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Hometown Heroes #4
The Daddy Catch
Jess Cofer isn't fixing for a fight. All the single mom wants is to run her fly fishing shop and preserve unspoiled Phelps Cove, Florida, for future generations. Too bad Dan Hamilton doesn't see it that way. It looks as if the tall, dark and sexy surgeon is in favor of handing over the endangered habitat to greedy developers!
Dan would love to get on his gorgeous new fishing instructor's good sideif she has one. But he can't throw away this opportunity to fulfill his dream to build a safe haven for foster teens. Dan knows that when it comes to the truly important things like love and family, he and Jess are on the same side. Will she forgive him when she learns what he's been hiding?
- GenresRomance
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
138 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Leigh Duncan
51 books243 followersLeigh Duncan is an Amazon best-selling author and a National Readers' Choice Award winner, the author of more than two dozen novels, novellas and short stories. However, the biggest thrill of her career--so far!--came when she saw her book, Journey Back to Christmas, featured on the Home and Family Show after Hallmark Publishing chose Journey to introduce its new line of romance novels. Her newest Hallmark Publishing release, A Simple Wedding, and her upcoming A Cottage Wedding (6/2/20) are the first of several books in Leigh's Heart's Landing series. These sweet, contemporary romances take place in a small town known as America's Top Wedding Destination, and each book centers on one couple who fall in love in Heart's Landing.
Leigh lives on Central Florida's East Coast where she loves to stay in touch with readers through social media. Find her at www.facebook.com/LeighDuncanBooks, or visit her website at www.leighduncan.com.
Leigh lives on Central Florida's East Coast where she loves to stay in touch with readers through social media. Find her at www.facebook.com/LeighDuncanBooks, or visit her website at www.leighduncan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 25, 2011
This is a story about the dreams of youth not living up to the spotlight of adult reality. It explores what a man is willing to give up and how far he will go in his pursuit of the perfect life, and readers find out if a woman can derail it all with a fishing pole.
Dan’s character certainly has depth and substance. He survived being a kid with no parents, being dumped into the foster care system and, through determined grit and perseverance plus the guidance of a loving couple, made something of himself in spite of it all. There’s a lot to like about his personality. He’s got a big heart and Ms. Duncan made that very clear to readers. His dialogue shines whenever he interacts with Jess, the heroine. His conflict is mostly internal. He has to face some ethical and moral dilemmas which will affect not only him but others as well. It’s a heavy responsibility and he shoulders it well. Yes he makes a few mistakes but that made his character more believable and interesting.
Jess is a single mom with a couple of passionate interests. The first is her son and the second is the land that borders her fishing grounds. She’s driven, protective and, as such, is blinded to some of her faults. Her conflict is a combination of external and internal. Outside forces push her to action and eventually she realizes not everything she does is altruistic. Jess was graceful about eating humble pie, eventually.
The author certainly knows her way around fly fishing. The details were specific and numerous and after awhile I accepted that about this story. Jess’s job is to teach Dan how to fish and since my own family has taken up the hobby, I have since come to understand that there is a unique language to it and it takes some getting used to. Humor abounds. Another detail that I was impressed with is the author’s understanding about the deficiencies and injustice with the foster care system. I’d read about it in the news so I know it’s real. Ms. Duncan tackled a sticky wicket with grace and consideration. I wish more people were like Dan and the solution as wonderful as what Jess did to bring it about. It was a strong emotional hook.
Another aspect of The Daddy Catch that I appreciated was how Ms. Duncan handled the presence of Adam, Jess’s little son. He’s an adorable character and very much present throughout the book. His character wasn’t a prop but an integral character to the romance. He was the bridge that eventually brought the two together by opening Jess’s eyes to the man Dan really was. Dan’s interaction with Adam presents readers with a clear picture of how appropriate and qualified the hero is to be a male role model for an impressionable child. The author’s writing made that very clear.
As much as I adored this story, I ran up against a question mark. There is sensual tension and a strong growing love between the characters, of that I have no doubt. Ms. Duncan wrote a wonderful romance. What made me pause was the revelation at the end. It’s sweet and it makes the happily ever after practically perfect. But it stems from something that obviously happened a bit earlier in the book but it was so obscure, I missed it. I re-read the book three times to find it. It’s one sentence, a breathless moment, and once I found it I was fine. But no paragraph actually explores it. If there are any readers like me who completely missed the clue, I can assure you the happily ever after is wonderful and it makes sense.
The Daddy Catch is a romance with heart. Ms. Duncan was thorough in her details in bringing Jess’s world to life. I loved the part about the manatee and enjoyed Dan’s discomfort and rebounding enthusiasm at his first class. The author provided so many endearing touches to bring her characters to life and it made my reading experience richer. I found the secondary characters to be well placed and plotted out and thought Sam was a dear. This book has a lot of personality and Ms. Duncan took the time to create a romance peppered with engaging scenes that grab the empathy and imagination within a reader. It’s well done and worth spending time with.
originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
Dan’s character certainly has depth and substance. He survived being a kid with no parents, being dumped into the foster care system and, through determined grit and perseverance plus the guidance of a loving couple, made something of himself in spite of it all. There’s a lot to like about his personality. He’s got a big heart and Ms. Duncan made that very clear to readers. His dialogue shines whenever he interacts with Jess, the heroine. His conflict is mostly internal. He has to face some ethical and moral dilemmas which will affect not only him but others as well. It’s a heavy responsibility and he shoulders it well. Yes he makes a few mistakes but that made his character more believable and interesting.
Jess is a single mom with a couple of passionate interests. The first is her son and the second is the land that borders her fishing grounds. She’s driven, protective and, as such, is blinded to some of her faults. Her conflict is a combination of external and internal. Outside forces push her to action and eventually she realizes not everything she does is altruistic. Jess was graceful about eating humble pie, eventually.
The author certainly knows her way around fly fishing. The details were specific and numerous and after awhile I accepted that about this story. Jess’s job is to teach Dan how to fish and since my own family has taken up the hobby, I have since come to understand that there is a unique language to it and it takes some getting used to. Humor abounds. Another detail that I was impressed with is the author’s understanding about the deficiencies and injustice with the foster care system. I’d read about it in the news so I know it’s real. Ms. Duncan tackled a sticky wicket with grace and consideration. I wish more people were like Dan and the solution as wonderful as what Jess did to bring it about. It was a strong emotional hook.
Another aspect of The Daddy Catch that I appreciated was how Ms. Duncan handled the presence of Adam, Jess’s little son. He’s an adorable character and very much present throughout the book. His character wasn’t a prop but an integral character to the romance. He was the bridge that eventually brought the two together by opening Jess’s eyes to the man Dan really was. Dan’s interaction with Adam presents readers with a clear picture of how appropriate and qualified the hero is to be a male role model for an impressionable child. The author’s writing made that very clear.
As much as I adored this story, I ran up against a question mark. There is sensual tension and a strong growing love between the characters, of that I have no doubt. Ms. Duncan wrote a wonderful romance. What made me pause was the revelation at the end. It’s sweet and it makes the happily ever after practically perfect. But it stems from something that obviously happened a bit earlier in the book but it was so obscure, I missed it. I re-read the book three times to find it. It’s one sentence, a breathless moment, and once I found it I was fine. But no paragraph actually explores it. If there are any readers like me who completely missed the clue, I can assure you the happily ever after is wonderful and it makes sense.
The Daddy Catch is a romance with heart. Ms. Duncan was thorough in her details in bringing Jess’s world to life. I loved the part about the manatee and enjoyed Dan’s discomfort and rebounding enthusiasm at his first class. The author provided so many endearing touches to bring her characters to life and it made my reading experience richer. I found the secondary characters to be well placed and plotted out and thought Sam was a dear. This book has a lot of personality and Ms. Duncan took the time to create a romance peppered with engaging scenes that grab the empathy and imagination within a reader. It’s well done and worth spending time with.
originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
February 18, 2015
Although I started reading Harlequin Romances quite a while ago, I would say that I am still a bit new to the genre. Of course I've heard so much about them throughout my time as a reader, but I hadn't had much experience with them up until recently.
Leigh Duncan, a wonderful Harlequin author, contacted me to read and review a few of her romances, I said yes, and took quite a liking to her stories. In fact, I loved them so much, and Leigh was so happy with my reviews, she even sent me more of her work!
Well, recently I had a lot of time on my hands with my recent move up the coast, and I binge-read all of my Leigh Duncan books.
ALL of them.
But I have to say my favorite of the lot was...The Daddy Catch.
The Daddy Catch was SO cute! I enjoyed every minute of it, and Ms Duncan's characters were positively lovable. Not to mention the heart-warming story line that made the perfect ending to such a sweet book. Doesn't every book need an ending like that?
One piece of land. Two people ready to fight over who's going to purchase it. Some, including Dan, the love interest, want the land to be developed and become something more than just a spot to fly-fish. But no one wants it more than Jess. Jess runs a fly-fishing shop that holds more than bait and tackle; it holds her heart. She's put more than blood, sweat, and tears into her shop and her low-key life, and she's not going to let this hunky surgeon, who wants to hand over the land to greedy developers, come into her life and ruin it all.
What will happen to this priceless land? And will Jess and Dan see past their differences and come together...as a family?
As I said, this book was SO cute. I adored every bit of it and was very sad to see it end.
Leigh Duncan, a wonderful Harlequin author, contacted me to read and review a few of her romances, I said yes, and took quite a liking to her stories. In fact, I loved them so much, and Leigh was so happy with my reviews, she even sent me more of her work!
Well, recently I had a lot of time on my hands with my recent move up the coast, and I binge-read all of my Leigh Duncan books.
ALL of them.
But I have to say my favorite of the lot was...The Daddy Catch.
The Daddy Catch was SO cute! I enjoyed every minute of it, and Ms Duncan's characters were positively lovable. Not to mention the heart-warming story line that made the perfect ending to such a sweet book. Doesn't every book need an ending like that?
One piece of land. Two people ready to fight over who's going to purchase it. Some, including Dan, the love interest, want the land to be developed and become something more than just a spot to fly-fish. But no one wants it more than Jess. Jess runs a fly-fishing shop that holds more than bait and tackle; it holds her heart. She's put more than blood, sweat, and tears into her shop and her low-key life, and she's not going to let this hunky surgeon, who wants to hand over the land to greedy developers, come into her life and ruin it all.
What will happen to this priceless land? And will Jess and Dan see past their differences and come together...as a family?
As I said, this book was SO cute. I adored every bit of it and was very sad to see it end.
July 15, 2018
An oasis among the Florida coastline is the draw in the next book in The Hometown Heroes Series. While not nearly my favorite in the series so far, Dan's story was still an emotionally heartfelt journey into the heart of a widowed mother, an adorable little boy and the man who can't imagine his life without them in it once they carve their place into it. The series so far has been a pleasure to read, but I do find it surprising we're not really seeing interaction between the main characters of each book. We see a small mention of them, but so far no meeting up.
Jessica Cofer has been doing it all on her own for a few years now. It's not easy being a single mother after her husband's death, but she's doing her best raise her son to be a strong, honorable little man. Her fly fishing business on the Florida coast is getting by, but her true passion lies in getting the conservation of a local favorite spot Phelps Cove completed.
Dan Hamilton is a successful surgeon, but he's looking forward to the day when he can make a change in the way foster kids age out of the system. He has an opportunity dropped into his lap that will allow him to raise the funding he needs faster than he ever thought possible, but when he goes to tour the proposed building site of a leading edge medical facility, he realizes it's in the midst of the land Jess wants to save. As circumstances lead him to grow closer to her and her son, will he change his mind on trying to buy the land out from under her, or will the opposite sides situation be more than their fledgling relationship can bear?
Jessica Cofer has been doing it all on her own for a few years now. It's not easy being a single mother after her husband's death, but she's doing her best raise her son to be a strong, honorable little man. Her fly fishing business on the Florida coast is getting by, but her true passion lies in getting the conservation of a local favorite spot Phelps Cove completed.
Dan Hamilton is a successful surgeon, but he's looking forward to the day when he can make a change in the way foster kids age out of the system. He has an opportunity dropped into his lap that will allow him to raise the funding he needs faster than he ever thought possible, but when he goes to tour the proposed building site of a leading edge medical facility, he realizes it's in the midst of the land Jess wants to save. As circumstances lead him to grow closer to her and her son, will he change his mind on trying to buy the land out from under her, or will the opposite sides situation be more than their fledgling relationship can bear?
March 2, 2012
The Daddy Catch by Leigh Duncan
Dan Hamilton is a surgeon who is interested in some land where he could build the medical center. The proceeds from that will fund the community center for foster kids who have aged out of the system. He is a mentor to many of them and as the original group of guys wants to go to Belize to fly fish he needs to learn how to. He wants to build condos.
Jess Cofer, widowed 5 years ago runs her late husbands fly fishing store. She wants to only preserve the land where the shop is located. She is all into the preserving of the land.
She agrees to teach him how to fly fish after taking a Saturday lesson with dads and their kids. He takes private lessons one day a week, then teaches the foster kids what he's learned.
She's helping him locate equipment for the foster kids on learn with.
Besides the romance I do like this book a lot, takes me to places i've never been, very descriptive area.
Also i feel with what i've read about fly fishing in this book that i could probably cast and not be too bad at it. Again very descriptive about that, the fish, the equipment, how to tie flies, beach areas, scenery of Florida makes this a well rounded book to read.
Dan really gets along with her son Adam and includes him when he can.
July 20, 2018
Dan ( The Hometown Heroes Series-Book 3 )
by; Leigh Duncan
Dan is book three in The Hometown Series by Leigh Duncan. I love these Hometown Heroes. I have read all thee books in the series, but you can read one without the other with no problems. Ms. Duncan takes me to something that I have never did before, Fly fishing. I do fish and love it. I laughed while reading Dan and then there was other times that I was holding my breath. I was hooked at the start and was not disappointed. This is Dan and Jessica’s story. Dan is a handsome and very good Thoracic Surgeon and wants to help Foster kids. Jessica is a feisty fly fishing instructor ,widowed and raising her young son. I loved this little boy from the start. Dan and Jess are different , but when they meet the temperature between them rises. Is there more to the handsome doctor than meets the eye?
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.
by; Leigh Duncan
Dan is book three in The Hometown Series by Leigh Duncan. I love these Hometown Heroes. I have read all thee books in the series, but you can read one without the other with no problems. Ms. Duncan takes me to something that I have never did before, Fly fishing. I do fish and love it. I laughed while reading Dan and then there was other times that I was holding my breath. I was hooked at the start and was not disappointed. This is Dan and Jessica’s story. Dan is a handsome and very good Thoracic Surgeon and wants to help Foster kids. Jessica is a feisty fly fishing instructor ,widowed and raising her young son. I loved this little boy from the start. Dan and Jess are different , but when they meet the temperature between them rises. Is there more to the handsome doctor than meets the eye?
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.
July 13, 2018
Dan by Leigh Duncan. book 3
Jess was going to help Henry with a preserve, a lasting memorial, for generations to come. He died before finalized, and his niece, has been talking to lawyers. Dan was now part of the insider circle, and they wanted an investment in this land. Dan also spent time, helping kids in foster care, having spent most of his life in one. Wanted money for his dream of helping kids, after eighteen. He wanted Jess to be his guide to learn about fly fishing and learned about her goal of saving the preserve. The changes for both Dan and Jess, whose dreams will be fulfilled, makes this an interesting heart felt story. Survival, and love for them as well as the foster care kids. GivenARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
Jess was going to help Henry with a preserve, a lasting memorial, for generations to come. He died before finalized, and his niece, has been talking to lawyers. Dan was now part of the insider circle, and they wanted an investment in this land. Dan also spent time, helping kids in foster care, having spent most of his life in one. Wanted money for his dream of helping kids, after eighteen. He wanted Jess to be his guide to learn about fly fishing and learned about her goal of saving the preserve. The changes for both Dan and Jess, whose dreams will be fulfilled, makes this an interesting heart felt story. Survival, and love for them as well as the foster care kids. GivenARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
July 30, 2018
This book took me a little longer to read due to it being emotional to me. I was a blubbering mess. Yes, Leigh Duncan turned on the water faucet so to speak. I was my dad's fishing partner from 5 years old until his health declined and he could no longer go fishing. This book definitely brought out those wonderful memories and how much I miss him.
Jessica's character is a strong and caring woman and mother. Her son is a perfect added bonus to this book. Dan is one hot doctor and has his eyes opened to something totally different when he meets Jessica. This book is heartfelt and heartwarming. I highly recommend reading this book.
Jessica's character is a strong and caring woman and mother. Her son is a perfect added bonus to this book. Dan is one hot doctor and has his eyes opened to something totally different when he meets Jessica. This book is heartfelt and heartwarming. I highly recommend reading this book.
July 13, 2018
Really enjoying this series! Interesting characters with very different backgrounds and issues. Jess certainly has much to learn about letting go of the past and developing a positive attitude in dealing with people so she can be truly happy. Dan's past has also scarred him, but he has risen above it and made huge strides towards a successful future. Can they work together towards a common goal they can both share a future in? Have to read it to find out. I thought the story was a little slow getting into but then picked up for a great ending.
July 24, 2011
What a sweet romance filled with real characters and real issues. I love when an author can deliver that to readers, and Ms. Duncan has delivered it within the pages of The Daddy Catch. Not to mention that I learned a bit about fly fishing as well! This is a definite recommended read for your bookshelf.
Matilda
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookRevi...
Matilda
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookRevi...
September 26, 2011
For someone who desn't like romances, fishing, and especially kids I really enjoyed this book. I thought I would have to make myself push through it bc I am used to reading mysteries, but honestly I didnt have to! I kept needing to know what was going to happen next! It was a cute easy read and I loved it. Jess' "suprise" at the end I could have lived without. But I guess it has to do with me not liking children!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2019
Against All Odds
This is another winner from Leigh Duncan! Her characters are so real and vibrant, I find myself cheering for them every time. I love this author's description of the fly fishing scenes. Although I have never fished, I could feel and see each detail. Jess's strength and stubbornness is a perfect balance to Dan's pride and toughness. It's a very sweet story of love winning despite obstacles.
This is another winner from Leigh Duncan! Her characters are so real and vibrant, I find myself cheering for them every time. I love this author's description of the fly fishing scenes. Although I have never fished, I could feel and see each detail. Jess's strength and stubbornness is a perfect balance to Dan's pride and toughness. It's a very sweet story of love winning despite obstacles.
December 10, 2018
Dan review
Dan is the third sweet romantic book in The Hometown Heroes series written by author Leigh Duncan. The characters are very likeable.
Dan is the third sweet romantic book in The Hometown Heroes series written by author Leigh Duncan. The characters are very likeable.
August 13, 2011
Starts out setting up Jess Cofer (single mom who owns a fishing supply store who's trying to get a patch of land declared a wildlife preserve in memory of her late husband and one of their close friends) and Dan Hamilton (thoracic surgeon who's a foster kid made good whose dream is to found a transitional facility for kids who age out of the system) on opposite sides of an issue. Of course they're almost immediately attracted to each other but it is clear that they have quite a major hurdle to conquer first. Ms. Duncan does a lovely job with their characters, and draws the story to a satisfying close.
That said, there is a conflict near the end that irritated me because it was one of those "jump to conclusions without letting the other person explain" problems. Fortunately that doesn't drag out too long, and I do look forward to more from Ms. Duncan.
That said, there is a conflict near the end that irritated me because it was one of those "jump to conclusions without letting the other person explain" problems. Fortunately that doesn't drag out too long, and I do look forward to more from Ms. Duncan.
November 15, 2020
How did Dan get it so wrong?
Dan is an amazing guy, a foster kid who has managed to realise almost all his dreams, with one last dream left before he can focus on his own life, he meets Jess.
And she makes him question everything, his views about The Aegean, the type of wife he wants, what he is really providing for the foster kids and what he wants for his future. She brings him to his knees...and his senses, making an already great man into an amazing man. Can that man provide her with everything she didn't know she wanted for her future?
Both Dan and the very cute Adam will steal your heart along with Jess's, and the bonus? This book is available on Kindle Unlimited...fantastic!
Dan is an amazing guy, a foster kid who has managed to realise almost all his dreams, with one last dream left before he can focus on his own life, he meets Jess.
And she makes him question everything, his views about The Aegean, the type of wife he wants, what he is really providing for the foster kids and what he wants for his future. She brings him to his knees...and his senses, making an already great man into an amazing man. Can that man provide her with everything she didn't know she wanted for her future?
Both Dan and the very cute Adam will steal your heart along with Jess's, and the bonus? This book is available on Kindle Unlimited...fantastic!
April 1, 2021
Loved this book!
I really enjoyed this story, the fly fishing description was totally awesome! Took me back to river fishing with my Grandfather in Wyoming! I loved the storyline and clean romance too!
I really enjoyed this story, the fly fishing description was totally awesome! Took me back to river fishing with my Grandfather in Wyoming! I loved the storyline and clean romance too!
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June 30, 2016Miniseries: Fatherhood
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