Full review on my blog.

I chose to read this book because of the author, the book cover, the title and the description. It was an all in one for me.

The Witch of Painted Sorrows is the story of Sandrine Salomé, a woman who decides to escape her unhappy marriage in New York to find shelter at her grandmother’s house in Paris. Her grandmother is a famous Parisian courtesan, who has accumulated innumerable treasures in her house. When Sandrine arrives, she finds herself homeless, as her grandmother had moved out of the house in hopes of turning it into a museum. Her grandmother doesn’t want Sandrine near the house. There is something about the house, Sandrine can’t let go of it, she manages to inhabit the house and along with Julien Duplessi, the architect in charge of the museum project, she embarks in a life changing journey of discovery, not only of the dark mysteries of her family’s past hidden inside the house but also a journey that will lead her to discover her passion for art and her own sensuality.

The Witch of Painted Sorrows is a delight for the senses. The setting is described in such a way that it is impossible not to feel like you are right there, inside that house, exploring the hidden room, mixing the pigments, creating the paintings, walking through the Parisian streets, or living the bohemian life in Paris in 1890.

And the provocative romance, it is impossible not to feel seduced by it. It is I must say a book for adults. I wouldn’t recommend it for YA nor the advanced YA readers. Not that kids today aren’t reading about sex, but I wouldn’t want to give kids the idea that adultery is enchanting. The sensual content in this book is more likely to be enjoyed by adults.

The Witch of Painted Sorrows is a story that gets sexier and darker with every page you read. Reading it feels like touching velvet. It is a bewitching story. I couldn’t put this book down. I was so into the story that when I finished it, it left me hungry for more. I wanted to keep reading; I wanted to stay in that magical world for a while longer. And this abrupt ending is the main reason it didn’t get 5 stars in my rating.

Nevertheless, this book confirmed that I am a fan of MJ Rose. I can’t wait to read more of her work. If you’re looking for a book with an exquisite blend of history, romance, eroticism, magic, witchcraft, paranormal, mystery, and art, this is the book for you. If you’re looking for a book that will make you travel back in time to the bohemian life of the Belle Époque in Paris, this is the book for you. If you’re looking for a hypnotic story filled with passion, mystique and drama, this is the book for you.


Full review and other musings of mine on my blog.

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DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

I received an Electronic copy of this book but was not financially compensated in any way nor obliged to review. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my personal experience while reading it. This post contains affiliate links

Such a good book. This one seemed to have just about everything. We have a wife on the run from her horrible husband, the beautiful setting of historical Paris, dark family secrets, and a love affair. These are all woven beautifully together to create the story of La Lune and Sandrine.

I'm not even sure where to begin. You are eased into the paranormal elements as more of a family legend. But when the legend seems to be slowly coming to life, things begin to really take off. Sandrine is the focal point of this and her time in Paris was amazing. I loved watching her slowly changing to become more that what she really was. This is seen in her personality, her art, and even the way she dresses. But it happens so slowly that we don't really notice it all coming together until her grandmother throws it in your face!

The history was fantastic. M.J. Rose really draws you into 1890's Paris and the art scene as it changes and evolves under the influence of mysticism movement. People are more and more interested in the occult and it just adds a nice element in the layering of the story.

My only complaint was the ending. It came very fast and very sudden. It was a great climactic scene, but I felt like I didn't have a chance to really enjoy everything coming together and being revealed before it was just over. I'm really hoping the series continues with this storyline. I still have so much more I want to see.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

I order too many physical books, it's gotten to the point where the mail person just dumps them at my door, rings the bell, and runs off, not realising he/she dropped off my neighbor's books at my place (thank goodness I didn't rip those packages open). The mail people must wonder why I haven't gone electronic yet---I have! It's just that much of what I want is 1) non-fiction (which is easier to reference-tab and retain info from in physical format), 2) out-of-print 3) cheaper than the e-book version (seriously, especially as I've no qualms about buying ex-library editions or 'damaged' books at $4.00 ea, free or included shipping. This is how I get LOTS of delicious hardcovers! :D).

So I thought I'd finally take pics of what comes in. I'm uncertain if shelfies will be a thing for me though that will be fun. Once I tear them out of their envelopes/boxes, I tend to squirrel them away in whatever pile is for whatever topic I intend to research on. AND if I shelfie, you'll all learn how incredibly boring my reading list is, because I get VERY EXCITED about Victorian cookbooks and whatnot. :D  I also don't take the time to add all my treasures here on Booklikes; it's a time issue, and it would make my TBR list very, very long (and overwhelming). I like to maintain the illusion that I am on top of it! (HA).

So ENQUIRE WITHIN UPON EVERYTHING 1890, the 400pp+ facsimile hardcover from Old House Books Publishing just arrived from Book Depository. This was the giant reference book for Victorians to refer to about Everything, from how to clean stains to how to play cards, to how to cure that cough and how to get a job (ladies). Now I'll know how to blacken that grating!

Lovely bookmark from Book Depository!

My friend Kate Danley, award-winning author and playwright of such works as The Woodcutter, the USA best-selling Maggie for Hire (kick-ass urban fantasy) series, the O'Hare House Mysteries (period mystery), and much more just released her first illustrated all-ages story, The Spirit of Krampus, ILLUSTRATED by Abigail Larson, whose work with the Poe Museum and her own Gothic Victorian illustrations I just adore. And I have one of her hardback collections (if she's issued more), but of course I can't find it because my shelving 'system' is a mess. So anyway, here is The Spirit of Krampus, which accompanied my paper copy of the scholarly version of Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla!

With inquisitive cat paw!

Interior shot:

With a dented corner on a brand new book! Thanks Amazon!

That is a Beautiful font the book layout person did for Kate. Look at that. I am jealous she did an illustrated novel (which I'd attempted with my gallery of illustrations in the back of the print versions of the Dark Victorian series---I've since given up on doing those), that she did this project with Abigail Larson, whose work I adore (I Know, I said that already), and that it's all laid out so pretty. This is what making books is all about. Yes!!

AND NOW ~~~ I'm going to run back to my latest manuscript. 

Mimo, iż jest to stara książka, to jednak bardzo przydatna w szkole. Towarzyszyła mi przez całe gimnazjum i liceum. Była pomocna zawsze gdy trzeba było napisać albo referat zawierający krótki życiorys jakiegoś pisarza, albo gdy trzeba było krótko zaznaczyć życiorys w wypracowaniu. Dobrze wspominam tą książkę mimo, że dziś już jej nie mam (czego żałuję).

I will admit to struggling a bit with many historically set Paranormal Romances. Regency Werewolves just don't tend to be my thing. 

However, Vampires are another thing altogether and I love Time Travel Romances and heroes and heroines who can talk to ghost. Very cool stuff.

If we mix that in with the turn of the century time period, I am one happy cat. 

Here are are some wonderful Turn of the Century Paranormal Romances for your reading pleasure. 

1. Anything for Love by Jane Goodger  Time Travel Supermodel to the late 1800's

2. The Mirror by Marlys Millhiser  Time Travel 1978 to 1900 into her grandmother's life

3. The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber Ghosts

4. Heart's Delight by Margrett Dawson Time Travel a late Victorian remittance man 

5. Be Mine Tonight  by Kathryn Smith 1899 Vampire Romance Series

6. Heaven Made by SaraLynn Hoyt  1905 Ghost

7. Somewhere In Time by Richard Matheson  Time Travel San Diego in 1896

8. Delia's Shadow by Jaime Lee Moyer 1906 San Fransico Ghosts

9. A Love Out Of Time by Rick Adkins Time Travel Montrose, Pennsylvania 1896

10. Out of Time by Caroline B. Cooney Time Travel 1895 YA