The Virgin's Proposal [Mass Market Paperback]

Shirley Jump (Author)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Silhouette (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373196415
• ISBN-13: 978-0373196418
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,336,258 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nationally bestselling author Shirley Jump didn't have the willpower to diet nor the talent to master under-eye concealer, so she bowed out of a career in television and opted instead for a career where she could be paid to eat at her desk'writing.

She started out in journalism, selling her first article at the age of eleven and dreaming of being the next Jane Pauley. After writing 3000 articles and two non-fiction books, Shirley grew too dependent on her robe and fuzzy slippers, though, and decided a career as a freelance writer suited her better.

Then she got married. And had two kids.

Humor became the only thing that got her through the mashed potato flingfests and toilet paper decorating sprees. At first, seeking revenge on her children for their grocery store tantrums, she sold embarrassing essays about her children to anthologies such as Chicken Soup for the Working Woman's Soul and Chocolate for Women II. However, it wasn't enough to feed her growing addiction to writing funny.

So she turned to the world of romance novels, where messes are (usually) cleaned up before The End and no one is calling anyone a doodoo head. In the worlds Shirley gets to create and control, the children listen to their parents, the husbands always remember holidays and the housework is magically done by elves.

She sold her first book to Silhouette Romance in 2001. That novel, THE VIRGIN'S PROPOSAL, won the Booksellers' Best Award for Best Traditional Romance of 2003. Two of her subsequent books were finalists in the Golden Quill Awards and two others were finalists in the Madcap Awards for best romantic comedy. She is also a Reviewers' Choice Award winner.

Shirley has sold twenty-six novels and now writes stories for Harlequin/Silhouette and Kensington Books about love, family and food'the three most important things in her life (though, there are many days when the order is reversed), using that English degree everyone said would be so useless.

She found a way to combine all her favorite things in her recipes with her own romantic comedy series from Zebra Books, which launched in September 2004 with THE BRIDE WORE CHOCOLATE. The fourth, THE BACHELOR PREFERRED PASTRY, is a February 2006 release, followed by PRETTY BAD in February 2007. Her next Romances will be a linked duet of BACK TO MR. & MRS. and MARRIED BY MORNING in May and June 2007. She also writes for Harlequin NeXt.

Though she's thrilled to see her books in stores around the world, Shirley mostly writes because it gives her an excuse to avoid cleaning the toilets and helps feed her shoe habit.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic debut!, February 2, 2003

By 

Holly Fuhrmann (PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Virgin's Proposal (Mass Market Paperback)

Katie Dole is ready for a change...but is she ready for Matt Webster? He's been gone for a decade but his resident bad-boy image is still very much in place as he roars into town on his Harley. Their first meeting is interesting, mainly because Katie's wearing a banana suit. The second time they meet? They're kissing in the supermarket! What begins as a ruse soon grows into something bigger...something important. Maybe love? But before Katie and Matt can truly commit to each other they'll both have to let go of the past. Is their love strong enough for that?

Humor and emotion pack this fantastic debut novel by Shirley Jump.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally - A Story that tugs at your heart, January 22, 2003

By 

Paula Smith (Talbott, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Virgin's Proposal (Mass Market Paperback)

Shirley Jump has impressed me with her first book so I am sitting on pins and needles waiting on more to come!

Matt is a hero with humor, heart and a past. His story proves that money doesn't make happiness and you can't help but love him as he struggles with his history and loss. Katie is a funny heroine that has lived under the watchful eyes of an entire community. She decides to "let it all hang out" and enjoy life. You laugh with her. You cry with her and you embrace the love that she and Matt have.

Ms. Jump proves that you can STILL write a story that has depth without making the hero some egotistic snob. I fell in love with Matt right along with Katie.

Now I have to add Shirley Jump to my favorite authors list! Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Julia Quinn, Kathleen Kane / Maureen Child and Shirley Jump.... It can't get much better than this!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't pass this one up!, January 17, 2003

By 

Cheryl (Lone Star State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Virgin's Proposal (Mass Market Paperback)

Shirley Jump knows more than great storytelling technique--she knows about love and laughter. The chemistry between the characters was incredible, almost enough to spark the book on fire. Can't wait for the next one!