Brooklyn - Present Day

How many people have a grandfather who creates chocolate truffles? That would be Alex Martinelli. Grandpa Max’s chocolate truffles are truly heavenly. So when Chloe, his chocolate chef, gets sick, grandpa asks Alex to help him at his candy booth at the Atlantic Avenue fair -- of course Alex can’t refuse. After reading her daily horoscope, she is good to go. Alex works as a nurse on the graveyard shift at County Hospital. Since her divorce from her doctor husband, the graveyard shift is the best way to avoid him, and furthermore, Alex has given up on men. But things have a way of happening. Alex is across the street when Grandpa’s cauldron in the booth catches on fire. The fire is promptly put out because the firefighters from the local firehouse are across the street selling calendars and baked goods. Grandpa’s hands are badly burned, and as Alex bandages his hands and looks up, her heart skips a beat as she sees Mike Simone.

Big strong Mike Simone arrives at the fair with a chocolate cake tucked under one arm. Not only is he a firefighter, but he loves to bake. With the annual firefighters bake-off around the corner, Mike is determined to win -- his cake tastes fantastic, light and fluffy, except the taste of the chocolate frosting is not right. As he glances across the street at the candy booth, he locks eyes with a lovely woman with dark hair, beautiful blue eyes, and a smile. When she crosses the street, things are looking good, she even buys his cake, and then she sees his nametag. What is wrong with Simone? As soon as Alex sees his name, she quickly retreats. How could this happen? The first man she finally feels a connection to and he is related to Sal Simone, the man who stole Grandpa’s secret chocolate recipe years ago. The stars did not predict this.

Even as Grandpa is taken away in the ambulance, he forbids Alex to see or talk to Mike. Alex is an adult, and she makes her own decisions, but because Grandpa gets so upset, she decides to keep away from Mike. Is there more to the feud with Sal Simone? Talking to the older neighbors, she gets little information, but it seems Grandpa is not the only person upset with Uncle Sal. Seems he has upset Mike’s family also. This mystery needs to be solved now.

Hang on for a bumpy ride. Mike makes the mistake of asking for help on how to get Alex to go out with him. Of course, his firehouse buddies come up with a sure-fire way to win Alex’s heart. Will Alex appreciate this underhanded method? Or even worse, what about the wager that has been made? Then there is Uncle Sal, can Alex get these two old friends to reconcile? Will Mike get the CHOCOLATE SECRETS in time for the bake-off?

Zelda Benjamin has dished up a satisfying read. CHOCOLATE SECRETS is smooth and zesty, with a pinch of tart. The pages will fly by as the reader becomes immersed in Alex and Grandpa Max’s unconventional life. Support characters are eccentric, which only adds to the charm of the story -- Madame Nilda, the neighborhood astrologer; and Chloe, the funky chocolate chef. Mike fits the role of a hero -- not only because he is a firefighter, but also because of the methods he uses to try to win Alex’s heart. This is a fun read for a spring afternoon; get a cup of cocoa and a box of chocolates. Enjoy!

Deborah C Jackson