THE WITCH OF PAINTED SORROWS by M.J. Rose - A Reader's Opinion
A Reader's Opinion
This is the first book I've read by M.J. Rose. I was drawn to this book by the setting, the cover, and the hint of paranormal. I honestly didn't know what to think of the writing style at first, but without realizing what was happening, the story pulled me in.
Beautifully written with vivid details of time and place, The Witch of Painted Sorrows draws the reader into its pages with mystery, melancholy, and in the beginning, a touch of romance. I can't say that I personally enjoy stories where the characters in the main relationship are married or involved elsewhere; I don't like the dishonesty, but it fit with the story. In truth, the grandmother became my favorite character. I liked her color and passion for everything; in real life, she'd be a force to reckon with. M.J. Rose is a remarkable talent and I plan to try more of her books.
The Witch of Painted Sorrows
Indie Next Choice for April 2015
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 insists 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.
Historical Mystery | Pub: March 17, 2015 | 385pp | Atria Books
Format Read: Hardcover | Source: Provided by the publisher
Content Rating: 5 Hearts*
*As of Aug 2020, we do not give ratings to books, except for content. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more.
This book was reviewed on the original Books & Benches site sometime in 2015, and has been reposted on the new blog for indexing purposes.
