fantasy book review
Note to self: Don't fall for thousand-year-old vampires who stalk you in libraries, even if they can identify ancient wine vintages by scent and quote Darwin from memory. Especially when dating them breaks every supernatural law in existence.
Boyfriend Material Quick Take:
š§ First Impression: Brooding Oxford professor with impeccable taste and control issues
š© Red Flag Count: From "overprotective" to "literally followed your scent across campus" š„ Chemistry Level: Like fine wine aging in a centuries-old cellar - slow burn to explosive
š Dating Potential: Initially: Maybe if he'd stop lurking in library shadows By the end: Worth risking an interspecies war for
Bottom Line: This paranormal romance is addictive as witch's blood to a vampire. The yoga, and rowing is a little much, but the forbidden romance and rich supernatural world-building make it impossible to put down. 4/5 stars.
Matthew Clairmont's French Lavender Almond Cookies
When a thousand-year-old French vampire with an exceptional palate falls for a witch, you know the resulting recipe needs to be extraordinary. These sophisticated shortbreads capture Matthew Clairmont's essence: almond flour for his refined, brooding nature, lavender for his French heritage, and a hint of sea salt because, like Matthew himself, sometimes the most complex flavors need just a touch of intensity to become utterly irresistible.
Each bite offers the same refined experience as sharing a glass of centuries-old wine in Matthew's Oxford quarters - complex, elegant, and just a little dangerous. Perfect for late-night reading sessions when you're deep in All Souls territory.
Ingredients:
For the Cookie Dough:
1 cup unsalted butter (yes he starts off a bit tough but he does melt preeeetty quickly)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (adding that touch of sweetness we see very quickly)
2 cups all-purpose flour (for his strong, protective foundation)
1/4 teaspoon sea salt (reflecting his guarded nature)
2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender (capturing his French origins)
1/2 cup almond flour (for his tasteful sophistication)
For the Glaze (optional):
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1-2 tablespoons milk or cream
Lavender petals for garnish
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350Ā°F (175Ā°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating the perfect stage for your supernaturally tasty book boyfriend cookies.
In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add the all-purpose flour and almond flour.
Gently fold in the dried culinary lavender, infusing the dough with a touch of French elegance.
Roll out the dough on a floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Use your desired cookie cutters to cut out shapes that capture the essence of the story. If you don't have moody, lanky man-shaped vampire cutters, hearts, books, or mystical symbols could be fitting.
Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each one.
Bake the cookies for about 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. The cookies should hold their shape without spreading, creating defined and intricate shapes.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
For an optional glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk or cream until you have a smooth, pourable consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies and sprinkle a few lavender petals on top for a touch of elegance.
Once the glaze has set, your Matthew Clairmont's Lavender Infused Almond Shortbread Cookies are ready to be enjoyed. These cookies capture the essence of a character who's both enigmatic and irresistible, much like the beautiful story he stars in.
Share these cookies with fellow fans who appreciate Matthew's complex flavors, charm and his passionate love for Diana.
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