Marrying Up [Mass Market Paperback]

Nina Foxx (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2007

The Ring Is Not Enough ...

... not if, like Paris Montague, you come from a long line of women who know how to marry. In her family, the unspoken rule has always been: never wed someone who's not as well off as you, and her mother wants her last unattached daughter to find a wealthy "Mr. Right" right now.

But Paris is doing just fine with her no-strings-attached relationship with her sexy secret lover, Tyson. The man may not have money, but he knows how to push all the right buttons!

Then JaBari Nolan enters the picture -- rich, charming, and oh-so-fine, with definite husband potential. But Paris can't shake the feeling that there's something shady going on with the all-too-perfect Mr. Nolan.

Time's running out, and Paris is going to have to choose between sweet Tyson and seductive JaBari.

And maybe "up" is not the way to take it ...

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ambition, desire and family expectations collide in Foxx's entertaining novel (after Going Buck Wild). Paris Montague, 30, comes from a solidly middle-class African-American family in Austin, Tex., and she has certain financial criteria for a mate, which Tyson James, an adoring lover she keeps at arm's length, doesn't yet meet. Enter smooth-talking banking analyst JaBari Nolan, who Paris's mother, Athena, pushes toward her daughter. Paris keeps her guard up with JaBari—he's a little too disarming—but, unfortunately, Athena doesn't. When Paris discovers JaBari has drawn her mother and stepfather into a dubious investment scheme, she cuts off contact with him. Paris's stepfather suddenly falls ill, and she must take charge of the family lobbying firm, which is in dire financial straits. Meanwhile, Tyson aspires beyond his day job, working on a profitable business plan and staying true to Paris despite her callous treatment. By novel's end, Paris re-examines her values and realizes the answer to her financial and romantic needs was in front of her all along. Though Foxx's brisk narrative reads easily, an important development revealed in the novel's final two pages creates a rushed and improbable end to an otherwise fun if predictable novel. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Nina Foxx, originally from New York, is the bestselling author of five novels--and two industrial design patents. She has had a short story featured in Wanderlust: Erotic Travel Tales, and her fourth novel, Marrying Up, was successfully adapted into a musical stage play. She worked as an industrial psychologist specializing in human-computer interaction, and is currently completing a third graduate degree--this time an MFA in creative writing—and working on an experimental film project based on one of her books.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Avon (July 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006114391X
• ISBN-13: 978-0061143915
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,016,068 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nina Foxx is the author of 7 novels (published by HarperCOllins, Romantic Comedy), been included in two anthologies, and has wrtten, produced and directed several stage plays that have toured the country. She has also written the accompanying music (available on itunes) and one of her plays is available on DVD, and is distributed by Urban HOme Entertainment. She also has produced three feature length films that will be in theaters in 2012 (513, Magic Valley & A** Backwards). She also wrote, produced and directed two shorts, Closer to CRazy and She's Got Is'Shoes that have won numerous awards, and is in pre-production on a fourth feature film based on one of her earlier books, and a is a producer on two TV Shows for the National Geographic Channel.
She holds an MFA in Creative Writing as well as a Ph.D. in I/o Psychology. Nina has authored several industrial design patents, and has been called a relentless marketer of her work. She has been featured in several magazines, including PW, Black Issues Book Review, QBR, Brilliant, Today's Black Woman and Black Enterprise.


Cynnamon Foster is the alter-ego of author Nina Foxx. She has been begging to be let out for quite awhile. She tied Nina up and put her in a closet and has been writing ever since.

Cynnamon Lives in Southern California with her main personality.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She did it again....only differently, July 2, 2005

By 

B! (Round Rock, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marrying Up (Paperback)

Reading this came just in time. I had a really tough read I hated, and a boring read I actually learned from. Then came Marrying Up. Foxx has shown maturity in her writing and here ability to weave a tale. The characters are strong (like the tie ins from previous novels that don't require you to have read the other novels); the plot has some romance/some suspense/some thought; and the writing is pretty good to boot.

This is a really fun read that makes you think about all the choices you make in life. It also made me think about the value of romance and the way we all go through life making decisions about living for your family vs. your legacy vs. your well being vs. your happiness.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing and Suspenseful, October 12, 2005

By 

Yasmin Coleman (PENNSYLVANIA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Marrying Up (Paperback)

Set against the financial backdrop of the Texas state capitol (Austin), Nina Foxx's latest book, Marrying Up, is an entertaining and delightful read. Paris Montague is happy with her no-strings,commitment-free personal life. She has bigger issues to be concerned about-like when is she going to move up in her father's lobbying firm; she wants him to allow her the chance to prove that she is worthy and capable of handling more complex projects. After all, she does have two degrees, including a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), and she is more than capable of handling whatever comes her way. Actually, some new ideas and out of the box concepts might be just what the firm needs to move into the new Millennium and a higher revenue bracket.

Unfortunately, Paris's mom, the perpetual, busy body and control freak, has other plans for Paris. She believes that at Paris' age that Paris is too old to be a single woman and she needs someone who can take care of her; preferably a wealthy man or at least one who is more well off than Paris. While Paris is busy keeping company with her `maintenance man,' her mother is busy looking for eligible men in "Who's Who in African American Wealth" and believes that she has found a suitable mate for her daughter. Enters Jabari Nolan, who is as fake as a two (2) dollar coin but as savvy and debonair as they come. However, he does not have anything in his past that a comprehensive background check would not have uncovered upfront. Question is will anyone discover who he really is before he says "I Do."

Foxx's books are usually hit or miss for me and I almost passed on her latest novel. Recently, I have been reading blogs of various authors and one of the blogs that I enjoy checking out regularly is Foxx's. I enjoy reading her blogs so much so that I decided to take a chance on Marrying Up. I am happy to say that it was a HIT for me! Marrying Up is a charming and fun read that successfully combines romance, intrigue and suspense. Foxx travels familiar terrain with Marrying Up and the ending is very predictable, but the backdrop as well as surprising twists and turns help to set it apart from similar storylines. One added bonus of Marrying Up was the opportunity to read excerpts from Foxx's blogs/journals. If you haven't had a chance to experience Foxx's commentaries, visit her site and check her out today. Foxx is a writer who does not appear to veer very far from the same storyline themes, however, for those moments when I am looking for an Entertainment Purposes Only (EPO) read she has the ability to satisfy and quench that thirst. If you read her first book, but have not picked up another one of her books, give her a chance today with Marrying Up. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Reviewed by Yasmin
APOOO BookClub

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars (3.5)Which Man Do You Choose?, January 3, 2006

By 

Urban Reviews "Your Source for the Best in AA... (Online) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Marrying Up (Paperback)

Paris Montague has a dilemma. She comes from a family where just marrying someone you love is not enough. Her mother wants her to meet a wealthy "Mr. Right" and does everything in her power to make this happen. Paris is tired of her mother's meddling because she's happy with her no-strings-attached relationship with Tyson. Tyson is starting to make a name for himself in the business world and wants a more formal relationship with Paris. Things get complicated when Paris is introduced to Jabari. Jabari is rich, sexy and perfect husband material. Paris is intrigued by Jabari but something about him seems a little suspicious. Ultimately, Paris has to come to a decision between Tyson and Jabari.

Marrying Up is a wonderful novel by Nina Foxx. Foxx showed how a mother's best intentions for their children aren't always the best for them. I liked how Paris was torn between what her family desires for her and what she desires for herself. Marrying Up had a good dose of drama and intrigue that will keep the reader on their toes. Nina Foxx has once again brought us an enjoyable, delightful read.