“
You see somethin' ya want, baby?"
"Maybe. I'm checking things out. Seeing if I'm interested," I shot back with my own evil grin.
"I see something I want," he drawled as he came toward me.
"You do?"
"Hell yeah, I do," he murmured. "I love chocolate." What? My excitement turned to confusion. His arm reached out beside me and took the piece of chocolate cake I'd brought him.
”
”
Abbi Glines (While It Lasts (Sea Breeze, #3))
“
What does it feel like to get shot?"
"I don't recommend it," said Nellie in a controlled voice. "Chocolate is definitely better.
”
”
Gordon Korman (The Medusa Plot (39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers, #1))
“
Is this the part where I get on my knees and beg?” “I’m afraid that won’t cut it.” “How about if I send flowers and a box of chocolates?” “Unoriginal. Try harder.” “If I cry into my pillow?” “Only if I get to witness it personally.” “So I have a shot. Fantastic.
”
”
Rina Kent (God of War (Legacy of Gods, #6))
“
If my hair was on fire and llamas came to put it out, he'd tell me the shot was great.
”
”
Erin Dionne (Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies)
“
Then hearing Elvis today made me think I didn't have a lot to bitch about, but when I said that to Mr. Nak after group, he said, "Don't get to thinkin' just because some other guy's sinkin' in horse manure, the stuff up around your neck is chocolate puddin'. A wound is a wound, young Brewster. Remember that. Don't diminish the pain of your own just because you see some other gut-shot cowboy bleedin' to death.
”
”
Chris Crutcher (Ironman)
“
Detective Virgil and Barlow [bomb-technician] arranged to meet at the Starbucks. Virgil got a grande hot chocolate, no-fat milk, no foam, no whipped cream, and Barlow got a venti latte with an extra shot. As they took a corner table, Virgil said, “Remind me not to stand next to you if you’re handling a bomb. That much caffeine, you gotta be shakin’ like a hundred-dollar belly dancer.”
“At least I’m not drinking like a little girl,” Barlow said.
”
”
John Sandford (Shock Wave (Virgil Flowers, #5))
“
You cannot be everyone's cup of tea, but you can be someone's first sip of a cold drink on a sunny day.
Or a warming hot chocolate when you come in from the rain.
Or the pop of a long-awaited champagne cork.
Or a stiff shot of tequila when things go awry.
Find your people.
Love them hard
”
”
Donna Ashworth
“
An academic definition of Lynchian might be that the term "refers to a particular kind of irony where the very macabre and the very mundane combine in such a way as to reveal the former's perpetual containment within the latter." But like postmodern or pornographic, Lynchian is one of those Porter Stewart-type words that's ultimately definable only ostensively-i.e., we know it when we see it. Ted Bundy wasn't particularly Lynchian, but good old Jeffrey Dahmer, with his victims' various anatomies neatly separated and stored in his fridge alongside his chocolate milk and Shedd Spread, was thoroughgoingly Lynchian. A recent homicide in Boston, in which the deacon of a South Shore church reportedly gave chase to a vehicle that bad cut him off, forced the car off the road, and shot the driver with a highpowered crossbow, was borderline Lynchian. A Rotary luncheon where everybody's got a comb-over and a polyester sport coat and is eating bland Rotarian chicken and exchanging Republican platitudes with heartfelt sincerity and yet all are either amputees or neurologically damaged or both would be more Lynchian than not.
”
”
David Foster Wallace (A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again: Essays and Arguments)
“
He went to her head like a shot of whiskey but tasted a whole lot better. He sent the same fire curling into the pit of her belly with none of the bitter acid on her tongue. Instead, he was smooth and rich and sweet like fine chocolate, and for once in her life, Abby didn't worry about the treat going straight to her thighs. She rather hoped he would.
”
”
Christine Warren
“
Mind-blowing sex?" I couldn't believe I'd asked, but how could I not? It was like dangling a giant slice of chocolate cake in front of a hungry person on a diet and telling them not to take a bite.
”
”
Cindi Madsen (Getting Lucky Number Seven (Taking Shots, #1))
“
Come on. Let's go up to the kitchen, make some tea. We can try another one of Zia's cupcakes. She made some with chocolate frosting."
Lily froze in her tracks. "I hate it," she burst out. "I'm here, sipping tea and nibbling cupcakes while Bruno's out there? What, should I maybe crochet a white lace doily while I'm at it?"
Tam and Edie exchanged glances.
Tam, spoke, her voice dry. "Shot of bourbon, then?
”
”
Shannon McKenna (Blood and Fire (McClouds & Friends #8))
“
The watchers below could see the chocolate swishing around the boy in the pipe, and they could see it building up behind him in a solid mass, pushing against the blockage. The pressure was terrific. Something had to give. Something did give, and that something was Augustus. WHOOF! Up he shot again like a bullet in the barrel of a gun.
”
”
Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
“
I'm sorry, but why does Claire know how to take a punch? I'm not sure I like where this is going," Carter said nervously.
"Well, last year Jim made us watch Fight Club for like, the ten- thousandth time. And while I’m all for a little shirtless Brad Pitt action, Claire and I decided to take a shot every time Edward Norton talked in third person. By about twenty minutes in, we were trashed. I don't know whose idea it was, but Claire and I started our own fight club in the living room," Liz explained.
"It was your idea, Liz. You stood up in front of me, lifted your shirt and said "Punch me in the stomach as hard as you can, fucker.
”
”
Tara Sivec (Seduction and Snacks (Chocolate Lovers, #1))
“
There is a sudden spreading pancake of warmth on his ass and he realizes he has just shot the chocolate.
”
”
Stephen King (Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower, #5))
“
From the Indies to the Andes in his undies
And he never took a shave except on Mondays
He didn't eat a thing but chocolate sundaes
'Twas a very, very daring thing to do
”
”
Hoosier Hot Shots
“
Why don't you and I take a trip to the vending machine?" their mum said to Namir. "That's if you're a dinosaur who likes chocolate."
Namir was off off the bed like a shot. "All dinosaurs like chocolate silly!
”
”
Siobhan Curham (Tell it to the Moon (The Moonlight Dreamers, #2))
“
She inhaled the steam rising from the coffee without touching it. “I’m very picky about my coffee.”
“White chocolate peppermint latte, half skim, half soy, no whip, extra white chocolate sauce on the bottom and a drizzle on top.”
Her gaze shot up, watching me over the rim of the cup with a hint of incredulity. “How’d you know?”
I shrugged. “Maybe we like the same drinks.” Or maybe Wendy had told me the other day when she balanced three cups of coffee in the elevator.
Liya clamped her mouth shut but covered the warm cup with her petite hands. Her glossy red nails clicked against the sturdy paper cup, drowning out the muted sounds of others in the hallway beyond the open door.
“It’s okay,” I assured her.
“I don’t think you did anything to the coffee.”
“I mean it’s okay to smile because someone brought you your picky-ass latte.”
She took a sip. “We’re not friends, you know?”
“No one forgets being told they’re not friends,” I said teasingly, knowing full well she didn’t want to be friends but yet, here we were.
A smile crept across her lips, even though she tried hard to stop it.
”
”
Sajni Patel (The Trouble with Hating You (The Trouble with Hating You, #1))
“
At last, after much effort, there came a prolonged belch from the mud and Larry shot to the surface and we hauled him up the bank. He stood there, covered with the black and stinking slush, looking like a chocolate statue that has come in contact with a blast furnace; he appeared to be melting as we watched.
”
”
Gerald Durrell (My Family and Other Animals (Corfu Trilogy, #1))
“
My ears perked up like a dog’s again when she spoke and pointed in the general direction of the chick that smelled of Slim Jims.
I hope I don't start barking.
"Oh, please, like she doesn't know about the smell of meat products wafting from her lady parts. I think she rubs bologna down there to attract men. Lunch meat is her sex pheromone."
The brunette shook her head in irritation. "If I do a shot, will you please stop talking about Jade's disgusting vagina and never, ever use the word meat product in a sentence?"
"Woof!"
Three sets of eyes all turned to look at me.
"Did I just bark out loud?"
Three heads bobbed up and down in unison.
”
”
Tara Sivec (Seduction and Snacks (Chocolate Lovers, #1))
“
Luke snapped awake to see the gray-haired woman looking at him while adjusting her glasses. She smiled like he was something to eat. "There aren't many good shots of you when Natalie was on your lap. She's either leaning over you, or you're at her neck like Bela Lugosi. Though there's one really good part at the end ---
”
”
Ophelia London (Kissing Her Crush (Sugar City, #2))
“
Un Petit Phenix is born as Lillian's is resurrected, even more beautiful than before, with new wallpaper, new windows, and repaired chairs. It is a cinnamon macaron, pressed together with dark chili chocolate ganache. The result is surprisingly delicious- spicy, sweet, lingering long in your mouth, like a bowl of Aztec hot chocolate. It tastes best with a shot of the blackest coffee.
”
”
Hannah Tunnicliffe (The Color of Tea)
“
Beth pulled herself away from Ian and walked forward, sticking out her hand. “I’m very well, thank you so much for inquiring. The journey was tiring but uneventful, no problems on the lines, and no Fenian bombs at any of the stations.”
Hart shot Ian a scowl.
“She is fond of jokes,” Ian said.
“Is she?” Hart answered, his voice cool.
“I am also fond of chocolate, and of raspberry fool.” Beth curled her ignored hand at her side. “At the moment I’d be fond of a cool drink of water and a soft bed.”
Hart spoke directly to her for a change. “I don’t recall sending for you, Mrs. Ackerley. You’d even now be reclining on a soft bed if you’d gone upstairs with the maid.”
Beth’s heart hammered. “The only person I ever allowed to send for me, Your Grace, was Mrs. Barrington, and that was because she paid me wages.”
Hart’s brows drew fiercely together, and Ian said, “Leave her be, Hart.
”
”
Jennifer Ashley (The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Mackenzies & McBrides, #1))
“
The trend is for the following new coffee drinks: espresso, a shot of hot strong caffè served in a small cup with hot cream and sweetener; cappuccino, a blend of espresso and steamed and foamed hot milk; caffè latte, same ingredients as cappuccino but with more steamed and less foamed milk; and cafe mocha, mostly steamed milk with a shot of espresso and mocha syrup. All these coffees may have cinnamon, chocolate, plus additional flavors added.Δ
”
”
Ruby Parker Puckett (Foodservice Manual for Health Care Institutions (J-B AHA Press Book 150))
“
... a robust pop sounded and a tiny pepper black dragon about the size of a chipmunk shot out streams of red fire to sear a fish stick at a nearby stall.
On the docks, the adorable little beasts appeared to be as common as squirrels. Almost every vendor had one. Marisol was clearly not fond of the small winged creatures but Evangeline was delighted to spy tiny blue dragons sitting on shoulders and leathery brown ones perched on carts. The miniature beasts roasted apples and meats, blew glass baubles, and heated earthen mugs of drinking chocolate.
”
”
Stephanie Garber (Once Upon a Broken Heart (Once Upon a Broken Heart, #1))
“
Arthur chuckled. “That’s an old film canister, from back in the day when you had to get film developed. Imagine having to take pictures with your camera, being careful not to waste a single shot because film wasn’t cheap, waiting till you filled up a whole roll of film, which could take months, sticking it into one of those canisters, and delivering it to a store. Then waiting for the photos to be printed before you could see how they looked and by then you’d forgotten what you took pictures of in the first place.” He shook his head. “In the last two minutes I’ve taken thirty-six shots, deleted nine, cropped three, taken out a shadow in one, and sent them to six relatives with the caption Jade’s First Geocaching Pepsicle. Man, modern technology!
”
”
Wendy Mass (The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase)
“
There are food stations around the room, each representing one of the main characters. The Black Widow station is all Russian themed, with a carved ice sculpture that delivers vodka into molded ice shot glasses, buckwheat blini with smoked salmon and caviar, borsht bite skewers, minipita sandwiches filled with grilled Russian sausages, onion salad, and a sour cream sauce.
The Captain America station is, naturally, all-American, with cheeseburger sliders, miniwaffles topped with a fried chicken tender and drizzled with Tabasco honey butter, paper cones of French fries, mini-Chicago hot dogs, a mac 'n' cheese bar, and pickled watermelon skewers. The Hulk station is all about duality and green. Green and white tortellini, one filled with cheese, the other with spicy sausage, skewered with artichoke hearts with a brilliant green pesto for dipping. Flatbreads cooked with olive oil and herbs and Parmesan, topped with an arugula salad in a lemon vinaigrette. Mini-espresso cups filled with hot sweet pea soup topped with cold sour cream and chervil.
And the dessert buffet is inspired by Loki, the villain of the piece, and Norse god of mischief. There are plenty of dessert options, many of the usual suspects, mini-creme brûlée, eight different cookies, small tarts. But here and there are mischievous and whimsical touches. Rice Krispies treats sprinkled with Pop Rocks for a shocking dining experience. One-bite brownies that have a molten chocolate center that explodes in the mouth. Rice pudding "sushi" topped with Swedish Fish.
”
”
Stacey Ballis (Out to Lunch)
“
Oh, good. I was worried you’d taken ill.”
“Why?” Elizabeth asked as she took a sip of the chocolate. It was cold as ice!
“Because I couldn’t wake-“
“What time is it?” Elizabeth cried.
“Nearly eleven.”
“Eleven! But I told you to wake me at eight! How could you let me oversleep this way?” she said, her sleep-drugged mind already groping wildly for a solution. She could dress quickly and catch up with everyone. Or…
“I did try,” Berta exclaimed, hurt by the uncharacteristic sharpness in Elizabeth’s tone, “but you didn’t want to wake up.”
“I never want to awaken, Berta, you know that!”
“But you were worse this morning than normal. You said your head ached.”
“I always say things like that. I don’t know what I’m saying when I’m asleep. I’ll say anything to bargain for a few minutes’ more sleep. You’ve known that for years, and you always shake me awake anyway.”
“But you said,” Berta persisted, tugging unhappily a her apron, “that since it rained so much last night you were sure the trip to the village wouldn’t take place, so you didn’t have to arise at all.”
“Berta, for heaven’s sake!” Elizabeth cried, throwing off the covers and jumping out of bed with more energy than she’d ever shown after such a short period of wakefulness. “I’ve told you I’m dying of diphtheria to make you go away, and that didn’t succeed!”
“Well,” Berta shot back, marching over to the bell pull and ringing for a bath to be brought up, “when you told me that, your face wasn’t pale and your head didn’t feel hot to my touch. And you hadn’t dragged yourself into bed as if you could hardly stand when it was half past one in the morning!”
Contrite, Elizabeth slumped down in the bed. “It’s not your fault that I sleep like a hibernating bear. And besides, if they didn’t go to the village, it makes no difference at all that I overslept.” She was trying to resign herself to the notion of spending the day in the house with a man who could look at her across a roomful of diners and make her heart leap when Berta said, “They did go to the village. Last night’s storm was more noise and threat than rain.”
Closing her eyes for a brief moment, Elizabeth emitted a long sigh. It was already eleven, which meant Ian had already begun his useless vigil at the cottage.
”
”
Judith McNaught (Almost Heaven (Sequels, #3))
“
I cooked with so many of the greats: Tom Colicchio, Eric Ripert, Wylie Dufresne, Grant Achatz. Rick Bayless taught me not one but two amazing mole sauces, the whole time bemoaning that he never seemed to know what to cook for his teenage daughter. Jose Andres made me a classic Spanish tortilla, shocking me with the sheer volume of viridian olive oil he put into that simple dish of potatoes, onions, and eggs. Graham Elliot Bowles and I made gourmet Jell-O shots together, and ate leftover cheddar risotto with Cheez-Its crumbled on top right out of the pan.
Lucky for me, Maria still includes me in special evenings like this, usually giving me the option of joining the guests at table, or helping in the kitchen. I always choose the kitchen, because passing up the opportunity to see these chefs in action is something only an idiot would do. Susan Spicer flew up from New Orleans shortly after the BP oil spill to do an extraordinary menu of all Gulf seafood for a ten-thousand-dollar-a-plate fund-raising dinner Maria hosted to help the families of Gulf fishermen. Local geniuses Gil Langlois and Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard joined forces with Gale Gand for a seven-course dinner none of us will ever forget, due in no small part to Gil's hoisin oxtail with smoked Gouda mac 'n' cheese, Stephanie's roasted cauliflower with pine nuts and light-as-air chickpea fritters, and Gale's honey panna cotta with rhubarb compote and insane little chocolate cookies. Stephanie and I bonded over hair products, since we have the same thick brown curls with a tendency to frizz, and the general dumbness of boys, and ended up giggling over glasses of bourbon till nearly two in the morning. She is even more awesome, funny, sweet, and genuine in person than she was on her rock-star winning season on Bravo. Plus, her food is spectacular all day. I sort of wish she would go into food television and steal me from Patrick. Allen Sternweiler did a game menu with all local proteins he had hunted himself, including a pheasant breast over caramelized brussels sprouts and mushrooms that melted in your mouth (despite the occasional bit of buckshot). Michelle Bernstein came up from Miami and taught me her white gazpacho, which I have since made a gajillion times, as it is probably one of the world's perfect foods.
”
”
Stacey Ballis (Off the Menu)
“
David Chang, who had become the darling of the New York restaurant world, thanks to his Momofuku noodle and ssäm bars in the East Village, opened his third outpost, Momofuku Milk Bar, just around the corner from my apartment. While everyone in the city was clamoring for the restaurants' bowls of brisket ramen and platters of pig butt, his pastry chef, Christina Tosi, was cooking up "crack pie," an insane and outrageous addictive concoction made largely of white sugar, brown sugar, and powdered sugar, with egg yolks, heavy cream, and lots of butter, all baked in an oat cookie crust. People were going nuts for the stuff, and it was time for me to give this crack pie a shot. But as soon as I walked into the industrial-style bakery, I knew crack could have nothing on the cookies.
Blueberry and cream. Double chocolate. Peanut butter. Corn. (Yes, a corn cookie, and it was delicious). There was a giant compost cookie, chock-full of pretzels, chips, coffee grounds, butterscotch, oats, and chocolate chips. But the real knockout was the cornflake, marshmallow, and chocolate chip cookie. It was sticky, chewy, and crunchy at once, sweet and chocolaty, the ever-important bottom side rimmed in caramelized beauty. I love rice crisps in my chocolate, but who would have thought that cornflakes in my cookies could also cause such rapture?
”
”
Amy Thomas (Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate))
“
We’ve known his family forever. He doesn’t seem to care about the scandal in ours, and he’s an excellent shot-“
“That would certainly be at the top of my list of requirements for a husband,” Minerva broke in, eyes twinkling. “’Must be able to hit a bull’s-eye at fifty paces.’”
“Fifty paces? Are you mad? It would have to be a hundred at least.”
Her sister burst into laughter. “Forgive me for not knowing what constitutes sufficient marksmanship for your prospective mate.” Her gaze grew calculating. “I heart that Jackson is a very good shot. Gabe said he beat everyone today, even you.”
“Don’t remind me,” Celia grumbled.
“Gabe also said he won a kiss from you.”
“Yes, and he gave me a peck on the forehead,” Celia said, still annoyed by that. “As if I were some…some little girl.”
“Perhaps he was just trying to be polite.”
Celia sighed. “Probably.
I didn’t kiss you “properly” today because I was afraid if I did I might not stop.
“The thing is…” Celia bit her lower lip and wondered just how much she should reveal to her sister. But she had to discuss this with someone, and she knew she could trust Minerva. Her sister had never betrayed a confidence. “That wasn’t the first time Jackson kissed me. Nor the last.”
Minerva nearly choked on her chocolate. “Good Lord, Celia, don’t say such things when I’m drinking something hot!” Carefully she set her cup on the bedside table. “He kissed you?” She seized Celia’s free hand. “More than once?”
Celia nodded.
Her sister cast her eyes heavenward. “And yet you’re debating whether to enter into a marriage of convenience with Lyons.” Then she looked alarmed. “You did want the man to kiss you, right?”
“Of course I wanted-“ She caught herself. “He didn’t force me, if that’s what you’re asking. But neither has Jackson…I mean, Mr. Pinter…offered me anything important.”
“He hasn’t mentioned marriage?”
“No.”
Concern crossed Minerva’s face. “And love? What of that?”
“That neither.” She set her own cup on the table, then dragged a blanket up to her chin. “He’s just kissed me. A lot.”
Minerva left the bed to pace in front of the fireplace. “With men, that’s how it starts sometimes. They desire a woman first. Love comes later.”
Unless they were drumming up desire for a woman for some other reason, the way Ned had. “Sometimes all they feel for a woman is desire,” Celia pointed out. “Sometimes love never enters into it. Like Papa with his females.”
“Mr. Pinter doesn’t strike me as that sort.”
“Well, he didn’t strike me as having an ounce of passion until he started kissing me.”
Minerva shot her a sly glance. “How is his kissing?”
Heat rose in her cheeks. “It’s very…er…inspiring.” Much better than Ned’s, to be sure.
“That’s rather important in a husband,” Minerva said dryly. “And what of the duke? Has he kissed you?”
“Once. It was…not so inspiring.” She leaned forward. “But he’s offering marriage, and Jackson hasn’t even hinted at it.”
“You shouldn’t settle for a marriage of convenience. Especially if you prefer Jackson.”
I don’t believe in marriages of convenience. Given your family’s history, I would think that you wouldn’t, either.
Celia balled the blanket into a knot. That was easy for Jackson to say-he didn’t have a scheming grandmother breathing down his neck. For that matter, neither did Minerva.
”
”
Sabrina Jeffries (A Lady Never Surrenders (Hellions of Halstead Hall, #5))
“
When the bullhorn signaled that he'd met the qualifying time,he struggled to gather his wits,waiting until Devil was right alongside the gate before he freed his hand,cutting himself loose. He flew through the air and over the corral fence,landing in the dirt at Marilee Trainor's feet.
"My God! Don't move." She was beside him in the blink of an eye,kneeling in the dirt,probing for broken bones.
Wyatt lay perfectly still,enjoying the feel of those clever, practiced hands moving over him.When she moved from his legs to his torso and arms,he opened his eyes to narrow slits and watched her from beneath lowered lids.
She was the perfect combination of beauty and brains.He could see the wheels turning as she did a thorough exam.Even her brow,furrowed in concentration,couldn't mar that flawless complexion. Her eyes, the color of the palest milk chocolate, were narrowed in thought.Strands of red hair dipped over one cheek, giving her a sultry look.
Satisfied that nothing was broken, she sat back on her heels,feeling a moment of giddy relief. That was when she realized that he was staring.
She waved a hand before his eyes. "How many fingers can you see?"
"Four fingers and a thumb. Or should I say four beautiful,long,slender fingers and one perfect thumb,connected to one perfect arm of one perfectly gorgeous female? And,I'm happy to add,there's no ring on the third finger of that hand."
She caught the smug little grin on his lips. Her tone hardened. "I get it. A showboat.I should have known.I don't have time to waste on some silver-tongued actor."
"Why,thank you.I had no idea you'd examined my tongue.Mind if I examine yours?"
She started to stand,but his hand shot out,catching her by the wrist. "Sorry.That was really cheesy, but I couldn't resist teasing you."
His tone altered,deepened,just enough to have her glancing over to see if he was still teasing.
He met her look. "Are you always this serious?"
Despite his apology,she wasn't about to let him off the hook,or change her mind about him.
”
”
R.C. Ryan (Montana Destiny (McCords, 2))
“
The Iran/Contra cover-up The major elements of the Iran/Contra story were well known long before the 1986 exposures, apart from one fact: that the sale of arms to Iran via Israel and the illegal Contra war run out of Ollie North’s White House office were connected. The shipment of arms to Iran through Israel didn’t begin in 1985, when the congressional inquiry and the special prosecutor pick up the story. It began almost immediately after the fall of the Shah in 1979. By 1982, it was public knowledge that Israel was providing a large part of the arms for Iran—you could read it on the front page of the New York Times. In February 1982, the main Israeli figures whose names later appeared in the Iran/Contra hearings appeared on BBC television [the British Broadcasting Company, Britain’s national broadcasting service] and described how they had helped organize an arms flow to the Khomeini regime. In October 1982, the Israeli ambassador to the US stated publicly that Israel was sending arms to the Khomeini regime, “with the cooperation of the United States…at almost the highest level.” The high Israeli officials involved also gave the reasons: to establish links with elements of the military in Iran who might overthrow the regime, restoring the arrangements that prevailed under the Shah—standard operating procedure. As for the Contra war, the basic facts of the illegal North-CIA operations were known by 1985 (over a year before the story broke, when a US supply plane was shot down and a US agent, Eugene Hasenfus, was captured). The media simply chose to look the other way. So what finally generated the Iran/Contra scandal? A moment came when it was just impossible to suppress it any longer. When Hasenfus was shot down in Nicaragua while flying arms to the Contras for the CIA, and the Lebanese press reported that the US National Security Adviser was handing out Bibles and chocolate cakes in Teheran, the story just couldn’t be kept under wraps. After that, the connection between the two well-known stories emerged. We then move to the next phase: damage control. That’s what the follow-up was about. For more on all of this, see my Fateful Triangle (1983), Turning the Tide (1985), and Culture of Terrorism (1987).
”
”
Noam Chomsky (How the World Works)
“
Rose barely poured herself a cup of hot, mouth-watering chocolate, when she saw Grey and Archer walking across the lawn. Archer was impeccable as always, but Grey was a mess. His clothes were the same he’d worn the night before, and obviously slept in. His shirt, open at the throat, revealed a glimpse of tanned flesh that made her heart twitch and her gingers itch to touch him. His hair was mussed, and stubble covered his cheeks and jaw, except where prohibited by his scar.
In short, he looked absolutely beautiful-a fallen angel. The only thing that made him remotely human was that scar, and she could easily tell herself he got that from battling the archangel Gabriel before being thrown out of heaven.
She squinted as she realize Grey held something against his chest-something that moved. Was that a puppy?
She jumped to her feet, and skipped down the few steps that took her down to the lawn. Lifting the skirts of her yellow morning gown, she hurried to meet them. “Good morning!” she cried. “What have you there?”
Archer smiled in greeting, but Rose barely noticed. Her gaze was riveted on the man looking at her with an expression so hopeful it neigh on broke her heart.
“I brought you something,” he said, his voice low and strangely rough. “A gift.” And then he held out his arms and offered her the sweetest face she’d ever seen.
“Oh!” What an idiot she must seem, her eyes welling with tears over a dog, but she didn’t care. She let the tears come and slip down her cheeks as she took the warm, silky animal into her own arms, burying her face against its fur. “Grey, thank you!”
“He’s too young to be away from his mother yet, but he’s yours if you want hm.”
“Of course I want him! He’s beautiful.”
He ran a hand through the thick tangle of his hair. “I didn’t know that you’d never had a dog before.”
Rose cast a glance at Archer, who shrugged. “Telling my secrets are you, Lord Archer?” What else had he revealed?
Grey’s brother shot her a sincere glance. “Only that one, Lady Rose. I did not think you would mind.”
“And I don’t.” Turning her attention back to the squirming puppy in her arms, Rose was rewarded with a lick to the chin.
“He’ll need to go back to the stables in a few minutes,” Grey told her. “But you can see him whenever you like.”
With her free hand, Rose reached out and took one of Grey’s. His fingers were so big and strong next to hers. She squeezed and then let go, letting him know with a touch just how much his gift meant to her. “I love him. Thank you so very much.”
“What are you going to name him?” he asked.
Rose tore her gaze away from the pleasure in his, lest she do something stupid like kiss him in front of his brother. Instead, she cast a small, secretive smile at Archer. “Heathcliff,” she replied. “His name is Heathcliff.
”
”
Kathryn Smith (When Seducing a Duke (Victorian Soap Opera, #1))
“
A bottle of Champagne, several rounds of shots, and a handful of hours later, all three of us are sitting in my secret garden, drinking margaritas Sadie whipped up and eating the chocolate cake straight from the container with forks.
”
”
Morgan Elizabeth (The Distraction (Springbrook Hills, #1))
“
For the past three months, she'd been sticking rigorously to her diet. She ate an apple and a spoonful of peanut butter for breakfast, a salad with grilled chicken breast for lunch, and a Lean Cuisine for dinner. At work, she avoided the carb-heavy staff meals. One of the sous-chefs was always happy to roast her some chicken breast or salmon. She'd chew spearmint gum while she cooked, and allow herself just a taste of even her favorite dishes. At bedtime, after her mom had gone to bed, she would sneak into the kitchen to slug down a shot of the vodka that she kept in the freezer, with a squeeze of fresh lime. Without that final step, she faced a night lying in bed, listening to her mom snuffling and sighing and sometimes weeping through the thin bedroom door, tormented by thoughts of everything she wanted to eat, when she started eating again: brownies with caramel swirled on top, and a sprinkling of flaky sea salt on top of that. Spicy chicken wings; garlic with pea shoots; spicy tofu in sesame honey sauce, curried goat- from the Jamaican place she'd discovered- over rice cooked with saffron. Vanilla custard in a cake cone, topped with a shower of rainbow sprinkles; eclairs; sugar cookies dusted with green and red; and hot chocolate drunk in front of a fire.
”
”
Jennifer Weiner (That Summer)
“
Shake Shack- The now multinational, publicly traded fast-food chain was inspired by the roadside burger stands from Danny's youth in the Midwest and serves burgers, dogs, and concretes- frozen custard blended with mix-ins, including Mast Brothers chocolate and Four & Twenty Blackbirds pie, depending on the location.
Blue Smoke- Another nod to Danny's upbringing in the Midwest, this Murray Hill barbecue joint features all manner of pit from chargrilled oysters to fried chicken to seven-pepper brisket, along with a jazz club in the basement.
Maialino- This warm and rustic Roman-style trattoria with its garganelli and braised rabbit and suckling pig with rosemary potatoes is the antidote to the fancy-pants Gramercy Park Hotel, in which it resides.
Untitled- When the Whitney Museum moved from the Upper East Side to the Meatpacking District, the in-house coffee shop was reincarnated as a fine dining restaurant, with none other than Chef Michael Anthony running the kitchen, serving the likes of duck liver paté, parsnip and potato chowder, and a triple chocolate chunk cookie served with a shot of milk.
Union Square Café- As of late 2016, this New York classic has a new home on Park Avenue South. But it has the same style, soul, and classic menu- Anson Mills polenta, ricotta gnocchi, New York strip steak- as it first did when Danny opened the restaurant back in 1985.
The Modern- Overlooking the Miró, Matisse, and Picasso sculptures in MoMA's Sculpture Garden, the dishes here are appropriately refined and artistic. Think cauliflower roasted in crab butter, sautéed foie gras, and crispy Long Island duck.
”
”
Amy Thomas (Brooklyn in Love: A Delicious Memoir of Food, Family, and Finding Yourself)
“
The charlottes cooled in their tin molds while she squeezed lemons and crushed strawberries to flavor her Sicilian ices. The juices trickled into the rectangular tins she stored them in. Then she split off a sheet of foil and smoothed it out on top of the tins; the foil crackled beneath her hands.
Later on, the names of the desserts she made got printed in dark green cursive on the backs of the menus: Raspberry Fool. Queen Mother's Cake with a shot of Rum. Mocha Ice Parfait in a Bitter-Chocolate Tuille. And, of course, Charlotte au Chocolat.
”
”
Charlotte Silver (Charlotte Au Chocolat: Memories of a Restaurant Girlhood)
“
as he spoke. “You look great. How do you feel about looking like a completely different person, if you don’t mind my asking?” “I don’t really know. At first I thought it was great, and I suppose I still do. It’s all just so unreal to me still, you know?” I shrugged. “It’s hard to believe. I feel like I’m still in a coma and I’ll wake up any day now.” “I sure hope not,” Carl said. “I don’t want to have to come all this way to collect you again.” I laughed, as lame as his joke was. He always knew how to cheer me up. “Thanks again, Carl.” “You’re welcome,” he replied, shifting gears. I felt my breathing speed up and struggled to keep myself calm. “Narel,” Carl said, startling me, “I know you told me on the phone several times, but mostly I was watching The Real Housewives of Melbourne at the time so I wasn’t really listening. How are you for money? With your accident, I mean. Did work give you time off?” “I did tell you!” I exclaimed, excited to discuss the news in person. “I’ve quit my job.” Carl’s eyebrows shot up when I said that. “I know you said you had that big settlement, but has it come through yet? How are you for money?” It was obvious he was earnestly worried. “Better than ever. As you know, I settled out of court with the other driver from the accident. I told you he was a driver for a big national company. They’ve already paid up. Carl, I don’t think I’m going to have many money troubles from here on.” I beamed at him. “Narel, trust you to downplay something like that. ‘Don’t think you’ll have many money troubles’? Most people would settle for saying ‘I’m filthy stinking rich.’” Carl laughed. “Well, I suppose I am,” I agreed, laughing too. “I could’ve made more money if the case had gone ahead, I guess, but I
”
”
Morgana Best (Sweet Revenge (Cocoa Narel Chocolate Shop, #1))
“
Dark, bottomless, espresso-colored eyes fringed with long, thick lashes. Full lips tinted by chocolate and roses. High cheekbones and one dimple on the right side. A bold nose dusted with exactly seven freckles. I blink to clear the mental image, sharpening
”
”
Kennedy Ryan (Block Shot (Hoops, #2))
“
I love you,” he said, as direct and blunt and sweet as always. My heart did a little flip. “Lachlan brought dinner. Ramsey got wine. I got the flowers.” “Thanks for that,” Lachlan said from downstairs and I glanced past Jonas to Lachlan stood at the bottom of the steps. “I also got dessert, so that the chocolate orgasm you have later will be one hundred percent courtesy of me.
”
”
Heather Long (Money Shot (Blue Ivy Prep #4))
“
I love you,” he said, as direct and blunt and sweet as always. My heart did a little flip. “Lachlan brought dinner. Ramsey got wine. I got the flowers.” “Thanks for that,” Lachlan said from downstairs and I glanced past Jonas to Lachlan stood at the bottom of the steps. “I also got dessert, so that the chocolate orgasm you have later will be one hundred percent courtesy of me.” I had to bite back a smile. “And if we’re taking score,” Lachlan continued. “I’m also in love with you. I just—prefer to do acts of service like beating the shit out of assholes for you.
”
”
Heather Long (Money Shot (Blue Ivy Prep #4))
“
Dairy Queen’s Frozen Hot Chocolate: A hot chocolate blended with ice to give it a frosty crunch. 191 McDonald’s Big Mac Poutine: McDonald’s classic golden fries topped with their famous Big Mac sauce. 192 Wendy’s Grand Slam: Also known as the Meat Cube, this burger has a total of four patties. 193 White Castle’s Seasoned Fries: You can get your fries with additional seasoning free of charge. 194 Starbucks Nutella Misto: Order a Caffè Misto with a shot of chocolate and hazelnut topped with caramel drizzle. 195
”
”
Keith Bradford (Life Hacks: Any Procedure or Action That Solves a Problem, Simplifies a Task, Reduces Frustration, Etc. in One's Everyday Life (Life Hacks Series))
“
Going back in “was really uncomfortable,” she said. It made no difference that she was an expert in end-of-life discussions. “I just felt awful having the conversation with my dad.” But she went through her list. She told him, “‘I need to understand how much you’re willing to go through to have a shot at being alive and what level of being alive is tolerable to you.’ We had this quite agonizing conversation where he said—and this totally shocked me—‘Well, if I’m able to eat chocolate ice cream and watch football on TV, then I’m willing to stay alive. I’m willing to go through a lot of pain if I have a shot at that.’” “I would never have expected him to say that,
”
”
Atul Gawande (Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End)
“
Going back in “was really uncomfortable,” she said. It made no difference that she was an expert in end-of-life discussions. “I just felt awful having the conversation with my dad.” But she went through her list. She told him, “‘ I need to understand how much you’re willing to go through to have a shot at being alive and what level of being alive is tolerable to you.’ We had this quite agonizing conversation where he said—and this totally shocked me—‘ Well, if I’m able to eat chocolate ice cream and watch football on TV, then I’m willing to stay alive. I’m willing to go through a lot of pain if I have a shot at that.’” “I would never have expected him to say that,
”
”
Atul Gawande (Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End)
“
A decade earlier, her seventy-four-year-old father, Jack Block, a professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California at Berkeley, was admitted to a San Francisco hospital with symptoms from what proved to be a mass growing in the spinal cord of his neck. She flew out to see him. The neurosurgeon said that the procedure to remove the mass carried a 20 percent chance of leaving him quadriplegic, paralyzed from the neck down. But without it he had a 100 percent chance of becoming quadriplegic. The evening before surgery, father and daughter chatted about friends and family, trying to keep their minds off what was to come, and then she left for the night. Halfway across the Bay Bridge, she recalled, “I realized, ‘Oh, my God, I don’t know what he really wants.’” He’d made her his health care proxy, but they had talked about such situations only superficially. So she turned the car around. Going back in “was really uncomfortable,” she said. It made no difference that she was an expert in end-of-life discussions. “I just felt awful having the conversation with my dad.” But she went through her list. She told him, “‘ I need to understand how much you’re willing to go through to have a shot at being alive and what level of being alive is tolerable to you.’ We had this quite agonizing conversation where he said—and this totally shocked me—‘ Well, if I’m able to eat chocolate ice cream and watch football on TV, then I’m willing to stay alive. I’m willing to go through a lot of pain if I have a shot at that.’” “I would never have expected him to say that,
”
”
Atul Gawande (Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End)
“
Oh, sweet mother of fuckers. I almost wept at the taste. It was the nirvana of chocolate, the perfect sweetness, the perfect moistness, the perfect richness, and then to reward the eater further, the cake was shot through with raspberry. Literally the best pairing in the world.
”
”
Deborah Wilde (The Unlikeable Demon Hunter: Sting (Nava Katz, #2))
“
Harvath sat in a corner of the Café Hawelka. A suppressed Beretta rested beneath a newspaper in his lap. Art posters covered the faded walls. The place smelled like chocolate and stale cigarettes. Taking a final sip of his coffee, he stood and set the newspaper on the table. His target was sitting with another man, near the window. Both were in their early thirties. Neither looked up. Approaching the table, Harvath said only, “Paris.” Then, placing the suppressor under the man’s jaw, pulled the trigger. Even though the Beretta was suppressed, the shot was still audible, and the man’s brains splattered across the café window were extremely visible.
”
”
Brad Thor (Foreign Agent (Scot Harvath, #15))
“
I was scared, of course. But I was also scared to go into the military, and I did it. I was scared to go to Saudi Arabia, but I did it. I was scared to get out of the military, but I did it. I stuffed my fear where I always do, deep in the bowels of my belly beneath the mountains of mint chocolate chip ice cream I’d consumed, and carried on. Maybe I was being a stupid little dreamer, but I knew I had to be that girl who tried. I was more scared of dying without trying to give my dreams a shot, than being that person who lived until her one-hundredth birthday without
”
”
Rhonda Eason (To Hair and Back: My Journey Toward Self-Love One Strand at a Time)
“
VIKRAM SHANKAR SQUINTED DOWN the long metal barrel. Framed squarely in the sight, not two hundred feet away, the white tiger sat on its haunches, its lower jaw drooping, ribs rippling under a mat of chocolate-striped fur. A sweet shot. Vikram’s right finger closed over the trigger. He inhaled slowly, deliberately. Too seasoned a hunter to let the thrill overcome judgment, he took his time, savoring the anticipation.
”
”
Phoenix Sullivan (Sector C)
“
Café Mocha Pull two shots of espresso into a tall glass. Mix in chocolate syrup or powder. Add steamed milk nearly to the top. Squirt whipped cream over the milk and garnish.
”
”
Antonio Verona (Espresso Making Perfection)
“
Do we have anything chocolate in this kitchen? Anything?"
"I think there's some chocolate syrup in the fridge. But we don't have any milk. Not that it was me who drank it. That would be the witch." Della glanced back at Kylie.
Kylie reached into the refrigerator and found the chocolate syrup. Oh, hell, beggars couldn't be choosy.
She squeezed a line of chocolate all the way up her index finger and popped the digit into her mouth.
"So the meeting with the Brightens didn't go well?" Della asked.
"No, it went fine," Kylie mumbled around her chocolate-covered finger. When the sweetness disappeared, she pulled her finger out and aimed the top of the bottle down and gave the digit another squirt of sweetness.
"Then why are you sucking chocolate syrup off your finger like it's whiskey? Wait! I know why, I heard about the fiasco with your dad and mom-the whole pregnancy thing. Hilarious." Della dropped her elbows on the table and laughed."Not hilarious." Kylie frowned. "How did you hear about it?"
Della shrugged, looking a little guilty for bringing it up. "Someone heard it go down. Everybody was talking about it. Sorry." She made an apology face.
Kylie moaned. "Will I ever stop being the source of gossip around here?" She held her head back and squeezed a good squirt of chocolate straight into her mouth.
"Now that's gross!" Della chuckled.
Kylie brought the bottle down and licked her lips. "I didn't touch my lips to the bottle. I just poured it into my mouth."
"And on your chin."
Frowning, Kylie wiped her chin with the back of her hand. "Sorry, I'm feeling desperate." She snagged a bowl and spoon and went back to the table and emptied a half a cup of the sweet feel-good stuff into her bowl.
"Damn," Della said. "You are feeling desperate."
Kylie scooped a spoonful of chocolate into her mouth, licked the spoon clean and said, "Monique crawled into the stall with me."
"Who? What stall?"
"Monique. Lucas's Monique. She climbed into the bathroom stall with me in the restaurant bathroom."
"Oh, shit! Did you two like duke it out or something?"
"No." Kylie licked the spoon. "I just peed all over myself." She took another spoonful of chocolate into her mouth.
Della sighed. "Are you okay?"
"I will be after I finish off this bottle," Kylie said.
Della half grinned. "If I was a real friend, I'd stop you from drinking it."
Kylie shook her head. "If you were a real friend, you'd help me finish it."
"Shit. Why not?" She pushed over her glass of blood. "Give me a couple of shots."
Kylie arched an eyebrow. "For real?"
"Yeah." Della pushed her schoolbooks to the side. "Screw homework, let's get drunk off chocolate. I could use a pick-me-up, too.
”
”
C.C. Hunter (Chosen at Nightfall (Shadow Falls, #5))
“
A tingle shot up Chiara's spine as she grabbed one end of Agata's wand. Power coursed through her and out the wand, joining with the other fairies' magic.
What was more, as she held Agata's wand, she could feel the fear and awesome wrath coming from Monstro. It was a taste of wild power, so intense and strong she felt she could do anything with it.
Now she understood why Monstro was so valuable to the Heartless. His wrath was never-ending, and it took little effort for her to sense that his wells of strength were immense.
Chiara pushed Monstro's power aside and focused on Agata's instructions. She was supposed to wield the wand while thinking of her fondest dreams. She thought about all the mornings she had spent with Ily, making music together, making messes in their parents' bakery kitchen, tossing pistachio cookies and chocolate cakes at each other.
Was it her imagination, or did a stream of pale blue magic course out of Agata's wand?
”
”
Elizabeth Lim (When You Wish Upon a Star)
“
EMERGENCY PLAN
First we decided where to meet.
The fire was coming and I knew
what we would need: flashlights,
water, condoms, and a shot
of our imaginary son. Only, what we used to call
our peeping birds startled me into starting days
long before the city bus commenced its run.
That’s when I knew we hadn’t done enough
in case the sky fell while I was driving,
and I packed a pair of panties, matches,
some aspirin in the trunk. I secreted
trail mix, shekels, and seed to plant
after the revolution was over
and done, I made sure we remembered
where we planned to mee, taught us
to swim in case we came near water
when it decided to flood. But those damned birds
with their nesting scattered on the patio
were eventually the most reliable alarm,
and, only to level the threat, I fashioned a carryall
from the pillowcase I no longer slept on.
I filled it: tinned meat and crackers, chocolate,
a little musk so I can recall
how we smelled before this end was begun.
”
”
Camille T. Dungy (Smith Blue (Crab Orchard Series in Poetry))
“
Table of Contents Your Free Book Why Healthy Habits are Important Healthy Habit # 1: Drink Eight Glasses of Water Healthy Habit #2: Eat a Serving of Protein and Carbohydrates Healthy Habit #3: Fill Half Your Plate with Vegetables Healthy Habit #4: Add Two Teaspoons of Healthy Oil to Meals Healthy Habit #5: Walk for 30 Minutes Healthy Habit #6: Take a Fish Oil Supplement Healthy Habit #7: Introduce Healthy Bacteria to Your Body Healthy Habit #8: Get a “Once a Month” Massage Healthy Habit #9: Eat a Clove of Garlic Healthy Habit #10: Give Your Sinuses a Daily Bath Healthy Habit #11: Eat 25-30 Grams of Fiber Healthy Habit #12: Eliminate Refined Sugar and Carbohydrates Healthy Habit #13: Drink a Cup of Green Tea Healthy Habit #14: Get Your Vitamin D Levels Checked Yearly Healthy Habit #15: Floss Your Teeth Healthy Habit #16: Wash Your Hands Often Healthy Habit #17: Treat a Cough or Sore Throat with Honey Healthy Habit #18: Give Your Body 500 mg of Calcium Healthy Habit #19: Eat Breakfast Healthy Habit #20: Sleep 8-10 Hours Healthy Habit #21: Eat Five Different Colors of Food Healthy Habit #22: Breathe Deeply for Two Minutes Healthy Habit #23: Practice Yoga Three Times a Week Healthy Habit #24: Sleep On Your Left Side Healthy Habit #25: Eat Healthy Fats Healthy Habit #26: Dilute Juice with Sparkling Water Healthy Habit #27: Slow Alcohol Consumption with Water Healthy Habit #28: Do Strength Training Healthy Habit #29: Keep a Food Diary Healthy Habit #30: Exercise during TV Commercials Healthy Habit #31: Move, Don’t Use Technology Healthy Habit #32: Eat a Teaspoon of Cinnamon Healthy Habit #33: Use Acupressure to Treat Headache and Nausea Healthy Habit #34: Get an Eye Exam Every Year Healthy Habit #35: Wear Protective Eyewear Healthy Habit #36: Quit Smoking Healthy Habit #37: Pack Healthy Snacks Healthy Habit #38: Pack Your Lunch Healthy Habit #39: Eliminate Caffeine Healthy Habit #40: Finish Your Antibiotics Healthy Habit #41: Wear Sunscreen – Over SPF 15 Healthy Habit #42: Wear a Helmet for Biking or Rollerblading Healthy Habit #43: Wear Your Seatbelt Healthy Habit #44: Get a Yearly Physical Healthy Habit #45: Maintain a First Aid Kit Healthy Habit #46: Eat a Banana Every Day Healthy Habit #47: Use Coconut Oil to Moisturize Healthy Habit #48: Pay Attention to Hunger Cues Healthy Habit #49: Eat a Handful of Nuts Healthy Habit #50: Get a Flu Shot Each Year Healthy Habit #51: Practice Daily Meditation Healthy Habit #52: Eliminate Artificial Sweeteners Healthy Habit #53: Sanitize Your Kitchen Healthy Habit #54: Walk 10,000 Steps a Day Healthy Habit #55: Take a Multivitamin Healthy Habit #56: Eat Fish Twice a Week Healthy Habit #57: Add Healthy Foods to Your Diet Healthy Habit #58: Avoid Liquid Calories Healthy Habit #59: Give Your Eyes a Break Healthy Habit #60: Protect Yourself from STDs Healthy Habit #61: Get 20 Minutes of Sunshine Healthy Habit #62: Become a Once a Week Vegetarian Healthy Habit #63: Limit Sodium to 2,300 mg a Day Healthy Habit #64: Cook 2+ Home Meals Each Week Healthy Habit #65: Eat a Half Ounce of Dark Chocolate Healthy Habit #66: Use Low Fat Salad Dressing Healthy Habit #67: Eat Meals at the Table Healthy Habit #68: Eat an Ounce of Chia Seeds Healthy Habit #69: Choose Juices that Contain Pulp Healthy Habit #70: Prepare Produce After Shopping
”
”
S.J. Scott (70 Healthy Habits - How to Eat Better, Feel Great, Get More Energy and Live a Healthy Lifestyle)
“
It’s your call” does not mean kids get to call all the shots at home so that the family is ruled by its youngest members. (“Chocolate cake for dinner every night!”)
”
”
William Stixrud (The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives)
“
her one weakness in life was icing shots in chocolate vases? There were six of them in a rainbow of hues,
”
”
Honor Raconteur (Call to Quarters (A Gaeldorcraeft Forces Novel, #1))
“
Don’t get to thinkin’ just because some other guy’s sinkin’ In horse manure, the stuff up around your neck is chocolate puddin’. A wound is a wound, young Brewster. Remember that. Don’t diminish the pain of your own just because you see some other guy-shot cowboy bleedin’ to death.
”
”
Chris Crutcher (Ironman)
“
Moving slowly and carefully to avoid bruising the fruit, I combined handfuls of plump raspberries and deep purple blueberries, a healthy cup of sugar, and some spring water into a heavy saucepan. It climbed slowly to a gentle boil while I stirred and folded it carefully onto itself. I lowered the heat and let it form a syrup before adding another handful of raspberries and a splash of raspberry brandy.
Avery came back to hover as I was finishing the dish. I puddled the warm berries into the bottom of a bowl and added a scoop of my housemade vanilla bean ice cream. Nestling the bowl onto a white rectangular dish, I added two ceramic shot glasses and poured in the final piece.
"What is that?" Tova asked, her voice hushed.
"Something I've been tinkering with. It's kind of a hot chocolate meets a pot de crème. Silky, espresso-laced chocolate sauce with a touch of cream and a pinch of freshly grated cinnamon. They can sip it, like a mini-cocktail. I think it will go well with the berries.
”
”
Kimberly Stuart (Sugar)
“
Just the right amount of cumin and oregano, I can tell," he adds, "and with that zing you got the chile peppers right on the button- three-alarm, I'd say."
"Plus paprika and Tabasco and guess what? Beer," I inform him. "But wanna know my real secret? A little bit of bitter chocolate."
"Chocolate!" he exclaims.
"Yep, chocolate."
"How much?" he asks real excited.
"That's my little secret, Mr. Dewitt," I tease him as I chuckle.
"Well, I'll be damned."
"I'm so glad it's not too soupy," Mrs. Dewitt says next. "Just thick enough."
"Masa harina?" he asks.
"My, my, Mr. Dewitt," I try to compliment him, "I can tell you do know your bowl o' red."
He finishes up the bowl and lets out this crude laugh. "Don't fix any myself, but I warned you, sister, you're dealing with real chiliheads around this house."
"So you've decided you like it without the beans?" I ask.
He wipes his mouth on the linen napkin like he's just eaten Russian caviar instead of plain old Texas chili. "Now, I ain't saying that by a long shot, Loretta, 'cause for me chili's not chili without beans. But I got an open mind, and besides, you say you also fix a big pot of pintos on the side?"
"Yeah, I do, spiced up with jalapeños."
"What else you serve with your chili?"
"Anything you want," I tell him in a real confident tone. "Guacamole, coleslaw, rice, tacos, sour cream, red pepper vinegar, and maybe some corn tortillas my Mexican helper makes- just tell me whatcha like.
”
”
James Villas (Hungry for Happiness)
“
There’s a sure shot way to get rid of that frown,
when you have some chocolate around.
”
”
Manali Manan Desai (A Rustic Mind)
“
When the girls were in a mood to party, the “no shot” rule was as useless as a chocolate kettle.
”
”
K.F. Breene (Back in the Saddle (Jessica Brodie Diaries, #1))
“
His mind was made up. A couple of shots wouldn't be sufficient to help him wind down. Five foot three inches of chocolate would do the trick.
”
”
Belleza (To Do List: A Valentine’s Day Short Story)
“
There is a pot of coarse oat porridge with bilberries, a whole side of smoked salmon on a waney-edged plank and venison black pudding as crumbly as chocolate cake. Nettles are pressed into crispbread like leaves on a frozen pond. A sleigh ride from Lapland, snow falling and faced with the breakfast of my dreams, I spoon cakes of potato and kale onto my plate to eat with slices of beetroot-cured salmon. I drink glowing red lingonberry juice from a shot glass that feels like a transfusion and stir a compote of berries into my yoghurt.
”
”
Nigel Slater (A Thousand Feasts: Small Moments of Joy… A Memoir of Sorts)
“
You know, you don’t have to be a dick about it.” Narrator: I’m just telling it like I see it. “Yeah, well . . . there weren’t any chocolate-covered chips, everyone can see right through you and your inability to be clever and find a rhyme for lips.” Narrator: Watch yourself, Snow Daddy. I control this story, and if you want any shot at locking lips, then check the attitude. “Who says I even wanted another kiss?” Narrator: Oh, Cole, all the readers and listeners can smell the desperation. Cute that you think otherwise. Now on with the story
”
”
Meghan Quinn (How My Neighbor Stole Christmas)
“
A CANDY-COATED CITY! There was a volcano that shot out a BLAST of melted chocolate. And there was a LAKE with a graham cracker boat.
”
”
Geronimo Stilton (The Quest for Paradise: The Return to the Kingdom of Fantasy (The Kingdom of Fantasy #2))
“
Tia had never had a chocolate flake in her ice-cream before, which I found very hard to believe. I asked if they didn’t have ice-cream vans where she grew up, and she said that they did have one, but the ice-cream man also used it to sell crack, and one day somebody shot him and set fire to the van, so I can see why her mother might not have been keen.
”
”
Richard Osman (The Impossible Fortune (Thursday Murder Club, #5))