Retro Romance Reading: ‘In Need of a Wife’ by Emma Darcy

In Need of a Wife is a Harlequin Presents Plus book published in 1994. I became quite interested in this book when I saw the author’s bio, which says, “Emma Darcy nearly became an actress until her fiance declared her preferred to attend the theater with her.” Uh, okay?

The Blurb

A kiss is just a kiss . . .

When the sexy stranger informed Sasha that he was in need of a wife, she was tempted to tell him she was available. Something about him told her he was husband material. And then she discovered that her stranger — one Nathan Parnell — only wanted to marry in an effort to secure custody of his three-year-old son.

Sasha desperately needed a home, but despite a disastrous union that had blessed her with a beautiful daughter, she also wanted to marry for love. And she wanted to share more than a marriage of convenience with Nathan. But if she wasn’t willing to take him on his terms, she suspected he’d quickly find someone who would.

The Heroine

Sasha has a 9-month-old daughter, Bonnie. She’s also cold as ice to a little boy who asks if he can play with her daughter again at some point in the nebulous future. She has been called elegant but not pretty, and she has fine bones, a long neck, straight black hair to her shoulder blades, and fine, pale skin. Her eyes are stressed.

The Hero