Carole Matthews is a chick lit superstar, so we're *thrilled* to have a guest blog from her. But that's not all. Oh no. Read on to find out how you can win one of three signed copies of The
Chocolate Lovers' Club PLUS a special colour-change promotional mug. Over to Carole...
When I started work on my latest novel, The Chocolate Lovers' Club, naturally, I had to do lots and lots of research into my subject. This mainly involved eating all kinds of lovely chocolate – delicious single plantation bars from some of the world’s most exotic locations – Cuba, Ecuador, Madagascar - exquisite handmade truffles, dark, milk, white, organic - you name it, I tried it! I even went along to a health spa specialising in chocolate treatments to be dipped in it. Strangely, the more I tasted, the more I became addicted to this wonderful substance.
My passion increased and soon, as well as devouring chocolate itself, I was devouring as much other information as I could about this fascinating subject and my passing interest became a full-blown addiction. I hold my hands up – I’m now a chocolate anorak! That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy a good old Mars bar or the occasional Twix, but I’ve now gone over to the dark side and like my chocolate with at least 70 percent cocoa solids. Once you get into good chocolate it’s like appreciating fine wines or a malt whiskey. Thankfully, in the last couple of years decent chocolate is now more readily available on the high street plus the health benefits of a couple of squares of dark chocolate every day are now well documented. So, there’s really no excuse not to indulge yourself!
What I didn’t realise was that I’d also become addicted to my
characters as I wrote the book, led by the lovely, irrepressible Lucy
Lombard. I’m a big fan of Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives
and wanted to create my own series featuring four feisty women who are
joined in friendship by their passion for chocolate. Lucy and her
friends Autumn, Nadia and Chantal, all turn to each other and to
chocolate in times of crisis. Reminds me of someone else I know!
The Chocolate Lovers' Club and its sequel, The Chocolate Lovers’ Diet, is out now and I think there may well be a third instalment on the way. But I didn’t want all the knowledge that I’d accrued about chocolate to go to waste so I’ve also set up a website for chocolate lovers’ everywhere – The Chocolate Lovers' Club. There are some useful facts, some completely useless chocolate trivia – did you know that 50% of women say that they prefer chocolate to sex? - exclusive short stories that I've written especially and some of my favourite recipes which are tried and tested by my own fair hands.
So I hope you enjoy the books, take a look at the website and remember this – forget diamonds, chocolate is a girl’s best friend!
‘One word of advice before you start this book – make sure you’ve got a big bar of chocolate next to you… This is serious chick-lit and it will make you believe in friendship and love all over again.’ News of the World
To be in with a chance of winning the fantastic prize - one of three signed copies of The Chocolate Lovers' Club PLUS colour-change promotional mug - go to the special Trashionista page (Special Trashionista page! Get us!) on Carole's website. Good luck!
