Title: Chasing Christmas
Author: Shanna Hatfield
Genre: Holiday Romance
Blurb:
He certainly didn't ask Santa for a bride. . .
He certainly didn't ask Santa for a bride. . .
Professional bull rider Chase Jarrett has the world by a string. The only blight in his idyllic existence is his nosy cousin’s nonstop nagging about his need for more publicity. Tired of listening to her suggestions, he gives her free rein when she hatches a plan to skyrocket his popularity. All he has to do is show up for a phony wedding in Las Vegas. Then Chase discovers the wedding was real, the surprise bride is beautiful, and his sponsors are demanding he remain married.
Shy and introverted, the last thing Jessie Pierce wants is to find herself in the spotlight. But thanks to a meddling so-called best friend, that’s exactly where she’s at. The promise of an all-expenses paid vacation to Las Vegas lures her on an adventure that ends with her unexpectedly married to a hunky bull rider who would draw her out of her shell if she’d let him.
A business proposal leaves the two of them committed to a year of marriage. How hard could it be to remain wed in name only?
Wrap yourself up in the joy of holidays and falling in love in this sweet, lighthearted romance from USA Today Bestselling author Shanna Hatfield.
USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes character-driven romances with relatable heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”
Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, this hopeless romantic is out to make it happen one story at a time. When she isn’t writing or indulging in chocolate (dark and decadent, please), Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.
Shanna is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, Romance Writers of America, Sweet Romance Reads, Cowboy Kisses, and Pioneer Hearts.
Author Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShannaHatfield
“Jessie and I aren’t really married.”
Huck and the other cowboy exchanged glances. “Oh, yes you are.”
“What?” Chase tipped his chair over as he lunged to his feet. “What do you mean we’re really married?”
Ashley looked as panicked as Chase felt and Jessie’s face had lost all color. Stacey handed her a glass of water and ordered her to take a sip.
“Here.” Mara Powell handed him her phone. “There’s a clip of the pastor who married you talking on the news earlier. He clearly states it was a real wedding.”
Chase watched as Pastor Randall talked to the reporter about marrying them, what a nice ceremony it was, and how he wished them many years of happiness. When the reporter asked about it being a publicity stunt, the pastor smiled and said he couldn’t recall the last time he’d seen a couple so much in love. Clearly, Pastor Randall needed to be committed to the loony bin.
“How did this happen?” he growled, glaring at his cousin. “What did you do?”
“I… I… this isn’t… I didn’t know…” Ashley stammered. “Pastor Randall must have misunderstood what we needed him to do. He must have…”
“Why did you hire a real pastor?” Chase clenched his jaw to keep from shouting in frustration. “I thought you hired an actor.”
“I wanted it to seem as realistic as possible and Pastor Randall came highly recommended. I didn’t realize… I thought he…” Ashley sniffed and burst into tears, burying her face in the napkin Stacey handed her.
Jessie remained wide-eyed and silent, as though she couldn’t process what had transpired. In his fury, Chase glared at her. “Did you know? Did you plan it that way? You wanted to catch a rodeo star, is that it? Did you corner the pastor before the ceremony and talk him into making it real?” He jerked off his hat and ran a hand through his hair. “Was this sweet and innocent thing all an act until you could get your hands on my assets and worm your way into my life? What’s wrong with you?”
Hurt flashed through her eyes but she didn’t lose her composure. Her face paled to a startling shade of white as she slowly rose to her feet although her voice remained politely calm. “Mr. Jarrett, I had nothing to do with this misunderstanding, nor do I have any desire to be married to such an egotistical, obnoxious, vainglorious man. I’m sure there is a way to be granted an annulment since the only way this marriage would be considered real is over my dead, cold body. Good night.”
With that, she grabbed Stacey’s arm in her hand, hauled her friend to her feet, and marched out the door with more starch in her spine than Chase would have deemed her capable of possessing.
The people around them remained stone-faced and quiet until Huck couldn’t contain a grin. “Like I said earlier, Chase, I think you’ve found just the right girl for you.”
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