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Little Girl Found
When a child was dropped on ex-detective Jack McCabe's doorstep, he vowed to guard her with his life. She had no one to claim her - except sexy caregiver Hailey Bishop. And both vulnerable ladies needed his protection from killers tying up loose ends - killers who might be dirty cops... Jack worried he wasn't the right man for this job - not since the accident that had stripped him of his badge, his life. But together they formed a fugitive family, working to keep one another safe...and Jack felt whole for the first time in years. Maybe he was the one who'd been found and rescued after all.
- GenresHarlequin
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2000
About the author
Jo Leigh
275 books96 followersaka Samantha Beckett
Jolie Kramer began her career in 1975 as a reader in the Comedy Development department for 20th-Century Fox. She left Fox in 1977 to go on location with THE DEER HUNTER. She then worked as an auditor, associate producer and producer on such projects as WHEN SHE SAYS NO for CBS, BEULAH LAND for NBC, GREAT AMERICAN TRAFFIC JAM for NBC and CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR for Jozak Productions. In 1987 she became head of development for the McCarran Film Corp., overseeing a roster of twelve feature films. As a screen writer, she’s had a series idea purchased by Cinemax, and has worked as a script consultant on more than 50 screenplays. Currently, her screenplay APACHE TEARS was optioned by Northern Lights Productions in Canada.
Jo Leigh's first Silhouette novel, SUSPECT, was awarded BEST FIRST SERIES BOOK by Romantic Times Magazine, garnered the 1994 ROMANCE WRITER OF THE YEAR award from Pike’s Peak RWA, and was a finalist for BEST ROMANTIC SUSPENSE NOVEL OF 1994 by Romance Writers of America. Her first Temptation novel, ONE WICKED NIGHT was a finalist for BEST SHORT CONTEMPORARY NOVEL OF 1998 by Romance Writers of America. She was invited to write one of the launch books for the Harlequin imprint, Blaze, with her book GOING FOR IT! Her 2006 Blaze RELENTLESS was a RITA finalist for BEST ROMANTIC SUSPENSE.
She also ghost-wrote GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL DOLL – THE ANNA NICOLE SMITH STORY for Barricade Books.
Jo teaches writing at workshops across the country and on-line, and is a frequent guest speaker at writing conferences. Her tape on Advanced Plotting from the Dallas Romance Writers of America conference is the best selling tape in RWA’s history.
Jo lives in an incredibly rural area of Utah where her many rescue dogs have room to run and play and her rescue cats are determined to win the International Shedding Award. She spends an inordinate amount of time reading about how the brain works, listening to music and trying not to kill the basil.
Jo's husband died of cancer on 13 June 2008, three years after they married, and whose medical bills are astronomical. Authors, editors, and bloggers have all donated a mess of items, from books to critiques to mentoring sessions to offer an item for the auction to benefit author Jo Leigh.
Jolie Kramer began her career in 1975 as a reader in the Comedy Development department for 20th-Century Fox. She left Fox in 1977 to go on location with THE DEER HUNTER. She then worked as an auditor, associate producer and producer on such projects as WHEN SHE SAYS NO for CBS, BEULAH LAND for NBC, GREAT AMERICAN TRAFFIC JAM for NBC and CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR for Jozak Productions. In 1987 she became head of development for the McCarran Film Corp., overseeing a roster of twelve feature films. As a screen writer, she’s had a series idea purchased by Cinemax, and has worked as a script consultant on more than 50 screenplays. Currently, her screenplay APACHE TEARS was optioned by Northern Lights Productions in Canada.
Jo Leigh's first Silhouette novel, SUSPECT, was awarded BEST FIRST SERIES BOOK by Romantic Times Magazine, garnered the 1994 ROMANCE WRITER OF THE YEAR award from Pike’s Peak RWA, and was a finalist for BEST ROMANTIC SUSPENSE NOVEL OF 1994 by Romance Writers of America. Her first Temptation novel, ONE WICKED NIGHT was a finalist for BEST SHORT CONTEMPORARY NOVEL OF 1998 by Romance Writers of America. She was invited to write one of the launch books for the Harlequin imprint, Blaze, with her book GOING FOR IT! Her 2006 Blaze RELENTLESS was a RITA finalist for BEST ROMANTIC SUSPENSE.
She also ghost-wrote GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL DOLL – THE ANNA NICOLE SMITH STORY for Barricade Books.
Jo teaches writing at workshops across the country and on-line, and is a frequent guest speaker at writing conferences. Her tape on Advanced Plotting from the Dallas Romance Writers of America conference is the best selling tape in RWA’s history.
Jo lives in an incredibly rural area of Utah where her many rescue dogs have room to run and play and her rescue cats are determined to win the International Shedding Award. She spends an inordinate amount of time reading about how the brain works, listening to music and trying not to kill the basil.
Jo's husband died of cancer on 13 June 2008, three years after they married, and whose medical bills are astronomical. Authors, editors, and bloggers have all donated a mess of items, from books to critiques to mentoring sessions to offer an item for the auction to benefit author Jo Leigh.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 17, 2019
Wounded cop Jack McCabe is handed a four year old girl by her father shortly before the father is murdered by men Jack suspects to be cops. He has no idea how to look after a little girl, but luckily, Hailey Bishop is the girl's babysitter, and she lives in the same building. The two are determined to keep the girl safe from the men who killed her father, as they still seem interested in getting their hands on her.
An okay romantic suspense tale that unfortunately is let down by a plot that doesn't go into enough detail, along with a too stupid to live heroine and a martyr hero. After a while, Jack McCabe really tested my last nerve. He's not able to work as a cop because of a bullet to the hip. He spends pretty much the entire book whining about this like a little cry-baby, complaining that he'll never be the same again, that he'll never be any good for anybody, ever ever ever...and on and on and on like that until I just wanted to jump into the pages of the book and thump him.
What I find heroic is the person who wakes up each day and fights against their circumstances. In my real life, I've known a few people who have battled cancer (which is far worse than anything Jack is dealing with) with grace and dignity. Some won the battle, some didn't. But they didn't stop living their lives with strength and hope. The way Jack carried on about his disability, often calling himself a cripple, was really unacceptable to me. Things could be a lot worse, Jack! And basically, if it weren't for Hailey coming along, he'd probably still be a pathetic little man-child about it. So he was basically irredeemable in that regard. Certainly not the worst Intrigue hero (which has contained "heroes" that stalk, hold heroines against their will, or drug them), but not one that I could get behind. He was a whiny, whinging little loser.
Hailey was alright, but a bit too stupid to live. "Hey, there are killers out there, but I'll just gallivant about to various apartments to get stuff I need," happened a bit too often. And beyond that, she was just a little bit too good to be true. I don't know anybody who would so patiently put up with Jack's sad-sack bullshit. That's what made this whole affair so icky. The only way Jack was able to "heal" was through this angelic character who pushed him, rather through any will of his own. Just what sort of pathetic loser is this guy?!?
The plot was no great shakes. It was mostly just Jack and Hailey hiding out, and Jack bemoaning his injury and generally making me wish the villains would find him and finish him off and put an end once and for all to his endless poor-me pity party. There's something to do with corrupt cops, a magnate's connection to the mob, and a ledger with details of money laundering, but it's all very, very vague.
And it's set in Texas. This was published in 2000, so not much has changed in 20 years worth of Intrigue books!
An okay romantic suspense tale that unfortunately is let down by a plot that doesn't go into enough detail, along with a too stupid to live heroine and a martyr hero. After a while, Jack McCabe really tested my last nerve. He's not able to work as a cop because of a bullet to the hip. He spends pretty much the entire book whining about this like a little cry-baby, complaining that he'll never be the same again, that he'll never be any good for anybody, ever ever ever...and on and on and on like that until I just wanted to jump into the pages of the book and thump him.
What I find heroic is the person who wakes up each day and fights against their circumstances. In my real life, I've known a few people who have battled cancer (which is far worse than anything Jack is dealing with) with grace and dignity. Some won the battle, some didn't. But they didn't stop living their lives with strength and hope. The way Jack carried on about his disability, often calling himself a cripple, was really unacceptable to me. Things could be a lot worse, Jack! And basically, if it weren't for Hailey coming along, he'd probably still be a pathetic little man-child about it. So he was basically irredeemable in that regard. Certainly not the worst Intrigue hero (which has contained "heroes" that stalk, hold heroines against their will, or drug them), but not one that I could get behind. He was a whiny, whinging little loser.
Hailey was alright, but a bit too stupid to live. "Hey, there are killers out there, but I'll just gallivant about to various apartments to get stuff I need," happened a bit too often. And beyond that, she was just a little bit too good to be true. I don't know anybody who would so patiently put up with Jack's sad-sack bullshit. That's what made this whole affair so icky. The only way Jack was able to "heal" was through this angelic character who pushed him, rather through any will of his own. Just what sort of pathetic loser is this guy?!?
The plot was no great shakes. It was mostly just Jack and Hailey hiding out, and Jack bemoaning his injury and generally making me wish the villains would find him and finish him off and put an end once and for all to his endless poor-me pity party. There's something to do with corrupt cops, a magnate's connection to the mob, and a ledger with details of money laundering, but it's all very, very vague.
And it's set in Texas. This was published in 2000, so not much has changed in 20 years worth of Intrigue books!
June 17, 2025
What an interesting read. I had a hard time putting it down. I highly recommend it.
April 17, 2018
May 20, 2000
Popular author Jo Leigh delivers her first Intrigue with "Little Girl Found," a pleasant tale with warm characters and a dash of danger. Detective Jack McCabe is on leave from the police force while he recovers from a bullet wound. For Jack, it means uninterrupted days of drinking beer and watching TV...until his downstairs neighbor arrives on his doorstep in the middle of the night with his four-year-old daughter in tow. Giving Jack the girl before he can refuse, the man runs off, only to be killed in the building parking lot moments later. Jack has no idea what to do with young Megan and turns to her babysitter, Hailey Bishop, for help. When it becomes clear that Megan is in danger, too, Jack and Hailey have no one to rely on but each other.
Leigh's tale begins with a welcome touch of attitude as our grumpy hero finds himself with a kid he doesn't want and doesn't understand. Some of Jack's beliefs about kids will inspire some laughs, and Megan is as cute as expected. Her reactions to losing her only parent are often quite moving. Though the romantic aspect is somewhat slow to develop, with the sexual tension really not appearing until almost the midway point, Leigh allows her characters to get to know each other first before any sparks appear, an approach many readers will find rewarding. This gives the growing relationship more of a basis, and several extended romantic interludes will please. Hailey is an appropriately plucky heroine, Jack is perfect for those who like their heroes to have a slight edge, but naturally with a heart of gold deep down inside, and their banter is quick and funny ("Are you laughing at me?" "Yes.") The authors fully develops three warm, likable characters who readers should have no trouble rooting for.
The mystery aspect is somewhat less satisfying. Leigh keeps the action moving and the suspense sequences are well done, but the mystery itself simply isn't that interesting, despite some nice touches along the way. It is fairly straightforward, with few suspects or real surprises to take the story off a predictable path that's pretty clear a third of the way in. With its generic bad cops and motivation, the crime element is overly familiar, with nothing added to spice it up this time around. The secondary characters are never developed well enough to make the "surprise" ending too effective. Jack and Hailey might have been "stunned" by the revelation of the main villain, as the good guys in these books always are, but since we have little invested in the secondary characters and even less in any of the relationships but the main one, it fails to have that much of an impact. There are also some loose ends whose answers weren't really provided. Were we meant to accept the possible explanations the leads characters thought up as the real ones? With one exception, where they figure out Megan's role, the scenes where Jack and Hailey try to figure out the mystery are the least interesting ones in the book. Not a good sign.
"Little Girl Found" (A title that makes no sense. Megan is never "found" in any sense of the word. She's simply handed over.) is still a pleasant tale with a solid love story and, for those who like kids in their romances, a cute child. Those who are more interested in the romance than the mystery will find characters worth spending time with in its pages.
Popular author Jo Leigh delivers her first Intrigue with "Little Girl Found," a pleasant tale with warm characters and a dash of danger. Detective Jack McCabe is on leave from the police force while he recovers from a bullet wound. For Jack, it means uninterrupted days of drinking beer and watching TV...until his downstairs neighbor arrives on his doorstep in the middle of the night with his four-year-old daughter in tow. Giving Jack the girl before he can refuse, the man runs off, only to be killed in the building parking lot moments later. Jack has no idea what to do with young Megan and turns to her babysitter, Hailey Bishop, for help. When it becomes clear that Megan is in danger, too, Jack and Hailey have no one to rely on but each other.
Leigh's tale begins with a welcome touch of attitude as our grumpy hero finds himself with a kid he doesn't want and doesn't understand. Some of Jack's beliefs about kids will inspire some laughs, and Megan is as cute as expected. Her reactions to losing her only parent are often quite moving. Though the romantic aspect is somewhat slow to develop, with the sexual tension really not appearing until almost the midway point, Leigh allows her characters to get to know each other first before any sparks appear, an approach many readers will find rewarding. This gives the growing relationship more of a basis, and several extended romantic interludes will please. Hailey is an appropriately plucky heroine, Jack is perfect for those who like their heroes to have a slight edge, but naturally with a heart of gold deep down inside, and their banter is quick and funny ("Are you laughing at me?" "Yes.") The authors fully develops three warm, likable characters who readers should have no trouble rooting for.
The mystery aspect is somewhat less satisfying. Leigh keeps the action moving and the suspense sequences are well done, but the mystery itself simply isn't that interesting, despite some nice touches along the way. It is fairly straightforward, with few suspects or real surprises to take the story off a predictable path that's pretty clear a third of the way in. With its generic bad cops and motivation, the crime element is overly familiar, with nothing added to spice it up this time around. The secondary characters are never developed well enough to make the "surprise" ending too effective. Jack and Hailey might have been "stunned" by the revelation of the main villain, as the good guys in these books always are, but since we have little invested in the secondary characters and even less in any of the relationships but the main one, it fails to have that much of an impact. There are also some loose ends whose answers weren't really provided. Were we meant to accept the possible explanations the leads characters thought up as the real ones? With one exception, where they figure out Megan's role, the scenes where Jack and Hailey try to figure out the mystery are the least interesting ones in the book. Not a good sign.
"Little Girl Found" (A title that makes no sense. Megan is never "found" in any sense of the word. She's simply handed over.) is still a pleasant tale with a solid love story and, for those who like kids in their romances, a cute child. Those who are more interested in the romance than the mystery will find characters worth spending time with in its pages.
September 9, 2023
I’m a sucker for romance. I love Harlequin romance novels. This one was wow! I couldn’t put it down!
July 8, 2024
Typical Harlequin. Fun quick read for a lazy Sunday.
June 28, 2009
Pure fluff.
February 7, 2016
Good story, well told.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews