Bitter Chocolate

The characters you loved in Hot Chocolate are back with more escapades of life in Houston’s wealthy River Oaks. And to make this large family easy to keep track of, Ireland has included a family tree in Bitter Chocolate.

Lila Mae is in a tizzy over the Chocolate Ball – a huge event that benefits Off the Streets, an organization that rescues homeless dogs and cats. If it weren’t for Julian Gillespie of Event Is King, the Chocolate Ball would have melted.

Bernie, the Alcott sisters’ 92-year old father, decides he wants his Bentley back. Joseph’s cousin Chewie is hired as Bernie’s new chauffeur.

Bambi is so happy to finally be expecting a child – something Jimmy Ray had denied her. On the other hand, Dorothea is at war with the world over being pregnant at 55. No one is exempt, especially Henry, her husband who she now refers to as “Mr. Responsible”.

Wolfram, Lila Mae’s new astrologer, gives clues of things to come. This leaves Lila Mae and her sidekick Amelia with brows furrowed.

Suzanne and Gray show up on Zoe and Walter’s doorstep. She’s left Paul and wants Walter to handle the divorce.

Cissy has dumped Georgio, the tattoo artist, to Madge’s delight. Mage wants a pedigreed husband for her granddaughter and Cissy’s new love, Roger Bainsworth III, has just the right family background.

On her day off, Amelia discovers she needs to make a grocery run. When she returns home, her kitchen door is slightly ajar. Arms loaded with groceries, she toes the door open.

Three things catch her attention: a vase of flowers that was not there before, her marble rolling pin covered with blood… and a dead body on her kitchen floor.

Amelia freezes – is there a murderer still in the house? She backs up, turns and hurries outside. After setting the bags on the ground, she slips back inside and snaps a picture. Then she calls Detective Chance Walker, Lila Mae and finally… 9-1-1.

Once again, Walter and Zoe’s niece Tilly is questioned as a prime suspect. Tilly wants to know why everyone thinks she runs around killing people! Dorothea is happy that no one is pointing the finger at her.

Louie and Scooter’s truce ended in a bad way. * Bernie and Chewie get into a situation that requires Chance bailing them out of jail. * Madge is freaked out that Carmichael is looking for another job. * Amelia has to deal with the possibility of a ghost from the dead guy in her kitchen. * Uncle Tito psychically investigates the murder and helps Amelia overcome her fears. * Loved ones are accused of the murder and the family wrings their hands.

Secrets are no longer safe; the family has more shocks to deal with than the San Andreas fault line!

But one thing stands firm: the Alcott clan puts family first no matter what the outcome of any situation.