Valentine's Day - The perfect excuse to eat chocolate, dream about France, and read romance . . .

I have a confession to make. I’m a chocoholic. My problem—or as I like to call it, my love affair—with le chocolat has intensified over the past few months . . . but if I’m being honest with myself, I’ve always been obsessed. 

Isn't your mouth watering just looking at these? Okay, I give you permission to leave the computer to grab some chocolate. See you back here in a minute . . .

My time in France really sealed the deal. When I was studying abroad in Lyon, I lived with a wonderful host family who kept a stash of Lindt creamy milk chocolate bars in the pantry. After dinner, they would break out a bar, and each of them would calmly eat one or two squares. I would laugh and smile and eat my one or two squares as well, pretending as if that was enough. Then I would high-tail it back to my room where I kept my stash and treat myself to a whole bar. The chocolate over there is just so delicious, how could I stop after only a square?

Can't you picture yourself taking a leisurely stroll across this beautiful bridge in Lyon with a chocolate bar in hand?

Gorgeous view of the Rhone River in Lyon - Another nice bridge for a chocolate walk.

Lately, with all the time I spend at the computer writing, I must have a chocolate bar on hand at all times. (And just a side note—it’s never too early in the day to begin eating chocolate. Why postpone the pleasure?). Last week, I was up early to write, and around nine a.m. my typical chocolate craving took hold. I sauntered into the kitchen, excited about the Trader Joe’s dark chocolate truffle that awaited me. But to my horror, the chocolate stash had been raided. The culprit: my husband. I survived the day without chocolate, but let me tell you, it was not pretty. So last week during my grocery shop, I added a few extra bars to the cart so we don’t have to go through that catastrophe ever again.

 

As a special Valentine’s treat for my fabulous readers, I’d like to give a little bit of Paris, chocolat, and romance back to you. My debut novel, Sleeping with Paris, is free on Amazon through Valentine's Day. You’ll have to buy your own chocolate to supplement of course, but one of Charlotte’s love interests does feed her chocolate in bed . . . so that should help:) And you get to travel to Lyon in this book as well. Charlotte takes a stroll over that very same pedestrian bridge pictured above as a matter of fact . . . although she doesn't have a chocolate bar with her at the time. Silly girl.

And since I’ve been craving a trip to France about as much as I crave chocolate, my new release, Kissed in Paris, is also on a special Valentine’s sale this weekend for only $.99. In Chloe and Julien's action-packed, romantic chase through France, you'll get to travel not only to Paris, but to the gorgeous towns of Giverny and Annecy, both of which are pure romance.

Chloe and Julien make a mad dash through these lush gardens behind Claude Monet's house in Giverny as they're running from the police. Too bad they couldn't stay a bit longer to enjoy the scenery.

In Kissed in Paris, Chloe tastes her first real pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant) here in Annecy, the most romantic town ever, located in the French Alps. Once she's tasted a true French pastry packed with gooey, melted dark chocolate, she knows her life will never be the same.

So curl up with your Kindle, eat as much chocolate as you want, and take a romantic trip to France! Who cares if you have a date for V-day or not? Unlike relationships, I promise you the combination of Paris and chocolate will not disappoint.

This rainbow appeared next to the Eiffel Tower while I was strolling across the bridge, eating the best pain au chocolat of my life. Happy Valentine's Day Paris . . . I miss you:)

***This just in: Join me over on The Review Girl for a special Valentine's Interview where we're discussing what makes a great chick-lit novel, which character I would choose to be in my novels, and of course, romance & chocolate! Oh, and we're giving away three copies of Kissed in Paris! Hope to see you there:)