All That Glitters (Once Upon a Dream Series #2) [Paperback]

Barbara Jean Hicks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 1999

After seven years of waiting tables in little Pilchuck, Washington, aspiring apparel designer Cindy Reilly is beginning to despair of ever seeing her line of evening dresses on the racks of a major department store. And when her longtime boyfriend falls for a classy big-city society girl, her future looks even bleaker.

Enter Franklin Cameron Fitz III–of Seattle’s Strawbridge & Fitz department store fame–who wants nothing more than to help Cindy sell her designs. Except to win Cindy’s heart, that is…

When Cindy embarks on an ambitious self-improvement campaign to win back her boyfriend, Franklin reluctantly agrees to help. The results are hilarious–and surprisingly successful. But when both “princes” fall at Cindy’s feet–at a high society ball, no less–will she choose the right one?

Editorial Reviews

Review

Cindy Reilly and Franklin Cameron Fitz III are about as different as two people can get. Author Barbara Jean Hicks knows that when it comes to love opposites attract and fairy tales can come true! Cindy is a waitress at a quirky diner called the Kitsch 'n' Caboodle. Her dream is to be a famous fashion designer and she definitely has the talent. Her wedding dresses are the talk of Tillicum County and she knows someday everyone will want one of her Glad Rags party dresses. She also has the perfect fiancé, well almost-fiancé since he hasn't yet proposed. Cindy knows he's going to, though. And soon. Franklin, on the other hand, has no romantic prospects. What he does have is a snooty stepmother who is determined to see him married to the "right" kind of woman and a doting aunt who wants to see him fall in love- preferably with Cindy. Franklin is heir to the Strawbridge and Fitz department store, but he isn't quite sure what he wants to do with his life. Or who he wants to spend it with. All That Glitters is a delightful modern day Cinderella story. Cindy is a spunky, bright heroine who has suffered her share of hard knocks and deserves happiness. Franklin is a prince of a guy who has always done what is expected of him. Now he needs to learn to follow his heart. The secondary characters add doses of humor and conflict to story. Ms. Hicks does a terrific job of crafting a tale that is funny, romantic and inspiring all at the same time! For every girl who dreamed of being Cinderella, All That Glitters is a dream come true! Barbara Jean Hicks has a talent for creating Christian romance that is both inspirational and humorous! A delicious light-hearted love story! Magical and entertaining! You won't be able to wipe the smile off your face! Kristina Wright -- Copyright © 1999 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

From the Inside Flap

After seven years of waiting tables in little Pilchuck, Washington, aspiring apparel designer Cindy Reilly is beginning to despair of ever seeing her line of evening dresses on the racks of a major department store. And when her longtime boyfriend falls for a classy big-city society girl, her future looks even bleaker.

Enter Franklin Cameron Fitz III?of Seattle?s Strawbridge & Fitz department store fame?who wants nothing more than to help Cindy sell her designs. Except to win Cindy?s heart, that is?

When Cindy embarks on an ambitious self-improvement campaign to win back her boyfriend, Franklin reluctantly agrees to help. The results are hilarious?and surprisingly successful. But when both ?princes? fall at Cindy?s feet?at a high society ball, no less?will she choose the right one?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (June 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157856123X
• ISBN-13: 978-1578561230
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.5 x 7.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,205,602 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"As you go the way of life, you will see a great chasm. Jump. It is not as wide as you think." --Native American Proverb

Children's book author, speaker and teacher BARBARA JEAN HICKS claims that everything she knows about writing, she learned from her favorite cat. Miguel had a nose for adventure, she says, leaping into the unknown like an old-world explorer, learning along the way. And he had the scars to prove it.

A writer, too, is a curious creature, Barbara says, always sniffing about for new ideas. Observing, reading, eavesdropping. Haunting favorite places and exploring new ones. Paying attention.

"For me," says Barbara, "starting a story is an adventure, a leap into the unknown. I might begin with a curious bit of dialogue, a vivid description, a word or phrase that tickles my funny bone. Before I have any real idea where I'm going, I'm on my way. I let the writing take me where it wants to. It's only after I've plunged into a project that I begin to find out what it's really about. The act of writing teaches me what my story is, how it wants to be told, why it matters. Slowly. Rewrite after rewrite. Not very efficient, I'm afraid. Messy. Unpredictable. Fun!" Her writing mantra, Barbara claims, is simple: Look, leap and learn!

Almost as much as she loves to write, Barbara loves presenting assemblies and writing workshops in schools as a visiting author. She has taught at every level from preschool to community college and worked in an elementary school as author-in-residence, program facilitator and parent educator. In conjunction with her school visits, Barbara also offers a publishing program for student work.

Barbara Jean, a.k.a. the Story Queen, lives in Oxnard, California but considers Northwest Washington her home. Visit her online at www.barbarajeanhicks.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Which prince is charming?, July 16, 2000

By 

L. S. Tucker (Port St. Lucie, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: All That Glitters (Once Upon a Dream Series #2) (Paperback)

Fledgling dress designer Cindy Reilly hoped to design dresses that would be in major stores someday. She hoped to have a happy ending like Cinderella. Cindy already had her prince, or so she thought. Heir to Strawbridge & Fitz department stores, Franklin Cameron Fitz III, saw Cindy and knew she was the one he wanted. But what about the boyfriend? On the night of Cindy's greatest triumph to date, a sale to Fitz's store, she catches her fiance with another woman, a sophisticated city woman. Cindy asks Franklin to help her make herself over, giving him time to be with Cindy.

A gentle tale of learning to separate fact from fiction, seeing what's real and not what you want to be real.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hooray for Barbara and Pilchuck!, December 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: All That Glitters (Once Upon a Dream Series #2) (Paperback)

I love the Jan Karon-esque qualities of Barbara's books. I had already visited Pilchick and been introduced to Cindy in Barb's other hometown adventures and now we have become better aquainted. The love, caring, pettiness, quirks, foibles, heroes and crackpots of Smalltown, America are true to life and full of giggles. I plan to visit again and again. More, please!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A light hearted, entertaining, and uplifting book!, September 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: All That Glitters (Once Upon a Dream Series #2) (Paperback)

This book is perfect for when you want to escape from the cares of the world. It makes you laugh and warms your heart. I also like how Ms. Hicks brings out important issues, like excepting yourself for who you are and how important it is to follow your dreams.