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Fields of Contention
After falling out with his father and leaving the family business, Marcus Barnaby bought Hill Top Farm with the intention of building up a herd of pedigree Hereford cattle which would be much sought after for their breeding potential. His neighbour Charles Trenchard had two fields for sale and when Marcus approached him, he was presented with an ultimatum – marry the man’s daughter within a six month period and he would give him the fields – or no deal. Bethan Trenchard had no idea about her father’s plan and fell totally under the charismatic spell of the tall handsome man who seemed to be oblivious to her shy nature and plain looks…..Until they returned from their honeymoon and the truth brought her world crashing down around her
120 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 3, 2025
Another wonderful read by CC. So much loaded into this short story. A playboy being thrust into an arranged marriage (to obtain land) with a plain woman with a broken nose, emotionally distraught by the rejection of her husband. I love landing on these shorter stories that pack a punch. And of course, a complete HEA.
April 17, 2025
fields of contention
The storyline was excellent and complicated. The couple’s relationship created misunderstanding and miscommunication. I found this novel interesting and heartbreaking.
The storyline was excellent and complicated. The couple’s relationship created misunderstanding and miscommunication. I found this novel interesting and heartbreaking.
December 6, 2025
An ok romantic read
A bit bland but ok. Maybe could have used the sister for a bit more drama, especially having read about her story at the end. Enjoyed the bits written about the Scottish community.
A bit bland but ok. Maybe could have used the sister for a bit more drama, especially having read about her story at the end. Enjoyed the bits written about the Scottish community.
July 22, 2025
Marcus, 32, wants to leave the family business and start a cattle ranch. He buys some land from the adjoining landowner, Charles Trenchard. As part of the deal, Charles requires Marcus to marry his daughter within 6 months. Marcus agrees to it, because everyone in town tells him the daughter is into casual promiscuity, so he figures she would be willing to arrange a temporary marriage and they'd get divorced after they fulfilled the terms of the deal.
When he meets the daughter, Bethan, the first thing he notices is her Owen Wilson nose. It's obviously been broken, and she's very plain Jane. But she starts giving him some good advice about starting his cattle ranch. She's not really his type, but they get along ok and he thinks the temporary arranged marriage is a good idea, so he proposes.
When they get back from the honeymoon, he has the easily overheard conversation with her dad. Charles says the deal is off, because Marcus married the wrong daughter. "B. Trenchard" was supposed to be his other daughter Belinda. (Belinda turns out to be the promiscuous one everyone was telling him about.)
Why is he playing word games with Marcus? It's a little weird, but there is a reason.
In any case, Bethan now realizes the relationship was an arrangement between her husband and her father. She leaves Marcus, and gets a job running the ranch of a high school friend.
At first Marcus thinks he can divorce Bethan and marry Belinda. But he can't go through with it. He misses Bethan and wants her back. After a few months he starts looking for Bethan. He finds her, and surprise, she's pregnant.
Charles finally tells Marcus the whole truth, that Belinda is a psychopathic sadist who broke Bethan's nose. Charles really did want Marcus to marry Bethan all along, to help protect Bethan from Belinda's wrath. The only reason he said all that stuff about Marcus needing to marry Belinda was because at the last minute, he had to placate Belinda so she didn't kill Bethan.
The rest of the book is actually the story of 3 different couples trying to reconcile. Marcus and Bethan are just one of the 3 couples. So there isn't a lot of time spent on the main couple, IMO.
When he meets the daughter, Bethan, the first thing he notices is her Owen Wilson nose. It's obviously been broken, and she's very plain Jane. But she starts giving him some good advice about starting his cattle ranch. She's not really his type, but they get along ok and he thinks the temporary arranged marriage is a good idea, so he proposes.
When they get back from the honeymoon, he has the easily overheard conversation with her dad. Charles says the deal is off, because Marcus married the wrong daughter. "B. Trenchard" was supposed to be his other daughter Belinda. (Belinda turns out to be the promiscuous one everyone was telling him about.)
Why is he playing word games with Marcus? It's a little weird, but there is a reason.
In any case, Bethan now realizes the relationship was an arrangement between her husband and her father. She leaves Marcus, and gets a job running the ranch of a high school friend.
At first Marcus thinks he can divorce Bethan and marry Belinda. But he can't go through with it. He misses Bethan and wants her back. After a few months he starts looking for Bethan. He finds her, and surprise, she's pregnant.
Charles finally tells Marcus the whole truth, that Belinda is a psychopathic sadist who broke Bethan's nose. Charles really did want Marcus to marry Bethan all along, to help protect Bethan from Belinda's wrath. The only reason he said all that stuff about Marcus needing to marry Belinda was because at the last minute, he had to placate Belinda so she didn't kill Bethan.
The rest of the book is actually the story of 3 different couples trying to reconcile. Marcus and Bethan are just one of the 3 couples. So there isn't a lot of time spent on the main couple, IMO.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews