The Chocolate Ship [Paperback]

Marissa Monteilh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 7, 2003

After three years together, Mia can't help wondering if she's got a real future with Miles -- who's all that and then some, as long as the words "love" and "commitment" don't creep into the conversation. But the lady's willing to put her doubts aside until after the vacation they've planned together with a group of their closest friends: a luxurious Caribbean cruise on the maiden voyage of the Chocolate Ship. The brainchild of billionaire black entrepreneur Delmonte Harrison, it's the "Love Boat" with a soulful spin.

En route to Paradise, anything can happen and anything goes. Wings are sprouted, taboos are tolerated, truths are revealed, hearts are broken and reassembled -- and lovin' is served up as hot as Caribbean spice. All of a sudden Miles has a new crew of admirers. And Mia, who has caught the roving eye of the very fine Delmonte Harrison himself, is well on her way to discovering that temptation fever does not discriminate

From Marissa Monteilh, the acclaimed author of May December Souls, comes a sizzling, sexy, fabulous, funny, and wonderfully romantic adventure of personal discoveries and glorious reawakenings on the unpredictable sea of love.

Editorial Reviews

Review

(Monteilh writes) snappy, in-your-face, tough girl dialogue and steamy sex. --Publishers Weekly

Hot chocolate. A sassy, spicy feast for the spirit. --Bookpage Reviews --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Marissa Monteilh is a former commercial actress and television news reporter. A single mother of three, she lives in Los Angeles and is currently developing projects for television and film.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Avon A; 1st edition (January 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060011483
• ISBN-13: 978-0060011482
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #788,426 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Voted amongst the 2010 Women of Influence in Publishing by Written Magazine, and a 2010 Pink Diamond Award Honoree at the African-American Literary Festival hosted by SistahFriend Bookclub, Marissa Monteilh (Mon-tay), a former model, television news reporter, and commercial actress, originally self-published her first book, May December Souls, in November 2000. The following year she signed a two-book deal with HarperCollins for the re-release of May December Souls, and a second novel, The Chocolate Ship.

Marissa again signed with HarperCollins for her third title, Hot Boyz, and the next year wrote two books for Kensington/Dafina. The first Dafina book, Make Me Hot, was a 2006 African-American Literary Award nominee. The second title, Dr. Feelgood, was released in 2007, and re-released in March 2011.

Life Changing Books published Something He Can Feel in 2008. The self-published e-book version was pubbed on March 1, 2011. An inspirational e-book novella called The Six-Letter Word debuts on January 31, 2012, and the long-awaited sequel in the Hot Boyz trilogy, called Hot Girlz, hits the shelves on October 29, 2011. A title regarding the ultimate best-friend betrayal, Turnabout is Fair Play, debuted on June 1, 2011, through A Chapter A Month.com. And coming October 2012 - the highly requested sequel to Dr. Feelgood, called You've Got It Bad.

Marissa is a regular contributor to the literary blog, Novel Spaces, and a member of the all female group of touring writers, Atlanta's GA Peach Authors.

Originally from Los Angeles, Marissa now resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her family.

Visit Marissa's website at www.marissamonteilh.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Drama on the great Blue Seas, May 5, 2003

By 

Jacquelyn C. Salomon-Miller (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Chocolate Ship (Paperback)

In Marissa Monteilh's, The Chocolate Ship, she takes you on an all African American cruise where you will find love, dreams fulfilled, and drama. Many interesting characters are ready to make African American history, and set sail on the great blue seas. This is their adventure.

Mia and Miles have been dating for three years and Mia wonders where exactly is this relationship going. Her best friend, Bianca, thinks that she needs to get out more and start to forget about Miles. He is obviously not thinking about Mia. So, Bianca convinces Mia to set sail on Delmonte Harrison's Chocolate Ship, the first black owned cruise ship. To Mia's surprise, Miles was buying her a ticket to join him with his best friend, Scott and his wife, Kelly. Together they find themselves in some interesting situations with the other members aboard the ship. All the while, Mia wonders is this the end for her and Miles or the beginning?

The Chocolate Ship was an good read. At times it was predictable, but if you looked past that you will find it to be an enjoyable read. There are times that you wish you were on that ship, ready to slap some sense into people, wonder why did they do that, and oh my god! No they didn't! If you are looking for a read to take your mind off the worries of the world, and ready to escape, I suggest you pick up this book.

Jacki
APOOO BookClub

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dramatic, Sensual, and Emotional, January 7, 2003

By 

BookRemarks (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chocolate Ship (Paperback)

Mia and Miles are at a crossroads in their relationship, and it's through their adventures on a cruise called the Chocolate Ship that they'll discover if their love can carry them to the next level. Mia seems to be the type who is eager to please her man, but Miles is moody and not always communicative, thus setting the tone of the trip and the challenges that Mia must conquer.

The beginning part of the story is setup, and it took me a little while to settle in, but once the passengers boarded the ship, and when their individual drama unfolded, I was there, and the more I read, the more the story engaged me. The details of all the features, activities, and menu offerings that's included on a ship are awesome, and Marissa make you feel as if you're on the trip without actually having to be there. There are quite a few characters in the novel and I have a tendency to mistake one for another - friendships, family, and other romantic battlers are in the mix. And there's loads of drama, humor, and sex to keep the pages turning. But there's also the sensitive side, the unanswered questions regarding the behavior of Mia and Miles and other key characters.

This novel may appeal to readers that enjoy taking a peek at romantic adventures on the high seas, and if you're like me and have never been on a cruise before, this book is an excellent way to know what you can expect.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, hip and modern take on "The Love Boat.", June 10, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Chocolate Ship (Paperback)

I found this book to be a fun, dishy, sexy read - perfect for summer. Based on the other reviews I've scanned here, not sure what other readers were expecting. "Mutiny on The Bounty" or "Titanic" perhaps? Lighten up, people. When I read the cruise ship concept I figured it would feature vignettes of different characters (like the old TV show) and not just a deep character study of one or two. There's plenty of snappy dialogue that made me laugh and kept me turning pages. And just the right amount of steamy sex. I felt the sway of the ship, smelled the ocean water and was awed by the ethnic majesty and opulence of the ship. Her lush, detailed description swept me way and took me there. Based on the cover's promises, I think this author more than delivered.