Flawless (A Love, California Series Novel, Book 1) Read online

  Praise for

  Jan Moran

  &

  Flawless: A Love, California Novel

  “Moran creates a captivating world of glamour, romance, and intrigue. A breathtakingly real look at the cut-throat world of the beauty industry.” —New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Melissa Foster

  “Flawless is an astute, intelligent, gripping romance for the modern woman. Jan Moran expertly transports the reader to Beverly Hills and, for a period, Paris, and offers a glimpse of glamour while showing those who work hard behind the scenes to create that glamour. The compelling plot that had me turning the pages faster and faster. The characters reach out of the pages and pull you into their lives, and they stay with you long after you close the book. I love that Jan’s writing took me to the edge; that she creates a heroine whom you can’t fail to care for and understand. A fabulous first book in this series – I can’t wait to read the next one.” —Hannah Fielding, Author of The Echoes of Love

  “Jan Moran knows her stuff. Her knowledge of fashion, and food and the cosmetic industry, shine throughout the story. Flawless is a classic romantic tale with a modern business twist. It’s a pleasure to read; the story kept me turning the pages. A five-star rating!” —Anne Riley, Author of Aerie

  “If you're a Jackie Collins or Danielle Steel fan, you’ll love Jan Moran’s Flawless.” —Debbie White, Author of Salty Dog

  ***

  Also by Jan Moran

  Advance Praise for Scent of Triumph (St. Martin’s Griffin)

  “A well-spun and sweeping debut novel about a fearless, headstrong woman. Spanning multiple continents and set against the backdrop of World War II, Jan Moran deftly weaves plotlines and tackles tough issues, all to a satisfying conclusion. Add in glimpses of the high-end fragrance trade, and Scent of Triumph offers a thoroughly engaging tale, rich in all five senses.” —Michelle Gable, Author of A Paris Apartment

  “Jan Moran has written a sweeping saga of one woman’s journey through World War II and her unwillingness to give up even when faced with the toughest challenges. Danielle is a character readers will cherish and Jan’s descriptions of the perfume industry and Europe under siege are mesmerizing. A heartbreaking, evocative read that will transport readers to another place and time and not let go. I could not turn the pages fast enough!” —Anita Hughes, Author of Lake Como

  “When you lose everything, one must embrace. Scent of Triumph follows the struggles of Danielle Bretancourt von Hoffman, who following the Second World War [attempts] to find her place in society, and finds her talent of identifying any scent on her own; she uses those talents to build her way up through the fashion world and Hollywood. Drawing heavily on the author’s own experience, Scent of Triumph has a dedicated look into the history of the world of fashion; recommended.” —Midwest Book Review

  “Jan Moran is the new queen of the epic romance.” —USA Today Bestselling Author Rebecca Forster, Author of Expert Witness

  “A stylish, compelling story of a family torn apart by war and a woman’s courageous efforts to bring them back together, Scent of Triumph has everything: romance, heartache, spying, intrigue, and vivid settings. Danielle is just the kind of feisty female protagonist that I love, but what really sets Scent of Triumph apart is the backdrop of perfumery that suffuses the story with the delicious aromas of rose, jasmine, lavender, bergamot, cinnamon bark, cloves and bitter orange. You can almost smell them as you read—a remarkable feat!” —Liz Trenow, Author of The Poppy Factory

  “A gripping World War II story of poignant love and devastating, heart-wrenching loss. The perfumes are so beautifully described, you can smell them wafting up from the pages.” —Gill Paul, Author of The Affair

  “Hard to put down…captivating. The tragedies of war, conflicts in family, love, and passion for perfumery paint a realistic, historical portrait of some of the fragrance industry’s most famous women who created today’s top cosmetic firms. A “must read” for anyone in the cosmetic industry or even starting a business.” —Marvel Fields, Chairman, American Society of Perfumers

  “From war-torn Europe to the sunny climes of Southern California, Scent of Triumph is a captivating tale of love, loss, determination and reinvention. A page-turner.” —Karen Marin, Givenchy Paris

  “A rich tapestry that weaves fragrance into an already compelling story of love and perseverance during World War II. Jan’s skillful writing, combined with her wealth of olfactory knowledge, makes this a great read for all, but especially the perfume enthusiast.” —Karen Adams, Co-Founder, Sniffapalooza

  “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

  “In Scent of Triumph, Jan Moran has created a resilient, talented, yet relatable character in Danielle. Her story will resonate with any woman who has faced the challenges of parenting, loving, and working to build a future for herself—as well as those who are looking for a good read, and a satisfying ending.” —Kelly James-Enger, Author of White Bikini Panties and The Honesty Index

  “Absolutely riveting…the heroine in Scent of Triumph stands out as a good role model to women.” —Joan Holman, Internet Marketing Guru

  “Scent of Triumph will appeal to anyone who enjoys historical romance. Filled with love, loss, struggle, triumph. Moran writes in such a way that you will feel as if you were transported back to the era. Her characters are interesting and well developed. Very unique, an enjoyable read.” —Rebecca’s Reads Review

  Praise for Fabulous Fragrances

  “Fragrances by the book...everything a fragrance connoisseur wants to know about shopping for a scent.” —Women’s Wear Daily

  “A primer on women’s fragrances—what’s in them, how to make them last, how to buy them.” —Orange County Register

  “Fabulous Fragrances provides an inside view of the international fragrance world. It gives the reader a broad understanding of just how special fragrance truly is!” —Bijan, Fashion Designer

  “Fabulous Fragrances is a must-have for anyone in the fragrance industry (or a fragrance lover).” —George Zaharoff, Creative Director/Chairman, Basiliea Zaharoff

  Other Books by Jan Moran

  To learn more, visit Jan’s website at

  JanMoranWrites.com

  Browse her entire collection here:

  EXPLORE: http://www.amazon.com/Jan-Moran/e/B000APJSM6

  FLAWLESS

  A Love, California Novel

  by

  Jan Moran

  Copyright © 2014 by Jan Moran

  All Rights Reserved.

  All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Moran, Jan.

  / by Jan Moran

  ISBN 978-0-9639065-9-5 (softcover)

  ISBN 978-0-9639065-8-8 (epub ebooks)

  ISBN 978-0-9639065-2-6 (mobi ebooks)

  Disclaimer: In this book we have relied on information provided by third parties and have performed reasonable verification of facts. We assume no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of information contained in this book. No representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of this book or its contents are mad
e. The information in this book is intended for entertainment purposes only, and the characters are entirely fictional. Every effort has been made to locate the copyright holders of materials used in this book. Should there be any errors or omissions, we shall be pleased to make acknowledgements in future editions.

  Printed in the U.S.A.

  Cover design by Ginna Moran

  Cover images copyright 123RF

  For Inquiries Contact:

  Sunny Palms Press

  9663 Santa Monica Blvd, STE 1158, Beverly Hills, CA, USA

  www.sunnypalmspress.com

  www.JanMoran.com

  Jan Moran is a writer and entrepreneur

  living in Southern California.

  For updates about new releases, visit www.JanMoran.com and receive a free book for joining Jan’s VIP mailing list.

  FREE BOOK: http://www.janmoranwrites.com/contact-jan/

  1

  Beverly Hills, California

  Verena heard her name called. Despite the uneasy, prickly feeling on the back of her neck, she arranged a smile on her face and made her way to the podium, past linen-draped, flower-laden tables and dazzling designer evening dresses, through clouds of expensive perfume and throngs of well-wishers.

  Lifting the hem of her silvery evening gown, Verena navigated the steps up to the brightly lit stage. She greeted Robert Montreaux with a kiss on each cheek and turned on a radiant smile for the photographers. As head of her family company, Verena knew the proper protocol for such events, and she performed her job with impeccable grace and precision.

  She blinked against the camera flashes that left a shower of blue sparkles in front of her eyes, momentarily blinding her. A vein pulsed in her temple, twitching her eye. Tonight was a night that her grandmother, Mia, had dreamed of, and Verena wished she could be here, but Mia was at home resting in bed. It was supposed to have been such a happy celebration.

  As her vision cleared, Verena glanced at the crowd that had gathered in the ballroom of the Beverly Hills Hotel. She spotted her friends Dahlia and Fianna, as well as Scarlett, who had just flown in from New York for the occasion. She drew a deep breath. At least her good friends were with her tonight. They’d waited patiently through a long evening of speeches from other industry professionals who were also being honored for their accomplishments. Verena was seated at a table in front for the honorees; her friends had been seated at another table farther back. She couldn’t wait to speak to them, especially Scarlett, her attorney, to see if they’d heard anything.

  Verena had received a voice mail just moments before she had left for the awards banquet. Her banker and good friend, Marvin Panetta, had left an urgent message for her to call him, but he didn’t answer when she tried to call him back. I have bad news, his message said. I need to warn you.

  “May I have your attention, please?” Robert Montreaux, the French president of Cosmetic Executives Worldwide, tapped the microphone. “We’re here tonight to honor Verena Valent, who took over Valent Swiss Skincare ten years ago at the age of eighteen after the death of her parents. Not only did she persevere through that tragedy, but she grew to become the driving force behind the company’s recent innovations and expansion. Next month, Valent Swiss Skincare expands into Asia, with debuts planned in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Singapore. And now, before she jets off to Asia, please join me in honoring Verena Valent, our Executive Visionary of the Year.”

  Applause exploded in the room, and Verena acknowledged the audience. From the corner of her eye Verena saw Greta Hicks, the anorexic-thin, Versace-clad reporter with Fashion News Daily who used to date Derrick Logan, Verena’s fiancé. She knew that Greta still called Derrick, though he swore it was just business. She had to trust him; as a partner in one of California’s most prominent venture capital companies, he fielded plenty of calls from the press. Still, Greta looked especially haughty tonight, and Verena noticed that she kept glancing in Derrick’s direction.

  “Thank you, Robert, merci, my friend,” Verena said, graciously accepting the faceted crystal award he offered to her. “It’s such a privilege to be singled out for this award when there are so many deserving people in the industry.” She went on to acknowledge the people who worked for her, as well as the department store buyers who had helped make her brand such a success. Even as she spoke, however, she couldn’t get the phone call out of her mind.

  She paused to organize her final thoughts. “I’d like to thank everyone who has shared our vision and worked to grow the company my dear grandmother, Mia Valent, conceived more than sixty years ago. She founded the company in 1948, just a few blocks from here. Today, after several expansions, we continue to manage all international activities from that location on North Beverly Drive. I merely carry the torch for the next generation, as my parents did, and I look forward to the next sixty years of continued service and innovation in skincare. In closing, I dedicate this award to The Women in Pink Foundation for cancer research.”

  As applause rose across the room, Verena saw Greta’s hand shoot up. This isn’t the place to field press questions. She wondered what Greta was up to. Fortunately, Robert noticed Greta, and smoothly took over the microphone. “Verena is too modest to mention the rather large donation to Women in Pink from Valent Swiss Skincare, but I will. Thank you, Verena, and now, I invite everyone to join me on the dance floor.”

  Having spoken earlier in the evening, the executive director from the Women in Pink Foundation returned to the stage and Verena took a few minutes to pose for a series of photographs with her.

  After the photographer got all the shots required, Verena managed to avoid Greta and hurried to her friends, who were dressed in shades of summer sorbet evening wear. “Scarlett, I‘m so glad you could make it,” she said, hugging her friend from New York. “I thought you had a big court case.” Originally from Spain, Escarlata Sandoval was known to her friends as Scarlett; she was a top intellectual property attorney, as smart as she was effortlessly beautiful. Tonight she was stunning in a pale coral gown that set off her olive skin and coppery blond hair.

  “I did, and it was settled late yesterday, so I thought I’d surprise you. Where are your sisters and Mia?”

  “Mia hasn’t been feeling well. She’s at home resting, but she insists she’ll be well enough to take the twins to Switzerland and France for their school break. Anika and Bella are with her—to them, this is just another boring event.”

  Dahlia laughed, her vivid, dancing green eyes mirrored against her mint green dress. “I can’t blame them; I wouldn’t want to pass up a trip to Europe with my grandmother. Oh, Scarlett, you should see the twins, they’re looking just like their sister, pretty miniature versions of Verena.”

  “They won’t be little for long,” Fianna said. “I grew overnight when I turned thirteen.”

  “That’s when I stopped growing,” Dahlia added. “All five feet of me.”

  “Five feet of dynamite, I’d say.” A tall woman, Fianna brushed back her mane of red hair, and as she did, she glanced over her shoulder. “Look out, Verena, Greta is coming your way.”

  “I see her. She’s up to something, stay close.”

  With a cameraman trailing her, Greta marched straight toward Verena. “Would you care to make a comment about National Western Bank? Will you go ahead with your Asian expansion or put it on hold?”

  “Hello Greta,” Verena said, trying to maintain her poise. So there was something to Marvin’s voice mail. He’d said something about Derrick that she couldn’t make out. She’d tried to call him back before she left the house, but there was no answer. She checked her watch. She’d try him again in a moment. But Greta was staring at her, waiting for a response.

  “National Western Bank has always been a good partner,” Verena said. “VSS appreciates their commitment to Asia.” She put on her armored media face—pleasant and helpful, and kept her comments positive.

  Greta raised an eyebrow, looked smug. “Are you depending on Herringbone Capital now to fund
your business in Asia?” She stepped closer, shoving her microphone near Verena’s lips. “Are you counting on Derrick Logan?”

  Verena ignored Greta’s last comment. Although Derrick talked to her about business and sometimes offered his advice, his venture capital group was not an investor in her company. “As I said, National Western Bank is handling our business.” What information did Greta have? Verena felt a chill course through her and shot a look at Scarlett, who was paying close attention to their exchange. She angled her head in a warning to Verena.

  “Maybe you haven’t heard that the feds are taking over National Western.” Greta’s lips curled in satisfaction as she delivered her coup de grâce. “And Marvin Panetta was just found at his home. Suicide.”

  Verena sucked in her breath, and she felt Scarlett place a protective hand on her arm. “That can’t be! Are you sure? He just—” Verena stopped herself, unable to go on. She felt sick to her stomach. Marvin wouldn’t do such a thing. What happened?

  “Now would you like to comment?” Greta waved the microphone, devious glee apparent in her voice.

  “Leave her alone,” Scarlett said, narrowing her eyes. “Marvin was a friend. You’re through here, Greta. Move on.”

  “And who are you?”

  “I’m her attorney. Scarlett Sandoval.”

  “Lawyering up already, huh?” Greta grinned. “And you said you didn’t know anything about this. Interesting.” She turned on her heel and left.