Jan Moran, author of the Fabulous Fragrances books and creator of the Scentsa fragrance finder, will publish her first novel, Scent of Triumph, in May:
Scent of Triumph is the story of Danielle Bretancourt, a talented young French perfumer with a flair for fashion. The story opens on the day England declares war on Germany, and Danielle and her family are caught in the midst of a raging disaster sweeping across Europe.
Tragedy strikes when Nazis murder her husband and her son is stranded behind enemy lines. Determined to find him, she spies for the French resistance, but is forced to flee Europe with fragments of her family.
Destitute, she mines her talents to create a magnificent perfume that captures the hearts of Hollywood's top stars, then gambles again to win wealth and success as a couturier. Her intelligence and style attracts the adoration of Jonathan Newell-Grey, head of England's top shipping conglomerate, and Cameron Murphy, Hollywood's most charismatic star.
Danielle charts her course through devastating wartime losses and revenge, lustful lovers and loveless marriages, and valiant struggles to reunite her family. Set between privileged lifestyles and gritty realities, here is one woman's story of courage, spirit, and resilience.
 You can pre-order at Amazon now.
(via press release)
Sounds like an interesting novel. So dramatic. I’m reading The Secret of Chanel No.5 now. Chanel No.5 is not my favourite fragrance but the story is fascinating.
I still need to read that one! Very behind on perfume books.
Thanks to Robin and ladymurasaki! There are some wonderful vintage perfumes included in the novel, too: Caron’s Tabac Blond, Mitsouko, Shalimar, from Floris and Geo Trumper, etc. It’s part of the aromatrack 🙂 Hope you like it!
Which vintage perfumes are your favorites?
–Jan Moran
I love Caron’s Tabac Blond and my other vintage favourites are Jean Patou Joy and Cocktail. I look forward to reading your book!
Thanks!
I love perfume references in books or movies; it adds another dimension of reality that so many writers and filmmakers ignore. “Fabulous Fragrances” was what really opened my eyes to just how much variety was out there. I have always loved perfume, but for many years my knowledge of it was limited to what was on my mother’s dressing table or what was at the local (small town) drugstores and department stores. I love vintage perfume, having grown up in the 60s and 70s withe what are now considered vintage fragrances. I guess my favorite vintage perfume is Arpege. It was on my mother’s dressing table and so was one of the first perfumes I ever encountered.
I love them too, but don’t think I used to even notice them!
Hi 50 Roses, so glad you liked Fabulous Fragrances, and I hope you’ll enjoy Scent of Triumph, too! I’m with you on Arpege–love it, too!
–Jan
I loved Jan Moran’s _Fabulous Fragrances_ and look forward to reading what looks to be a delightful novel!
Hope you’ll like it!
Hi maggiecat, Thanks, and I hope you’ll let me know what you think about Scent of Triumph, too! Tried to include in lots of little goodies and insider bits for all of us perfumistas 🙂
Maybe Al Pacino could be in the movie…he was great in Scent of a Woman (HOO-ah).