Field of Schemes

Let the games begin! Newly widowed Claire Emmett leaves Los Angeles so she and her eleven-year-old daughter, Rachel, can have a fresh start in the picture-perfect suburb of Santa Bella, California. But the simple, quiet life she seeks is nowhere to be found in the town where soccer is king and parents are far, far too involved in children's sports. When Rachel is scouted for an elite travel team, Claire is sucked into a world of high drama, backstabbing and deceit. The team manager plots a Wall Street-style hostile takeover. Parents sabotage players, serve as sports agents, and trade sexual favors for playtime. Off the field, Claire must navigate the brave new world of the suburbs and build a life that doesn't revolve around kids' sports. Nothing is simple in Santa Bella, though. Claire's neighbor is an outrageous flirt. She stumbles upon some dark secrets and unwittingly becomes the target of a very powerful enemy. As Rachel's team moves to the State Cup championship, Claire must develop a game plan of her own. It's time for her to fight back and show her daughter what it means to be a soccer mom who plays to win when it matters most. *** "Soccer moms will laugh out loud (and cringe inwardly) in knowing agreement." - Kim Grunenfelder, author of "Misery Loves Cabernet" "Jennifer Coburn's 'Tales from the Crib' is a deliciously fun, laugh-out-loud read about a woman's journey toward motherhood. You won't be able to put this book down until you arrive at the final, satisfying page." - Emily Giffin, author of "Where We Belong" "'The Queen Gene' is entertaining...fresh, fast, and unpredictable...I didn't want it to end." - Jennifer Lancaster, author of "Jeneration X" "I absolutely loved 'The Wife of Reilly.' It's so funny and snappy. It was a total delight...a riot from start to finish, but an intelligent, thoughtful one that says a lot about the nature of love and relationships." -Marian Keyes, author of "This Charming Man"