cyberspace junkyard

Monday McNaught Mumbles
They might be formulaic, but I can't resist a good romance novel, it seems! Mind you, not the type with swooning heroines on the front cover, in the arms of a bare-chested man with flowing locks of hair longer than hers. *shudder*

Think of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, with a little more liberty with some of the more, shall we say, passionate descriptions. Plots where the hero and heroine are at each other's throats for 95% of the novel, leaving you in desperation as to when they will realise what everyone else (including the reader) clued into entire chapters before. Relationships that are marred by misunderstandings and circumstances beyond their control. Characters that are bold, full of spirit, intelligent and can banter til the cows come home. The final, ultimate, breathless realisation of true love. Call me a hopeless romantic, if you will!

I was in the bookstore last week with a friend and we caused quite a scene as we paused briefly in front of the romance novels section (wall to wall covers of the aforementioned swooning heroines and bare-chested men). When we weren't doubled over in fits of hysterical laughter, I did manage to partially convince her that romances aren't all bad, provided you have a decent writer behind it. Just don't show me anything with men in kilts, American westerns, modern day glittering society, espionage or wrongly convicted heros/heroines who are trying to prove themselves innocent. That doesn't leave much, huh? Well, I don't mind the occasional historical romance (balls and surprising women who aren't anything like the expectations of the day). Guess I better go hunt down some more Judith McNaughts and swoon myself into insensibility.

PP: Praise God that everything is on track at the moment with saltlight. Late nights and constant planning and prayer is all part of ministry and it's just so great to visit brothers and sisters in Christ at various churches around Sydney and see everyone share in the excitement of this new ministry and the upcoming release of This Way Up. A few tough decisions to be made this week though - location, format of the launch to most clearly present the gospel message...