Smorgasbord Blogger Daily – 18th February 2021 – #Reviews by V.M.Sang, #Cookbook Marian Beaman, #IrishMyths I.E. Kneverday

A small selection of posts that I have enjoyed in the last few days that I hope you will head over to read in full.. thanks Sally.

The first post is from V.M. Sang and is a book review for A Taste of Ashes by Kent Wayne.

Overview.
I would first warn people that this book details a battle. As a result there is a lot of violence and swearing in it. This is not a criticism, though. In a battle such as the one Atriya and his collegues are in there would be both violence and swearing.

The book takes place over one day, and has a profound effect on Atriya.

Blurb
Most of us change gradually—over the course of decades. For Crusader Atriya, it will happen in a single, agonizing day. On the edge of a decaying cityscape, Atriya struggles to hold onto his identity as he faces death from both enemies and allies alike. In the process, his old self is torn away, and he catches a glimpse of what he may one day become. 

Head over to read the post in full: V.M Sang review A Taste of Ashes by Kent Wayne

Another book review, this time from Marian Beaman…Mennonite Man Crafts a Valentine Menu

Mennonite Man, Willard Roth, reared on Iowa farmland, has a long career as Journalist, Author, Church leader, World traveler . . . and always a Cook and Entertainer

Mennonite Men Can Cook Too (2015) is a compilation of recipes from eight men, including Roth, and three nephews. Unlike many traditional Mennonite cookbooks, several of his recipes feature an alcohol ingredient as in a PBS broadcast where hard cider is the beverage of choice. Roth notes that his menus are “simple but elegant,” part of his Mennonite value system, he says. The author interlaces memoir with recipes and appetizing photos, a satisfying concoction. It’s a “travel through time looking at the stages of Roth’s life through food.” 

Head over to read Marian’s review for this entertaining cookbook: Mennonite Man Crafts a Valentine Menu review by Marian Beaman

And finally a fantastic post on Irish Mythology from Erik Kneverday on the subject the god of love Erik is the author of  Neon Druid: An Anthology of Urban Celtic Fantasy

While Eros from Greek mythology and his equivalent Cupid from Roman mythology may be the most famous deities devoted to romantic love, they are by no means the only divine beings capable of making us swoon.

Irish mythology is rife with tales of tales of star-crossed lovers, and at the center of many of them (or, more often than not, hovering in the background), is Aengus Óg, the Irish god of love and youthful pleasures.

What’s in a Name?

As is the case with many gods of Irish and Celtic mythology there is no universally agreed upon spelling for the Irish god of love. He is alternately referred to as Aenghus, Aengus, Angus, Aonghus, Aongus, Óengus, and Oíngus. What we can all agree on, however, is that his title “Óg” means “young” (just as it does in the Irish language). Hence, Aengus Óg translates to “Aengus the Young.”

Head over to discover more about this multi-named god of love: Irish Myths – Celtic God of Love

 

Thanks for joining me today and I hope you will head over to read the posts in full..thanks Sally.