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Hometown Heroes #1
Rodeo Daughter
Will the scars of the past trample any hope they have of a future together?Former rodeo sensation Amanda Markette is about to face the ride of her life. She’s hung up her spurs and is now blazing a trail across a new a career in family law. Yet her resolve is shaken when she discovers that her new client’s ex-husband is none other than her childhood flame, the rugged and steadfast Mitch Godwin.
Far more comfortable prosecuting criminals than defending himself in family court, Mitch is determined to win full custody of the daughter he’s single-handedly raised for the past four years. But just when he can least afford a distraction, Amanda gallops back into his life, stirring up the long-buried desires and emotions of his first true love. Those bonds beckon both Mitch and Amanda to tear down the walls they’ve built around their hearts.
But, as the drama in the courtroom unfolds, the secret Amanda has carefully guarded for fifteen years threatens to break loose. The revelation could either be the lasso that pulls Mitch and Amanda together or the stampede that tears them apart forever. Can their hearts—and their love—withstand the truth?
Far more comfortable prosecuting criminals than defending himself in family court, Mitch is determined to win full custody of the daughter he’s single-handedly raised for the past four years. But just when he can least afford a distraction, Amanda gallops back into his life, stirring up the long-buried desires and emotions of his first true love. Those bonds beckon both Mitch and Amanda to tear down the walls they’ve built around their hearts.
But, as the drama in the courtroom unfolds, the secret Amanda has carefully guarded for fifteen years threatens to break loose. The revelation could either be the lasso that pulls Mitch and Amanda together or the stampede that tears them apart forever. Can their hearts—and their love—withstand the truth?
- GenresRomance
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published June 12, 2012
38 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Leigh Duncan
51 books246 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 14, 2018
The idea of a romance between a male lawyer and a female lawyer who is trying to wrench away his custody of his beloved daughter while representing the mother the daughter hasn't seen in four years is just disgusting to me.
I want to read about romance, not legal battles.
Also, reading about child custody cases always makes me anxious and nauseous. There's no writing that could have me believe he'd be canoodling with the opposing counsel who is trying to take away custody of his beloved daughter. Just no way in hell.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES:
Contemporary Romance
Cowboy/Western Romance
Non-Virgin Heroine
Second Chance Romance
Lawyer Romance
He's a Lawyer, She's a Lawyer
I want to read about romance, not legal battles.
Also, reading about child custody cases always makes me anxious and nauseous. There's no writing that could have me believe he'd be canoodling with the opposing counsel who is trying to take away custody of his beloved daughter. Just no way in hell.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES:
Contemporary Romance
Cowboy/Western Romance
Non-Virgin Heroine
Second Chance Romance
Lawyer Romance
He's a Lawyer, She's a Lawyer
April 30, 2012
Very good book, and very emotional. Amanda took the job with Mitch's ex-wife not knowing that's who she was. She had a hard time believing that Mitch was the person that Karen described, but her job was to watch out for the welfare of the child. Mitch was stunned and furious when Amanda's efforts gave Karen visitation, then an accident gone wrong gave Karen temporary full custody, with supervised visitation for Mitch. Amanda ended up being the one to do the supervising. During these visitations, Amanda and Mitch got to know each other and came to care for each other. But because of their roles, they couldn't do anything about it. I really didn't like Karen at the beginning. She was a selfish person, only out to get what she could from Mitch, but she changed for the better thanks to Amanda's and Mitch's influence. Mitch had to learn to create more balance in his life to give his daughter what she needed. Amanda needed to realize that not everyone was as self-centered as her father, and judge people on their own merits. I was happy to see the way things worked out at the end, but it was a close thing.
November 19, 2017
Enjoyable read with ups and downs during a custody battle, child abuse allegations and a second chance at love. Two lawyers meet after 15 years apart and are on opposite sides of a custody battle and manage to achieve true love at last!
May 18, 2015
Good romance story.
February 2, 2015
They were 16 that summer--the fateful summer they met at camp. She was already well on her way to being a superstar of the rodeo circuit, and he was rightfully dazzled by her looks, her athletic ability, and her intelligence. She returned his love that perfect couple of weeks without restraint. How could he simply walk away when camp ended without so much as a backward glance?
They got on with their lives. She traded rodeo nights for long days in law school and an eventual practice in the arena of family law. He, too, went to work as a lawyer. Years have passed since that summer, but although he walked away from her after his life fell apart, he never forgot. Even after a failed marriage that brought him a treasured daughter, he never forgot fellow camper Amanda.
Nick has been raising his child as a single dad for years. He gets word that his ex-wife is back after a long absence, and she wants full custody of the girl. Worse yet, her lawyer is the lovely Amanda Markette, and she will be a formidable opponent. For Amanda, being around Nick again reminds her of all the reasons she has stayed clear of romantic entanglements since that perfect summer. Nick is far too focused on his job. Granted, he loves the little girl--treasures every minute they have, but all too often, the job calls, and the child hangs with the housekeeper.
Amanda understands what it is to have a jerk for a dad. She has dealt with her own father's selfishness for years, and his inability to be proud of her for the good decisions she has made over the years tears at her in so many ways.
Ironically enough, the court determines that Nick is not fit to have his daughter on a permanent basis since Mom is back in town. a playground accident was the catalyst that brought about a most unfortunate ruling for Nick. But the court said he could have supervised visits with the child, as long as Amanda supervised those visits. Naturally, that throws the former lovers together under circumstances that can't help but revive and nurture what once existed albeit briefly.
This is a quick read that ends satisfactorily. If you prefer your books to be free of pre-marital sexual encounters and/or profanity, you could read this with no real problem. The thing is, the author does a nice job of creating a true-to-life situation in which a perfectly innocent trip to a playground becomes a nightmare for a single dad. She implicitly reminds the reader of the all-powerful position of government investigators who are every bit as capable of jumping to conclusions as anyone else with devastating results. Indeed, it is ultimately Amanda who has the power to positively change the situation in which Nick and his daughter find themselves. You'll cheer for both of them, and even the ex-wife, Karen, morphs into someone you can cheer for, and it happens rather believably.
They got on with their lives. She traded rodeo nights for long days in law school and an eventual practice in the arena of family law. He, too, went to work as a lawyer. Years have passed since that summer, but although he walked away from her after his life fell apart, he never forgot. Even after a failed marriage that brought him a treasured daughter, he never forgot fellow camper Amanda.
Nick has been raising his child as a single dad for years. He gets word that his ex-wife is back after a long absence, and she wants full custody of the girl. Worse yet, her lawyer is the lovely Amanda Markette, and she will be a formidable opponent. For Amanda, being around Nick again reminds her of all the reasons she has stayed clear of romantic entanglements since that perfect summer. Nick is far too focused on his job. Granted, he loves the little girl--treasures every minute they have, but all too often, the job calls, and the child hangs with the housekeeper.
Amanda understands what it is to have a jerk for a dad. She has dealt with her own father's selfishness for years, and his inability to be proud of her for the good decisions she has made over the years tears at her in so many ways.
Ironically enough, the court determines that Nick is not fit to have his daughter on a permanent basis since Mom is back in town. a playground accident was the catalyst that brought about a most unfortunate ruling for Nick. But the court said he could have supervised visits with the child, as long as Amanda supervised those visits. Naturally, that throws the former lovers together under circumstances that can't help but revive and nurture what once existed albeit briefly.
This is a quick read that ends satisfactorily. If you prefer your books to be free of pre-marital sexual encounters and/or profanity, you could read this with no real problem. The thing is, the author does a nice job of creating a true-to-life situation in which a perfectly innocent trip to a playground becomes a nightmare for a single dad. She implicitly reminds the reader of the all-powerful position of government investigators who are every bit as capable of jumping to conclusions as anyone else with devastating results. Indeed, it is ultimately Amanda who has the power to positively change the situation in which Nick and his daughter find themselves. You'll cheer for both of them, and even the ex-wife, Karen, morphs into someone you can cheer for, and it happens rather believably.
September 11, 2012
After working her butt off in the rodeo to please her father, Amanda Markette has grown up to be a lawyer that involves children and families as her clients. She has recently taken on a new client but is most surprised to find Mitch, her teenage sweetheart, as the defendant.
Mitch will do anything to keep his daughter with him. He's a responsible single father and doesn't care for his sweet daughter's mother. But when his daughter is injured on the playground and he's slammed with a child abuse case, it seems that the court won't be ruling in his favor any time soon...
The plot was pretty good. But the only reason I was reading this book was to find out if Mitch got his daughter or not--Amanda, as the heroine, didn't do it for me. She was average, sarcastic, and not even interested in Mitch until the end.
It seems that Ms. Duncan forgot about the whole concept of romance until the last few pages. In fact, she had me so engrossed by the court case that I was jolted into the romance when Amanda makes things right with Mitch.
I really wish the romance had developed slowly along the way and blossomed into something spectacular at the end. I also wish Amanda had been an intelligent, loveable heroine worthy of Mitch. But unfortunately, neither of these things happened, so I was left with a book that only kept me turning the pages because of a court case.
~Harlequin Romance Reviews
Mitch will do anything to keep his daughter with him. He's a responsible single father and doesn't care for his sweet daughter's mother. But when his daughter is injured on the playground and he's slammed with a child abuse case, it seems that the court won't be ruling in his favor any time soon...
The plot was pretty good. But the only reason I was reading this book was to find out if Mitch got his daughter or not--Amanda, as the heroine, didn't do it for me. She was average, sarcastic, and not even interested in Mitch until the end.
It seems that Ms. Duncan forgot about the whole concept of romance until the last few pages. In fact, she had me so engrossed by the court case that I was jolted into the romance when Amanda makes things right with Mitch.
I really wish the romance had developed slowly along the way and blossomed into something spectacular at the end. I also wish Amanda had been an intelligent, loveable heroine worthy of Mitch. But unfortunately, neither of these things happened, so I was left with a book that only kept me turning the pages because of a court case.
~Harlequin Romance Reviews
April 25, 2017
I loved this story of lost love rewound. Amanda was a rodeo star with her families business but was so unhappy that she went to school to be a lawyer specializing in family law. She is really happy with her life and career until she is hired to represent a lady trying to get her daughter back from her estranged husband. Who just happens to be the guy she fell in love with back in high school. Mitch who is a lawyer to is representing himself against Amanda. Sparks fly in court and out.
This was such a well written story and page turner. I loved all the characters especially Hailey the little girl everyone is fighting for and even the ex-wife.
I highly recommend the book.
This was such a well written story and page turner. I loved all the characters especially Hailey the little girl everyone is fighting for and even the ex-wife.
I highly recommend the book.
February 12, 2024
i'm kind of torn, i don't really like the book but not to the point that i hate it. i just felt that the execution isn't executed well enough...
firstly, each chapter is way too long. it could have been split into a few chapters since it switches pov either way. secondly, there are some kind of background story on the heroine but there wasn't much on the hero. thirdly, there is the conflicting portrayed image of the heroine, she seems arrogant and kind of like a "miss know-it-all" but she can't seem to deal with her father. tsk... lastly is the relationship between the hero and heroine, they might had been together fifteen years ago but in the present, the spark felt superficial. as usual, there will always be the "we shouldn't do this, shouldn't do that" but nobody really adheres to it. the hero's ex-wife wasn't what i expected though, was expecting a total bitch till the end but she "changed". pff...
firstly, each chapter is way too long. it could have been split into a few chapters since it switches pov either way. secondly, there are some kind of background story on the heroine but there wasn't much on the hero. thirdly, there is the conflicting portrayed image of the heroine, she seems arrogant and kind of like a "miss know-it-all" but she can't seem to deal with her father. tsk... lastly is the relationship between the hero and heroine, they might had been together fifteen years ago but in the present, the spark felt superficial. as usual, there will always be the "we shouldn't do this, shouldn't do that" but nobody really adheres to it. the hero's ex-wife wasn't what i expected though, was expecting a total bitch till the end but she "changed". pff...
March 10, 2024
Mitch
This was a great story. Mitch was an attorney with a young daughter. He had a nanny who cared for his daughtre. Problem arrised whrn his ex- wife decided she wanted custody of their daughter. It was mostly about money. After she had broken up with her lover, she wanted her daughter. More to come to solve this issue. Enjoy .
This was a great story. Mitch was an attorney with a young daughter. He had a nanny who cared for his daughtre. Problem arrised whrn his ex- wife decided she wanted custody of their daughter. It was mostly about money. After she had broken up with her lover, she wanted her daughter. More to come to solve this issue. Enjoy .
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June 30, 2016Miniseries: Fatherhood
Category: Heart & Home
RT Top Pick! "Readers better hold on to the tissue box during Duncan's heart-wrenching look at modern custody issues." RT Book Review, rated 4 1/2 stars
Category: Heart & Home
RT Top Pick! "Readers better hold on to the tissue box during Duncan's heart-wrenching look at modern custody issues." RT Book Review, rated 4 1/2 stars
March 23, 2024
4.5 stars
Amanda’s hangups from her parents just about made me stop reading. I loved Mitch’s strength and love for his daughter. I liked the ending. Amanda should have had clearer thinking that would have avoided a lot of heartache.
Amanda’s hangups from her parents just about made me stop reading. I loved Mitch’s strength and love for his daughter. I liked the ending. Amanda should have had clearer thinking that would have avoided a lot of heartache.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews