The Parker Family Trilogy: Love at the Chocolate Shop

Melissa McClone

Feb 2021 · Tule Publishing

About this ebook

Discover the magic of Marietta, Montana with the Parker family in these three linked stories celebrating love in and around the Copper Mountain Chocolate shop. 

A Thankful Heart

Bryce Grayson comes to Marietta to convince his dad to leave with him to the city, but his escape plan goes astray when he meets Dakota Parker, whose sweet kisses put the chocolate she sells to shame. He has until Thanksgiving to decide if he should be the one to move to Marietta. But could he be happy living in such a small town?

The Valentine Quest

Dustin Decker makes a strategic pact with the prim, bookish Nevada Parker for a multi-day race called The Valentine Quest. But with a kiss, their unlikely alliance turns into something more…and soon racing isn’t the only thing on their minds. As the finish line nears, they must decide if the grand prize is worth more than what they’ve found together…or if one of them will walk away empty handed—and broken hearted.

The Chocolate Touch

Chocolate expert Chantelle Cummings arrives in Marietta, Montana with two goals—sign copies of her new book and research a quaint local chocolate shop. When she meets the gorgeous York Parker passing out chocolate samples, her visit turns sweeter than she ever imagined. But when York learns she’s moving abroad, will the truth harden his heart, or will love pave the way to a sweet future?

Ratings and reviews

Three stories that you don't want to miss, all connected with the Chocolate Shop Thankful Heart What can be better than chocolate, animals and a hunky guy. This is what you will find in this delightful tale written by Melissa McClone. I fell in love with this story, ok so I do love chocolate, have always had a soft heart for rescue animals (love my little guy, Trooper) and how can you not fall in love with a hunky man, Bryce. Bryce is on a mission, to return to Marietta to get to know his dad better and try to convince him to move to Seattle. He soon meets Dakota, who works at Sage's Chocolate shop and helps at the animal rescue. In her opinion, animals want break your heart like men. Neither are looking for a relationship, but when you throw in Bryce's father "the matchmaker" it hard to resist. The Valentine Quest Loved this heartwarming romance where two opposites find attraction with the race of the Valentine Quest. Nevada, Miss Brain, working on her Phd, wants to win the, the Quest for her brother and Dustin, ex cowboy rodeo, who works at the Bar V ranch wants to win the trip for himself. This unlikely pair team up to win this competition. Loved the different challenges they had to do, and how they each helped each other to overcome obstacles. I really enjoyed their growing relationship. The Chocolate Touch Another delicious read form Love at the Chocolate Shop series. Chantelle has arrived in Marietta for signing of her book and get the inside scoop of the Chocolate Shop, not expecting to fall in love with York. York is home for one month before starting his job, and helping out at the Chocolate Shop during this time. Their is a mutual attraction between the two, but the one secret that Chantelle is keeping from everyone might destroy everything. I loved how their relationship built but both afraid to move forward with their relationship, neither one here permanently. Great to catch up with the other Chocolateers!! Loved the gratitude quest! My favorite line, "She did have the chocolate touch. Chocolate had brought her everything she dreamed about and a little extra too".

The Parker Family Trilogy: Love at the Chocolate Shop by Melissa McClone is a compilation of the stories she wrote for the Love at the Chocolate Shop series. Each of these sweet stories features one of the Parker siblings, their lives in Marietta, Montana and their struggles to find love with “the one.” A Thankful Heart features Dakota Parker, Bryce Grayson and the healing power of a foster dog. Dakota has been too busy mending her broken heart, working her job at the chocolate shop and finding forever homes for her rescue dogs to focus on finding a man. This allows her to indulge her love of chocolate and receive the unconditional love she craves from her foster dogs. Bryce, a Seattle architect, is in Marietta to help his dad recover after he fell off a ladder, breaking both of his legs. He doesn’t understand the appeal of a small town and is counting the days until he can return home, with his father in tow. That’s the plan, until Bryce meets Dakota. The more time the two spend together the more he wonders if he should abandon his plan and move to Marietta; still question if he could be happy living in a small town. The Valentine Quest, the second entry, features younger sister Nevada Parker, a grad student, Dustin Decker of the Bar V5 ranch and their participation in the first annual Valentine Quest. The quest has the participants performing physical contests as well as service orientated activities. Nevada and Dustin team up to win the prize, a grand prize of a trip to Fuji.. As these two participate in the events they end up sharing tidbits from their past as well examining their own actions and beliefs. The Chocolate Touch, the third story, features older brother York Parker, blogger Chantelle Cummings, and an unexpected connection. York is in Marietta visiting his sisters after leaving the Air Force and before he begins a job that will have him travelling the world. Dakota puts York to work covering for Rosie at Sage’s chocolate shop. Chantelle is in Marietta to promote her book and research Copper Mountain Chocolates, but once she is done she will move to France to work for the family’s chocolate company. Neither one is looking for a long term relationship but like the taste of chocolate, one never knows what life will bring your way. Ms. McClone is a wonderful story teller and writes wonderfully sweet and moving stories with authentic characters that are not to be missed. I highly recommend The Parker Family Trilogy to other readers.

The Parker Family Trilogy: Love at the Chocolate Shop is a collection of the three stories written by Melissa McClone for the twelve book Love at the Chocolate Shop series. The three stories center around siblings Dakota, Nevada, and York Parker. Rumor has it… that their names are connected to the locations of where they were conceived. It’s up to the reader, believe it or not. A Thankful Heart is the wonderful story of Copper Mountain Chocolates employee Dakota Parker, who has a heart of gold for everyone… two and four legged. Dakota loves Marietta’s rescue organization, Whiskers and Paw Pals. When disaster strikes the rescue, her friend Walt Grayson comes to their aid. Against his will, Walt forces his son from Seattle, Bryce to help too. Bryce wants his father to leave Marietta, but that isn’t happening! Before long, neither does Bryce want to leave Dakota. Is his father actually correct? Is his future in Marietta with Dakota? A Thankful Heart is a heartfelt story that will make the reader love Dakota & Bryce, Walt, Marietta, chocolate, and a posse of four legged heroes! The Valentine Quest is the opposites attract story of studious Nevada Parker, and rodeo/dude ranch cowboy, Dustin Decker. Fate throws them together, competing in the Marietta merchants’ Valentine Quest. The Valentine Quest is a week-long event… a Marietta Olympics if you will. The team events include physical tests, games, and community service activities. Quickly, the defensive layers of Nevada and Dustin start to peel away, and the exposed layers are very attractive. They’re both very caring people. Will they realize that they now care for each other? Sage, Marietta’s most important citizen, is featured prominently in this story of discovery. The Chocolate Touch is the story of Chantelle Cummings, and Dakota & Nevada’s brother York. He’s left the Air Force, and wants to spend time with his sisters in Marietta. York is helping at the chocolate shop, when mysterious Chantelle Cummings comes in. Chantelle knows her chocolate, but she is holding secrets that may destroy everything. Will her secret be exposed? What will Chantelle do? How will York respond? Will love win? Will Marietta win? I’m thrilled with the assembly of these three stories into a wonderful anthology. In these days of isolation, and binge-watching… treat yourself to the gift of these three Parker family stories!