Book  (1989)  Page(s) 100.  
 
Don Sheppard. Review of Newer Roses for 1988-89 Season. Floribundas.
'Hot Chocolate' SIMchoho; Simpson 1986 ['Princess' x ('Tana' x 'Mary Sumner')]; russet red/brown; ... 19 reports; 23 bushes; 1-5 years; l.4m; 7.5 rating. Northland likes it and so does Southland, who says that the colour is good, clusters are well formed and the bush is healthy, which makes this rose quite a talking point. Those growing it for the first year say it is slow to settle in, but those who have grown it for a few years, say the bush is good, basals and branches are strong, foliage is good, dark green, repeat is good and it is very healthy. Very worthwhile if you want this colour in your garden. Manawatu warns against over-feeding, as it will produce too much over-large foliage. The colour holds well - in fact, almost up to the death of each floret. Recommended highly by all areas.

Book  (1988)  
 
p16 Nola's {Simpson] genuine interest in rose breeding has led her to concentrate part of her energies in the quest for real improvement in new rose varieties. She has won the highest Trial Ground awards - her most notable variety so far being 'Hot Chocolate', a floribunda. She has, of course, ensured the evaluation of the many seedlings left as a legacy to us all by her late husband, John.

p73. Dave and Jean Gillies. Favourite Roses. 'Hot Chocolate' (Nola Simpson). This brown toned rose is a real conversation piece; some people like it, some don't. We think it is interesting and it reminds us of a cake of Dairy Milk chocolate....

p101 Don Sheppard. Review of Newer Roses for 1987-88 Season.
'Hot Chocolate'. Simpson, NZ. 1986. ['Princesse' x ('Tana' x 'Mary Summer')]. Red russet/brown; 10 reports; 20 bushes; 1-8 years; 1.2m; 7.5 rating. Kaitaia is the least satisfied of our reporters saying there is too much fading and not enough blooms, otherwise it is OK. Southland likes the colour, the good, tidy heads and health, but the bush is not very vigorous yet. Districts in between all like the colour, form, attractive heads and glossy foliage. Blooms come in large and small heads and the colour changes as the blooms age. First blooming is rather late. Health is good.

p127. Egmont Roses advertisement: 'Hot Chocolate' Flor. Simpson, 1986. Unusual russet brown blooms borne on a very strong healthy bush. Gold Star Palmerston North.

Book  (1987)  Includes photo(s).
 
p4. Backcover photo. 'Hot Chocolate' Nola Simpson, New Zealand. Floribunda. Gold Star of the South Pacific and Silver Star of the City of Palmerston North and Certificate of Merit for the highest pointed rose on trial and the best N.Z. amateur raised rose on trial 1986. Courtesy Mrs. June Hocking, Palmerston North.

p98 Don Sheppard. Review of Newer Roses for 1986-87 Season. Floribundas.
'Hot Chocolate' Simpson 1986; reddish russett brown; 8 reports; 17 bushes; 1-7 years; 1.1 m; 7.7 rating. Reports cover N.Z. from Northland to Southland so we have a good coverage of this locally hybridised rose. The colour is similar to 'Colorbreak', although some say it is more red than brown. Others say it is very brown. The florets come in lovely, large clusters and repeat is good. There is no fading but Canterbury would like the old petals to drop a little faster. The foliage has an unusual rolled edge, says Northland and Napier reports blind shoots. All reporters say it is healthy. A Gold Star winner from our own Trial Grounds, in 1985, and it appears to be living up to its name. Very worthwhile.

Book  (1986)  
 
p18
p141

Book  (1986)  
 
p25 Nola Simpson. Trial Ground 1985-86. The winning rose was a russet-brown Floribunda, 'Hot Chocolate' bred by (dare I say it) yours truly.....

p26. 84/1357. 'Hot Chocolate'. Gold Star of the South Pacific, and Silver Star of the City of Palmerston North, and Certificate of Merit for the highest pointed rose on trial and the best New Zealand amateur raised rose on trial. Fl. Nola Simpson, New Zealand.

p46. David Ruston. Some NZ Gardens Visited in 1984. ....Trial Ground No. 1357 to be called 'Hot Chocolate' looked a new colour break to me and on enquiry, I was pleased to hear it had been bred by Nola Simpson.

Book  (1984)  Page(s) 77.  
 
Sean Mccann. And I did love New Zealand.... the roses that were on trial during my visit were enough to make the heart pound a little faster. 'Hot Chocolate' (this must be a winner somewhere)....