The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams

I have so many thoughts about Rose's latest work. Her writing is so naturally descriptive. You can tell she sees so much beauty in the world. This was a beautiful book that crossed genres so seamlessly.

So many “ah-ha!” moments in this story, I truly loved it. Having previously read “the Lost Tiara” by MJ Rose, I was delighted that some of the characters from the (fictitious) Midas Society return to legitimatize the story. Told in a dual historical timeline, this works so well to help understand the connection between the protagonists and how their past plays a role in their future. During WWII, we hear the story of Susanne, a Parisian jeweler and Dixie, an American living in Paris. Together they are involved in the Resistance and seek to help Jewish families survive the Nazi takeover of Paris. Strong women who were courageous and determined, we become immersed in their lives as they face danger. In present day, Violine works for an antique auction house that has been contacted by Paul Osgood who has come in to possession of a vintage trunk previously owned by his aunt Dixie who died in WWII. Violine, just by touch, can sense a story connected with an object if it is one of pain or sadness. She discovers there is more to the trunk that meets the eye and that there is a secret. Why would Paul’s aunt Dixie be in possession of this treasure? I love the added element of magical gifts of the women in Violine’s family. Violine is also a member of the Midas Society, whose mission is to return lost and stolen goods to their rightful owners once they’ve been tracked down. Through her investigation for the Midas Society of the treasures that were found and make connections to Paul’s Aunt Dixie, Violine encounters danger and deceit. Not everything is at it appears. MJ Rose writes to bring this time in history alive and help us to learn more about these courageous people in the face of adversity. The characters are diverse and well-developed. Susanne is based on a real person, although she did not smuggle jewels to the United States. More likely, jewels were sold by families to obtain funds in order to escape. I found myself engaged from the first page to the last. My one thought though was the abruptness of the ending. The story was flowing along, and then the last chapter moved forward and wrapped up everything nicely. Perhaps it should have been labeled Epilogue rather than a mere chapter. But that being said, MJ Rose is a great storyteller and I do enjoy her books.Many thanks to #netgalley #mjrose #jewelerofstolendreams for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Paris 1942 ~ Suzanne Belperron is considered to be the best jeweler in Paris during this time, she is the jeweler to the rich and famous and creates one of a kind pieces for them.. ⁣⁣Paris and America 1986 ~ Violine Duplessy works for an auction house and is asked auction off some things from the home of Paul Osgood - while she is going through the items she discovers an old trunk and inside she finds a hidden compartment that contains valuable jewelry... ⁣⁣Paris 1942 ~ it was a time when that Nazi occupied the country and Suzanne and her friend Dixie Osgood have been selling jewelry to help the Jewish escape France.. ⁣⁣America 1986 ~ Violine upon finding the jewels is wanting to know why they were hidden, are they stolen? whom do they belong to? The discovery of the jewels opens the entire story of what occurred between Suzanne and Dixie in 1942 and how they were risking their own lives to save the lives of others to help the Jewish flee France.. ⁣⁣This is book was packed with history, factual history and it was an amazing read, pages packed with not just history but heartache and it all was conveyed beautifully in this book.. This was a beautiful read about these amazing women and what they endured during WWII⁣⁣If you are a historical fiction lover or just a huge fan of M.J. Rose's work, then this book should be your next read⁣

Mystery and secrets abound in this book. Written in two time periods, the time during the war and the time years after. Two time periods that collide with each other in suspense and past secrets.In 1942 France, members of a resistance group, including the Jewelers Suzanne and Bernard, work with their friend Dixie to sell jewelry to make money to help Jewish people that are in hiding from the Nazi's escape France. They hide the Jewels in Dixie's trunk where there is a false side.In 1986, Violine works for the auction house of Lamont. Paul Osgood has items he wants Lamont's auction house to look at and possibly sell on commission. One of the items is an old antique trunk. In looking at the trunk Violine finds hidden jewelry. Violine travels to France to try and find out about the jewelry and to whom it once belonged.Someone wants the Jewelry and they will do anything to get it. Who is after the jewelry and are they a Nazi? Will harm come to Paul or Violine? The story follows the two timelines as they play out and the secrets are revealed.It was a good read and I enjoyed reading it. I would recommend this book.Thanks to M.J. Rose for writing a good story, to AuthorBuzz, Blue Book Press for publishing it, and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy to read and review.

When Violine opens an old trunk full of jewels, it is the beginning of bringing the terrible secrets of the past into the present - especially with her unique gift.This story was an amazing blend of genres: history, romance, mystery, and a bit of supernatural! The mystery takes us back to the 1940s in occupied France during the war, with real-life jeweler Suzanne Belperron. Traveling the streets of Paris and New York, we learn fascinating facts about gems and jewels. I also loved Violine’s gift, just the right touch of magic to add a special sparkle to a dazzling story.