This Perfect Kiss

Curious people want to know: is dashing millionaire Rory Kincaid about to resign his position as the "sexiest man in town"? If Rory decides to step down as the most eligible bachelor in America, millions of women will be left crying on his way to the altar...

Rory Kincaid has everyone talking...and the women swooning. After a lifetime of living down his family's scandalous past, the handsome public figure decides to take up the mantle of respectability. But first he must survive the scandal caused by a curvy siren named Jilly Skye.

With her snug, vintage clothes and free-spirited ways, Jilly can't quite discover why Rory makes her feel so....tingly. Though he's far from an antique, no one that tempting should appear so stodgy. When the two are caught on film in a distinctly compromising position, Jilly agrees to pose as his fiancee — at least until his reputation gets back in order.

But neither of them counted on love...

Curious people want to know: is dashing millionaire Rory Kincaid about to resign his position as the "sexiest man in town"? If Rory decides to step down as the most eligible bachelor in America, millions of women will be left crying on his way to the altar...

Rory Kincaid has everyone talking...and the women swooning. After a lifetime of living down his family's scandalous past, the handsome public figure decides to take up the mantle of respectability. But first he must survive the scandal caused by a curvy siren named Jilly Skye.

With her snug, vintage clothes and free-spirited ways, Jilly can't quite discover why Rory makes her feel so....tingly. Though he's far from an antique, no one that tempting should appear so stodgy. When the two are caught on film in a distinctly compromising position, Jilly agrees to pose as his fiancee — at least until his reputation gets back in order.

But neither of them counted on love...

Publishers Weekly

Set in the heart of Hollywood, Ridgway's latest contemporary romance (after Wish You Were Here) captures the zeitgeist of a culture ruled by bright lights and scandal. Rory Kincaid, who hails from a decadent family of actors, is intent on being sponsored as the Blue party senate candidate and salvaging his tarnished name. His straightlaced political ambitions are threatened, however, when he meets curvy Jilly Skye, an eccentric but compassionate vintage clothes retailer. Although Jilly's purpose in Rory's life is to sell two generations' worth of his family's memorabilia, the two arrange a sham engagement to make Rory look better in the eyes of his party and to satisfy Jilly's growing attraction to her "desert prince." Despite their spurious relationship, Rory and Jilly must fight their strong attraction to each other in order to save themselves from what they believe would be their downfall--his to scandal and hers to love. Rory's stormy relationship with Jilly is a blend of humor and scorching sexual chemistry, and their story is made all the richer by a subplot involving Rory's four-year-old aunt Iris. While readers will appreciate Jilly for her zest for life, it is Rory who truly comes alive in this story as he strives to rid himself of his preoccupations with the past and his image. (Jan. 30) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Christie Ridgway has never lived east of the Pacific Ocean, north of San Francisco, or south of San Diego. To put it simply, she's a California native who loves to travel but is happy to make the Golden State her home. She began her writing career in fifth grade when she penned a volume of love stories featuring herself and a teen idol who will probably be thrilled to remain nameless. Later, though, after marrying her college sweetheart, Christie again took up writing romances, this time with imaginary heroes and heroines. In a house full of males—one terrific husband, two school-age sons, a yellow dog, and tankfuls of fish, reptiles, and amphibians—Christie makes her own place (and peace) writing the kinds of stories she loves best.