BACK IN HER HUSBAND'S BED – Andrea Laurence
Harlequin Desire #2284
ISBN: 978-0-373-73297-5
February 2014
Series Romance

Las Vegas, Nevada – Present Day

It's been three years since casino owner Nathan Reed last saw his wife Annie Baracas. They had a whirlwind romance that culminated in an impulsive marriage, but she got cold feet and walked out days later. He hasn't heard from her until recently when he got a letter from her attorney that she wants a divorce.  Annie is a world-class poker player and Nate's casino is sponsoring a prestigious poker tournament, so it's no surprise when she shows up. He intends to confront her…and do a little high stakes wagering of his own. Nate will grant Annie a divorce, and in exchange she'll work undercover for him in exposing a poker cheating ring.

Annie knew she ran the risk of running into Nate, but with a top prize she was willing to take that chance. She just didn't expect him to corner her so soon after she arrived, and darn, he's just as attractive as ever. Annie left Nate shortly after their wedding vows because she got scared; the Baracas women don't rely on men for their happiness, and Nate was making her feel all too blissful. When Nate lays down the conditions for the divorce, Annie reluctantly agrees, but she didn't bargain on the fact that it meant sleeping with him…

High rolling poker players have nothing on Nate's high stakes plan to get back at Annie. Three years ago he thought he'd found a love match with her, but she skipped town after only a short time. This has left Nate angry at Annie, so he's ready to exact revenge by forcing her to work for him and also to sleep with him. She'll pretend they're back together as a married couple, including acting as lovebirds in the throes of bliss. Being around Nate has Annie on edge, as the desire she once felt for him stirs to life again. Add in the temptation of sleeping in the same bed, and it's no wonder they're soon unable to resist each other.

Meanwhile, Annie learns that her sister Tessa is also playing in the poker tournament. The two sisters aren't exactly close, but they are siblings. The start of the competition has Annie concerned, because she doesn't want her fellow poker players to learn she may be spying on them, and because having Nate watch her makes her lose concentration. Yet, Annie soon learns more about Nate than she did the first time around (when they barely got out of bed), and she begins to see him in a new light. She also begins to open up about her past—having a mother who refuses to settle down, and the fear of getting emotionally hurt. Can Annie begin to trust Nate and think about fixing their marriage?

The bright lights and glitz of Las Vegas provide for an intriguing background in BACK IN HER HUSBAND'S BED. Annie and Nate didn't know what to expect when they're “reunited” and it offers some exciting moments when the unexpected happens. Grab a copy of BACK IN HER HUSBAND'S BED and expect to be entertained by this passionate tale.

Patti Fischer