Bare Essence

Power and Pleasure

by Meredith Rich

The birth of a great scent is the main focus of Meredith Rich’s absorbing drama about the rise and fall of the people behind the perfume industry. With wonderful settings, gorgeous women, handsome men, power, and romance, Rich’s first outing paints a colorful portrait of a pampered heroine on the brink of self-discovery, and the effect she has on those around her. Bare Essence touches on themes of trust, betrayal, love, greed, independence, and the power of forgiveness—all the ingredients of a surefire bestseller. With clear prose behind a rich jet-set frame of mind, the author’s talent shines from cover to cover.

Genres: Romance

454 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 12, 1981

About the author

Claudia Jessup is the author of five novels (under the pseudonym Meredith Rich) including BARE ESSENCE, which was made into a C.B.S. television mini-series & N.B.C. weekly series.

Under her own name, she has written the perennial favorite The Woman's Guide to Starting a Business (three editions), as well as myriad non-fiction books (as writer or editor) and articles for major magazines.

A former Virginian and New Yorker, she lives in Santa Fe with her husband Jonathan Richards, a writer and political cartoonist & is the mother of two daughters. She is a member of The Author's Guild, PEN-USA West & PEN-New Mexico, and SCBWI.

Reviews

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book. It is all about the inside of a perfume company and all the wheeling and dealing that goes on.

Bare Essence was good enough to get its own mini series which didn't last. The book itself is fun but not memorable. If you are looking for something to read on a rainy day..or just love perfume..you might like this.

[Avery Aster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel reminds me a bit of the movie "Working Girl" and kicks off the early '80's. I loved it. I can see why it was turned into a made for TV movie and then later a TV series.

[Leslie Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Apparently its been made into a TV mini-series and a weekly series, which I'll have to check out. This book is a fascinating look at the moneyed set, perfume, and business in the 1980's (and the couple decades before). I found that I was really interested in the characters, which were really well developed. I usually get my books for free, or from the library. I actually paid for this book because it had to do with perfume, and it did not disappoint. The book is kind of reminiscent of a soap opera, but I think that's more to do with the time period and because it focuses on the lives of the rich. I would like to check out more books by this author.

[Nina Draganova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Завладяващ роман, съдържащ всичко,секс,интрига,неочаквани развръзки.Единствено края не е реалистичен за мен.Няма как една жена да забрави в един ден една любов и в същия ден да намери друга.