The Care and Feeding of Unmarried Men [Mass Market Paperback]

Christie Ridgway (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 25, 2006

Page Four asks: Which Palm Springs party girl has been caught canoodling with an out-of-town "Adam"?

Eve Caruso keeps her finger on the pulse of Palm Springs and reports every spicy celebrity tidbit to her loyal readers. She knows everyone in this town—except that mysterious hunk who just strolled into the exclusive spa where she's conferring with hot new starlet Jemima Cargill.

Nash Cargill—nicknamed "The Preacher" by all his rowdy friends—is here to protect his flighty sister from a stalker, not fall for a sexy society columnist. But Eve has the perfect name—she's wildly tempting. Nash should resist; after all, her luscious lips speak trouble, her two sisters are too interested in their affair, and the rest of her family defines "notorious." But Eve is more vulnerable than she seems, and Nash has never said "no" to a lady in distress . . .

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Can a Mafia princess nicknamed "Party Girl" find common ground with a monster-truck driver called "the Preacher"? Society columnist Eve Caruso has moved back to the family spa in Palm Springs after secretly losing her fortune on an insider trading tip gone wrong. Still grieving for the father she lost at age 12, she doesn't want anybody to know that now she has lost everything. The only way to stay out of jail is to get the goods on the former lover who is responsible for her financial troubles. This requires mingling with the rich and famous, in spite of her lack of self-confidence. Meanwhile, larger-than-life Nash Cargill, worried that a stalker is after his actress sister, is prowling the grounds of the Kona Kai Spa to keep her safe. Big and brawny, with a good-old-boy demeanor, overly protective Nash can't stop himself from trying to save Eve. Ridgway continues the fascinating story of the Caruso family, first seen in An Offer He Can't Refuse (2005). Diana Tixier Herald
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

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.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (April 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060763507
• ISBN-13: 978-0060763503
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,023,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Christie Ridgway is a California native and author of over thirty contemporary romances. A five-time RITA finalist and USA Today bestselling author, she writes sexy, emotional reads starring determined heroines and the men who can't help but love them. Married to her college sweetheart, Christie lives in Southern California in a house filled with boys and pets. She writes as an escape from sports equipment, football on TV, and dog hair.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sensual second story in the "Caruso Chronicles", July 25, 2006

By 

Tracy Vest (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Care and Feeding of Unmarried Men (Mass Market Paperback)

Middle daughter Eve has always been odd gal out - the product of an illicit affair, when her mother died, she was taken in by her philandering father and his wife and raised as one of the family. Seeing how infidelity and love affected her stepmother Bianca, she vowed to never fall in love. Working at the family spa and the local society columnist, she is befriended by Jem, a young starlet in Palm Springs for R&R. But it is Jem's sexy brother Nash, a monster truck racer with the nickname Preacher who captures her attention. Nash has been called on to look after Jem after she is nearly run over - possibly by the teen stalker who terrorized her.

While under investigation for insider training thanks to a cruddy stock tip from a former lover that left her broke, the SEC taps her to try to get the goods on said lover. She has managed to keep her financial woes from all her loved ones. Problem is that every time she tries to have a conversation with Vince, Nash steals her away. He too has vowed never to fall in love as he fears that he has his violent father's penchant for throwing his fists when angry. As the two dance around their flirtation, both fall for each other and struggle to maintain the upper hand in the courtship. But can two reticent people make a relationship work? Never mind that she is a mafia princess and he is a truck driving Bubba (with an MBA).

The second installment in the "Caruso Chronicles" was tough to get into - but after the first 100 pages or so, the story picked up, and had some direction. Though it pales in comparison to its predecessor "An Offer He Can't Refuse," the story can stand on its own merits. And let's face it - Ridgway has a way with a scene of seduction that can curl more than the pages!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Danger, Romance and Very Funny !, July 11, 2006

By 

cb (Minot, ND) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Care and Feeding of Unmarried Men (Mass Market Paperback)

The Care and Feeding of Unmarried Men by Christie Ridgway was a great surprise. I picked it up at the Library and found a jewel. A true California mod-princess finds herself broke, under FBI investigation and falling for the wrong man. It's perfect - I am off to find the rest of series.

5.0 out of 5 stars Care and Feeding of Unmarried Men, December 12, 2007

By 

Snowkraft "Snowkraft" (San Ramon, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Care and Feeding of Unmarried Men (Mass Market Paperback)

This is my favorite christie ridgway book so far, and I've read several. The story would make a great movie! It's funny and real. The characters tie to another title "An Offer He Can't Refuse", which is also teriffic.