The Lawman's Convenient Family

By Judy Duarte

“Judy really has a way with Western romances and handsome cowboys!” —#1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller

He’d always been a loner—until one case changed his life. . .

Growing up in a broken home had made Detective Adam Santiago wary of getting attached—to anyone. Even his work as a mentor at the local youth center leaves him certain that he’s not meant to be a family man . . . Until he meets the new music therapist at Kidville. Julie Chapman knows Adam is the last person on earth she should be drawn to. She’s the marrying type, and he’s intent on avoiding commitment at all costs!

When two orphans are at risk of being separated, Adam must set aside his insecurities to keep the young brother and sister together. Julie’s willing to do anything to help — even become Adam’s pretend bride — to get the children’s traditional social worker on their side. But as she falls head over heels for her the guarded cop, will this marriage of convenience become an affair of the heart?

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Discover more true-to-life stories in the Rocking Chair Rodeo series.
All books are stand-alone but were published in the following order:
1. Roping in the Cowgirl
2. The Bronc Rider’s Baby
3. A Cowboy Family Christmas
4. The Soldier’s Twin Surprise
5. The Lawman’s Convenient Family
6. The Cowboy’s Secret Family

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harlequin
• Release date: Jan 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781488041747

Judy Duarte

Judy always loved reading romances, but never thought of herself as a writer. "English was my least favorite subject in school, but I was always a storyteller," she admits. "Growing up, I was the kid in the neighborhood who decided what roles we would play and the pretend situation were in." As a single mom with four children, Judy returned to school and graduated from the University of California at Irvine with a degree in social ecology. The new direction helped her confidence grow, and when a hero she could believe in came into her real life, she was even more inspired. Determined to do something about her love of writing, Judy joined Romance Writers of America and met her two critique partners. The trio have worked together and encouraged each other ever since. Judy likes to take ordinary characters and put them in emotionally compelling situations that make them grow. "It takes some of the stubborn and hurting characters a while to learn there is always a way out," Judy maintains, "but when they realize their options, there's no stopping them." Her unpublished stories won not only the coveted Emily and Orange Rose Awards, but also earned her the status of a double Golden Heart finalist in 2001. Her first book, Cowboy Courage, sold to the Silhouette Special Edition line, where she seems to have found her niche. "I credit a large part of my success to my critique partners, Crystal Green and Sheri WhiteFeather, who also write for Silhouette," she says. On those days when a stubborn hero and a headstrong heroine claim her undivided attention, she and her family are thankful for fast food, pizza delivery, and video games. When she's not at the keyboard or in a Walter-Mitty-type world, she enjoys traveling, romantic evenings with her personal hero, and playing board games with her kids. Write to Judy at P.O. Box 498, San Luis Rey, CA 92068.