The Witch of Painted Sorrows is the newest novel from best-selling author M.J. Rose. I really didn’t think she could top the last series I read of hers that I loved but she has and in a big way and it starts with this absolutely beautiful book cover. The Witch of Painted Sorrows is the first in a new series and it is utterly fantastic! I was swept away to 1890s Belle Époque Paris and into an enthralling gothic tale full of the supernatural and a sensuality that drips of the page.
Sandrine Salome has come to Paris to her grandmothers to escape her dangerous husband. Sandrine has always loved her grandmother’s mansion and is mystified when she arrives to find it all closed up. Apparently her grandmother is renting an apartment while renovating the mansion and even more troubling is how evasive her grandmother is being about all of it. Sandrine’s grandmother insists that she leave Paris as soon as possible; that it’s not safe for her to stay there. She warns her to stay away from the house as well but this is something Sandrine finds impossible because she feels such a pull to it. It’s like the house is alive for her and needs her to be a part of it. With her grandmother not there Sandrine meets the handsome Julien and the bell tower that she was never meant to find. The bell tower is the beginning of Sandrine’s journey into the occult, the hidden night world of Paris, and into the life of a long ago courtesan and witch called La Lune who has no intention of ever letting Sandrine leave Paris or the house.
Upon discovering La Lune and the bell tower Sandrine’s life begins to change. She discovers that she can paint and extremely well. She finds that she’s not the cold and sexless woman she felt she was with her husband. She has an erotic side to her just waiting to be released. Yet with the good comes the bad and something is trying very hard to possess Sandrine and take over her life. The question is will it succeed?
Once again I am amazed by the captivating story that M.J. Rose can spin. I know when I delve into a new book she’s written that I’m going to be glued to it until I turn the last page and it was even more true with The Witch of Painted Sorrows. I love the paranormal and everything that goes with it so this book was perfect for me and I enjoyed each and every minute. I love how vividly the author built Sandrine’s world with the painting, possession, and erotic romance so much so that I could see the scenes flashing by in my mind. My only complaint is now having to wait for the next one and really it can’t come soon enough!
The Witch of Painted Sorrows has something for everyone – historical fiction, erotic romance, and the supernatural. Highly recommended!
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I have several of her books and have yet to read one. Shame on me!
Kathy, too funny. Hopefully you’ll get to one of them soon.
I just love this cover. And I really like the books I have read by M.J. Rose. I have my eye on this one and hope to at some point read it.
Wendy, it’s a gorgeous cover isn’t it. I fell in love with it too. I adore her books. I have yet to read one I don’t like. Hope you get to read it soon.
This sounds like such an amazing book. Thank you
for the wonderful review. Want to read this one.
Thank you for a chance at winning this.
I’m so excited to read this one after peeking at your review. I have it on my kindle and will be moving it up the list to read asap! Sounds like my kind of book. Great review 🙂
Sam, yes this is your kind of book too. This is my favorite by her so far. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts when you do read it.