Books like The witch of painted sorrows by Rose, M. J.
Set against the glittering backdrop of 1890s Belle Époque Paris, this gothic tale follows Sandrine Salome as she flees her treacherous New York husband and seeks refuge with her grandmother’s Parisian mansion. The house, renowned for its lavish art and elegant salons, soon reveals a darker side: a mysterious, closed‑off interior and an underground occult scene that invites Sandrine into a world of forbidden passions. With the enigmatic architect Julien Duplessi by her side, she explores the city's bohemian circles, demi‑monde, and the hidden forces that awaken her artistic talent and erotic desires.
As her former husband hunts her, Sandrine becomes increasingly influenced—and perhaps possessed—by La Lune, a legendary sixteenth‑century courtesan and witch. The story chronicles her battle between agency and supernatural control, weighing the art and love of Paris against the weight of ancient witchery, and questioning whether this newfound power is a curse or a gift.
A haunting exploration of desire, legacy, and the seductive pull of the occult, this novel immerses readers in a richly detailed, morally ambiguous Paris that serves as both sanctuary and trap.
First publish date: 2015
Genre: Historical Fiction/19th Century Historical Fiction
Authors: Rose, M. J.
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