This was such a fascinating read! I never heard of Rene Lalique before this book so it was quite interesting to learn so much! The reader gets an indepth look as Rene discovers a supernatural side of life with spirits real or imagined, love, betrayal and mental illness. This book really sucked me in! The written is fantastic but the way the author blended the mystical elements with the real life and still giving us characters that are easy to feel for and relate to was amazing! It's deep meaning full and a book you won't be able to put down but will stay with you long after the very last page! Truly an amazing read!

Thank you Books Forward and J. Fremont for sharing this absolutely amazing story with me!
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"René Jules Lalique was a French jeweler, medallist, and creator of glass art, perfume bottles, vases, jewelry, chandeliers, clocks, and automobile hood ornaments."

He was educated at the Crystal Palace School. This story starts as he is an apprentice to goldsmith Louis Aucoc in Paris.

Lucinda Haliburton is the other character in the story, with a dysfunctional family and a history of mental illness. Her grandfather suggested that she go to Egypt, where she finds her father and falls in love with a man at the dig where she is visiting. Disaster ensues and she returns home, only to be pursued in her mind by ancient Egyptian spirits. Are they real or imagined?

She meets and falls in love with Rene as he is living on the property of her grandfather, Lord Haliburton. As their romance blooms, there are forces trying to get between her and Rene. One of them is her grandfather's doctor who feels that the romance can't go anywhere as Rene is a poor student.

The story is based on a lot of facts, researched impeccably by the author, He had a fascinating life and his legacy continues in his creations. Lucinda is fiction but a nice addition to his story. Who knows? Maybe they were real. The story continues into their old age and deaths.

I really like the story and was interested in him so went and did my own research. Fascinating man for sure. ( )