Title: Chocolate Secrets / Love by Chocolate series book 1
Author: Zelda Benjamin
Genre:
Sweet Contemporary Romance
Book Blurb:
When the Martinelli family chocolate shop display goes up in flames at a Brooklyn street fair, fate throws Alex Martinelli and Mike Simone together. Alex, an ER nurse with a passion for reading her daily horoscope, has several valid reasons not to get involved with Mike, a NYC firefighter. An alliance between a true water sign and a man whose element is ruled by fire makes them an unlikely couple. Even worse is his connection to the man who stole her grandfather's secret chocolate recipe. But the sexy hero always seems to show up when she needs him most. In return for his heroism, Mike only wants two things from Alex: a chance to prove he is her soul mate and her grandfather's secret chocolate recipe. In his quest to get the recipe and win the citywide bake-off, Mike puts his relationship with Alex at risk. Alex tries to deny her destiny, but Mike is determined to melt her heart.
Excerpt:
On the other side of the street, a group of firefighter’s and paramedics from the local firehouse set up a booth. By the look of the guys carrying the boxes, she assumed they were peddling hunky firefighter calendars. Maybe she’d buy one for Chloe or Sarah. Sarah and Chloe, unlike Alex, had a thing for sexy heroes.
One of the guys smiled. With dark hair and sparkling blue eyes, she could see from across the narrow street, she was sure he had a page on the calendar. What month would he be? A Leo, perhaps, a natural performer, loves children, and has love affairs. As pleasant as it was to watch his biceps bulge beneath his navy FDNY T-shirt, her practical side surfaced. She was here to work, not enjoy the scenery. With a shake of her head she banished her silly thoughts and walked around the van to find her grandfather.
“We’ve got a good location at the fair this year. Those fire rescue people will draw a big crowd.” He carried a tray filled with chocolate truffles. The mischievous twinkle in his eyes had nothing to do with the decadence of his product. “Good-looking bunch of men across the street. I’d bet some of them would be interested in a pretty girl like you.”
Alex had been there and done that. Her two older brothers and her father were firefighters. After her divorce, they tried to fix her up with men from the department. She already had enough men in her life that ran into burning buildings everyday. She refused to date any of their friends and wanted nothing to do with their matchmaking.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Kindle Sale- All books in Love by Chocolate series are on sale for $1.49
What’s your favorite part about being a romance author?
I love writing the push and pull between characters that brings them to a satisfying Happily Ever After.
Here’s my tip to add romance to your love life:
Hug someone you love because hugs release the love hormone, oxytocin. A hug leaves you with a good feeling even after it ends.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $100 Amazon gift card.
Open internationally.
Runs February 1 – 28, 2025
Drawing will be held on March 1, 2025.
Author Biography:
Zelda Benjamin is the author of the Love by Chocolate series and Highland Falls series. She lives in Florida with her husband and a very active Labrador mix. She always loved telling stories and expanded her repertoire to include writing sweet romance with strong female characters. All her stories conclude with a delightful happily ever after. When not writing she loves to travel with family, experiencing the food and culture of the places she visits.
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