From the publisher:

A story of love, chocolate and a greyhound called Pedro

A young Spaniard, Diego de Godoy, sets sail for the New world in 1518 in search of fame and fortune. Fighting alongside Cortes and his conquistadors, Diego falls in love with Ignacia, a native woman who initiates him into the sensuous secret of chocolate.

Although the lovers are soon separated, Ignacia has given diego an elixir that will keep him alive for five hundred years. He and his faithful greyhound Pedro are destined to wander throughout the world and down the centuries seeking lost love, the perfection of chocolate and the meaning of life.

Carole's comment:

This is a part-historical, part-love story, part-choccy facts, time-spanning extravaganza! Very hard to define! Apart from a very bizarre interlude in the prison cell of the Marquis de Sade involving Diego's put-upon dog, Pedro (use your imagination!) this is a very entertaining book which sees Diego travelling across time and continents to find the true meaning of love - and chocolate. This would make a great film and as the writer, James Runcie, is a film-maker, I can't imagine why he hasn't done it. Maybe he's still working on it...