Scent of Triumph: A Novel of Perfume and Passion

Written by Jan Moran

Narrated by Erin Bennett

Jan Moran is the new queen of the epic romance."- USA Today best-selling author Rebecca Forster

When French perfumer Danielle Bretancourt steps aboard a luxury ocean liner, leaving her son behind in Poland with his grandmother, she has no idea that her life is about to change forever. The year is 1939, and the declaration of war on the European continent soon threatens her beloved family, scattered across many countries. Traveling through London and Paris into occupied Poland, Danielle searches desperately for her the remains of her family, relying on the strength and support of Jonathan Newell-Grey, a young captain. Finally, she is forced to gather the fragments of her impoverished family and flee to America. There she vows to begin life anew, in 1940s Los Angeles.

There, through determination and talent, she rises high from meager jobs in her quest for success as a perfumer and fashion designer to Hollywood elite. Set between privileged lifestyles and gritty realities, Scent of Triumph by commanding newcomer Jan Moran is one woman's story of courage, spirit, and resilience.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ideal Audiobooks
• Release date: Feb 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781942907305

Jan Moran

Jan Moran is a USA Today bestselling author of 20th-century historical and contemporary novels, including The Chocolatier, Hepburn's Necklace, the Summer Beach and Coral Cottage series, The Winemakers, Scent of Triumph, and the Love California series. Her historical novels have been translated into German, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Turkish, Russian, Bulgarian, and Lithuanian, among other languages, and have also been published in audiobook and large print editions. Jan has been featured in international media, including CNN, Allure, Elle, Vogue, InStyle, Costco, and Women's Wear Daily. Visit her at JanMoran.com.

Reviews for Scent of Triumph

[awolfe_40 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Received this as a free book in exchange for a review;. I started off really trying to like the story, and realized I was not into it, found it melodramatic and hard to believe. Yes its about love, loss, WWII and more about perfume than any one could believe in one story. I found the book contrived and overly written. Just to much turns to gold with Danielle from one great platform to the next. All turns out great, happy ever after...but not well written. The information at the top of each chapter was interesting, but everything was repeated over and over again.

[Annette Mongal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of Jan Moran's best books. She transports her readers to a very troubled Era when there was much suffering and heartbreak.

[bgknighton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very well written, the story draws you in. The characters are interesting, the stories draw you in. As enticing as the scents Danielle creates.

[susan0316 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What first draws you to this book is the beautiful cover but once you start reading you find out that the story is as good as the cover. The novel starts in the early days of World War II. Danielle and her husband are returning from a trip to New York. They had left their young son in the care of her mother in law in Poland. Before they can get to Europe, their boat is sunk by German U boats and the reader realizes that the war has begun. The war bring huge changes to Danielle's life and the life of her family and she struggles to try to find her son in war torn Europe. She has a nose for perfume and her family makes perfume and there are many interesting facts about perfume through out the book. I really enjoyed the book and all of the interesting facts about perfume. The only negative is that the ending of book seemed a bit abrupt but other than that I would highly recommend this book.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Scent of Triumph by Jan Moran is a historical romance set during World War II. It starts in September of 1939. Danielle Bretancourt von Hoffman (a perfumer with the “nose”) and her husband, Max (whose company makes crystal including perfume bottles) are heading back home to Poland on the Newell-Grey Explorer. During the voyage Germany invades Poland and England declares war on Germany. Danielle and Max are worried about his mother, Sofia and their son, Nicky who were in Poland. Sofia was supposed to take Nicky and head for Paris, but Danielle has no way of knowing if they escaped Poland. On their voyage to New York they had met Jonathan (Jon) Newell-Grey, heir to the Newell-Grey shipping fortune. Jon and Danielle were attracted to each other, but since Danielle is married (and pregnant) they become friends. Jon is also on the return voyage with them to England. Once England declares war on Germany, their ship is attacked by a German submarine.Scent of Triumph will take us from London to Paris to Los Angeles during World War II. Danielle will never stop looking for her son, Nicky while taking care of her family and struggling to survive. Scent of Triumph is the story of Danielle and what she will do to find her son and take care of her family.I give Scent of Triumph 4.25 out of 5 stars. Scent of Triumph contains beautiful descriptions of the perfumes that Danielle creates as well as the clothing. I loved the ending of this book. If you like historical books (especially the World War II era) and romance, you will enjoy Scent of Triumph.I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest review.

[an3avid3reader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Scent of Triumph took me into an amazing journey from France to America. Through the first pages I thought that I was going to read a story similar to Titanic but oh!! Was I ever wrong? Jan Moran did an excellent job in keeping the reader eager trying to keep up with the next scene. Danielle is a strong courageous woman that spied for the French resistance, and I fell in love with her character. My mother was one of those amazing spies so I felt a clear connection to the heroine of this story. Danielle lived through some nail biting situations during the tremulous times of II world war. The war destroyed the days of tranquility and beauty in her life and threw her world into a whirling tornado. She endured the horror that enveloped her life when her husband and son were lost behind enemy lines. She was forced to flee France and come to America, where she picked up her broken heart and the fragments of her life and started over again with more gusto and more determination. She developed her signature perfume that mesmerized Hollywood. Jan Moran blends smoothly into those pages a mixture of so many tangible feeling such as loss, fear, love, hope, and self-identity. The book is enticing and I know you would love it! When I finally finished the book I found myself wanting more but there was no more ☹. I do want to see the book as a movie, however I don’t think anyone can portrait on the screen what Jan has put so superbly on paper. I am a fan!!!

[kerryreis57 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Danielle Bretancourt von Hoffman is a French woman who seemingly has everything going for her, a caring German husband, a young son and another child on the way, a supportive family well placed in Parisian society and the nose and expertise of a family heritage in perfumery, but her world is on the verge of being upended by the Hitler war machine about to envelop Europe. By the time Hitler has begun to sweep into France, Danielle's life and family has been shattered, but she has sought refuge half a world away in Los Angeles. Now, she has her nose and her sense of business to build a fashion industry in wartime Hollywood, while trying to navigate between love and security, defending herself from a personal Nazi vendetta, and finding hope in her search for her missing son lost in war-torn Europe. Ms. Moran has crafted an intricate, enjoyable tale of character strength, confounding relationships, unexpected dangers and hopes for a better future based within the history and science of the perfume industry.

[pattymclpn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was originally published in December of 2012. I obtained a free Kindle copy at NetGalley from Briarcliffe Press. It is a sweeping love story that takes place during World War II. The book also weaves in elements of perfume creation in the 1940s.The main character is Danielle Bretancourt. The story begins in 1939 when Danielle is on a ship to England. She has left Poland with her husband Max. She is pregnant with her second child. Nick her first child is still in Poland with Sofia, Max’s mother. This is the start of the action. The ship is attacked by a U-boat. She survives and so does Max.She is consumed with looking for her son, but she must go on with her life. Max is trying to find her son and is working as an informant for England. He is killed by his cousin Heinrich who is in the S.S.. She finds herself falling in love with Jon who was a friend of her husband’s. She believes he is in love with someone else. Her father dies at the hands of her brother, Jean-Claude. Jean-Claude plants a bomb in the car of his dad’s associate and by chance his father, his own wife and the associate die. Jean Claude then commits suicide.Danielle takes her mother, her niece and baby to America to live. Here she finds that life is hard. She struggles to make ends meet. She finds success making and selling perfumes and fashions. She later marries a man for money, only to find out that he is in debt. It is a tale of action, sorrow, love, loss and finally triumph. Danielle is one tough lady and overcomes many obstacles in her life.This was a great find!!! I really got caught up in this one. It is action packed and fast moving. Enticing to readers who enjoy romances, World War II stories, perfume creation and family dramas. Well written with vivid descriptions that were not wordy. A beautiful story with a happy ending. I finished it in 2 days!! I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

[kerrymarsh · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The story follows the life of Danielle from poverty and the loss of a child through to following her dreams and building a new life built upon a background of the atrocities of World War II. It is a story of love, loss, and finding the strength to pursue your dreams in face of overwhelming obstacles. A must read. Have your tissues ready.

[melaniehope · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was an excellent historical fiction novel. Danielle is a French perfumer whose life is turned upside down after the death of her husband and the disappearance of her young son behind enemy lines.Danielle eventually is forced to leave Europe behind and she travels to America with her mother, daughter and niece after another heartbreaking tragedy.This was my favorite part of the story. Danielle, who is actually in love with her husband's good friend, who stayed behind in England, must use her wits to help her family thrive in their new world. She eventually makes a name for herself thru her perfumes and clothing designs. Danielle is also courted by Cameron Murphy, a very charismatic Hollywood star who also comes with his own set of problems.I loved this book for its suspense, that it takes place during WWII and then also includes the early Hollywood lifestyle. Great book and highly recommended. I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley.com.

[janarose1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Danielle Bretancourt and her husband Max are traveling in 1939. They left their son behind with their grandmother, who was to meet them in Paris. When war is declared, Danielle and Max are unable to reunite with their son. Instead, Max is sent on a mission by the government, where he is killed. After giving birth to a second child, Danielle travels through occupied Poland, hoping to uncover information about her son. After retuning empty-handed, Danielle takes her daughter and niece to America, where they struggle to build a new life.I was a bit disappointed with this book. The author was extremely repetitive at times, almost as if it was several different books put together and she felt the need to re-explain things that happened earlier. I also wanted more details about her son, the author seemed to just wrap up the book without giving me the information I wanted. Overall, not something I would re-read or recommend.

[jo2son · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Scent of Triumph is the story of Danielle Bretancourt, a French perfumer, and her family from 1939 until the end of World War 2. The reader is taken with Danielle to England, France, Poland and the United States as she tries to keep her children safe during the war. There are detailed descriptions about perfume and how new perfumes are created. Scents of all types play a significant role in this story. Danielle is a strong, independent woman who overcomes a variety of adversities throughout the story. Readers who enjoy a strong female protagonist or historical fiction will enjoy this well crafted story.

[pat1egan1fordyce · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Scent Of Triumph........by Jan MoranThis historical fiction novel is set in the first days of WWII. DanielleBretancourt Von Hoffman is traveling from New York to England with herhusband Max. She is pregnant with their second child. Max is a German bydescent, and his family is living in Poland. Danielle is a perfumer with thegift of perfect "scent". Her family has produced perfumes for hundreds ofyears; she is trying to carry on the tradition. Max's family is known forexquisite crystal, and has a factory in Poland. Jon Newell-Gray is alsotraveling on the ship. He is Vice President and heir to Newell -GrayShipping. This voyage is taking place on one of his family's ships. Mr.Newell-Gray and the Von Hoffmans have a momentous encounter.The one word I would use to describe this sweeping story is passion. Notromantic passion, although there is a wonderful love story that develops,but a woman's passion for her family, heritage, and country. Danielleencounters frightening and heartbreaking obstacles; her passion is tested incountless ways. In war torn Poland, while working for British intelligence,she puts herself and unborn child in serious danger to try and find familymembers. This is a story of a very strong talented woman, who may fall,but refuses to fail. She is tireless in her efforts to keep her family safe,and expand her perfume heritage.I enjoy reading about WWII, and its amazing stories of courage, and loyalty.I feel this is an excellent one. I recommend it highly. I received a copyof this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[bookdivasreads · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An enjoyable read about one woman's life from 1939-1944 that goes from England, France, Poland to the United States. Danielle Bretancourt von Hoffman is not your average married young woman. She is also an heir to the Bretancourt perfumery business. After suffering great dispair during WWII, she travels to the US to begin anew. Her life in the US isn't filled with ease, but it isn't filled with abject poverty either. She struggles to become a successful business woman, all the while suffering disappointment after disappointment with love. Just when it appears things are at the darkest, she is able to obtain all that she desires...or does she. Although this is a HEA historical romance, it is still a delightful and quick read.