At her other website, Marianne has shared a press release from Angry Robot publishers about the release of her new SFF books. Book one is called PEACEMAKER and you can read all about it over there. Or you can check out the announcement on the publisher’s website.
Joelene says: When we were younger most of my family lived in Finland for a few years. It’s a gorgeous country with even more gorgeous food. This is one of the easiest recipes that my mother learnt there. It has the traditional Finnish flavours in the spices and is a favourite with all of my siblings.
Note: Most of the recipes I’ve seen call for almond extract, but it’s not something I’ve ever added. I do go heavy on the spices though; generally recipes only use half what I have here (and usually I add even more than a spoon of each).
You’ll need a Bundt or tube pan for this one.
Method:
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups sour cream
2 cups sugar
3 cups sifted white flour
1 tsp. bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cardamom
Directions:
Combine the eggs, sour cream and sugar.
Sift the flour with soda, salt, cinnamon and cardamom, add gradually to eggs mixture. Beat until smooth.
Butter tube pan and dust it with raw sugar. Pour cake batter in and bake at 180 degrees for 1 hour. Cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve un-iced with tea or coffee.
Girl Power for Tween & Teen Girls around the World
A guide for young girls as they face the ever growing pressures of today’s social media driven society.
[Texas] Girls Above Society, based in Spring, Texas, announced today the release of their first book, “Steps to Success: An Empowerment Guide.” In making the announcement, first time author 18-year-old Lauren Galley said, “This book was written to inspire every young girl to be confident and realize she has the power to make her dreams come true.” “Steps to Success: An Empowerment Guide” was written to help tween and teen girls conquer the pressures of social media, gain self-confidence and develop leadership skills as they grow into young adults. Through easily understood steps, the journey to become confident and overcome the struggles of peer pressure, gain friendships, and find your “sparkle” enables young girls to develop into role models for their generation.
This guide focuses on key elements that are crucial for girls as young as ten years old. Putting these carefully illustrated steps into play early on will give girls a boost of confidence as they enter each stage of young adulthood. The writing of this impressive teen author gives peer-to-peer mentorship, resulting in an instant connection and trust.
“Steps to Success: An Empowerment Guide” is also devoting portions of its sales in the philanthropic arena, by seeking to support children and schools in need. For every 1 out of 6 books sold, one book will be donated in both developed and developing areas where children and schools cannot access and afford to buy Girls Above Society books.
About the author:
Lauren Galley, Teen Mentor, Author, CETV Host, Actress and President of Girls Above Society transitioned from her high school AP program to college at age 16 embarking on a journey driven to create an anchor of empowerment for teen girls. Launching (at age 17) Girls Above Society gives Lauren the platform of teen to teen mentorship combined with film visuals creating a social media movement.
As a voice to young teen girls, Lauren hosts her own show “The Lauren Galley Show” and has been featured on Fox News, Teen Vogue, Best Ever You Radio and Talented Teens in the UK.
Her writing has appeared in numerous publications such as International Talent Magazine, Talented Teens, Babble, and THINK covering issues of the many pressures young teens are facing in today’s society. Lauren’s Free2BeYOU Series as a Youth Advocate for Free2Luv and being the Teen Commentator for Houston Family Magazine provides an extended platform reaching millions of teens throughout the world.
See our review (link coming)
More information can be found at:
Website: www.girlsabovesociety.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaurenMGalley
Buy her Book: Amazon
Press wishing to interview the author, and get advanced copies of the book should contact:
Robin Ray at TeenSouthPR@gmail.com
I don’t quite know how to start this review without getting sidetracked into stories from my childhood. Guess since I’ve just read this book I’ll go with my gut and be authentically, unapologetically myself.
During my first 3 years of high school, I hung out with the friends I’d had from primary school. It was the road of least resistance, however it wasn’t a chapter of my life that makes me proud.
I have vivid memories of the hurt looks in the eyes of my family as I spoke obnoxiously to them, of the loneliness I felt when Mum had had enough of my attitude, and would pull away. The time I was really rude to my LOTE (languages other than English) teacher and failing miserably because I couldn’t be bothered to study. Then there was the constant seeking of approval from my paternal side of the family, when really I needn’t have bothered. Some people can simply never be pleased.
Luckily, I had a little wake up call at the end of tenth grade and decided I needed a drastic change of scene. So I changed schools, found more genuine and loving friends and tried to pull together what little self respect I had left. I joined a cover band (was fired from the cover band) and eventually realised Home Economics is NOT my thing. *still isn’t*
It is now *cough* years later and I am seriously only just feeling like I am becoming the true me. I turn 31 this year… and let me tell you I could have really used a book like Lauren’s when I was dealing with all of the above… even if it was just so I didn’t spend so many years faffing around and making excuses.
Steps to Success is designed to be a quick read, though I suggest you use it as a workbook of sorts. You’ll find sensible, achievable step by step ways to becoming a better you.
Which, since the only person who gets to decide how you’re going to think and behave is you, you may as well learn how to do effectively from the inside out.
I’ve let my daughter (almost 12) have a quick glance at it, but she feels it isn’t relevant to her yet… I honestly think there are chapters in there that are completely relevant, but I’ll leave her be. She’ll know when she’s ready.
The target audience is from 11-19 however I think it will be useful for anyone, male or female, of almost any age.
If you take the journey through Lauren’s Steps to Success now, then at your 20 year high school reunion when people are saying that you haven’t changed a bit, you’ll be able to be extremely proud to hear it.
Go ahead and get a head start on becoming a Girl Above Society.
Read our interview with Lauren Galley.
Paperback, 54 Pages
Published August 2nd 2013 by Lauren Galley
ISBN 0615834884 (ISBN13:9780615834887)
I received this audio book for review from Simon and Schuster; thank you! I would recommend this book on audio as it’s really awesome to listen too! I loved the reader’s accent. It made the story sound like it was read by Magnus himself!
What Really Happened in Peru follows Magnus’s adventures during his stay in Peru. Each adventure is short, the actual book I think is only 100 or so pages long, and the audio version plays for about an hour and half. It’s really quick, great for a car ride, or just to listen to on the side while doing something else.
Throughout What Really Happened in Peru, the reader learned a lot about Magnus and his days before meeting the characters we all know and love in the Mortal instruments series. We also get to see a glimpse of his friends, Ragnor Fell and Catrina Loss.
Besides those three, the reader also gets a taste of what it meant for Magnus to be in love with a mortal, and as well as little bit of Magnus’s demon father (Dare I say, that was my favourite part?!).
What Really Happened in Peru filled in the reader with some background information on a beloved character, but the adventures themselves were as exciting I hoped them to be. Overall, I still really enjoyed learning more about Magnus, before the Mortal Instruments series started, even though I wished the adventures weren’t so dull.
