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…
Category: Lake reads
“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 Cafe by the Sea” Book Discussion and Lemon Raspberry Jam Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
The Cafe by the Sea by Jenny Colgan Flora works at a law office and lives in a cramped London apartment, seeking to escape her childhood memories of farming on a small, cold Scottish island. Mure is a place that now only holds flashbacks of her mother who passed away, the awful thing she said…
“The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop and Cafe” Book Discussion and Blueberry Streusel Muffin Recipe
A New York lawyer visits her grandmother’s hometown in Maine to deliver a letter. After nearly drowning and several other hilarious mishaps, Ellen unexpectedly finds the possibility of a new life, as well as a new taste for blueberries. An engaged New York lawyer visits her grandmother’s hometown in Maine to deliver a letter to…
“The Hideaway” Book Discussion and Strawberry Pie Cupcakes Recipe
The Hideaway by Lauren K. Denton The small town of Sweet Bay, Alabama hides a house where Sara grew up with an embarrassingly eccentric grandmother named Mags, and all of her hippie friends who’d stayed on since the sixties. Sara escaped to a life in New Orleans with a shop of elegant knick-knacks as soon…
“The Hobbit” Book Discussion and Raspberry Jam Lemon “Seedcakes” Poppyseed Muffins
Hobbits are the kindest, most eccentric beings in all of Middle Earth, the land of fantastic creatures and a great evil ring. Most have heard of this story, or seen the film, but have you ever given the book a try? In case you hadn’t heard, the book is always better than the movie (except…