What's not to adore about Jennifer Lawrence? She's one of the top movie stars in the world, yet keeps her feet firmly planted in reality... and she still takes time to connect with her fans. What does the award winning actress do after winning awards? Check out the photos and tidbits Celebrity Teen Scoop has for you about Jennifer Lawrence.
While I absolutely adore reading and am always on the hunt for a series that has eluded me and an author I've overlooked, I'm not a huge fan of vampire novels. I realize this means I'm missing I'm entire YA genre, but seriously, how do you make a bite to the neck and love triangle feel feel unique after all the other vampire novels that, yes, I've read? When I received an advance copy of The Eternity Cure, by Julie Kagawa, I almost put it aside. Almost. What caught my eye and introduced me to a new beloved writer was one simple word about her that has absolutely nothing to do with vampires, or the fact that she is a New York Times bestselling author, or that she's another series that hit a home run, The Iron Fey. It was the word: Louisville. How could I ignore another Louisville transplant. I couldn't, thankfully, and now I'm a full-fledged Kagawa-groupie.
The Eternity Cure is the second book of the Blood of Eden series and is "set in a bleak futuristic realm where humanity is besieged by vampires and monsters." Although the setting is bleak, the compassion of Allison Sekemoto, or Allie, the vampire we follow on a quest to save the world, is part of the reason I adored the book. There is also a family dynamic that adds humor to the fantasy setting, and no love triangle. Finally, no love triangle. There is fighting, action and gore, but there is also romance and longing. In the true teen spirit of Romeo and Juliet, Allie's and Zeke's separation seems unsurmountable... yet the passion of the characters will keep a reader glued to the very last bloody drop.
I do need to know what happens next and I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment in the series. I'm seriously hoping to bump into Julie Kagawa around town and see if she'll spill any secrets about Book 3. (I'm thinking she's the human version of Allison Sekemoto, a kick-ass author with a vivid imagination who I'd love to just chat with about ... um, I don't know... anything, but maybe Book 3.) But, my advice to anyone who was overlooking The Blood of Eden series (The Immortal Rules + The Eternity Cure) thinking they were just mere vampire novels: ignore your first instinct and pick them up and read. I'd start with The Immortal Rules and then read The Eternity Cure, because I wouldn't want to miss a word.
(The Eternity Cure available April 30, 2013)
Our teen chef, Kayla, from The Nerdy Chef, is here to help us with an amazing Valentine's Day Chocolate Truffle recipe: I am addicted to these tarts. I absolutely love chocolate, and this has three types (four if you include the decoration): the crust, the filling, and the ganache. I start with my basic pie crust recipe, substituting cocoa powder for part of the flour. After I bake the crust, I make a delicious fudgy filling. It is creamy and velvety with just enough sweetness to complement the slight bitterness of the chocolate. To top it all off, I make a basic chocolate ganache. For Valentine's Day, I like to make white chocolate hearts as a garnish. When the occasion does not call for hearts, you can either leave the tarts plain or experiment with other decorations. All you do is melt some white chocolate and drizzle it in whatever shape or pattern you want. It is the perfect topping for the perfect dessert and a twist on a regular Chocolate Truffle recipe to make it special for a special holiday!
1 Recipe Chocolate Pie Crust (See Below) 1 1/4 Cups + 2 T Cream 11 oz Chocolate Chips 2 Eggs 1 tsp Vanilla 1/4 tsp Salt 1 tsp Corn Syrup
Heat oven to 350F.
Bring 1 1/4 cups cream to a boil, then pour over 9oz chocolate. Whisk until combined, then add the eggs, vanilla, and salt.
Pour the chocolate mixture into the crust and bake until mostly set, 25 minutes. Chill.
Boil the remaining cream. Remove from heat and whisk in the remaining chocolate. Stir in the corn syrup and 1T warm water. Pour onto the cold tart and chill until set, about 3 hours.
Chocolate Pie Crust
1 Cup Flour 1/4 Cup Cocoa Powder 1/4 Cup Sugar 1/4 tsp Salt 1 Stick Butter, Chilled 1 Egg Yolk
Pulse the flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor until combined. Add the butter and pulse until small pieces remain. Combine the egg yolk with a tablespoon of cold water and add in. Pulse until it begins to form a ball, adding more water as necessary. Chill.
Preheat oven to 375F. Grease 10 4" tartlet pans or 1 9-11" tart pan.
Roll the dough out to fit the pan(s). Grease a sheet of foil, then press onto the dough. Fill with pie weights and bake until firm, 10 minutes for tartlets and 20 minutes for a tart. Remove foil and weights; cool.
Makes 10 Tarts or 1 9-11" Tart, Recipe Adapted from www.hummingbirdhigh.com and Bon Appetit
For more delicious recipes by our Teen Chef, Kayla, check out her blog, The Nerdy Chef!