Emma Temple is grieving, alone, and pregnant. Her beloved mother passed away from a devastating illness, and her forever love, Joe, killed in the Twin Towers disaster. When Emma finds a black lacquer box filled with letters from her mother, she also finds a key to a house bequeathed to her. The perfume business she and her mother began in London has been sold and Emma wants to start her life over somewhere new. Valencia, Spain, called the Spanish Eden, could be the place. Emma travels to the lovely hills of Valencia, Spain. The Villa La Del Valle stands behind iron gates high on a hill. It has a bell tower with a moorish arch and has been closed up for many decades. The chipped ceramic sign reads: VILLA LA DEL VALLE. As the gates close behind her, Emma stands in a large untended walled garden. She sees a grove of orange trees, bougainvillea covers the walls, she smiles and says, "it's beautiful. Thanks, mum." Her mission begins. Restore this villa to its once beauty, read the letters written to her from her mother, await the birth of her child and in time, find that perfect perfume.

In 1936, we meet Freya, a nurse in Spain fighting Fascism and caring for the wounded. Alongside is her brother, Charles, a photographer/journalist who wants to show the world the truth about the horrors raging in Civil War there. Rosa and Macu, strong women, with brave stories to tell and a cast of characters all add to a gripping tale that is interwoven with Emma's story.

Kate Lord Brown does a superlative job in her research of the tragic Spanish Civil War, the countless deaths that occurred in that era. It divided the country and divided families. Spain is still trying to forget the horrific atrosities, and continues to have "a pact of silence" surrounding that timeframe in its history.

The debut novel from Ms. Brown, THE PERFUME GARDEN tells a touching story. While some of her characters will win your heart you will be cheering for the defeat of others. This is a historical fiction that flips from past to present, 1936 - 2001. It touches on strong women who raised strong women. The art of perfume is a delight to me as was the sweet romance of handsome and dashing, Luca, and Emma. Long hidden secrets, family feuds, Emma finds many answers as she fights to find her new life, love and family.

THE PERFUME GARDEN is a book I found impossible to put down and re-read many pages. My favorite: "Close your eyes. She placed her scarf from around her neck and covered Luca's nose and lips. Breathe. Luca hears clinks from glass bottles and then Emma takes his hand and drops a little of her mix on the inside of his wrist and massages it." A special fragrance created for Luca by Emma. What could be more romantic? Starting with the delightful cover, this is a read that will carry you away and perhaps catch a scent from the flowers in THE PERFUME GARDEN. I loved it.