Scent of Triumph Quotes

“What a beautiful woman. She moved with grace, she was entirely feminine, and yet, she possessed incredible inner strength. She’s a survivor.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“He caught his breath, not because of her bedraggled appearance, but rather because of the way she stood, so straight and tall. Courageous.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“Her every movement transfixed him; she was graceful and refined. She’d become a woman. An elegant woman.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“Even in her casual white shirt and cotton pants, she was clearly an independent woman in charge of her destiny. She was so… He paused, searching for words. So sophisticated, so self-assured.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“Until then we must carry on and have courage.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“The empress of the perfumer's palette, jasmine must be harvested before the rising sun to retain the full force of its delicate fragrance. Fragile and fleeting, jasmine is a fair nymph of a flower with a potent perfume. A world without jasmine? Simply unimaginable. -DB”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“I prefer perfumery, it’s the language of love.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“They passed a crystal vase of luscious yellow roses, which burst from tight salmon buds into golden, creamy yellow blossoms tinged with delicate strokes of subtle peach.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“In Greek mythology, the goddess Iris sped messages to the gods on the rainbow's arc. Her flower bears no perfume, but steam distillation of the root, or rhizome, yields orris, a precious essence that smells of candle wax, but its impression in perfume is powdery, silvery green, violet-like- a prize of the perfumer's palette. How I wish I could summon the goddess to carry my message to those I love. -DB”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“Too much bergamot in this one, too tart; no depth in this one; bring forward the orange blossom. Measuring out drops from several vials, she blended another variation, leaning heavily on her keen intuition. Inhaling, she let her mind wander, visualizing the aromatic impression. She was on the verge of discovery. An ethereal freshness with subtle spiciness, like the voluptuous scent of orange blossoms on a sunny spring morning. The hair on her arms bristled with anticipation.
She inhaled again, going farther, detecting the bouquet of jasmine absolute and rose attar, rich and silky, entwined with a spicy note of carnation, adding verve and vitality, robust brilliance. It needs a splash of complexity here, a sprig of basil there, an accent of clove. Images of lovers danced in her mind, a soaring sonata thrilled in her soul.
A vision intruded, no, a memory- she was dancing with Jon, resting her head on his shoulder, a salty hint of ocean, breathing in his scent, intoxicated with the musky, virile smell of his skin...
Another breath and she dragged her thoughts back, delving deeper into the essence. The mystery of amber to balance the soul; the silky smoothness of sandalwood; the delicious lure of vanilla, like a lover's midnight embrace. An ache grew within her at the core of her being. And in her mind's eye, veiled visions of a moonlit night, a couple dancing barefoot on the beach, swirling silks of scarlet and gold, the sultry caress of a whisper, so vivid she trailed her fingers along the nape of her neck, remembering... Seductive, sensual, the essence of amour.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“Driven by heartache, she beat the eggs even more vigorously until the glossy meringue quickly formed into stiff, bird's beak peaks.
"Philippe, do you have any orange liqueur?" Marie asked, rummaging through her brother's pantry.
"Here it is," Philippe said, handing a corked bottle to her. "What are you making?"
"A bûche de Noël," Danielle said, concentrating on her task. Carefully measuring each rationed ingredient, she combined sugar and flour in another bowl, grated orange zest, added the liqueur, and folded the meringue into the mixture.
"It's not Christmas without a traditional Yuletide log." Marie ran a finger down a page of an old recipe book, reading directions for the sponge cake, or biscuit. "'Spread into a shallow pan and bake for ten minutes.'"
"I wouldn't know about that," Philippe said. "I don't celebrate your husband's holiday," he said pointedly to Marie.
"Let's not dredge up that old argument, mon frère," Marie said, softening her words with a smile. "I converted for love."
A knock sounded at the front door. Danielle threw a look of concern toward Philippe, who hurried to answer it.
"Then we'll cool it," Danielle said, trying to stay calm. "And brush the surface with coffee liqueur and butter cream frosting, roll it like a log, and decorate." She thought about the meringue mushrooms she had made with Nicky last year, and how he had helped score the frosting to mimic wood grains.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“Labeled apothecary bottles filled with raw material oils lined the risers: flowers, resins, leaves, woods, mosses, spices, herbs, seeds, grains, roots, bark, and fruit. From the animal kingdom came fixatives: civet, musk, and ambergris. The absolutes, the resinoids, the essential oils.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“The gardenia is an enigma, its petals dusted with the creamy white purity of innocence, but its aroma is wildly seductive. How appropriate; for in the language of flowers, the gift of gardenias conveys the message of secret love. —DB”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph: A Novel of Perfume and Passion

“The rose: though its petals are easily bruised, it blooms with exuberance. What power the rose possesses; the merest hint of a blossom conjures the deepest memory. At dawn, roses must be picked quickly, for they lose half their essence—the perfumer’s treasure—by the high sun of noon. —DB”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph: A Novel of Perfume and Passion

“What a shame the lilac flower jealously guards its aroma, refusing to share its magic. Relying on alchemy, a perfumer recalls its impression with a blend. Together, the essences of jasmine, ylang-ylang, neroli, and vanilla plot to mimic the fair lilac flower. —”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph: A Novel of Perfume and Passion

“Danielle wore a simple bias-cut gown of the palest blush silk- one of her own designs- with white roses and jasmine braided into her thick auburn hair swept up from the nape of her neck, onto which she'd applied a new perfume she'd blended with a corresponding harmony just for the wedding. She carried the flowers of Bellerose: mimosa, rose, jasmine, violet, and orange blossom, twined into a voluptuous bouquet that spilled from her hand.
Jon stood before her, his velvety brown eyes sparkling with flecks of gold. She drank in the delicious, virile smell of him, loving how the scent of his skin melded with the perfume she had blended for him for this day- blood orange and orange blossom, patchouli and sandalwood, cinnamon and clove. She had devised a salty note, too, and added the sea's airy freshness.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“The orchid, queen of exoticism, a mute observer slow to reveal the mysteries of her petals. Would that I had such patience, too. -DB”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“Perfumers owe a debt to the civet cat, the musk deer, the beaver, and the sperm whale. Their secretions are pervasive, repugnant, but in the company of flowers, erotic. To achieve their superb fixative qualities, modern chemistry replicates these ancient ingredients from the animal kingdom. -DB”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“A fresh, uplifting mélange of Italian bergamot, mandarin, and raspberry that comprised the opening accord filled her nostrils with the carefree scents of spring. Her imagination soared with memories. The gardens of Bellerose, picnic baskets bursting with summer fruits on sunny Mediterranean beaches, summers spent on the Riviera, yacht parties, and the casino in Monte Carlo. The plain little bottle held the essence of the happy life she had known.
She inhaled again, closed her eyes, and allowed her mind to wander, to visualize the images the aroma evoked. Excitement coursed through her veins. She imagined a glamorous, luxurious lifestyle of exotic locales, mysterious lovers, sandy beaches, glittering parties, elegant gowns, and precious jewels.
And amid it all, sumptuous bouquets of fabulous flowers, enchanting and romantic, intense aromas of pure, bridal white jasmine and sultry tuberose, and the heady, evocative aroma of rose. Seductive spices, clove with musk and patchouli, smoothed with sandalwood and vanilla, elegant and sensual, like a lover in the night.
And finally, she realized what was missing. A strong, smooth core, a warm amber blend that would provide a deep connection to the soul. Love.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“An independent woman selects her own perfume—scents to accent her style, her personality, her ambition. —DB”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph: A Novel of Perfume and Passion

“The poppy flower: A flower of eternal sleep, a narcotic to the wounded soul, a remembrance of the fallen soldier. —DB”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph: A Novel of Perfume and Passion

“Perfume is my memory, the chronicle of my life. —DB”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph: A Novel of Perfume and Passion

“A breakthrough in chemical research led to the creation of aldehydes. Paul Vacher and André Fraysse employed them for Arpège, Ernest Beaux for Chanel No. 5. Aldehydes add a vivid, quick quality to top notes; variations can be powdery, fruity, green, citrusy, floral, or woody. Utterly magical with rose and jasmine absolute, adds sparkle and brilliance. —DB”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph: A Novel of Perfume and Passion

“Danielle had never started a business. But if others can do it, so can I.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“Malheur ne vient jamais seul.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“The stately tuberose is reluctant to share its effusive scent, yielding only to enfleurage- petals pressed into fat between glass, rinsed in alcohol. The carnal charisma of tuberose, one of the perfumer's most expensive essential oils, heightens the white floral bouquet, lifting it up on angels' wings. -DB”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“Fashion, like perfume, is more than an indulgence, it's a reflection of a woman, or the woman she aspires to be.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“A bright, opalescent light flooded her being. As she soared high above the treetops she could see Jacob racing through the forest below with Nicky by his side, the little boy's expression fierce... running far, far away.
An indescribable peace set in, covering her like a whisper-soft cashmere blanket, coddling her frail limbs. Warmth spread throughout her body for the first time in these frigid winter months. The iridescent glow spread from her limbs too encompass her, bathing her very being in a shimmering white light that shone with such clarity. So beautiful, so transparent, so ethereal.
Her pain dissolved and fell to earth, like chains cast aside. She could breathe without effort, sweetly perfumed air refreshed and revived.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“She still had a great deal to do, but she was finally on the right track with an incredible, intoxicating blend of rose, tuberose, and jasmine, sandalwood and an amber blend. Inhaling, the romantic scent conjured exquisite joy.
The path had come to her in a dream, the melding of sandalwood and patchouli with amber notes of vanillin and labdanum absolute in a manner that was nothing short of exquisite.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“Leathery and sensual, labdanum is a resin derived from the rockrose herb, its impression as black and shadowy as the crevices of the human heart. -DB”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph