Wicked Games

by Barbara Boswell

When Cord Way returns to Waysboro, Maryland, and the privilege and prestige of his kin, single mother Ashlynne Monroe--whose family is reviled throughout town--fears her secret past with the rugged playboy will come to light

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 1, 1994

About the author

Barbara Schroeder was born on 28 October 1946 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, USA. She worked as nurse, before she married William P. Boswell, a attorney, and they had three daughters.

She has been a longtime romance novel fan, becoming hooked on the romances by Harlequin back in the mid-‘70s when she was home with her three small daughters. When the youngest reached school age in 1983, she wanted something to do with her extra time. She thought about going back to nursing, but didn't care to deal with hospital shifts. She'd often made up stories in her head and/or continued the stories that she'd read, so it seemed like a fun idea to try to write a story of her own. It took a lot more effort and organization than the loosely strung-together scenes she'd run through her mind, but she was right about the fun part! She enjoyed the whole process and wrote a story that she knew she would enjoy reading. She sent it off and was thrilled when it was accepted! It was even more exciting to see her name on the book cover. Some 50-plus books later, it's still a thrill to see her name on the book and it's still fun to make up stories — at least most of the time!

Barbara gets her ideas from everywhere but especially from reading, which she loves to do. Sometimes, just a sentence in a newspaper or a magazine will spark an idea to develop into a romance. Other times, she'll be inspired by another romance novel and she will try to put her own spin on a favorite old plot. Barbara believes that we all have our preferences — she's always been partial to the "secret baby" story line. That, plus the "marriage of convenience" and class or family conflicts are some of her particular favorites.

Her three daughters are all grown up now, and she and her husband are the proud grandparents of a beautiful little grandson. They also have three cats who seem to think that they are the rulers of their house. They are terribly spoiled, and they just might be right.

Reviews

[Saly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book mainly the sub-plot with the heroine's 18 year old sister and the hero's brother running for senate but I kind of wanted to read an ending to the hero's sister story too.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Used to her family being gossiped about, Ashlynne Monroe is a single mother trying to make a better life for her two little girls. But when Cord Way returns to town, Ashlynne's quiet life is disrupted. Cord is in town to help his brother's bid for a congressional seat. Cord remembers Ashlynne and wants to get to know her better. But Ashlynne has a secret she's been hiding...a secret that has something to do with Cord.

This book is very much a soap opera. It has a heroine from the wrong side of the tracks, a secret baby, political shenanigans, a family feud and a secondary romance. It was very addictive. My rating: 4.5 Stars.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well thought out secondary characters some of whom are really interesting addition to the drama being played out between the H and h. I didn't like the H to begin with but he kind of grew up and grew into a better character and into the relationship with h.