Showing Once Upon a Time in Beverly Hills by Elaine Franklin

Overweight in Beverly Hills? That’s a misdemeanor. Overweight in show business? Ahh, that’s practically a felony, and JOANNA LEIGHTON, an interior designer on a local television show, semi-famous and fat, jokingly expects to be arrested at any time.

She’s thrilled to hear that the show is going national, and crushed when told that she either loses a great deal of weight, quickly, or lose her job.

Depressed, she spies an extraordinary ring in an antique store, makes a wish, and asks to be skinny. Miraculously, her wish comes true, her body shrinks in a matter of weeks, the pounds vaporize like ice cream left out in the sun. At first it feels like champagne pouring through her heart.

Certain that everyone will be thrilled for her, she’s stunned that her friends and family believe she has an eating disorder. Her marriage changes from relaxed and happy to emotionally charged, the television hostess wants her fired, and Joanna’s world famous movie star client decides she’s now worthy of his extreme private attention.