The Witch of Painted Sorrows By: M. J. Rose

Title: The Witch of Painted Sorrows
Author:  M. J. Rose
Publisher:  Atria Books
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Review:

"The Witch of Painted Sorrows" by M.J. Rose

Book Description....

"Possession. Power. Passion. New York Times bestselling novelist M. J. Rose creates her most provocative and magical spellbinder yet in this gothic novel set against the lavish spectacle of 1890s Belle Époque Paris.

Sandrine Salome flees New York for her grandmother’s Paris mansion to escape her dangerous husband, but what she finds there 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."

What I liked about this novel....


This  was the first time I have read this kind of read and it was fascinating due to all the twist and turns to the end. I was able to see from the read that if you are a romantic, love magic and throw in some witchery then this novel would be of interest to you.  Running from a abusive husband after the death of her father Sandrine Verlaine  goes to her grandmother's mansion in Paris, however she is told by her grandmother who is one of the 'great, grand horizon tales' (courtesans) to leave Paris.  Sandrine begins  to search for answers to why her grandmother's house is closed up and she  hooks up with Julien Duplessi and not only does she discover her passion for painting but also her erotic side that she didn't know she had.  There will be a lots that will go on in  this story such as  with all the ghost of her family's 'spirit of the La Lune, the sixteenth century courtesan, which seemed to be awakening  and possibility is possessing Sandrine. Be ready for some intriguing historical details  along with some erotic scenes.  With all of this going on Sandrine abusive husband comes back into the picture as we see if Sandrine changing?  .  This author really gives the reader a interesting suspenseful read of letting us see Sandrine as she seems to open up to her family's past.  Now, to truly understand it all you will have to pick up "The Witch of Painted Sorrows" to see for yourself how this will come out.   In the end will Sandrine be able to rid herself of all of this magic?