Red Roses White Lies

Although McNair smears on the glitter with a trowel, it fails to hide just how boring this jet-set tale really is. Fresh from college, Nina McClean, an accomplished flirt with a devastating allure for men, secures a glamorous job with the Countess of Avondale, interior designer to New York City's elite. Through the countess she meets Omar Sarkis, a banker and broker who is handsome, rich--and married. Alas, not even dinners at ``21,'' lavish gifts and ``zillions of watts'' of electricity between them can make Nina forget she's merely Omar's plaything, so she's off to Rome to lick her wounds. Soon she catches the eye of Claudio de Leone, a count who is handsome, rich--and a confirmed bachelor. Nina, ever resourceful, arouses his macho jealousy and prods Claudio into proposing. Thus she acquires even more jewels and clothes but also a temperamental and philandering husband. Nina leaves Claudio, and fills her days with a decorating project for a mysterious client who finally qualifies as the last of the suitors. Will they be happy together? It's difficult to care. This is McNair's first novel. (Oct.)