Guest Author Post: How to Make Saturnalia Cookies from Stephanie Dray

How to Make Saturnalia Cookies

by

Stephanie Dray

In my debut novel, Lily of the Nile: A Novel of Cleopatra’s Daughter, my heroine’s first Saturnalia is a thing of wonder. Though her father was Mark Antony, the famed Roman general, Selene had been raised a Princess of Egypt, which meant that many ancient Roman traditions would have been as unusual to her as they are to us. In the book, Saturnalia is the first time since being taken as an orphaned prisoner of war that Selene starts to find her place with her new Roman family.

It’s the scents and the sounds of the Saturnalia festival that allow Selene to bond with the emperor’s daughter, Julia, and of course the food. We can’t forget the food. The holiday feasts we all enjoy today are but a pale mimicry of ancient Roman banquets.

Part of the enjoyment I get out of researching ancient times is discovering the way they ate and celebrated. One Saturnalia tradition that figures into the novel is when all the guests take a Saturnalia pastry and the guest whose pastry has a bean hidden inside of it is named the King of the Saturnalia or the Lord of Misrule. I thought it might be fun to reproduce this tradition for the holiday season.

The Romans did have pastries and they enjoyed sweet deserts, but they were different from those we enjoy now because the Romans didn’t use butter or sugar, and they didn’t have baking soda or baking powder. They did, however, have other substitutes. For butter, they often substituted a sweet creamy cheese. For sugar, they used honey. For leavening they sometimes used eggs. This led them to create hearty and rustic pastries with flours, seeds, fruit, oil.

To make a Saturnalia cookie, one might take any sort of modern oatmeal cookie and hide a raisin inside one of them. That’s the easy way, and given the Roman penchant for practicality, they would approve wholeheartedly.

However, if you want to go the old fashioned route, try this recipe:

Roman Globuli Pastries

½ Cup Flour

½ Cup Ricotta Cheese (Whole Milk)

¼ Cup Honey

⅓ Cup Olive Oil

1 Raisin

Mix the Flour and Ricotta Cheese in a bowl with a fork until it forms a stiff dough. With wet fingers, roll dough into 1 inch balls. Inside one of those balls, hide a raisin. Heat oil in a pan on high, then lightly fry the dough balls until golden brown. When the dough balls are cooked through, roll them in honey. Chill and Serve.

I made these tonight and they result in a light doughy pastry, perfect with marsala wine!

BIO

Stephanie Dray is the author of a forthcoming trilogy of historical fiction novels set in the Augustan Age, starting with Lily of the Nile: A Novel of Cleopatra's Daughter. Before she wrote novels, Stephanie was a lawyer, a game designer, and a teacher. Now she uses the transformative power of magic realism to illuminate the stories of women in history and inspire the young women of today. She remains fascinated by all things Roman or Egyptian and has–to the consternation of her devoted husband–collected a house full of cats and ancient artifacts.

 

 She is currently sponsoring the Cleopatra Literary Contest for Young Women, the deadline for which is March 1, 2011, but join her newsletter now for updates and a chance to win a free copy of Lily of the Nile and additional prizes.

CLICK ON PICTURE FOR TOUR STOPS

 

'Dating Mr. December'- by Philippa Ashley

Philippa Ashley is the author of this British based romance book published in November, 2010 .  It's about Emma Tremayne who leaves a high-powered PR job and ends up in a slow paced community. She's hoping to mend her broken heart and to move on with her life. Little does she know that life is just starting to get good when she meets Will Tennant. Overall I thought this was a very fun, sexy, and believable romantic book.  I liked Emma and a few times wanted her job. I found myself daydreaming over what Will Tennant might look like in the "tasteful" nude calendar that Emma convinced him to pose for and I thought he was completely adorable!!!  I didn't like that the book ended!! I loved this little book of pure sweetness. I got this book from Danielle at Sourcebooks. I love reviewing books for this company because they have so many wonderful titles to choose from and I am able to read authors I may have never picked up otherwise, this being one of them.  I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fun, romantic, escapade that takes place in the rugged Lake District of England. An extra bonus is that  Lifetime TV is currently showing the movie, 12 Men of Christmas, right now!! Do yourself a favor and read the book AND watch the movie....I have it dvr'd just waiting for me to lay my eyes on Will Tennant!!
I rated it 4/5
**Reviews Cruise Format by Lynne's Book Reviews

Source:  Danielle @ Sourcebooks, Inc Publicity
Author: Philippa Ashley

Published: November, 2010

Publisher:  Sourcebooks

Pages: 288

Genre: Contemporary British Women's Fiction

ISBN: 9781402241420

 © 2010, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

'A Darcy Christmas'- A Holiday Collection Devoted to Jane Austen's Beloved Classic

Genre: Christmas Fiction
Author: Amanda Grange, Sharon Lathan, and Carolyn Eberhart
About (from Sourcebooks)
From three gifted authors of jane Austen sequels come three heart-warming tales of Elizabeth and Darcy at Christmas sure to delight both Jane Austen and Regency romance fans....
Published: October, 2010 Sourcebooks

1.) Reasons you chose this book

I have often dreamed of being married to Mr. Darcy, so whenever there is an Austen rendition I feel compelled to read it!

2.) Reasons you liked or disliked this book

• "Christmas Present" by Amanda Grange- I enjoyed this holiday version where the Darcy's are celebrating the season with a ball at the Bingley's. It was nice to see all of the characters in a different sort of setting. There were no surprises, but the love between Elizabeth and Darcy shined brightly.
• "A Darcy Christmas" by Sharon Lathan was my favorite story out of the three. I enjoyed going back in time with the Darcy's while they reminisced about their years together. It was also fun to read about their children.

• "Mr. Darcy's Christmas Carol" was boring and unoriginal. I was hoping to see something different rather than the basic Christmas Carol story retold for the 100th time. It just didn't work for me.

Reasons for recommending:

• If you're a die-hard Austen fan then I know that you will really enjoy this book. However, if you're just looking for fun Christmas stories this probably wouldn't be the one I would pick up first. I love all things Austen, but I guess I was expecting something different and wasn't overly impressed with the collection. 

Rating: 3/5



Thank you to Danielle @ Sourcebooks for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review.
My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.
They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.


© 2010, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

'Salting Roses' TLC Tour Stop

Genre: Southern Fiction
About the book (from TLC) :
Gracie Lynne Calloway—once left in a coal bucket on a front porch in a small Alabama town—discovers on her twenty-fifth birthday that she is the kidnapped daughter of a late New England financier and heiress to a fortune. When the tabloid press and her unwanted greedy relatives descend on her, she has to admit the quiet secure life she’s known and loved is gone for good. As Gracie struggles to stabilize her world and come to terms with her new identity, she learns that belonging is not about where you came from but who you are.


Why I wanted to read this book: I love southern fiction and seem to be attracted to books that take place down south.
 
What worked for me:

• Gracie is this person that you just want to know. I loved how devoted she was to her two uncles and aunt. She struggles with feeling like a nobody and the being labeled "the unwanted child of Rita." She's never really felt worthy of anything and is afraid of what changes will occur in her life if she accepts the reality of who she is "biologically."
• I found myself drawn to the  special connection that Gracie has with Artie. I loved it when he would try to help her see all the good that she could do with the money. He had a special way of getting his point across without being forceful. Artie reminded me of my Grandpa and that's probably why I loved his character so much.
• Watching Gracie fall in love for the first time....made me almost want to experience that feeling once again myself!!!
• The writing made me feel comfortable and as if I was among family. I often think that I should've been born in the South. I love the cadence of the speech, the southern hospitality, the laid-back atmosphere of their day to day happenings. Heck, I love all things southern...bring on the sweet tea and mint juleps!! 

Recommend?  Yes! I loved every minute that I was immersed in this story. I found it charming to the nth degree and am looking forward to future books from Marinello!

My Rating: 4/5


Thank you to TLC Book Tours. for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist. They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.

About Lorelle Marinello

After receiving my B.A. in Fine Arts, I developed an interest in children’s book illustration. It wasn’t long before I became hooked on the idea of words to go along with the pictures in my head. Little did I know, that the tales I’d heard of my grandfather’s boyhood in rural Alabama would feed my need to tell similar stories of small towns and family relationships. When I picked up my pen to write, my voice leaned toward the familiar ones from my childhood.
The bond between my stories and my family history has grown stronger over the years. I’ve found a wealth of inspiration from my ancestors, whom I now dub my story angels as bits and pieces of the places they lived weave their way into my fiction.
I try to incorporate humor, warmth, and I hope, a bit of my grandparents’ wisdom into my stories. I can’t guarantee I won’t make you cry, but I hope I will give you an entertaining story that will live long in your memory.

Please visit the other tour stops HERE.
© 2010, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday...What are you reading?

Mailbox Monday

is hosted by Jenny Q. @ Let Them Read Books (December Host)
We share what books that we found 
in our mailboxes last week.

The Queen of Last Hopes by Susan Higginbotham

Darcy and Fitzwilliam: A Tale of a Gentleman and an Officer by Karen Wasylowski

Mr. Darcy's Secret by Jane Odiwe

All three books for review from Sourcebooks.
Reviews to come in 2011 !

 ------------------------------------------------------------------

Hosted by Sheila
One Persons Journey Through a World of Books
Weekly meme where we discuss the books you've read
and those you plan to read in the coming week.

Read and reviewed last week:

The Heir- skip it and read an Amanda Quick book instead 2.5/5

The Reindeer Keeper- emotional and heartfelt Christmas story- 4.5/5

The Bite of the Mango- important read about Sierra Leone- 4/5

We Have Always Lived In the Castle- splendidly sinister read 4/5

Tentative reviews for this week:

Salting Roses- TLC Tour Stop Tuesday

A Darcy Christmas- Wednesday

Dating Mr. December-Thursday

Pemberley Ranch- Friday

Six Sentence Saturday

The Perfect Christmas

On my nightstand:

Six Sentence Saturday

Welcome to Six Sentence Saturday.

Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!!.
At the end of each review I will post a
rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards.
Rating scale will be as follows:

5 of Hearts- You must read this book NOW!!
4 of Hearts- A great read, put it on your TBR list.
3 of Hearts- Happy that I read it...a good read.
2 of Hearts- Just O.K but nothing to write home about.
Joker Card - Don't bother (why did I?)

The Bite of the Mango- This is the true account of Mariatu Kamara's harrowing ordeal of being attacked, tortured, and maimed for life by rebel soldiers outside a small village in Sierra Leone. I was absolutely horrified about what Mariatu witnessed and then later experienced at the hands of boys and girls who were not much older than herself. She is brutally honest and at times it made me flinch, but those of us who have never experienced war or the realities need to read this book as a wake-up call to what is happening in other parts of the world. I was so thankful that Mariatu finds a sponsor who wants to bring her to Canada and help her get on with her life. Mariatu takes this new lease on life and runs with it. Even though this book is harrowing, it is a must-read for those that are concerned about the suffering of others, especially children. Do yourself a favor and read this one and to round out your reading experience also pick up 'A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier' by Ishmael Bael. He met Mariatu while in Canada and gave her the courage to tell her story.
My Rating:

We Have Always Lived in The Castle
by Shirley Jackson
This book is seriously: creepy, gothic, chilling, dark, and very sinister.
Can't tell you any more than that because you must read this one for yourself!!!! Shirley Jackson is the Queen of Subtle Horror!!!
My Rating:

'The Reindeer Keeper' by Barbara Briggs Ward

Genre: Christmas Fiction
About:(From Amazon.com)
Abbey senses something special about the little man tending to the reindeer who, along with a century-old farmhouse, a barn full of animals, and fields abounding in woods and pasture, was a gift to Abbey from a stranger. Abbey and her husband, Steve, move in just before the holidays. They have been together since the '60s, eloping when Steve returned from Vietnam. Now with Abbey's cancer in remission, they're looking forward to their boys coming home for Christmas. Turns out this Christmas proves to be more magical than anticipated as Abbey realizes an understanding never thought possible through the rekindling of a belief rooted in childhood. Of course it's who delivers this gift on Christmas Eve that gives Abbey and Steve the strength to face their greatest challenge.

Why I wanted to read this book:

• I received an email from the author, Barbara, and it was so friendly and inviting that I felt I had to take a second look at her book. After visiting her site,The Reindeer Keeper, I just knew that this was a book I wanted to read.

What worked for me:

• This was a heartfelt book but it wasn't sappy, which made me love it even more!! It left me with much to reflect upon and made me pause more than once during my reading to just think about my own life. It is more than just a Christmas story as I had many "aha" moments that still are resonating with me.

• This story brought back the innocence  of childhood and that pure belief in the magic of Christmas that we all had as children.
• I loved how strong Abbey and Steve's marriage was portrayed. They reminded me a bit of my parents who had me at a young age, married, and have went through so many things together. Their connection becomes even stronger because of weathering the storm of Abbey's cancer that is now in remission. I was impressed how each partner truly believed in the other and supported their individual dreams.
• I absolutely loved how the author used  funeral homes and obituaries as the touching stone in the plot. Normally a funeral home and/or obituaries conjure up images of loss, grief, despair, but in Barbara's hands it turns into something powerful and uplifting. She made me really reflect on the "in-between moments" and how you lived them.
• Beautiful illustrations at the beginning of each chapter....loved them, so simple and elegant.

What you should do before reading this book:

• Make sure the Christmas tree is up, snow is blowing outside, you have nowhere to be for a few hours, a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, blanket, comfortable chair, and a beloved pet sitting on your lap. Open book and get lost in the magical world that you will find within the pages of "The Reindeer Keeper."

Recommend? A resounding YES!!! Perfect for this time of year. This would make a great Christmas present for those family members or friends that you have who enjoy a sincere, emotional, sad, uplifting, and magical Christmas story.

My Rating: 4.5/5


Thank you to Barbara Briggs Ward for sending me a review copy.
I was not compensated for my review.
My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.
They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.

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© 2010, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.