Book Review

 

 There is nothing better on a rainy day then a hot cup of tea, a sweet treat and a good book!!  

Snuggled up on the couch under a warm blanket, a book in hand, and food, life is good.

This post has all that and more!!

In this post I will not only be sharing with you a great recipe for an afternoon tea, but a GREAT book to go with it.

Last year I joined Online Book Club (http://onlinebookclub.org/) an amazing place to find new and exciting books to read, review and discuss.  This forum has opened up a whole new world for me when it comes to reading and finding some really great new authors and discussing some of my favorite ones as well.  It is a place where you can learn about how other people feel about books without ever leaving the comfort of your couch.  This forum has links to some of the most popular books out there today, along with some really great up and coming authors just starting out.  

I have been given the opportunity to read some really great new books and written reviews about them.  We all know how important word of mouth is when it comes to finding the next great book, so why not join in on the discussion and help out!  

Recently I was given the opportunity to read and review this book Holding Fire!  OMG what a great book!  This was a collection of 10 stories all with the theme of revenge/vengeance.  10 amazing stories all different, but all the same.  It was a page turner from page one!  Talk about creepy and mysterious and sad and powerful all at the same time.  

These short stories, written by 10 different writers, gave you a glimpse into the human mind and what we can be capable of.  It truly was a great set of stories that I was so happy to have read.  If I had to pick a favorite story from the collection, I would have to go with "Ghostwritter"!  This has an Edgar Allan Poe feel to it that truly had me trapped from the get go!  Love it!! 

I truly hope that some of these authors, if not all 10 of them continue to write, I would be more than happy to continue to read work done by them.  

I encourage all of you to give this forum a try!  Like I said, you can discuss all types of books and authors, along with finding new ones out there looking for honest reviews of their work.  It is a great place to read great books.

Now to go along with this great book, why not enjoy a nice pot of tea and a plate of palmiers!  

Here's what you need:

2 cups granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 sheets puff pastry, defrosted 

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Combine the sugar and salt. 

Pour 1 cup of the sugar/salt mixture on a wooden board. 

Unfold each sheet of puff pastry onto the sugar and pour 1/2 cup of the sugar mixture on top, spreading it evenly on the puff pastry. 

Using a rolling pin, roll the dough until it's 13 by 13-inches square and the sugar is pressed into the puff pastry on top and bottom. 

Fold the sides of the square towards the center so they go halfway to the middle. Fold them again so the two folds meet at the middle of the dough. Then fold 1 half over the other half.

Slice the dough into 3/8-inch slices and place the slices, cut side up, on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

Repeat the above steps with the second puffed pastry.

Bake the cookies for 6 minutes until caramelized and brown on the bottom, then turn with a spatula and bake another 3 to 5 minutes, until caramelized on the other side. Transfer to a baking rack to cool.

These are the perfect treat to enjoy with a great book!!

Happy Baking, Reading and ENJOY!!