Sisters

In this contemporary romance, Gregory ( Solitaire ) lays her groundwork carefully. The result is readable enough, but the desired dramatic intensity doesn't materialize. Most of the book jumps back and forth between the largely unrelated stories of two sisters, Iris and Diane Spencer. During the 1960s they and their younger sister Cathy (who remains peripheral to the story) make a name as The Promettes. But when the girl-group heyday begins to wane, Iris, the flamboyant lead singer, breaks up the group to further her own career. Cathy goes off to college, while beautiful, gentle Diane heads back home to Dallas, hoping for ``romantic love to come up and grab her.'' It does, in the form of Charles Thornton, a law student who clerks at the firm where she is a receptionist--and he has honorable intentions. Iris also seems to grab the brass ring when she marries her manager Geoff Dailey and he guides her to solo success. Yet both Diane and Iris see how brief the halcyon days can be and ultimately learn how to reach inside themselves for the strength to overcome adversity and achieve happiness. (Sept.)