Sparkle Read online

  Praise for USA Today Bestselling Author Jan Moran

  Love California, Summer Beach, and Coral Cottage series

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  “Jan Moran is the queen of the epic romance.” —Rebecca Forster, USA Today Bestselling Author

  “A fun read that grabs you at the start.” – Tina Sloan, Author and Award-Winning Actress

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  “A novel that gives fans of romantic sagas a compelling voice to follow.” – Booklist

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  “Seabreeze Inn is a wonderful story… Will make you feel like the sea breeze is streaming through your hair.” – Laura Bradbury, Bestselling Author

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  “An entertaining beach read with multi-generational context and humor.” – InD’Tale Magazine

  “Wonderful characters and a sweet story.” – Kellie Coates Gilbert, Bestselling Author

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  Hepburn’s Necklace

  “An ode to the magic of Lake Como past and present, Hepburn’s Necklace sails from the set of Roman Holiday in 1952. As sparkling as a Bellini, this novel will…leave you enchanted.” — Kristin Harmel, New York Times Bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names

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  The Chocolatier

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  “A delicious novel, makes you long for chocolate.” – Ciao Tutti

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  “Smoothly written…full of intrigue, love, secrets, and romance.” – Lekker Lezen

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  The Winemakers

  “Readers will devour this page-turner as the mystery and passions spin out.” – Library Journal

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  “As she did in Scent of Triumph, Moran weaves knowledge of wine and winemaking into this intense family drama.” – Booklist

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  The Perfumer: Scent of Triumph

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  “Heartbreaking, evocative, and inspiring, this book is a powerful journey.” – Allison Pataki, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Accidental Empress

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  “A sweeping saga of one woman’s journey through World War II and her unwillingness to give up even when faced with the toughest challenges.” — Anita Abriel, Author of The Light After the War

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  “A stylish, compelling story of a family. What sets this apart is the backdrop of perfumery that suffuses the story with the delicious aromas – a remarkable feat!” — Liz Trenow, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Forgotten Seamstress

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  “Courageous heroine, star-crossed lovers, splendid sense of time and place capturing the unease and turmoil of the 1940s; HEA.” — Heroes and Heartbreakers

  Books by Jan Moran

  Love California Series

  Flawless

  Beauty Mark

  Runway

  Essence

  Style

  Sparkle

  Summer Beach Series

  Seabreeze Inn

  Seabreeze Summer

  Seabreeze Sunset

  Seabreeze Christmas

  Seabreeze Wedding

  Seabreeze Book Club

  Seabreeze Shores

  Coral Cottage

  Coral Cafe

  Coral Holiday

  Coral Weddings

  20th-Century Historical

  Hepburn’s Necklace

  The Chocolatier

  The Winemakers: A Novel of Wine and Secrets

  The Perfumer: Scent of Triumph

  Life is a Cabernet

  Sparkle

  A Love California Novel, Book 6

  Jan Moran

  Sparkle

  Copyright © 2017 by Jan Moran

  All Rights Reserved.

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  All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission, except for brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Moran, Jan.

  / by Jan Moran

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  ISBN 978-1-942073-93-2 (paperbacks)

  978-1-64778-089-0

  ISBN 978-1-942073-91-8 (ebooks)

  978-1-64778-088-3

  ISBN 978-1-64778-076-0 (hardcover)

  ISBN 978-1-64778-077-7 (large print)

  Published by Sunny Palms Press. Cover design by T.M. Franklin. Cover images copyright Deposit Photos.

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  Sunny Palms Press

  9663 Santa Monica Blvd. #1158

  Beverly Hills, CA 90210 USA

  www.JanMoran.com

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  About the Author

  The Love California Series

  * * *

  For all my friends and readers,

  stories of

  friendship and family,

  mishaps and mistakes,

  and the

  courage to

  seize second chances.

  1

  Beverly Hills, California

  * * *

  “MORE CHAMPAGNE, MISS?”

  Elena Eaton accepted a glass of sparkling bubbly from a server. Veuve Clicquot, she noted, wanting to remember everything about this night. For a girl who’d grown up surfing the waves of Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, she never thought she’d be standing in the middle of the brightest stars in Hollywood, mingling and eating caviar at an Academy Awards after-party as if it were what she did every day of her life.

  Among the crowd of actors, directors, and producers, little gold statuettes glittered—and yes, they really were much heavier than they looked, she noted—cradled in the arms of the lucky winners who could now command much more per film as an Oscar winner. Most winners had passed the statuettes off to trusted assistants, while a few refused to be parted from their new acquisition.

  “Are you enjoying yourself?” asked Aimee Winterhaus, the editor of Fashion News Daily in New York and the host and underwriter of the party.

  “I’m thrilled to be here, Aimee.”

  When the industry insider had asked their friend Penelope where the hottest new place in Los Angeles was to host a private after-party, she had told Aimee about Bow-Tie, owned by her friends Lance Martel and Johnny Silva. The restaurant was in one of a handful of old houses that had been converted to business use on the busy shopping street.

  Aimee had hired an event company, and now the entire place looked like a 1920s speakeasy with casino tables, velvet drapes, and glamorous images of Golden Age stars projected on the walls. Not to mention the life-sized ice sculpture of the Oscar statuette. Some A-list actors were gathered at the bar, but many were in a private VIP dining room across from what Elena guessed had once been a large living room. She loved the hardwood floors and the brick fireplaces that anchored the rooms.

  “I can’t stop looking at everyone,” Elena said. “The gowns, the jewelry—”

  “The hot actors,” Aimee added with a sly smile.

  Elena grinned. “Very hot actors.” Aimee was right. Her friends in Sydney were going nuts ove
r this. Allison, her best friend from school, had even organized a viewing party at the bed-and-breakfast she owned with her husband Zach.

  “You could meet someone tonight,” Aimee said, raising a perfectly arched eyebrow. “The night’s young.”

  “I’m hardly their type,” Elena said, twisting her glossy, nude-colored lips to one side. She’d shimmied into a sleek black halter dress that skimmed her hips and fell to the floor, though she felt more comfortable in yoga pants sitting crossed-legged with her sketch pad. Or concentrating at her work bench surrounded by jewelry-making tools. “I’m only glam on the outside tonight.”

  “Glam is as glam does,” Aimee said, laughing. “Trust me, with the right makeup and clothes, we make fourteen-year-old models look like movie stars.”

  Penelope and Fianna had tried to talk her into a sizzling red dress, but she was so nervous tonight that the last thing she wanted was to stand out in the crowd. Besides, the black velvet showcased the delicate blue diamond necklace and earrings she’d just designed to match her deep blue eyes. And black was slimming, of course. Although she was comfortable in her skin, next to uber-fit celebrities she needed any help she could get.

  She touched the stone in her necklace for luck.

  Most everyone in the industry tonight had turned out to laud their fellow casts and crews and the night was just beginning. Most people would glide from one party to another—to the Vanity Fair party, the Governors Ball, and parties hosted by Lionsgate, Women in Film, and other producers and organizations.

  Every event was over-the-top designed; she’d never been to parties like these. Her social life usually involved campfires on the beach, or binge-watching a new TV series with friends. Elena was so excited to be trailing her friend Penelope—a top fashion model—wherever she went.

  Equally impressive were the jewels that sparkled on svelte throats, dainty earlobes, and slender wrists and fingers of well-known actresses. Some even wore hundreds of thousands of dollars of gemstones in their hair.

  Everywhere Elena looked were shimmering diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. Even deep purplish-blue tourmalines. Estimating values, she figured many stars wore jewelry valued at millions of dollars.

  So did Penelope.

  Elena pressed her hand against her fluttering heart to calm her anxiety. She had pledged her entire business against the jewelry she’d designed for Penelope to wear tonight. Which was why she’d hardly let her friend out of her sight all evening.

  She caught Penelope’s glance and wiggled her fingers in a tiny wave. Penelope lit up and made her way across the room. Watching her, Elena admired how Penelope moved and showcased her jewelry and dress to perfection. She watched heads turn in Penelope’s wake, and heard murmurs of approval trailing her as she passed.

  Penelope looked like a glittery mermaid princess who’d just emerged from the sea. She’d even changed her hair color from purple to blond with turquoise and azure highlights to go with the stunning aqua silk gown she wore, which was designed by another friend of theirs, Fianna Fitzgerald.

  The blazing marine blue and twinkling green diamonds at Penelope’s throat were worth a fortune and had drained Elena of her personal gemstone coffers—not to mention the cost of additional stones, other materials, and her labor.

  Inspired by opulent jewelry from India, she’d spent months designing the suite that included earrings, bracelets, and rings, but the piece she was most proud of was the lacy, cascading choker with diamonds arranged in a wave-like pattern from light to dark.

  Most important to her was the lineage of these fancy-colored diamonds, and what they represented to her family. She’d never shared the true provenance of these stones with anyone outside her family, not even her closest friends. Nor could she. In her heart, they would always be Sabeena’s diamonds. And in her ancestor’s honor, she had marked a large part of their profit on sale for a special cause.

  “Elena.” Penelope gripped Elena’s hands and said hello to Aimee. “Your jewelry and Fianna’s dress outshine me tonight,” she said, laughing. “They’re the real stars.”

  “You’re not a top model for nothing,” Aimee said, reaching out to touch the lacy bejeweled choker that Elena had designed. “Those are exquisite fancy-colored diamonds.”

  “Thanks for wearing them, Penelope,” Elena said, in awe of how beautiful Penelope looked tonight. She knew her as a friend, just a regular person she traveled with—most recently when Penelope had come under threat from a deranged psychotic fan by the name of Kristo.

  “It’s the least I can do,” Penelope said, her tawny eyes brimming with elation. “You helped me get through a tough time.”

  “It turned out well though,” Elena said. “How’s the new show going?”

  Penelope’s face shone with excitement. “We started filming, and I’m working on ideas for more episodes. The next one will be Denmark. Isn’t that exciting? I’ll get to see my parents then.”

  “Hey hottie, how about more bubbly?”

  A familiar voice rang out beside Elena. She turned, widening her eyes in surprise at the sight of an old boyfriend from Sydney, the older brother of her friend Allison. “Shane? What are you doing here?”

  “Following the waves.” He handed Aimee a fresh glass. “Making my way toward Maui and picking up work along the way.” He tapped Elena’s nose. “That’s new,” he said, indicating the tiny, blue diamond nose-stud glinting on her left nostril.

  She ignored his comment; he’d lost his right to comment on her years ago. “You’re not working at Bow-Tie regularly are you?” This was her favorite restaurant, and she’d die if she had to see him here all the time.

  “Just the big party,” he replied with a wink at her. Turning to Penelope, he said, “That’s quite the jewelry you’re wearing. Big rocks, there.” He let his eyes slide over Penelope.

  “Keep your eyes and your hands to yourself.” Elena wanted to slap the floppy blond hair right out of his eyes. Tan and buff, he was a surfer dude out for fun. And faithful to no woman. His sister couldn’t be more different.

  Penelope laughed off his remark with grace. “You’re a friend of Elena’s? These are her designs.”

  “Not a friend,” Elena said, scolding him with narrowed eyes.

  Ignoring her expression, Shane gave her a smooth grin. “Nice work, Elena. Taking a step up in the world, are you?”

  “Don’t you have work to do?” The last thing she needed tonight was Shane hovering around. She was on edge enough as it was. Though he was good-looking, no way would she fall for his tricks again.

  Shane wagged his brows and sailed through the crowd, stopping to flirt with every attractive woman.

  “Good riddance,” Elena muttered.

  Aimee looked at her with amusement. “Don’t let him get to you.”

  “I won’t,” Elena said, flipping her hair from her forehead. She had more to worry about than Shane.

  “As for the new nose bling, I love it,” Penelope said.

  Aimee nodded. “Very sexy. Accents your eyes.”

  “I’ve got to run, too,” Penelope said. “My producer wants me to meet some people.” She smiled. “But I’m posing for every picture I can for you and Fianna.”

  “Lovely to see you shining so brightly after that awful mess, Penelope.” Aimee leaned in to air kiss the model goodbye.

  Nervous didn’t even begin to describe how Elena felt. Terrified was more like it. Yet the exposure from tonight and an important jewelry sale could elevate her struggling business into the stratosphere, secure her family, and more. She hoped an offer for her work would come in after photos circulated.

  “Just look at that Chanel. Simply sublime.” Aimee waved and nodded at several attendees she knew. “Besides the Met Gala in New York and the Cannes Film Festival, this is the best place to photograph stars in the most beautiful attire.”

  “And jewelry,” Elena said, glancing around in appreciation.

  Aimee ticked off her fingers. “The European designers
are out in force. I’ve seen Chanel, Dior, Armani Privé, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Givenchy. And the Americans are here with Carolina Herrera, Monique Lhuillier, Ralph Lauren, and Lele Rose.”

  Taking a breath, Elena asked, “Which outfit do you like best?”

  “I’d have to say Penelope’s. Fianna has a fresh, new point of view.”

  Elena gazed at the fluid, aqua silk dress Penelope wore that Fianna had fit to her. She also admired how Penelope wore the diamond set—the parure—she’d designed.

  In rare fancy colors ranging from deep vivid blue to greyish blue, from sea foam green to forest shades—colors rivaling the legendry Hope and Dresden Green diamonds—the stones were set in platinum that glittered against Penelope’s glowing skin. The delicate choker rose high on her neck and draped across her collarbone, dipping to her décolletage.