The Book of Lost Fragrances by M.J. Rose- Blog Tour Review

What "The Book of Lost Fragrances" is about:

Jac L'Etoile has always been haunted by the past, her memories infused with the exotic scents that she grew up surrounded by as the heir to a storied French perfume company. In order to flee the pain of those remembrances--and of her mother's suicide--she moved to America. Now, fourteen years later she and her brother have inherited the company along with it's financial problems. But when Robbie hints at an earth-shattering discovery in the family archives and then suddenly goes missing--leaving a dead body in his wake--Jac is plunged into a world she thought she'd left behind.  Back in Paris to investigate her brother's disappearance, Jac  becomes haunted by the legend the House of L'Etoile has been espousing since 1799. Is there a  scent that can unlock the mystery of reincarnation - or is it just another dream infused perfume?  The Book of Lost Fragrances fuses history, passion, and suspense, moving from Cleopatra's Egypt and the terrors of revolutionary France to Tibet's battle with China and the glamour of modern-day Paris. Jac's quest for the ancient perfume someone is willing to kill for becomes the key to understanding her own troubled past.                                                                                                            

 First thought after finishing: "Why is this the first time I've ever read this author??? I love her writing!"

I was instantly and I mean INSTANTLY intrigued and pulled into the story with the very first page. I have always been curious about reincarnation and the whole idea of a scent evoking memories of a former life is one of the most original plots that I've read in the past few years. I love stories that involve Egypt on any level and Rose has certainly done her research. I thought this was a wonderful mixture of adventure, mystery, thriller, and  love story! The characters were well developed and each one brought something important to the story!

Recommend? ABSOLUTELY!  This is probably one of the most enjoyable reads that I've experienced in a long time because the author brought so much to the table with the fascinating countries and cites, the complexity of the story, the intricate weaving of perfume making and how scent can become very deeply rooted in ones memory, and a cast of characters that kept me turning the pages!

Source: Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours/Atria Books/NetGalley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 416
Published:  March 13, 2012

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M.J. Rose is the international best selling author of eleven novels and two non-fiction books on marketing. Her next novel THEBOOK OF LOST FRAGRANCES (Atria/S&S) will be published in March 2012.  Her fiction and non-fiction has appeared in many magazines and reviews including Oprah Magazine. She has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, Time, USA Today and on the Today Show, and NPR radio.  Rose graduated from Syracuse University, spent the '80s in advertising, has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and since 2005 has run the first marketing company for authors -Authorbuzz.com.  The television series PAST LIFE, was based on Rose's novels in the Renincarnationist series. She is one of the founding board members of International Thriller Writers and runs the blog- Buzz, Balls & Hype.  She is also the co-founder ofPeroozal.com and BookTrib.com.

Rose lives in CT with her husband the musician and composer, Doug Scofield, and their very spoiled and often photographed dog, Winka.

For more information on M.J. Rose and her novels, please visit her WEBSITE. You can also find her on Facebook.

Disclaimer:Thank you to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.

Review Book #7
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