When I was asked to participate in the Chocolate Challenge, I figured what could be better than talking about two of my favorite things! I was just going to list some children's books, but decided to include some adult ones as well. I hope you enjoy my selections...
Bellyache: A Delicious Tale by Crystal Marcos
(Middle Grade)
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The title of this book pretty much sums it up and after "Mounds" of candy we've all been there!
Summary: A lip-smacking, mouthwatering, absolutely delectable debut, BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale by Crystal Marcos is a literary feast for ages seven and up. In the vein of Roald Dahl’s best-loved adventures, Marcos offers a mystical, character driven escapade that intertwines strands of reality with a larger-than-life fantasy world. When Peter Fischer sets out to help his grandfather at Papa’s Sweet Shop, he will quickly learn that sneaking sweets and covering up his sugar-dusted tracks will have major consequences. As Peter is transported to a mysteriously delicious, faraway land, a curious people known as the Candonites, some of whom have no time for a non-Candonite, will teach Peter a lesson on what it means to be different and what it means to forgive.
Summary: A lip-smacking, mouthwatering, absolutely delectable debut, BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale by Crystal Marcos is a literary feast for ages seven and up. In the vein of Roald Dahl’s best-loved adventures, Marcos offers a mystical, character driven escapade that intertwines strands of reality with a larger-than-life fantasy world. When Peter Fischer sets out to help his grandfather at Papa’s Sweet Shop, he will quickly learn that sneaking sweets and covering up his sugar-dusted tracks will have major consequences. As Peter is transported to a mysteriously delicious, faraway land, a curious people known as the Candonites, some of whom have no time for a non-Candonite, will teach Peter a lesson on what it means to be different and what it means to forgive.
Phantom Dreams by T.K. Harris
(Mystery Suspense)
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Loved this story, but it is certainly a chilling and suspenseful tale.
Summary: FBI Special Agent Jack Matthews finds himself on yet another serial killer case, having barely recovered from the last disastrous hunt. Still stiff from a gun shot wound in his leg, under investigation for a botched job, and having lost his fiancée when she walked out on him, Jack is beginning to wonder if it isn’t time to move on to something new. But, for Jack, these cases are personal and he can’t say no. Marketing specialist Kathy Gilliam leads a fairly boring life. If she’s not working or caring for her ailing father, then she is doing whatever it takes to avoid going anywhere near crowds of people. Her few distractions include her friend Margo Longfellow, occasional hiking trips, and her increasingly alarming dreams of women dying. As her nightmares cause her to begin to doubt her sanity, the media releases news of the “Coast-to-Coast Killer” and Kathy discovers her dreams may be related. In a moment of panic, Kathy does something that places her on the FBI’s “persons of interest” list. Suddenly, her life is set on a collision course with Jack who must decide if Kathy is the killer or destined to become a victim.
Summary: FBI Special Agent Jack Matthews finds himself on yet another serial killer case, having barely recovered from the last disastrous hunt. Still stiff from a gun shot wound in his leg, under investigation for a botched job, and having lost his fiancée when she walked out on him, Jack is beginning to wonder if it isn’t time to move on to something new. But, for Jack, these cases are personal and he can’t say no. Marketing specialist Kathy Gilliam leads a fairly boring life. If she’s not working or caring for her ailing father, then she is doing whatever it takes to avoid going anywhere near crowds of people. Her few distractions include her friend Margo Longfellow, occasional hiking trips, and her increasingly alarming dreams of women dying. As her nightmares cause her to begin to doubt her sanity, the media releases news of the “Coast-to-Coast Killer” and Kathy discovers her dreams may be related. In a moment of panic, Kathy does something that places her on the FBI’s “persons of interest” list. Suddenly, her life is set on a collision course with Jack who must decide if Kathy is the killer or destined to become a victim.
I'll Trade My Peanut-Butter Sandwich by Chris Robertson
(Children's Picture Book)
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Growing up I ate peanut-butter sandwiches almost everyday and always enjoyed it with a delicious glass of chocolate milk.
Summary: When a boy trades his peanut-butter sandwich, it begins a series of increasingly absurd and outrageous trades, until he finally discovers an appreciation for the simple things in life.
Summary: When a boy trades his peanut-butter sandwich, it begins a series of increasingly absurd and outrageous trades, until he finally discovers an appreciation for the simple things in life.
Doughnuts for Amy by John Malik
(Contemporary Fiction)
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Yes, I know doughnuts are not technically candy, but they are covered in chocolate and besides who doesn't love a good doughnut?
Summary: Doughnuts for Amy is a romantic love story in the best tradition of modern romantic fiction. Nick St. Germaine, the Executive Chef of Woodmont, an upscale retirement community, is struggling emotionally as he approaches the second anniversary of the death of his wife, Robin. Plagued by nightmares and challenged by his son to move forward one day at a time, Nick believes he is doing that, but just barely. He takes solace in early morning workouts at his gym, long runs and even longer hours in Woodmont’s kitchen. When Woodmont goes through a sudden change in management, Nick gets a new boss, Amy Sommers, a divorced nurse with little knowledge of the Food and Beverage business. Nick is quick to show his disdain for Amy, so much so that she comes close to showing him the door her first day on the job but eventually, Amy earns his respect. As Amy begins to manage the many facets of Woodmont, she soon realizes her greatest challenge lies in the broken heart of Nick St. Germaine. When she finds the gentle, compassionate side of Nick, her affection for him grows. As Amy's attraction to Nick begins to burn, she finds herself competing for his attention with not only a beautiful physician but also a group of 80+ year-old widows. When a son of a Wodmont resident goes from troublemaker to a threat to Woodmont's security, Amy is afraid Nick may lose control at the worst possible moment. Filled with delectable food, endearing octogenarians, a few quirky cooks, World War two vets, cranky widows and of course a delicious scene in which Chef Nick makes a certain fried pastry, Doughnuts for Amy is a six course tasting menu of fork-tender romance and comedy that will have you asking “what’s for dessert?”
Summary: Doughnuts for Amy is a romantic love story in the best tradition of modern romantic fiction. Nick St. Germaine, the Executive Chef of Woodmont, an upscale retirement community, is struggling emotionally as he approaches the second anniversary of the death of his wife, Robin. Plagued by nightmares and challenged by his son to move forward one day at a time, Nick believes he is doing that, but just barely. He takes solace in early morning workouts at his gym, long runs and even longer hours in Woodmont’s kitchen. When Woodmont goes through a sudden change in management, Nick gets a new boss, Amy Sommers, a divorced nurse with little knowledge of the Food and Beverage business. Nick is quick to show his disdain for Amy, so much so that she comes close to showing him the door her first day on the job but eventually, Amy earns his respect. As Amy begins to manage the many facets of Woodmont, she soon realizes her greatest challenge lies in the broken heart of Nick St. Germaine. When she finds the gentle, compassionate side of Nick, her affection for him grows. As Amy's attraction to Nick begins to burn, she finds herself competing for his attention with not only a beautiful physician but also a group of 80+ year-old widows. When a son of a Wodmont resident goes from troublemaker to a threat to Woodmont's security, Amy is afraid Nick may lose control at the worst possible moment. Filled with delectable food, endearing octogenarians, a few quirky cooks, World War two vets, cranky widows and of course a delicious scene in which Chef Nick makes a certain fried pastry, Doughnuts for Amy is a six course tasting menu of fork-tender romance and comedy that will have you asking “what’s for dessert?”
So those are my choices for the Chocolate Challenge. This challenge was a lot of fun and I could have gone on and on with wonderful books and their chocolate counter parts. Thanks for stopping by!
