PETIT FOUR, Four Stories, Frosted with Love Review

APREZ VOUS 

by Lucie Simone

Tara gives her niece Marissa a graduation gift of a lifetime before she heads to college , a two-week vacation in Paris, France. Tara had visited Paris years earlier leaving abruptly because she fell in love with Jean Mark Dufour who continued his pursuit of Tara for a full year afterward with no response. Returning to Paris, Tara ponders contacting Jean Mark but resists until her niece and Jean Mark’s son interfere not realizing that a broken might not be repairable after thirty years of separation with no communication.

Lucie Simone brings a sweet coming of age tale set in Paris, France bringing memories of true love and the decadent pastries of Paris right off the page. Enjoy this short story cozily on the couch with a cup of coffee or glass of wine while reading of past love and delicious sweet patries.

CAKE THERAPY

by Cindy Arora

Olivia Cisneros has a new job at SF Bridge News under the guidance of Tammy Kovac, a Pulitzer Prize winning reporter. Tammy is a hard-core believer in ‘cake therapy’ for every event in a person’s life which includes all ups and downs while teaching Olivia how to utilize cake therapy into her situations. When Tammy leaves SF Bridge News and is replaced by a man, Olivia immediately seeks ways to dislike him but cannot find enough sufficient reasons.

Cindy Arora’s novel has a solution to any situation you may encounter through ‘Cake Therapy.’ All you have to do is find an excellent bakery and eat their sumptuous offerings to solve your problems (I like it!). This lovable story follows Olivia from a new position to the art of ‘cake therapy’ to very much needed new friendships. I believe I will follow suit and find that special bakery for myself.

THE HEART-SHAPED SECRET OF RASPBERRY JAM

by Sue Watson

Milly is a waitress at Victoriana Tea Rooms who also helps in the kitchen and writes reviews on her blog Cake Candy. Victoriana Tea Rooms will have new owners very soon placing Milly, her co-worker Kate, the manager Mrs. Jackson and their jobs in jeopardy.  The new owners want to change the vibe of the tearoom bringing a modern yet old-fashioned feel to the Victoriana that is not received well by all.

Sue Watson does a great job bringing to the forefront the long forgotten Tea Room which she updates that left me wanting to search for this type of establishment to enjoy delicious desserts and coffee. 

HER CHARMS

by Joel Zlotnik

Scott Lyons is the forty-six year old widower and Mayor of “SUPPORT FOR MAYOR DROPS WITH PANTY WOES.”
Ola Vista who is taken in by the charms of Nicole who makes him feel like a teenaged boy again. As Scott begins his re-election campaign, a scandal arises dubbed “Pantygate” with the newspaper headline

Join Scott, Nicole, and the city of Ola Vista as they handle the situation at hand with a few cupcakes thrown in for good measure.

Joel Zlotnik gives it you in a straight, no chaser novella with perfectly placed humor that is hard to find in a story wishing it did not end so quickly. The romantic gestures of a new relationship leaves the reader wanting more of this sweet and lovable romance.

Petit Four is the type of book you will want to read by the fireplace, in front of the portable heater, or wrapped up in a blanket on the couch with a hot cup of tea, coffee, expresso, or glass of wine. The four novellas in this collection are charming and well worth the read if not just for the delicate to down-home desserts baked and served by the main characters. This is also a great gifting opportunity for avid readers of romantic and heart-warming tales of relationships between men and women. I recommend to women and men book lovers to add to their collection of collections.

My favorite novella was Aprez Vous, no- Cake Therapy, no- The Heart-Shaped Secret of Raspberry Jam, no- Her Charms. Well, I must confess, my favorite was ALL of them because each one made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside ( :D ). Okay, if I HAD to pick just one…….Her Charms.

I received this book through CLP BLOG TOURS in exchange for an honest opinion in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission Guidelines.