Buttercup is an “impossibly lovely” milkmaid living on a farm in the fictional city of Florin. There is a farm boy named Westley who loves her, and says so with every utterance of his famous quote “As you wish.” He travels to America to obtain a fortune so he can marry her, but his ship…
Category: Fantasy Fiction
“A Court of Frost and Starlight” Book Discussion and Chocolate Hazelnut Cupcakes Recipe
The war with Hybern has ended and now the city of starlight must be rebuilt. Feyre is looking for her new purpose in this time of peace, as well as a way to create and find peace. Nesta, however, is more bitter and self-inflicted with loneliness than ever, and not even Cassian, whom she risked…
“A Court of Wings and Ruin” Book Discussion and “Night Court” Blueberry Lemon Muffins Recipe
To act as a spy, and to begin plotting revenge, Feyre allows herself to return to the Spring Court with Tamlin, and his deceptive priestess, Ianthe. But Feyre will learn to become the wolf, in this and all courts, and especially in the imminent, great battle against Hybern. Unlikely alliances are begrudgingly forged as all…
“A Court of Mist and Fury” Book Discussion and Citrus Scones Recipe
“A huntress with an artist’s soul” and a dark, fallen Prince in the land of night become part of a new alliance developed to stop a terrible king. Feyre has defeated Amarantha and been remade, but her fiery spirit burns deeper within her than Tamlin can control, or cage in the mansion at the Spring…
“A Court of Thorns and Roses” Book Discussion and White Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes with Lemon Frosting Recipe
Feyre is a hunter by circumstance, though she dreams of her family no longer needing her to enter the dangerous woods near the border to kill for their food, especially during this cold, barren winter. She thrills when a doe is being hunted by an unnaturally large wolf, who she knows could be disguised. Her…
The Swan’s Daughter Book Discussion and Lemon Blueberry Butter Cake Recipe
The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi “Hush Manor was built upon clouds.” Demelza lives in this castle as the youngest daughter of both a powerful wizard and a veritas swan. “Veritas swans were breathtakingly beautiful women” who told the truth and could compel others to as well. But they also have a tragic weakness. Once…
“The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe” Book Discussion and Orange Marmalade Roll Recipe
Lucy is the youngest of four children who have been sent to the English countryside to live in a large, old manor house with an elderly gentleman until the bombings of London in WWII have ended. While exploring indoors on a rainy day, she crawls into a deep wardrobe, and out into the land of…
“Winter Rose” Book Discussion and Apple Blackberry Pie Bites Recipe
Winter Rose by Patricia A. McKillip “I walked through a storm and fell asleep in an empty house; when I woke there was a dead man beside me…” Two sisters are preparing for harvest to end and winter to arrive, one is engaged to a farmer, and one is as wild as the autumn winds…
“Once Upon a River” Book Discussion and Easy Apple Cinnamon Buns Recipe
Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield At winter solstice in the Swan at Radcot, a weathered pub beside the Thames river, where stories are told and retold round the bar and a roaring fire, a man washes up, banged-up and nearly dead, with a very young girl, as lifeless as a mannequin. Until her…
“The Sugar Queen” Discussion and Peppermint Devil’s Food Cupcakes with Peppermint Whipped Cream Frosting
Josey Cirrini’s mother is a bitter, wealthy woman who judges her daughter incessantly, demanding to be chauffeured to social events, and in waiting on her, Josey missed having a life of her own. At thirty, Josey spends all of her free time alone, hiding in her secret closet filled with the forbidden sweets and travel…