Review & Giveaway: The Chocolate Kiss (Amour et Chocolat #2) by Laura Florand

The Chocolate Kiss (Amour et Chocolat #2) by Laura Florand
Narrated by Teri Clark Linden
Publisher: Audible Inc./Kensington
Publication date: December 24th 2012
Length: 12 hrs 43 minutes
My rating: 4.5 stars 

The Heart of Paris

Welcome to La Maison des Sorcieres. Where the window display is an enchanted forest of sweets, a collection of conical hats delights the eye and the habitues nibble chocolate witches from fanciful mismatched china. While in their tiny blue kitchen, Magalie Chaudron and her two aunts stir wishes into bubbling pots of heavenly chocolat chaud.

But no amount of wishing will rid them of interloper Philippe Lyonnais, who has the gall to open one of his world famous pastry shops right down the street. Philippe’s creations seem to hold a magic of their own, drawing crowds of beautiful women to their little isle amidst the Seine, and tempting even Magalie to venture out of her ivory tower and take a chance, a taste…a kiss.

Parisian princesses, chocolate witches, patissier princes and sweet wishes—an enchanting tale of amour et chocolat. 

My Thoughts:

It’s no secret by now that I’m in love with Laura Florand’s Amour et Chocolat series.  The Chocolate Kiss was another lovely installment full delicious desserts, decadent chocolate, and a passionate romance!

Magalie Chaudron works at her aunt’s magical tea and treats shop, La Maison des Sorcieres, conjuring up chocolat chaud (or hot chocolate) to die for.  Magalie loves her life, working for her aunts and living above the shop in her tiny but glorious Parisian apartment. (I want to live there! *sigh*) The aunts provide security and roots she never had growing up.  Something that is so deeply important to Magalie after a childhood being yanked back and forth from the US to France by her parents until Magalie was old enough to live on her own.  This is until Philippe Lyonnais comes along and threatens all she holds dear.  Philippe is a world famous pastry chef coming from a long line of famous pastry chefs, and he decides to set up a new shop right down the street from La Maison des Sorcieres. The nerve!

Philippe is bewitched the moment he sets eyes on Magalie, but instead of being entranced by him, this little sorcerer is all fire and indignation at his decision to set up a new store in her territory.  He can’t imagine why she’s so upset, because there should be enough business for the both of them, but Magalie doesn’t see it that way at all.

I just love an antagonistic romance, and Magalie and Philippe’s was perfect! Not too much hatred and pushing to make it frustrating, just enough to make it entertaining, and build up exciting heat and tension!  Because, let’s face it, we all want them to cave and give into what’s really going on: a simmering intense attraction!  Laura Florand excels in writing scenes full of sensual buildup, and her prose is gorgeous!

He brought his mouth to her exposed throat. Not a gazelle, not a gazelle, she reminded herself as he ripped not her throat but her heart out with a hungry little growl.  All her will dissolved under the feel of his mouth, his barest graze of teeth, the touch of his tongue, the burr of his jaw, against her skin.

To be honest, there is more depth to this story than that, especially in regards to Magalie. She has major insecurity issues when it comes to relationships.   Every time Magalie was yanked between continents, people moved on without holding a spot in their heart for her. I have to say, I was so angry with her mother’s selfishness!  You could easily see why Magalie had a hard time believing someone would care for her long term.  It took patience and determination on Philippe’s part, but also willingness from Magalie, to let the past go. I appreciated that when she knew the past was unfairly coloring her view of Philippe, Magalie would do some logical thinking and shake off the doubts.  The aunts were also instrumental in her healing, patiently giving Magalie the stability and love she so desperately needed. To me, they were her true parents. 

As in all the other books, desserts and chocolate play a huge part in the story.  The descriptions are always tantalizing, and sure to make you crave a macaroon, or some chocolat chaud (with a spell whispered and cast by Magalie, of course)!  The desserts or chocolate created were like a personal extension of Philippe and Magalie, with consuming equating to accepting, submitting, and taking in the other.  Here’s an internal wish/command from Philippe to Magalie about his macaroons:

Taste them. You’ll never recover. Put one into your mouth, and you’ll melt for me every time I look at you.

Very sensual.

The descriptions of Philippe’s macaroons sounded utterly divine with each being a unique masterpiece.  I actually went to a patissier while visiting Paris last year and the shop was beautiful (see picture below)! The desserts really do seem like art and the macaroons were like little jewel-toned wonders!  I just can’t get enough of this enchanting series!

The audio version was just amazing! Teri Clark Linden exudes charm and flair and her pronunciation of the French phrases were wonderful!  The next in the series switches narrators and I don't know why! I listened to a sample and didn't care for the change.

Me in front of a tempting macaroon display at a Paris patissier

Tea shop that inspired La Maison des Socierer

This photo of La Charlotte de l'Isle is courtesy of TripAdvisor

 

I LOVE this series (like you can't tell by now!) so I'm giving away a copy of The Chocolate Kiss (Amour et Chocolate #2) to one lucky winner.  This is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway as long as The Book Depository ships to your country.  I'll give the winner the option to pick the Audio Version (through Audible) or a Paperback copy from The Book Depository.  

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