Book excerpt: Over eight visits to Paris, Deirdre Kelly has found herself -- first as a 19-year-old and then later as a budding writer, a dance critic, and a fashion reporter. Subsequent visits -- with her mother, her future husband, and later as a mother herself -- have shown her that while some parts of Paris remain constant, her life is always evolving. More than just a beautiful and romantic backdrop for her self-discovery, Paris itself contributes to that discovery, emerging as a principal character in Kelly's life, an influence that inspires, guides, and teaches as she ages. A terrific gift for budding travelers, Francophiles, and women on their own path toward growth, this book reminds readers of their own favorite place.