The Strawberry Thief returns us to the village of  Lansquenet-sous-Tannes and everyone’s favorite chocolate maker.  Vivane’s Anouk is in Paris, but she, Rosette, and Roux are in Lansquenet.  And then Rosette inherits some land.  This doesn’t sit well with the man’s daughter or entirely with Roux.  And there is also the question of the tattoo artist.

                It’s an interesting Chocolat novel because you don’t really like Viviane and Roux here.  You understand Viviane and her fears, Reynard and his, but Roux is almost dislikable here.

                The book soars when Rosette and Reynaud take over.  It isn’t bad with Viviane but it is Rosette and Reynaud that make the book.  This does not mean the book feels like a book simply written to make money while flogging a dead story.  The plot also contains issues that have been surfacing since the Lollipop Shoes.  There is also far more magic.

                In many ways, the theme of the novel is letting go, moving on, but also coming back.  Which sounds strange but is pretty much what life is.

On Thursdays, I feature really excellent romances I think you will love.

This week I want to call attention to The Chocolate Kiss (Amour et Chocolate, #2) by Laura Florand. Why? Aside from the wonder of chocolate, the beauty of France, and the hidden fariytale retellings? The dialogue is grand and this character driven shows the ache of what is to be human and love. So good!  Also, perfect for Halloween! 

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At La Maison des Sorcieres, 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 Lyonais, 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.

Christmas Chocolat by Kate Defrise
Hadn't requested this book from the publisher but glad they sent it along. Starts out with a family and each of the sisters gets alternating chapters.
The father this year wants to have Christmas at his house. His wife has been gone for some time and he is still going to work and relies on others to do the family obligations each year.
One is an author, Magali who writes cookbooks and this book does have her Belgian recipes. Family dinner has always been at her house and this year she has to not only convince her other 2 sisters but she must track down her brother to come also. The sisters talk over time and some think it's to announce some bad health news while others think he's dating again...
Jacqueline is the one who lives overseas and she has concerts to perform in so there's no way she's gonna make it home. Her father visits her yearly around Thanksgiving. She has her own secret...
Next sister is Colette. She has degrees in French and English and she loves to design clothes. She makes each of her sibling an outfit for Christmas even her brother Arthur-Art.  She will be out of a job by Christmas, her boyfriend left with all her furniture and money, so did the robber.
What I like about the recipes is there are hints and tips and all kinds of substitutions and she tells you that while explaining how to make the dish.
Also like that each of the sisters has a different lifestyle and it's easy to keep track of who is who.  Each fears a different secret to be told by their father at their Christmas meeting...
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review