The Chocolate Thief

Romantic Times calls Laura Florand's writing "sensuous and sumptuous", awarding her their Seal of Excellence, and NPR says it's "explosive, sensual . . . and utterly sweet".

Now, in the third book in the Amour et Chocolat series, a book USA Today calls "so romantic and sexy", Florand takes us from Paris to summer in Provence, for the steamy encounter between top chef Gabriel Delange and the daughter of his worst enemy, Jolie Manon. Hot-tempered Gabriel isn't above blackmail to get what he wants, but what he wants might very well be Jolie herself. Because in the heat and sun of Provence, where jasmine and roses climb up old colored walls and fountains play in ancient stone villages, even a beast can prove he is a prince at heart . . .

Praise for Laura Florand and her novels"I adored this story...Paris, chocolate, and romance, all in one hilarious package."--New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James

"It's like when you find that amazing piece of chocolate -- you take a bite, and it sits on your tongue and melts into a pool of liquid heaven." - RT Book Reviews

"Seriously, get this book. Thank me later. Once you wash the melted chocolate off your hands..." - USA Today bestselling author Donna Kauffman

"Readers will devour this frothy, fun novel." - Booklist

"Both sensual and sweet, a story that melts in your mouth." - USA Today bestselling author Christie Ridgway

"One of the cleverest, most persuasive enemies-to-lovers stories I've read in a long time."--Dear Author Recommended Read for The Chocolate Kiss

"A lovely confection of a contemporary romance."--Dear Author Recommended Read for The Chocolate Thief

Other Works
All the books in the Amour et Chocolat series are stand-alone novels, but if you're looking for the first one, check out The Chocolate Thief ("a delectable summer bonbon" according to NPR).

The Chocolate Rose bridges two series, Amour et Chocolat with its French chocolatiers heroes, and La Vie en Roses, set in the perfume world of Provence. Want more of the Provençal world and families that are part of the La Vie en Roses series? Check out the novella Turning Up the Heat for Daniel and Léa's story and make sure to sign up for Laura's newsletter (lauraflorand.com) to be alerted when Matt Rosier's story is released.

Welcome to La Maison des Sorcieres. Where the window display is an enchanted forest of sweets, a collection of conical hats delights the eye and the habitués nibble chocolate witches from fanciful mismatched china. While in their tiny blue kitchen, Magalie Chaudron and her two aunts stir wishes into bubbling pots of heavenly chocolat chaud.

But no amount of wishing will rid them of interloper Philippe Lyonais, who has the gall to open one of his world famous pastry shops right down the street. Philippe's creations seem to hold a magic of their own, drawing crowds of beautiful women to their little isle amidst the Seine, and tempting even Magalie to venture out of her ivory tower and take a chance, a taste. . .a kiss.

Parisian princesses, chocolate witches, pâtissier princes and sweet wishes--an enchanting tale of amour et chocolat.

Praise for Laura Florand and her novels

"Charming and laugh-out-loud funny." --New York Times bestselling author Deborah Smith

"Readers will be happy to live vicariously in Laura's French fairytale." --Booklist

"Frothy, French confection of a novel." --Publishers Weekly

"Both sensual and sweet. . .a story that melts in your mouth!" --USA Today bestselling author Christie Ridgway

"Vive la Laura Florand!" --Cassandra King

Romantic Times calls Laura Florand's writing "sensuous and sumptuous", awarding her their Seal of Excellence, and NPR says it's "explosive, sensual . . . and utterly sweet".

Now Florand offers up another tale of passionate chefs and the lengths they will go to for the women they love and gives a first taste of her new series, La Vie en Roses, with Turning Up the Heat. When two people have loved each other so much that they've given up their very selves, what do they do when they need their selves back?

Overview
After eleven years of marriage, Léa Laurier knew her husband.  Knew how he could take on responsibility for a world-famous restaurant, a wife, and her two teenage siblings at nineteen years old and never falter, never tire. Knew his drive and his ambition, that took him to the stars.  Knew how briliant his gray eyes looked when they met hers for just one moment across a host of cameras.  She didn't know why she was so tired.  She didn't know why she needed to just get away.  For a while.  Maybe a week or two.  A month.  She'd be back.

After eleven years of marriage, international superstar chef Daniel Laurier knew his wife.  Knew how she could lavish caring on everyone, her siblings, his staff, and most especially him.  Knew the way her face lit up when he won yet another television contest, and the way she hugged him for it. Knew how her hair smelled when he sank into bed exhausted at one in the morning.  He didn't know what to do when he came home from a consulting trip to find she'd disappeared to remote South Pacific island:  I just needed to get away for a little while.  A week or two.  I'll call you.

As the whole solid world under his feet turned into a sandcastle in the tide, Daniel knew only one thing:  whatever was wrong with his marriage or his wife, he wasn't losing her.  So as a top chef, he did the one thing he always knew how to do:  turn up the heat. (A novella of 30,000 words or approx. 120 pages.)

Praise for Laura Florand and her novels
"I adored this story...Paris, chocolate, and romance, all in one hilarious package."--New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James

"It's like when you find that amazing piece of chocolate -- you take a bite, and it sits on your tongue and melts into a pool of liquid heaven." - RT Book Reviews

"Seriously, get this book. Thank me later. Once you wash the melted chocolate off your hands..." - USA Today bestselling author Donna Kauffman

"Readers will devour this frothy, fun novel." - Booklist

"Both sensual and sweet, a story that melts in your mouth." - USA Today bestselling author Christie Ridgway

"One of the cleverest, most persuasive enemies-to-lovers stories I've read in a long time."--Dear Author Recommended Read for The Chocolate Kiss

"A lovely confection of a contemporary romance."--Dear Author Recommended Read for The Chocolate Thief

Other Works
Turning Up the Heat provides a first glimpse of the world and families of Florand's Vie en Roses series, set in Provence. For the first full-length book in that series, check out The Chocolate Rose, the tale of sexy, uncontainable top pastry chef Gabriel Delange and the daughter of his worst enemy. And make sure to sign up for Laura's newsletter (lauraflorand.com) to know when future books in this series are released.

Dreaming more of Paris than Provence? Then check out the other books in the Amour et Chocolat series, The Chocolate Thief, The Chocolate Kiss, The Chocolate Touch, and The Chocolate Heart.

At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied.

Early Bird Special by Deirdre Martin

Fashion exec Dana Fine lives a fabulous life of international travel and glamour. But it only takes a few days visiting with her matchmaking grandparents for her to long for something more. . ..Or maybe it's sexy landscaper Josh Green who's got her all hot and bothered. . .

Weddings Ink by Christie Ridgway

Luke Harper is the last man wedding planner Charlotte Bond would ever date again. Then her latest client demands that Charlotte get up-close and personal with the whole bridal party--including best man Luke! Soon business-only meetings turn to sultry nights--and suddenly Charlotte's "never' is coming dangerously close to "I do."

All's Fair In Love And Chocolate by Laura Florand

Going undercover as a bride-to-be, food blogger Eloise Layne is determined to learn charismatic French chocolatier Simon Casset's famously guarded secrets. But somehow her man of mystery is succeeding in uncovering her every desire, one smoldering kiss at a time. . .

Luckily, the members of the Cupcake Club are about to taste it all. . .

When baker extraordinaire Leilani Trusdale left the bustle of New York City for Georgia's sleepy Sugarberry Island, she didn't expect her past to follow. Yet suddenly, her former boss, Baxter Dunne, aka Chef Hot Cakes, the man who taught her everything pastry, wants to film his hit cooking show in her tiny cupcakery. The same Chef Hot Cakes whose molten chocolate brown eyes and sexy British accent made Lani's mouth water and her cheeks blush the color of raspberry filling--stirring all kinds of kitchen gossip, much of which Lani wished was true. . .

Lani's friends are convinced that this time around, Baxter is the missing ingredient in her recipe for happiness. But convincing Lani will be a job for Baxter himself. And he'll need more than black velvet frosting to sweeten the deal. . .

"Donna Kauffman writes smart and sexy, with sizzle to spare!" --Janet Evanovich

"Deliciously sexy!" Carly Phillips

Recipes included!

STARRED REVIEW! Publishers Weekly PICK OF THE WEEK!
"Leilani Trusdale spends 10 years training with charming but tough chef Baxter "Hot Cakes Dunne, taking over his New York City pastry shop when he leaves to host a cooking show. When she finally escapes the city to open a cupcake shop in her fathers tiny hometown of Sugarberry Island, Ga., Baxter turns up, natch, to start his shows traveling season, with a secondary agenda of romancing Leilani. The tension leads Leilani to revive her old bake therapy sessions with her best friend, Charlotte, adding Leilanis quiet new assistant and a lovable town gossip to lend support, share opinions, and add sugar as members of the Cupcake Club. The ladies of Sugarberry will be delightful companions to look forward to in future stories, and readers can bake along with the included cupcake recipes. --Publishers Weekly

The ladies of Sugarberry will be delightful companions to look forward to in future stories, and readers can bake along with the included cupcake recipes. --Publishers Weekly

"The opening novel of Kauffman's Cupcake Club series is as sweet and adorable as its namesake treat." -- (Starred Review, Pick of the Week) Publisher's Weekly

"Sugar Rush is a playful, sensual, laugh-inducing read. But there's so much more to the story. Kauffman's book chronicles profound character growth and offers layer upon layer of authentic, life-changing conflict. . . . it's a good thing Sugar Rush is only the first in a series, because the residents of Sugarberry -- especially the delightfully oddball members of the Cupcake Club -- will lure you back to their island again and again." - -- Kathy Altman, USA Today/Happily Ever After

"Fans of cupcakes and TV chefs will like this first installment of the Cupcake Club back-to-back romance series that comes with recipes. For those looking for more, not to worry -- this isn't a light, spun-sugar tale. It has more substance, like a rich chocolate ganaches." -- 4 Stars, Joyce Morgan, RT Book Reviews

"It's like blending the Food Network together with CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC. . ."-- (4 Hearts!) Megan, Book Brat Reviews

"Kauffman writes crisp, emotionally charged dialogue... Sugar Rush is a sweet, delicious romance fortified with mouth-watering cupcake recipes." --Kathleen Gerard, blogger at Reading Between the Lines, Shelf-Awareness.com

"SUGAR RUSH is a quirky." --Patti Fischer, Romance Reviews Today

Riley Brown never imagined she would find her bliss on Georgia's quiet Sugarberry Island after years of Chicago's city life. With a new career and fantastic new friends, she's got it all--except for eligible men. But a gig staging a renovated beach house delivers a delicious treat--six feet of blue-eyed, gorgeous writer as delectable and Southern as pecan pie. Quinn Brannigan has come to Sugarberry to finish his latest novel in peace, and suddenly Riley has a taste for the bad boy author that no amount of mocha latte buttercream or lemon mousse will satisfy . . .

Riley's friends are rooting for her to give in to her cravings and spice up her life, but it's Quinn who needs to learn that life's menu just might include love, in all its decadent, irresistible flavors. . .

STARRED REVIEW!
"Romantic fun, lovable leads, and surprising emotional complexity in both the main relationship and the supporting deep friendships make this quick return to the tiny Georgia island of Sugarberry (after Sugar Rush) a deliciously warm and feel-good read. . . Kauffman describes her characters' internal monologues and thoughtful conversations with an eloquence that makes them feel like the reader's best friends. Contests and cupcake recipes will keep fans eager for Kauffman's next sweet treat." --Publishers Weekly

"Donna Kauffman writes smart and sexy, with sizzle to spare!" --Janet Evanovich

"A deliciously sexy fulfilling treat!" --New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips

"This is only the second book in the series but I can tell this is going to be a promising one. Kauffman touches on trust, desire, friendships, and a promising new love that just needs a little tlc to grow into something amazing. The emotions behind the characters were a big part of the story that kept me intrigued and wanting to find out more. Every single character made this story more than enjoyable but also delightful. I can't wait until book 3 comes out. I am excited to see who will be next to fall in love in the town of Sugarberry."--Lush Book Reviews

"Sweet Stuff is the second edition of the Cupcake Club novels and is hilarious from start to finish. Riley has the body of Marilyn Monroe, wild, curly blonde hair, the girl-next-door face and the klutziness of the Three Stooges. She's absolutely adorable and gorgeous author Quinn Brannigan thinks so, too. Throw in a small pony-sized dog with a tendency to drool and drop logs on your toes, and you have a romance made in heavenas long as you carry lots of Band-aids." --Lani Roberts, Affaire de Couer magazine

And the women of the Cupcake Club love to indulge. . .

Kit Bellamy was raised on pie. Mamie Sue's Peanut Pies, to be exact, the family company her scheming brother-in-law sold out from under her. Now Kit needs a new recipe for her life--and sleepy Sugarberry Island is the first ingredient. Running mail-order cupcake business Babycakes is a chance to get her baking on again--until she meets tall, dark, and adorable lawyer Morgan Westlake. New to the island to raise his goddaughter, he's as mouthwatering as any of Kit's creations. It's just her luck that he's the spawn of the very law firm that helped crush her dreams. . .

Fortunately, Kit's new friends can assure her that Morgan is no typical Westlake--and that even lawyers, not to mention single dads, need romance. If Kit can just be persuaded to follow her appetite--and set another place at her holiday table--her sweetest dreams just might come true. . .

"Donna Kauffman writes smart and sexy, with sizzle to spare!" --Janet Evanovich

"One incredibly sweet read!" --Mariah Stewart, New York Times bestselling author