Ridgway, Christie

PERSONAL:

Born in CA; married; children: two sons.

ADDRESSES:

Office—P.O. Box 3803, La Mesa, CA 91944. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Writer and romance novelist. Worked as a technical writer and computer programmer.

WRITINGS:

ROMANCE NOVELS

The Wedding Date, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1995.

Have Baby, Will Marry, Harlequin Books (New York, NY), 1997.

Big Bad Dad (part of "Marrying the Boss" series), Silhouette (New York, NY), 1998.

Ready, Set … Baby!, Harlequin Books (New York, NY), 1998.

Follow That Groom!, Harlequin Books (New York, NY), 1998.

The Bridesmaid's Bet, Harlequin Books (New York, NY), 1999.

The Millionaire and the Pregnant Pauper (part of w"Follow That Baby" series), Silhouette (New York, NY), 1999.

Wish You Were Here, Avon Books (New York, NY), 2000.

Beginning with Baby, Silhouette (New York, NY), 2001.

The Perfect Kiss, Avon Books (New York, NY), 2001.

The Marriage Maker, Silhouette (New York, NY), 2002.

From This Day Forward, Silhouette (New York, NY), 2002.

In Love with Her Boss (part of "Montana Mavericks" series), Silhouette (New York, NY), 2002.

Mad Enough to Marry, Silhouette (New York, NY), 2002.

First Comes Love, Avon Books (New York, NY), 2002.

Then Comes Marriage, Avon Books (New York, NY), 2003.

Do Not Disturb, Avon Books (New York, NY), 2004.

Mistletoe and Mayhem, Avon Books (New York, NY), 2004.

The Thrill of It All, Avon Books (New York, NY), 2004.

Right by Her Side (part of "Logan's Legacy" series), Silhouette (New York, NY), 2004.

An Offer He Can't Refuse, Avon Books (New York, NY), 2005.

The Care and Feeding of Unmarried Men, Avon Books (New York, NY), 2006.

Must Love Mistletoe, Avon Books (New York, NY), 2006.

The Reckoning (part of "Fortunes of Texas: Reunion" series), Silhouette (New York, NY), 2006.

Not Another New Year's, Avon Books (New York, NY), 2007.

His Forbidden Fiancee (part of "Millionaire of the Month" series), Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2007.

Bachelor Boss, Silhouette (New York, NY), 2008.

How to Knit a Wild Bikini, Berkley (New York, NY), 2008.

SIDELIGHTS:

Christie Ridgway is a prolific author of romance novels, many of which have been published by prominent imprints such as Silhouette, Harlequin, and Berkley. A native of California, Ridgway traces her interest in writing, and in writing romance, to a series of stories she wrote as an eleven-year-old schoolgirl, each featuring her adventures with a popular teen idol of the day. Then, Ridgway shared those early works with her best friend; now, "those stories are locked away in a box. The key is lost, thank you God," Ridgway remarked on her home page. Later, after college, marriage, children, and career, her interest in writing romance novels was rekindled. Since 1995, Ridgway has written more than twenty-five books.

Wish You Were Here is a "sweet but steamy romance" in which a handsome, blind astronaut and a lovelorn innkeeper find themselves involved on a lush California island, noted a Publishers Weekly reviewer. Zoe Cash is a young innkeeper on Abrigo Island, where tourism and the annual migration of the firetail fish keeps the local economy afloat. Zoe has struggled to make a life for herself and her younger sister, Lyssa, after their parents were killed in a car accident, and Lyssa herself nearly fell victim to leukemia. In addition to being the owner of the Haven House Bed and Breakfast, Zoe is also known as an earnest but unsuccessful local matchmaker. Into this idyllic and peaceful setting comes Yeager Gates, a womanizing celebrity astronaut looking for a place to retreat. A motorcycle accident has rendered him temporarily blind and sexually impotent, and might ultimately cost him his high-profile career after being sidelined from a bold new moon expedition. Accompanied by his friend Deke, Gates settles in Haven House to recuperate. When he meets Zoe, his libido returns full force, but she is doubtful that he's looking for anything except a temporary fling. Despite her desire to maintain the status quo, she finds herself increasingly attracted to the dashing daredevil. Elsewhere, headstrong and determined Lyssa has set her sights on Deke, despite a significant age difference and Deke's reluctance to even consider the possibility of romance with the younger woman. Romance Reader Web site reviewer Susan Scribner noted that the novel "features plenty of gentle, occasionally racy humor," and called it "sweet and enjoyable." Janice Bennett, writing on the Best Reviews Web site, named the novel a "charming, sometimes touchingly sad story of two vulnerable people trying to find their way back to life and love."

The Perfect Kiss, with its glittering Hollywood background, "captures the zeitgeist of a culture ruled by bright lights and scandal," remarked a Publishers Weekly contributor. Software millionaire Rory Kincaid, descended from a family of decadent actors, nurtures his political aspirations in a run for a senate seat. When he meets Jilly Skye, a free-spirited and voluptuous but kindhearted retailer of vintage clothing, he begins to think he might fall into the same behavior that has tarnished his family reputation. Though Jilly has simply been contracted to sell a huge accumulation of Kincaid family memorabilia, Rory finds her delightful, even after they are caught on camera in a compromising position. After much coaxing, he convinces her to pretend to be his fiancée in order to make him look better to the press, improve his political fortunes, and salvage his dignity. Complicating matters is the fact that Rory has recently been made guardian of his four-year-old aunt Iris. Despite themselves, Jilly and Rory soon find themselves growing more and more attracted to each other as their false relationship comes ever closer to becoming real.

Then Comes Marriage "puts a sexy spin on an old romance cliche—the marriage of convenience," commented a reviewer in Publishers Weekly. Honor Witherspoon is the daughter of a billionaire. After Honor is kidnapped and rescued, her father decides that she would be safer in a small town where no one knows her. For her protection, she is forced into marriage with Bram Bennett, a computer genius and security expert with a haunted and tragic background. Bram rarely leaves his fortress-like home, and even though he knows his marriage to Honor is just a technicality, he finds himself becoming increasingly attracted to her—enough, perhaps, to overcome the severe heartache from his own past. For her part, Honor struggles to adjust to her new mellower lifestyle. Despite his reclusive and geeky ways, she realizes that the handsome Bram is actually quite the attractive hunk. Perhaps there is more to this tech whiz that is immediately apparent, and whatever it is could well lead to a healing romance for both. Romantic Times Online critic Jill M. Smith called the novel a "warm, poignant, yet funny story of lovers discovering themselves and each other."

Tea Caruso, the protagonist of An Offer He Can't Refuse, is the granddaughter of the most prominent crime boss in Southern California. Still, she has little use for the crooked side of her lineage, and ever since her father disappeared when she was twelve, presumed murdered, she's avoided the capos and wise guys on that side of the family. An upcoming eightieth birthday party for her grandfather Cosimo may require her presence, distasteful as she finds the prospect of interacting with her criminal relatives. As an interior designer in Palm Springs, Tea has managed to carve out a respectable niche for herself in the highly competitive business world. She believes her business is about to enjoy a major upswing when she is hired to redecorate the home of high-stakes gambler and man-about-town Johnny Magee. Soon, romantic sparks ignite a steamy relationship between the two. As Tea wonders if she's finally found a man she can trust, Johnny nurtures his own secrets, ones that would shatter his new romance if Tea ever found out. First, Johnny hired her because of her mob connections, intent on using her as an instrument of revenge against the Caruso family who, he believes, ruined his father. Second, and even worse, rumor has it that it was Johnny's father who killed Tea's dad. Commenting on the relationship between Tea and Johnny, Romance Reader Web site contributor Mary Benn remarked, "Coupled with engaging dialogue, a healthy appreciation for the ample-sized woman and kind but troubled characters, they offer a refreshing alternative to the over-familiar landscapes of most contemporary" romance novels. "Genuinely funny moments catapult the reader toward this romance's engaging end" in a "solidly written tale," commented a Publishers Weekly contributor.

Ridgway revisits the Caruso family in The Care and Feeding of Unmarried Men. Once noted for her wild partying ways, gorgeous society columnist Eve Caruso is the illegitimate daughter of a mob boss, whom she has mourned since he was killed when she was twelve years old. The adult Eve has just suffered serious financial damage from a destructive insider-trading tip that wiped out her entire fortune. Determined to keep her financial hardship a secret, she plans to expose the former boyfriend who caused her troubles, even if it requires involvement in the rich and famous lifestyle she knows she can no longer have. Meanwhile, a handsome, hulking, but good-natured country boy and monster-truck driver named Nash Cargill has arrived at the Kona Kai spa, looking to protect his actress sister from a stalker he believes is after her. When Eve and Nash meet at the spa, the mismatched pair are first at odds before they discover an unexpected attraction. Soon, the burly Nash gives in to his honorable nature and sets out to rescue the unaccountably vulnerable and hard-luck Eve whether she wants to be saved or not. "It's a rare book that can make the reader both laugh and cry without feeling manipulated, but Christie Ridgway's done it," remarked Amanda Waters on the Romance Reader Web site.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, May 1, 2006, Diana Tixier Herald, review of The Care and Feeding of Unmarried Men, p. 76.

Library Journal, December 1, 2006, Kristin Ramsdell, review of Not Another New Year's, p. 103.

Publishers Weekly, January 3, 2000, review of Wish You Were Here, p. 62; January 8, 2001, review of The Perfect Kiss, p. 53; December 16, 2002, review of Then Comes Marriage, p. 51; June 27, 2005, review of An Offer He Can't Refuse, p. 47.

ONLINE

Best Reviews,http://thebestreviews.com/ (December 16, 2001), Harriet Klausner, review of First Comes Love; (March 10, 2002), Janice Bennett, review of Wish You Were Here; (March 11, 2002), Janice Bennett, review of First Comes Love; (December 10, 2002), Harriet Klausner, review of Then Comes Marriage; (December 20, 2003), Harriet Klausner, review of Do Not Disturb; (December 26, 2003), Lenore Howard, review of Do Not Disturb; (October 20, 2004), Morgan Chilson, review of The Thrill of It All; (November 15, 2004), Harriet Klausner, review of The Thrill of It All; (January 17, 2005), Kelly Hartsell, review of Mistletoe and Mayhem.

BookLoons,http://www.bookloons.com/ (March 17, 2008), Rashmi Srinivas, review of Do Not Disturb.

Christie Ridgway Home Page,http://www.christieridgway.com (March 17, 2008).

Contemporary Romance Writers,http://contemporaryromancewriters.com/ (March 17, 2008), review of The Thrill of It All.

Fresh Fiction,http://freshfiction.com/ (November 17, 2006), Samantha Andrick, review of Must Love Mistletoe; (December 11, 2006), Samantha Andrick, review of Not Another New Year's; (March 17, 2008), author profile.

Romance Reader,http://www.theromancereader.com/ (March 17, 2008), Mary Benn, review of An Offer He Can't Refuse; Amanda Waters, review of The Care and Feeding of Unmarried Men; Cathy Sova, review of Do Not Disturb; B. Kathy Leitle, review of First Comes Love; Susan Scribner, review of Wish You Were Here.

Romance Reader at Heart,http://romancereaderatheart.com/ (March 17, 2008), Debbie Jett, review of Not Another New Year's.

Romance Review,http://www.aromancereview.com/ (March 17, 2008), review of Must Love Mistletoe; review of The Thrill of It All; review of The Care and Feeding of Unmarried Men; review of An Offer He Can't Refuse; review of Do Not Disturb; review of Then Comes Marriage.

Romantic Times Online,http://www.romantictimes.com/ (March 17, 2008), Jill M. Smith, review of Wish You Were Here; Jill M. Smith, review of Then Comes Marriage; Shannon Short, review of The Wedding Date; Jill M. Smith, review of The Thrill of It All; Catherine Witmer, review of The Reckoning; Jill M. Smith, review of The Perfect Kiss; Shannon Short, review of The Millionaire and the Pregnant Pauper; Marilyn Weigel, review of The Care and Feeding of Unmarried Men; Shannon Short, review of The Bridesmaid's Bet; Catherine Witmer, review of Right by Her Side; Shannon Short, review of Ready, Set … Baby!; Marilyn Weigel, review of Not Another New Year's; Marilyn Weigel, review of Must Love Mistletoe; Pamela Cohen, review of Mad Enough to Marry; Pamela Cohen, review of In Love with Her Boss; Pat Cooper, review of His Forbidden Fiancee; Shannon Short, review of Have Baby, Will Marry; Shannon Short, review of Follow That Groom!; Jill M. Smith, review of First Comes Love; Jill M. Smith, review of Do Not Disturb; Shannon Short, review of Big Bad Dad; Pamela Cohen, review of Beginning with Baby; Marilyn Weigel, review of An Offer He Can't Refuse.