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1914. I suspected that this was loosely modeled after Hershey, PA. I've spent some time in that area and it's a special place, very homey and comfortable. Ilsa and her siblings are struggling with their farm after their father died, so she has to go to work in the factory. Her old beau is in management there, so it's involved and uncomfortable. It's a progressive environment though and she soon finds that she is very good at her job and is able to advance. Interesting story and romance, in an interesting place. I was hooked right to the exciting end! I look forward to more from this family.
I received this book free from the author, publisher and CelebrateLit book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#LoveandChocolate #LindaShentonMatchett #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ChristianHistoricalFiction #Draft2Digital #GildedAgeHistoricalRomance
About the Book
Book: Love and Chocolate
Author: Linda Shenton Matchett
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Release date: September 13, 2024
She just needs a job. He wants a career. Is there room in their hearts for love?
Ilsa Krause and her siblings are stunned to discover their father left massive debt behind upon his death. To help pay off their creditors and save the farm, she takes a job at Beck’s Chocolates, the company her father despised and refused to supply with milk. Then she discovers her boss is Ernst Webber, her high school love who unceremoniously dumped her via letter from college. Could life get any more difficult?
A freshly-minted university diploma in his hand, Ernst Webber lands his dream job at Beck’s Chocolates. His plans to work his way up the ladder don’t include romantic entanglements, then Ilsa Krause walks back into his life resurrecting feelings he thought long dead. However, her animosity makes it clear she has no interest in giving him a second chance. Can he get her to change her mind? Does he want to?
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Linda Shenton Matchett writes happily-ever-after historical Christian fiction about second chances and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions of themselves.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII and a former trustee for her local public library. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state and immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.
More from Linda
A couple of years ago while I was planning my upcoming writing projects, I knew I wanted to write a series of books about siblings but couldn’t decide where or went to set the stories. Lots of research later, I discovered the 1898 Columbian Exposition here in the United States and the various inventions associated with that event. Further study led me to Milton Hershey who attended that World’s Fair and was so enamored with the concept of chocolate production for the masses that he sold his caramel company to enter the chocolate business – a risky proposition at that time. As I read more about Milton and his wife Catherine “Kitty” Sweeney-Hershey, I knew I had the beginnings of a story.
The owner of Beck’s Chocolates in my latest release Love and Chocolate is inspired by Milton Hershey, and I enjoyed creating my own “company town,” Cocoaville in which to set the story. Taking place in 1914 prior to the beginning of World War I, the story explores the mixed feelings about German Americans that were prevalent at the time as well as themes of second chances and forgiveness.
In the early days of my career, I worked in a printed circuit board factory, but I knew nothing about chocolate or how to manufacture it. Research for Love and Chocolate included interviewing a close friend who is a chocolatier and trying various brands of chocolate to understand the difference in flavor and texture. Here are a few fun facts I learned about chocolate along the way:
- The Aztecs and the Mayans were the first to realize the benefits of cacao beans, ground and soaked in water approximately 5,000 years ago.
- Switzerland has the highest per capita chocolate consumption.
- The smell of chocolate can help relax and reduce stress.
- It takes two to four days to produce a single serving chocolate bar.
- Cote d’Ivoire is the single largest producer of cocoa, providing roughly 40 percent of the world’s supply.
- The world’s largest chocolate bar weighed over 12,000 pounds.
- It takes about 400 cacao beans to make a pound of chocolate.
- Cacao trees can live up to 100 years.
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 15
lakesidelivingsite, February 16
Book Looks by Lisa, February 16
Texas Book-aholic, February 17
She Lives To Read, February 18
Pause for Tales, February 18
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 19
Devoted To Hope, February 20
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 21
Leslie’s Library Escape, February 21
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 22
Sylvan Musings, February 23
Books You Can Feel Good About, February 24
Connie’s History Classroom, February 25
For Him and My Family, February 26
Holly’s Book Corner, February 27
Mary Hake, February 27
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Visa Gift Card and a signed copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54156
