4/5 Review: The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M. J. Rose

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.

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This is the first book of the Daughters of La Lune series and is a great historical 

paranormal romantic book.  I thought the book was well written with lots of emotions, 

mostly sad, negative and haunting. 

         Sandrine is running from a bad situation from her husband and after the death of her 

father she feels she needs to hide out with her grandmother in Paris.  Sandrine is ready to 

break out of her shell and become more active even learning how to paint.

          I love all the descriptions of Paris in the 1800's with the cafes, scenery and 

especially how the women were acting and being treated.  La Lune is a powerful spirit 

who has lots of things up her sleeves for Sandrine and it was exciting to see all that 

happen. Julian was an interesting lover to Sandrine and you didn’t know if he was going 

to tell the truth or keep with his hidden agenda. Great book and can't wait to read the 

second in this series.