Chocolate Magic

The Pen Pal Sisterhood Series #4

by Karen Sandler

Kat Roth and Mark Denham have plenty in common -- they're CEOs of rival Seattle-area candy companies, they're both in feverish pursuit of number one status in the nation and they were both once married . . . to each other. Their brief venture into matrimony, an explosive mix of hot passion and all-out war, has made Kat and Mark wary of love and leery of the sparks between them. Push comes to shove when they finally give in to the heat between them. After several days of back-to-back lovemaking bouts, Kat convinces herself she's found the perfect solution to the seemingly bottomless pit of lust she feels for her ex - a passionate sex-only affair, avoiding all the messy complications of love. Then the night of the chocolate tasting, Kat experiences the ultimate betrayal . . . the two of them are locked up in her office by close friends who refuse to let them out until they resolve their differences. In a firefight of love and passion, Kat finally confesses her fears of failing at love. Mark admits his own fear that he doesn't know what real love is. They both realize that their verbal fireworks really drives them closer together. They agree to remarry, joining together physically and fiscally, in chocolate and in love.

Genres: Romance

Hardcover

First published October 28, 2004

About the author

Karen Sandler grew up in L.A. County’s South Bay, fishing for bonito off the Redondo Beach pier, crunching on sand in her tuna sandwiches, and roasting in the sun until she was lobster-red.

By age 9, she knew she wanted to be a writer without having the slightest notion what that involved. She was practical enough to earn a BA in math & physics and an MS in computer science (hence her love of science fiction), but her software engineering career took a sharp U-turn when she quit to write full-time.

She's the author of numerous novels, screenwriter of a few short films, and now knows exactly what a writer does—tell stories that linger in the hearts of her audience.

Reviews

[Amy the book-bat · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was NOT magic for me. I really couldn't stand the main characters. Kat was kind of a bitch and would deliberately say things to hurt Mark. Mark had the potential of becoming a character I could like, but he wouldn't stand up for himself. The premise should have been a good story, but it fell flat for me. There is nothing wrong with ex-spouses getting together, it happens all of the time. Kat used the ex status as a weapon to keep her and Mark apart, even though it is spelled out from page one that they are both still hot for each other. So, maybe they are better as lovers than as spouses... nothing wrong with that... explore that relationship instead of trying to force a potential marriage. Having their families plotting to get them together could have added some humor, but came across as forced. The rival chocolate factories could have been interesting, but again, tha author didn't allow it to flow naturally and tried to use it as a way to force a relationship that wasn't working.

The one highlight of the book was the relationship of the side characters Norma and Fritz. Well, it was great until she had to suddenly make Norma insecure about her age and have her tell Fritz that he reminds her of her grandson. Really? A twenty-something grown up reminds her of a 6-year-old? That is kinda gross on so many levels. They do work things out, but once that idea was in my head, the relationship was a but uncomfortable. Age gaps are not that uncommon. My parents were 13 years apart, my high school best friend married a man 16 years older... so it can work out. So instead of exploring things positively, the author has to make the older woman insecure and turns the relationship awkward.

Anyway, I really did not get on with this book. It took me the whole month to slog through it. The only reason I finished it was because I needed it to fill a challenge task and it was too late to start something new. I read through some of the other reviews and I am convinced that we read two totally different books.

[Christina Rod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chocolate Magic was a cute story of love and dedication of family.

We start off 2 years after the divorce of Katarina Roth, CEO to Roth's Confectionery, and Mark Denham, CEO of Denham Candy. Although you think there are good reasons for these two to end their marriage, after a few pages all you can do it ask why did they end their marriage? Easy answer but i won't spoil it. Enter Fritz Denham, Mark's clumsy but sweet cousin. Fritz, with the help of Kat's assistant Norma, and the Denham/Roth family, concoct a plan to bring these two together. With a co-sponsorship on a Kandy for Kids campaign Kat and Mark have no other choice but to work together for the first time since their divorce in which all their HOT feelings for each other come to surface. Through the intervening, manipulating and push of their loved ones, Mark and Kat learn to accept what they both can't deny. Their love is as delicious and enticing as CHOCOLATE.

Throughout the way we also see another couple fall in love and it makes the story that much more interesting. It is always good to see two contrast to falling in love in a story and i think the other couple (won't mention who) added just the hint of sweetness we were craving the whole time.

If you love romance then I recommend you read this story.

[Lorrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, fast, read! Read it in 1 day in the car.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book would have been worth the read, but there is little story with a WHOLE LOT of explicit sex!