SPARKLE

Author: Jennifer Greene ISBN: 0373881002 7/2006 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: HARLEQUIN/NEXT

Poppy Thompson: The self-proclaimed homeliest woman in town, she deals with animals for a living rather than people. Bren Price: The ever-proper minister's wife, she does everything her husband tells her, but lately her best just isn't good enough. They'd never even spoken to one another until a surprise inheritance brings them together. A fortune in sparkling jewelry could give them what each desires most - Poppy's surgical transformation, Bren's escape from her husband. Yet the real treasure just might be the friendship these two total opposites form once they discover all that glitters isn't gold.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Jennifer Greene has outdone herself with SPARKLE. This book is a beautiful story of two women thrown together by an inheritance that neither knew anything about, from a woman who neither knew much about, making the story bittersweet and endearing all at the same time.

Poppy Thompson has decided long ago that she would never marry or have kids—it just isn't in the cards. Being outspoken, a sloppy dresser, and feeling as if she is the ugliest woman in the world has kept her from going after the things she really wants in life. The way she sees it, men will only want her for one thing—and according to her way of thinking it certainly isn't her looks. Poppy is an animal lover and as faithful as a well-trained hound dog. When she discovers that she is now the proud owner of a big fat pile of cash in the form of jewels, she decides to take control of her life, once and for all.

Bren Price is a preacher's wife. She is lovely and soft-spoken, the kind of woman every parishioner would love. Without a deceitful bone in her body, Bren goes about her daily business of cooking for the sick and helping her husband to clean his church—all the while concealing a disturbing secret that only a truly wonderful friend such as Poppy can get to the bottom of. When Bren finds out about her inheritance, she is beside herself with joy. Yet, is this the beginning of more secrets for her?

SPARKLE is the story of a true friendship and love that brought tears to my eyes. Every woman should be so lucky as to have a friendship like Poppy and Bren's. Ms. Greene is truly blessed to have the creative mind to write such a moving and special story of two women just trying to make the best of life and this friendship that has been thrust upon them. My applause goes to Jennifer Greene, without a doubt.

Kristal Gorman