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The Deputy's Second Chance: A Military Hero Small Town Romance
From Army Ranger to deputy to...daddy?
Two years ago, Flynn Chandler was medevac’d home from a covert military assignment. Now, the rancher and part-time deputy lives a solitary life as he struggles to overcome his past. When Megan Wheeler and her daughter, Emma, gently step into his world, they unexpectedly fill an emptiness inside him. As Flynn reluctantly falls for them, he wonders how far he’s willing to let himself go.
Meg doesn’t believe in second chances. After her abusive marriage, the widowed single mom carries scars that make trusting anyone with her heart feel impossible. But Meg’s no-pressure friendship with Flynn brings her comfort and…happiness. Maybe this time is different. Maybe this time, love is the only risk worth taking.
From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
The Cowboys of Whispering Canyon
Book 1: The Rancher's Temptation
Book 2: The Deputy's Second Chance
Book 3: The Soldier's Surprise Homecoming
Two years ago, Flynn Chandler was medevac’d home from a covert military assignment. Now, the rancher and part-time deputy lives a solitary life as he struggles to overcome his past. When Megan Wheeler and her daughter, Emma, gently step into his world, they unexpectedly fill an emptiness inside him. As Flynn reluctantly falls for them, he wonders how far he’s willing to let himself go.
Meg doesn’t believe in second chances. After her abusive marriage, the widowed single mom carries scars that make trusting anyone with her heart feel impossible. But Meg’s no-pressure friendship with Flynn brings her comfort and…happiness. Maybe this time is different. Maybe this time, love is the only risk worth taking.
From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
The Cowboys of Whispering Canyon
Book 1: The Rancher's Temptation
Book 2: The Deputy's Second Chance
Book 3: The Soldier's Surprise Homecoming
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published February 24, 2026
About the author
Brenda Harlen
414 books86 followersBrenda’s first love was reading.
According to her mother, she fell in love with books even before she could read and was always content when she had a book in her hands. It didn’t surprise anyone when she decided that she wanted to be a writer, but she was encouraged to pursue “a real job” first.
So she did—she became a lawyer. Two years of practicing law taught her a lot about the world—and reinforced her determination to become a writer. Because in fiction, she could promise a happy ending!
Thankfully, she had already met and married a wonderful man to inspire her fictional heroes. And when she was on maternity leave after the birth of their first son, he encouraged her to take a romance writing course at the local community college. It was while enrolled in this class that she completed her first (still unpublished) manuscript.
Three more manuscripts and another baby followed. And then, in June 2002, she finally got the call from Susan Litman—an editorial assistant and contest judge—offering to buy the manuscript she’d submitted to RWA’s Golden Heart® contest as “From This Moment.” This story was re-titled McIver’s Mission and released by Silhouette Intimate Moments in May 2003.
According to her mother, she fell in love with books even before she could read and was always content when she had a book in her hands. It didn’t surprise anyone when she decided that she wanted to be a writer, but she was encouraged to pursue “a real job” first.
So she did—she became a lawyer. Two years of practicing law taught her a lot about the world—and reinforced her determination to become a writer. Because in fiction, she could promise a happy ending!
Thankfully, she had already met and married a wonderful man to inspire her fictional heroes. And when she was on maternity leave after the birth of their first son, he encouraged her to take a romance writing course at the local community college. It was while enrolled in this class that she completed her first (still unpublished) manuscript.
Three more manuscripts and another baby followed. And then, in June 2002, she finally got the call from Susan Litman—an editorial assistant and contest judge—offering to buy the manuscript she’d submitted to RWA’s Golden Heart® contest as “From This Moment.” This story was re-titled McIver’s Mission and released by Silhouette Intimate Moments in May 2003.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 6, 2026
Another in the Cowboys of Whispering Canyon series, in which widow and nurse, Megan Wheeler, is intent on making a good life for her 4-year-old daughter whose night terrors have only recently begun to dissipate after observing her father abusing her mother.
Rancher and parttime deputy sheriff Flynn Chandler is fighting night terrors, too, after a military assignment went wrong, nearly killed him and has resulted in the disappearance of his best friend.
When Emma makes her Unca' Flynn smile, Meg doesn't dare not invite Flynn into her home when he needs a place to stay on those nights when he has deputy duties in town. Soon their friendship begins to blossom into something more, but can either of them agree that second chances are worth fighting for? Or will Emma's fifth birthday party be the last time Flynn comes around again?
Rancher and parttime deputy sheriff Flynn Chandler is fighting night terrors, too, after a military assignment went wrong, nearly killed him and has resulted in the disappearance of his best friend.
When Emma makes her Unca' Flynn smile, Meg doesn't dare not invite Flynn into her home when he needs a place to stay on those nights when he has deputy duties in town. Soon their friendship begins to blossom into something more, but can either of them agree that second chances are worth fighting for? Or will Emma's fifth birthday party be the last time Flynn comes around again?
March 2, 2026
out of all the harlequin books I got in my big box of books...this was the best one yet........
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews