I’m a sucker for second-chance stories, perhaps because I’ve been given so many. Love and Chocolate is partially inspired by chocolatier Milton Hershey whose own chance for love came at the “ripe old age” of 41. He met his future wife Catherine “Kitty” Sweeney at a confectionary shop that was on the sales route for his caramel business. After they married, they used their vast wealth to give back. First, to their employees when they built a town where people could rent or purchase affordable homes and have access to schools, medical professionals, shops, playgrounds, banks, and more. Then secondly, they founded an orphanage/industrial school to teach orphans a trade so they could support themselves when they came of age.
Another inspiration for the story is my own tale of romance. My husband, Wes, and I met when I was a junior in high school, my family having relocated to the area because of my father’s job. I was not happy with the move having left a boyfriend behind (spoiler alert: a guy my parents did not want me dating!). I eventually got over my snit, and Wes and I began dating. By the time I left for college we were somewhat serious, but I wanted the opportunity to spread my wings. And did I ever. I was having too good a time to be tied down, so I mailed a “Dear Wes” letter.
I came to my senses a year later, and Wes and I were once again an item. He proposed marriage on Christmas eve, and I said yes. Then no. Then yes. As the date for my graduation and the wedding approached, my feet got colder, and colder, and colder. To my parent’s dismay, I broke off the engagement in March. To my dismay, Wes said, “It’s all right. I love you, and I know you love me. I’ll be here when you’re ready.”
Graduation came, and I received my shiny new diploma ready to set the world on fire. I did to some extent. I got a great job, but coming home at the end of each day was empty. There was no one to share my ups and downs or my frustrations and joys. I soon realized that the first person I thought of when I awoke was Wes, and he was the last one I thought of at night.
Would he take me back? Did I want him to? The answer to both questions was a resounding yes, and we married in October of that year. From then on, second chances have been a thing for me, and I’ve rarely had one backfire.
About Love and Chocolate
She just needs a job. He wants a career. Is there room in their hearts for love?
Ilsa Krause and her siblings are stunned to discover their father left massive debt behind upon his death. To help pay off their creditors and save the farm, she takes a job at Beck’s Chocolates, the company her father despised and refused to supply with milk. Then she discovers her boss is Ernst Webber, her high school love who unceremoniously dumped her via letter from college. Could life get any more difficult?
A freshly-minted university diploma in his hand, Ernst Webber lands his dream job at Beck’s Chocolates. His plans to work his way up the ladder don’t include romantic entanglements, then Ilsa Krause walks back into his life resurrecting feelings he thought long dead. However, her animosity makes it clear she has no interest in giving him a second chance. Can he get her to change her mind? Does he want to?
Linda Shenton Matchett writes happily-ever-after historical Christian fiction about second chances and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions of themselves. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII and a former trustee for her local public library. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state and immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.
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