It’s the Belle Époque, a last period of elegant dress and luxurious dining before WWI. Into this world of privilege steps Lia Milthorpe and her twin sister, Alice, to do battle–one each knows will end in death, but for which one? Will Lia find the meaning of the prophecy and save the world? Only MICHELLE ZINC, author of the trilogy, knows.
I don’t do reviews. There are already so many well-qualified reviewers online that I prefer to “feature” authors I enjoy reading. I love how Michelle has managed to capture the language and flavor of the period without making the prose seem contrived or difficult. I feel that this is one the greatest strengths of her both GUARDIAN OF THE GATE and PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS, the first book in her trilogy. She manages to pull me in that world of beautifully dressed men and women who dine, rather than eat and who carry themselves with grace even when confronting evil. Doesn’t that whet your appetite?
Here’s a quick peek at the story if my description hasn’t grabbed you.
“Sixteen-year-old Lia Milthorpe searches for a way to end the prophecy that has divided her family for generations, her twin sister, Alice, works to hone the skills she’ll need to defeat Lia. Alice will stop at nothing to reclaim her sister’s role in the prophecy, and that’s not the the only thing she wants. There’s also Lia’s beloved James.” Guardian of the Gate
Be sure to stop by her PROPHECY WEBSITE to read excerpts and listen to the great play list. You might also want to read some the * * * * * REVIEWS readers have posted about Guardian.
So we’ve got a fight to the death between twin sisters, a mysterious prophecy to grapple with AND love all presented in some beautiful prose. What more does a reader need?
The only thing I can think of is some suitably paired Belle Époque cuisine. My palate immediately demanded Pheasant, so I went to my shelf, which bows a bit from hefty books about preparing food. I’ve only made this dish once. It’s labor intensive and bagging the pheasant took days–actually I can’t shoot anything except my foot. I’m not a hunter, so I did my “pheasant bagging” at a market. My guests said this dish was fab, so I’m passing it on as the food I’d select to compliment this lovely novel.
Breast of Pheasant Sous Cloche (Under Glass)
From Roy Alciatore of Antoine’s Restaurant in New Orleans (circa 1940), found in A Treasury of Great Recipes, by Mary and Vincent Price
Ingredients:
2 pheasants
1/2 lemon
4 Tbsp plus 2 Tbsp butter
2-1/2 cups brown sauce
2 Tbsp truffles, minced
1/4 cup Madeira
4 slices bread
salt
pepper
Instructions:
For the Pheasant:
1. Preheat oven to moderate (350°F; 175°C).
2. Rub the cavities and skin of 2 ready-to-cook pheasants with the cut side of 1/2 lemon. Season inside and out with salt and pepper.
3. In a heavy pan melt: 4 tablespoons butter. Brown the birds on all sides.
4. Place pan in the oven. Baste birds with pan juices every 10 minutes and roast about 30 minutes for average-sized pheasants. Remove and keep warm.
For the Sauce:
In a saucepan heat: 2-1/2 cups brown sauce. Let it simmer until it has reduced about one-quarter. Add: 1/4 cup Madeira and 2 tablespoons minced truffles. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
For the Presentation:
1. Cut into rounds: 4 slices bread and toast them.
2. Sauté: the 2 pheasant livers gently in 2 tablespoons butter. Mash well and spread liver and butter on the toast rounds.
3. Carve pheasants so you have 4 breasts.
4. Place a roasted breast of pheasant on each round of toast. Cover with the sauce and place glass bell over each dish. Serve at once.
Yield: Serves 4
C. Lee McKenzie says
The microwave version? Let me check with the chef and get back to you.
Ebyss says
Sounds like such a great read and is on my reading list.
Love the pheasant recipe, but I doubt I'll ever fix it. Sounds to hard. I hate putting stuff in the microwave to cook.
Hey!!! Do you have a microwave pheasant recipe. 🙂
Julie Musil says
Wow, and a recipe too? Amazing stuff. I love the blurb about the twins book. I'd definitely read that one!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Ha! At the pheasant store, of course. You writers!
Stina Lindenblatt says
Darn it! I used the last of the pheasant for dinner last night.
Seriously, where does one buy pheasant? 🙂
Jennifer Shirk says
I wouldn't know where to get pheasant. LOL
Michele's books sound wonderful!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi Bobyn. Great to see you here. And Paul, I'll give you heads up the next time I muster the energy to do pheasant or anything under glass. 🙂
I think I should move to the Dakotas, Dazy. Loved your link. Thanks. Have any grouse recipes? And, yes, let me find those chicken pics. They're somewhere in my computer. If I can't find them I'll take more.
DazyDayWriter says
Now you're talking my language, Lee! We count pheasant during road trips … one afternoon in about 2 hours, we were up to 150+ … roadside! The hunting season is huge here in the Dakotas, but luckily, John's isn't a hunter.
We even have a local restaurant called the Pheasant Lounge! Has been around for many years. More trivia: In a town about an hour west of here called Huron, you will find the world's largest pheasant @ http://www.huronsd.com/attractions/largest_pheasant.htm
I've never cooked pheasant, however, your post is an inspiration, as always!
paulgreci says
I'd love to read Michelle's books!
And the pheasant meal–I'm there!! 🙂
Robyn Campbell says
Super post. The hubs will love this recipe. I hope I can do it justice. *Bookmarking* 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
I am finding that my grocery bill has increased lately and I'm more likely to read a cookbook than a novel. Hope my waistline stays in shape; I can't afford new clothes.
Bish Denham says
Now you done gone and made my mouth water! I'm going to like this feature of yours Lee.
LM Preston says
I love your 'features' and just may start to do that myself.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I was semi-awed that I tackled that bird. Actually, it wasn't that bad, but it's not a put-it-in-a-pot-and-go-write kind of recipe. Edwardian writers must have had chefs in their kitchens. Probably a clean up crew as well.
The Brain Lair (KB) says
Wow, I'm awed that you've prepared a pheasant!!! So cool! I've read and loved Prophecy and will read Guardian as soon as I can grab it back from the students!
french-garret says
Awesome post! I think I'll try that pheasant recipe this fall. Sounds like a good read, too.