Publication Date: March 17, 2015
Atria Books
Formats: Hardcover, Ebook
Pages: 384
Genre: Historical Mystery
READ AN EXCERPT.
Blurb:
Possession. Power. Passion. International bestselling novelist M.J. Rose creates her most provocative and magical spellbinder yet in this erotic, gothic novel set against the lavish spectacle of 1890s Belle Époque Paris. Sandrine Salome runs away to her grandmother’s Parisian mansion to escape her dangerous husband, but what she finds is even more menacing. The house, famous for its lavish art collection and elegant salons, is mysteriously closed up. Although her grandmother insits it’s dangerous for Sandrine to visit, she defies her and meets Julien Duplessi, a mesmerizing young architect. Together they explore the hidden night world of Paris, the forbidden occult underground and Sandrine’s deepest desires. Among the bohemians and the demi-monde, Sandrine discovers her erotic nature as a lover and painter. Then darker influences threaten – her cold and cruel husband is tracking her down and something sinister is taking hold, changing Sandrine, altering her. She’s become possessed by La Lune: A witch, a legend and a sixteenth-century courtesan, who opens up her life to a darkness that may become a gift or a curse. This is Sandrine’s “wild night of the soul,” her odyssey in the magnificent city of Paris, of art, love and witchery.
My Review:
After reading The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M.J. Rose, the
first word that comes to my mind is “Wow.” This book was seriously an awesome
piece of historical fiction. I was completely sucked in right from the start,
and though I had to get up early for work each morning, I had trouble putting
the book down to go to bed at night! The main character, Sandrine, was the
perfect historical fiction heroine. She was able to overcome many obstacles
that she never knew she would have the strength to overcome after she left her
evil husband. The mystery behind the mansion that her ancestors had lived in
was fascinating, including the ancestor La Lune (who was thought to be a witch),
whom Sandrine has become fascinated with. I loved when Sandrine would describe
the different areas of the mansion, or the different artifacts that were inside
the mansion. Everything about the house had a cryptic air about it, it was like
a living, breathing thing under La Lune’s control, and because of Sandrine’s
love of the house, she soon begins to fall under La Lune’s control.
I can’t say enough good things about this book! It is such a
well written novel that I can’t imagine anyone disliking it or having anything
negative to say about it. The characters are well written and likable, the
scenes are interesting and descriptive, and the story line flows nicely and
stays true enough to the history of the time, so it should not annoy the “history
Nazis”. This is the second novel by M.J. Rose I’ve had the chance to read, and
I definitely plan on reading all of her novels after reading this one.
I give
this novel a FIVE out of FIVE stars.
Praise for the novels of M.J. Rose
The Witch of Painted Sorrows
“A haunting tale of possession.” (Publishers Weekly)
The Collector of Dying Breaths
"A page-turning, alluring concoction of fiction infused with fantastical yet actual history. Readers will be charmed by her well-drawn and memorable characters, and they will be mesmerized by her enchanting narrative, which takes them on a mystical and magical journey." (Library Journal (starred))
"A terrific piece of entertainment." (CT Post)
"Wondrously original... elegantly written. Rose manages to utterly suspend our disbelief in a book that leaves us, appropriately enough, breathless." (Providence Journal)
"Mysterious, magical, and mythical…what a joy to read!" (Sara Gruen, New York Times bestselling author of Water for Elephants)
Seduction
"Readers will be enchanted by M.J. Rose's supernaturally charged novel Seduction, inspired by Victor Hugo's self-imposed exile on the British island of Jersey in the 1850s." (USA Today)
“Has just about everything a thriller fan could wish for.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)
“Full of well-researched history, the paranormal, and modern intrigue, this atmospheric tale of suspense is fully engrossing to those willing to suspend their disbelief.” (Library Journal (starred review)
The Book of Lost Fragrances
"M.J. Rose is a bold, unflinching writer and her resolute honesty puts her in a class by herself." (Laura Lippman)
"The Book of Lost Fragrances resonates with spirit, blending myth with reality, tragedy with triumph, pain with joy. You'll find yourself questioning everything you believe--and wanting more." (Steve Berry)
“Provocative…a sweeping sense of romance [and] history.” (Cleveland Plain-Dealer)
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About the Author
M.J. Rose grew up in New York City mostly in the labyrinthine galleries of the Metropolitan Museum, the dark tunnels and lush gardens of Central Park and reading her mother's favorite books before she was allowed.
She is the author of more than a dozen novels, the co-president and founding board member of International Thriller Writers and the founder of the first marketing company for authors: AuthorBuzz.com. She lives in Greenwich, Connecticut. Visit her online at MJRose.com.
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I've read three of her books and loved each of them! I'll be reading this one in just a few weeks. Thanks for making me even more excited to do so!
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