Ophelia London | Setting is Everything!

My sister moved to Hershey, PA six years ago. Halfway through my first visit, I knew I had to set my next Bliss romance series there. I mean, yes, it’s kind of my “mecca” because it’s like where allllll the chocolate is, but the quaint town offers so much more! For those of you who have not yet visited “The Sweetest Place on Earth,” let me give you a quick snapshot of where my lucky KISSING HER CRUSH characters call home:

- The street lamps along the main downtown streets are shaped like giant Hershey’s Kisses

- Hotel Hershey – This world class resort is not only a gorgeous hotel/reception hall by any standards, but it also has plenty of “Hershey” touches like how the restaurant specializes in chocolate martinis and exquisite chocolate desserts, meeting rooms named after chocolate, and of course Kisses on your pillow. Not to mention the grounds and architecture are just plain fabulous. (And no, I’m not a sales rep for Hershey Hotel, just a fan!)

- Hershey’s Chocolate World – Okay, this is the coolest place. Sure, you can learn some historical Hershey facts and even take a little tour, but what’s really important is the SHOPPING. It’s got every Hershey sweet treat you can imagine… and then some. I swear, I’ve spent more money there than on my house payments!

- Street names like Cocoa Avenue and Chocolate Avenue

- The Hershey Grill (at the Hershey Lodge, which I changed to “The Lounge” in my book). It’s just a cool, chill place to eat and hang out. And this is where Luke and Natalie first meet…or should I say “re-meet?” But you’ll have to read the book to see what I mean…

- Hersehypark – Just about the most amazing amusement park ever. It’s got everything from rollercoasters, free-falls, to kiddy rides. And it’s small enough that you can hit every ride in one day. Trust me, I’ve done it! Oh, and lots of candy stands. :)

- The Chocolate Spa (at Hotel Hershey) – Yes, they specialize in chocolate-type therapies. Hello.

- The short drive to charming Lancaster Country, complete with legit Amish folk which just about charmed the heck out of me, buggies, special treats like shoo- fly pie and the most kickass pretzels, and tiny town with names like Bird In Hand, Lititz, Blue Ball, Turniptown, and of course Intercourse—which I also used as a setting in this book. I mean, as a romance novelist, how could I not?!

And so much more. Seriously, I could go on forever. So you can see why I jumped at the change to set Luke and Natalie’s romance in such an enchanting place. Hopefully you’re now ready to jump into reading their yummy story. Oh, but don’t forget to have some Hershey’s Miniature close by. Trust me, you’ll want chocolate while you read!

About Ophelia London

USA Today bestselling author Ophelia London was born and raised among the redwood trees in beautiful northern California. Once she was fully educated, she decided to settle in Florida, but her car broke down in Texas and she’s lived in Dallas ever since. A cupcake and treadmill aficionado (obviously those things are connected), she spends her time watching arthouse movies and impossibly trashy TV, while living vicariously through the characters in the books she writes. Visit her books here, but don’t call when The Vampire Diaries (or Dawson’s Creek) is on.

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About KISSING HER CRUSH

He's sweet trouble...

Natalie Holden wants three things: To be the best chocolate chemist in Hershey, Pennsylvania, to prove her chocolate recipe can help teenage depression, and to get over gorgeous Luke Elliott, the guy she's had a crush on since birth. Unfortunately, he's the microbiologist set to debunk her chocolate study. And, of course, he looks more delicious than ever!

Luke Elliott is still bitter over his divorce. Work is his passion now, and landing a huge promotion is just what he needs. What he doesn't need is a crackpot trying to prove that chocolate cures depression. The last thing he expects is for the crackpot to be Natalie Holden--his "what if" girl from high school--or that she'd still tempt the hell out of him.

They may not see eye-to-eye on her project, but they can't deny the explosive chemistry that keeps pulling them together. Even when it risks their jobs and the very different futures they both want...