Confirmed bachelor, Nathan Rutledge shut his heart to romance when he was forced to break the heart of the only woman he ever truly loved. Now, with his father’s retirement from the family conglomerate, the torch has been passed to him. But there are two problems—first, he needs a wife in order to take over the family business. Second, someone has been embezzling company funds. With the pressure mounting, and time expiring to find both a wife he can trust and the thief, Nate needs a Christmas miracle.
Forensic Accountant, Meredith Mitchell’s life is in a shambles. Her mother needs a lifesaving transplant, Mom’s medical bills have bankrupted Meredith’s meager savings, and she’s sold everything of value, but it’s still not enough. To make matters worse, she’s now tasked with discovering accounting errors for a new client—none other than Nathan Rutledge—the same man who gave her a broken heart for Christmas eight years ago.
Meredith wants to run. Nate wants the chance to right his wrongs. So, naturally, when he proposes a modern-day marriage of convenience, she balks at the idea. But he desperately needs a wife, and she really needs the money he offers. Is this the answer to her prayers? Or will this mutually beneficial arrangement re-open old wounds that can’t be healed?
“Okay, you’re starting to drive me nuts. What is going on?” Meredith blew on her bare hands. She should’ve grabbed her gloves.
“I’ve been thinking. About me and the company. About you. How I need a wife. How you need money for your mom’s kidney transplant. It’s a perfect solution.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not following you. What’s perfect?”
After zipping his jacket, he clasped her cold hands in his large, warm ones. Shoot, his touch shouldn’t make her all fluttery. “Us. I think we should get married. I’d pay for your mom’s transplant and past-due hospital bills, and you’d help me retain the company. It’s a win-win.”
Her mouth hung open. “Wait. What? You want us to get married? You’re nuts!” She yanked her hands out of his grasp and stormed off the porch. She should’ve grabbed a hat, too.
“Meredith! Wait!”
She stopped in midstride next to his pickup. She had to keep it together. Not let him see the yearning in her eyes. Meredith inhaled, closed her eyes, and said a silent prayer.
He circled around her and lifted her chin with his forefinger. “Hey, I know I screwed up, and I’m truly sorry. Think of this as my way of apologizing.”
“What are you trying to do to me, Nate?” she whispered. Her mouth was dry, like she’d sucked on a hundred cotton balls.
“Nothing. Nothing at all. It’s a business proposition. We’ll call it the Mistletoe Contract.”
Shaking her head, she was certain she’d misunderstood him.
A hopeful romantic, Jennifer loves dark chocolate, Diet Coke, old movies and a good romantic movie. She loves to experiment with new recipes in the kitchen and when not cooking, she’s reading or conducting more research for her stories. Growing up in the snowy North, Christmas has always been her favorite holiday, with the scents of cinnamon, vanilla, and pine scenting the air.
She and her husband have been married for over 25 years and they are permitted to co-exist with their black rescue cat.
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Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting me today! Jennifer
ReplyDeleteWhat type of stories do you like to read? Friends to lovers, second chance, military romance, royals? I’m working on some story ideas. Let me know in the comments. Jennifer Chastain
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI love the cover and excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherry! When I got the proof back from the publisher I just fell in love with the cover! Jennifer
DeleteThis sounds really good
ReplyDeleteThanks Marisela. JenniferChastain
DeleteThe Mistletoe Contract by Jennifer Chastain sounds like a fun and entertaining book that many readers will be unable to put down.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Thanks Nancy - I had fun writing it. JenniferChastain
DeleteThe book sounds very interesting. Nice cover!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I fell in love with my story all over again when I saw the cover.
DeleteSounds like a great marriage of convenience story. I enjoyed the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks - hope you’ll pick it up and read it.
DeleteWhat inspires your book plot ideas?
ReplyDeleteSome of my stories are inspired by actual events. I look for inspiration from real life, because as the saying goes, truth can be stranger than fiction! The idea for this story came from watching Married at First Sight. I thought what if my couple knew each other but had to get married? From that idea spark, the story just developed
Deletegreat cover.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I love it.
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