Book Review: Scent of Butterflies by Dora Levy Mossanen

SYNOPSIS

Betrayal, forgiveness, identity and obsession churn against the tumultuous landscape of the Islamic revolution and seemingly perfect gardens of southern California in this compelling novel from bestselling author Dora Levy Mossanen.

Amidst a shattering betrayal and a country in turmoil, Soraya flees Iran to make a new life for herself in Los Angeles. The cruel and intimate blow her husband has dealt her awakens an obsessive streak that explodes in the heated world of Southern California, as Soraya plots her revenge against the other woman, her best friend, Butterfly. What she discovers proves far more devastating than anything she had ever imagined, unleashing a whirlwind of events that leave the reader breathless.

A novel singed by the flavors of Tehran, imbued with the Iranian roots of Persepolis and the culture clash of Rooftops of Tehran, this is a striking, nuanced story of a woman caught between two worlds, from the bestselling author of Harem, Courtesan, and The Last Romanov.

2015 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge

The 2015 edition of the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge is hosted by Robin at the blog by the same name.  (Click the button to go there, see the details and sign up!)

There are several mini-challenges this year, which I think are new and fun features.  I actually read more than 52 books last year, but slipped up on the record keeping and linking reviews, so I'm trying again this year and determined to do better!

Week 1 -

1.  A Grave Inheritance by Kari Edgren

2.  Kill 'Em With Cayenne by Gail Oust

Week 2-3 (updated 3:17 pm Sun 1/18)

3.  Murder in the Arboretum by Christa Nardi

4.  Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman by Tessa Arlen

5.  Big Mojo by Jack Getze

6.  Twisted Threads by Lea Wait

7.  Dying Before "I Do" by Judy Fitzwater

8.  The Brothers' Keepers by NLB Horton

Week 4 (updated 6:53 pm Mon 1/19)
9.  Devil in the Deadline by LynDee Walker
10.  Broken Trust by Thomas Maurin
11.  The Schwarzschild Radius by Gustavo Florentin
12.  MacDeath by Cindy Brown

January 2015 (updated 14:08 hrs Thu 12/03)

13.  Windy City Blues by Marc Kuhlewitch (21st)
14.  Murder, Mayhem and Bliss by Loulou Harrington (26th)
15.  Climax (pts 1 and 2) by Christina George (26th)

February 2015 (updated 14:20 hrs Thu 12/03)

16.  Death of a Beauty Queen by Barbara Jean Coast (4th)
17.  Scent of Butterflies by Dora Levy Mossanen (6th)
18.  Community Affairs by Michele Lynn Seigfried (9th)
19.  The Monster That Ate My Socks by A.J. Cosmo (11th)
20.  Close to the Sun by Donald Michael Platt (11th)
21.  Between the Cracks by Carmela Cattuti (17th)
22.  The Witch Hunter's Tale by Sam Thomas (18th)
23.  Flamenco, Flan and Fatalities by Mary McHugh (23rd)
24.  The Fairytale Keeper by Andrea Cefalo (23rd)
25.  I am Abraham by Jerome Charyn (27th)

March 2015 (updated 14:20 hrs Thu 12/03)

26.  Lady of the Eternal City by Kate Quinn (4th)
27.  Stiff Penalty by Annelise Ryan (10th)
28.  Suspendered Sentence by Laura Bradford (10th)
29.  Spoils of Olympus: By the Sword by Christian Kachel (11th)
30.  The Trouble with Flirting by Rachel Morgan (17th)
31.  Vostok by Steve Allen (18th)
32.  Sea Change by T'Gracie and Joe Reese (23rd)
33.  Sex Change by T'Gracie and Joe Reese (23rd)
34.