Hot Chocolate

By Dawn Greenfield Ireland

The award-winning Alcott Family Adventures is a cozy mystery series with an astrology theme. It consists of three books: Hot Chocolate, Bitter Chocolate and Spicy Chocolate.

Meet the eccentric, middle-age Alcott sisters, Lila Mae, Madge, & Dorothea, heiresses to the Alcott Chocolate fortune and mavens of Houston’s elite River Oaks, as they traverse murder, mystery and mayhem.

Madge ambushes Lila Mae with Dorothea’s manipulative plea: she can’t care for Bernie, their 92-year-old father, any longer. Lila Mae explodes in a hissy fit—she had warned Dorothea years ago that they should put Bernie in an assisted living center.
Robert, Lila Mae’s astrologer, warns of impending problems and he’s rarely wrong.
The sisters call a meeting with Walter Branson, their solicitor. They discuss Bernie’s nurse Bambi Chaline, a blonde bombshell who looks more like a hooker than a nurse.
Arrangements are made for Bernie to be transferred over to Lake Sides Assisted Living Center in the Uptown Galleria area and a severance package is drawn up for Bambi.
Jimmy Ray Chaline, Bambi’s bowling alley husband, is enraged that Bambi was let go. He hires ambulance chaser Mark Slade to file a lawsuit for wrongful termination.
The suit is thrown out of court further fueling Jimmy Ray’s rage. Bambi had been more than satisfied with her bonus, letters of recommendation and praise from the Alcott clan.
When Jimmy Ray fails to return home from the bowling alley that night, a series of events unfold that shocks the entire Alcott family and their extended members.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dawn Greenfield Ireland - Artistic Origins
• Release date: Nov 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9780970113740

Dawn Greenfield Ireland

Dawn Greenfield Ireland is the author of several award-winning novels, nonfiction books, and screenplays. To date she has 21 published books that consists of four series (cozy mystery, YA science fiction/fantasy, adult shape-shifter, and dystopian), sci-fi romance adventure, and nonfiction work, which includes online courses. See also my adult shapeshifter books (Bonded) under the name of DG Ireland.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Lila Mae Alcott sat behind the wheel of her cocoa-colored Bentley with the cream interior as the air conditioning blasted. Two faces stared out of the glass door of the posh shop the Bentley was parked in front of. Lila Mae was oblivious to all as she focused on her cell phone, muttering to herself.

Oh, no! she said. Not only is Mercury retrograde, but the Moon is void and it was just full in Scorpio and will no doubt clobber my sisters big time!

Lila Mae exited the astrology website and pocketed the cell phone. Then she switched the car off and retrieved her keys out of the ignition. She opened the door, then noticed the girls faces pressed against the glass. Lila Mae waved before she swung her shapely legs out of the car. She grabbed for her straw purse and the custom made, frilly parasol, vintage 1900s, and a shade of butter-cream that matched her suit.

Lila Mae aimed the umbrella out of the open door and pressed a button on the handle and the parasol quickly sprung open. The Alcott Chocolates company heiress climbed out of the car and bumped the door closed with a trim hip. She pushed a button on her key remote, and set the car alarm.

Yes, Mother, I’m protecting my face from the sun, Lila Mae said under her breath as the sun blazed down from the Houston sky.

It was unusually warm for January, but the weather had been crazy all last year and it appeared to be heading in that direction once again. Lila Mae walked determinedly on four-inch acrylic heels toward the upscale clothing shop on Kirby Drive at West Alabama.

A tinkling bell announced her arrival, and the staff of two swooped down on their familiar customer.

How nice to see you, Ms. Alcott, Nadine tittered. She retrieved the parasol, collapsed it, and handed it back to Lila Mae, scanning the perfectly made-up face. Not an age spot in sight, Nadine observed.

Money had its advantages.

Madge – I mean Mrs. Abercrombie, is in the dressing room, Mary announced in a moderated whisper, eyes wide with ‘knowing’.

One look at Mary told Lila Mae everything she needed to know. She headed toward the back of the store, fearing the worst. You don’t suppose Madge’s trying on anything sensible, now do you.

She’s going to tell you it’s for Cissy, Mary whispered, keeping pace beside Lila Mae. She made the gesture of slitting her throat.

Did she actually say she was shopping for Cissy, or for you not to tell me? Lila Mae shuddered at the thought.

Snickering, Nadine returned to the counter, popping her gum loudly.

Madge? Let’s see what you’ve found, Lila Mae bellowed from outside the dressing room. She sat down on a horrid little orange plastic chair that she thought may have had a past life in a cafeteria during the sixties, but was suddenly popular again.

The curtain parted and Madge Abercrombie posed. Her magenta-tinted, curly hair forged a sharp contrast to the robin’s egg blue, shimmery spandex shirt. The cropped cargo pants did fit her to perfection, but she was unaware that her sister cringed inwardly.

Are you going for the ‘I’m sixty-six and have Alzheimer’s so I won’t remember this ensemble tomorrow’ look? Lila Mae threw at her older sister.

The bell on the front door tinkled the announcement of another shopper. Chance Walker sauntered up to the sisters and drew out his official Houston Police Department’s detective’s badge.

Am I going to have to make an arrest here, ladies? he asked in his gruffest voice.

Get out the handcuffs, officer! Madge won’t go quietly, Lila Mae said as she raised her hands, blue spandex forgotten, and went to greet him.

Chance and Lila Mae shared a giggle. They hugged in a best-friend way. She appraised his charcoal suit and crisp, white linen shirt and multi-colored tie, none of which were off the rack. Lila Mae was pretty sure that Chance was the best-dressed detective on the force—and the wealthiest cop in Houston, having been raised in River Oaks.

Saw the cars and thought I’d drop in, Chance said.

You got here just in time, Lila Mae claimed as she brushed imaginary lint from his suit jacket.

Chance did look good in a suit and he was fit and trim for his fifty-six years, Lila Mae thought. They stood arm-in-arm, Chance towering over Lila Mae by a good six inches.

Hi, Chance. Like it? Madge asked. Why should Cissy get to have all the fun? She disappeared behind the dressing room curtain.

Because she’s twenty-two, or maybe because she’s your granddaughter, Lila Mae offered. I knew this shopping trip was going to be disastrous as soon as you mentioned this place. Why do you do this to yourself?

Giving up on Madge, Lila Mae wandered over to a rack with feathered spandex separates and flipped through a few of the sexy offerings. She pulled one of the black lace peek-a-boo shirts trimmed in black feathers off the rack and held it up to her chest. She gave Chance a questioning look.

Chance whipped his credit card out of his pocket while he bounced his thick brown eyebrows a couple of times in appreciation. Lila Mae disappointed him as she shoved the shirt back on the rack.

And I might ask you the same, Madge said.

What do you mean? Lila Mae asked as she turned toward Madge, a questioning expression on her face.

Madge nodded to Lila Mae’s acrylic-heeled shoes and short skirt.

A girl’s got to have the right shoes to show off her legs, Lila Mae defended.

That beauty queen title was forty-plus years ago, Lila Mae. You are no longer classified as a ‘girl.’ You qualify for all of the senior citizen discounts, which you refuse, I might add, Madge heckled.

Hey… those are prized legs, Chance declared and feigned being insulted.

Oh, go get dressed, will you. We can go over to Dessert Heaven and grab a Napoleon and some coffee, Lila Mae offered as a peace treaty. Can you join us Chance, or are you hunting down the depraved?

Better take a rain check. Have to get a haircut and then it’s back to business, Chance apologized as he encircled Lila Mae in his arms. See you later, Madge.

Bye, Chance, Madge called, again sticking her head out from behind the curtain.

The bell tinkled as Chance exited the building.

You should marry that man, Madge lectured.

Why ruin a friendship? Lila Mae countered.

I just adore those strawberry Napoleons, Madge called from behind the curtain. She emerged moments later in a sensible dark-brown, belted dress and sandals, showing off her shocking pink toenails, pedicured to perfection, while folding her precious finds.

You’re not getting those, are you? Lila Mae said as she let out a sigh.

Cissy will love them, Madge said.

Mary appeared and retrieved the garments from Madge. Oh, you know what, Mrs. Abercrombie? There’s a little bracelet with the exact shade of blue beads by the register. You know how Cissy likes to accessorize.

They swarmed the register and Madge and Lila Mae began picking through the baubles. Mary was right; the blues were identical. Madge pulled out her black American Express credit card and completed her purchase. The sisters left the shop, then strolled along the sidewalk, arm in arm, under Lila Mae’s parasol, to a Bentley two cars down from Lila Mae’s.

Want me to drive? Madge asked.

Sure, Lila Mae decided. They got into Madge’s nougat-colored Bentley, and buckled up. Lila Mae thought for the umpteenth time that she hated the red interior. Madge eased onto the street.

Daddy wants a change of scenery, Madge said suddenly, staring straight ahead as she drove down the road.

What? Lila Mae said. She turned her head so fast she could have given herself a whiplash.

Dorothea called me this morning. She wanted to know if one of us could take over for a while, Madge said. She decided on the conscientious driver award and refused to make eye contact with her sister. She knew she was in dangerous territory. Lila Mae and Dorothea had such a cantankerous relationship.

And you volunteered, didn’t you? Dorothea knows she can bend your will with that ‘poor pitiful me’ business of hers, Lila Mae ranted.

Opening her mouth, Madge did not have time to jump in; Lila Mae was on a roll.

Daddy’s ninety-two and requires a full-time staff. I seriously doubt if he needs a change of scenery—he doesn’t like change. Why doesn’t Dorothea just admit that she screwed up? She’s the one who didn’t want to put him in assisted living!

From River Oaks to the Rice Village, Kirby Drive was a congested roadway. The Alcott girls could recite restaurants and shops from one end to the other of their most familiar street, second only to West Gray. Madge guided the Bentley through the hectic traffic.

Now Lila Mae, Dorothea is the baby… Madge defended.

Madge, our baby sister is a middle-aged woman who doesn’t give a rat’s tail about anyone else’s feelings. At last count, she had a staff of twelve, including the two alternating nurses. I think she can quit the hand-wringing and make her bridge club without missing a beat, Lila Mae fumed.

A rare, available parking space in front of the door at Dessert Heaven at Kirby and Amherst in Rice Village caught Madge’s attention. She pulled into the slot, then turned to Lila Mae. Daddy needs us, Lila Mae. Do you want to flip for him?

Aged Alcott’s were happy seniors, but Lila Mae cringed just the same. She loved her father, but ninety-two was what it was… lost in the memories of the past. Lucky for the Alcott’s, longevity in their family did not suffer the consequences of Alzheimer’s.

The sisters got out of the car, minus the parasol, and went inside the restaurant. The tension between Lila Mae and Madge was thick as they stood at the pastry counter. Even the mouth-watering pastry display could not sweeten their dispositions at this particular moment. An attendant approached and asked for their order.

Two strawberry Napoleons and two French roasts, Madge said.

I don’t want a Napoleon. Please change mine to a fruit tart, Lila Mae interjected.

Red splotches were beginning to show on Lila Mae’s neck. Madge knew this was a very bad sign. Her sister was building up to a hissy fit the size and proportion of the Alcott fortune.

But you love the Napoleon’s and that’s why we came here, Madge protested.

I don’t want the same thing you’re having, Lila Mae said, testily. We both know this entire shopping trip was a ruse.

Oh, honestly, Madge snipped. She acknowledged the order for the attendant. My sister has changed her mind.

The attendant placed two empty cups onto a tray, then retrieved the pastry from the glass display case and deposited the standard white dishes onto the tray. Madge paid for the food and retrieved the tray. She looked around for Lila Mae and saw that her sister had claimed a table by the window. As Madge set the tray down, Lila Mae grabbed the cups and headed for the coffee dispensers.

Madge gave an audible sigh before she joined her sister to collect silverware and napkins. They silently returned to the table and sat. A honed steel knife would have had a hard time cutting through the tension the silence leveled between the sisters.

An only child for four years, Madge had been intrigued with all of the fuss regarding the bulge in her mother’s stomach. When her mother and father had picked out names for the unborn baby, Madge made up her mind that she was going to have a sister. She would hug and kiss her mother’s belly with all the love in her little heart and would state, ‘I love you, Lila Mae!’ Then when Lila Mae was brought home from the hospital, Madge assumed the role of her protector, care-giver and best friend.

All that love and attention had molded Lila Mae into the confident, self-assured woman she was today.

But Dorothea was a different story. For starters, there was a wide gap between their ages – Dorothea came seven years after Lila Mae. Madge and Lila Mae were in school and life was busy.

Dorothea cried and fretted all the time, the complete polar opposite of her sisters. She was the one that woke at the drop of a pin and no one slept if she was awake. Milk formulas were changed like pages on a calendar until the correct one agreed with her delicate internal system. She learned very early that she could cry and fuss until she got her way.

Lila Mae was steamed. The fruit tart and French Roast coffee would have to wait until she settled the spat. She dug through her straw bag and brought out her cell phone, pressed a couple of buttons, and waited while speed dialing kicked in.

Madge’s spoon clattered onto her saucer and she stared at her sister in disbelief.

Hang up that phone this instant, Madge ordered. You will not cause a public scene.

Lila Mae ignored her.

Dorothea, how could you put us in this position? Wanting to shuffle Daddy around like some hand-me-down cousin or something, Lila Mae ranted. I tried to tell you two years ago that we should put him into assisted living because the stress would be too great for one of us to care for him.

Madge grabbed the phone from Lila Mae. She held her hand out to silence her sister, and then she put the phone to her ear. Dorothea, we will have a meeting with Walter as soon as he is available. I will call him right now and then I will call you back.

Madge disconnected the call before Dorothea could retaliate. She shot a poisonous look to Lila Mae who was delicately stirring her coffee. Madge dialed a number and waited patiently.

Hi, Gina. Is Walter available? Madge prepared her coffee and sipped. Walter, Dorothea has presented a problem. We three would like to meet and hash out Daddy’s care and our responsibilities.

Lila Mae watched Madge like a hawk.

Eleven o’clock tomorrow would be wonderful. Thank you, Walter. Madge clicked off and speed-dialed Dorothea. Eleven o’clock tomorrow at Walter’s. She flipped the phone shut and handed it back to Lila Mae without another word.

Placated, Lila Mae stabbed her fruit tart with her fork. Her neck and ears were beet red. Madge, on the other hand, had no physical display of anger or discomfort. As the eldest of the three, Madge remained the most neutral.

You do know that Mercury is retrograde until the sixth, Lila Mae finally said.

For heaven’s sake, Madge sighed. You and that darn astrology business.

Communication, mechanical problems and travel, Lila Mae enunciated travel.

Cringing inwardly, Madge couldn’t stand the mention of the Mercury business. Last July her luggage never made it to Ft. Lauderdale. Lila Mae had warned her that it was a bad plan to travel then, but Madge had ignored her.

You just mark my words, Lila Mae warned. Since I was born during Mercury retrograde, it doesn’t affect me one bit.

We should all be so lucky, Madge said as she sipped her French Roast.

Lighten up, sis, Lila Mae retorted.

CHAPTER 2

The mantle clock softly chimed eleven times in the expansive corner office belonging to Walter Branson.

The trim, middle-aged attorney was prepared for his clients’ histrionics, as was typical of the three Alcott sisters, who now sat in leather chairs on the opposite side of his gleaming mahogany desk. A weathered brass hat and coat rack, mounted on the wall by the door, sported three different Greek fisherman-type caps, Walter’s favorite design.

His largest account and longest, most endearing relationship with any client dated back to 1962 when Bernard Alcott had walked into Walter’s tiny one-room office that was situated over Wilson’s Funeral Home near downtown.

What’s that smell? young Bernard Alcott said as the embalming fluid fumes wafted through the vents in the floor.

Alcott needed help in establishing a corporate identity and a business plan but he didn’t have a lot to spend. Walter was already familiar with Bernard’s little chocolate business: Walter’s wife, Zoe, had craved Alcott chocolates through two pregnancies. The funeral home smell did not deter Bernard Alcott, and Walter was thankful for his very first paying client; he proved to Alcott that he was more than just a recent law school graduate. He intervened and saved Alcott Chocolates more than once from business deals that were not in Alcott’s best interests. As his company grew and prospered, Bernie Alcott rewarded Walter by making him the legal advisor for the entire Alcott Empire – both the business and personal dealings. By that time, the Alcott net worth was about one point five million dollars.

Now, Alcott Chocolates was an international icon and Bernie Alcott’s personal fortune was around eight point two billion dollars. Alcott Chocolate specialties were known far and wide. One could order a chocolate herd of buffalo, a replica of the White House in any flavor desired, or simply a box of assorted sumptuous chocolates.

With locations in most metropolitan areas across the country and thirty-two locations abroad, Alcott Chocolates were available to a diverse group of followers. Kings, queens, sultans, and presidents were fond of Alcott Chocolates and were often entertained by the Alcott family.

A parking lot eventually replaced Wilson’s Funeral Home, and Walter hated to see his first office torn down. He had moved his offices out of downtown in the late ninety’s and settled the staff in offices on West Gray, an area where his upscale clients felt more comfortable.

The girls, as Walter was fond of referring to the three Alcott sisters, were icily keeping their distance from one another. Lila Mae, blotchy and with her jaw set, waited patiently.

Now, Dorothea, I understand that you need a break from taking care of Bernie, Walter began.

Dorothea Divine, dubbed the baby or the Divine one, by Lila Mae and Madge, sat erect in the straight back, rolled and pleated burgundy leather chair. Recognizing the climate for an impending eruption, Walter did not have to wait long.

Walter, Daddy is completely senile and has to be watched twenty-four seven. Why, I can’t even let the children entertain him for a moment unless there is adult supervision, Dorothea burst, claiming a lace-edged hanky from her purse and dabbing at her Cleopatra eyes.

Oh please, spare us, Lila Mae spat. What children? Yvonne and Charles are away at college.

What are you implying, Dorothea? Madge demanded, on the edge of shock. Has Daddy been improper with someone’s kids?

Girls, settle down. We’ll get this sorted out, Walter interjected. Dorothea, there are some fine facilities in Houston and no one is going to damn you or look down their noses at you for making arrangements for your father. It is time-consuming to care for someone of Bernie’s advanced age.

The sisters sat quietly, listening to their trusted solicitor. They adored Walter Branson from his graying light brown hair down to his tasseled penny loafers.

Now be truthful: is Bernie molesting children? You can’t make accusations of this nature lightly, Walter advised.

Lila Mae and Madge bore holes into Dorothea, waiting for the response.

Bambi, Daddy’s favorite nurse, told me that Daddy tried to cop a feel on more than one occasion, Dorothea said in a lowered voice.

What do you expect with a name like ‘Bambi’? The woman looks like a hooker, Lila Mae exploded. I fully expect to see her lipstick on Daddy’s pajama pants!

She IS practically falling out of her bra, Madge added. Has Daddy ever been improper with anyone else?

Well… Bambi said he tried to kiss Cissy a little crudely once, Dorothea recalled.

If any such thing occurred, my granddaughter would have told me immediately! Madge retorted. I think Bambi needs a little vacation. Perhaps she’s thinking about divorcing that bowling alley husband of hers, and giving Daddy a run for his money.

Over my dead body! Dorothea fired off.

No one’s going to get into your father’s money, regardless of what he or she does, or who they are, Walter said, having to raise his voice just a bit to get the girls’ attention. Everything is in trusts and anyone who’s anyone is provided for. You might also recall that we have a legal fund set aside for incidental problems that could crop up. The daily interest alone would be enough to settle any disputes, if the need ever arose.

It’s so horrid seeing Daddy this way, Dorothea wailed.

Feeling guilty, both Lila Mae and Madge tut-tutted and pampered Dorothea.

You’re going to ruin your makeup and get all blotchy, Lila Mae said, dabbing at Dorothea’s eyes while Madge patted Dorothea’s hand.

What do you suggest, Walter? Madge implored.

Look, Lake Sides over on Post Oak in Uptown is a wonderful senior living community. Zoe’s parents are over there and they love it, he said.

Good. We can get rid of Bambi. Jimmy Ray will just have to put his sexy little wife to work at the bowling alley, Lila Mae agreed. Plus, Daddy can be around people his own age, for once.

Dorothea dramatized a little longer, getting the most mileage from her sisters’ guilt. Daddy hates people his age… they drool.

Okay, it’s settled then. Walter, you make all of the arrangements, Madge delegated. Let’s all go over to Cramer’s and grab a bite. I’m famished.

The girls and Walter stood. He came around the desk and hugged each one and placed a little peck on each of their cheeks. I’ll have to take a rain check, Madge. Zoe’s made reservations at The Bijou for this afternoon. Her niece Tilly’s in town.

Tilly? You haven’t had a Tilly sighting in quite some time, Lila Mae chimed in.

Should be interesting, Walter supplied.

Is she stable, Walter? Madge inquired.

Tilly is never stable, Madge. She’s just medicated, Walter replied. Why Zoe wants to go to The Bijou and risk a situation is beyond me.

She was such a pretty little girl, Lila Mae said.

Remember how she used to love to fold towels? She’d stay in your laundry room for an hour making sure those towels were all uniform, Madge recalled.

That’s because she was stoned, Walter explained.

Lila Mae, Madge and Dorothea appeared shocked.

Tell Zoe we’re here for her support, Madge said, ducking out the door.

Thanks, I will, Walter said.

Walter, I’ll check with Robert and find out if there are any bad planet alignments we should look out for, Lila Mae said. Dorothea rolled her eyes while Madge pretended she didn’t hear a thing.

See you later, Walter said. Smiling, he walked back around his desk and settled into his chair. He pressed a button on his speakerphone. Gina, call Lake Sides and secure a suite for Bernie Alcott. Then draw up a severance package for Bambi Chaline and give me a list of some perks we can include. Better include a waiver for her husband, Jimmy Ray, also, don’t want to overlook the greed factor.

Walter’s office door opened and Gina, his trust-worthy assistant, wearing a Bluetooth phone headset, popped in. Do you think we’re going to need to file papers to keep them off the property?

Walter pondered for a moment. That’s a little premature, but something we may revisit down the road. Call the contracting agency about the night nurse. I’ll suggest a bonus for her, also.

Gina held up a finger and pressed a button on her portable phone unit. Mr. Branson’s office. Oh, hi, Zoe. Hold on, I’ll put you through. Gina nodded to Walter, and then left the office.

Hi, hon. How’s Tilly doing? Oh Lord, I don’t think they’ll let her in the door dressed like that, Walter muttered. I know you’ll be as tactful as possible. Walter hung up the phone and shook his head, dreading the upcoming luncheon arrangements.

Three Bentleys in a row at Cramer’s restaurant did not even provoke a blink from passersby or customers coming or going.

Reviews for Hot Chocolate

[leslie398 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This could have been a decent cozy mystery if the author had had a decent professional editor. As it is, the book is at least 200 pages too long! I lost interest after no crime had occurred in the first 100 pages, and I skimmed through the rest of the book. The basic murder plot was okay, but it was buried under too much extraneous (and to me uninteresting) stuff...

[ncrainstorm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Hot Chocolate is a great read for a cozy evening in. Grab the book, a cup of hot chocolate - or cafe mocha (recipe at the back of the book) and settle in for a fun time. There's going to be a murder, so you've got a mystery to solve, but there are a lot of laughs along the way.The characters in this novel are larger than life, even down to Lila Mae's dog, Louis. Each one has a distinct personality and his/her own brand of quirkiness. This made getting to know everyone much fun, although there are so many it might be a tad confusing at first. I really liked the fact that the main characters were all older than today's typical protagonist, but they were just as energetic and hard-hitting as any teenager or twenty year old (after they have their cafe mochas)!The story flows smoothly and has a lot of zany situations which make for a very entertaining read. This book may fit best in the cozy mystery genre, but I think anyone who enjoys good fiction will appreciate it.

[kittycrochettwo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love reading a good cozy mystery and when it's paired with good old fashioned southern charm and whit well I'm sold! "Hot Chocolate" by Dawn Greenland Ireland gave me that plus a plenty of offbeat characters,along with a fast moving plot with a murder mystery woven in, sprinkled together with a liberal amount of humor in to make this a book that I just couldn't read fast enough! Madge, Lila Mae and Dorothea Alcott are the heirs to the Alcott Chocolate fortune. Dorothea has been taking care of their 92 year old father Bernie, but its really getting to her so she calls a meeting to discuss what to do. They come to the decision that it is time to place Bernie in an assisted living facility, but know that there is going to be problems when they try to dismiss Bernie's blond bombshell of a nurse Bambi Chaline. While Bambi doesn't have a problem with the severance package she has been offered her husband Jimmy Ray sure does and decides to sue. When things don't go Jimmy Ray's way and he winds up dead, well there are several suspects that kept me wondering who-dun-it!As I read this story I couldn't help but think that it would make an awesome movie. Set in the south with more than a few quirky characters that had me laughing out loud on several occasions.As I read the story I found the characters getting stuck in my head and could just imagine their southern twang. Each of the Alcott sisters had very distinct personalities, Madge had been an only child for four years and was excited when Lila Mae was born, she became her protector and felt like she had helped mold Lila Mae into the confident woman that she became. Dorothea was born seven years after Lila Mae, as loves her role as the baby of the family. I think of the three sisters my favorite had to be Lila Mae, because of her unwavering belief in astrology even when her sisters poo pooed her. Bambi was a character that I was certain I was going to dislike but instead of disliking her I actually felt a bit sorry for her. Jimmy Ray's character was described as handsome until he smiled and then look out, teeth so bad that they would send small children running, oh so easy to imagine!If you enjoy reading a fast paced mystery that has more twists than a winding country road, along with vivid descriptions of people, food and places that will grab your imagination and hold on tight until the final page your certainly going to enjoy "Hot Chocolate." I loved this author's storytelling ability and look forward to reading more of her work.An e-book copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.