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cupidsbower · 2 years

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Venom: Let There Be Chocolate! is now open for prompts

As promised, I am running a mid-year Venom fest in the lead up to World Chocolate Day, July 7 2022.

This is a Harlequin challenge

That is, you must riff on a blurb from a Harlequin (or similar) romance. You can interpret the blurb you've chosen any way you like, from a straight re-write of the story with Venom characters, through to the wildest thing you can think of. Set it in space. Set it in the past. Make them pirates. Make them space pirates! As long as it has Venom and/or Eddie Brock as a main character (but they don't have to be in the romantic scenario), you're good to go.

Any type of fanworks are welcome.

You can post your Harlequin (or similar) prompts:

On the AO3 community: https://archiveofourown.org/collections/Venom_Let_There_Be_Chocolate_2022/profile

Or on the main V:LTBC post on the Sybrock Dreamwidth community: https://symbrock.dreamwidth.org/32076.html

Or you can use the tag Venom: Let There Be Chocolate here on Tumblr, and I’ll periodically check and add any prompts to Dreamwidth.

The timeline:

Saturday 21 May to Sunday 26 June - prompts can be posted to the AO3 V:LTBC community, or to the Symbrock Dreamwidth community, or using the Tumblr Venom: Let There Be Chocolate tag.

Wednesday 6 July - submissions are due.

Thursday 7 July - works in the AO3 collection are opened for viewing.

Thursday 14 July - creators are revealed and works can be crossposted anywhere else you like.

Below the cut are a bunch of prompts to get things started. If you want to use one, you can post it over on AO3 and claim it.

Reclaiming the Prince's Heart

by Rebecca Winters

Luna can’t believe it. Her husband, Prince Rini—the same man who had been reported dead after an earthquake—is alive…and standing right in front of her! Yet his return isn’t the fairy-tale reunion that Luna always dreamed of. Why? Rini has amnesia and can’t remember Luna—or their marriage! Will their still-powerful connection be strong enough to bring back the memory of their once-perfect love…?

Prince Of Scandal - Annie West

Raul, Prince of Maritz, is furious that an archaic law is forcing him to wed. But scandal and unrest has dogged this prince for years, and a marriage to recently discovered princess Luisa Hardwicke will help bring stability to the monarchy.

Only, Luisa is an outspoken, mud-splattered farm girl, who isn’t going to come quietly! Even as she’s reluctantly transformed into polished perfection, Luisa challenges Raul at every turn — and he finds himself anticipating their wedding night with an excitement he never imagined he’d feel...

Texas Glory

Lorraine Heath

She was given to a stranger...

Cordelia McQueen was a virtual prisoner in her father's house. Until everything changed when she was shamelessly traded in a battle for land and water rights, and thrust into an unfamiliar world as the bride of Dallas Leigh.

He belonged to the land...

Dallas had given his life to the land. Now he aimed to put West Texas on the map. But as he gazed into the eyes of the lovely stranger who belonged to him, he caught a glimpse of another ambition—a warm, radiant desire of the heart. Was this the woman who would walk beside him as, together, they carved out a rich future with all the promise of love?

Morning Comes Softly

Debbie Macomber

A shy Louisiana librarian, Mary Warner fears she'll always be alone—so she answers a personals ad from a rancher in Montana. Never before has she done anything so reckless, casting the only life she knows aside to travel to a strange place and marry a man she's never met. But something about this man calls to her—and she knows this may be her very last chance at happiness.

Tragedy made Travis Thompson the guardian of three orphaned children—and determination leads him to do whatever it takes to keep the kids out of foster homes. When he decides to take a long shot on a personals ad, the results are surprising, and before he knows it, he has agreed to marry a mysterious Southern woman sight unseen.

It could be the mistake of a lifetime. But Mary Warner may be exactly what this broken family needs. And with a little faith, a little trust, and a lot of love, two lonely hearts might just discover the true meaning of miracles.

Finding Forever on Their Island Paradise

by Therese Beharrie

Saving their home…Healing their hearts! Morgan’s mission to save Penguin Island, her South African paradise, is personal. She just wasn’t prepared for how personal it would be when striking a deal with tycoon Elliott! Both have something to lose if they fail, so putting the island back on the map is their number one priority. But working together has Morgan’s head and heart racing because with every accidental touch, keeping things professional becomes more challenging…and walking away feels impossible!

Falling for Her Convenient Groom

by Jennifer Faye

To appease her overbearing father, Carla told him that she’s engaged. She doesn’t, however, have a fiancé…yet! That’s where Franco comes in—if they marry temporarily, she’ll ensure that both of their companies will mutually benefit. Since neither wants a relationship, saying “I do” is strictly for business. But with their undeniable chemistry, can they keep it that way?

Most Eligible Sheriff - Cathy McDavid

Las Vegas casino manager Ruby McPhee needs to lay low while the police deal with a stalker at work. So she’s trading in her high heels for cowboy boots and assuming her twin sister’s identity at the Gold Nugget Ranch. Ruby only plans on staying in Sweetheart, Nevada until the threat back home has passed. But then she discovers a detail her sister forgot to mention — the handsome sheriff she’s dating.

It only takes a single kiss for Cliff Dempsey to realise the woman in his arms is someone entirely different...and completely irresistible. To protect Ruby’s secret, Cliff maintains her ruse, but soon the lines between duty and desire begin to blur. Ruby and Cliff know they have a once-in-a-lifetime connection, but will they have a chance to let their love grow?

Star Witness

By Lisa Phillips

After years in witness protection, Mackenzie Winters fears her cover has been blown when someone shoots at her. Could the brother of the drug lord she put away be here for revenge? Mackenzie must rely on Delta Force soldier Aaron Hanning to protect her. Aaron doesn’t want to be anyone’s hero, but with danger stalking them, they’ll both have to make a daring choice.

Silver Lining

Maggie Osborne

As scruffy and rootless as the other prospectors searching for gold in the Rockies, Low Down wanted nothing in return for nursing a raggedy bunch through the pox. But when pressed to reveal her heart's wish, she admits, "I want a baby." Not a husband, not a forced marriage to the proud man who drew the scratched marble and became honor bound to marry her. To be sure, Max McCord was easy on the eyes, but he loved another woman and dreamed of a different life. Yet they agreed to a temporary marriage that could end only in disaster. But can this strange twist of fate lead to the silver lining that both have been searching for?

The Gift

Julie Garwood

A child bride, Sara Winchester had grown into a winsome beauty, joyfully anticipating the day when her husband Nathan, Marquess of St. James, would return to claim her heart at last. Charmingly innocent, she dismissed the ancient feud that divided Nathan's family from her own...and she was totally unaware of his past exploits as the notorious pirate, Pagan. The man who now stood before her was perplexing, arrogant and powerfully handsome...a warrior-gentleman whose gentle touch aroused her to the wildest, deepest pleasures of love.

Nathan had never bared his soul to any woman, but he was soon utterly beguiled and exasperated by Sara's sweet, defiant ways. Aboard his ship, the Seahawk, she was brave, imperious and determined to win his heart completely—yet upon their return to England, her love would be sorely tested as a vile conspiracy tried to tear them apart. With their future at stake, they would discover the true destiny of their passion...for all time!

A Taste Of Heaven

Alexis Harrington

Libby Ross fled betrayal and heartbreak in Chicago when she headed to Montana expecting a new start, children, and a good place to raise them. Instead she learned that she has been duped again by the cowboy who made her his mail-order bride. He died, leaving her with no money, nowhere to go, and no resources but her own ingenuity. Then she learned about the Lodestar Ranch and its owner, Tyler Hollins.

Besides a lifetime of painful memories, Tyler had his hands full with immediate problems. Half his cattle were lost during the worst winter on record and his cowhands were about to quit if he couldn’t find a decent cook. Libby Ross fit the bill. She had never seen a man so attractive with such a sour disposition. But she sensed desire behind the wall Ty erected to keep everyone at a distance . . . a wanting so fierce it nearly broke her heart.

They locked horns from the outset, but they could fight each other, or fight together to see their dreams come true . . .

Texas Destiny

Lorraine Heath

She was his brother's wife...

Arriving on the Fort Worth train, Miss Amelia Carson, mail-order bride, had never met Dallas Leigh, the Texan she promised to marry. The tall cowboy at the station wasn't Dallas. He was Houston, Dallas's brother, sent to escort her on the rugged three-week trek to the ranch where Dallas waited. Brought up in war-ravaged Georgia, Amelia thought Dallas's letters made Texas sound like heaven, a place for her dreams to grow with the right man beside her.

And his only love...

By all appearances, Houston Leigh would hardly be considered the "right man." The war he survived had scarred him inside and out, and he was little competition for his handsome brother. But from the moment Houston met Amelia, he knew she possessed the courage this wild land needed. She had eyes that could see past his wounded face to his soul. And he would fight any man—except his brother—for her heart. Now he and Amelia were riding down dangerous trails, sleeping under the stars, and God help them, they were falling in love.

Eye of the Beholder

Ruth Ann Nordin

Mary Peters despairs that she will never marry. At nineteen, she has no prospects of finding a husband, so she takes matters into her own hands and becomes a mail-order bride. When she arrives to Omaha, Nebraska to meet the man she's due to marry, he takes one look at her homely appearance and rejects her.

But fate has other plans for Mary. Dave Larson happens to be nearby and thinks she will make a good wife. Though she is stunned that someone as handsome and as kind as Dave would ask her to marry him, she accepts. She knows that this marriage will not bear the fruits of love. Love, after all, is for beautiful women. Isn't it?

His Accidental Countess

By Annie Burrows

From abducted…

…to betrothed!

To stop an unsuitable elopement, Tobias Spenlow bundles his ward’s intended bride into his carriage – only to discover he’s made a terrible mistake. The woman is actually innocent governess Miss Dorothy Phillips – whose reputation he’s unintentionally ruined! The only way to right this wrong is for the Earl to wed her. She might have accidentally become his Countess, but their consuming attraction has him courting her in earnest…!

#venom #venom: let there be carnage #venom: let there be chocolate #symbrock #venom comics #eddie brock #eddie brock/venom symbiote #world chocolate day

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rabbitcruiser · 10 months

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World Chocolate Day

Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate…chocolate milk, truffles, Snickers, chocolate cake…indulge in any of the many kinds of chocolate out there.

There are a number of dates throughout the year promoting variations of local, national or international World Chocolate Day – our research leads us to believe that this is the true, definitive, purist ‘World Chocolate Day‘, so celebrate with some of the high cocoa, rich, dark chocolate that makes you go tingly inside.

World Chocolate Day is nothing short of a special tribute to mankind’s greatest culinary invention. (Sorry Bread or even Pizza!) Chocolate can enhance and help to create the most luxurious desserts and can even be enjoyed and indulged on its own. Some of the most popular chocolate bars are plain and simple. If this is the one for you, try going for a high cocoa percentage with low added sugar.

The History Of World Chocolate Day

The history of chocolate goes back around 2,500 years. The Aztecs loved their newly discovered liquid chocolate to the extent that they believed the god of wisdom, Quetzalcoatl, literally bestowed it upon them. Cocoa seeds even acted as a form of currency. Could you imagine going shopping or buying a house will a huge pile of Cocoa seeds? It would be wonderful, no? These days, the chocolate was bitter, as it was long before sugar was added. Once chocolate took a turn and went sweet in a 16th Century Europe, chocolate caught on to the masses and became one of many households favorite treats.

Many present-day chocolate companies began operations in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Cadbury began in England by 1868. And then 25 years later Milton S. Hershey, purchased chocolate processing equipment at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, he is now one of the biggest and world-known chocolate creators in the world. He began the company by producing chocolate-coated caramels. Nestlé began back in the 1860s and has grown into one of the largest food conglomerates in the world. You’re bound to of heard of one of these if not all of them. Perhaps you even enjoy a bar or two or their fine chocolate creations at home.

World Chocolate Day Timeline

Beginning of Human History

Cacao Trees (the cocoa bean plant) may have been growing in the wild for 10,000 years or more

1500 BC – 300 BC

Cacao Plants Are Grown by Olmec Indians

Olmec Indians begin growing cacao domestically in the area that is now somewhere in the vicinity of southern Mexico. The beans were probably made into an unsweetened beverage consumed by elite, wealthy people.

300 BC – 500 AD

Cacao Adopted into the Mayan Culture

Mayan culture is developed in Central America and the cacao tree becomes part of that culture. The origin of the English word “chocolate” probably began here. The word for “tree” in the Mayan language was cacahuaquchtl, and the word xocoatl, which literally means “bitter water”, was likely based on the drink made from the cacao bean.

600-1000 AD Cacao Heads to South America

Mayans migrate south and take the cacao plants with them, beginning cultivated plantations. For many people during this time, the cocoa pod was considered to be a religious symbol, sometimes referred to as ‘the food of the gods’.

1200s AD Aztecs Drink Chocolate

The Azetcs learn about cacao plants from trade negotiations with the Mayans. They continue the tradition of making a chocolate drink, sometimes mixed with herbs and spices, such as chilli.

1500s AD Cocoa Beans Head to Europe

Cocoa seeds are so precious in South American they are used as currency. Around the same time, Spanish adventurers bring chocolate back to Spain. Finding it rather bitter, they begin adding cane sugar to it, as well as vanilla and other light spices.

1657 First Chocolate House Opens

As chocolate spreads throughout Europe, a chocolate house opens in England where chocolate drinks can be purchased.

1765 First American Chocolate Company

The first chocolate company in America opens, Baker’s Chocolate.

1830 Solid Chocolate Appears

Chocolate in a solid form meant for eating is developed by British chocolate maker, J.S. Fry & Sons.

1868 First Mass Produced Chocolate

After providing chocolate for Queen Victoria, Cadbury first sells boxes of mass produced chocolate candies in England.

1875 Milk Chocolate Arrives

The Nestlé Company begins in Switzerland with the newest version of the treat, milk chocolate. Nestlé eventually becomes the largest producer of chocolate in the world.

1895 Chocolate Becomes Affordable

Milton Hershey begins selling the Hershey Bar, making chocolate affordable for the average person.

1912 Chocolate Bon-Bons are Introduced

The chocolate filled bon-bon is introduced in Switzerland by Jules Sechaud.

1986 Single-Origin Chocolate Appears

The single-origin chocolate bar is introduced by Valhrona, taking designer chocolate to a whole new level.

2000s Designer Chocolate Develops

Chocolate becomes part of the trend toward fusion cuisine, pairing up with exotic spices such as curry, saffron, lemongrass, coffee beans and much more. Many people seek chocolate with a high percentage of cacao for its antioxidant health benefits.

How Is Chocolate Made?

Many people are unaware that chocolate is a fermented food. You heard that right, once the cacao pods are picked, and then cleaned of pithy white material from the fruit, they are dried and then the cacao beans are fermented. The cacao nibs are revealed once the papery shell is removed. This is where the fun and creativity come in.

Chocolatiers then grind the nibs into cocoa mass, separating them into cocoa solids and cocoa butter, they then combine them with milk and sugar. If they’re creating white chocolate then it’s just the chocolate butter with milk and sugar. It’s definitely worth celebrating this process, especially considering how much thought goes into getting it just right. Every Chocolatier has different methods and ideas that are all popular across the world.

As time has gone on, we have moved towards the indulgence of dark chocolate. It contains far less sugar and holds a higher percentage of cocoa. If you’re looking for the best dark chocolate it’s worth checking out the ones you find from the Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Ecuador. They have ideal climates for cocoa trees and they are known for producing some of the best chocolate. It certainly sounds good! When you purchase chocolate from these regions it’s always best to make sure it’s “fair trade chocolate,” this means you are helping to help make cocoa farming more sustainable. It’s certainly something to keep in mind!

How to celebrate World Chocolate Day

Although some would love to celebrate this day every day, the chocolate day gives you the perfect opportunity to eat your favorites in ample portions. Do you really need any more of an excuse to over indulge? It’s definite harmless once in a while.

The chocolate flavor is most definitely a favorite right throughout the world. It flavors cakes, breakfast cereal, toppings, desserts, candies, ice creams, and much more. Considering its popularity, it certainly deserves a day of honor.

We don’t need to tell you what to do to celebrate this day, do we? Eat Chocolate! Some ways you can incorporate chocolate into this chocolate day include:

Breakfast: How about your favorite chocolate cereal along with a few chocolate filled donuts and wash it down with a little hot chocolate or chocolate milkshake. Or maybe chocolate chip pancakes are more to your taste?

Mid-morning snack: A chocolate candy bar with your filled with your favorite goodies. There are certainly a lot of options to choose from now!

Lunch: If you skipped on the shake fro breakfast then a big tall glass of chocolate milk is a must at lunch! Oh, and don’t forget your dessert, how about a pie of chocolate pie or cheesecake?

Mid-Afternoon: Maybe try to be a little healthier with chocolate-covered strawberries or raisins? Ok, maybe not that healthy but at least t contains fruit!

Dinner: Adults this is your time to sip on that chocolate liqueur before you sit down for dinner. You could have a chocolate flavored coffee with a piece of chocolate cake for afters.

Nighttime snack: If you’re not already chocolate out, why not opt for a few chocolate mints or biscuits with a glass of ice-cold milk?

So, Why Do We Love Chocolate So Much?

Chocolate is certainly of the world’s favorite flavors, if not the most loved taste across 7 continents. Often referred to as the magic bean, it definitely deserves to be celebrated. Everyone loves it, and the recipes that come with it are nothing less than amazing!

You don’t need to be told to indulge in this treat, as and when you want, however, the chocolate day most definitely gives us a special day to indulge in the rich, creamy glory that is chocolate. You will find many bakeries, individuals, and candy stores joining in on the celebrations and you can expect to find some delicious recipes, from meringue pies, milk chocolate pudding through to giant decorative cakes in shop windows you are sure to find something to tickle your fancy.

Why not get the cookbook out of the cupboard, scour the internet for some ideas and get yourself in the chocolate day spirit, baking and creating some wonderful chocolatey creations?

Or failing that, stock up on chocolate biscuits, ice-cream, and enjoy a day of secret treats and indulgence…

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