TLC Book Tour: The Chocolate Maker's Wife

I love historical fiction, although I'd be the first to tell you that I rarely read books set before the 1800s.  This novel takes place in the 1600s, during the Restoration of King Charles, a time period and event I knew nothing about, but found completely enjoyable to read about.

Synopsis:

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.

My Thoughts:

Readers shouldn't be scared off by the size of this novel.  Although it is long, it is easy to get into, and reads quickly.

Rosamund is the illegitimate child of a nobleman taken in by a grandmother and treated well, until the woman dies.  Then Rosamund's life changes dramatically as she must work instead of being taken care of.  When she meets another member of the nobility who wants to marry her and take her away from the hard life she is living, she agrees.  But of course, things are not what they seem.  The nobleman is not her prince charming at all. However, he does put Rosamund in charge of the Chocolate House that has just opened where other nobles come to indulge their addiction to this sweet.

Brooks' novel has a little bit of everything: intrigue, suspense, a well developed setting and plot, interesting characters and romance, this is a book you won't want to miss. Brooks is a new-to-me author, but after reading The Chocolate Maker's Wife, I'll be looking for more of her work.

Thanks to TLC Books for providing a copy of this book for my review.  All opinions expressed are, as always, my own.

For more information on The Chocolate Maker's Wife, visit the HarperCollins website.