This Charming Man

Just yesterday I finished the book This Charming Man by Marian Keyes. 

Paddy de Courcy is Ireland's debonair politician, the "John F. Kennedy Jr. of Dublin." His charm and charisma have taken hold of the country and the tabloids, not to mention our four heroines: Lola, Grace, Marnie, and Alicia. But though Paddy's winning smile is fooling Irish minds, the broken hearts he's left in his past offer a far more truthful look into his character. 

Narrated in turn by each woman, This Charming Man explores how their love for this one man has shaped their lives. But in true Marian Keyes fashion, this is more than a story of four love affairs. It's a testament to the strength women find in themselves through work, friendship, and family, no matter what demons may be haunting their lives. Depression, self-doubt, domestic abuse—each of these women has seen tough times in life, and it's through Keyes's wonderful storytelling ability that these subjects are approached with the appropriate tone and candor. Her deft touch provides a gripping story and, ultimately, a redemptive ending.

It was a wonderful book to read, and touched on heavy issues - domestic violence, alcoholism, to name a few - but was sensitive about it.  My only complaint would be the way in which Lola's perspective was written. It was written in diary form (which I don't mind) but the sentences were incomplete and words were dropped. I know it was the style Keyes was aiming for, it just took a bit of getting used to.

Though known for her chick-lit, this book delves just that little bit deeper, and gives you something to think about.

Meatballs with tomato sauce

As a housewarming present, or a birthday present, one of my friends gave me the Masterchef Australia recipe book from season 2. After having just finished watching season 4 (the first one I've gotten into) and now All Stars I have tried a recipe from this book. It looked the easiest, and something I couldn't mess up.

Ingredients:

Herb & Tomato Sauce

1/4 cup olive oil

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tsp salt

1 large carrot, diced

6 thyme sprigs [I didn't have any fresh herbs, so I just added 1 tsp of dried herbs here]

2 tbs tomato paste

2 x 400g cans diced tomatoes

1 tsp dried Italian herbs

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tbs sugar [the first time I did this recipe I used 1 tsp, second time omitted as the tomato paste has sugar already added]

1 cup fresh basil leaves [again, I didn't have any fresh herbs, but this would make it extra amazing]

Meatballs

700g beef mince [I used combination beef + pork]

1 tsp salt

1 tsp finely chopped rosemary [I used dried rosemary]

1 tsp dried Italian herbs

1/2 tsp chicken stock powder

1 egg

1/4 cup packaged breadcrumbs

1 tbp tomato paste

1 tsp mild paprika

2 tbs tomato ketchup [I assumed ketchup = sauce]

1 tsp thyme leaves [again, I used dried]

1. To make the sauce, heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and salt, and cook for 5 minutes or until beginning to soften. Add the carrot and thyme sprigs and cook for a further 2 minutes or until soft. Stir in the remaining ingredients, except the basil. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan and simmer gently for 45 minutes or until thickened.

2. Meanwhile, to make the meatballs, combine all ingredients and season with ground black pepper. Use your hands to mix well. [Yes, this is important - get your hands dirty!] Roll into balls, using 2 tbs mixture for each. 

3. Add meatballs to simmering sauce without stirring, increase heat to medium and cook for 15 minutes or until cooked through. Gently stir in basil leaves and top with parmesan. Serve with pasta or bread. [or both: spaghetti & garlic bread - delicious!]

The Blessing

Jesse introduced me to an amazing group called Celtic Woman a few months ago. I have been listening to their music ever since and have fallen in love with almost every song. I even went as far to seek out and buy the music book so I can learn to play the songs. When I came across this song called The Blessing it touched my heart and wanted to share it with my friends.

This is the youtube link so you can listen along: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGKhgdF9vWA&hd=1 

In the morning when you rise
I bless the sun, I bless the skies
I bless your lips, I bless your eyes
My blessing goes with you

In the nighttime when you sleep
Oh I bless you while a watch I keep
As you lie in slumber deep
My blessing goes with you

This is my prayer for you
There for you, ever true
Each, every day for you
In everything you do

And when you come to me
And hold me close to you
I bless you
And you bless me, too

When your weary heart is tired
If the world would leave you uninspired
When nothing more of love's desired
My blessing goes with you

When the storms of life are strong
When you're wounded, when you don't belong
When you no longer hear my song
My blessing goes with you

This is my prayer for you
There for you, ever true
Each, every day for you
In everything you do

And when you come to me
And hold me close to you
I bless you
And you bless me, too

I bless you
And you bless me, too

Sinner

When I find a good series, clearly I just cannot resist finishing! But then again, 3 books in 4 days is nothing new for me. The Paradise Trilogy came to a dramatic ending in Sinner. This novel preaches a lot more than the previous two, but it is captivating right to the very end.

Some say roll with the punches. Drift with the tide. Nothing can stop the inevitability of change. There was a time when 300 Spartans disagreed with such mindless thinking and stood in the gap.

Now it's time for 3,000 to stand in the gap.

Sinner is the story of Marsuvees Black, a force of raw evil who speaks with wicked persuasion that is far more destructive than swords or guns. Beware all who stand in his way.

It's also the story of Billy Rediger and Darcy Lange, two unsuspecting survivors of a research project gone bad, who discover that they are perhaps the two most powerful souls in the land. Listen to them or pay a terrible price.

And it's the story of Johnny Drake, the one who comes out of the desert and leads the 3,000. Follow him and die.

Sinner tells the story of a free land where people who worship as they please and say what they believe are suddenly silenced in the name of tolerance

Saint

OK, so I may have gotten a little carried away with the remainder of my day off. I started and finished the second book in The Paradise Trilogy - Saint.

If you liked the Bourne Identity movies, you will enjoy Saint. The Protagonist experiences similar training protocols, physical abuse, and honed mental strength. A thrilling book from the first page till the last sentence, you will forcibly turn off that reading light after several hours of heart-beating entertainment with Saint.

Here's the official synopsis:

I know a few things about myself. I know that my name is Carl. My wife is Kelly. I love her more than my own life. If she told me to kill you, I would.

I’m a captive, deep inside Hungary - no one knows I’m here. I can put a bullet into a ten-inch target at 3,000 yards. They tell me that I’m the best sniper in the world. Sometimes I sit in my dark hole for days without moving so that they don’t hurt me.

I can kill a man with my bare hands.

If Kelly told me to kill you, I would.

I only know a few things about myself. My name is Carl. They call me Saint.

I think they want me to kill you.

After you read this book your mind starts to fill you with thoughts. It is a about the man, Carl, who was working for the X Group who were also involved in Black Ops. He is put through brutal training and meets the girl of his dreams. They try to escape together to the little town of Paradise, Colorado, but what they don't know is that they are being followed by one of the most deadly assassins on earth. He is known as Englishman, Jude Law and many more names...but he has a special power than no one else has...or maybe there is someone who has it as well...

Showdown

Whoops, it's been a long time since I've updated my blog. Today is my RDO for the month and it's been pretty good. I'm a little dazed still from a wonderful massage but I'm determined to write this post.

On the weekend I bought The Paradise Trilogy by Ted Dekker from Koorong, as it is a series I've been meaning to get around to for a while. Last night I finished the first book Showdown. After getting off to a slow, and a little confusing start, the connection between the alternate perspectives became clear. 

Showdown - good vs. evil - another epic saga by Ted Dekker. One thing I love about Ted Dekker's book is that he pulls characters from various books of his. Somehow, they all seem to be connected to each other, though they are great stand-alone novels, as well.

Here is the synopsis from the book itself:
It begins on a lazy summer day in a small, secluded mountain town named Paradise. But in Paradise, nothing is as it seems.

When a stranger named Marsuvees Black appears and announces he’s come to bring hope and grace to Paradise, the town isn’t sure how to respond. He offers dazzling love, hope, faith, and fun . . . the kind of fun everyone desires but is too timid to pursue. He knows the unspoken secrets of each person’s heart–and has the power to grant them.

Tucked deep in the nearby canyons is a monastery long hidden from the world. Within its walls is power beyond comprehension. Yet that power is quickly slipping out of control.

As dark clouds and sandstorms shut Paradise off from the rest of the world, the unthinkable happens. Readers will be shocked as they discover the true secrets of this sleepy town. The ultimate collision between good and evil begins . . . with Showdown.

If you enjoy Ted Dekker's other books - in particular The Circle Trilogy, Thr3e, House - you will enjoy this series.

Now to get back to reading the next book Saint.