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The Perfume Garden by Kate Lord Brown & Giveaway of Audio CD (International)

May 25, 2013 by Darlene

The Perfume Garden

The Perfume Garden by Kate Lord Brown was a fantastic read and will top my favorites list this year.  This is a five hundred page book that literally flew by for me.  The storyline is captivating, the characters endearing, and the history an added bonus.  The Perfume Garden is a beautifully told and written novel of love, loss, the tragedies of war, and ultimately of the hope of new life.  Something I really liked about the book was the theme of fragrance which is something I’m always taken with; how it can make us think of a certain person or evoke a certain memory.  Throughout The Perfume Garden fragrance, memories, and family secrets are woven together to form a story that will touch your heart and I can promise you that you won’t soon forget it.

Emma is at a crossroads in her life.  She has lost her mother and her fiance to her best friend and on top of it all she is pregnant.  She needs a new start and although her mother is gone she has left Emma with a way to maybe achieve that for herself.  She left her a key to a home in Valencia, Spain and Emma feels that she needs to go there – to see why her mother left her this key.  She also left Emma a box full of letters on all kinds of topics covering things she wouldn’t be able to share with Emma anymore.  Against the advice of her grandmother Freya but with the encouragement of her Uncle Charles Emma travels to Valencia and there finds the ramshackle home that her mother left her.  This doesn’t discourage Emma though.  She’s actually excited to renovate it to its former glory and to get back to what she really wants to do with her life – make fragrances.

The story goes back and forth between Emma’s life and in the past to the Spanish Civil War in the 1930’s.  With war raging all around in Spain people are just trying to survive.  We meet Rosa, a woman forced into a marriage she doesn’t want and her friend Macu who will protect her with her own life if she has to.  It is also here that we see how Emma’s grandmother Freya risks her own life to nurse those injured and fallen in the war.  The history of this war is so vividly described that I could feel the fear and hopelessness of those involved.  In my head I could hear the never ending bombings and see the injured and dying young men – it left me feeling the terror that those who experienced it must have felt and respecting those that fought and worked to help who they could.

What’s fascinating about this story is how what happened back in the 1930’s/40’s impacts Emma’s life.  In the face of danger and the overwhelming need for survival people often make decisions that will affect generations to come.  As the years go by the secrets fall deeper and deeper into the past where they are sometimes best left.  For Emma though, making a life in Valencia, the past begins to creep into the present and with that an overwhelming urge to find out just how the house and people of Valencia somehow seem to relate back to Emma.

I loved this book.  It’s a story spanning generations which is something I always enjoy and the historical aspect is fascinating as well.  I had not known much about the Spanish Civil War before at all and I appreciated being able to learn something while reading such a good book.  This is one I highly recommend if, like me, you enjoy family sagas and stories of war.

The Perfume Garden by Kate Lord Brown is touring with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours so be sure to check out the other tour stops.  Kate can be found on her website and blog as well as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.  There is also a Facebook and Pinterest page for The Perfume Garden so take a look at that too.  Your own copy of The Perfume Garden can be purchased at Amazon, Amazon Canada, Amazon UK, and The Book Depository.  Kate has also written a short prequel (eBook) to The Perfume Garden called The Last Rose of Summer and that can be purchased at Amazon or Amazon UK.

The Perfume Garden Tour Banner FINAL

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (Audio CD – open Internationally)

I have one Audio CD set of The Perfume Garden by Kate Lord Brown to share with my readers and I bet this would be a fantastic book to listen to!  To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • Tweet, share on Facebook, or blog for 2 extra entries.

This giveaway is open Internationally!  I will draw for the winner on June 8/13.  Good luck!

 

Source:  Review copy provided by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and the Publisher.  No compensation was received and all opinions are my own. 

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Filed Under: 2013 - 100+ Books, 2013 ARC's, 2013 Book Reviews, 2013 eBooks, Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. blodeuedd says

    May 25, 2013 at 2:23 am

    Yes I am in, cos it sounds good 😀

  2. Angela/griperang says

    May 25, 2013 at 5:23 am

    Thank you for the chance to win this, I have not heard of it before and it sounds really good. I have also shared on facebook and twitter and I am a gfc follower (griperang)

    https://twitter.com/griperang/status/338253444852879360

    https://www.facebook.com/angela.holland.359/posts/676687142360930

  3. Kristin T. says

    May 25, 2013 at 5:26 am

    This does sound good…I would love to win a copy…thanks for hosting this giveaway!

    ~Kristin @ Always With a Book

  4. Linda B says

    May 25, 2013 at 6:07 am

    This sounds like a wonderful story, and I am so in need of an audio book at this time. thanks for the giveaway.

  5. Nancy Morgan says

    May 25, 2013 at 6:12 am

    I love reading Historical Fiction and I have not read anything yet concerning the Spanish civil war. This sounds compelling. Nancy

  6. Shirley @ My Bookshelf says

    May 25, 2013 at 6:15 am

    I love a good family saga! Please enter me for a chance to win the audio book. Thanks for the giveaway!

  7. Shirley @ My Bookshelf says

    May 25, 2013 at 6:20 am

    I blogged about the contest here: http://shirley-mybookshelf.blogspot.ca/2013/05/the-perfume-garden-by-kate-lord-brown.html and tweeted at mymidlifecrisis.

  8. JoAnn says

    May 25, 2013 at 6:54 am

    This sounds wonderful!! Thanks for the giveaway.

  9. bermudaonion(Kathy) says

    May 25, 2013 at 7:21 am

    I love generational stories and I’m impressed that this will be one of your favorites of the year.

  10. Anne says

    May 25, 2013 at 8:50 am

    I enjoy family sagas and this sounds memorable and special.

  11. ellie says

    May 25, 2013 at 8:55 am

    What a wonderful novel. Many thanks.

  12. Margie says

    May 25, 2013 at 10:19 am

    This sounds like a fascinating book. Perfect to listen to in the car for road trips. Thanks so much for the giveaway.

  13. Sandra Furlotte says

    May 25, 2013 at 10:20 am

    A book to get my reading buds tingling. Please enter me in the draw.

  14. Nicole Laverdure says

    May 25, 2013 at 10:21 am

    When I read the description of this book The Perfume Garden by Kate, I really wanted to know more about her heroine Emma. I love historical romance specially if it concerns women.
    I like the cover, it’s pretty! Thank you for this beautiful giveaway. I just met a new-to-me author!
    I love audio book!

  15. Judie McDonald says

    May 25, 2013 at 10:40 am

    I like to listen to audio books and have not read anything about the Spanish Civil War but would like to!
    I follow via email.

  16. Nancy says

    May 25, 2013 at 10:51 am

    I’ve yet to try an audio book. Sounds interesting, thanks.

  17. Valorie says

    May 25, 2013 at 12:02 pm

    The Perfume Garden sounds like a favorite of mine already! Generational historical fiction is a huge favorite of mine, as are books about other countries. Oh, I hope, I hope, I hope I win!

  18. Carol Wong says

    May 25, 2013 at 12:23 pm

    This book must have been very entrancing for you. I love to read about that time period I really want read this one. Also I love audio books!!! I don’t know anything about the Spanish Civil War but I am ready to learn!

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  19. Carol Wong says

    May 25, 2013 at 12:25 pm

    I tweeted:http://t.co/aeWyODOBFI

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  20. Mariag says

    May 25, 2013 at 1:09 pm

    Sounds so interesting!
    Thank you

  21. Connie Fischer says

    May 25, 2013 at 2:17 pm

    I have always been fascinated by the history of fragrances and process of combining them to make different and specific perfume. I’m looking forward to reading this and appreciate knowing how much you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.

    I follow via email. Will tweet and share on Facebook.

  22. KATHLEEN BIANCHI says

    May 25, 2013 at 3:44 pm

    The fact that you have it on your best list for this year is enough for me to listen/read it. I love historical novels and the Spanish Civil War will be a new era for me to learn.
    I follow with emaail
    I tweeted.
    The Perfume Garden by Kate Lord Brown & Giveaway of Audio CD (International)

  23. DarcyO says

    May 25, 2013 at 5:51 pm

    Sounds lovely. Count me in!

  24. DarcyO says

    May 25, 2013 at 5:52 pm

    I tweeted: https://twitter.com/darcy1956/status/338442454460149760

  25. Summer says

    May 25, 2013 at 6:32 pm

    I would love to win this! I love historical fiction.

    sumsum085@aol.com

  26. karenk says

    May 25, 2013 at 7:09 pm

    thanks for the chance to listen to this audiobook 🙂

  27. karenk says

    May 25, 2013 at 7:09 pm

    i’m a follower, too

  28. Mary Preston says

    May 25, 2013 at 8:32 pm

    I haven’t listed to any audio books yet, what a great opportunity thank you. THE PERFUME GARDEN looks wonderful.

  29. Maxie Anderson says

    May 25, 2013 at 10:37 pm

    I love the name of this book. Also the cover picture. Would love to win it. MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

  30. Kirsten McElroy says

    May 25, 2013 at 10:59 pm

    What a fabulous summer read (or listen!)

    I’ll share this on my FB page!

  31. Suko says

    May 26, 2013 at 4:27 pm

    This sounds very good! I’d love to listen to this. Please enter me in this wonderful giveaway.

    I am a follower, and will post this in my blog’s sidebar. Thank you, Darlene, for hosting another terrific book giveaway.

    suko95(at)gmal(dot)com

  32. Patty says

    May 26, 2013 at 6:14 pm

    I love historical fiction! Would love to win this.

  33. LilMissMolly says

    May 26, 2013 at 7:53 pm

    I really love audio books and would love to listen to this one! Thanks for the giveaway!

  34. LilMissMolly says

    May 26, 2013 at 7:54 pm

    https://twitter.com/LtlMissMolly/status/338835509994467328

  35. Jess@Fairday's Blog says

    May 26, 2013 at 8:34 pm

    How exciting! I love a good audio book and this one sounds so good. Thanks for the chance to win. I am sharing it to a fb page I am an admin for: I Love Books. Will come back with link. 🙂

  36. Jess@Fairday's Blog says

    May 26, 2013 at 8:39 pm

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/I-Love-Books/100817506670064

  37. Kate says

    May 27, 2013 at 2:06 am

    Thank you for reviewing, Darlene – and hosting the giveaway. Good luck to you all!

  38. Terry Martini says

    May 27, 2013 at 10:04 am

    I love listening to wonderful family sagas and this one sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway.

  39. Patricia N says

    May 27, 2013 at 6:13 pm

    This sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway!

  40. Patricia N says

    May 27, 2013 at 6:14 pm

    Tweet
    https://twitter.com/pmernick1/status/339172665749282816

  41. Margaret @ Just One More Chapter says

    May 28, 2013 at 5:43 am

    Sounds like a great book, thanks for the giveaway

  42. Ann says

    May 28, 2013 at 7:46 am

    Thanks for the doing the giveaway. Love your blog. I’m adding your blog to my list of favorites on my sidebar.
    Ann

  43. Laura Fabiani says

    May 29, 2013 at 6:27 am

    Ever since I’ve seen this one I’ve been wanting to read it. It’s just the kind of book I love to read. Thanks for the giveaway.
    laurafabiani at videotron dot ca

  44. Samantha says

    May 29, 2013 at 8:30 pm

    I love the idea of fragrance playing an important part of this book…it has me intrigued! And if this one is going to make your top reads list for this year then I definitely HAVE to read it 🙂

  45. Beth says

    May 31, 2013 at 1:33 pm

    Sounds like a good one! 🙂

    I am a follower & I tweeted:

    https://twitter.com/bbulow12/status/340551383440822272

    Thanks!
    Beth

  46. Summer Grinstead says

    June 3, 2013 at 1:28 pm

    I love audio books! Thanks!

    sumsum085@aol.com

  47. Meghan Stith says

    June 3, 2013 at 11:56 pm

    This looks so great! Thanks for sharing with us! I adore that cover as well.
    Did the author have any say on the design of the book cover? Also, who in the author’s life encouraged them to sit down and write their first book?
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    mestith at gmail dot com

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