Book review by Tracey
This romance is set in modern day New Orleans (published in 1992, pre-hurricane). Joletta Caresse is a young woman who has grown up surrounded by the mystique of her grandmother’s perfume shop, a family tradition for several generations. The family also owns many perfume formulas, the most valuable being a perfume that was supposedly brought back by Napoleon from Egypt. When Joletta’s grandmother dies, the formula for this perfume, handed down to each owner of the perfume shop in each one’s turn, is lost. Rival family members who would like to sell the formula to a big perfume house cause her to decide to find the formula herself to protect the integrity of the family name. The story is mostly about her journey in retracing the honeymoon travels of her ancestor Violet, the first owner of the perfume shop. Joletta hopes by following the same route of travel and reading Violet’s diary she may unearth the lost formula. The author also adds some drama by having several ‘accidents’ happen to our heroine, and romance in the form of the young man who keeps saving her from them. The story keeps you guessing about whether the romantic interest is the real thing or a sinister influence meant to cause harm and betrayal. I thought it was a good story, and well written. The mystery is revealed in the end, and romance is satisfied.

Tracey.