Monday, July 26, 2010

Book Review of "Chocolate Roses", by Joan Sowards

When Walnut Springs Press offered me a copy of Chocolate Roses to review for Joan Sowards' book blog tour, I jumped at the chance. After all, it had the word "chocolate" in the title!

Back cover blurb:

Janie Rose Whitaker's world revolved around her chocolate shop until Roger Wentworth and his young daughter moved into the apartment across from Janie's. Anyone would think Roger fit the mold of the "perfect" guy, but soon Janie discovers secrets that could keep them apart forever. Though she resists getting involved in Roger's complicated life, they are drawn further into a bittersweet relationship.

Chocolate Roses, by Joan Sowards, bills itself as “A Jane Eyre Parody” for LDS readers. Now, I have read Jane Eyre, and have even watched an adaptation on PBS, but both have been a very long time ago. So I’ll be honest…I had to look up a summary on Wikipedia.com to remind myself how the story went. Chocolate Roses can be enjoyed in its own right, but having at least a glancing familiarity with Jane Eyre will heighten your enjoyment even more.

The protagonist of Chocolate Roses, Janie Rose Whitaker, is a wonderfully well-rounded character, as is her best friend and roommate, Flo the Great Dane. (Yes, I’m talking dog here!) This book is full of humor, sure to tickle many a reader’s funny bone, as well as romance and yes (being true to Jane Eyre) unavoidable tragedy. All are handled with a delightfully deft hand that makes this book very hard to put down.

Chocolate Roses is clearly aimed at an LDS reading audience, being chockfull of LDS cultural and doctrinal references. But any church-going reader of any faith will likely find much to relate to here, too.

Summary: One of the best LDS novels I’ve read in a very long time!


Win either a copy of the book (2 winners) or this fabulous apron created by Joan! 




All you have to do is leave a comment (along with your email address if it isn't on your blog profile) and answer the following question. 

What's your favorite type of chocolate: white, dark, or milk?
(For the record, Joyce's favorite type is: MILK! But I already have a copy of the book, so that's neither here nor there.)
The more blogs you comment on the more entries you'll receive.
All comments must be left by midnight MST on August 8 to be eligible.

Click here to see all the dates and locations for Chocolate Roses' book blog tour.

For the FTC: Walnut Springs Press generously sent me a free copy of Chocolate Roses for review. This has in no way influenced my comments above.

16 comments:

Karin Tillotson said...

I enjoyed your review. I just finished reading Divinely Designed by Rachael Renee Anderson and woul love to read Chocolate Roses.

kce1976@hotmail.com

Google Account won't give me the secret word, so I am trying this route!

Joyce DiPastena said...

Thanks, Karin!

Peggy Urry said...

Love Jane Eyre, so Chocolate Roses has been on my "want list" since the ANWA conference.

Shelli said...

Sounds like a lot of fun. I do love Jane Eyre, and I'd love to read this book. And -- my favorite chocolate is milk chocolate, but dark is so much more healthy, I eat more of it. Less guilt. :)

Donna Hatch said...

I love Jane Eyre and have read it more than once. I've also seen two different versions of the movie.

My favorite chocolate is milk chocolate. I like it sweet! My second favorite is white chocolate, but I know it's not officially chocolate. Oh well.

Chocolate Roses has been on my wish list since I read about it on LDS Bookcorner. It looks like a great story!

Angie said...

Nice review. I like Jane Eyre. And chocolate. I'd have to say dark is my favorite.

Rebecca Talley said...

Great review!

My favorite chocolate is any kind :). But, I'll say dark chocolate because I love it and it's good for you :).

Dina said...

milk chocolate is my fav. :)

Unknown said...

Sounds like a yummy book. Dark chocolate is my fav. babybumblebee123@gmail.com

Nichole Giles said...

It was definitely a great book. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it, Joyce!

Joan Sowards said...

Thanks for the great review, Joyce. Just for the record, my favorite chocolate is dark--dark chocolate covered almonds!

Mary said...

How can a book about chocolate miss? My favorite type is dark, (especially a See's dark chocolate. followed by milk and white and every other kind of chocolate except bitter.

Lalabowers said...

I can't decide between white and milk - they're both so good. I also can't wait to read the book but I'm taking your advice and becoming familiar with Jane Eyre before I read it.

LaLabowers@gmail.com

kbrebes said...

Fun contest--fun review!
Kbrebes@aol.com
Definitely DARK chocolate!

Elizabeth Morgan said...

Sounds like such an awesome book. My favorite type of chocolate is Milk. It is so creamy and wonderful.

Susan G. Haws said...

I have been wanting to read this book since I heard it. I love all kinds of chocolate milk, semi, dark, white. haws65@msn.com