I love it when I stumble upon a new to me author and discover so many of their books to add to my TBR tower. M. J. Rose is one of those authors. The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams has everything - as they say, it checks all of the boxes. Mystery, history, strong female characters (one real one fiction) art and a touch of paranormal. After reading this entry I will waste no time getting my hands on the rest of the books in the Daughters of La Lune series.
Normally I stay away from stories written from several points of view and different time periods as most authors do it all that well in my opinion. I tend to get last going back and forth. Such was not the case with M. J. Rose. I'm glad I took a chance and asked for the ARC. I became immersed in 1943 and 1986 and the lives of Suzanne Belperron and Violine Duplessi. This book was fantastic.
My thanks to the publisher Blue Box Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Having thoroughly enjoyed, THE LAST TIARA, CARTIER’S HOPE, and TIFFANY BLUES, I knew I could count on THE JEWELER OF STOLEN DREAMS to have a bit of mystery, historical fiction, and good storytelling. M.J. Rose’s new book does not disappoint. The story is told during two time periods. Suzanne Belperron, a jewelry designer who took part in the French Resistance During WW II. She helped work to get Jewish families out of France. The second time period takes place in 1986. The main fictional character is Violene Duplessi, who is an appraiser for a small auction house. Violene was called to Paul Osgood’s estate to appraise furniture and other items of his late father. Paul is a lawyer and is running for the U.S. Senate for the seat his father held. While checking out a vintage Louis Vuitton trunk, Violene discovered a hidden section in the trunk that held jewelry boxes with several pieces of jewelry which send out scary visions of the past to her. This starts a quest to find out the origins of the jewelry.

Rose created an intriguing story which explored the courage of Suzanne Belperron and others in the Resistance. I plan to explore more about Belperron’s background. I liked the fictional character of Violene and would have liked to have seen more of Paul in this story. I definitely could see a sequel with these two characters. I did think the climax and resolution was rushed. I would have liked an epilogue taking place ten years later. Maybe this will happen if Rose revisits Violene Duplessi and Paul Osgood. My thanks to Blue Box Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

This was a very enjoyable book to read. Told in dual timelines to find the true stories behind a hidden cache of jewels was a great way to bring forward true aspects of the life of Suzanne Belperron, well-known Paris jeweler. Adding a twist of magic to the story gave the author a way of bringing some of the stories into focus on some of the injustices done to Jewish people. This very famous jeweler helped the Resistance in whatever means she could, some of which are still unknown. Following current day appraiser, Violine Duplessi, back to Paris to investigate stories seen through her magical talent, helped to pull both stories and timelines into a well-thought out story delivery. I often times find the Author's Notes to be a very interesting addition to books because of the "behind the scenes" facts that are shared for what made the story as it was...and these notes were indeed just that! Thank you to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #TheJewelerofStolenDreams

A lovely story of friendship and daring in the Paris Resistance. Ending before the war truly took Paris to it's knees, you see the pride the French kept in their city for as long as they could. Fun intermingling with our own political scene.

Title: The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams
Author: M. J. Rose
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Magical Fantasy

My Review:

Based on Suzanne Belperron, who was a real jeweler and actively involved in the Resistance, The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams combines real life and fiction with a touch of magical fantasy.

Violine, a restorer and auctioneer, has a power, but to protect herself, she has closed herself from accepting her own abilities, which run in her family. During one such assignment, she finds jewels hidden in a trunk since World War II. With the help of the Midas Society, she plans to research the origins of her find. But it's not easy because someone wants to stop her.

M. J. Rose is so good at combining historical fiction and magical elements. This book is no exception. To be able to follow Violine and her powers, it's better to read this novel as a series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. I wanted more of this story and didn't want it to end.

The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams by M.J. Rose involves two strong, intelligent determined women who lived decades apart. The story is told in dual perspectives using Violine’s first-person account and Suzanne’s diary entries. This kept the story interesting even with the switching of characters and perspective which were smooth for the most part. I had no difficult following the narratives.

There is a mystery to be solved for sure, some real people involved but also with a bit of mysticism added to spice things up. WWII was a time of dark days with unsung heroes that the present needs to never forget. This story helps to do just that while being an entertaining and enjoyable read too. Plus I would like to see more of Violine Duplessi in the future.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An eye-catching cover that commands attention right away. a unique blend of magical realism and historical fiction with both actual and imagined people... What more could there possibly be for such a fantastic literary trip into the past?

One commonality unites these two women from two distinct eras and two different backgrounds... One jewel-filled coffin that prompts skepticism and queries with answers buried in the past. A journey starts... What truths will it bring?

I like the way this narrative was written in alternating first-person accounts from Violine and diary entries from Suzanne. The toggling between the two points of view kept the tale going and kept me interested the entire time.

The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams was very interesting and the plot was different from the type of books I've read lately and I loved that. This book felt like a breath of fresh air. It was the type of historical fiction that will pull you in and won't let you go until the very last page. I highly recommend this one.

The premise of The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams was really unique from the books I've recently read, and I appreciated that. It was a breath of fresh air reading this book.

It was the kind of historical fiction that captivates you from the first to the final page, perfect for any reader. This one comes highly recommended.

Violine has been called in to appraise an estate. When she runs across an old Louis Vuitton trunk, she knows the dimensions are not quite right. What she discovers is a hidden compartment full of jewelry. When she touches the jewelry she sees vivid images of people in distress. The more she delves into the situation the more dangerous her world becomes.

Violine starts to investigate the names on the boxes of jewels. She discovers that they are not names of jewelry stores from the past but names of people, people lost during the Holocaust. Violine heads to Paris to work with the Midas Society to return these jewels to the rightful owners. But, it is not as easy as she thought.

No one does dual timelines like M.J. Rose. I have been a fan of her books FOREVER! I love her history and the mysticism she puts into her books. And to say I loved this story is an understatement. I also loved Violine. Her strength is paramount to this story. The way the author weaves in her talent to read objects and see the past add so much to this tale.

Need an engrossing story from start to finish…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

There is no author that does it better then M.J. Rose. The ability to take dual timelines and weave them together perfectly while keeping the storylines both moving forward at a perfect pace is a skill that M.J. Rose has perfected. Both the 1986 storyline and the 1940’s storyline are written perfectly. They each bring their time to life while showing how the past can shape the present.



Violine (what an amazing name) has a talent, a power, that has caused her nothing but problems in the past. When she discovers a hidden stash in a trunk, that power tries to tell her the story of a time when the Nazi’s were taking over Europe and Suzanne, a renown jeweler, is doing all she can to help the Jews stay safe. I really enjoyed how their storylines intertwined. Each step towards discovering the truth of what was found in the trunk by Violine brought out more of Suzanne’s life during WWII.



I devoured this book, I could not put it down, and now that I am done with it I continue to think about the story, the characters, and the time that Suzanne lived.

Set in 2 different places in history and told by 2 different voices, MJ Rose has come up with another stunner of a novel for her La Lune series.
Violine Duplessi has psychometry; she is able to hold an object and feel connections to its past. In her work as an appraiser for the Lamont Auction House, she is hired by Paul Osgood to go through some pieces of his aunt's found in the family home. In a hidden compartment, in her Louis Vuitton trunk, Violine comes across a cache of jewelry no one knew about.
Through the journals of Suzanne Belperron, a famous Parisian jeweler, we learn the providence of that jewelry and all the good works the Resistance was doing in Nazi-occupied France during WWII.
Together, Paul and Violine will discover the magic and mystery of jewels.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for this e-arc.*

Thanks to #netgalley and #blueboxpress for the advance copy - the opinions are my own.
4..5 stars for this engaging story! Since the blurb outlines the plot well, I won't rehash it here.

This book started a little slowly for me but after a couple chapters I was entranced. It's been a while since I read a WWII story, and even though the technique of two timelines is common in WWII stories, it worked well with this book.

There were a few places where I lost the family connections between the characters but that may be my failing more than the author's. I absolutely loved the two main characters - told mostly in first person by Violine but with inserts of Suzanne's meticulous journals. Those two women are fierce in their beliefs, and are shown to be strong in the face of their fears.

Although I enjoyed Violine's part of the story with the touch of magic/paranormal ability that allows her to feel stories, I preferred Suzanne's story. To me it had more substance, more drama, and the writing is so vivid and evocative, I felt I was right there in her studio and beside her as she worked with the resistance and shared her fears when her lover is arrested. Truly outstanding writing.

I heartily recommend this book for readers that like a solid historical fiction story, who enjoy fiction based on real people and events, and who want to read about women who overcome difficult circumstances. This would be an excellent book club selection.
The review will be on the website on 2/6, on Pinterest and Amazon on 2/7/2023

Violine Duplessi has a unique power. Using psychometrics she can read an object’s history. It is a power that she believed that she had lost until coming into contact with a trunk dating back to WWII that had a secret compartment filled with jewelry. Working for an auction house, she was sent to evaluate possessions from the estate of the late senator Osgood. His son Paul is now running to fill his vacant seat and any hint of scandal could destroy his campaign. The trunk belonged to his Aunt Dixie, who disappeared during the war. If these pieces are from German victims Violine must trace their owners.

The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams follows a dual timeline. Violine investigates the origins of the jewels in 1986. Dixie’s story involves her work for the Resistance and her friendship with Suzanne Belperron, a jewelry designer in Paris. M.J. Rose uses a number of actual stories from Belperron’s life, including her love for her partner, Bernard Herz. As a Jew, he sold his share of the business to Belperron rather than losing it under German occupation. She and Dixie used her position to help families flee Paris. As members of the Resistance, they smuggled jewelry out of Europe to raise money for their operation. The jewels still held their stories for Violine to discover years later. Paul hopes that her discoveries will tell him what happened to Dixie but there are some pieces that could put Violine in danger.

Rose tells a story of love, desperation and courage. Violine’s abilities have been passed down through the women in her family of witches. As she examines the jewels, Rose’s descriptions allow you to feel the textures and visualize the vibrant colors of each gem. Her writing has an elegant feel that draws you into the story. She has been one of my favorite writers for some time and this story confirms her place on my must read list. I would like to thank NetGalley and Blue Box Press for making this book available for my review.

Ever since I heard this book was about Suzanne Belperron I was dying to read it.
To say it blew my world is an understatement.

This is a complex story, a bit of romance, a bit of thriller, a lot of suffering in occupied France and so much jewelry and gemstone love. And a bit of magik.

It's the tale of Suzanne Belperron, a jewelry designer active in Paris, and her life in the 40s when her business partner and lover, and a lot of her friends from the resistance are threatened to be taken to concentration camps or worse. It's also the tale of a young woman working at an auction house in the 80s, being called to investigate a Louis Vuitton trunk with a secret compartment. Filled with jewels that have no apparent story but the one they scream for her to discover, as she has a special power that allows her to gasp stories of objects she touches. The objects that will bring to our times the story and genius of Suzanne Belperron.

This book is such an incredible journey. It is filled with so much life. But the bittersweet life, the life where evil reins and beauty and love and humanity fight each day to prevail. It's a work of beauty in all its facets: the way it touches so tenderly the complexity of human relationships, the way it puts a loupe into the emotions of artists and their craft, and the way it infuses magik and Jungian ideas into mundane life moments.

On a personal level, this book means so much to me that words cannot explain, on so many aspects. I am in awe at Suzanne Belperron's character, and at the incredible research the author has done for this book. I hope it reaches many hearts, for this story must be known. What a book!

I received a copy of this in order to offer my view on it.

I love this gorgeous cover! It’s a well written book alternating between two story lines, I was intrigued by Violine and her ability to hold an object and feel and see things. It’s another really good book by this author
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

I LOVE this book and read it in a day! It’s the story of 2 women; one a jeweler in the ‘40s in occupied France and the other an auctioneer in NY in the 80’s. There is a string between them that the book brings to life.

It’s a great mystery and historical fiction work as the jeweler was a real person. The resistance in France was real too. But the book is so much more to me discussing the colors and aliveness of gems, the food and architecture in Paris, friendship, love, family, creativity, all with a little dose of my favorite…magic.

I do know the author but trust this is a completely unbiased review. It’s great. Put it on your WTR shelf now!

The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams is the story of two strong women and two time periods which alternate between 1942 and 1986.

Suzanne Belperron is a jeweler in Paris, who is part of the Resistance during WWII and a friend of Dixie Osgood, Paul’s aunt. Suzanne is an artist that designs jewelry but she is accused of selling jewelry by the Nazi's to Jewish people. As she tries to save the business and her lover from the Nazi's she and Dixie come up with a plan to save everything.

Violine Duplessi, works for an auction company and is asked to inspect a trunk and other items at Paul Osgood’s house. Violine asks Paul what he knows or has been told about the trunk which had belonged to his aunt who had died over 40 years ago. Violine thinks there may be a hidden compartment in the trunk, and when it is opened, Paul and Violine discover there are many valuable pieces of jewelry hidden inside.

The story mostly focuses on the jewelry that was found in the trunk. Violine has a special gift as others before her in her family. As she touches people's belongings, they speak to her in a way that is unknown to others. Often, she feels the love and pain the owners felt at the time they owned the objects. As Violine touches the jewelry she is able to see bits of the past to help determine the original owners.

This is a wonderful story of reconnecting the present with the past. I was unaware that Suzanne Belperron was a real person and a creator of beautiful jewelry. It is a fantastic story about a real person with a little bit of fantasy to create this special story.

This is a dual timeline story,one in WII occupied Paris and one in 1986 in New York and Paris. The two women are separated by 40 years and never meet, yet their desire to help others is very similar. Suzanne is a jewelry designer in 1943 and she works with the Resistance to help Jews escape France. Violine works at an auction house but is involved in trying to return stolen goods to their proper owners. MJ Rose weaves their stories together brilliantly and the story is quite captivating.

Historical fiction is usually my jam but this book was not :( Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advance copy.

An interesting blend of exotic jewels, and the Resistance during WWII Paris.
Good twist at the end, but I was hoping that the author would pursue the story of the nanny who accompanied the child to America. It would have filled in some holes at the ending.
Also, for me, the occult passages were too heavy handed and repetitious.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #TheJewelerOfStolenDreams for this advanced digital copy.

The moment I saw the gorgeous cover, The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams by M.J. Rose, grabbed my attention. Historical fiction and magical realism novel with a healthy dose of mystery and a touch of romance. Talk about all my favorite genres in one. Of course, I had to read it, that much I knew. What I didn't know is that it is the fourth book in the Daughters of La Lune series. Now that I do, I will be reading the rest of the books in this incredible series as soon as possible. The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams is a must read for anyone who loves WWII stories and women fiction.

Truth be told I didn't really know what to expect as I began reading The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams by MJ Rose, but was excited to check it out. Once I was past the first chapter I couldn't put it down. What a captivating and powerful story this turned out to be. Two incredible women separated by decades, each with a connection to precious stones that would change their lives and connect them in ways they never thought possible.

I had never heard of Susanne Belperron, so I really liked learning about her life, art and efforts during the war. Her story takes place during WWII in Paris and is told through her journal entries. I also really liked the details about the different precious stones and their meanings as well.

What captivated me most, however, was the story of Violine. Her character was my favorite by far and I could hardly wait to read the chapters told from her point of view. I loved everything about her story, the struggles she went through both external and external, the romance and her special gift. I am not sure if there will be another book in this series, but I sure hope we get to read more about her in the future.

The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams proved to be everything I was hoping it would be and more. It is an empowering, captivating story about the lasting impact one person can have. A story full of heart and magic that draws the reader in from the first to the last page. Fans of magical realism and cozy mysteries will also love this story for the intriguing plot and surprising twists. The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams is a story about hope, community, and friendship. It is a tale of the unsung heros who worked and fought in the shadows to safe those who were not in a position to fight for themselves.

The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams, is a truly great read that captivates beginning to end. I really enjoyed the story, the history and the characters. What I also loved were the plot twists, the mystery elements and the story of Violine had to be one of the most interesting plots I have come across in a long time. In fact, I wouldn't mind an entire book devoted to her, as well as her fascinating gift and her family.

I personally felt that the ending was a bit rushed , so it is 4 stars for me. Still, I highly recommend The Jewler of Stolen Dreams and will be reading the rest of the books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Blue Box Press and M.J. Rose for the advanced copy of The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.