Silhouette, February 2003

When the INS threatens to send beautiful waitress Ginger Walton back to Estonia, Joe Turner gets into the rescuing mode. A Las Vegas wedding later and it's all legal--but Joe starts wondering whether a fake marriage is enough. He knows he's way too old for Ginger, and that he'd be a heel to take advantage of her when she only married him to avoid deportation, but he can't help feeling the sensual attraction between them. It can't be love, of course, but...

Marriage may have helped with Ginger's immigration status, but she has other problems. Her mother is in league with New York gangsters and intends to turn Ginger over to one of them, even if they have to kidnap her to make it happen. And Joe's overprotectiveness threatens to keep her from the work and school that she needs to feel worthwhile. Still, she's never been part of a real family before, and Joe's family makes her feel welcome. Of course, there's more to a marriage than family, and Ginger is interested in that as well--really interested.

Author Judy Christenberry (see more BooksForABuck.com reviews of novels by Judy Christenberry) is one of the best for 'fairy tale' romance and THE LAST BACHELOR is a wonderful example. Joe serves as romantic lead and fairy godmother, forcing Ginger to shop, insisting that she stop working, and being the protective male to perfection. With her legal problems, her work ethic, and her difficulties with the mob, Ginger is strongly sympathetic leading the reader to be certain that she'll rein in some of Joe's chauvinism.

Four Stars

Reviewed 12/09/02

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