Welcome to my stop on the The Chocolate Maker’s Wife blog tour sponsored by TLC Book Tours! Thanks to TLC for the invitation!
My Thoughts:
In 1600s England, Rosamund Tompkins is the “illegitimate” daughter of a nobleman working as a servant in a country inn. Her stepfather is abusive, and she works under him at the inn, so when the Restoration under Charles II is happening, it’s not on her day-to-day radar.
Sir Everard offers her a way out and into a new life, one where she will be part of a luxurious London chocolate house where only the wealthiest men come to eat sweets and drink.
Rosamund thrives in this environment. She is talked about, desired, and respected.
There are secrets tied into her new role, and with the threat of them being exposed, Rosamund may lose everything. With a backdrop of the Plague and London’s Great Fire, Rosamund is fighting for her life. There’s revenge and darkness to behold…and chocolate!
Much happened during Rosamund’s life. It was a busy time in history and provided for lots of intrigue and interest. I enjoyed Rosamund as a character, and the role chocolate played in the story was fascinating.
Overall, The Chocolate Maker’s Wife was an engaging story set during an interesting time during history with charming characters. It was a lovely historical fiction read!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
About The Chocolate Maker’s Wife
• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (August 20, 2019)
Australian bestselling novelist Karen Brooks rewrites women back into history with this breathtaking novel set in 17th century London—a lush, fascinating story of the beautiful woman who is drawn into a world of riches, power, intrigue…and chocolate.
Damnation has never been so sweet…
Rosamund Tomkins, the illegitimate daughter of a nobleman, spends most of her young life in drudgery at a country inn. To her, the Restoration under Charles II, is but a distant threat as she works under the watchful eye of her brutal, abusive stepfather . . . until the day she is nearly run over by the coach of Sir Everard Blithman.
Sir Everard, a canny merchant, offers Rosamund an “opportunity like no other,” allowing her to escape into a very different life, becoming the linchpin that will drive the success of his fledgling business: a luxurious London chocolate house where wealthy and well-connected men come to see and be seen, to gossip and plot, while indulging in the sweet and heady drink.
Rosamund adapts and thrives in her new surroundings, quickly becoming the most talked-about woman in society, desired and respected in equal measure.
But Sir Everard’s plans for Rosamund and the chocolate house involve family secrets that span the Atlantic Ocean, and which have already brought death and dishonor to the Blithman name. Rosamund knows nothing of the mortal peril that comes with her new title, nor of the forces spinning a web of conspiracy buried in the past, until she meets a man whose return tightens their grip upon her, threatening to destroy everything she loves and damn her to a dire fate.
As she fights for her life and those she loves through the ravages of the Plague and London’s Great Fire, Rosamund’s breathtaking tale is one marked by cruelty and revenge; passion and redemption—and the sinfully sweet temptation of chocolate.
Social Media
Please use the hashtag #thechocolatemakerswife and tag @tlcbooktours and @williammorrowbooks.
Purchase Links
HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
About Karen Brooks
Karen Brooks is the author of twelve books, an academic of more than twenty years’ experience, a newspaper columnist and social commentator, and has appeared regularly on national TV and radio. Before turning to academia, she was an army officer for five years, and prior to that dabbled in acting.
She lives in Hobart, Tasmania, in a beautiful stone house with its own marvellous history. When she’s not writing, she’s helping her husband Stephen in his brewery, Captain Bligh’s Ale and Cider, or cooking for family and friends, travelling, cuddling and walking her dogs, stroking her cats, or curled up with a great book and dreaming of more stories.
Find out more about Karen at her website, and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
Sounds so good and of course having chocolate as a backdrop to the story makes for some delicious thoughts. Beautiful review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Marialyce! I loved how the chocolate added to the story!
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Secrets, threats and chocolates! This sounds like a wonderful read. Great review Jennifer. Your photo has made me crave some chocolate 🙂
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Thanks, Diana! It was such a fun photo to take! It was a great read!
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Wow sounds great 608 pages is quite a long book wow
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It was a great read and a chunky one, Shalini!
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Wow definitely an interesting setting – I feel like I have to read any story that is so closely tied to chocolate! Also, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book set during or near the Great Fire or Plague so I’m certainly intrigued!
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It’s an intriguing book, LP! I learned so much about the time period!
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Oh, this has so many elements I love…history, intrigue, romance and CHOCOLATE! Lovely review, Jennifer, and it’s at my library (though there’s a bit of a queue)💜
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Thanks so much, Jonetta! I’m happy it’s at your library! It’s such a unique read and I really enjoyed getting lost in it. ♥️
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Sounds like a good one. I’d have to read this with some chocolate tea!
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Yum, chocolate tea, Shell! Just yum!
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This sounds like you need a good bar of chocolate to eat while you’re reading😁 Thanks for sharing!
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My pleasure, Tammy! I think that’s the perfect idea! 🍫
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i saw this book somewhere before. Sounded good and yummy then, and it still does. Great review!
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Thanks, Jina! It was an imaginative read and definitely had some yumminess included!
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Wonderful review Jen! Sounds like you really enjoyed it and my goodness…..I’m craving chocolate so badly right now! Have a great day my friend!🌞☕💜
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Thanks, Sus! That chocolate is from Black Mountain, a beautiful place not terribly far from you. Not trying to send you there for your craving though! 😂 I hope you’ve had a wonderful day too! ♥️
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Fabulous picture, blog tour, and review, Jennifer! I cannot wait to read this intriguing novel. Have a great week! 🍫❤️📚🌺🥰😊
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Thanks, Virginia! It’s a beauty! I hope you have a great week too! ♥️
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Sounds delicious. I love your reviews ❤
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Thank you! You are so sweet! ♥️
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❤
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608 pages!! It sounds like a great story though and of course I like the 17th century London setting. Not to mention all the chocolate 😉
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Yes, the chocolate is a nice bonus! This book is definitely chunky but it didn’t feel quite that long. I need to doublecheck my copy and see if it’s that many pages. The setting added so much to the story!
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You had me at chocolate! But…over 600 pages?!
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It’s a chunker! I need to check my book because it didn’t feel quite that long!
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Because I read on kindle I’m never really aware of how long books are! When I see a physical copy I’m sometimes amazed! 😂😂😂
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This sounds wonderful and well, of course, chocolate! I put holds on several books (about 25) from the library yesterday and this was one of them; luckily there were only about 3 people in front of me, so I should get it soon! Excellent review, Jennifer! Glad you loved it. ♥
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Thanks, Steph! I hope it’s one you enjoy too! It was unique and I definitely want to read more books by this author! ♥️
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You’re welcome! I think I will. It sounds so good. I’ll have to look up her other books at the library! xoxo
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Great review, Jennifer, and the photo just looks delicious! It’s a compliment to the skill of the writer when a long book like this doesn’t feel so💜
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Thanks, Toni! I completely agree! ♥️
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The Chocolate Maker’s Wife sounds like my ideal life! I hadn’t realised chocolate was around quite as early as this – must make a note for my time machine trip. Meantime, all that chocolate in your picture is obviously bad for you, so send it to me and I’ll kindly eat it for you… no, don’t thank me! I’m a martyr to my friends… 😉 🍫
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I thought the same, FF! I don’t know when when chocolate was invented! I’d love to send you some North Carolina chocolate! Most of those are local to me! ♥️
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Sounds like an excellent historical fiction read! Excellent review!
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Thanks, Chrissi! It really was!
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I always think it’s neat when something as plain and ordinary like chocolate ends up being a key element to a story. Very cool. Thank you for being on this tour! Sara @ TLC Book Tours
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My pleasure, Sara, and I agree- the chocolate added so much to this story!
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Wonderful review! I definitely love the sound of this story. xx
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Thanks, Yvo! It was a lovely tale!
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Pardon the pun, but this book sounds delicious!
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The chocolate added some yumminess to this one, Janet!
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Fabulous review Jennifer, and your picture has me licking my lips. I have read mixed reviews on this one and was not sure which way I would go. I am glad you enjoyed this one.
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