The Perfume Collector

The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


After a slow start, I found myself captivated by this book.

It's a story about the power of life's choices. It's a story of love, of sacrifice, and of family. But at it's core it is the story of how two women's lives are intertwined, and how the past catches up with the future.

I also found myself intrigued about the process of capturing scents to make perfume. I have never been a big perfume person but after reading this book I want to run out and find a scent that really speaks to me. Or, better yet, have someone create a scent especially for me. An extravagance, to be sure, but the book made it seem so special.

Overall, an interesting piece of historical fiction. 4 stars.




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Love is Dangerous

Love Is Dangerous by Barbara Cartland

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was a different sort of Barbara Cartland romance, one with a bit of a mystery and intrigue. And limited stilted dialogue, so it didn't break my brain.

Melina is working as a secretary in Morocco, and is dismissed out of jealousy. Insert eye-rolling here. Dame Barbara, your age is showing. But worry not, as her balcony is invaded by a dashing young man on the run. She gamely jumps to his rescue and they embark on a tale of intrigue and drama. Bing (Bing, really?) isn't very nice, but somehow she falls for him anyway. And then we encounter a Deus ex machina so large we need a separate room for it. As with all Cartland romances, the ending will be abrupt and you will wonder what hit you when it was done.

Giving this an extra star due to her controlling herself around--the stilted--dialogue she--loves and the twist on a late 60's spy novel.



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