Review: Dragon with the Chocolate Heart

Aventurine loves her dragon life, but she hates being cooped up in the caves waiting until her scales are hardened so she can escape danger. Annoyed at everyone, Aventurine  decides to take matters into her own hands and show her family that she can survive.

She escapes through a hole in the mountain case, hurting her wings as she maneuvers outside. But when she encounters a human, she's distracted by the smell of hot chocolate.

After she drinks the chocolate, her form changes into a human. Without her dragon form, Aventurine isn't sure what to do next, but she knows that she finally found her passion - chocolate. Armed with barest hint of knowledge, she makes her way towards the city to become an apprentice at a chocolate house. Can she survive in the city with her limited knowledge of humans?

My Thoughts: I adored this novel. First for the dragons - I loved the family squabbles. I loved Aventurine learning more about the human world. Her limited knowledge made me laugh. The secondary characters brought life in to the story. Greta added humor. Marina added motherly affection. I adored Marina and her knowledge of chocolate. I liked that she feared success. Silke added friendship and sass. I love how she knew how to obtain information and how she pushed herself forward. I adored the two princesses and how Aventurine immediately understood their behavior based on her own siblings. I loved reading about the chocolate houses and the politics of the town. Of course, this book made me crave chocolate - how could it not? I was sad when it ended because I desperately wanted more - and there is more coming! 

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: ARC sent for review
Date Released: May 30, 2017

Library Recommendation:Be sure to get this one for both your school and public library. It's so charming; readers will gobble this one up!

Cozy Review: Fudge and Jury

 * Book 5 in the Bakeshop Mystery series *

Jules and her mother have projects in the work: a new remodeling, new ovens for the bakeshop, a possible expansion for the bakeshop, and a chocolate festival to prepare for. Jules has the schedule down, but it's going to take a lot of work, but everything will be worth it. They're hoping to make a big splash for Torte at the chocolate festival; some very big names will be there.

One of the biggest names in the chocolate world dies after eating Jules's treat. He was severely allergic to nuts, but there were no nuts in her chocolate. Could it have been murder? Evan wasn't the nicest guy, but his last words hint at a deadly demise. Will his death stop the chocolate festival or can Jules help solve his murder?

My Thoughts: I really adore this series. I love the forward movement with the bakeshop and all the improvements going into the shop. If I lived in this town, I would frequent this bakeshop, everything sounds so amazing! I loved the Chocolate Festival, although reading about all the prep work made me crave chocolate something fierce! I loved the creating (baking and decorating) of the treats in this book. It did make me want to make something delicious. I liked learning about the other vendors at the chocolate festival and their products. I did guess the culprit and the weapon earlier than the main character. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next for Jules and for Torte. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: my Library

Mysterious Saturday Review: Criminal Confections

* First in a new series *

Hayden knows everything about chocolate - that's why people request her services when something goes wrong. She just wrapped up a job for Lemaitre's Chocolates - all except for the report. She's attending their chocolate retreat as a favor.

Even though she dreads it, Hayden knows that attending could be good for her career and at the very least, she's going to taste some wonderful chocolates. Nothing goes according to plan and when her friend dies the first night, she doesn't think it was an accident.

The potential killer must be one of the chocolate players. Hayden will have to walk a very fine line to see which one of them might be a killer.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book; it made my mouth water the whole time I was reading it and now I want to go on a chocolate retreat (minus the murder of course.)

I liked the relationship between Hayden and Danny - old friends who know each other well. Although I don't like the fact that Hayden's inheritance is a sore spot between them. And I'm curious to know how she inherited her money. I hope to learn more about that in the next book.

Her relationship with her accountant provides a little sexual tension and some humor. I love their banter and hope that they meet one day soon. 

I liked learning more about Hayden's job - which would be fun to have. Who wouldn't want to work with chocolate all day?

Cover Thoughts: Delicious
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: A mouth-watering read.