Friday 14 February 2014

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


The Chocolate Kiss (Amour et Chocolat #2)
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 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15699188-the-chocolate-thief
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


Photos of La Charlotte de l'Isle, Paris
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.  


a Rafflecopter giveaway

34 comments:

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

I totally believe there's magic in chocolates :)

Poor Magalie - I hope Philippe can help her with her trust issues. Thanks for sharing your love for the series with all of us, Rachel!

Siiri said...

In some ways our posts today are similar, because mine includes LOTS AND LOTS of sweets haha. Antagonistic romances are always so fun, especially when they're competing with each other in the business field lol. AHHH Rachel! That excerpt with the kissing *fans self* gave me so many feels already! :') I love me some great family relationships and, of course, who can resist chocolate? Seriously?! Chocolate is the best. And look at you being all cute and pretty on that picture:) I am so going to visit France someday, because that's one of the places I still haven't been to in Europe. Oh, well, someday. And thanks for the amazing giveaway, love! Happy Valentine's Day to you :)

Siiri said...

haha, and as much as I adore great audiobooks, nothing can compete with a physical one, so paperback ;)

Keertana said...

I want to go to Paris and check out their macaroons! All the descriptions in this book just had me salivating. *sigh* I'm really glad you enjoyed this one, though, Rachel! I adored Magalie but I struggled with Philippe a bit because of his alpha-male nature which came across as a little too overbearing initially and the fact that these two kept prolonging their "war" against one another grated on me slightly, but by the second-half I really grew to love these two. Fantastic review, dearest, and a very Happy Valentine's Day to you! :)

Joni said...

This series sounds like such fun! Though, they may be a teasing-tease to my sweet-tooth… ^^
I rarely listen to audio books, so I would like a paperback… Thanks for the giveaway!

Melissa (i swim for oceans) said...

Okay, how sweet and delicious does this story sound?! I'd never have considered this series had you not pointed me in its direction, Rachel. It's on my TBR though, and I really can't wait to give it a go! Lovely review, and a Happy Valentine's Day to you!

Mary @ BookSwarm said...

I truly love an antagonistic relationship with the sparks flying. I really liked the one book of this series I read but I was hungry the whole time (a sign of great writing!).

Carl Scott said...

Pretty darn cute. I think my wife would enjoy a paperback copy. Thanks and Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

Unknown said...

I love your review, Rachel! My post for books 1 and 6 go up Sunday, And I can't wait to continue the series. Love it!

brandileigh2003 said...

The passionate romance and decadent chocolate sounds amzing to me.

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I read this last winter and I loved the little chocolate shop and the antagonistic romance. I thought the aunts were fascinating as well.

erin said...

I love chocolate and chocolate themed romances :) I would love a paperback copy and trust me, there will be a box of chocolate consumed as I read! Thanks for sharing!

traveler said...

Chocolate, and romance. I would love a paperback copy very much. Thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Tanja - Tanychy said...

You really cannot go wrong with chocolate and romance. It's always a winning combination. I know that you love this series and honestly after that except with kissing I might as well proclaim myself a fan. That was just great! I love the pictures too. One reason more to go to Paris. Great review, Rachel :)

Rachel said...

Lots and lots of chocolate is ALWAYS a good thing in my book, Siiri, and I agree, antagonistic romances are always so much fun! Thank you, lovely! :)

Rachel said...

I hope you like it, Melissa! I can't really take credit for finding this series, though, because it was Keertana's lovely reviews that got me obsessed! Hope you had a happy Valentine's Day, too! :)

Rachel said...

I was pretty much dying for chocolate and macaroons throughout every book in this series, too, Mary! The descriptions have me salivating. :)

Rachel said...

I can't wait to see your reviews, Andrea! :)

Unknown said...

This sounds like such a cute series! Two of my favorite things -- chocolate and romance! <3 And ooh macaroons! I had one for Valentine's day yesterday, but I'd love one from Paris! Speaking of Paris, their buildings are so... fancy. *-* Just another reason to go to Paris! Not to mention the cute guys I'd find ;D

(Paperback, btw. Thanks for the giveaway!)

Mary Preston said...

PB would be fantastic thank you.

Dinky said...

I would choose a paperback copy :)

The Readdicts said...

I would definitely go for the paperback version :) I have seen your review for the first book as well Rachel and I'm so glad the second book is just as amazing as well. Thanks for sharing!

Janhvi @ The Readdicts

Unknown said...

This is the second review I read of this book today and I feel like a fool for putting it off cause oh my gosh this series sounds so delicious. Sweet yummy romance with treats? yes please

Wendy Darling said...

Aw, this book sounds adorable! A little like the movie CHOCOLAT, no? I really need to start this series soon, I haven't heard ANYTHING negative about it, and all my romance-loving and foodie friends loooove it. :)

I adore that photo of you in Paris as well, and I like seeing the shop that inspired the one in the book.

Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

Amanda said...

I love the extra photos here, Rachel! They complement your review so well. I hope that I'm able to visit Paris and some sweet shops at some point. :)
I enjoyed The Chocolate Thief even though I didn't love it. Still, though, I do think that Florand knows how to write a tantalizing romance and I'll be returning to the series eventually. Lovely review!

Filia Oktarina said...

I would love to have paperback version please.
Thanks for giveaway :)

Tirta said...

I enjoyed the first book so much, it's true that Laura Florand's description about the whole thing: Paris, the patissier, the chocolate... All of them are sooo good! It ignited this weird craving of chocolate and things related to the book in me ;)
I haven't read this one but I already have the 4th book, The Chocolate Touch, on my tbr pile. Can't wait to 'devour' that one!
Glad you liked this book, Rachel (and a lil bit envy because omg going to Paris is one of my dreams! Someday, someday....)

Unknown said...

I'm not sure... I have the first one in paperback, but I love audiobooks! Thanks for the giveaway! :D

Unknown said...

If I win I would love to have the paperback. There is something about actually holding a book and turning the page that helps me feel more into what I am experiencing. Thanks for the chance to win a wonderful book.

Kristia said...

Paperback. I read easier that listening to a book. Thank you for the giveaway :)

Unknown said...

I'd like a paperback edition, I find it really hard to concentrate on audiobooks. Thank you for the giveaway! :)

Missie said...

Love this cover! So cute!
Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings

Unknown said...

Paperback for sure. I love the actual books.

Anonymous said...

I'd love the paperback copy. Thanks! - Suzy

SuzyQ4PR(at)aol(dot)com

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