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Maggy's Child: A Novel
She was Mrs. Lyle Forrest now, the coolly elegant wife of Louisville's most prominent publisher, the slum girl whose dreams -- and nightmares -- came true the night she married the multimillionaire old enough to be her father. For twelve years Maggy played the role of beautiful, devoted wife, the burnished jewel in Lyle's crown, mother of the child he adored. She did it for David, the son who could never know the price she paid to protect him, would never see her scars...Suddenly Maggy's hard-won control shattered when Nick King came back to claim her. It was twelve years since they'd parted, twelve years of fear and loathing at the hands of Lyle Forrest. She couldn't afford to remember the soul-searing passion she'd known so long ago in the arms of the only man she'd ever loved. She must think of David, her son, Lyle's most potent weapon, and not of the man she could never forget, Nick, who's returned to set her free...A riveting novel of love, lust, and savagery in Kentucky's bluegrass country--a spellbinding story of a mother's sacrifice, a dynasty's power, and one man's passion to reclaim the woman who was born to be his.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
82 people are currently reading
601 people want to read
About the author
Karen Robards
126 books3,248 followersKaren Robards is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than fifty books and one novella. She has won multiple awards including six Affaire de Coeur Silver Pen Awards for favorite author.
Karen has been writing since she was very young, and was first published nationally in the December 1973 Reader's Digest. She sold her first romance novel, ISLAND FLAME, when she was 24. It was published by Leisure Books in 1981 and is still in print. After that, she dropped out of law school to pursue her writing career.
Karen was recently described by The Daily Mail as "one of the most reliable thriller....writers in the world."
Karen has been writing since she was very young, and was first published nationally in the December 1973 Reader's Digest. She sold her first romance novel, ISLAND FLAME, when she was 24. It was published by Leisure Books in 1981 and is still in print. After that, she dropped out of law school to pursue her writing career.
Karen was recently described by The Daily Mail as "one of the most reliable thriller....writers in the world."
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October 24, 2015I read this book in the 1990s, when first published, but, we didn't have Goodreads then to post a review. However, I remember it well, because never have I been so disappointed and upset by an author misrepresenting the area of the novel's setting, or making so many errors about locations in that city....especially when it is the author's hometown and place of residence.
In the very beginning, at a party where Nick appears, guests are talking about him being from the slums, and something is said , in essence, "he's from Portland, and no one with any inkling of gentility would ever admit to being from there". I was born in that neighborhood, and at the time of the reading of this book, I was an adult, sitting in the sunroom of my two-story Tudor-style home in that same neighborhood, and it is far from being "the slums". The author goes on to talk about Nick and Maggie being so poor that they, and others of the time and area, living in the "projects" in the Portland neighborhood and having to eat food out of the dumpsters. There is not now, nor has there ever been, a "project" or public housing in this neighborhood. And, as a now 62-year-old lifelong resident of that neighborhood, I have never known or heard of anyone having to eat out of the garbage dumpster, and certainly not when this novel took place.
In another part of the book, the author goes on to name the "projects", and it was an actual public housing complex, but located in an entirely different area of the city. I understand an author's right to take "literary license" with some things, but locations and facts of the city should not be one of them. I don't think anyone writing a novel set in New York City would say the Empire State Building is located on Park Avenue, rather than 5th Avenue, or that Harlem is in Brooklyn.
I only read this book because it was set in Louisville, but sorry I spent my money on it, and haven't read a Karen Robards novel since. My being perturbed with the author aside, it was still just a cheap romance with no substance.
In the very beginning, at a party where Nick appears, guests are talking about him being from the slums, and something is said , in essence, "he's from Portland, and no one with any inkling of gentility would ever admit to being from there". I was born in that neighborhood, and at the time of the reading of this book, I was an adult, sitting in the sunroom of my two-story Tudor-style home in that same neighborhood, and it is far from being "the slums". The author goes on to talk about Nick and Maggie being so poor that they, and others of the time and area, living in the "projects" in the Portland neighborhood and having to eat food out of the dumpsters. There is not now, nor has there ever been, a "project" or public housing in this neighborhood. And, as a now 62-year-old lifelong resident of that neighborhood, I have never known or heard of anyone having to eat out of the garbage dumpster, and certainly not when this novel took place.
In another part of the book, the author goes on to name the "projects", and it was an actual public housing complex, but located in an entirely different area of the city. I understand an author's right to take "literary license" with some things, but locations and facts of the city should not be one of them. I don't think anyone writing a novel set in New York City would say the Empire State Building is located on Park Avenue, rather than 5th Avenue, or that Harlem is in Brooklyn.
I only read this book because it was set in Louisville, but sorry I spent my money on it, and haven't read a Karen Robards novel since. My being perturbed with the author aside, it was still just a cheap romance with no substance.
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December 5, 2022
I started reading this book at the end of September. It took me three months to wade through the first 30% - somehow, there just always seemed to be a better book to read - but then I started seriously reading it a couple of nights ago, and actually the pages started flying by.
This is a second-chance romance, but it fulfils the two criteria I need in order to enjoy this trope; namely, 1) the reason for the separation has to be more than just a stupid miscommunication, and 2), the hero needs to be the one to seek the heroine out again.
12 years ago, 18-year-old Magdalena Garcia and 20-year-old Nick King were inseparable. After years of friendship, bonded by their similar upbringings in poverty-stricken, single-parent households, they had just started the relationship Maggy wanted. But then one night she runs away and ends up marring Lyle Forrester, a wealthy older businessman who offers her a route out of the slums. It's the worst mistake she's ever made.
Now 30 and with an 11-year-old son, David, Maggy lives in constant fear of whatever atrocities Lyle will rain upon her next. The fact that he adores David is the only reason she hasn't left. Then unexpectedly, Nick shows up in her life once more, telling her very clearly that he wants her back. And this time, he won't take no for an answer.
There is some definite purpleness to the prose in certain areas, but overall Robards has written an engaging book populated by solidly fleshed-out characters. The connection between Nick and Maggy feels much more real than in many of the romances I've read recently, and actually I liked everything about it - the way he's pined for her for years, the strength of their basic friendship under the romantic relationship, the way he handles her obvious trauma.
Towards the end, the book devolves more into thriller story with Lyle centre stage as villain, and the ending feels surprisingly abrupt. It actually sort of feels like Robards just got bored of writing the story and decided to wrap it up quickly. That's okay, because it dovetailed with when my interest was starting to run out too, and there's still a HEA. It just could have done with a proper epilogue too.
This is a second-chance romance, but it fulfils the two criteria I need in order to enjoy this trope; namely, 1) the reason for the separation has to be more than just a stupid miscommunication, and 2), the hero needs to be the one to seek the heroine out again.
12 years ago, 18-year-old Magdalena Garcia and 20-year-old Nick King were inseparable. After years of friendship, bonded by their similar upbringings in poverty-stricken, single-parent households, they had just started the relationship Maggy wanted. But then one night she runs away and ends up marring Lyle Forrester, a wealthy older businessman who offers her a route out of the slums. It's the worst mistake she's ever made.
Now 30 and with an 11-year-old son, David, Maggy lives in constant fear of whatever atrocities Lyle will rain upon her next. The fact that he adores David is the only reason she hasn't left. Then unexpectedly, Nick shows up in her life once more, telling her very clearly that he wants her back. And this time, he won't take no for an answer.
There is some definite purpleness to the prose in certain areas, but overall Robards has written an engaging book populated by solidly fleshed-out characters. The connection between Nick and Maggy feels much more real than in many of the romances I've read recently, and actually I liked everything about it - the way he's pined for her for years, the strength of their basic friendship under the romantic relationship, the way he handles her obvious trauma.
Towards the end, the book devolves more into thriller story with Lyle centre stage as villain, and the ending feels surprisingly abrupt. It actually sort of feels like Robards just got bored of writing the story and decided to wrap it up quickly. That's okay, because it dovetailed with when my interest was starting to run out too, and there's still a HEA. It just could have done with a proper epilogue too.
June 16, 2012
Didn't like this one as much as I like other books of hers that I've read. It was definitely lacking in suspense and was really predictable and somewhat cheesy. Te heroine, Maggy, was really whiny and had several hours-long crying sprees and was often carried around by Nick, the story's hero. I simply could not understand her reasoning for leaving him in the first place. Robards provides an explanation, of course, but it just didn't make sense to me and didn't seem to fit the characters at all. There were also only a few major twists and hardly any suspense. The romance aspect was okay, and I enjoyed Nick's and Link's relationship as brothers a lot, so that did redeem the book a little.
This one had a lot of potential but it didn't hold my attention very well for the reasons listed above. Annoying heroine, lack of suspense, etc. Two stars.
This one had a lot of potential but it didn't hold my attention very well for the reasons listed above. Annoying heroine, lack of suspense, etc. Two stars.
October 12, 2010
This book was enjoyable for a lot of reasons, but I also struggled with it for a lot of reasons. I'm on a Karen Robards kick, because I've just discovered her, and there's a lot in her writing that I enjoy and that remind me of another favorite author--Sandra Brown. She handles the emotional intensity in much the same way, but also draws these characters who feel interesting and complicated and who I want to know more about.
From the first sentence, Nick King had me. His enduring love for Maggy was lovely, but born out of something bigger for me than just soulmates garbage. This wasn't an epic romance of cheese, it was built on two kid who grew up in the slums together, survived together, and always loved one another like family. Nick protected and took care of Maggy when no one else could, and their love grew from something shared by children to something bigger than them both. And then something happened. And Maggy's choice is one of the stupidest, most ridiculous, I-can't-believe-her-logic sort of things that land her in a world of trouble and separate her and Nick for 12 years.
So despite that TSTL choice that Maggy made, as soon as you see these two together you just feel it. That spark. That reaction. That tightness in your chest that these two are completely unaware of anything outside of the other. So I loved them together, I loved Nick's brother Link, and I enjoyed aspects of the premise. There were certain things I wish I could have seen between them, and a little more out of the ending, but still, I was not only taken by surprise but I was also constantly rooting for these two kids from the wrong side of the tracks to make good. And like any romance worth its weight, they do. And that makes reading it worthwhile.
From the first sentence, Nick King had me. His enduring love for Maggy was lovely, but born out of something bigger for me than just soulmates garbage. This wasn't an epic romance of cheese, it was built on two kid who grew up in the slums together, survived together, and always loved one another like family. Nick protected and took care of Maggy when no one else could, and their love grew from something shared by children to something bigger than them both. And then something happened. And Maggy's choice is one of the stupidest, most ridiculous, I-can't-believe-her-logic sort of things that land her in a world of trouble and separate her and Nick for 12 years.
So despite that TSTL choice that Maggy made, as soon as you see these two together you just feel it. That spark. That reaction. That tightness in your chest that these two are completely unaware of anything outside of the other. So I loved them together, I loved Nick's brother Link, and I enjoyed aspects of the premise. There were certain things I wish I could have seen between them, and a little more out of the ending, but still, I was not only taken by surprise but I was also constantly rooting for these two kids from the wrong side of the tracks to make good. And like any romance worth its weight, they do. And that makes reading it worthwhile.
February 28, 2017
Good Read, a page turner. I hate abuse of any kind and I don't understand why anyone can have pleasure in the mistreatment of someone else. Especially to those whom they say they love.
Maggy and Nick grew up together and fell in love, then Maggy is pregnant and doesn't want to raise a child getting by with Nick petty thefts and chose to take an offer from a wealthy man, to raise her baby as his. But Nick has always loved Maggy and vowed to find her for they belong to each other.
Lyle Winta ers is a sick, sick man and enjoys inflicting pain upon her and using her son as leverage to keep her in line.
There were some steamy sex, some funny times and some awful terror all within the pages. Karen Robards delivered a great story. Unfortunately, this is a real tragic problem that goes on everyday all over the world to A little to women, children and even men.
Maggy and Nick grew up together and fell in love, then Maggy is pregnant and doesn't want to raise a child getting by with Nick petty thefts and chose to take an offer from a wealthy man, to raise her baby as his. But Nick has always loved Maggy and vowed to find her for they belong to each other.
Lyle Winta ers is a sick, sick man and enjoys inflicting pain upon her and using her son as leverage to keep her in line.
There were some steamy sex, some funny times and some awful terror all within the pages. Karen Robards delivered a great story. Unfortunately, this is a real tragic problem that goes on everyday all over the world to A little to women, children and even men.
May 4, 2022
I have read this book 3 times in my life, and every time I read it, I enjoy it. The book has a strong plot line, and a sweet romance.
I haven’t read it in probably 5 years though, and it’s interesting to read a book that is set in a time before cellphones and social media and laptops. This is something that always resonates more with me now than it ever has.
Also, I want to add that the book does have some scenes that are violent.. and for anyone who has suffered from abuse it might be a bit triggering.
That being said the whole book is written beautifully and it will always be a 5 star for me.
I haven’t read it in probably 5 years though, and it’s interesting to read a book that is set in a time before cellphones and social media and laptops. This is something that always resonates more with me now than it ever has.
Also, I want to add that the book does have some scenes that are violent.. and for anyone who has suffered from abuse it might be a bit triggering.
That being said the whole book is written beautifully and it will always be a 5 star for me.
December 13, 2017
A romantical story of two kids from the projects, Nick and Maggy. They got in trouble and Maggy looked for a way out because she felt Nick was too immature to handle a child. She was offered a union with a very wealthy man and she took it, but instead of finding happiness discovered a world full of personal abuse and violence.
12 years later, Nick reappears in her life at a time when she really needs someone and the romance continues. It was a predictable love story but entertaining. A good beach read.
12 years later, Nick reappears in her life at a time when she really needs someone and the romance continues. It was a predictable love story but entertaining. A good beach read.
May 23, 2012
This was my first book that I read by this author and I'll definitely be looking for her name, again. Its' a great story with loveable characters. Each time the story started to even out, something happened, taking you off guard. The book was well written, packed filled with great lines. Love Nick and his dedicated love for Maggy.
December 28, 2016
Action packed ending works well with the secret baby, former lovers meeting years later. A must read.
June 25, 2023
Maggy and Nick had known each other since they were kids. Nick had taken care of her until the night he saw her strip dancing and grabbed her off the stage. That night ended in sex between them and then he stalked off. She married an older, wealthy man and thought Lyle Forrest was kind. She was very much mistaken as she found out after the first beating he gave her. She was pregnant with Nick's son but Lyle raised him as his own and loved him in his own way.
Nick came back and told her he came for her. But he got angry when he learned David was his biological son and stalked off. He has another reason for appearing on the scene. Nick is with DEA and the team has come to arrest Lyle for running a profitable marijuana operation in the Louisville area. A car crash that ends in the river has everyone thinking Lyle was killed but he's only waiting for the right time and finds it. He plans to kill Nick and Maggy but David calls the Coast Guard who arrives just in time.
I have read many books by Karen Robards but this is not one of my favorites.
Nick came back and told her he came for her. But he got angry when he learned David was his biological son and stalked off. He has another reason for appearing on the scene. Nick is with DEA and the team has come to arrest Lyle for running a profitable marijuana operation in the Louisville area. A car crash that ends in the river has everyone thinking Lyle was killed but he's only waiting for the right time and finds it. He plans to kill Nick and Maggy but David calls the Coast Guard who arrives just in time.
I have read many books by Karen Robards but this is not one of my favorites.
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February 18, 2022Maggy's an idiot
Karen Robards is a good writer there's no doubt about that, but the characters in this book were Shakespearian in their existence and reason.
Spoilers.
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I've never yelled or rolled my eyes so much at a book before. Tough kid Maggy can't take her child and leave the bad guy?? The Author wrote that Maggy and her son we alone together a lot, she took him to her family! Why didn't she find Nic and run to him with David??!
Like I said silly Shakespearean nonsense.
3 stars because Ms Robards does write well.
Karen Robards is a good writer there's no doubt about that, but the characters in this book were Shakespearian in their existence and reason.
Spoilers.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I've never yelled or rolled my eyes so much at a book before. Tough kid Maggy can't take her child and leave the bad guy?? The Author wrote that Maggy and her son we alone together a lot, she took him to her family! Why didn't she find Nic and run to him with David??!
Like I said silly Shakespearean nonsense.
3 stars because Ms Robards does write well.
October 4, 2019
Maggy’s child by Karen Robards
Not what you expect these days from a truly gifted author. Maggy’s child lacked the breathtaking aura of Ms.Robards other novels. It did explode into a frenzy of events in the last chapters. Sex scenes were supposed to flesh out a sagging middle but lost their appeal by simply too much. It still makes for a pleasant read. Reviewed by Heide Katros,Winter Haven News, FL
Not what you expect these days from a truly gifted author. Maggy’s child lacked the breathtaking aura of Ms.Robards other novels. It did explode into a frenzy of events in the last chapters. Sex scenes were supposed to flesh out a sagging middle but lost their appeal by simply too much. It still makes for a pleasant read. Reviewed by Heide Katros,Winter Haven News, FL
October 21, 2022
I can't remember the last time I read a romance novel, however this one did keep me turning the pages. It's a story of an unfortunate woman who makes choices that are not always the best for herself. She soon finds herself living a life that totally caught her off guard. She has a son, so most decisions she makes are for the best interest for him; or are they? It's a fun read and I'm afraid if I write too much more it will spoil the story enjoyment for the next reader.
January 5, 2024
Great book.
I loved this book and stayed up late reading. Hated what Maggie went through in her marriage. When Nick showed up, I really felt the love they always had. Turns out her husband is really bad, but he seemed to love her son. Thankfully they finally get a happy ever after. I recommend this book.
I loved this book and stayed up late reading. Hated what Maggie went through in her marriage. When Nick showed up, I really felt the love they always had. Turns out her husband is really bad, but he seemed to love her son. Thankfully they finally get a happy ever after. I recommend this book.
January 28, 2025
Maggie's Child
I decided to re-read one of my favorite books. Maggie's Child concerns the love story that started as kids. Going from poor to rich, Maggie is given a second chance to return to get soulmate Nick. The story contains domestic abuse and entrapment. Karen Robards writes a triumphant story of love.
I decided to re-read one of my favorite books. Maggie's Child concerns the love story that started as kids. Going from poor to rich, Maggie is given a second chance to return to get soulmate Nick. The story contains domestic abuse and entrapment. Karen Robards writes a triumphant story of love.
May 13, 2025
Zero star.
Could have a better ending. I hated the female character. Despite the circumstances, her choices were poor. Till the last, I didn’t think Maggy deserve Nick. And her sudden outburst when Nick confronted her was unexpected. Like Nick was completely victim here, and then she got the nerve to scream lol. I felt sad for David :(
I had high hope for this book. Disappointed...
Could have a better ending. I hated the female character. Despite the circumstances, her choices were poor. Till the last, I didn’t think Maggy deserve Nick. And her sudden outburst when Nick confronted her was unexpected. Like Nick was completely victim here, and then she got the nerve to scream lol. I felt sad for David :(
I had high hope for this book. Disappointed...
May 28, 2017
Pub date 1996 True beach read. Maggy is unhappily married, her husband abuses her.
Raised in poverty across the Ohio River in Indiana, Maggy's husband is from a wealthy, well-connected family in Louisville KY.
Old boyfriend she hasn't seen in 12 years reappears in her life.
Raised in poverty across the Ohio River in Indiana, Maggy's husband is from a wealthy, well-connected family in Louisville KY.
Old boyfriend she hasn't seen in 12 years reappears in her life.
May 9, 2017
My opinion of this book is that I liked it :)
October 8, 2017
A good read
At times the story was boring ..it was lengthened unnecessarily at times and the ending had too many parts left to luck ...Otherwise it was okay
At times the story was boring ..it was lengthened unnecessarily at times and the ending had too many parts left to luck ...Otherwise it was okay
April 15, 2020
A quick read and a little predictable. I like many of her books and I felt the characters could be a little more developed in this novel. But I enjoyed it on a day when I needed a quick escape!
May 7, 2020
This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I read 400 pages in 3 days :)
December 14, 2020
Obvious from the start - just didn't know one aspect of the plot
March 22, 2023
UGGGGGG Okay this was made in 1994 and you could definitely tell- 4.5, good story and plot twist.
June 11, 2023
non mi ha entusiasmato più di tanto ..lo speravo più coinvolgente
October 28, 2025
excellent read
June 10, 2013
Magadalena's life was the envy of the people around her. She married into aristocracy, she had so much money that she never would be without anything in her life. A loving husband and a wonderful son.
But appearances can be deceptive. Magadelena is living a life of hell in private where she tolerates her abusive husband because her son is the pawn in this game of marriage.
Out of the blue Nick King the only love of her life is back in her life after 12 years and is determined to win her back.Nick and Maggy have a past where both had seen hunger and poverty together and had a passion for each other, when poverty breaks them apart.
But Maggy has a secret which she never wants the world to know, it would tear her son's world apart.
But appearances can be deceptive. Magadelena is living a life of hell in private where she tolerates her abusive husband because her son is the pawn in this game of marriage.
Out of the blue Nick King the only love of her life is back in her life after 12 years and is determined to win her back.Nick and Maggy have a past where both had seen hunger and poverty together and had a passion for each other, when poverty breaks them apart.
But Maggy has a secret which she never wants the world to know, it would tear her son's world apart.
February 7, 2017
Autora que me gusta mucho pero este libro no terminó de convencerme
5.5/10
5.5/10
February 23, 2020
Романът е в жанра трилър, любовен, криминален, с елементи на съспенс. Разкзва историята на жена, която се омъжва бременна с детето на друг за богаташ, за да осигури пари и спокойствие за сина си. Само че съпругът й се оказва чудовище, а бащата на детето се завръща след 12 години, за да си я върне. Всяка страница те държи в някакво напрежение, че всеки момент ще стане нещо лошо - съпругът е представен доста ужасяващо. Общо взето интересна книжка, въпреки безумната корица.Сюжетът прилича малко на филма с Джулия Робъртс "Да спиш с врага". Нещо от този тип е, само че го четеш и ефектът е все едно го гледаш. Ще прочета и нещо друго от авторката, умее да поддържа напрежението.
September 10, 2016
2.5 Stars
The heroine, Maggy, was one of the stupidest women I have ever come across. At least that I can remember for a very long time. That I finished this thing is a miracle. I think I'm being very generous with 2.5 stars - only because I liked Nick and Maggy's son David. The bad guys are way over the top evil. The main problem is that the book is just way too dated. Written in 1994 and it shows. I think I've got to stop reading some of these oldies on my wishlist. It's not doing me a bit of good.
The heroine, Maggy, was one of the stupidest women I have ever come across. At least that I can remember for a very long time. That I finished this thing is a miracle. I think I'm being very generous with 2.5 stars - only because I liked Nick and Maggy's son David. The bad guys are way over the top evil. The main problem is that the book is just way too dated. Written in 1994 and it shows. I think I've got to stop reading some of these oldies on my wishlist. It's not doing me a bit of good.
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