"Interesting romantic suspense"
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
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted September 15, 2004
New York Times bestselling author Judith Gould returns to
her world of "suspense, steamy sex...and exotic
(Booklist) in this novel of an innocent woman
trapped in a game of international intrigue, high-stakes
glamour, and dangerous romance...
SummaryAllegra Sheridan is a jewelry designer in Manhattan.
Though far from rich and famous, the young gemologist has
made a name for herself designing one-of-a-kind pieces for
a small but elite clientele—one of whom has offered
Allegra an extraordinary opportunity. Wealthy software
entrepreneur Hilton Whitehead has a mistress he's eager to
please. What Kitty wants, Kitty gets. And this time, Kitty
wants the legendary Princess Karima emeralds coming up for
auction in Europe. Whitehead's proposition: he'll pay
Allegra a small fortune to travel to Paris and bid in
anonymity for him.
Once in Paris, Allegra successfully completes her
mission. However, ownership of the extraordinary jewels
invites threats from the lethally handsome Ramtane—a
man willing to murder for the secret that the Karima gems
hold. For Allegra has in her possession a treasure worth
far more than anyone imagined—one that contains a
dangerous mystery and a scandalous past of international
conspiracy that could mean death to anyone who discovers
it...
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