STOP! Let's start with a spoiler alert first, shall we? If you have any plans to read Martha Reynold's novel, CHOCOLATE FOR BREAKFAST, check it outBEFORE CHOCOLATE FONDUE! You can read Chocolate FondueWITHOUT reading Chocolate For Breakfast, but not the other way around. Got it? GOOD!
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Now let's feast on Martha's delicious new novel, CHOCOLATE FONDUE. I'm glad I didn't have to fill my little head with too much back story from book one, because right off the bat, CHOCOLATE FONDUE is high on calories and carbs!
D-R-A-M-A! I want to tell you, there are no shortage of life events happening in that relatively small alpine town of Fribourg, Switzerland!
Bernadette Maguire and her Aunt travel to Switzerland from Boston soon after her mother passes away looking for a place to rest. Two decades before, Bernie was a student in the same town where she had a son and gave him up for adoption. As I was reading, I was somewhat surprised by how fast the plot and storyline were revealed, but then I thought perhaps it was because it was written as a sequel for a knowing audience. I appreciated that immediacy, but I think some readers may be surprised by it.
The best way for me to explain how the story presented itself is as if you have a puzzle and randomly put all the pieces out. The pieces are revealed and you've had a look at the finished picture, so you know the ending, but you still have to put it together. As readers, we know what's going to happen but we are taken on this wonderful journey. I'm sorry I mixed metaphors.
I loved the complex characters Martha created and the beautiful statements about family and loyalty she makes through their dialogue. Several of her characters are extremely flawed, but she doesn't discard them. She lets them disappear with dignity.
I haven't told you what the story is about but the cover is covered in chocolate, it's based in Switzerland, family takes center stage and it has lots of DRAMA! Trust me! You're definitely going to want to read CHOCOLATE FONDUE! Thank you, Martha Reynolds!
I'm now in the mood for some chocolate... LOTS of it! Next week, we're going to check out Brea Brown's novel, QUIET PLEASE! Can't wait! xo Cindy
