Lemon Madeleines (recipe by Florence Rebattet)

Madeleines photo courtesy of En Cuisine

 "She sent out for one of those short, plump little cakes called "petites madeleines", which look as though they had been moulded in the fluted scallop of a pilgrim's shell... I raised to my lips a spoonful of the tea in which I had soaked a morsel of the cake. No sooner had the warm liquid, and the crumbs with it, touched my palate than a shudder ran through my whole body, and I stopped, intent upon the extraordinary changes that were taking place. An exquisite pleasure had invaded my senses, but individual, detached, with no suggestion of its origin. And at once the vicissitudes of life had become indifferent to me, its disasters innocuous, its brevity illusory - this new sensation having had on me the effect which love has of filling me with a precious essence..."

Remembrance of Things Past, Marcel Proust

While I cannot promise you that all your worries will go away and you will be filled with happiness as soon as you eat a madeleine or two, these lovely little cakes will certainly cheer you up, even on a grey dull day like today.

Florence Rebattet, chef, founder of En Cuisine Cooking School, and finalist of Gordon Ramsay's "Future Food Stars" (series 2) shares her recipe for mouthwatering madeleines - check out her recipe book "Cook with Flo".

This recipe is suitable for children (with adult supervision, if necessary) and is one of many recipes Flo teaches children at En Cuisine Cooking School.

MADELEINES

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Ingredients (20 madeleines):

120g plain flour

120g granulated white sugar

120g unsalted butter

3 medium eggs

zest of one unwaxed lemon

1 lemon (juice)

1tsp baking powder

Utensils:

A madeleine tray

2 bowls

a wooden spoon

a grater

a scale

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, the sugar and the baking powder.

2. Crack the eggs and separate the yolks from the whites. The yolk goes with the dry ingredients and the whites in a separate bowl.

3. Whisk the whites with a fork until you get bubbles on the top. Add them to the flour and yolks mix and combine.

4. Melt the butter and wait until it cools down before pouring it on the mix.

5. Add the lemon juice (from one lemon, G.V.) and the zest. Stir well.

6. Pour into madeleine moulds and put them in the oven at 240C for 6 minutes and then 180C for 8 minutes. Your madeleines are ready when you see a little mountain on the top and a nice golden colour.

Tip:

Swap the lemon for 1/2 orange or rose water. "I really like mine with rose water and dry peices of rose in the dough".

I have forgotten just how good madeleines are. I bought a madeleine tray years ago, and at first used it quite often, but for the last several years it's been staying in the kitchen unit, totally abandoned.

Last week my younger son and I tried the recipe for lemon madeleines, and it was a great hit with the whole family. Our madelienes were very tasty, and I will definitely bake them again.

The recipe is pretty straighforward and easy, and perfect for cooking with children. Try it, and enjoy the soft spongy bakes, with a delicate lemon flavour.

Many thanks to Florence for the recipe, and reminding us how delicious these little cakes are!

Loki's Deceit by Donovan Cook

"The gods are bastards. We all know that. They are mischievous and like to cause chaos just to amuse themselves. And it seems that was what they intended when they brought my grandson to me. Chaos." 

"All he knew was that God had placed the cross in his hands and the kings of Francia wanted him dead because of it".

Loki's Deceit by Donovan Cook is an enthralling and accomplished historical novel, set in Denmark and Francia, AD 854.

This is the second book in the Charlemagne's Cross series, following Odin's Betrayal. This book reads as a standalone, as the events of the first book are recounted here, though it would help reading the previous novel to better understand the dynamics between the main protagonists, and also the political intrigues that set the actions.

Blurb:

Loki's Deceit

A king, old and frail

A challenger filled with vengeance. A kingdom's fate at stake.

Sven the Boar is Jarl of Ribe once more. He and Charles try to settle into their new lives, but trouble and treachery are never too far away.

Tormented by recent events, Charles struggles to adapt to life among the heathens that mock his Christian God and the arrival of a priest from the south only makes things worse.

Meanwhile, Sven is burdened with the responsibilities of being Jarl again and protecting his grandson from those hunting him.

When forced into an alliance with King Horik's nephew who is raising an army to challenge his uncle for the throne of Denmark, Sven makes and important decision.

As the threat of war becomes real, Sven rides to fight the battle that will change the destiny of Denmark.

But while he fights, will Charles remain safe or are other games in play that threaten him?

Summer AD 854

Following the events narrated in Odin's Betrayal, we meet young Charles and his grandfather Sven the Boar in Ribe. After killing his own brother for the ultimate betrayal, Sven is a Jarl, albeit a reluctant one. All he is looking for is safety and protection for his grandson. 

"Sven had hated the gods because Odin refused to let him die, no matter how much he wanted to or how badly others had beaten him. He had survived when he should have died many times over... Sven lived because Odin wanted him alive. Or perhaps it had been Loki all along, tormenting Sven to amuse himself."

Once a powerful jarl and a warrior of great renown, Sven is not accepted by everyone as the new Jarl of Ribe. There are old factions which hate him and want him gone. And he would have left, if he didn't have to protect his grandson.

Like his late father, Torkel, Charles is a Christian. This puts a big strain on his relationship with Sven who adheres to the "false idols" rather than one true God. Despite being threatened many times, he doesn't believe in violence being a solution. The stubborn child doesn't even want to train and be able to defend himself, and insists that he wants to be a priest.

Charles "wondered if he would ever find a place where he would not be judged or beaten up because of who he was or who his family was".

On Sven's insistence, Charles is tutored by the shield maiden Thora to defend himself. 

Sven "knew it was his fault for the strained relationship between him and his grandson. He had tried to understand the boy, who looked more like Torkel every day, but Charles's Christianity was a difficult thing for him to accept..."

King Horik is weak, and his exiled nephew Guttrom is raising a rebellion against him, in order to usurp the power. Sven is approached by Guttrom with an offer he cannot refuse. His own and his grandson's survival will depend on the outcome of the battle for the throne of Denmark. 

Charles is a chess piece on a big board, played by two opposing parties. There are threats on all sides. Is he going to remain in a relative safety while the big events are taking place?

Charles' character is portrayed sympathetically. An orphaned child, surviving among the people who distrust his faith, he is vulnerable, earnest, naive.

The main characters are masterfully developed, and are multi-dimensional.

Love the character of shield maiden Thora, she is a total badass, courageous, brave and also compassionate and kind. She becomes a wise mentor to young Charles.

The pace of the story doesn't slow down. The intricate plot is full of twists and intrigues. The battle scenes feel realistic, with all the gore, sounds and smells.

If you're a fan of historical fiction set in the Dark Ages, you will not be disappointed.

Donovan Cook blends authentic period background with a cinematographic penchant for dramatic. You can easily see these novels adapted as a TV series.

Loki's Deceit is very enjoyable, intriguing and dramatic. A gripping page turner.

This post is part of the blog tour for Loki's Deceit. Many thanks to Donovan Cook and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/LokisDeceitSocial

Author Bio –

Donovan Cook is the author of the well-received Ormstunga Saga series which combines fast-paced narrative with meticulously researched history of the Viking world, and is inspired by his interest in Norse Mythology

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonovanCookAuthor

Twitter  https://twitter.com/DonovanCook20

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/DonovanCookNews

Clues to You by Claire Huston

"You and Max are as bad as each other."

"What do you mean?"

"This sleuthing business. You both take it far too seriously. It's a game, Kate. No one's dead for real."

Not yet, thought Kate as she trained her sights on Max. Not yet." 

Clues to You by Claire Huston is a sweet romantic comedy and a cosy mystery in one.

This is book 3 in the Love in the Comptons series (all are standalone romcoms).

Clues to You

One murder mystery weekend. Two rival sleuths.

They’re looking for answers. But will they find love?

 

Kate Brannon is delighted to be attending her first murder mystery weekend in a movie-worthy Victorian manor house. Still getting over being dumped, cracking the case would be a welcome boost to her flagging confidence. And the prize money wouldn’t hurt either.

But Kate’s dreams of victory become a nightmare with the arrival of Max Ravenscroft. Smart, enigmatic and annoyingly handsome, Max is Kate’s sleuthing nemesis.

 When she and Max are forced to work together, Kate despairs. But, as the investigation brings them closer, she finds being his partner in solving crime isn’t all bad.

 With growing suspicions that the game is rigged against them, can Kate and Max beat the odds to find the killer? And, as their partnership deepens, can they find romance too?

 

Kate Brannon arrives to The Old Grange Hotel for Merryman's Murder Mystery Weekend with great hopes. For her, spending a weekend, trying to solve the murder mystery, is pure happiness. Her best friend Bella is expected to attend the event with her fiance Ethan. With these two on her team, Kate knows she has a chance.

She " was determined to have a fun weekend with good friends. And maybe, just maybe, it would be a weekend with a dream ending. Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment and she pictured her team solving the case to rapturous applause and carrying off fifty thousand pounds".

Her bubble of excitement is burst, when Max Ravenscroft makes his appearance, "her old rival, sleuthing nemesis and destroyer of dreams of detective glory..." She dreads working together with Max on the same team.

"She had hoped she stood a small chance of cracking the case. But the addition of another mystery - and none other than the diabolical enigma that was Max Ravenscroft - could well make the weekend more than she could handle".

To be fair, Kate does exaggerate her dislike of the formidable Max. In fact, he is very considerate to her, offering Kate cookies, when her stomach makes embarrassing noises.

With his sharp mind, Max asks direct questions that help their team. "In the middle of a weekend of extended role play, a weird fictional situation in which everyone was voluntarily suspending their disbelief, he was unwaveringly present and solid".

Like Elizabeth to her Mr Darcy, Kate's prejudices begin to melt away.

As Kate and Max probe further into the secrets of the family, they seem to be drawn together. Max shows that he can be caring and attentive, and not at all the monster she has envisaged in her mind. As each clue is being revealed, their mutual attraction grows.

There are rumours that the game has been rigged, and the game organisers are not playing fair, which they obviously deny. Is it possible for anyone to solve the clues and win the game?

Kate and Max are determined to find the answers. Will they find the killer? They are following the clues, but is it finally the time to start following their hearts as well?

Kate is a sweet likeable character, shy and not overly bursting with confidence, and with a quirky style in clothes. 

Max is the epitome of elegance and poise, and at first appears borderline smug over-confident.

They make an awesome duo of sleuths, complementing each other's strenghts. And they do take their hobby seriously (which is quite endearing).

The murder mystery is set in the 1930s, and at times you forget that the main action is happening at present, and the murder investigation is staged and performed by the team of actors. The murder mystery characters are fleshed out effortlessly, with insightful glimpses into their backstories. 

The whole story would make a fabulous TV series with a delightful set of characters, Archie "Tinkety-Tonk" Forbes being one of my personal favourites.

Clues to You is a very entertaining and an immensely enjoyable story, with a great charm and a sense of humour. 

A charming and fun read, with an original concept.

This review is part of the blog tour for Clues to You.

Many thanks to Claire Huston, Goldcrest Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my copy of the book (and it's also signed by the author!)

Purchase Link - 

https://mybook.to/CluesToYou

Author Bio:

Claire Huston lives in Warwickshire with her husband and two children. She writes uplifting modern love stories about characters who are meant for each other but sometimes need a little help to realise it.

A keen amateur baker, she enjoys making cakes, biscuits and brownies almost as much as eating them. You can find recipes for over a hundred sweet treats at clairehuston.co.uk. This is also where she talks about and reviews books.

Social Media Links: 

https://linktr.ee/clairehuston_author   

Under a Gilded Sky by Imogen Martin

 

"Running a farm with only her younger sister for help needed a daily dose of optimism and a large dash of resilience".

Under a Gilded Sky by Imogen Martin is a historical romance novel, set a decade after the end of the civil war.

Blurb:

In this epic and unforgettable love story, set in the wilds of Missouri and the glamour of high society Boston at the dawn of the Gilded Age, one woman's life changes forever the day that a stranger turns up on her doorstep.

Missouri, February 1874:

The last thing struggling homesteader Ginny needs is a scandal on her hands. But when a badly injured drifter arrives at Snow Farm in desperate need of medical attention, Ginny's kind nature and good upbringing means she has no choice but to treat his wounds and care for him until he's back on his feet, no matter the danger he might pose.

Ginny's been running the farm and looking after her fourteen-year-old sister Mary-Lou since their papa died two years ago, each morning pulling on his old leather coat and pushing her feet into stout boots that come up to her knees, before heading out to tend to the cattle. She's determined to hold onto one thing that connects them to memories of their parents - whatever the cost. And when their uninvited guest - Lex - is well enough he offers his help, and she surprises herself by accepting it.

But not long after Lex moves on, Ginny realises that her heart has gone with him. And when the farm's fortunes take a turn, she faces her hardest test yet. Can she save the only home she's ever known, and everything she holds dear? And what if doing so means risking a chance at love and happiness she never expected to come her way?

Ginny Snow lives with her younger sister Mary Lou on a remote farm in Missouri. Their father passed away two years earlier. He has gambled so much of their land on cattle, leaving them almost destitute. Both sisters have to work hard to keep the farm afloat, budgeting every cent.

Ginny is determined to keep the farm, "This farm is the only thing we've got left of Mama and Papa. It's how Mary Lou and I keep connected with them. I can't let it slip away".

Their parents' marriage was considered a mésalliance by her mother's side of the family. Mama's family disavowed her for marrying against their wishes and expectations.

One day Mary-Lou finds a wounded stranger who is barely able to stand, and helps him into the farm. There's no shelter for miles around, and both sisters know that he'd freeze to death if they leave him outside. The stranger looks like a farm worker, or a cowboy, travelling from place to place. How on earth did he end up in the vicinity of Snow Farm? Is he an outlaw on the run, a robber or worse?

Ginny "keenly felt the vulnerability of running Snow Farm by themselves. Papa had died two years ago, but she'd been determined to keep the family homestead".

They come up with a plan: "We mustn't let the stranger know it's just us two here. We need him to think there's a man in the homestead". Thus the girls pretend for the stranger's sake that their father is alive.

From years looking after the livestock on the farm, Ginny knows a thing or two about bones and muscles. She examines the wounded man's leg, and tends to him.

Ginny is worried, "being trapped in their home with an unknown man was the last thing they needed".

Lex Carlton fought in the American Civil War, supporting the Union's side. Looking around the Snows' house, he realises where the family sympathies lie. Missouri is the state of divided loyalties, and they have to be vigilant regarding who they confide in.

He is also amazed to see a piano in the parlour. Ginny is a talented pianist, educated by her mother, who insisted on daily practice. Music is her escape from the daily drudgery and constant fear of losing the farm.

Ginny is too proud to ask for help. "She didn't want people's pity, or for them to think she was dissatisfied with what life had dealt her. She could manage by herself". But running such a big homestead is an almost impossible task. When Lex offers help, she is very reluctant to accept the kind offer. 

"Ginny and Mary Lou just about kept their heads above water, with hired help. One unexpected catastrophe had left them with no one to lean on." Lex believes he can help to keep the farm going, but it takes a lot of convincing. 

Ginny's pride prevents her from recognising the fact that she needs to learn to accept help when offered. As Lex tells her, "There is a joy in giving. But for someone to experience that joy, someone else has to accept the gift".

When time comes for Lex to move back to where his family is, Ginny comes to realise the depth of her feelings for him. 

Yet life goes on, and there are much bigger worries on her mind. The farm has been struggling with the debts since before Mr Snow's death. And now Ginny is going to lose everything that had belonged to her family. The girls are facing an uncertain future.

Is there any chance for Ginny and Mary Lou's home to be saved? Will Ginny make the right decision when it comes to the matters of the heart?

Ginny and Mary Lou are likeable protagonists, brave, strong-willed and determined, and also kind and compassionate. Their struggles to keep the farm afloat, and their isolation and vulnerability are portrayed realistically.

The historical background feels authentic and well-researched. 

Under a Gilded Sky is a dramatic, moving story with a spirited heroine. A tale of survival and hope, it is also a portrayal of America after the civil war, with its divided loyalties and economic struggles. It is a beautifully told story with a vivid sense of place.

This review is part of the blog tour for Under a Gilded Sky.

Many thanks to Imogen Martin and Rachel's Random Resorces for my e-copy of the book!

 

Purchase Links

multi retailer choice link - all retailer options : https://geni.us/176-al-aut-ch

 

Separate retailer links

Google: https://geni.us/176-al-aut-go

Apple: https://geni.us/176-al-aut-ap

Kobo: https://geni.us/176-al-aut-ko

Amazon: https://geni.us/176-al-aut-am

B&N: https://geni.us/176-al-aut-ba

Author Bio –

Imogen writes sweeping, historical fiction. Her first two novels are set in nineteenth century America.

As a teenager, she took the Greyhound bus from San Francisco to New York. Over those three days of staring out of the window at the majestic mountains and endless flat plains, stories wound themselves into her head: tales of brooding, charismatic men captivated by independent women.

Since then, she has worked in a coffee-shop in Piccadilly, a famous bookstore, and a children’s home. She has run festivals, and turned a derelict housing block on one of the poorest estates in the UK into an award-winning arts centre.

During 2020 Imogen was selected by Kate Nash Literary Agency as one of their BookCamp mentees, a mentorship programme designed to accelerate the careers of promising new writers.

Married with two children, Imogen divides her time between Wales and Sardinia.

She hopes her books will bring you the tingle of a new love affair whilst immersed in a different time and place.

Social Media Links –

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ImogenMartin9

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImogenMartin.Author/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imogenmartinauthor/?hl=en-gb