This Perfect Kiss

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)