Whoops!

I think I've already failed miserably in my blogging debut! This is a shortie as I have a huge amount going on just now however, this weekend I plan to make my first ever Lemon Drizzle cake. I found an awesome easy recipe and will post the results (providing they're good lol).
My son's Nursery are having their Christmas Fair in November and I've promised lots of goodies for that, so I should have lots of baking updates to come!
I'm also enrolling in some cooking/baking courses. The first is a Christmas cookery course for 3 weeks late November/early December. The course will teach alternatives to traditional Christmas food. After that, I have a Craft Bakery course in January to brush up my pastry type skills and following that one, I hope to start a Cake Decorating course. I figure a little professional instruction can't be a bad thing!

On the reading side, I am loving Lauren Kate. I just finished reading Fallen and I highly recommend it, in fact the 2nd book is winging its way to me as we speak! I'll review it properly - probably the two together at a later date.
Also, check out Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R Ward. Yes, it is Vampires, but adult Vampires. Real manly ones. It's not for younger readers though it's a bit saucy - not that I'm complaining!
And finally, good luck to Rangers tonight as we take on Burgaspor in the Champions League!

Another First - a book review

OK, so I'm an avid reader. I love books, I love lots of different books. One  I recently read was Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. Obviously it's now a major film - which unbelievably I still haven't seen! Anyway, below is my review of the book:


Having seen movie posters for the film adaptation of this book everywhere, then finding the book available for £3.80 in a shop I decided to give it a whirl.

Shutter Island is the home of Ashecliffe Assylum which houses around 100 criminally insane and extremely violent patients, all of whom have been convicted of violent crimes. 

U.S Marshall Teddy Daniels is assigned with partner Chuck Aule to go to the Island to lead the search and apprehension of a missing, violent patient - Rachel Solando. 
The question is how did she escape from a locked room, with no shoes, without being seen? 

A Hurricane descends on the Island, trapping Teddy and Chuck there for a few days, whilst their Investigations gets deeper and stranger. Codes begin appearing which Teddy must crack to get to the truth, there are whispers of illegal experimentation on patients, in the mysterious and inaccessible Ward C. 

Every time Teddy thinks he has the truth within his grasp, it gets further away. Can he trust his instincts? Can he trust his Partner? And, what are the Doctors REALLY doing on this mystifying island? 

This is the first book I have read from Dennis Lehane. If this is a marker for his works, I shall most definitely be on the lookout for his other titles. 

This book has so many twists and turns you don't know if you are coming or going. Dream sequences mingle effortlessly with reality to the point you no longer know which bit Teddy is dreaming and which is real. At that is the beauty of this book. When you do get to the crux of it, it hits you in the face. You go back through the book in your head, thinking of the intricately laid clues which now appear blindingly obvious. 

The main character of the book Teddy, is instantly likeable. A highly decorated war hero turned U.S Marshall. A good all round guy, with a tragic past, yet he is not all hero, he is a man with faults and fears, such as water. 
You get to learn his family history, what makes him tick, there is real depth to this character and it's hard not to like him. I found myself worrying what would happen to him on the Island, only a couple of chapters in. 

His partner Chuck is more of a mystery. Newly transferred to Teddy's marshall office, we learn bits of his character. He is funny, he makes people relax very easily, whereas Teddy is seen more of a 'ball-breaker'. A great partnership, the eternal 'Good-cop, Bad-cop'. 

The rest of the characters in the plot are less developed, but that does not detract from the book. I actually appreciated that as I felt I wasn't bogged down in huge monologoues that would have added little to the plot. Where needed Lehane introduces bits of character history, exactly the amount you would want. 

Lehane is very descriptive about the Island. This is absolutely essential to the plot. I tend to skim read environmental descriptions in books, but with this, I didn't want to miss a word. The way he describes it makes it spooky, almost in keeping with how you would imagine an Assylum. In fact it made me think of Arkham Assylum in Batman, the darkness, the utter hopelessness. 

Once the scene is set, Teddy and Chuck are on the island, the plot starts to move at fairly quick pace with them encountering obsctructive Doctors, incoherent patients and nurses and orderlies who are weary. The conversations with the patients are excellent, you really feel that they are living in their parallel world. 

Teddy and Chuck quickly realise they are on their own on the Island and get the feeling if they don't get out soon, they won't at all. They try to get to the truth and you really are willing them on. 

The final third of the book hits you right between the eyes. I was immensely shocked, and when i got over it you see how the plot has been laid out all the way through that there really could be no other explanation. In fact, any other explanation would leave you feeling short changed, that it would have been a cop out. 

I admit, I cried very near the end, after being on the roller coaster ride through this book, I just couldn't help it, I was so involved, I was there. The book draws you in without you even realising and then you are hooked and just HAVE to know. 

This has been one of the most exciting books I have read in a long time. I do now want to watch the film, I can only hope it does it justice or I will be sorely disapointed. 

I was also interested to know that the author wrote 'Mystic River', a book I haven't read, but I love the screen adaptation. This is now next on my list and I have a feeling Lehane will be in my top author list for a good while. 

Just wow.

As it's my first post it's only right...

So, first post on my new shiny blog. Hopefully I will keep the blog going, but I suppose it depends if I can a) write anything of note and b) not bore any possible readers to death.

So anyway, September 13Th is an hugely exciting day for an avid reader and baker like myself! Not only is it Roald Dahl day it also marks the beginning of National Cupcake week! I kid you not, I'm so excited.

Roald Dahl provided me and many many other kids with a wondrous escape with his exciting tales, from 'The Twits' to 'Danny Champion of the World'. His 'Revolting Rhymes' collection made me giggle and squeal with delight as I knew it was a little bit naughty but not necessarily what was so funny about 'a bird in the hand...'
Roald Dahl would have been 94 today, the celebrations now extend to a month. And quite right too. The man was a genius who inspired many a child to pick up a book and read.

And, a week, for Cupcakes. Quite right too. For me there is such satisfaction in making cupcakes. My favourites so far have been vanilla sponge, injected with strawberry jam, with strawberry butter-cream icing. I have never been so proud of my efforts. Until I made Spiderman last week and my 3 year old went 'wowwww'.

Hmm, so that it's just now. Not a good sign I'm already running on empty! It's all just a bit too daunting right now. But I'll be back.
Maz