It's time to play Seven Seconds in Heaven again! This time we're playing with Brian O'Reilly, creator and executive producer of Food Network's Dinner:Impossible. And he's the author of the fab new book, Angelina's Bachelors, a fun, tasty treat! We devoured it in just a few days and were drooling over the incredible sounding recipes in each chapter-and we think you'll love it too.
Here's the scoop on Angelina's Bachelors: Far too young to be a widow, Angelina D’Angelo suddenly finds herself facing a life without her beloved husband, Frank. Late one night shortly after the funeral, she makes her way down to the kitchen and pours all of her grief and anger into the only outlet she has left—her passion for cooking. In a frenzy of concentration and swift precision, she builds layer upon layer of thick, rich lasagna, braids loaves of yeasty bread, roasts plump herb-rubbed chicken; she makes so much food that she winds up delivering the spoils to the neighbors in her tight-knit Italian community in South Philadelphia.
Retiree Basil Cupertino, who has just moved in with his kindly sister across the street, is positively smitten with Angelina’s food. In a stroke of good fortune, Basil offers Angelina (not only husbandless but unemployed) a job cooking for him—two meals a day, six days a week, in exchange for a handsome salary. Soon, word of her irresistible culinary prowess spreads and she finds herself cooking for seven bachelors—and in the process discovers the magical power of food to heal, to bring people together . . . and maybe even to provide a second chance at love.
Filled to the brim with homemade warmth, Angelina’s Bachelors is a sweet tale of overcoming grief, redefining family, and following your heart—through food.
Totally yummy, right? Then for sure leave a comment, we have FIVE copies to give away! We'll choose the winners after 6pm PST on Sunday, October 2nd. Good luck!
Now, are you ready to spend Seven Seconds in Heaven with Brian?
CHICK LIT IS NOT DEAD PRESENTS...SEVEN SECONDS IN HEAVEN WITH BRIAN O'REILLY
1. Cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner- A good day for me is a day when I get to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner: the trifecta. I like playing one meal off of the other, trying to make sure that they provide a flow to the day, from both a cooking and an eating standpoint. And I like to be able to start something braising or cooking down in the middle of the afternoon. Bliss in a big pot.
2. I’m grateful that writers don’t have to wear ties- at least, not while writing. I like to fashion a Windsor knot and make a decent appearance as much as the next guy, but I’m not sure how well I’d do wearing a suit on a day to day basis. Probably another reason I’ll never be President of the United States.
3. Musical talent- would be a nice thing to have. I tried the guitar when I was a kid, but never had the ear or acquired the discipline to play well. I’d like to be able to revisit that arena before I punch my last ticket. And that could even include dancing.
4. Kirk vs. Picard- I’m all Captain Kirk. I feel like Captain Kirk was the guy who boldly went where no man had gone before; Captain Picard was more of an able administrator and eminence grise. Though I give Jean-Luc great credit for being a man committed to aging gracefully.
5. I like to talk politics more than sports- though, in many cases, they’re one and the same thing, in that they are both largely about strategy, contention and who walks away the winner at the end. I think I like the fact that for all of the nonsense that goes on in politics, it all takes place in and directly affects the real world.
6. I’m gradually becoming a cat person- in my younger days, I had a dog, and he was one of the greatest, most lasting influences on my life and personal philosophy. That dog had more personality, integrity and a better sense of humor than most of the bipeds I’ve met since. But I’ve been living with a cat lately, and he’s kind of growing on me. I like his self-sufficiency. And that thing where he casually brushes up against your leg to say “hi” in the morning…
7. I like the profession of writing novels- largely because I get to spend more time around my wife and offspring. They’re just so cool. Working on making it a full-time thing.
Thanks Brian! xo, L&L
To read more about Brian, head on over to Twitter or find him on Facebook.