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Back with the Stuntman

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Holding onto America’s hottest stuntman; jumping off cliffs, skinny dipping in waterfalls...

Bill — that son of a gun ! Never in my wildest dreams did I think his libido would drive him so far as to bring a prostitute in our home. I had had enough. I wasn't going to let myself feel like a 45 year old with nothing to offer. So I broke our marriage and made a bet that in six months I’d show him what I was made of!

My plan was Hollywood — to live the lost dream; go back to my passion; and light up the hills of L.A. once more.

And just when I’d lost all hope, the universe bumped me to into him. Jeff Douglas, the craziest stuntman, playboy and now hollywood producer from back in the day. The sparkling blue eyes, chiseled face, and sculpted body lit a fire in me like it was 1998 all over again.

Jeff had an offer - to play the lead, crime-fighting redhead in his new pilot. And so, at forty-five I turned into an ass-kicking actor, and felt like a fourteen-year-old girl with a high school crush. But I wasn’t in Hollywood to warm beds or play with fire, I was there to light my own.

Just when I thought things couldn’t get more complicated (or steamy), Bill showed up…

***Back with the Stuntman is a single dad, second chance romance. It's a full length novella with an HEA, no cliffhanger, and plenty of steam. Bonus content included after the main story. Grab your copy now! ***

131 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 25, 2018

72 people are currently reading
99 people want to read

About the author

Amanda Horton

122 books113 followers

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5 stars
34 (47%)
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24 (33%)
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8 (11%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Profile Image for Eva.
1,669 reviews6 followers
May 28, 2018
A lot going on in this story plenty of emotion steamy scenes a second chance romance which I really enjoyed I couldn't put my kindle down it hooked me from the start. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews132 followers
Want to read
June 23, 2019
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/23/2019)! 🎁
Profile Image for (Grace) Kentucky Bohemian.
1,988 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2018
This was a fun ride. Sure, there was plenty of emotion, lots of heart, great steam, and some angsty, poignant moments as well. But when I came skidding into the HEA at the end of this beautiful read, what struck me was that this story had been a fun ride…

Pat has done her best in less than stellar circumstances within her marriage. She knew her husband, Bill, wasn’t always faithful, but he did have his good qualities. So she sucked it up, kept a smile on her face, and just kept living the life she was given. Until she came home to find her husband with a prostitute—yup—in her home. Game. Set. Match.

As Pat resets her life she moves to L.A. to return to her first love, movies. It’s late in life to restart an acting career, but she’s determined to pull this off. Enjoying an old favorite spot of hers from “back in the day,” she runs into an old friend. Jeff was just a stuntman when she and Bill moved away from L.A. But Jeff’s been working hard and doing well. He still does some stunts as a stunt coordinator, but he’s mostly a movie producer now. He’s also still chiseled like a Greek statue with hard cut muscles, a Hollywood-handsome face, and a smolder that can’t be ignored.

She tries to follow the advice of her head as it tells her to go slowly—she doesn’t need another relationship right now. But the heart wants what it wants, and her heart seems to beat faster and stronger every time Jeff is around her. Jeff is a great guy. He gets it, and he truly wants the best for Pat because he’s pretty sure they could have something special here. So he’s willing to wait for her emotional turmoil to calm down a bit. *swoon* Looks, brains, and compassion? Sign me up. What could possibly go wrong? Hmmm, just a sniveling, groveling, narcissistic soon-to-be ex-husband…

This novella moves at a great pace, with characters that are easy to relate to, and a fun story line. Concerned readers will be interested to know this book could be rated as one you can share with your mother: there’s some great steamy heat here, but it’s mostly of the sweet heat type. I don’t recall any mature language in the story, so if there is any at all, it must be very minor. This is a fun escape you can sit back and enjoy as a woman rediscovers herself and two old friends reconnect to make life beautiful again after years of pain.
Profile Image for Elena Johansen.
Author 5 books30 followers
December 29, 2020
Yikes, DNF at 10% of the file, which apparently is stuffed with filler at the back end, because another reviewer says the actual book ends at 36%. So I thought I was reading 10% of the story but I actually read almost a third? Which just makes this seem even worse to me, because from where I left off, it didn't feel like we'd covered much ground.

So I was immediately put off by the constant punctuation errors, poor grammar, and the tone of the characters' conversation, which was flatly stating everything they're thinking, to the point where they're clearly expositing the story in a way that real people generally don't speak to each other.

That was all before the end of the first chapter, but I didn't give up yet. I wanted to at least meet the hero in the second chapter.

I found a serious red flag soon after the story switched to his POV. I knew he was a single dad from the blurb. What I was shocked by was that I was introduced to that fact in-story with this sentence:

"After the death of Shaun's mom I wasn't interested." [in long-term dating]

So Shaun's his son, I guess, but neither his name nor his existence had actually be mentioned prior. And I'm beyond horrified by introducing a dead woman who had some kind of relationship in the past to the hero, not by name, but by her motherhood. WHY DOESN'T SHE GET A NAME? And why, on top of that, is she only defined as the kid's mom? Wasn't she the hero's wife, or at least his girlfriend at some point? Was she truly nothing more than the person who incubated and birthed his child?

But I kept going, and somehow it actually got worse. Not long after the two leads met up again in person after their many years apart, they have a reasonably good chat and feel reconnected--and we finally learn the name of the hero's son's dead mother, who was actually the hero's wife, don't understand why that wasn't made clear immediately. At the end of the night, the hero gives the heroine a long "bear" hug (which apparently he's "notorious" for) and gets turned on enough to just proposition her right then and there. I was disgusted, and fortunately so was the heroine, who got pissed and left. But he's the hero! They're supposed to get together, and he's acting like this early on? I'm not rooting for this guy, he's a jerk!

No, just no, to all of it.
Profile Image for Kaye.
7,177 reviews69 followers
May 28, 2018
ONE FANTASTIC REFRESHING READ!!!
Ok guys, I'm just gonna jump in here, we know I love jumping off the deep end head first. Yep! That's me. Are you ready? Here we go. I could say how great this is, or how fantastic the storyline runs along. I could tell you about whats happening. But come on guys, you've read the blurb, you know what the other readers are saying, you know the score. But because I'm me, I do things my way. It has more drama than a sane person could handle. Yeah, we know I never claimed to be sane. Ain't life grand. You're set on a rollercoaster ride of emotions that will keep you captivated and frozen to your seat. All the action packed, fast paced, adrenaline pumping, smoldering heat that kept us on our toes as the tale unravels and brings out all the best and worst reactions that are well played. The characters were intriguing and complex with an undercurrent that pulls you in deeper. The characters are well paired and believable as we follow them along their journey. We're held spellbound to witness the changes as their personalities blossomed and shined bright and dazzling. The two main characters chemistry was electrifying as they collide and their soul deep connection is instantaneous. The scenes were so graphically detailed and descriptive that every layer you peeled back to reveal their strenght. Twists and turns abound with nerve racking, nailbiting, angst continue in this page turning tale that will leave you breathless. Amanda shows just how talented she is. She pulls us into her imagination as she weaves a world that she has created just for us, her readers, to enjoy. With her seemingly endless talent and gifts she brings this tale together flawlessly and without a crease. Phenomenal job Amanda, thanks for sharing this little jewel with us.
Profile Image for Heather Vandine.
429 reviews3 followers
May 31, 2018
Pat has been married to Bill for 16 years, she has been unhappy for a long time but stayed because Bill was always attentive and treated her good. She knew he had been cheating on her for most of their marriage but she chose to ignore until she came home home and found him with his face between the legs of a prostitute on their couch. She finally realized that it was over. She moved back to L.A. home as refers it to pursue her career in acting which was her first love. After being there for a little over a month she decides to take a drive up Mulholland Dr. which was something she used to all the time in her 20's. When she gets to the top another car is there and she literally ended up bumping into his bumper, and a Porsche of all things. She parks next to it and gets out. The guy is looking at her in an amused way when he says "Pat" she looks at him and realizes she knows him. It's Jeff, a stuntman that ended up making it in Hollywood, they were good friends and used to party and surf together. Jeff has not had a relationship since his wife died 4 years ago to a drug overdose. He just has sex for the relief. Him and Pat get reacquainted and he tells her about a lead role in an Indy movie that he's making. He's not incharge of the hiring but he'd set her up for the audition and she gets the part. This is a really great book to read. Pat is emotionally ruined after her marriage and feels all men want is sex. Jeff is trying to make her realize that's no true. The book is well written, she does a great job at the beginning with characters past so you have a real good knowledge into them. I recommend this book. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Rosemary.
1,607 reviews6 followers
May 29, 2018
This is a great book about starting over and I love that the characters are in their forties which shows that passion and a chance for love does not have an expiration date! Jeff is a hot single dad who is raising an adorable young boy after his wife died from a drug overdose. He seems content to have endless hookups with beautiful women believing that his life is perfectly fine as he concentrates on building his career and wealth and raising his son. When an old friend literally bumps into him he begins to realize that maybe his life is not as perfect as he once thought. Pat has just left her cheating husband and moves back to LA to try and rekindle her acting career that her philandering cheating husband had her give up while she played the dutiful wife. Pat and Jeff seem to feel an instant attraction but Pat struggles to find her way and does not feel getting into a new relationship is what would be good for her at this point in her life. There are many ups and downs between these two as well as some twists and turns as I was kept on the edge of my seat wondering whether there would be an HEA. I loved this book!

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest and totally voluntary review.
Profile Image for Julianne Macneil.
3,697 reviews28 followers
May 30, 2018
This is a romance between Pat and Jeff. Pat has recently left her cheating husband Bill and returned to LA to pursue her acting career again. Pat had given up acting and moved away because it was what Bill wanted. When Pat returned to LA, she ran into her old friend Jeff. Jeff was a stuntman and through hard work and investments, he became very wealthy and now was working on movies. When Jeff told Pat about a pilot they were getting ready to shoot, he arranged for her to have an audition. Jeff was a widower with a young son and he had no interest in a relationship, he was happy to see a number of women. When Jeff reconnects with Pat, he thinks she is beautiful, but knows she would never be a fling. When Jeff wants to date Pat, she is scared and pulls away saying she isn't ready. When Jeff says he will wait, they start a relationship slowly. Then Bill shows up and makes things hard for Pat. I liked Jeff and Pat together. I think they brought out the best in each other. Jeff had a lot of bad things happen and I think because they knew each other for so long, they could trust each other easier. Good one.
2,033 reviews2 followers
May 28, 2018
This is a story about two friends who find each other by chance years later. Pat was an actress and got married and moved out of LA at her husbands request. He ends up cheating on her for years only walks when he brings home a hooker! Jeff was a stuntman and made good decisions over the years in his business world and has become very wealthy man along with being a well respected Producer. Jeff did not have such good luck in his personal life and is now a single dad. Jeff has enjoyed many one night stands as he does not want a relationship that is until things get hot and heavy between him and Pat. Pat finds a job after Jeff mentions a job that many be open and things between them get interesting. Their trip to Hawaii while filming the new pilot Pat and Jeff find some happiness and then Pat’s ex to be shows up causing problems that escalated and Pat runs away and things go from bad to worse. Can Pat come to terms about her past and move forward and will Jeff ever forgive Pat her unprofessional behavior? I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Diana Reeves.
782 reviews1 follower
July 5, 2018
Sweet story

Pat was in one of those marriages where when it was good, it was really good but didn’t last long before the same bad habits returned. Her husband Bill worked a lot and they built their marriage around his job, his friends and what he wanted out of life. Pats career as an actress took a back seat to Bills. It all festered when Pat came home and found Bill with a prostitute. Pat took this as her opportunity to go back to Hollywood and live her dream as an actress.
In Hollywood Pat runs into an old friend Jeff, who was a stuntman and wrote pilots for new shows. He offered Pat to try an audition, which she nailed.
Pat and Jeff were happy and relaxed together and Jeff decided his womanizing days were done, he wanted Pat. Then a rollercoaster of emotions and Bill returns to ruin everything.

I wish the story didn’t seem so rushed towards the end and the relationship between Pat and Jeff was explored a little more.
Profile Image for Susan Foulkes.
995 reviews3 followers
May 28, 2018
This was a fun, heartwarming read, with a bonus! The two main characters were, gasp, 40+ and the book was all the better for it.

Pat and Jeff were old friends, who literally bumped into each other one evening in the hills above LA.
Pat had once been an actress but left LA on marrying Bill.
Jeff was a stuntman who'd moved up in films and was now stunt co-ordinator/producer.

Pat had moved back to LA to pursue her dreams of acting again, rather than just teaching drama. Her husband was a serial cheater, they were childless, and the marriage was moribund.

What follows is a wonderful story about re-connecting, and going for your HEA.

There are trials and tribulations along the way, but the characters are well rounded, and stay true to themselves.

The plot is well placed and every chapter adds to the overall feeling of warmth.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Mary.
2,753 reviews23 followers
May 30, 2018
This is an entertaining love story with interesting characters. Jeff is a nice guy who has been living the single life since the death of his wife. Pat is an insecure woman who just left her cheating husband. They knew each other years ago, but we're just friends, now they have a fiery attraction to each other. But Pat is leery of starting anything, and Jeff is not sure why he wants this woman so much. Just as they get things started, her husband shows up and starts acting all controlling. That sends Pat into a spiral. A few shocking surprises round out the story. The storyline is good, but Pat is a little over the top.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
Profile Image for Betty Finch.
193 reviews2 followers
June 2, 2018
After years of only partly doing what she loved, After finding the man she thought she would be with for life, was caught with a hooker in her own home, she packed her things and moved to Hollywood to try to fulfill her dreams. Giviong herself a 6 month time frame to land a real acting job, she is discouraged by the lack of offers.
Pat literally runs into Jeff, an old friend who was a stuntman when she had known him and has since advanced his career to be a producer. There is still a spark between them but Pat wants nothing to do with anyone now. Arranging for her to have an audition for his new pilot, Jeff hopes to get close to Pat again.
I loved this book and couldn't put it down until the end. I recommend this to all romance lovers
Profile Image for Deborah.
134 reviews
May 27, 2018
Great story. Amanda did an excellent job. Pat and Jeff were longtime friends but both had gone different ways. Pat was married for 16 years dealing with a cheating husband. She finally left and went to LA. Jeff lost his wife to drug overdose and he's raising his son. When they see each other again. Jeff offers Pat the lead role in his film. Jeff makes a pass at Pat and she tells him she's not sleeping with him just because he got her the lead role. Later she wonders if she was jumping to conclusions. Will Pat give Jeff a chance? Grab this book to find out! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
93 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2018
4 stars

This is my ARC review. Amanda writes another excellent book.
Pat leaves her husband of 16 years when she finds him with a prostitute in her own home. He has carried out his life with no regard to her and her dreams. She moves back to LA where is gets a part in a pilot story, and she gets the lead role. Jeff is the director and stuntman, who she has known as a friend for a long time. They both develop feelings for each other.
Pat's husband eventually comes looking for her and creates several scenes. Romance wins in the end. I enjoyed this book but felt that it wasn't long enough. The characters are well drawn and believable.
625 reviews3 followers
May 27, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. Second chances don't always happen, but in this case it did. Pat and Jeff knew each other years ago. Both married different people. Jeff's wife died from an overdose, while Pat left her cheating husband after catching in their bed with a prostitute.
Pat goes back to Hollywood to start up her career as an actress. Taking a moonlight drive she literally bumps into Jeff's car. Things get going from there. Pat's soon-to-be ex-husband just doesn't understand why Pat doesn't want anything to do with him. That's it for any spoilers.
I voluntarily received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you for your review.
182 reviews1 follower
May 28, 2018
A Second Chance At Romance

What a great change of pace to have the two main characters older than most of the 20’s and 30’s of most of the books available. Pat turned. Out to be a very strong female character willing to make changes and move forward in life although she did waver a bit she still pushed full steam ahead. Jeff was such a sweet guy. He was a great dad and a great friend who ended up being so much more. These characters felt real with real life problems, not sure if all will work out in the end. It was also a friends to lovers romance and so much more.
Don’t pass on this for a very enjoyable romance.
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Profile Image for Caroline Doig.
5,453 reviews49 followers
May 29, 2018
This is a fantastic read by Amanda Horton it was such a great story. This is the story of Pat and Jeff, Pat caught her husband with a prostitute in her bed, hurt and angry she leaves him and moves back to Hollywood to get back into acting and that’s where she runs into Jeff. Jeff is a single dad and a stuntman and now he’s a producer of films, he’s known Pat for 20 years and even though she’s a curvy girl he still see’s her as beautiful. There’s action, danger, love and some hot scenes but not too much that it takes away from the story, a fantastic read and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.
Profile Image for Gladys.
13.9k reviews163 followers
May 27, 2018
A fun read. A book that is a combination of over-the-top and harsh reality. I think Pat's marriage and history will strike a chord with many readers. The characters feelings and thoughts are I think were very relatable and understandable. She does sometimes overreact, jump to conclusions and carry on a bit much, and although I felt that most of that was brought on by the baggage from her past, it did make her annoying at times. Jeff seemed like a decent guy and I liked that Pat and Jeff found each other again. This is an honest, voluntary review.
496 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2018
Intriguing Story

Pat is a very strong woman, one who knows when to get out of a bad marriage. Jeff is a womanizer, who has the sweetest son in the world. These two used to be friends 15 years ago and they just happen to "bump" into each other. (I found that scene comical and nostalgic.) When they start to heat up in the romance department, Bill (the soon to be ex) shows up! There are some very steamy, some dangerous, some very sad scenes in this book but it is well worth the read!!
2,072 reviews13 followers
May 27, 2018
Enjoyable second chance romance. Well written tale with a great storyline and wonderful characters who have amazing chemistry.
Pat is shattered when her husband cheats on her and she decides to move on with her life by going back to L.A. Jeff is now well established in Hollywood and is picking up his life again after the death of his wife. Can these two damaged people re-establish their friendship and put aside the trauma of their past? Well worth the read.
I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Laila Viking.
4,090 reviews30 followers
May 28, 2018
Well written friends to lovers romance. A bit on the short side but enjoyable. A mix of drama, trust, lust, love, protectiveness, passion and emotional ups and downs. It has some twists in it. A sweet and steamy novel with lots in it. About letting the walls down and let the one that fate has choosen for you in. The characters are likeable and well described.
I like it is written in dual POV, which gives the reader both the thoughts and feelings of the main characters. That makes the story even more emotional and captivating.
It is engaging and recommendable.
242 reviews1 follower
May 29, 2018
Pat is very vulnerable after finding out her husband cheating has went pass the line and she is not putting up with it anymore. After 20 years of marriage, she decided to leave and move back to LA where she wants to be an actress and land a big role in a movie. She self-conscious due to her marriage to Bill that she's too old to be an actress. Pat runs into Jeff when she moved back to LA. They were friends many years ago. Jeff helps Pat get an audition. Amanda Horton did again with another short, fun story to read. I was given an ARC for an honest review.
2,364 reviews12 followers
May 29, 2018
4 stars
I received a free copy of Back with the Stunt Man: A Single Dad Second Chance Romance by Amanda Horton and this review was given freely. A complex novel with a dark edge.
Some of the reasons to read this complex and steamy romance are: the Drama and action, a little violence from an estranged husband, surviving mental and substance abuse, a cute kid, Pat's becoming a strong and independent women,and a second chance at love between Pat and Jeff that ends in reforming a playboy bachelor .
140 reviews1 follower
June 2, 2018

This was a great second chance romance read with the main characters being older for something different. Pat flees LA to escape her cheating husband and build a new life pursuing her dream of acting. There she runs into her old friend Jeff whom she hasn’t seen for 20 years. There’s a spark between them but Pat is still too emotional to pursue anything. With Pat’s emotions all over the place and a controlling husband lurking in the background she looks like losing her dream. An enjoyable story. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
1,292 reviews3 followers
May 28, 2018
4.5 Stars! There is Pat who is trying to start new after a bad marriage ends. Then there is Jeff, who is beyond hot and really likes woman. He is a single Dad and knew Pat years ago. When he makes a pass at her, she turns him down. Will there chemistry be too hard to resist? Will they get an HEA? This was a good read, book draws you in and keeps you reading.

I voluntarily wrote this review from an advanced copy of this book.
Profile Image for Lena.
1,737 reviews17 followers
May 29, 2018
It was a good story of new beginnings and second chances of love. Pat and Jeff are old friends that meet again when Pat is looking to start acting again. They start to work together as well as finding each other in a more personal way.
I loved their interaction and the electricity between them. What I also liked was that they didn’t let everything go, in their pursuit of romance. The still were adults.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
284 reviews
June 24, 2018
What a Misadvertised Farce!!!

2yr wait in CA for divorce? Lol Most would move out if that were the case . What was the purpose?? So far, its rocky start. "Chances were they were". EDITOR!!!! Very poorly constructed. Yes! I am tired of self published books and
this book ended at 36% !! NO mention other book or books were included. I really resent this and wont be reading this author again. Its disrespectful. Be honest and list is as a SHORT STORY !

Profile Image for E Reader.
1,016 reviews5 followers
July 1, 2018
What would you do with a second chance?

After a difficult ending to her marriage, Pat is getting a second chance at her career in Hollywood. However, her soon to be ex-husband has damaged her self-esteem and when she meets an old friend who becomes increasingly interested and gets a lead in a potential TV series, it all too much and now she might lose it all.
A good love story with a few unexpected twists to make it interesting.
2,616 reviews8 followers
May 27, 2018
A fun single dad second chance romance that has wonderful characters. Pat and Jeff knew each other years ago and they run into each other again. They were both married to different people. Jeff's wife died and Pat left her cheating husband. Amanda Horton did an amazing job writing this story, I couldn't put this book down. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
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