baltes, Anna Deavers, Marliyn Cole,Dragon, Marilyn Cole, Mary Ellen Nicosia, and Sharon Wells.

From the editorial by Sharon:

I accidentally sent some lucky reader my own copy of "The Book of Secrets IV", with Ron's autograph on page six. If you are that person and wish to make a bargain, I would love to get it back. Please contact me.

By the time you read this, you will have seen the demise of Catherine Chandler. Please be advised that "The Book of Secrets" will continue along its own timeline, where Catherine will continue alive and well. For those of you who wish to explore the other possibilities, as suggested by the third season, there will be "The Shadow Knight".

From the editorial by Kay:

At time for this to go to press, we have viewed the two-hour movie. "Though Lovers Be Lost" and the first third-season one-hour installment. "Walk Slowly". Combined with the trailer, "It isn't a fairy tale anymore".

I believe we will be in a period or mourning and adjustment for a while as Vincent assumes his new role of 'dark knight', without the gentle tempering influence of Catherine's love.

So is it not wonderful to have a series where at least in one of the myriadic possible universes they have their dream, their happy life? Even if that life is still beset by inevitable conflicts and events swirling around them?

I can't believe this is Book 5, that I have been privileged to participate in small ways for the last four! Vincent and Catherine's history has been no stormier on screen. nor more bittersweet. I believe most of us wish that the writers had chosen the path not taken... something along the lines of the "Book of Secrets". And now we know for sure they will never have that trip to the lake... on f11m. It is for the media-writers to fill in the gaping abysses left by a moment here and there on the screen. We shall at least surely try.

[...]

As for the third season, to paraphrase Vincent, 'what we endure makes us stronger'. We must see it the arc will suspend our imagination after a depressing second season. I only know we are as the Lady of Shallot, halt-sick of shadows. waiting for the return of our Camelot. Instead of dying for the want of it, however. the media writers will perpetuate Catherine's life, no matter what course the storyline on-screen will take.

Catherine lives. within the "Book of Secrets" and others. We must remember her pledge to Vincent: forever.

  • As A Ghost I Whisper, poem by Gretchen AK. Kopmanis (inside front cover)
  • Letter from the Beastess (no page given)
  • Mirror, Mirror, poem by Gretchen A.K. Kopmanis (1)
  • When Did I Begin to Dream?, poem by Bobbi (2)
  • Some Revelations by Sharon Wells (3)
  • Flying a Vincent by Sharon Wells (21)
  • Reflections on Impending Fatherhood, poem by Bobbi (36)
  • Vincent's Journal April 15 by Sharon Wells (37)
  • Destiny's Decree, poem by Bobbi (38)
  • Sharing Secrets by Sharon Wells ("A terrible incident In Central Park caused Catherine to keep things from Vincent, but for how long?") (39)
  • Can You See My World?, poem by Gretchen A.K. Kopmanis (55)
  • Full Circle by Sharon Wells ("Catherine Is determined to find out about Darrilyn and Raphael, but will she like what she discovers?") (56)
  • My Wife, poem by Sharon Wells (66)
  • Girl's Night Out by Sharon Wells (67)
  • Vincent's Journal April 29th by Sharon Wells (86)
  • Catharine's Journal April 29th by Sharon Wells (87)
  • To Defy Death, poem by Gretchen A.K. Kopmanis (88)
  • Dreamwalker - A Different Time by Sharon Wells (89)
  • The Heart Sees Truly, poem by Sharon Wells (103)
  • Dreamwalker -A Different Place by Sharon Wells (104)
  • Expectation, poem by Sharon Wells (118)
  • As My World Sleeps, poem by Bobbi (119)
  • And the Dove Shall Pursue the Griffon by Kay Simon (120)
  • A Promise Kept by Sharon Wells ("Vincent and Catherine finally get their trip to the mountain lake of Catherine's childhood, but it's not quite the peaceful secluded vacation they had imagined.") (135)
  • Holding You, poem by Sharon Wells (164)
  • I Wish the Tunnels Were Real, poem by Gretchen A.K. Kopmanis (inside back cover)
  • a flyer for issue #5

    a flyer for issue #5

  • from issue #5, Star

    from issue #5, Star

  • from issue #5

    from issue #5

  • from issue #5, Sharon Wells: "Vincent and the Kite"

    from issue #5, Sharon Wells: "Vincent and the Kite"

  • from issue #5, Dragon

    from issue #5, Dragon

  • from issue #5, Star: "Remembering Old Times"

    from issue #5, Star: "Remembering Old Times"

  • from issue #5

    from issue #5

  • from issue #5, Anna Deavers

    from issue #5, Anna Deavers

  • from issue #5, Edith Crowe: "Darrilynn and Raphael"

    from issue #5, Edith Crowe: "Darrilynn and Raphael"

  • from issue #5, Sharon Wells: "In the Warren"

    from issue #5, Sharon Wells: "In the Warren"

  • from issue #5, Frances Quinn: "Studying the Game"

    from issue #5, Frances Quinn: "Studying the Game"

  • from issue #5, Mary Ellen Nicosia: "The Comfort of Her Arms"

    from issue #5, Mary Ellen Nicosia: "The Comfort of Her Arms"

  • from issue #5, Star: "The Captive"

    from issue #5, Star: "The Captive"

  • from issue #5, Star: "In the Jungle"

    from issue #5, Star: "In the Jungle"

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 5

Picking up where The Book of Secrets 4 left off, this fiction fanzine follows Vincent and Catherine through the first few weeks of their marriage. Secrets are revealed, and new dangers faced where least expected. [9]

The fifth volume of the series follows Vincent and Catherine through the first few week of their marriage. In "Girl's Night Out" Vincent is still recovering from his gunshot wound from Book 4 and is unable to save Catherine when she is in danger Above. Vincent and Catherine finally visit Connecticut in "A Promise Kept.[10]

Issue 6

front cover of issue #6, "A Legend of Love" by Lawrence Williams
back cover of issue #6, Jacquelyn M. Zoost: "Softly, I Love Thee"
flyer for issue #6

The Book of Secrets 6 was published in July 1990, contains 208 pages. It was edited by Sharon Wells.

The color cover is by Lawrence Williams. It has interior art by Jacquelyn M. Zoost, Jan Eastwood, Paula Ollie, Barbara Gipson, Alice Baltes, Sophia Kelly-Shultz, Mary Ellen Nicosia, Holly Riedel, Pat Leslie, and Sharon Wells.

From a flyer:

Married life isn't quite as serene as Vincent and Catherine had imagined. In this volume, share their greatest adventure with them, the birth of their first child.

From the editorial:

There is strife, even among friends, so it is understandable that the fans of this remarkable show don't agree on everything. One insightful person has pointed out that, perhaps, we always liked the show for entirely different, personal reasons, and it took the third season to highlight the fact. It doesn't matter what you like or dislike about "Beauty and the Beast," every voice has the right to be heard, to be tolerated, to be allowed to be. That is the kind of acceptance that this show has tried to teach us.

[...]

I know some of you were hurt by the events of third season, and some of you were personally hurt because you felt lied to. That may be one of the reasons the "anti-third seasoners" lashed out so vocally or maybe it was because some chose to label them and try to quiet them. Whatever, now is the time to heal our wounds. Now is the time to unite in one purpose; to bring our show back as a series, television movie, or (best yet) a feature film. We need our happy ending. For the moment, it may only be found in the fanzines, and I want to thank all of you for the kind letters, filled with the love of fellow fans. The word "fan" really doesn't describe the family we all share in this world that our concern, our love, and our imaginations have brought to life. We are really a fan family, something that has never been.

If you area fan of "Beauty and the Beast," you can be proud. You are a member of a true family, one that is strong enough to withstand everything from Howard Stringer to the Nielson Ratings.

  • Letter From the Beastess (unnumbered)
  • The Beloved, poem by Bobbi (1)
  • Vincent's Journal June 14th (3)
  • Catherine's Journal June 17th (5)
  • Soulmates by Gretchen A.K. Kopmanis (7)
  • The First Time, poem by Sharon Wells (23)
  • An Evil Alliance by Sharon Wells (24)
  • Trysts, poem by Pat Leslie (43)
  • Building the Web by Sharon Wells (44)
  • Behind the Tears of a Clown by Gretchen AK Kopmanis (55)
  • The Taming of the Mouse by Sharon Wells) (111)
  • A Chance Encounter by Sharon Wells ) (129)
  • Prey by Linda Mooney (136)
  • Vincent's Journal June 19th (152)
  • Jacob Chandler Wells, poem by Sharon Wells (158)
  • Catherine's Journal June 23rd (159)
  • What Tangled Web by Sharon Wells (160)
  • Trapped In a Web of Darkness (176)
  • Our Son by Sharon Wells) (190)
  • Father's Retrospect: 1959, poem (A Child Should Laugh) by Gretchen A.K. Kopmanis (207)
  • from issue #6, Sharon Wells: "Baby Pictures"

    from issue #6, Sharon Wells: "Baby Pictures"

  • from issue #6, Jacquelyn M. Zoost

    from issue #6, Jacquelyn M. Zoost

  • from issue #6, Jan Eastwood, portrays Joe Maxwell

    from issue #6, Jan Eastwood, portrays Joe Maxwell

  • from issue #6, Pat Leslie

    from issue #6, Pat Leslie

  • from issue #6, Paula Ollie, portrays Jacob Wells (Father)

    from issue #6, Paula Ollie, portrays Jacob Wells (Father)

  • from issue #6, Jan Eastwood

    from issue #6, Jan Eastwood

  • from issue #6, Mary Ellen Nicosia: "Mouse Recruits Vincent"

    from issue #6, Mary Ellen Nicosia: "Mouse Recruits Vincent"

  • from issue #6, Alice Baltes: "Vincent Rages"

    from issue #6, Alice Baltes: "Vincent Rages"

  • from issue #6, Holly Riedel: "Cheering Her Up"

    from issue #6, Holly Riedel: "Cheering Her Up"

  • from issue #6, Mary Ellen Nicosia: "Author in the Tunnel" (self-insert)

    from issue #6, Mary Ellen Nicosia: "Author in the Tunnel" (self-insert)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 6

The story line from previous volumes continues as Catherine and Vincent cope with the trials of her pregnancy. A friend of Catherine is in despair when she loses her husband and is brought Below to heal. A private investigator from Book 2 plans to cash in on the evidence he gathered on Vincent when he worked for Elliot Burch while Paracelsus schemes to steal Vincent's child to replace the "son" he lost. [11]

Issue 7

front cover of issue #7, Sue K
original art, Sue K

The Book of Secrets 7 was published in March 1992, contains 173 pages. It was edited by Sharon Wells.

The art is by Sue K, Kathy Fidge, Jackie Kapke, Sharon Wells, Alice Baltes, Sandra Elliott, and Barbara Gudlauski.

  • Letter from the Editor
  • Catherine's Journal Entry, August 15 by Sharon Wells (1)
  • Return of the Griffon by Kay Simon (3)
  • Vincent's Journal Entry, August 21st (11)
  • Links in a Chain, part one by Sharon Wells (22)
  • Two Roads Diverged by Gretchen A.K. Kopmanis (30)
  • Links in a Chain, part two (48)
  • Sunday Evening (57)
  • Splish Splash by Linda Mooney (60)
  • The Trouble with Emily, part 1 (63)
  • Links in a Chain, part 3 (66)
  • Links in a Chain, part 4 (75)
  • Innie by Linda Mooney (85)
  • Catherine's Journal Entry, October 20th (87)
  • Links in a Chain, part 5 (89)
  • Links in a Chain, part 6 (92)
  • Linds in a Chain, part 7 (98)
  • The Gift by Betty Reardon (109)
  • Mindsong by S. Elliott (123)
  • Links in a Chain, part 8 (124)
  • Links in a Chain, part 9 (135)
  • Linds in a Chain, part 0 (141)
  • Links in a Chain, part 11 (149)
  • Links in a Chain, part 12 (151)
  • The Search for Vincent's Past by Sharon Wells (156)
  • Catherine's Journal Entry, November 25th (162)
  • Vincent's Journal Entry, November 25th (164)
  • The Trouble With Emily by Sharon Wells (166)
  • from issue #7, Sandy Elliott

    from issue #7, Sandy Elliott

  • from issue #7, Kathy Fidge

    from issue #7, Kathy Fidge

  • from issue #7, Jackie Kapke

    from issue #7, Jackie Kapke

  • from issue #7, Kathy Fidge

    from issue #7, Kathy Fidge

  • from issue #7, Sharon Wells

    from issue #7, Sharon Wells

  • from issue #7, Alice Baltes

    from issue #7, Alice Baltes

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 7

This complex book has an ongoing story by Wells with anecdotes by other writers interspersed in the narrative. The overall plot deals with the aftermath of the attempted hijacking of The Sea God, an ocean liner in which C, her father, and an engineer named Scotty were involved, a story told in a previous zine. The chief terrorist is coming to trial and attempts, through henchmen, to intimidate the witnesses. Many more ideas are brought up than are developed, but the narrative rattles right along and the characterizations are interesting, particularly that of Michael Tay, a psychic. The included anecdotes are by Kay Simon, Linda Mooney, Gretchen A. K. Kopmanis, Betty Reardon, S. Elliott (a poem). Good reading. [12]

References

  1. ^ from the Qfer
  2. ^ from Beauty and the Beast Lifeline Review (October 1991)
  3. ^ from the Qfer
  4. ^ from Beauty and the Beast Lifeline Review (October 1991)
  5. ^ from the Qfer
  6. ^ from Beauty and the Beast Lifeline Review (October 1991)
  7. ^ from the Qfer
  8. ^ from Beauty and the Beast Lifeline Review (October 1991)
  9. ^ from a flyer
  10. ^ from the Qfer
  11. ^ from the Qfer
  12. ^ from Helpers' Network Quality Fanzine Review -- 1997
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