Interview with Danielle Bretancourt, Protagonist of Scent of Triumph + Giveaway!

I am beyond excited to have a fun and unique "interview" with Danielle Bretancourt, the protagonist of Jan Moran's Scent of Triumph: A Novel of Perfume and Passion! I absolutely LOVE getting into the head of the character and seeing what makes them tick. So, without further ado, please welcome Danielle Bretancourt to A Literary Vacation and don't forget to continue below for more information on Scent of Triumph, author Jan Moran, how you can enter to win a SIGNED copy of Scent of Triumph and the rest of the blog tour!

 

Danielle, what is one word that best describes you?

Just one? How about two or three? Creative, determined, and tenacious.

If you took a trip, where would you like to go?

Since I’m from Europe, I’d love to see more of the United States, my adopted country. I’d love to visit San Francisco and New York (I hear there are some excellent, authentic French restaurants there!), and ski the snowy mountains of Utah and Colorado. And I must visit the wineries of Napa Valley. Of course, I’ll always love France; it’s the heart of perfumery, which is my true passion.

How do you relax in your free time?

I love to garden…I love the aromas of fresh spring blossoms and sun-warmed herbs, even moist black dirt.

Do you play sports?

I love to dance! My mother took me to the ballet when I was a young girl in Paris, and I talked her into allowing me to take lessons. But I love all forms of dance—jazz, tango, and all the new dances in America.

What is your favorite saying or quote?

"Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose." It's a complicated French phrase, but it means that the more things change, the more they remain the same (literally), but it also means that even though we might change our lives, we often continue to struggle with the same problems. Real change requires a fundamental shift.

What’s the best advice you’d ever heard?

Winston Churchill once advised, “Never give up!”

 What songs do you have on your iPod?

What’s an iPod? Is it like a radio?

 If you won the lottery, what would you splurge on?

I’d buy all the original perfumes I could find.

Thank you Danielle!

 

 

Publication Date: March 31, 2015
St. Martin’s Griffin
Formats: eBook, Paperback
384 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance

 

 

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 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.

 

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 is one woman’s story of courage, spirit, and resilience.

 

 

 

Praise for Scent of Triumph

 

 

“SCENT OF TRIUMPH [is a] World War II epic.” -Los Angeles Times

“Though romance figures importantly in [SCENT OF TRIUMPH], Danielle’s professional life is most appealing, profiting from perfume expert Moran’s (Fabulous Fragrances, 1994, etc.) authentic experience…The casual demeanor with which Danielle always notices scents in her environment helps establish her character and professional credibility in a charming way…Danielle makes for a strong, unusual heroine who doesn’t always make wise decisions, although her resilience, style and knowledge remain admirable…. [A] historical fiction carried by a complex, resourceful heroine with a nose for business.” -Kirkus Reviews

“Warm and well written, with characters who attract the reader’s sympathy and affection. A lovely story well-told, which will appeal to romantics, fashion and perfume devotees, and fans of historical fiction.” -Amy Edelman, founder of IndieReader.com

Buy the Book

Amazon
Apple iBookstore
Barnes & Noble
Books-a-Million
IndieBound
Kobo

About the Author

Jan Moran is a Rizzoli bestselling and award winning author. She writes historical women’s fiction for St. Martin’s Press, contemporary women’s fiction, and nonfiction books. Her stories are smart and stylish, and written with emotional depth. Jan often draws on her international travel and business experiences, infusing her books with realistic details. The Midwest Book Review and Kirkus have recommended her books, calling her heroines strong, complex, and resourceful.

Jan has been featured in numerous publications and on television and radio, including CNN, Women’s Wear Daily, Allure, InStyle, and O Magazine. As an editor and writer, she has covered
fragrance, beauty, and spa travel for a variety of publications such as Cosmopolitan, Elle, Costco Connection, and Porthole Cruise.

A perfume and beauty industry expert, she is the creator of Scentsa, a touch screen fragrance finder in Sephora stores.

From Jan: “I love smart and fierce female protagonists. I hope you enjoy these books, and if you’d like to Skype me into your book club meeting, simply send me a message!”

For more information and to sign up for Jan Moran’s newsletter visit her official website. Jan blogs at Jan Moran Writes. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Goodreads, and LinkedIn.

 

Special Offer!!!

Jan Moran is running a special incentive on her website for a free digital ebook of her new non-fiction book, Vintage Perfumes, to everyone who purchases Scent of Triumph from March 31st, 2015 to April 30th, 2015! All you have to do is email your receipt to Jan Moran at janmoranbooks@gmail.com, along with a photo of yourself with the Scent of Triumph book, eBook, or your tablet.

 

 

Scent of Triumph Blog Tour Schedule

 

Wednesday, April 1

Interview & Excerpt at Passages to the Past

Thursday, April 2

Review at A Chick Who Reads
Spotlight & Excerpt at Genre Queen

Friday, April 3

Review & Excerpt at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book
Interview at Let Them Read Books

Monday, April 6

Guest Post at The Maiden’s Court

Tuesday, April 7

Review at Flashlight Commentary
Spotlight at CelticLady’s Reviews

Wednesday, April 8

Excerpt at The Never-Ending Book

Thursday, April 9

Review at The Eclectic Reader

Tuesday, April 14

Interview at A Literary Vacation

Thursday, April 16

Guest Post at Book Nerd

Friday, April 17

Review at The Lit Bitch
Guest Post at Mina’s Bookshelf
Interview at Reading Lark

 

Giveaway!!

 

To enter to win a SIGNED copy of Scent of Triumph, please complete the giveaway form HERE.

 

Rules

 

Giveaway starts on April 1st at 12:01am EST and ends at 11:59pm EST on April 17th.
 

Giveaway is open to residents in the US only and you must be 18 or older to enter.
 

Winners will be chosen via GLEAM on April 18th and notified via email.
 

Winners have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
 

Please email Amy @ hfvirtualbooktours@gmail.com with any questions.

 

Good luck!!!