The Parisian Affair [Mass Market Paperback]

Judith Gould (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 6, 2005

At the request of her publicity-shy boss, jewelry designer Allegra Sheridan purchases a celebrated jewel at a Paris auction. But her possession of it invites threats from a lethally handsome stranger. For embedded in this sought-after gem is a legendary mystery, a scandalous history, and a global conspiracy that means death to anyone who discovers its secrets.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When struggling New York jewelry designer Allegra Sheridan is hired to fly to Paris and bid up to $100 million on an Arab princess's emerald ring, she figures it's an easy way to make some quick cash. From the moment she lies to her boyfriend Todd about her trip, though, it's clear that she's getting in over her head. Soon she'll be within arm's reach of a king's ransom in jewels—as well as the evildoers who always pursue such jewels. But warning bells don't begin to go off until Allegra narrowly misses getting shot at a private club after winning the emerald on the auction floor. And since the bank where she was to stow the ring is closed, she's under the "protection" of Ramtane Tadjer, a wickedly good-looking—and wickedly wicked—Paris jeweler with designs on the ring. Indeed, there are plenty of folks willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Just when it seems there's no safe place for Allegra and the emerald, Todd comes to the rescue—and then Allegra is plunged into even more serious danger. Fans of the bestselling Gould will enjoy her designer label name-dropping, her lush descriptions of the places rich folks romp and, of course, the deliciously trashy sex scenes, but they shouldn't expect much plot connecting them.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Manhattan jewelry designer Allegra Sheridan is struggling, and just when it seems as though her business is about to go under, reclusive billionaire Hilton Whitehead makes a strange, possibly lucrative request. He wants Allegra to go to Paris to bid on a famous emerald ring. What could be simpler than going to Paris for a few days on a private jet with an enormous expense account, attending an elite auction, and bidding with someone else's money? Well, first Allegra has to lie to her boyfriend, and then she discovers that she has stiff competition. There is great interest in the ring because of its owner, Princess Karima, an aging Arabic aristocrat famous for her scandalous lifestyle and her decision to sell her possessions for charity. And then there's Ramtane Tadjer. He now owns the exclusive Paris jewelry store that sold the ring, and he wants it back for his own nefarious purposes and will let nothing get in his way, not even the attractive jewelry designer from New York. Glamorous people, upscale locations, and the mystery of the ring will keep readers hooked. Patty Engelmann
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Signet (September 6, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 045121630X
• ISBN-13: 978-0451216304
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,559,144 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Exciting Adventure!, December 16, 2004

By 

Butterscotch (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Parisian Affair (Hardcover)

If you like mystery, romance, adventure/espionage, and a storyline that involves precious jewels, then you'll definitely find enjoyment with The Parisian Affair. The plot revolves around Allegra Sheridon, a jewelry designer in NYC who is called upon to bid by-proxy for a multimillionaire on an emerald ring in Paris. What Allegra doesn't know is that the ring she is bidding on has a long history behind it, and that certain people will stop at nothing to have the ring, including murder. Allegra travels to Paris to bid on the famous ring and, from there, is swept up in a variety of adventures and characters. Although the auction goes as planned, the events that follow endanger Allegra's life. Her boyfriend, Todd Hall, travels from NYC to be with her and also involves himself in the adventure. The book was a very quick, and enjoyable read. However, there were drawbacks in the story: 1) Allegra was described as creative, smart, ambitious, etc., and yet once she is in Paris it seems that she lost all of her common sense - her character shifted pretty dramatically 2) the relationship between Todd and Allegra seemed forced and while there was sexual chemistry, there was nothing that made me think they were truly in love and committed - Todd was portrayed as a cad/playboy the entire time; and 3) the ending was rather abrupt. Overall, recommended!

4.0 out of 5 stars Good adventure, November 14, 2004

By 

G. Greene - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Parisian Affair (Hardcover)

This is a very interesting tale of high society and very precious and rare gems, skillfully woven by a good writer. The details about making jewelry were fascinating, and there are plenty of interesting characters and plot twists to keep the reader intrigued. However, I didn't really sense that much attraction or commitment between Allegra and Todd, and it is this lack that left me feeling vaguely unsatisfied after finishing this book. That said, there is still a lot of exciting adventure in this book, and it is a very good afternoon's read.

4.0 out of 5 stars fine romantic suspense, October 5, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Parisian Affair (Hardcover)

Billionaire software entrepreneur Hilton Whitehead hires NYC talented design jeweler Allegra Sheridan to travel to Paris to discreetly bid for him on the legendary Princess Karima emerald. Though she would like to say no because she knows that Hilton plans to give the gem as a present to his mistress Kitty, Allegra needs the money so accepts.

In Paris, Allegra wins the bidding. However, buying and holding the gem are two different things. Several people want to possess the Princess Karima because it is rumored to be more than just an emerald. Some individuals are willing to kill to steal the jewel from Allegra.

Though the support cast especially the villains, the heroine's boyfriend, and Hilton comes across for the most part as two dimensionally shallow, fans will root for Allegra and her assistant Jason Clarke to survive a simple task that has turned into a deadly nightmare. Allegra's boyfriend Todd Hall adds a romantic element to a degree, but his role is somewhat limited. Fans will enjoy Allegra's adventure as she struggles to bring back to her client the jewel he purchased through her because others will kill her to steal the Princess Karima.

Harriet Klausner