The Bride Wore Chocolate
Zebra - <NOBR>ISBN:</NOBR> 0821776916
September 2004
Shirley Jump
4 ½ Stars
This is one of the most delightful and amusing books that I have had the pleasure to read in a long time. I started smiling on the first page, and at times I was laughing out loud from the clever and descriptive words. There are many humorous situations throughout the story, but there are also moments which will tug at your heart. The hero and heroine will pull the reader into their lives and all the emotional situations that arise, while they each decide which path will lead them toward a happy future. Shirley Jump has created realistic characters, and a story line where romance and humor are creatively interwoven. THE BRIDE WORE CHOCOLATE is a charming tale of love, chocolate concoctions, indecisions, comical circumstances and more chocolate.
With the personal and professional aspects of her life going as planned, Candace Woodrow thinks she has everything under control. Gift Baskets to Die For, a business she started with two friends, is thriving, and she is getting married to a man who is perfect for her in three weeks. But with much going wrong with the wedding, her friends, Rebecca and Maria, are telling her it is a sign that her fiancé, Barry, just may not be the man for her. Even her Grandma is telling her to be positive Barry is her soul mate before she marries him. After a night of too many drinks, Candace finds herself in a strange man's bed and no memory of the previous night.
The handsome and sexy man, tells her that he was a complete gentleman the night before, but after one morning kiss, Candace knows she must quickly get away from him. Her life is planned out for her, and she cannot be thinking about another man when she is marrying Barry soon. But fate is playing tricks on Candace, because her rescuer turns out to be Michael Vogler, President of Vogler Advertising. His company has a client who wants her business to make thousands of gift baskets for new mothers. That means Michael will be working with Candace about what baked goods and extras will go in the baskets. Candace has made a list of why Barry is the man for her, so why is being around Michael causing her hormones to go into overdrive? Between her friends, adventurous Grandma and much-married mother, Candace begins to question her true feelings for Barry. And Michael, who has never been good at commitments, wonders if his emotions for Candace are fueled by more than passion?
One interesting part of this story is that before every chapter there is a sinfully delicious, chocolate recipe, which contains quips pertaining to situations in the next chapter. Some very yummy and clever ways to use chocolate too. This well crafted story moves along steadily with memorable and dynamic main and secondary characters. Whether the scene is witty, emotional or passionate, Ms. Jump makes it believable with the true-to-life reactions of her characters. THE BRIDE WORE CHOCOLATE will leave readers with a smile on their faces, a warm feeling in their heart and a craving for chocolate.
Amelia Richard, CataRomance Reviews
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