With Halloween right around the corner I was excited to find out that BEHIND CHOCOLATE BARS, the brand new release by Kathy Aarons, is a Halloween themed book! The story holds just the right amount of thrills and chills to get you in a festive spirit and I found it extremely difficult to put down until I read the very last page!
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Synopsis
Michelle Serrano and her best friend and business partner, Erica Russell, own Chocolate and Chapters. Their chocolate boutique and book store is helping sponsor West Riverdale’s Halloween Festival and in addition to running their business, they have their hands full setting up the annual haunted house. They’ve hired an intern, high-schooler Dylan Fenton, to help out both in the shop and with the festival. Dylan’s mother had been involved in a scandal earlier that year and moved out-of-town, deserting her son. Michelle has a soft spot for Dylan and takes him under her wing.
When the battered body of a young woman is found in the abandoned and creepy development that half the town’s people call Cuesta Verde after the Poltergeist movie (that movie gave me some serious nightmares!!!) Dylan is taken to the police station for questioning. Michelle and Erica are positive Dylan is innocent but as Michelle starts digging into the dead woman’s past, she finds Dylan is hiding something. She also discovers that the woman had numerous people who wanted her out of the way, going all the way back to her high school days. As Michelle tries to clear Dylan’s name, she also has to come to terms with Leo’s (her brother) PTSD, which seems to be spiraling out of control. He doesn’t want Michelle involved in the investigation and when she won’t back down, he falls into a deep depression. Can Michelle balance helping a vulnerable young teen while keeping her brother from falling over the edge? Or will the murderer destroy all that she holds dear?
My Review
First off I really, really, really want to visit Chocolate and Chapters! I can’t think of a better place to spend an afternoon! Kathy paints the settings of BEHIND CHOCOLATE BARS vividly, be it Michelle and Erica’s shop or the haunted house or Cuesta Verde. I felt like I was there. The characters who surround Michelle and Erica are well developed and I especially enjoyed getting to know Michelle’s boyfriend, Bean…who just so happens to be Erica’s brother. Michelle comes across as a very sympathetic, caring person who takes in strays, be they human or animal. She shows maternal caring towards Dylan but is also not beyond using “Mom guilt” to get her way, resulting in a bit of humor.
What sets this book apart and makes it thought provoking is the author’s willingness to tackle a sensitive and often swept under the rug issue: wounded vets and their place in society. She uses Leo to highlight some of the plights they face when returning to civilian life. They must deal with both physical and psychological injuries, often without any support system in place. Leo has Michelle but she feels helpless in the face of his PTSD. Kathy has expertly woven this into the story without detracting from the plot. I hope that with awareness there will be more discussions on this issue which will lead to positive action and change for the men and women who serve our country!
Of course a chocolate shop must have chocolates and let me tell you, the descriptions of all the yummy goodies in this book had me craving sweets. Fortunately, Kathy has included some recipes with her book and I made her Irish Cream Ganache Chocolates. Super easy to make, these delightfully decadent treats are sure to make your Halloween a spirited occasion! Thank you, Kathy, for letting me share your delicious recipe!
I am pleased to offer one winner a choice of either print or an e-book copy of BEHIND CHOCOLATE BARS. Print limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. Winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup glucose syrup (corn syrup can be used, but see my note in the tips below)
- 1-3/4 cups dark chocolate, chopped
- 4 teaspoons softened butter
- 2 tablespoons Irish Cream Liqueur
- Premade chocolate molds (available at candy/baking shops or online)
Instructions
- Combine the heavy cream and glucose (or corn) syrup in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Pour the hot cream mixture on the chopped dark chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes in a bowl.
- Using a spatula, stir the mixture in small circles until it emulsifies.
- Stir the softened butter into the ganache until it's incorporated.
- Add the Irish Cream liqueur, stirring until the mixture is homogeneous.
- Pipe into premade chocolate molds.
- Chill for two hours.
- If you can't locate glucose, you can substitute corn syrup. However, corn syrup has a higher water content so reduce the heavy cream to 2/3 cup. Be aware the candy may not set up as firm as the original recipe but if that happens, just keep the pieces refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Yields 60 - 100 pieces depending on size of candy molds.
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I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I would prefer a print copy of this yummy sounding book! Thanks!
Oh my gosh, Irish Cream anything is awesome!! Thanks for the chance at a wonderful book.
I would prefer an e-book copy of BEHIND CHOCOLATE BARS.
Thanks for the chane. Sounds so good. I prefer print
I would love to win a print copy of Behind Chocolate Bars.Thanks for the great giveaway.
What a chocolate decadent treat!
I’d prefer a print copy of Behind Chocolate Bars.
Sounds like a fun read! And the chocolates sound sooooo good. I would love a copy of the printed book. And your right the place sounds like a great place to spend an afternoon.
Print, please! Recipe and book both sound delicious.
I like print books because I can share them in my Little Free Library after I read them. Thanks for the contest!
I would prefer a print copy please. Thank you for the chance!
I would prefer a kindle copy . Thank you for the chance.
Yum! Chocolate and Irish Cream-perfect
I’m a reading omnivore, but when there is a choice, I prefer a print book.
I’d prefer a print copy of Behind Chocolate Bars but will read an electronic copy.
Thanks for the reviews and the opportunity to win.
I prefer a print book thanks for the chance!
Hardcopy is preferred. Have got to try this recipe. Book looks great, too. Thanks for a lovely post. Thanks for a new chocolate recipe. And thanks for a chance to get a great read!!
Very interesting post today. Chocolates look wonderful. Many thanks for the opportunity to win this book!!
I would love to have a print copy. Thank you!
I love the recipe…yum! I would love to win a print copy of “Behind Chocolate Bars.”
I always prefer print copies. I love all books that mention chocolate. Thank you!
I would love either form of this book but I guess e-book would be easiest. I realized that I missed the second one, I need to catch up. Thanks for the recipe, it sounds wonderful.
I prefer a print copy of Behind Chocolate Bars and let me say, the title of that book makes me want chocolate right now! LOL
Print copy would be my choice. Thankyou
vernagass@gmail.com
I’d love a print copy
I prefer a print copy, please. Thanks for the giveaway.
I would love a print copy of Behind Chocolate Bars. Thank you for the chance to win it.
I prefer a print copy of “Behind Chocolate Bars”. I can’t wait to read the book, what could be a better setting than a chocolate boutique and a bookstore.
I would prefer an autographed copy of the book because when I receive it I also buy the ebook copy!
Yummy and delicious looking! I prefer print copies of books!
I would like a print copy please.
i would love a print copy
i wonder how agave nectar would work for the glucose?, but i ‘m sure if you had tried, you would have said, it sounds GOOD! (so does the Book!)
p.s. i’d prefer a print copy
Print please
Looking forward to this book. Hard copy is my choice.
I like print books .
The titles, pictures & recipes make my mouth water. Also, really want to read the books. Paperback, please.
Love the cover. I would like an ebook of this if I win. Thank you.
I prefer print but would love either one!
I would prefer print if I win. Thanks for the recipe. My 4yr old son wants to become a Chocolatier when he grown up so I think we will try making these. (a batch without the irish cream for him)
Great recipe, thanks, I would like print, wonderful blog
Penney
print copy please! and send those cookies too..LOL
I have the other two in ebook, so I would like a matching set, so to speak, lol.
Chocolate and Mystery, two of my favorites! Would love to win a print copy. After I read it, I’ll pass it on to another lucky Sisters in Crime/Hawaii member! Aloha.
If chocolate is mentioned, whoever is talking about it will have my attention. Thank you for the recipe and the chance to win. (I would prefer a print copy if I won.)
I would prefer a print copy. Thanks so much. Another yummy recipe and great book!
I would love to read this book. Prefer a print copy
I would prefer a print copy book please!
I’d prefer a print copy. Sounds like an interesting plot. Can’t wait to read.
I prefer a print copy. I love the recipe. Thank you for this chance.
Print copies are the way to go 😉
Cheers-
Kelly Braun
Gaelicark(at)yahoo(dot)com