ROMANCING THE DESERT - SHEIKH BOOKS

Desert Sheikhs

2012-01-28T10:28:00.000-08:00

What is it about the sheikh genre that has you reading romances? Tall, dark and handsome? The mystery of it all? I started reading Susan Mallery's Desert Rogue series and I was hooked. Now I can't wait to read Harlequin Presents, Desire and the other Harlequin lines. For me, they are magical. How about you?

My friend Sharon Kendrick talks about them at IHeart Presents.

January International Contest - Secret of the Oasis - Abby Green

2012-01-09T16:26:00.000-08:00

About the Author:

I've been hooked on romance novels for as long as I can remember, and it all started one day in my grandmother's bedroom in the west of Ireland where I spent all my summer holidays. She had taken one of the distinctive rose emblemed books out of the library, and being a voracious reader, I devoured it in one sitting. It could have been a Penny Jordan, or a Sally Wentworth, I can't remember now. But what I can remember is being swept away into a story that was passionate and romantic and wanting more.

The fact that I am now writing for that company is a dream that still hasn't quite sunk in, although deadlines and readers figures are helping a little!

I've lived in Dublin all my life but was lucky enough to spend a lot of time in Kerry with my grandmother. Ireland is a vibrant, ever changing and growing country, and especially Dublin its capital.

I've been working pretty much since the day I left school in the film industry as an assistant director, getting in on the very lowest rung and working my way up. It's been a fascinating and engrossing career. It also gave me the opportunity to work abroad which was such a gift. But, the hours are long, the work is extremely hard and the situations can be very stressful. Not to mention the weather conditions, especially here in Ireland! I'd often thought of trying to write a Mills and Boon and when a friend lent me a guide to writing one, the idea just wouldn't go away.

Many years of procrastination later, I finally sat down and put pen to paper, or finger to keyboard. My first and second attempts were both rejected, albeit with encouragement, and at that stage I was determined so I didn't give up. I sold my first manuscript to Mills and Boon Modern Romance in March 2006, and have been living my dream since then.

I can honestly say to any aspiring author out there that it really is worth it to keep trying, the only difference between an unpublished author and a published author is persistence, I truly believe that. Abby

Back Blurb:

Shocking secrets of the sands!

When she gave herself to Sheikh Salman in Paris five years ago, Jamilah Moreau fantasized about wedding dresses and happy endings. But Salman was driven by desire, not diamond solitaires.…

Now, sheikh of a desert kingdom, Salman can have anything he wants—and, as Jamilah discovers when he spirits her off to a desert oasis, it's still her! However, time has wrought changes, and their lovemaking is no longer enough. Something happened back in Paris that had everlasting consequences for both of them.…

Ahby talks about Secrets at the Oasis over at I(Heart)Presents and also is offering an International contest. Stop by and comment to win.

To win a copy of Secrets of the Oasis, comment here and leave your email. For more chances, follow Abby on Facebook, or follow this blog. Contest January 31st.

Girl in the Bedouin Tent - Annie West

2012-01-09T15:29:00.000-08:00

Girl in the Bedouin Tent immediately had me smiling because Cassie, was not the average heroine. She was full of fire, sass and determination because she had been kidnapped by scoundrel Mastafa, a nearby ruling sheikh who had given Cassie to Sheikh Amir who was attending a desert meeting with some of the regional rulers. He certainly did not expect to be given a sexy woman. However, because of her safety, they would have to pretend they were lovers so that she would not be harmed. An entire week of temptation for him? Thanks to Annie West, I devoured this amazing romance in one evening. It had me laughing, thanks to the spirited Cassie.

Cassie was different from the sophisticated women he dated. She was full of fire and was a "fighting cat". She had more fire than any other woman he had known and she stoked sometime inside him, he didn't understand. Negotiations were critical at this desert meeting and Amir could not afford for anything to go wrong. Reading about their week in the tent and their adventures was going to be so much fun. I couldn't wait to read their love story. Annie West never disappoints and I held my breath, waiting to read about Amir, his family and nation's history and of course, Cassie's background and her past.

In a few short days, his fascination had turned to desire. Could it be for both of them their confinement in the tent? Amir took her on a picnic, told her a little about his country. His feelings of desire were strong and he wouldn't even think about his upcoming arranged marriage, a marriage which would benefit his country. She stirred things inside him, he fought at every turn in the road. And then the truth about Cassie came out days later.....there was no one waiting to hear from her other than her landlady and a few girlfriends. Her father hadn't wanted to acknowledge her and her mother had been his mistress while he had another family. She didn't do vulnerable, she kept her self busy. The school in Talrakhar where she was going to teach English, wasn't expecting her for another week.

Like Cassie, Amir had a somewhat trouble childhood, selfish parents who only thought of their needs and themselves. It was his uncle, the old sheikh who taught Amir. Te sheikh had thought he would turn out like his selfish parents, unstable and irresponsible. Thanks to his parents selfishness, it made him stronger and the ruler he was today. Holding my breath, I so wanted them to be a couple because I knew there would be fire and passion. Trust me, their passion blazed and when the week was over it continued until gossip and duty called Amir. Hurt but looking forward to teaching, Cassie left the palace.

Miserable is the only word I can think of to describe both of their feelings. Duty called, an up coming royal marriage and not to Cassie. All I could think of, this author always finds a way for her heroine and hero to be together. I knew she wouldn't disappoint me. Spectacular is the only way to describe the perfect ending for the ending of this royal desert romancer. Simply, it was brilliant!

Back Blurb:

Not your average damsel in distress!

Sheikh Prince Amir has vowed to redeem his scandalous family name - so the last thing he needs on a tour of his desert kingdom is to have a sensuous blonde with more spirit than clothes presented for his harem.

Fiery Cassie might have been kidnapped by bandits and dolled up as the Sheikh's love-slave, but she refuses to be any man's plaything. Yet spending a week in Amir's desert tent pretending to be his mistress would get under any girl's skin. Especially when she is under his sheets.

Behind the book with author Annie West:

How one story led to another…

Some time ago I wrote a book called THE DESERT KING'S PREGNANT BRIDE about an Australian horsewoman who fell in love with a dashing Arabian prince. In that book my heroine, Maggie, had been abandoned as a child by her mother who took Maggie's younger sister with her, leaving Maggie to the cold comfort of her father's care.

I'd planned a follow up book immediately - wanting to write the story of Cassie, Maggie's younger sister who'd grown up not knowing she even had a sibling. But one thing led to another and that book wasn't written. However, Cassie's character was real in my mind, as was her difficult childhood, brought up by a mother who supported herself as a rich man's mistress. Eventually, after working through and discarding several ideas where Cassie crossed the globe to be reunited with her sister, I took my editor's advice and concentrated not on the reunion but on Cassie's own love story.

The result is a story with not a sister in sight, but I hope you find it as satisfying as I do. Cassie is travelling in the Middle East because she's re-evaluating her priorities and has volunteered to work as an English language teacher in a remote town. On the way she's kidnapped by bandits from across the border and swept into a dangerous world completely beyond her experience.

I asked myself what a modern, independent woman would do if kidnapped and presented to a visiting sheikh as a love slave. It was a situation so fraught with dark emotion and danger that I couldn't resist. Nor could I pass on the chance to explore some of the fantasy elements of the sheikh story.

The lure of the story was all the stronger because the man to whom she's presented prides himself on his honour and his self control. Circumstances are such that he can't simply reject the offer of a female companion, or leave the remote encampment for his own country. He has a mission to complete and it's vital he remain. Which means Cassie and Amir must share his luxurious accommodation and his bed, till his business is complete. Yet pretending to be a kept woman is Cassie's worst nightmare. Both Amir and Cassie are forced to face their demons, even as they find themselves drawn into a relationship unlike any they've ever had.

This story was one of the most intense I've written and was pure pleasure to write. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Annie West

The Call of the Desert - Abby Green

2012-01-09T10:17:00.000-08:00

When it comes to reunion romances I'm a softy and the fabulous Abby Green throughout The Call of the Desert tugged at my heart strings. Fate brought them together at a fundraiser where Julia Somerton was delivering a speech. Like I said, fate stepped in and twelve years later and placed them at the same event.. She thought her heart would leap out of her body. Kaden, the ruling sheikh of Burquati was in London and she honestly thought she would die. And then she remembered all of those years ago how he had dismissed her, broken her heart and sent her home.

Kaden couldn't seem to control his emotions and hunger for Julia. However, he also remembered her betrayal and his emotions were all over the place, especially because he had rescued her from the rain and had taken her to his home. Seeing her after her shower, drove him crazy, made him remember that love hurt, that you couldn't trust it because he remembered his father had married his mother for love and when she died it had changed his parent. Plus the fact he remembered seeing Julia years earlier kissing a man and she had broken his heart. She had filled his heart and soul and he had imagined they would always be together. But everything had changed that fateful day and when his father had died. That evening they were so drawn to each other they couldn't fight their feelings and I wondered if Kaden would seek revenge on Julia, for her supposed betrayal.

One learns that both of them had married but each of them were now single and/or divorced. Would this man be the only man to have ever made her feel whole and would he destroy her again? Could she trust resuming an intimate affair with him and keep her heart intact? I sincerely doubted it and when he invited her to his sister's arranged marriage, I was shocked that she accepted because I knew he had the ability to again, break her heart. Could she be the one to walk away this time, in order to save herself from devastation?

Trust me when I say The Call of the Desert was a stunning romance, written by the USA Today Best Selling author, Abby Green. The beauty of the desert, their resumed love affair, their ups and downs, all of it sincerely a beautiful love story, with a twist that made their whole situation unpredictable. You won't even believe what comes up and will change their lives forever. Let's just say they re-woke something in the end, giving them their royal happy ending, thanks to the talent of Ms. Green.

Back of the Book:

Consumed by the heat of the desert Twelve years ago Julia lost her heart to Sheikh Kaden in the scorching Burquati desert. Sizzling nights in the sand dunes under a blanket of stars made it seem as if they were the only two people in the world. Until bitter betrayal destroyed everything... Julia meets Kaden again by chance – although the cynicism in his eyes and the sharp suit covering his powerful body make the Sheikh virtually unrecognisable. Julia knows she shouldn’t ignore the warning shadows of their past, but Kaden’s earthy sexual magnetism makes the call of the desert utterly overpowering...

Happy Holidays Everyone

2011-12-25T13:44:00.000-08:00

Today I feel blessed to share this holiday with my mother and children. Wishing you all a Happy Christmas or whatever you're celebrating this December. Thanks for your visit to this blog. In advance, Wishing you a happy and joyous New Year!

Carol Marinelli - Heart of the Desert, International Giveaway

2011-11-18T19:35:00.000-08:00

I've over purchased romance books this month, so I would love to share this marvelous book with you by the fabulous author Carol Marenilli. I'm not kidding you, it will take your breath away. I cried and cried at the end because I thought the hero and heroine definitely would not get their happy ending.

Meet Carol Marinelli:

Carol Marinelli was born in England to Scottish parents, then emigrated to Australia, where there are loads of Scottish and English people who did exactly the same, so she's very at home there.

She lives in the outer suburbs of Melbourne—pretty much in her car, driving her three children to their various commitments.

Carol first tried to write for Harlequin Mills & Boon while doing her nursing training in London. It was merrily rejected and she was devastated. Rejection became a regular friend over the next few years and she amassed quite a collection. Still, as the years moved on the rejections became more detailed and instead of weeping over them and scorning them, she finally read them. Properly.

In 2000 her first romance was accepted for the Medical Romance line and she lived happily ever after. Well, that's what she thought would happen but actually, no, it was then that the hard work really began!

Once published she discovered the Romance Writers of Australia—it would, she now knows, have been far easier on this journey to have discovered them earlier. Attending her first conference she realized that she wasn't the only person who lived with a constant cinema happening in her head—in fact they were all THE SAME! Different but the same and many wonderful friendships were made.

Carol now writes for both the Medical Romance and Presents lines and loves them both.

Back of the Book

Sheikh Prince Ibrahim refuses to bow to the duty that has destroyed his family, by locking away his emotions and shunning his royal responsibility.

Georgie is just the kind of woman duty demands he should avoid—streetwise, troubled and not interested in being queen—exactly the challenge Ibrahim seeks.

Trapped among the swirling sands, in the burning heart of the desert, Georgie finally surrenders to the brooding rebel prince—yet the law of his land decrees that she can never really be his.…

Where you can find Carol:

Carol at Facebook:

Carol's Website:

Just follow this blog, comment and don't forget to leave your email address. Contest will end December 31st and it's international.

To Touch a Sheikh (Pride of Zohayd) - Olivia Gates

2011-11-13T16:48:00.000-08:00

If you love a hot romance, especially one set in the desert with one hot royal sheikh as only author Olivia Gates can deliver, you'll sincerely love To Touch a Sheikh. This was sadly for me, the final book in Olivia's Gates Pride of Zohayd triology. I would say probably one of the "darkest" sheikhs I've ever read and that was for a reason, betrayal! I wondered if Prince Amjad's wounds would ever be healed and if he would find love his his brother's.

To Touch a Sheikh I would also describe as a romance/suspense because there were so many twists and turns; betrayal, family drama and just plain hot sex! Maram Aal Waaked was a lioness. She was determined to have Prince Amjad Aal Shalaan not only in her life, but for the rest of her life. However, what was on his mind, and that of his father and brothers were finding the jewels which had been stolen with fake ones put in their place. His family honor and ruling their country were at stake and he had a plan but it backfired and in it's place the smart mouth and sexy Princess came in the place of her father. So how to continue their plan for the kidnapping? I could only see heat, no not desert heat but sexual tension and heat between these royals.

There were issues about the Princess's past, her father and first and foremost trust. Because she gave him a different version of her past and she had given him everything, herself. It was so very obvious that this adorable Princess wanted this man forever, but at what cost to her and to him? Their time stranded in the desert was lovely to read. They had both suffered so much thanks to duty at the hands of people that used them both. To go any further into each of their past marriages, the rivalry between countries, and who would end up in power would ruin the last book in this incredible series. Let's just say, this "dark" prince gets his happy ending with the woman who had stolen his heart. This triology has been such a joy to read and I highly recommend all three books.

Back of the Book

No one gets past Prince Amjad Aal Shalaan's defenses. No one. But when Princess Maram shows up at Amjad's gala in her father's place, destroying Amjad's plans to reclaim what was stolen from his family, Amjad sees red…and uses a freak sandstorm to make her his prisoner of passion.

Swept to safety by the man she's always loved from afar, Maram knows she has one chance to make Amjad see her as a woman. His woman. But when the impossible prince and the unstoppable princess take shelter from the storm, neither is prepared for the aftermath of their desire…

Meet Author Dana Marton / International Giveaway

2011-11-01T14:10:00.001-07:00

Dana Marton is the award-winning author of several romantic suspense novels that feature fast-paced, gripping action set at unusual locations. International intrigue and unstoppable passion meet in her stories to create books that are impossible to put down and are sure to become reader favorites. Dana has come to writing after a business career and never looked back since. She shares her home with her family, two extremely loud and messy parakeets, and about a gazillion books that are threatening to collapse the shelves.

When not writing, she can be found either reading or gardening — two of her other ruling passions in life. To find out more about her and her latest releases, please visit her web site: www.danamarton.com.

Black Sheep Sheik is the exciting conclusion to the six-book miniseries Cowboys Royale that I was asked to write with five other authors. I hope you’ll check them all out. Together the books tell the story of a brotherhood of royals who come to the United States on business and end up finding love. But each book is enjoyable on its own, having its own rollercoaster plot and heart-warming romance. Happy reading!

Back of the Book

Waking up from a coma in a remote Wyoming cabin, Sheik Amir Khalid thought he was dreaming when he laid eyes on the woman he'd spent one steamy weekend with. Dr. Isabelle Andrews was every bit as gorgeous as he remembered—and nine months pregnant. But when shots rang out and it was clear their hideaway had been discovered, Amir's questions had to wait. Desperate to keep Isabelle and his unborn baby safe, Amir vowed to personally guard them 24/7. And as the independent beauty fought him at every turn, he knew it wasn't just royal protocol that made him want to keep her by his side. He'd give up everything that was expected of him if it meant protecting the family he'd only just met. Including his life.

Excerpt

What is Harlequin Intrigue?

Here is what the publisher says: “Taut, edge-of-the-seat contemporary romantic suspense tales of intrigue and desire. Kidnappings, stalkings, women in jeopardy coupled with bestselling romantic themes are examples of story lines we love most. Whether a murder mystery, psychological suspense or thriller, the love story must be inextricably bound to the mystery where all loose ends are tied up neatly…and shared dangers lead right to shared passions. As long as they're in jeopardy and falling in love, our heroes and heroines may traverse a landscape as wide as the world itself. Their lives are on the line…and so are their hearts!”

Where you can find Dana Marton:

Dana's Website
Facebook
Dana on Twitter

This contest is International and will end November 30th. To win a copy of this book, simply follow Dana on Facebook. Don’t forget to leave your email address so that you can be contacted.

Monarch of the Sands - Sharon Kendrick

2011-10-28T20:23:00.000-07:00

Monarch of the Sands literally took my breath away. It was such a fantastic and romantic love story by the fabulous Sharon Kendrick.

Zahid Al Hakam was now sheikh of his country due to the death of his uncle and cousin. He was in England for a series of meetings. So he stopped by to see his childhood friend Frankie O'Hara. His father and Frankie's father had not only been close friends, her father discovered oil in his country and you can well imagine how that improved their economy. Frankie's father was considered a hero. However, it had been years since Zahid had seen her and when her father had died he couldn't attend the funeral, so he sent his brother. But now the young woman standing before him was someone he didn't know, she was lovely, no, she was beautiful and she was engaged to be married.

After questioning her, he found out that her fiance, Simon had come to her home when her father had passed. A home sat on a lot of acreage, worth a fortune. He had even gone so far as to offer her a job. He also found out that her fiance, Simon had told her she was drab and so Frankie had a make-over. New clothes, hair, make-up and contacts. The red flags went up when he was told they were selling her family home. To learn more, Zahid insisted on taking them both to dinner. It was a disaster, and in the end Zahid "called" Simon out, she broke off the engagement and was so emotional because now she didn't have a job. On top of everything, Zahid didn't know how to respond to this new Frankie who had grown into a very beautiful and desirable woman because she definitely appealed to him physically. Resisting her was going to be hard.

Frankie had loved and adored Zahid from the time she was a child. As a teenager, she not only loved him she fantasized about him. He affected her in ways her own fiance didn't, It troubled her because she was so in-experienced. Shee was also furious with Zahid because he had Simon investigated and found out he had another woman. She was embarrassed, no job and wanted to leave her home. So what did Zahid do........he created a job for her and took her home to Khayarzah. Sounded a little fishy to me, because deep down I just knew he wanted her for himself. He had ended his affair with a Russian model so he had no one in his life at the moment......dangerous!

When they arrived in his country, all sorts of things changed. Frankie worked on his father's diary. Zadiq was challenged to keep his distance and she couldn't believe how archaic their customs were. Resisting Frankie or Francesca as Zahid called her, was torture. Of course, in the end with all of the sexual tension arching between them, they entered into a very secret affair. And then when he realized it couldn't continue and he would have to choose a proper wife and/or wives, it ended brutally.

The ending chapters were hard to read and that's because author Sharon Kendrick always builds up the emotion, in such a powerful way and then it comes crashing down. Adding to this particular romance, due to his country and the people, they would never accept a western woman as their queen, even though her father had been their hero. Heart broken, Frankie returned home and Zahid was miserable and in bad temper.

Monarch of the Sands was such an interesting and spectacular love story. I couldn't see how they would get their happy ending. So how would Sharon Kendrick tie this all up? I'm definitely not telling, you'll just have to trust me with patience and their love, they would both make their relationship work.

Back Blurb:

An impossible love affair – with a sheikh!

Francesca is shocked when family friend Zahid Al Hakam turns up on her doorstep. After all, he’s now the Sheikh of Khayarzah – England’s surburbia is hardly his regular stomping ground! But he is as achingly gorgeous as ever…and she’s certainly tempted by his invitation to come to the desert and work for him.

Zahid finds the geeky, gauche teenager he once knew is now an understated beauty. Embarking on a secret affair is bittersweet – but, however all-consuming their passion, Zahid’s duty to his kingdom must surely come first?

The Sultan's Choice - Abby Green

2011-10-28T20:15:00.000-07:00

The Sultan's Choice by the fabulous Abby Green was a charming and sultry romance.

The Sultan of Al-Omar had only one reason he wanted to marry Princess Samia Binte Rashad al Abbas and that was for the stability and reputation of his country. That came first for him and he wanted a wife to enhance that. Samia also brought respect and no scandal as she was a respected archivist from London's National Library. Unlike his parents marriage, he wanted a wife that was stable, who would compliment him and give him heirs.

Poor darling Samia overheard a conversation with the man she was soon to be asked to marry. A man she had met years before when she had been embarrassed at a party she attended with her brother. Now she overheard a conversation between Sadiq and his secretary about why he wanted to marry her and it was hurtful. However, in the end she knew she would have to go through with it because as Sadiq pointed out it would benefit both of their countries. Plus it would also bring peace to both countries. On top of that, she was next in line for the throne of her country Burquat should something happen to her brother, the ruler. As the Sultan pointed out, if she married him, he would assist her in ruling. Personally, I thought it was a lot of pressure for this princess.

His future queen charmed him and his body responded in ways he didn't understand. Five days later while at an exclusive department store in London he realized Samia actually had a body, built for sin and secretly I thought "let the games begin" because I would tell this playboy sheikh was going to meet his match both in and out of the bedroom. Let's just say he was also in for a surprise because he thought as a 25 year old woman she couldn't possibly be a virgin.   There were definitely sparks between this couple and I just knew in the end, Samia would make Sadiq a marvelous queen. However while in London they embarked on different discussions concerning his past romantic liaisons and what if she couldn't give him heirs, he told her he would divorce her and remarry.

Sadiq was absolutely sure Samia would make a great queen and so did his mother. When they were both presented at the palace, even those attending admired Samia. It was only her who felt unsure of herself, especially now that she had a new wardrobe and was not wearing her former "boxy" clothes. There was also the fact that she was afraid she would please her husband. There was also the fact that Sadiq didn't believe in love because he had seen how it had destroyed his parents.

Their first time together was the night before their wedding and she gave herself completely to this sheikh. She was so responsive, like no other woman he had ever been with and she held nothing back. Oh, oh, I thought would this turn out hurtful for this future queen?   Her honeymoon was like a dream and they couldn't get enough of each other. Sadiq even went so far as to take her to a tent and an oasis in the desert. He had never experienced anything like this with a woman. I could see neither of them had expected this from their marriage. So who would get hurt, I thought probably both of them. Because Samia made Sadiq feel things he had never felt before. As for Samia when they returned back to the palace, the honeymoon was definitely over because she started making demands to her King. She definitely wasn't going to be a figure head Queen, she wanted to make a difference in her new country!

Weeks later, her husband met her project demands but for her she was hurting. She realized she loved her husband and really wanted her marriage to work, she wanted to get to know him, be with him both in and out of the bedroom.   She wanted it all! And then in a jealous rage, Sadiq said things he didn't mean and there was a huge crevice thrown up between them.

A hot romance set in the desert, with all sorts of road blocks for each of them to knock down. An amazing Sultan and Queen with so many lessons for each of them to learn, especially about each other. It was shear madness until his very own mother made him see the light. In the end, this fierce Sultan came to his senses and finally realized his connection and love for his wife! Samia's and Sadiq's love story was fascinating and definitely extraordinary to read.

Back Blurb:

Chosen as the Sultan's bride, Samia has no option but to go ahead with the marriage. And, as her new husband slowly peels away her bejewelled wedding finery, despite her best intentions she finds her inhibitions swept away.

Sadiq is surprised by his new bride's passionate nature! He chose her as a shy, biddable wife who will not make any demands on his time. Now he finds Samia to be anything but...Instead she's determined, demanding - and defiant!

For Duty's Sake (Royal Brides) - Lucy Monroe

2011-06-11T15:15:00.000-07:00

Angele bin Cemal and Sheikh Zahir bin Faruq al Zohra had been promised to each other since she had been a young girl. Zahir had been photographed with a German actress Elsa Bosch. In fact, the photos had been sent to her residence in the United States. What a cruel thing for someone to do. It made me wonder if it was Elsa herself. In the end, it was a blackmailer. Angele had always cared for Zahir from afar and wondered if she should just give him up so that he could be with the beautiful and curvy actress and find happiness. Because in the photographs they looked very intimate and happy. Maybe she and Zahir wouldn't wed but she would ask him to share one intimate night together before she gave him up!

Since Angele had been eighteen, she had been in love with Zahir. She had not cared if people understood or believed that such a young innocent girl was capable of that emotion. She'd just known what she felt and it was not a crush. As each year passed, it had grown deeper. In fact at a state dinner they had attended tohgether, while strolling in the gardens she had asked him to kiss her. Instead of doing so, he had told her she was too young and had kissed her on the forehead. Talk about awkward. On top of that, there was the fact that her father was not faithful to her mother. It was an embarrassment to her family and to their country. Therefore, as she sat looking at the pictures of Zahir and Elsa "lip locked", she knew deep in her heart that she could not allow Zahir to be held to the contract. The contract which had been brokered by men who had never given love between the two people involved even a thought. His lack of love for her demanded his freedom. Personally, I thought what a lovely and noble gift she was giving him.

Angele had been treated as the favored niece by the King of Jawhar. Now they were both, along with the wedding guests, attending his brother Amir's and Grace's wedding.  A marriage which was based on love. Both of his brothers had found love with women not all together suitable. However, it was not the same for him.  His bride had been set by an agreement between Zohra and Jawhar and he honored his duty and the contract. Angele had refused the request to be apart of both weddings and Zahir assumed it was her way of demanding he formalize the engagement between them. It was obvious she was tired of waiting and he realized the time had come to do his duty. On top of that Zahir had spoken to Angele's father and told him he would not marry a woman whose farther appeared in the tabloids, Her father patched things up with her mother and had not been featured in the press for five years. Thus proving he took his daughter's future seriously. Zahir vowed he would never be unfaithful even though his marriage would be a loveless one on his part. His future bride's stubbornness gave him hope for their future together and he realized so did her love for him as well..

Angele slipped away from the wedding and approached Zahir in his private office. She blurted out that she knew about Elsa. In fact, it was then revealed to the reader, that twice she had paid the blackmailer in order to avoid a scandal for Zahir. This fact he was unaware of because he thought it was Angele who had seen the pictures in the tabloids. However, during their discussions Zahir told her his five year relationship with Elsa was over and assured he was not like her father. He also assured her he did not consider himself "stuck" and he had been a young adult when the agreement had been made and that he chose his future. Because Angele loved Zahir so much, she wanted him find happiness like his brother's, he deserved to have it. She could do no less for the man she loved with her entire heart.

Angele and Zahir continued to argue about duty, honor, responsibility and a marriage that should take place, a marriage their families agreed to but this stubborn young woman held firm. She actually asked him if he had loved Elsa. The answer to the question was he refused to discuss it. Then she told him she wanted the wedding night she would never have and he realized she loved him. Back and forth they argued and then he agreed after all of his brother's marriage celebrations were over he would give her that one night and he sent to her room the dress that his grandmother wore on her wedding day. That was a huge surprise and I wondered why he would do such a sentimental thing like that for a woman he wasn't going to end up marrying?

Zahir was furious, with Angele, because after an evening of making love, which he enjoyed immensely, he was sure she would agree to their royal engagement and future wedding. How could she have left him like this, putting out press releases, giving letters of explanation to the Kings, calling her father? How could she after all they shared? Damn her for doing this to him.  He was shocked and so angry with her. After hours of explanation to his father, her father, and the Kings, he came up with a plan. One that had me laughing so hard because in the end, I was sure this proud sheikh would fall hard. He wanted his father to put out a "royal" press release stating that he Zahir, future King would "woo his future wife". His father laughed at him and his answer back was "you doubt my ability to woo one innocent woman after witnessing his skills at negotiations with world leaders?" Angele's father died laughing and his response was "a woman is not a world power." With that Zahir said, "no, but one day your daughter will be married to one." I thought, good luck with the wooing, Zahir. lol

For Duty's Sake, clearly showed Lucy Monroe's sense of humor and I couldn't wait to continue along with Zahir's and Angele's journey at finding happiness. After he found the blackmail pictures she left behind for him, he knew Elsa had not only betrayed him with a lover, now these picture and the lengths that Angele would go to protect him, proved to him how much she loved him. First, he would deal with the blackmail and then the courtship, because Angele would take her place as his Queen by his side because she truly loved him.  She was honorable, stubborn and would make him a perfect queen. From a distance, the courtship began with gifts and flowers and all the while, he thought of her. Finally, he personally came to see her and was shocked at her appearance. He was even more shocked when she agreed to marry him because she was carrying his heir. Could this get anymore complicated? She had conditions for their marriage. After I read them I realized they reflected back on both of their childhoods convcerning fidelity and how their children would be raised.   It made complete sense to me.

In the end, they were both full of surprises. Zahir's feelings about her love for him and how it would be positive for their marriage. Her thoughts on her pregnancy and how Zahir' negotiated everything. Moreover, of course, their upcoming "quickie" wedding. However, it all worked out in the end with both mother's doing the wedding planning. There was also the fact that world leaders would soon be attending a summit in Zohra. Which meant their wedding would take place in two months time and would be a "political" event. The surprises continued to come with her future husband continuing the courtship.  I began to wonder could he possibly be falling in love with her?

The ending chapters were amazing and Lucy Monroe made sure that anyone reading For Duty Sake would realize Angele was Zahir's treasure. There was also the fact that he was an old fashion man. Because on the fateful night when they first made love, he had actually considered her his wife. In the end, their lovemaking changed and I understood why because Zahir needed his future wife to trust him. To me it seemed like they had a real chance for a successful and happy marriage. That was until he took her on a business trip with him to Europe. Could their love survive the fact that she saw him having lunch with a female instead of attending the meeting her told her about on his schdule?

Love is about trust and Angele trusted her future husband and in the end realized, he cherished her. Oh, I cannot begin to convey how much I've loved this Royal Brides series and this book was no exception. How Zahir discovered his love was amazing to read and so was their beautiful royual wedding. It was just the perfect ending, to a perfect royal romance thanks to the brilliant Lucy Monroe.

Book Description:

Angele has longed for her betrothal to Crown Prince Zahir to be consummated within wedlock. She naively hoped her promised husband would wait for her, as she would him—but compromising paparazzi photos have dashed those youthful dreams….

She cannot become Zahir's wife out of duty and endure a loveless union; she must let him go free…but on one condition. Without taking Angele's hand in marriage, will the proud sheikh agree to give her the wedding night she has long dreamed of?

Breaking the Sheikh's Rules - Abby Green Contest - International

2011-06-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

I loved this book so much I went out and purchased it to share with those of you who love romance and the genre.

Description: (corrected)

The huge imposing castle and the barren terrain of Merkazad are a far cry from the modest farm and the emerald fields that horsewoman Iseult calls home. Or used to, until Sheikh Nadim bought her family's stud farm. As part of the deal, she must work at his royal stables….

Nadim enrages Iseult…but he also inspires a more unwelcome, unfamiliar feeling: desire. Drawn into Nadim's sensual world, Iseult feels like a beautiful, confident woman for the first time.

But she must remember the sheikh's cast-iron rule….

About the Author:

I've been hooked on romance novels for as long as I can remember, and it all started one day in my grandmother's bedroom in the west of Ireland where I spent all my summer holidays. She had taken one of the distinctive rose emblemed books out of the library, and being a voracious reader, I devoured it in one sitting. It could have been a Penny Jordan, or a Sally Wentworth, I can't remember now. But what I can remember is being swept away into a story that was passionate and romantic and wanting more.

The fact that I am now writing for that company is a dream that still hasn't quite sunk in, although deadlines and readers figures are helping a little!

I've lived in Dublin all my life but was lucky enough to spend a lot of time in Kerry with my grandmother. Ireland is a vibrant, ever changing and growing country, and especially Dublin its capital.

I've been working pretty much since the day I left school in the film industry as an assistant director, getting in on the very lowest rung and working my way up. It's been a fascinating and engrossing career. It also gave me the opportunity to work abroad which was such a gift. But, the hours are long, the work is extremely hard and the situations can be very stressful. Not to mention the weather conditions, especially here in Ireland! I'd often thought of trying to write a Mills and Boon and when a friend lent me a guide to writing one, the idea just wouldn't go away.

Many years of procrastination later, I finally sat down and put pen to paper, or finger to keyboard. My first and second attempts were both rejected, albeit with encouragement, and at that stage I was determined so I didn't give up. I sold my first manuscript to Mills and Boon Modern Romance in March 2006, and have been living my dream since then.

I can honestly say to any aspiring author out there that it really is worth it to keep trying, the only difference between an unpublished author and a published author is persistence, I truly believe that.

Good luck to anyone out there trying to get published and just believe that you will. Abby

This contest is International. In order to win a copy of the magnificent love story, tell me your favorite sheikh book or royal romance. Don't forget to post your email address. Contest ends June 30th. For an extra chance to win, follow Abby Green on Facebook.

Abby Green on Facebook
Abby's website

STRANGERS IN THE DESERT - Lynn Raye Harris

2011-05-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

Strangers in the Desert was a most unusual "sheikh" romance as only the extremely talented Lynn Raye Harris can write. In order for this proud sheikh to move forward, he needed to deal with the past. Here he thought his wife was dead and now she's been spotted in Hawaii......poor man!

Sheikh Adan and the entire country of Jahfar believed his wife was dead and that she had been buried in the sand, leaving behind Adan and their infant son Rafiq. However, Adam needed to marry in order to be crowned king and he also wanted a mother for Rafiq . An old friend Jasmine was a perfect choice. She would be an excellent mother and Queen. More so than his ex-wife Isabella.

So what could possibly go wrong? A fellow countryman spotted his ex-wife in Hawaii, using the name of Beth Tyler and she was a singer in a Hawaiian cocktail lounge. He immediately needed to confirm if there was a possibility she was alive and if so, how would this discovery affect his son and his country? He couldn't believe his eyes but for some reason Isabella didn't know Adan and he wondered if she was faking it for actually had amnesia. It all seemed quite strange reading their history, their arranged marriage, her immediately pregnancy, her father taking her to America to stay with her mother and how she got to Hawaii and I just knew this was going to be explosive in more ways than one could imagine.

Adan was determined to get to the bottom of things and so he literally dragged her back to Jahfar kicking and screaming, frightened and confused. Isabella realized one thing, she was a problem and an embarrassment. An issue to be dealt with. What she didn't understand was why her mother and father didn't tell her she had been married and then with a blow to her heart, she found out she had an infant son and in the end was told she was not going to see him. Well enough to that, Isabella couldn't remember Rafiq but if she were a mother she was going to see him, hold him, and Adan wasn't going to stop her. However, being the ruling sheikh and future King, Adan had other ideas. Even though the sparks flew between them, he didn't trust her so he confined her to the palace. However, his old nanny and a woman he loved like a mother, heard Isabella singing in her room and so did baby Rafiq, And then everything came crashing down upon them.

I got the distinct impression from reading about Adan's thought about their marriage, that Isabella was meek, mild and willing to please. However, not this new Isabella, she was fierce, determined and when she held her son nothing was going to stand in her way. They came to a mutual agreement, a two week period to see if Isabella could be trusted with her son and so he took them all, including Kalila the nanny and a minimal staff to a the Butterfly Palace located in the Jahfaran desert. It was so obvious Adan was concerned for his son because he loved him so much and he was afraid Rafiq would be confused. He was also concerned for Kalila his childhood nanny because she was older, should have been retired and he adored her. In the end, Adan's mistrust stemmed from his childhood because his mother used her son's as "show pieces", to brag to her friends and had never been much of a mother. It had been Kalila who had loved the raised the prince's not their mother. He was so attracted to Isabella but held back because she was so different now from the woman he married. She had spunk, was determined and she made him crazy from wanting to make love to her.

There was one thing for sure, she adored her son and with every breath fought her attraction for her husband, Adan, because he was still legally her husband until they could come up with legal documents so they could divorce and he could remarry. But there was one thing for sure, she was Rafiq's mother, she would not leave Zahfar and she would have a part in raising her son. But they were both confused as to why her parents had lied and how she survived the desert and why her father hadn't informed Adan she was alive. But that would have to wait, until her father returned from a business trip. I had my suspensions as to why, only meeting her husband a week before the wedding, being a virgin, him duty bound, her being left alone, pregnant immediately and giving birth alone. How depressing would that have been, thrust into royal life and alone?

Just like the hot desert sun, their passion blossomed and yet Adan held back his emotions. Sometimes he was curt with her, sometimes passionate yet she stood firm, so different from the woman she had been before the accident. And then it was time to return to the royal palace because Kalila had a heart attack, he was needed to govern his country. Plus there was the fact he need to speak with her father and get down to the bottom of things. Also proceed with the divorce? Bella, well she didn't agree with everything he said like she used but was she playing a game now so she could become queen? Also, first and foremost, was she play acting with their son to become queen? He didn't think so because he had watched her closely and he truly believed she loved their son.

Just when I thought they could all have it all, her father told Adan what had happened to Isabella and some of it was like I had suspected and some of it was not. And then, the divorce issues and papers were ready to sign. Add to that the complication of Jasmine and Adan's relationship and what she witnessed at the palace. But this new Isabella was stronger and I just knew she would survive. And would Adan realize all women were not like his mother and could be learn to trust his feelings for this beautiful woman.

I loved Strangers in the Desert for many reasons. The wounded young prince now in his adult life soon to be king and a caring and loving father. A woman transformed by an accident and her her singing. A darling sweet heir to the throne, Prince Rafiq and his doting nanny Kalila. A very unusual and powerful love story full of mystery and set in the desert.

Book Description:

The Desert King’s Lost Wife…

Isabella, the wife Sheikh Adan thought was dead, has just walked back into his life – on the eve of his wedding to another woman…

Now Adan is to be crowned King, Isabella must be his Queen – sharing his desert throne and the royal bed… But gone is the dutiful, pure girl he once knew – in her place is a defiant, sultry woman who makes Adan’s blood run hot… A woman who has no memory of being his wife…

Happpy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T01:00:00.000-07:00

Mother's Love

Her love is like

an island in life's ocean,

vast and wide

A peaceful, quiet shelter

From the wind, the rain, the tide.

'Tis bound on the north by Hope,

By Patience on the West,

By tender Counsel on the South

And on the East by Rest.

Above it like a beacon light

Shine Faith, and Truth, and Prayer;

And thro' the changing scenes of life

I find a haven there.

Author Unknown

(my daughter Keri and my mom)

And Grandma's too...

While we honor all our mothers

with words of love and praise.

While we tell about their goodness

and their kind and loving ways.

We should also think of Grandma,

she's a mother too, you see....

For she mothered my dear mother

as my mother mothers me.

Author Unknown

Coming Soon

2011-04-21T15:47:00.000-07:00

Strangers in the Desert - Lynn Raye Harris

Mills and Boon Modern - May 2011

The Desert King’s Lost Wife… Isabella, the wife Sheikh Adan thought was dead, has just walked back into his life – on the eve of his wedding to another woman… Now Adan is to be crowned King, Isabella must be his Queen – sharing his desert throne and the royal bed… But gone is the dutiful, pure girl he once knew – in her place is a defiant, sultry woman who makes Adan’s blood run hot… A woman who has no memory of being his wife…

Shadow of the Sheikh - Nina Bruhns
Mills and Boon Nocturne - May 2011

Fierce, sensual predator…or a sacrifice on the altar of love? Sheikh Shahin is an immortal shape-shifter who serves a powerful Egyptian god, and no human has dared approach his hidden oasis for nearly a century. That is until Gemma comes looking for her missing sister. And in doing so walks straight into Shahin’s carefully laid trap… Yet Shahin does not want Gemma as his prisoner. Just one taste of Gemma’s lips and he knows he must possess her fully. He wants her to burn for him as he burns for her, with a desire as hot and vast as the desert. He’s determined to claim her heart…no matter what the cost.

Visiting the beautiful Nafud desert is a chance for Lauren Viret to lay her grandmother's spirit and secrets to rest. But caught up in a sandstorm, Lauren is rescued by a handsome stranger….

Prince Rashad believes the stunning American he saved is hiding something—he must keep her close! What he doesn't expect is to fall under Lauren's captivating spell…. Yet as the enchanting nights in Arabia reveal the truth, could a future for Lauren and her prince ever be more than just a mirage?

The huge imposing castle and the barren terrain of Merkazad are a far cry from the modest farm and the emerald fields that horsewoman Iseult calls home. Or used to, until Sheikh Nadim bought her family's stud farm. As part of the deal, she must work at his royal stables….

Nadim enrages Iseult…but he also inspires a more unwelcome, unfamiliar feeling: desire. Drawn into Nadim's sensual world, Iseult feels like a beautiful, confident woman for the first time.

But she must remember the sheikh's cast-iron rule….

Another Student Request Concerning Sheikh Romances - University of Georgia

2011-04-09T11:01:00.000-07:00

I am studying and reading desert romances. It seems like a lot of folks are recently -- I think I saw a post on your blog about a student looking for responses. I have been working on this project for about three years (I can't believe it's been that long!).

I won't say that I blog, because I am horrible about keeping it up, but you can see some of my thoughts here:

Here is Amira's blog

I am interested in telling a more complicated story about desert romances. It seems that most commentary on it takes the orientalist angle to criticize the books and comes from folks who do not actually read any kinds of romance novels, so I want to interrogate that a bit. For example, Erika Wittlieb's comment in the Chicago Tribune article about the fact that desert romances actually speak back to mainstream U.S. images of Arab men (because the desert romances give us positive portrayals) helps to complicate the story that is being told about them.

If you are interested, please contact Amira: sheikhfan@gmail.com.

Brenda Novak: Be Part of the Cure - May 2011

2011-03-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

Coming in May Brenda Novak's Jr. Diabetes Auction

University of Flordia Student Seeks Your Assistance in a Survey

2011-03-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

If you read the genre and are interested, I agreed to post this on behalf of a college student who will be writing a paper based on your responses

If you are interested in participating in this survey, here is her email:

Survey email: catvaljean@hotmail.com

If you have questions or concerns about this research protocol, please contact me, Catherine Jean, (352) 278-0725, Center for Women’s Studies and Gender Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7352 or my supervisor Trysh Travis, PhD, (352) 273-0393, Center for Women’s Studies and Gender Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7352. Questions or concerns about your rights as a research participant rights may be directed to the UFIRB office, University of Florida, Box 112250, Gainesville, FL 32611, (352) 392-0433.

Penny Jordan - A Royal Bride at the Sheikh's Command Giveaway - International Contest

2011-03-16T12:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Lucy Leprechaun Giveaway Hop! March 17th to 20th.

This event is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. 200 Blogs have each signed up to host a book related giveaway and we are all linked up together allowing you to easily enter one giveaway then hop to another one.

Tips:

Print off the linky list of giveaway sites and cross them off as you enter them.

You don't have to go in order - you can start in the middle or at the end of the list and work backwards.

The Follower Love Giveaway Hop runs from Tuesday, February 8th to Sunday, February 13th. Winners will be announced on each blog on Valentine's Day.

Book Description:

Summoned for the sheikh's convenience...

The line of succession in Niroli seems dead...until a desert prince makes his claim...

Sheikh Kadir: ruler of an Eastern kingdom, but also the last heir to Niroli's throne. Kadir must find himself a queen!

Natalia Carini loves Niroli. To her, the new ruler is an invader, and now he's demanding her, as his bride! Yet to be bedded by a barbarian excites her more than she's ever known....

To Win a copy, follow this blog and don't forget to leave your email address. Winner will be announced If you already follow here, tell me how you'll celebrate St. Patrick's Day! Thanks for stopping by and for following Romancing the Desert, Sheikh Books.

Chosen as the Sheikh's Wife - Liz Fielding (Becoming the Tycoon's Bride)

2011-03-14T12:35:00.000-07:00

Violet Hamilton put her grandmother first when she had a stroke and took care of her for three years. Before the stroke occurred she had been at university and was studying to be a fashion designer. She had always known her grandmother was a descendant of the desert princess, Fatima. It was a long and involved story but as a young child, Violet remembered seeing pictures of Fatima, an Arabic letter and other family mementos.

Now her grandmother has passed away and due to circumstances she stood to loose the house.  As she was getting ready to pack up household and personal items, her foot went through the floor boards. She discovered an ancient dagger encrusted with large rubies and her friend and next door neighbor suggested she take the dagger to an antique road show called Trash or Treasures. According to the appraiser, it was indeed ancient and very valuable.

Word got to the future Emir, Sheikh Fayad al Khalifa concerning the dagger.  Because Violet shared additional information concerning her grandmother and grandfather via television, she also showed a picture of Fatima and mentioned a letter. The Chronicle, a local news paper was going to run an article about the dagger possibly being “The Blood of Tariq which supposedly had mystical powers and that put an unbelievable value on the dagger. To hold and posses it was to hold the fate of Ras at Kawi. Finding it meant trouble, especially for the person who possessed it and of course, that meant Violet.

What Fayad feared was what it meant to his country as well as Violet because many would go to certain lengths to steal it, possibly harming Violet especially the Sayyid’s who were Violet's relatives. Fayad made a decision to travel to England and make Violet an offer. Once there, he was almost too late because someone had broken into her home and was holding her neighbor by the throat. Violet admitted the evening before she had put the dagger in her ancient freezer. I almost died laughing at her choice of hiding places. However, before she could turn it over, Fayad overtook the thief and saved the day! Violet being the person she was and always putting others first, handed over the ancient dagger to Fayad, its rightful owner.

After meeting Fayad, turning over the dagger and getting his personal phone number, the next day upon returning home Violet found her home entirely trashed, beyond repair. She was distraught, called Fayad and enter her Prince Charming to the rescue. She was so upset, he wasn’t thinking and he kissed her in front of his staff. He told them to pack up Violet he was taking her home to Ras al Kawi and to his grand father to present him with the ancient dagger. However there was one problem, in his culture kissing a woman meant more it meant marriage. Fayad had been there, done that and lost his wife and son in a tragic accident, resulting in both of their deaths.

Fayad had the perfect plan, present her to his grandfather. With Violet returning the symbol of their country’s origins, she would be righting an old wrong, restoring her family’s honor and neutralizing the Sayyid threat. It was a marriage that would please his grandfather and give Fayad a beautiful wife and reunite two great tribes. He really didn’t have time to explain the entire process of the presentation, so he did a quick run through telling her how to react to her relatives, presenting the dagger to his grandfather and when he personally addressed her, “just say yes”. Talk about being trusting and now she was in a few weeks going to be married with an eventual escape, divorce and he tricked her. There was one thing for sure, she made him feel like a man and he hadn’t felt that way since his wife and child had died.

She loved seeing this new country, meeting his family and being apart of it all. She contributed and gave her ideas to Fayad and his countrymen loved her. She dreaded leaving in three months and the time passed quickly and it was time to become his wife, only to leave. However a chain of events happened from Violet being kidnapped for the dagger, to Fayad turning it over as ransom.   In the end love won him over, giving this unusual couple a beautiful and perfect happy ending. On top of that, a lovely wedding to seal the deal with Fayad making sure Violet knew “I am yours, twin of my soul”.

Book Description:

Chosen as the Sheikh's Wife by Liz Fielding (Becoming the Tycoon’s Bride)

After a beautiful stranger discovers his long-lost heirloom under a floorboard, Sheikh Fayad al Khalifa swoops in to protect innocent Violet Hamilton. Now, with greedy enemies gathering, the only way he can keep her safe is to put her on his private jet, take her to his desert kingdom and…marry her!

The Inheirited Bride - Maisey Yates

2011-03-12T14:16:00.000-08:00

“Love is not weak, love is strong.”

The Inherited Bride is Maisey Yates “debut” sheik romance and if you think the desert is hot, well think again, this is one spectacular hot romance that will definitely need an oasis to cool everyone down or will it heat everything up?

Princess Isabella Rossi knew and understood her duty to her country. She honored the marriage contract her family had arranged with High Sheikh Hassan al bin Sudar to benefit both countries. However, before she could go through with the marriage, she only wanted a few days to experience life. So she fled her brother’s home and retreated to Paris. She wanted to experience things like sightseeing, movies, shopping, the normal things any young girl would have had the opportunity to do. Why? Because her parents had told her what to do her entire life. How to think, how to dress, leaving nothing but an empty shell. She didn’t know who she was and she just wanted to experience the simple things in life. However, Hassan’s brother Adham had different ideas. He had arrived in Paris to stop Isabella from not only making the mistake of putting her self in danger; he was determined to bring her home to his brother, her future bridegroom because their royal wedding was to take place in a few months and he wanted to keep an eye on her to make sure it happened for the good of his country.

Adham was a handsome sheikh himself. He was so loyal to his brother, the high sheikh and duty bound to his country. He felt honor was the one thing no one could take away from you. Isabella stirred things in him he tried to deny. He thought her to be a spoilt royal. After some conversations with her, he agreed to take her to the Eiffel Tower, buy her a simple hamburger, take her to a movie and shopping. The shopping trip, well let’s say she had never chosen her own clothes but she tormented him when they went to the lingerie department. He saw a different side of her. She was a lovely and beautiful woman with curves and she made his body harden. She drove him crazy and there was only one way to put a stop to it! So he took her home to the Palace and his brother, the brother who had gone missing and was now at the family retreat!

During the early chapters, the interesting reading part for me was getting to know both Adham and Isabella because one could immediately feel their connection. It was going to be intense and very, very sad because he definitely would not betray his brother. Their loyalty was not something that could be thrown aside for a woman even if she was sweet, beautiful and tempting. She was forbidden as his brother’s future wife and as brothers, they had an unbreakable bond. They worked together as a team for the good of their country. On top of that, Adham had seen too many things, horrible things……the death of his parents and it had scarred him in more ways one could imagine. He also had physical scars from being a prisoner of war.

As for Isabella's feelings, she was attracted to him and was confused because she had no experience with men. She ached for him and she was tormented like him because she also wouldn’t betray and agreement nor her country. However, where was her future groom and why was he away at a retreat and not to return until the wedding? Well, Adham knew the truth and he was not just angry, he was shocked and was put in a position again to entertain Isabella. How could survive this and survive this passion and tension?

Poor Adham, I thought when he suggested taking her to Adalia, a desert oasis located two hours away from the palace because I knew it would be trouble for both of them. Palm trees, sand, water, sun, the seductive setting of a tent because who in their right mind could resist something like this and kid themselves and survive? Isabella called to him more than any other woman. She was alive in the desert and temptation. But it was a line he would never cross. We’ll see, I personally thought! Duty and honor like I mentioned before, meant everything to him but would cross the line?

This proud sheikh had seen so much…..his parents being killed in front of him. He’s been a prisoner of war. .He would protect the high sheikh, his brother and his country with his life. Isabella wanted to comfort and soothe him. Her innocence and touching turned into blazing heat, At this oasis, in the tent, this couple exploded with want and mutual need for their passion. She honestly loved him but it cost Adham everything he was, everything he believed in and she knew she was the cause of it. He had betrayed his only family member and he felt the shame because she had been promised to his brother.

However, I couldn’t help but wonder, wasn’t his brother also betraying his country and Adham as well because I knew the “secret” of why he wanted two months at the retreat before the wedding. What his brother Hassan asked of both of them would not only affect both his country and hers due to the original agreement to benefit trade routes, military alliance and oil prices; it would change their lives. Everything well let’s just say was complicated.. You’ll just have to read it to understand it without me spilling their secrets.

The ending chapters were amazing and shifted just like the desert sands. He was so cold, so hard and she wondered how she would live and survive Adham withholding himself. Now everything was different for both of them and for his country and they were both tormented. He now had so much placed on his shoulders, a man who needed to be strong and one with so much responsibility one will learn. What a roller coaster with so much emotion and so much to loose if they each made a wrong move.

What was so special about The Inherited Bride? Adham had “taught this sheltered woman and had helped her to become a woman, shown her the importance of putting others before herself and the importance of living for more than her own happiness. He made her complete.” Isabella taught him about absolute love and healed him. It was such a beautiful, sweet and romantic royal romance thanks to the author’s creative and genuine skills. It reminds one of the true meaning of love and how it can heal and make one strong, not weak because of it.

Behind the book:

Way back when, Maisey posted a blog post and her wedding pics……and about her sheikh and the inspiration

Book Description:

Princess Isabella was certain of three things...

She desperately didn't want to marry the Sheikh to whom she was betrothed...

There was more to the darkly handsome, dark-hearted desert stranger escorting her back to the altar than met the eye...

And, having kissed the stranger once, she was never going to be the same again...

TO TAME A SHEIKH (Pride of Zohayd) - Olivia Gates

2011-03-12T14:00:00.000-08:00

To Tempt a Sheikh is the second book in the Pride of Zohayd series. It's absolutely a brilliant love story and probably one of the most amazing in the "sheikh" genre because of the exotic and passionate heat due to the amazing talents of author, Olivia Gates.

From the moment as a reader I was introduced to Prince Harres Aal Shalan Zohayd's Minister of Interior and head of Central Intelligence and Homeland Security, I knew due to his position and love of his other "sheikh" brothers he would be loyal, fierce and determined to find out who was trying to over throw his family's reign. For months, they had known of a conspiracy to overthrow their father, the King. The Pride of Zohayd jewels which gave the royal house the right to rule, had been stolen and replaced with fakes just before their holiday, Exhibition Day. There was the threat if this information was exposed it would bring down chaos that would see the King removed from power. A US reporter by the name of T.J. Burke had information concerning the conspiracy. However, "he" had been kidnapped and it was Harres job to rescue T.J. A successful mission but oh what a surprise.

Talia Burke, a surgeon was on a mission to prove her twin brother T.J.'s innocence. However, before she could leave for Zohayd in her disguise as a man, she was kidnapped and held captive in the desert until a group of men burst into the cabin and bodily took her away. She was thrown into a helicopter by her new captor and whisked away into the desert until they were fired upon and crashed. Imagine both of their surprises when Harres uncovered Talia Burke NOT T.J. Burke and Talia found out that Harres family are the ones she feels responsible for having her twin brother T.J. imprisoned in a US jail for a crime he did NOT commit. However, in order to survive, she needed to stitch up the wounded pilot, Harres and then make a 200 mile trek across the desert to the oasis in order to be rescued by Harres family and get to the bottom of everything.

From the first moment one reads about their "crash meeting" and their connections to each other, one immediately learns a couple of things. They are two confident individuals, loyal to their family, fierce, determined to survive and very, very attracted to each other. For Harres I believed it was love at first sight and he saw into her soul. For Talia, I knew there would be trust issues because all she had left in the world was her twin and she believed he'd had been set up. However facing all of the danger together, the elements of the desert and trying to get to safety and get down to the bottom of things became very complicated. I believed there was one thing for sure, there would be great passion and challenges for this couple and that would take place at a very exotic oasis if they survived their desert trek.

The oasis was magical and I can honestly say I felt transported to that oasis with these two soon to be lovers because of the way the author set up all of the scenes. From the culture and welcoming of the oasis nomad tribe, to the way their culture was described, the wildlife, flora and fauna, everything was magnificent. It was all very exotic, erotic and so full of emotion. From the moment Harres had to leave Talia behind to make his way on his own, to his feelings for this woman, to his worry was he going to be too late and would he find her dead? And then there were Talia's feelings, if she were going to die, why hadn't they made love in the desert sands, something she would regret. Talk about a knight to the rescue and one dedicated to seeing this woman live so he could make love to her and oh such erotic scenes, especially the two of them on a "white horse". Onething was for sure,in the end they loved each other and their time together would soon end. Harres family would come for them, take them back to the palace and try to sort out everything. They needed to prove her brother innocent and find out who was trying to overthrow the reigning Aal Shalaan's?

Talia was anxious about her brother but there was one thing for sure, she loved and adored this prince. After meeting his family she was secured undercover at the palace until they flushed out the traitors. But not before she was set up to over hear a conversation between Harres and his brother at the hands of the "royal's" enemies. After that everything came crashing down around the two of them. However, her brother was set free but at what cost because Talia's heart was broken. She felt used and she returned back to the United States to her position as a surgeon at the hospital and to the truth!. So much heart break for this couple and feelings of betrayal. The ending of To Tempt a Sheikh was gripping and so very unexpected. So hold on to your seat when this desert prince surprises his princess and gives her that happy ending in a very public way!

Book Description:

He rescued hostage Talia Burke from his royal family's rival tribe and swept her into his strong embrace. But Prince Harres Aal Shalaan soon discovered there was more to the brave beauty than he knew. Talia held information vital to protecting his beloved kingdom…and she had every reason not to trust him.

Marooned together at a desert oasis, Talia couldn't resist Harres. Yet even as his sizzling seduction entranced her, his loyalty to his family and country would always make them enemies. Falling for the sheikh would be her heart's greatest mistake…but she feared it was already too late….

What other's are saying:

To Tempt a Sheikh garners PRIDE OF ZOHAYD trilogy its 2nd TOP PICK from RT Book Reviews!!

“Unbelievably, Gates gives readers a second sexy and singularly charming sheikh from the royal family of Zoyhad.”

“Unbelievably, Gates gives readers a second sexy and singularly charming sheikh from the royal family of Zoyhad.”

SECRETS OF THE OASIS - Abby Green

2011-03-11T13:36:00.000-08:00

Secrets of the Oasis by Abby Green was full of sexual tension, secrets and lots of twists and turns. Add to this romance an extremely tortured hero Sheikh Salman al Saqr. with a past relationship with the heroine Jamilah Moreau.

In Ms. Green’s first sheikh release, Breaking the Sheikh's Rules one was introduced to Sheikh Nadim Bin Kalid Al Saqr and the lovely Irish woman Isuelt O’Sullivan. Nadim bought one of the O’Sullivan’s prize horses and took the horse and Isuelt back to his native country where she went to work for the stable manager and trainer Jamilah a childhood friend. Nadim and his brother Salman shared a past with Jamilah. Both sets of their parents had perished together. Nadim and Salman had been close as children and she had always loved him from afar. So you can well imagine years later when they accidentally bumped into each other in Paris and he saw how lovely she’d become, she was stunning. He had no problem seducing her and taking her virginity.

Their affair lasted only three weeks because Jamilah let it slip that she loved him and he sent her packing because he didn’t do emotional affairs and most certainly not love. He broke her heart in a very cruel way. He had seen way too much in his past childhood, had been tortured when years earlier a neighboring sheikh had captured his parents, along with he and his brother. Things had been done to him that no one knew about, horrible things and he was ashamed, very guarded and unfeeling man. However, what he didn’t know was he had gotten Jamilah pregnant and she miscarried. Now six years later, Salman was asked to return to his country to take over being an interim ruler while his brother and wife went back to Ireland for a vacation. You can well imagine the shock of Jamilah seeing this man again and for Salman she was lovelier than he ever remembered, he still wanted her and was determined to have her.

While out of the country, his brother requested that Salman fly to Paris to attend meetings in his absence and to take along Jamilah with him to negotiate and checkout a neighboring horse farm. He demanded she stay with him in his penthouse suite at the Ritz. He tormented her, made her feel so uneasy with his touches, kissed her, driving her crazy until she gave in and they took up where they left off. However, this time the affair was more intense. All I will say is from then on to the end of the book you absolutely won’t want to miss the sensual tension and passion this couple share. For some reason Salman shared more with her, even his tortured past. But it didn’t stop there because Salman made it very clear he wanted her but he didn’t do love nor commitment.

To protect her heart from further hurt, Jamilah informed him once they returned home there would be no more shared passion. However, Salman had other ideas and tried to be very creative to coax her back into his bed. He even went so far as to get her out into the desert on a pretense she was needed for her veterinarian skills. An oasis, lavish tent, incredible food and this handsome sheikh….temptation at it’s best. The ensuing chapters featured roller coaster emotion and more secrets revealed as only Abby Green can pen. This sizzling “sheikh” romance complimented and tied Green’s first book together and the ending chapters were extremely emotional to read.

Abby talks about Secrets at the Oasis at I(Heart)Presents

Book Description:

Shocking secrets of the sands!

When she gave herself to Sheikh Salman in Paris five years ago, Jamilah Moreau fantasised about wedding dresses and happy endings. But Salman was driven by desire, not diamond solitaires

Now, Sheikh of a desert kingdom, Salman can have anything he wants and, as Jamilah discovers when he spirits her off to a desert oasis, its still her! However, time has wrought changes, and their lovemaking is no longer enough Something happened back in Paris that had everlasting consequences for both of them…

SHEIKH'S DEFIANT QUEEN - Jane Porter and Annie West

2011-02-26T13:58:00.000-08:00

THE SHEIKH'S CHOSEN QUEEN - The Desert Kings - JANE PORTER

Yet again, Jane Porter mesmerizes her readers with a magnificent and magical “sheikh” story, part of The Desert King series. It’s a bit of a reunion love story as nine years ago, Jesslyn and Prince Fehr were lovers in every sense of the word. They were brought together by a tragedy when Fehr’s two sisters and Jesslyn were in a horrible accident and the sisters were killed. The other tragedy was that Jesslyn was not only left with their loss but injuries which would affect the rest of her life, probable infertility.

Your heart will break as you take the journey with them…..you’ll meet his three sweet girls, his horrible and meddling mother and watch from the sidelines as secrets, lies and manipulation unfold.

Jesslyn walked away nine years ago from the love of her life, Sharif Fehr. Why? His mother hated her, told her he was to marry and that she was not fit to love and be his wife due to the fact she could never give him children. So she walked, still secretly hoping he could come after her. He did not, he married another and had three beautiful girls and now he’s a widower and needs Jesslyn’s help with his girls. Sharif realizes something is dreadfully wrong with the children and knows that Jesslyn is a teacher not living far from his palace. He “demands” she come to the palace, teach the girls and hopefully help them to adjust to their life without their mother. Sharif also has an agenda, one you’ll learn about when you read this incredible book.

You’ll love Sharif, his lack of understanding of how to be the father his girls need and how Jesslyn helps to heal and bring this family together through love and determination. It’s an exceptional romantic and sweet story as only Jane Porter can write with promises of more to come in her next release, Captive Bride.

THE DESERT KING'S PREGNANT BRIDE - ANNIE WEST

Trapped by desire and something else, you won’t want to miss The Desert King’s Pregnant Bride!

Sheikh Khalid Bin Shareef and Ms. Maggie Lewis were like “two star-crossed lovers” when they met one dark, blustery and rainy evening. They were meant to be but they didn’t know it; not at the time they first met nor did the handsome sheikh realize it until it was almost too late! Even taking into consideration how they were both raised, the emotional obstacles they needed to overcome; they were meant to be….lovers.

Maggie is upset, soaked to the bone and realized what a fool she’d been in wanting to take her relationship with her boyfriend a step further. It was like a slap in the face when she found him in the arms of another; she flees, stumbles and is rescued by a handsome stranger who she later finds out is visiting royalty. Khalid persuades Maggie to take a ride from him and upon close inspection sees that she’s troubled; instead of taking her home he takes her to the lodge where he is staying while visiting Australia. He’s determined to soothe her by getting her warm and dry clothes, just talking to her to reassure and comfort her. He realizes he might be in trouble because he finds her attractive and she intrigues him; he wants to protect her and more.

Khalid hasn’t felt like this since his wife died 8 years ago and it disturbs him. While soothing and holding Maggie, things change and they act upon their attraction to each other (I call it fate). She gives Khalid the greatest gift of all, her virginity. However, the next morning she’s determined to leave while Khalid sleeps; when he awakes and finds her gone, he’s determined to see her again! However, on top of everything, his brother dies and Khalid is forced to return to his country and become the ruler.

Maggie felt foolish and stupid that she was so trusting. She’d never felt loved……her father used, rejected and over worked her; her mother left and took her younger sister when she was very young. She had no sense of belonging, of being loved or self confidence as a woman that she might be desired by a man. It was painful to read about Maggie’s childhood. However, that one night in Khalid’s arms, and their passionate love making would stay with her for a lifetime, she was sure if it!

As for Khalid’s youth, his father was selfish; he only cared about his mistresses and Khalid's half brother which left Khalid on his own to forge his own future because he was not heir to the throne. Khalid married young; a few years his wife died. He’s vowed never to give his heart again. He desires Maggie, wants to see her again and arranges for her to travel to Shajehar on the pretence of purchasing horses. It’s an accident which causes Maggie to be seen by a physician and later they both learn she’s pregnant with his child. He’s determined they will marry, she agrees because they are both committed to giving their child support, love and stability, something neither of them experienced when they were growing up. However, Maggie questions if she can live without love knowing Khalid is still mourning his dead wife?

The Desert King’s Pregnant Bride was a moving, touching and very enjoyable love story set in a progressive country with its people accepting Maggie as their queen. Watching Maggie grow as a person, taking language lessons, meeting with the women of the village, promoting education, and bonding with Khalid’s relatives, lovely!

As for this handsome Sheikh Khalid, his protectiveness and tenderness towards Maggie was incredibly sweet. Yet one wanted to shake him because he held on to a ghost; his dead wife. He was afraid to give his heart and you’ll cry for him because it’s obvious he adored Maggie.

This was a fascinating book to read. Their passion burns with their strong desire for each other. Annie West pens a wonderful romance novel with The Desert King’s Pregnant Bride being her third sheikh book. I think my favourite parts of this story were watching Maggie grow, feeling more confident as a person, and taking charge of her life. As for the sexy sheikh…..his tenderness, his concern and desire for Maggie and reading about how he was brought to his knees! Thanks Annie for another wonderful story…..I felt as if I were in your lovely home country, Australia and the beautiful desert!

Win a Trip to Las Vegas From Harlequin

2011-02-08T10:05:00.000-08:00

Harlequin wants to hear all about your unique kiss, from romantic to downright quirky. And if yours gets the most votes, you could win a trip for two to spend New Year’s Eve 2012 in fabulous style.

3-Night, 4-Day trip for 2 to Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino + Airfare

Hurry! You have until March 30 to design and submit your kiss. The winner will be chosen from the top ten kisses with the most votes. So don’t forget to vote for your kiss! If you're voting, mine's named "Marilyn"

Click here for full contest rules and regulations to make sure you’re eligible.

*No purchase necessary required for the Submit Your Kiss Contest. Contest ends 30/03/11. Click here for details.

Must be 21 or older to gamble. Know When To Stop Before You Start. ® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700. © 2011, Caesars License Company, LLC.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Opens on 2/3/2011 at 12:01 AM (ET) and closes on 3/30/2011 at 11:59 PM (ET). Enter online at www.PatentYourKiss.com (http://www.PatentYourKiss.com) . Open to legal residents of U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Overseas Military Installations and other U.S. Territories) and Canada (excluding Quebec, Yukon, NWT and Nunavut) who are 21 or older at time of entry. Void where prohibited by law. One (1) prize is available to be won, consisting of a 3-night/4-day trip for two to Las Vegas, NV (12/30/2011 to 01/2/2012). Approximate retail value: $3,000.00 USD. Official Rules available online at www.PatentYourKiss.com (http://www.PatentYourKiss.com) . Sponsors: Harlequin Enterprises Limited and Paris Las Vegas Operating Company, LLC d/b/a Paris Las Vegas.

Bella and the Merciless Sheikh - Sarah Morgan

2011-01-31T16:24:00.000-08:00

Sarah Morgan has yet again provided this reader with a most magnificent read. In fact I personally enjoyed it so much, I read it twice!

Bella Balfour intrigued me as she hid so many hurts. As we've learned in previous The Balfour Legacy series, their father Oscar holds a charity ball every year and it seems each one has some sort of press coverage of a new family scandal. Behind the scenes, Bella who is known for her beauty and being a party girl and her Olivia were locked in a battle over a shocking discovery and it was revealed concerning their sister Zoe. So their father like he has done in the past sent Bella away to a quite retreat in the desert to think about her behavior and how she could turn her life around.

Feisty Bella had noticed the stables across from the retreat and slipped away. She found a lovely mare and as she in her youth was an experienced horsewoman, she decided to take the mare to go into the city because she was going crazy at the retreat with no cell phone, Internet, etc. Once there she would leave the mare. However, she got lost and thought she would die in desert alone.

Sheikh Zafiq was an amazing man and head of his country, Al-Rafid. He was a strong and proud ruler, loved his country and his journey once a year to find peace and meditation. He was devoted to his siblings and had raised them He at times, felt the burden of raising them plus the burden of his country so he was looking forward to his five days alone in the desert, with no one, not even his guards. You can well imagine when he found his prize mare and a beautiful young Bella lost, dehydrated and sunburned in the desert, he was furious.

Bella and Zafiq's time in the desert began on a extremely rocky note and then after he nursed her back to health, the sparing began and then the sexual tension. They have five days to get to know each other and their time and romancing you absolutely will not want to miss. Their attraction was as intense as the hot desert sun and Bella fell in love. Zafiq, well let's just say duty came first. He was determined not to be like his father and be weak and fall in love with a beautiful, spoilt and pampered woman. Bella shared with him so much of her life in England and her family and he knew he was duty bound to his country to find respectable wife and mother for his heir so he needed to say goodbye upon their return to Al-Rafid and send her home to England.

Bella didn't want to go home because she felt two things; 1) her sisters were still angry with her and 2) every time her father looked at her she reminded him of her mother's betrayal.

She also new the mare she had stolen, his prized mare was the prize in an upcoming race. Zafiq's marvelous horse favored to win. However, if he did not, then the sheikh stood to loose his mare. She begged him to stay and promised if he gave her a chance, she would work in his stables, anything not to have to go home and face her family. I so admired how Bella handled herself with the grooms and horses. How hard and long she worked and because of her love for this proud man she was willing to sacrifice her safety. It was brilliantly written and so many lessons for all reading Bella's Disgrace.

Oscar Balfour had many family rules and I think Bella learned a few under the desert sun which were dignity, courage, loyalty and commitment traits any man could love. However, she most importantly learned about sacrifice because that was what she was willing to do for the man she loved even if it meant sacrificing herself or injury.

Behind the Book:

"When I was first invited to contribute to the Balfour Bride series, I was thrilled. As I waited nervously for the brief to arrive, I hoped that my Balfour sister would be someone ‘real’ – someone whose journey would be absorbing and emotional. Right from the first moment I read Bella’s story I was excited, and that excitement stayed with me all the way through the writing of the manuscript. Bella was definitely flawed. She was also complex and sometimes spoiled, but I sensed immediately how vulnerable she was underneath all that attitude and how much of her ‘image’ had been developed as a defence mechanism. Spoiled Bella became humble Bella and then bold, brave Bella. I loved her (Go Bella!), and I hope you love her too'.....Sarah's post at I(Heart)Presents

Sarah's post at Tote Bags n' Blogs

Back Blurb:

Sheikh Zafiq Al-Rashid is furious when his week of solitude is interrupted by Bella Balfour, lost in the desert! While his fierce honor demands he rescue her, the willful heiress is a little less grateful than he'd expected. Zafiq is tempted to leave the spoiled socialite wandering the wilderness…but where would be the challenge in that?

He's powerful enough to tame the rebellious beauty. However, when they depart from the seclusion of the oasis, will Zafiq leave the memory of the fiery passion behind or announce to his kingdom that he is taking a queen?

Interested in Helping a Student from University of Florida?

2011-01-30T08:52:00.000-08:00

I just had a student contact me about assisting her with a paper she would like to write regarding the "sheikh genre" Are you interested in filling out her questionaire? If so, leave your name and email address on this blog post. Thanks.

Annie West Announces a New Sheikh Book - Sept 2011

2011-01-29T11:13:00.000-08:00

From Annie West's Newsletter, coming September 2011

My news, much is much more pleasant, is that I’ve just had my 14th book accepted by Harlequin. Yippee! If you’ve a yen for a sheikh story, look out for GIRL IN THE BEDOUIN TENT later this year. I find myself drawn to writing sheikh stories once in a while and have a marvellous time doing so. This book was no exception, from the dramatic opening, through the intense passion to the happy ending, this romantic fantasy kept me smiling as I wrote. Annie

Crazy for Books Blogathon - Jan 28-31, 2011

2011-01-28T16:33:00.000-08:00

This week's question comes from Aliyah who blogs at Des Absurdités:\

"What book are you most looking forward to seeing published in 2011? Why are you anticipating that book?"

To Win a $10 Amazon card, all you have to do is answer the above question and leave your email address at Marilyn's Romance Reviews.

Brenda Novak's Jr. Diabetes Auction 2011

2011-01-24T14:20:00.000-08:00

Brenda and her son Tad

Brenda Novak's Jr. Diabetes Auction is in May. Great auction items, books, trips, art and on and on.

I met Brenda in Seattle years ago and she told me about her son having Jr. Diabetes and I immediately volunteered to bet the buzz out, donated items and for the past couple of years, I've been be a team captain (Pacific Northwest Authors section and The Pink Heart Society section).

Authors if you have autographed books, want to give a critique? Book bloggers.....offer an interview or review. Readers of romance, donate an item? If so, please contact Brenda's assistant Anna with your items.

About the Jr. Diabetes Auction

Donate an item

About diabetes

Go straight to the auction

2011 Auction Author spotlight

Bloggiesta Ole Winners - Romancing the Desert, Sheikh Books

2011-01-24T11:05:00.000-08:00

I found this am while trying to contact some of the winners on my other blogs that some emails are bouncing. Hopefully, I can reach all of you. Just in case, my email is seattlesnoops@aol.com. If you receive an email or see your name posted here please do the following. Identify yourself and your email, the prize I've said you've won, your name, address, etc. If you've won an Amazon card, I will need your home phone as well. Thanks to all who commented and/or followed this blog.

Annie West & Her Sheikhs - Startucks card - Dee

Tessa Radley's book - Laney4

Trish Morey's book - Linda Henderson

Barnes and Noble Card - LisaB

Barbara McMahon Book - Linda Henderson

Susan Mallery Interview - Starbucks card - Linda Henderson

Again, thanks........this was quite an undertaking. However, I'm a little disappointed more didn't join in as I tried to promote this blogging event. Maybe I'll learn more "tricks to blogging" and become better at in in 2011.

Chosen by the Sheikh - Laney4

Thanks for Attending Bloggiesta Ole

2011-01-23T22:55:00.000-08:00

Thanks everyone for spending this weekend at Romancing the Desert, Sheikh books. Don't forget to check back tomorrow in the PM to see if you're a winner!

All because the lady loves a foreign accent

2011-01-23T14:24:00.000-08:00

By Samanthi Dissanayake

BBC News

It is the stuff of escapist fantasy. A tall, dark and handsome type sweeps a cream-and-roses Home Counties heroine off her feet. In its 100 years of publishing, the exotic alpha male has been a staple of the Mills and Boon romance.

The tale of the passionate desert sheikh who sweeps secretary Janna Smith off her feet in Violet Winspear's 1970 romance Tawny Sands is perhaps the quintessential Mills and Boon story.

"His tone of voice was softly mocking, but she knew he didn't really jest. He was Raul Cesar Bey and the further they travelled into the desert the more aware she was of his affinity with the savage sun and tawny sands."

Shocking and suggestive, the tale of their love was wildly popular with a generation of readers.

It is also typical of a taste for foreign pleasures when it comes to romantic fiction.

It's 100 years since Mills and Boon published their first book. Sold in 109 countries and translated into 26 different languages, it is arguably Britain's best-known publishing house worldwide.

From early in the company's history, its winsome heroines have looked beyond Britain's shores to find love.

Nobody can quite identify the very first Mills and Boon romance to feature an exotic hero or location. But Dr Joseph McAleer, author of Passion's Fortune: The Story of Mills and Boon, says it was probably in the 1910s, following the lead of Hollywood cinema and its preoccupation with desert sheikhs and jungle escapades.

The fascination still exists today with the best-selling title of the June 2008 Modern Romance series being Desert King, Pregnant Mistress by Susan Stephens.

"Exotic locations gave great scope to authors to be a bit racier. It is usually an English person going into the tropics to experience this different culture," Dr McAleer says.

"But they never lose their moral foundation. The heroines normally wind up reforming the sheikh."

Steamy scenes

In 1915 Louise Gerard wrote The Virgin's Treasure, the story of Dr Keith Harding, who leaves England for Africa to treat tropical diseases.

"This was not England but the tropics where blood was hotter and where incredible things happen with amazing swiftness" Gerard writes, preparing the reader for the steamy scenes to come. It was only in the 1930s that Mills and Boon became a dedicated romantic fiction publishers. Since then, enigmatic sheikhs, brooding Spaniards and sardonic Greek tycoons have become a staple of their storylines.

These international tales have tended to mirror broader social trends. The experience of World War II enhanced the possibilities of love abroad. WAAF Into Wife, by Barbara Stanton, follows the fortunes of Mandy Lyle, who falls under the spell of Count Alexei Czishkiwhizski, leader of a Polish squadron.

"With horizons being broadened and more international travel, the romances set in rose-covered cottages did not have the same cachet as Greece, Ibiza, and South Africa," Dr McAleer says.

The exotic and the international became a key measure of the ultimate romantic lead.

"The alpha male has to be larger than life, an incredibly heroic figure. He was usually fabulously wealthy with a mystery about him," says Dr McAleer.

Greek shipping magnates emerged in the 70s and 80s, and the Mediterranean hero rose in popularity as package holidays became the norm.

The growth in air travel also saw the rise of the air hostess/pilot romance, with many tender words lavished on the captains holding passengers' lives in their manly hands.

Nowadays, Italians and Spaniards remain popular heroes and at least one sheikh romance a month is published. Even Russian oligarchs have made an appearance.

"As the world has become more globalised our settings have had to become more exotic, more luxurious and exciting. Where our heroes were once millionaires, now they have to be billionaires," says Clare Somerville, marketing director for Mills and Boon.

Middle Eastern tycoons feature frequently but hail from fictional countries and kingdoms - there is little room for the realities of the region's geopolitics in escapist fiction.

The company's largest markets have been the UK, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Demographically, North America is the biggest market but with the launch of English-language editions in India earlier this year, Mills and Boon acknowledges this could change.

“ The real aim of romance is to provide escape and entertainment ” Violet Winspear

As India's middle classes exercise their consumer muscle, so the company wants to expand its roster of romantic heroes.

"We are also looking at the Indian prince idea. He is a clear extension of the alpha male and we are looking at launching this next year," says Ms Somerville.

It is also running a competition to find new local authors in India. Mills and Boon novels are translated in China, and for some years now its romances have graced Japanese bookshelves in the form of manga comics.

Exotic escape

Mills and Boon claim its readership all over the world look for the same thing: identification with the heroine and intense romantic relationships.

Violet Winspear, one of Mills and Boon's best-selling authors in the 1960s and the author of Tawny Sands, set many of her books in Greece, Spain and North Africa.

But she was a spinster who reputedly never left south-east England - instead she meticulously researched her far-flung settings at the local library.

Miss Winspear caused considerable controversy when explaining her archetypal hero - the sort of men "who frighten and fascinate" and "the sort of men who are capable of rape: men it's dangerous to be left alone in the room with".

Although this comment would haunt her, Dr McAleer says she thought hard about what exotic themes brought to her readers. In a letter to her publisher, Miss Winspear wrote: "Who on earth can truly identify with a sardonic Spanish Don, a handsome surgeon, a dashing Italian or a bittersweet Greek? The real aim of romance is to provide escape and entertainment, not to dish up 'real life' and 'real life people on a plate with egg on it'!"

Shirley Valentine would surely agree.

Below is a selection of your comments.

I've never read any Mills and Boon but my favourite book of all time is Gone With the Wind - Rhett Butler sounding like the template for all M&B heroes since. It's not real life, it's luxurious escapism. Thanks for bringing this to my attention, I'm off to the library... Becky, Durham, UK

I must say I do agree that there is just something about a foreign man, in particular never knowing what to expect having spent so little time around them. We cannot read them like we can the English boys. But I want to know when M&B will do a book where the man isn't rich/in a first class job? I like the classic stable boy/generally working outside - a bit rustic and roguish but can still sweep you off your feet. Larz, Chelt

I think Mills and Boon is fantastic and although it is no longer truly a British business, I still feel a little proud that they created such a well-known brand name. Love them or hate them, I think pretty much everyone knows what Mills and Boon are. There is pretty much something for everyone from very steamy lines such as Blaze, Desire and Modern Heat to very respectable Romances and Super-romances. But at the core, all of them deliver the same thing - a feel-good, escapist fantasy. Mills and Boon are also one of the few publishers that are willing to help, and accept material from, new unagented authors. Which is something of a rarity these days. For all these reasons Mills and Boon have done an awful lot for the average woman, be she a stay at home mother or a business woman. Clarissa, Cheshire

Story from BBC NEWS:

Annie West Discusses Inspiration & Behind the Book Stories for her Sheikhs

2011-01-23T04:25:00.000-08:00

Years ago Harlequin Presents author Kate Walker via a forum, let us know that Annie West was debuting her first Harlequin Presents romance. That’s when my friendship began with Annie as she allowed me the privilege of reading and reviewing it. The rest is history and I’m such a fan. As the years have gone by, Annie has written every sort of romance, including royal romances and sheikh romances giving her readers their happy endings.

Here ere are some of Annie’s sheikhs being featured and her “behind the book” stories.

FOR THE SHEIKH'S PLEASURE

He saw her.
He wanted her.
He had to have her.

Arik Ben Hassan is a modern prince, a progressive leader and head of a thriving commercial empire. Yet when he spies a gorgeous stranger trespassing on his territory, she evokes a primal response in him. His hunger for her awakens a primitive urge for possession. He will have her.

Yet when Arik devises his plan for seduction, he reckons without the consequences. Rosalie Winters is the woman who will change his life. Her past has made her strong, and secretive. Surely she’s the last woman who could be tempted into a sensuous liaison. Yet in Arik she finds a man who, against all expectation, she can trust. A man who might even have the power to heal her

August 2007 - UK paperback (Mills & Boon Modern Romance)
September 2007 - Australia/NZ (Harlequin Mills & Boon Sexy)
August 2007 - North America (Harlequin Presents)
October 2010 - UK (Mills & Boon Captivated by the Sheikh anthology

Behind the Book:

For the Sheikh’s Pleasure was a story I couldn’t resist – it just begged to be written.

I’d finally convinced myself I might be able to write a story about a dashing sheikh. I was doubtful at first. Then I started writing The Sheikh’s Ransomed Bride and found myself entering a wondrous world of fabulous riches, deeply held traditions, binding loyalties and, above all, passionate romance between a hero and heroine with different backgrounds, expectations and outlooks. And I loved it! I was hooked. Every time I sat at the computer to visit my Arabian islands in the fictitious Kingdom of Q’aroum I didn’t want to leave. For me it was fairy tale territory.

I completed the book and sat down to begin work on the next one I’d planned and found I couldn’t. While I’d written Rafiq and Belle’s story an idea for a linked book had come to me and now it was firmly lodged in my brain. I tried to resist it, not sure about writing it just yet. Surely I should concentrate on the other book I’d planned? But the idea was so strong, the urge to write it so great, it was a relief to put the planned book aside and dive instead into the tropical waters of Q’aroum once more. Looking at the pictures on this page, you'll understand how the location inspired me.

As I wrote I reveled in the chance to investigate what had happened to Belle and Rafiq since their story ended. But that was a secondary benefit.

The real thrill came from putting down Arik and Rosalie’s story. Two such different, yet strong characters. He’s a man with everything he could want. She’s a woman who’s learned to expect very little from life. Arik is brim-full of energy, a man who goes after what he wants. And when he sees Rosalie he decides she’s exactly what he wants...for now. Rosalie has a quiet strength and dignity that make her a perfect match for this powerful sheikh. She’s suffered trauma in her past and is too busy rebuilding her life to even consider romance...until she meets Arik.

This is a seduction story, and I have to say Arik’s technique is very good! However, things aren’t quite as he expects when he sets out to seduce the beautiful stranger who enters his domain. He soon learns that seduction can be a two edged sword and that the power he’s wielded half his life is no match for the woman he wants above all else.

I adored writing this book. So much so that I have a sneaking desire to go back to that wonderful world of strong, protective, handsome Arabian princes again. One day...

THE DESERT KING'S PREGNANT BRIDE
Trapped by desire.

Maggie is at her most defenseless when she meets Khalid, a mysterious yet sympathetic stranger. Their single night of passion has consequences neither expects. Khalid's solution to their situation is simple, a marriage of convenience. But can Maggie give up everything she knows to marry the enigmatic lord of a desert kingdom? Can she trust her life to the hands of the man who makes her vulnerable in ways she's never been before?

Khalid is determined to do the right thing by Maggie. She stirs his protective instincts even though she's one of the strongest and most resilient women he's ever met. More, she arouses desires and feelings he thought he'd buried long ago. He doesn't know where the passion between them will lead, but he refuses to back away, even if it means obliterating the walls they've each built around their emotions. He will have her as his bride and he won't settle for anything less than all of her: mind, body and heart.

August 2008 - UK (Mills & Boon Modern Romance h/back)
October 2008 - UK (Mills & Boon Modern Romance p/back)
November 2008 - Australia/NZ (Harlequin Mills and Boon Sexy)
April 2009 - North America (Harlequin Presents)
March 2011 - UK (in the Mills & Boon The Desert Sheikh's Defiant Queen anthology

Behind the Book:

Do you know the Hunter Valley of New South Wales? Some people know of its terrific wines but if you drive inland, to the end of the valley, you come to an area renowned for its horse studs. It’s picturesque country, with the hills narrowing around the valley and I always enjoy driving through there. Some of the horse studs are enormous and there is plenty of foreign investment in those estates, including from the Middle East.

Inspiration for THE DESERT KING’S PREGNANT BRIDE came from a trip past the neatly-fenced pastures and king-sized stables. I started playing that lovely writer’s game of ‘what if’.

What if a hard working local girl, who knew far more about horses than men, fell for the visiting owner of the estate? What if he was more than a wealthy horse breeder, but a man with much bigger things on his mind, like suddenly inheriting a kingdom that needs all his skills and energy to drag it into the 21st century? What if, despite the wariness they’ve learned over the years, they’re drawn together so powerfully that their meeting has irreversible consequences? What if he believes he can never again give his heart to any woman but feels duty bound to care for the woman whose life is now inextricably bound to his?

Maggie and Khalid are strong characters, so real to me as I began this story that I sometimes felt I was being carried along for the ride. I have a particular fondness for Cinderella stories and in many ways this is one, with Maggie transported to a far away, exotic kingdom unlike any she’s ever known. But her transformation isn’t just about a chance to wear lovely clothes (though I did enjoy those). This story is about two people finding joy and the promise of a wonderful future together, becoming the best they can be, because they’ve found the other.

THE SHEIKH'S RANSOMED BRIDE

He saved her life. Now it’s her turn - to help him save his country. By marrying him.

Rafiq paid a sheikh’s ransom to rescue Belle Winters. The ransom is a national treasure but also a traditional bridal gift to the sheikh’s betrothed. Now his people expect a royal wedding.

Belle owes Rafiq so much. How can she deny him this sham marriage that will keep the peace in his fledgling island democracy?

They’re from different worlds. She’s a dedicated archaeologist from an ordinary family. He’s descended from a line of autocratic adventurers and buccaneers. Is their marriage simply a political necessity or a passionate destiny?

February '07 - UK (Mills & Boon Modern Romance h/back)
April '07 - UK (Mills & Boon Modern Romance p/back)
May '07 - Australia/NZ (Harlequin Mills & Boon Sexy)
July '07 - North America (Harlequin Presents)
March '10 - UK in Mills & Boon's "The Sheikh's Cinderella" anthology

Behind the Book

"This book had such a long gestation period. It emerged from discussions with friend and fellow author, Anna Campbell, over months – no, years, about heroic archetypes and female fantasies of falling in love. Anna and I don’t see each other as often as we’d like so when we do get together it’s a talk fest. And one of the late night themes was why the sheikh? What is it about this sort of hero that appeals to so many women worldwide? Why do we look twice at books about Arabian princes emerging from a fantasy world to sweep some (lucky) woman off her feet?

I know sheikh heroes aren’t everyone’s cup of tea and I admit that years ago I might have said the same. But their appeal has grown on me. Maybe it’s their larger than life aura. Maybe it’s the echo of some exotic Arabian Nights fantasy. Or perhaps the fact that they wield such power in their own domain but are conquered by love.

The Sheikh’s Ransomed Bride explores what happens when duty and passion collide. When two people from completely different worlds find themselves flung together in a situation that tests them to the limit. Belle and Rafiq rise to the challenge, and in the process discover just how far they’ll go for the one they love.

The idea for this specific story came to me while I was at a Romance Writers’ of Australia conference in Coogee, Sydney. I’m sure the excitement of being with so many other wonderful writers inspired me. I was getting ready for the official dinner when inspiration struck and I had to jot down a couple of ideas.

It was quite a while before I got a chance to start the book as I was writing something else at the time. Maybe that was a good thing. By the time I sat down to write The Sheikh’s Ransomed Bride so much of the story was vivid in my mind – particularly Rafiq, one of my favourite heroes. The setting too was marvelous – a place I looked forward to visiting each time I sat at the computer. In fact I became so fond of Q’aroum that it was hard to leave and I set my next book there too!

Article Source: Annie West Website and Romance Author Buzz

Check out an interview at Romance Author Buzz with Annie.

Here is a contest Annie is also offering on her website. Check it out!

January 2011 - Royal Seduction Contest! – Ends Feb 9th

I'm starting this year with a royal-themed contest. Whether you're a fan of Cinderella stories or just a lover of romance, I think you'll find something in my ROYAL SEDUCTION CONTEST to tempt you.

The winner will receive: a signed copy of my new release PROTECTED BY THE PRINCE, plus 'Seduced by the Prince', an anthology of three royal stories:

THE PRINCE'S PLEASURE by Robyn Donald
CHARMING THE PRINCE by Laura Wright
ROYALLY PREGNANT by Barbara McCauley

It's easy to be in the draw. Simply send me an email with 'contest' in the header and tell me annie@annie-west.com

How does Tamsin get down from the library ladder at the beginning of PROTECTED BY THE PRINCE? (The answer is in the excerpt on my book page); and the member of royalty you'd most like to meet and why (they could be a current royal, an historical figure or a fictitious one).

This contest runs till 9th February 2011 Australian Eastern Time. Only one entry per person please. If you're happy to include your postal address with your entry that will save time in sending out prizes, but it's not obligatory. The winner will be contacted via email and their first name and location posted on this site. Note that by entering you give Annie permission to send you occasional newsletters about new releases. Annie West

Annie’s website
Annie on Facebook

INTERNATIONAL CONTEST - For a $10.00 Starbucks card, tell me which of these books you would purchase based on the Behing the Book Stores. For more chances to win Follow this blog or friend Annie West on Facebook. Come back here, comment and leave your email address. Winner will be announced on Jan 24th.

RECIPE from The Sheikh's Chosen Queen - Jane Porter

2011-01-23T04:19:00.000-08:00

M'hanncha ('the Snake'): In The Sheikh's Chosen Queen, King Sharif's chef serves M'hanncha for dessert on Jesslyn's first night at the palace.

M'hanncha, a dessert made of filo dough and stuffed with sweetened ground almonds before being coiled like a snake and fried in butter, is Sharif's favorite dessert. I am sharing Saad Fayed's recipe below. Saad Fayed is a restauranteur with an avid interest in preparing Middle Eastern cuisine. He has lived and traveled in many Middle Eastern countries, experiencing the many flavors and specialties of each region. Saad is currently writing a cookbook that features his family's favorite dishes. For more on Saad and his recipes, please visit his site.

INGREDIENTS:

» 1/2 package of filo dough, or 8 sheets

» 1/3 cup granulated sugar

» 2 1/2 cups almonds

» 1 tablespoon melted butter

» 1 teaspoon orange blossom water (optional)

» powdered sugar for dusting

» powdered cinnamon for dusting, plus 1 teaspoon

PREPARATION:

1. Place the almonds, sugar, butter, and cinnamon in a food processor and process to a paste.

2. Take one sheet of filo dough and place 1/4 cup of the almond paste and spread it down the center, in the shape if a thick pencil.

3. Roll the dough around the paste, and form into a snake coil.

4. Fry in butter until golden brown. Dust with powdered sugar and cinnamon. Repeat with remaining dough and paste.

Yields 8 pastries.

Saved by the Sheikh Giveaway - International Contest

2011-01-22T22:00:00.000-08:00

Meet the author, Tessa Radley

Tessa considers herself a reader at heart and discovered books at an early age. Growing up in a world surrounded by Nancy Drew, Ken and Flicka, Cherry Ames, Anne of Green Gables, Bilbo Baggins and the ponies of the Pullein-Thompson sisters, she eventually moved on to reading everything she could lay her hands on and discovered many favourite thriller, literary, fantasy and romance authors.

Depending on what she was reading, her childhood career dreams veered wildly from the less interesting choices that teachers proposed. Who wanted to be an accountant or architect with the chance of working for the Flying Doctor or living on a ranch in Wyoming or competing as a three-day eventer?

For a short time she even considered the life of a PI until she finally set her sights on a career as a foreign correspondent in Africa. These hopes were dashed when a local newspaper shut down and the journalist cadet scheme she'd planned to attend came to an abrupt end. Instead of becoming a journalist, Tessa ended up with a Bachelor of Arts degree (needless to say one of her majors had to be English Literature!) and later she finally succumbed to completing a Bachelor of Laws degree. Tessa practiced for too many years as an attorney, rising rapidly through the ranks to make partner in a city law firm.

A six month break travelling through Australia with her family, refuelling her imagination and reading tons of books, again fired up the compulsion to write. After spending almost six years honing her craft, Tessa finally sold to Silhouette Desire.

Tessa loves writing books with a little edge and a lot of emotion—the kind she loves to read. Her favourite kind of characters are those caught in seemingly insurmountable circumstances and Tessa wrestles all day long with how to get them in and out of those impossible situations. Source: Tessa's website

About Saved by the Sheikh

Pregnant by the Royal Sheikh

Practically penniless, Tiffany Smith had nowhere to turn except to the gorgeous billionaire who offered his help. But at what price? Dashing banker Rafiq Al Dhahara did not believe she was an innocent fallen on hard times. Still, his distrust didn't stop her from falling for his charms...and into his bed for one passionate night.

Months later, Tiffany again found herself at Rafiq's mercy. She wanted him to know the truth about her pregnancy—but she didn't know the truth about this man. Until she did, getting him to believe he was the baby's father would be no small feat...for nothing short of a kingdom hung in the balance.

International Contest To win a copy of Saved by the Sheikh, follow this blog, comment and leave your email address. Winner will be announced January 24th.

Tessa Radley's Website

Tessa's blog

The Mystery of Egypt, by Nina Bruhns

2011-01-22T13:36:00.000-08:00

Meet Nina Bruhns

I guess that’s how I’d describe myself.

By profession, I’m really an archaeologist (an Egyptologist) but I’ve worked all kinds of jobs, from real estate to a fabric store clerk to a student counselor at the Fulbright Commission in Stockholm, Sweden. My favorite was a work-study job in grad school (go U of C!), reorganizing the ancient Egyptian pottery at the University of Chicago’s famous Oriental Institute. The pay was lousy, but holding ceramic jars actually touched by Ramses II and King Tut was awe-inspiring and unbelievably exciting.

I’ve lived all over the USA, and even spent six years in Europe. I love to travel. Maybe because my great-grandfather was an Hungarian gypsy–my only ancestor who was not Danish. A few years back, my family and I moved to Charleston, South Carolina, which has also been a wonderful adventure. It’s amazing here, and I’ve finally found “home.”

I love archaeology, but doing fieldwork in The Sudan, Africa (my area of specialty within Egyptology) isn’t too practical with children and a husband who has a normal job. So when I thought about what I’d like to do instead, I set out to fulfill my lifelong dream of being a writer. Now I have my adventures through my characters. I can give my heroines the thrills and excitement all women dream of having, but I never have to change out of my jammies to do it. My kind of job!

My novels to date have done me very proud by walking away with such prestigious honors as the National Readers’ Choice Award, the overall Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence in Mystery/Supense (three times), the Dorothy Parker Award (five times), as well as being nominated for the RITA Award (twice), which is the equivalent of an Oscar nomination in the movie biz…to name just a few. My books have also made it onto the WaldenBooks Bestseller List, and been named favorite book of the year by Romantic Times along with several online review sites.

Sensually, I’ll admit I like to push the envelope in my stories. I think much of the appeal of romance is the seductive fantasy it allows women to indulge in safely. A woman whose days are filled with diapers or spreadsheets, PTA or sales meetings, wants to be swept away in a romantic fantasy for a few hours, into a world where she can quench her thirst for love and romantic adventure, and fulfill her dreams of a man who instinctively satisfies her deepest yearnings. I love writing about feisty heroines who do things I would never dare to do in real life. My heroes are dark and dangerous men who ooze sensuality–but who know how to treat a lady.

Last year I started another fabulous adventure, taking the plunge into the larger fiction arena with a romantic thriller trilogy, starting with SHOOT TO THRILL that came out in August ‘09, followed by IF LOOKS COULD CHILL in December ‘09, and A KISS TO KILL coming in April ‘10, all from New York powerhouse Berkley Publishing (part of Penguin/Putnam). These will be followed by a new romantic thriller trilogy starting in 2011.

I can’t tell you how excited I am to be stepping onto a broader stage with longer, more complex suspense stories. But not to worry, I will still concentrate mainly on the emotional and sensual sides of the relationship between the hero and heroine along with the page-turning suspense I am known for. For me, there is just nothing better than creating a heart-tugging love story along with a thrill-ride adventure. I hope you agree!

Ancient gods, immortals sheikhs, African vampires — Nina Bruhns has created a truly unique miniseries from Harlequin Nocturne, the Immortal Sheikhs! Nina joins us today to blog about book 2 in the series, Shadow of the Sheikh, which is on sale now!

Shadow of the Sheikh

Many of my readers don’t know that I am an Egyptologist—I’d say in real life, except that it’s kind of the other way around. Writing novels is my real life these days, and despite the three college degrees, traveling around Egypt doing archaeological digs and surveys has been relegated to the realm of my imagination. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing…

This week the second book in my IMMORTAL SHEIKHS trilogy, SHADOW OF THE SHEIKH, was released by Harlequin Nocturne (book 1, LORD OF THE DESERT, came out in August).

The series takes place in modern Egypt, in a setting filled with all sorts of fun mythological and paranormal elements. These are truly books of my heart. You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to write these stories! But when I first started writing romance, publishers would not even look at ideas with exotic settings, let alone ancient gods, immortals, and shape-shifters. Wow, how things have changed!

In this series, I have absolutely loved being able to use my knowledge of this amazing ancient culture to bring it back to life for my readers…with a cool twist. It is all still happening today. My strong, independent heroines, three American sisters, become immersed in the mysterious world of the last surviving Egyptian demigods. And boy, do they find things they never imagined existed. Including, of course, love.

Oh, and did I mention the vampire?

When I was on my first archaeological expedition to northern Sudan (which was part of Egypt in ancient times) we stayed in a tiny village on the Nile. The area around this village was supposed to have the most vampires in all of Africa. Okay, then. Freaked out? Me? Just a little.

Trust me, I’m no vampire expert. But when my editor suggested I make one of my lead characters a vampire (the hero of book 3–VAMPIRE SHEIKH coming in February–who appears in all three books), I remembered that village (who could forget!), and thought how interesting it would be to incorporate the incredibly sexy archetype of the vampire lord into the ancient Egyptian pantheon. So I took the few references I found to vampirism in Pharaonic times and shaped them into a plausible addition to the existing mythology, which I then used to build the paranormal world in the IMMORTAL SHEIKHS trilogy.

The result is a blend of vamp and Egyptian mystery which I think make the stories really unusual and interesting. When you combine that with three hunky shape-shifting sheikhs and three sizzling hot romances, I think my Nocturne readers will really enjoy this trilogy!

I hope you’ll let me know what you think!

Good reading,

Nina

For excerpts and more info on Nina and her books, see her website at NinaBruhns.com

Nina just sent me this note, Sunday 1/23

I see you posted the blog about book 2 in my Immortal Sheikhs trilogy. Thanks! It looks like it was posted yesterday, but I'm terrible at deciphering these blog things, so maybe that's wrong. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that SHADOW OF THE SHEIKH was book 2, which came out last November, so it's not available in stores anymore as it says in the blog. However, book 3, VAMPIRE SHEIKH, comes out next week (it's a Feb book), if you'd like to mention that instead.

Note: Shadow of the Sheikh is available at EHarlequin. Amazon, Barnes and Noble and at Borders. Lord of the Desert at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Lord of the Desert:

As the son of a British earl, Lord Rhys had dearly loved his life of action and indulgence as a rogue, a rake, a gambler and a womanizer. But now he loves his life as an immortal even more. Rhys's job is to supply his master—a five-thousand-year-old demigod— with all his heart's desires.

Especially women.

When historian Gillian Haliday ventures to Rhys's grave to settle a dispute for his descendants, she is enchanted by this man with stallion-like prowess. She doesn't argue when he vows to keep her for himself. But his master has other plans. Plans that will spell Gillian's doom and—when he unwittingly falls in love with her— the end of Lord Rhys's own earthly existence….

Shadow of the Sheikh:

I see you posted the blog about book 2 in my Immortal Sheikhs trilogy. Thanks! It looks like it was posted yesterday, but I'm terrible at deciphering these blog things, so maybe that's wrong. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that SHADOW OF THE SHEIKH was book 2, which came out last November, so it's not available in stores anymore as it says in the blog. However, book 3, VAMPIRE SHEIKH, comes out next week (it's a Feb book), if you'd like to mention that instead. Not sure how that mixup happened.

Vampire Sheikh:

Demigod Seth is enraged. The recent defections of his two favorite lieutenants have sparked a conflagration of fury within him and a bitter need for vengeance. Someone will pay, and pay dearly!

Who better than Josslyn Haliday? Her two scheming sisters seduced and destroyed his friends, luring them straight into the camp of his mortal enemy.

What Seth doesn't count on is Joss's own anger. After losing her parents as a child, she'll now do anything to find her two dear sisters and bring them back to safety. Anything.

Including making a deal with the devil—him. But how far is the soft, pliant temptress willing to go?

International Contest - Forbidden: The Sheikh's Virgin

2011-01-22T13:28:00.000-08:00

About Trish Morey

Award winning, best-selling author for Harlequin Presents, Trish Morey likes to hammer out her stories while walking through the bushland of the beautiful Adelaide Hills, counting koalas high up in gum trees as she goes.

In 2002 Trish entered the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart contest for the first time and was amazed and delighted to final in the short contemporary section. The same manuscript was already under consideration in London, and in June 2003 (actually June 18th at 6:32 p.m.) the magical phone call came. Mills & Boon wanted to buy her book!

According to Trish, selling a book is a major life achievement that ranks up there with jumping out of an airplane and motherhood. All three take commitment, determination and sheer guts, but the effort is so very, very worthwhile.

Sheikh Rafiq Al'Ramiz left his homeland behind—betrayed by the woman he loved. He's hardened his heart and made his fortune—and now he must return: his country needs him. But he is more powerful than ever, and vengeance is high on his agenda!

Seeing Sera again, he finds the image he's held of a heartless temptress at odds with her drab robes and downcast eyes—but he will take what he's owed! What will this ruthless sheikh do when he discovers Sera's very real innocence?

Contest is International. To win a copy of Forbidden: The Sheikh's Virgin, follow this blog or Trish on Facebook. Come back here, post a comment and leave your email. Winner will be announced January 24th. If you ready follow Trish, comment on her facebook page.

Harlequin Presents Authors Talk About Writing and Their Sheiks

2011-01-22T09:02:00.000-08:00

LYNN RAYE HARRIS

Last September, my editor surprised me with a phone call where she asked if I would be willing to write a sheikh novella. Willing? Willing? I think I very calmly said, “Of course. That sounds fun.”

But the truth is that I love sheikh stories. I don’t think I’ve made a secret of the fact that I fell in love with sheikh romances as a girl. One of the first I ever remember reading is Penny Jordan’s Daughter of Hassan. I’m sure I’d read others before that, but that’s the one that made my breath catch and my heart pound as I raced to the end. I simply had to know what happened! Penny had it all in that story—the dark and brooding hero, the innocent heroine, the harsh desert setting, the strong emotion—and I was hooked.

When I sat down to write my own, my first, you might think that I immediately knew what I was doing. After all, I’d loved these stories forever. But sometimes loving them so much means you want to throw in all the knowledge you’ve accumulated. In a story that is half the length of a typical Presents, that’s a bit of a problem.

I eventually figured it out though—and King Zafir bin Rashid Al Khalifa, the hero of “Kept for the Sheikh’s Pleasure,” was born. Naturally, he’s as gorgeous and ruthless as you would expect a sheikh to be. But he’s also deeply emotional, and he’s been hurt before. When I realized that, I also knew who had hurt him. As the story begins, Zafir’s ex-lover crashes into his life after ten years—and he finds that he can’t quite let her go.

Not without tasting her one more time, anyway.

Dr. Geneva Gray is an archaeologist who once loved a prince of the desert, but who walked away when she realized they could never be together in the way she wanted. Now, she’s been captured and given to Zafir as a gift—and the feelings she once pushed away are demanding to be dealt with before she can leave him a second time.

Naturally, nothing is as simple as either of them hope it will be.

I love a good sheikh romance, and I love a reunion or second chance at love story. We probably all wish we could go back and change something we did or said at one time or another. Zafir and Genie can’t change the past, but they can come to terms with it and learn to forge a future together. Relationships aren’t always easy, and fixing one that’s previously been broken is definitely a challenge.

I’m very thrilled to get to share this story with you all now. And I’m truly honored and excited to be sharing space in Chosen by the Sheikh with none other than Kim Lawrence. Source: I(Heart)Presents.

This was author Sharon Kendrick's response to the above post

I’ve always had a penchant for Sheikhs, Lynn – I like the idea that by ruling their very own kingdom, they are powerful and autocratic in a way which makes other men pale into insignificance beside them.

Maybe it’s also because there’s a sense that beneath all the riches and trappings, lies a man with very elemental appetites….one who can gallop bareback across the hot, baking sands of the desert….and who can seduce a woman, almost without trying.

Sheikh. Spells. Seduction!

SUSAN STEPHENS

Part One

Writing about two brothers, both sheikhs, and both rulers of neighbouring countries, gave me the opportunity to explore two very different personalities. Sheikh Razi al Maktabi, my hero in Ruling Sheikh, Unruly Mistress, is the younger brother. Protected as a child by his elder brother Ra’id, Razi is now highly successful, both in business and in bed. We have no idea what he might be capable of until we see him tested.

Razi is one of those urbane, confident men, who seems unattainable but deep down Razi is searching too. Fortunate to have true friends he has known all his life, Razi is well aware that a man in his position can attract false friends too, and that the women who cross his path sometimes see no further than his money and status.

Razi is a strong, determined man, who, knowing that his playboy life is at an end, is determined to devote himself to his country to the exclusion of everything else. Razi is deeply kind and compassionate beneath his apparently unbreachable shell, and for this reason I gave him a vulnerable heroine – curvy chef, Lucy Tennant — a quiet girl, with a vivid inner life.

Lucy learned that she had nothing interesting to say growing up in a large, noisy family, where she was the only girl, and where her brothers and parents were brilliant academics. But that didn’t stop Lucy dreaming. In fact, the less she spoke, the more she dreamed, until one day she stole away from the family home without anyone really noticing.

Starting at the very bottom in a professional kitchen, Lucy worked her way up until finally she is offered a job as a chef, catering for a top class chalet company. It is here that Lucy is destined to meet a man who will change her life forever. Having decided to keep his identity a secret, Razi is intrigued by the quiet, dutiful girl who is oblivious to celebrity and all its trappings.

Intrigued, yes, but Razi will return to rule his magical island, which means putting all his personal desires aside. Will the quiet girl accept being sidelined, or will circumstances force Lucy Tennant to embrace her inner strength?

Part Two

Sheikh Ra’id al Maktabi is a flint hard man. The circumstances of Ra’id’s birth and caring for a younger brother whom he had to protect from their own father, means that Ra’id has never had the opportunity to be a playboy – or anything close. Trained to rule a country from birth and deeply mired in tradition, Ra’id is a desert warrior who must fight to keep his country and his people safe.

Ra’id is even harder on himself than on others and has never known the luxury of idle time in which to ponder his decisions but makes them swiftly and surely. His people love and respect him deeply for protecting them and for keeping their way of life safe.

Into this fierce man’s life I brought the female equivalent of the fairy on top of the Christmas tree.

Young, wild and beautiful, Antonia Ruggiero has been ruined by her brother, Rigo – my hero in Italian Boss, Proud Miss Prim – but being indulged like this has had some interesting side-effects. Yes, Antonia can have anything she wants, which has made her wilful and defiant, but she’s more interesting than that. While Rico would like to keep Antonia in a safe, cosy cocoon, Antonia has other ideas and has escaped her brother to find answers in the Arabian Gulf.

Antonia might be tiny, but she is strong, both mentally and physically, and when the boat she is on is attacked by pirates, Antonia not only escapes but then confronts the much greater danger of the most formidable man in the region, The Sword of Vengeance himself, Sheikh Razi al Maktabi of Sinnebar.

SANDRA MARTON

Mistress of the Sheikh is about sexy, wealthy, powerful Nicholas al Rashid. Nick has a home in Manhattan, more women than any man could want, and a strong dislike of the media spotlight. Amanda Benning is a successful decorator. Well, not quite. Amanda’s hoping to become successful, and when Nick’s sister suggests Amanda redo Nick’s penthouse, Amanda goes for it. It’s to be Nick’s birthday surprise, but when Nick finds Amanda in his bedroom, taking pictures, taking notes, he assumes she’s a tabloid reporter. And when Amanda says no, she’s his birthday surprise… Trust me. Things get a little confused, and a lot hot, hot, hot! Source: I(heart)presents

Harlequin Presents makes a promise to readers and it's a BIG promise!

Presents says it will deliver the very best romantic fiction in the world. Okay, I'm biased; but I believe it does. Our books can transport a woman from the pressures of her daily life to a fantasy-land of excitement. Passion and seduction, guaranteed, we say.

And we mean it.

In the sophistication of a Presents world, gorgeous, powerful, wealthy heroes find themselves baffled by independent, stand-up heroines. It's a place in which a man and woman can generate enough heat to start a fire and, in the process, find love that will bring them enduring happiness.

I try, always, to deliver on the Presents promise. An exciting setting. A stirring conflict. Heart-pounding passion. And, always, an Alpha hero to die for.

Maybe that's what I love about Presents sheikhs. They're always Alphas! Mine surely are. They're also a little arrogant, a little too sure of themselves. They know what they want and nothing will stop them from getting it. Not a one of them has ever met a woman he can't have!

Wrong.

There's always one special woman who will defy that conviction. And when she does, the chase is on.

Tariq, the Crown Prince of Dubaac in my October Presents, THE SHEIKH'S DEFIANT BRIDE, has everything a man could possibly want. Rugged good looks. Money. Power. Homes in Manhattan and in his native country. And, of course, Tariq has women. Though he works hard, he plays hard, too. Marriage, familyâ€¦ those things are a long way off.

Then, overnight, fate intervenes. Tariq's beloved older brother dies in an accident, leaving Tariq heir to the ancient throne of the kingdom of Dubaac. It's the worst kind of wake-up call, a reminder that life can change in a heartbeat. Tariq loves his country and knows his duty.

He must find a wife and produce an heir of his own.

Well, thinks the sheikh who has everything, how difficult can that be?

Do I hear you laughing? Yes, you're right. Finding a wife, the proper kind of wife, turns out to be almost impossible. There are lots of women who want to marry him. The problem is that he canâ€™t seem to find one he wants to marry. He has high standards. He wants a wife who will be beautiful and bright but he also wants one who will understand that he is in charge at all times.

Madison Whitney is beautiful. Sheâ's bright. She's also about as likely to let a man run her life as it is to snow in the hot desert sands of Dubaac.

Still, these two are attracted to each other. Okay, that's too wimpy a word. They are hot for each other but nothing can come of that heat because, you see, Tariq's about to use modern technology to guarantee himself a future heir and Madison's going to use the same technology to have a baby without the inconvenience of a husbandâ€¦

But life doesn't always go as we intend.

An extraordinary twist of circumstance leaves Madison pregnant with Tariq's child. Tariq, with imperial arrogance, assumes Madison will agree to give her baby to him when it is born. Madison says if that's what he thinks, he's out of his mind. Tariq, a logical man, reconsiders. He comes up with what heâ's sure is a perfect solution.

He'll marry Madison.

To his amazement, Madison laughs in his face.

So much for Mr. Nice Guy.

Tariq is a sheikh. A prince. He will do whatever it takes to claim his unborn child and if that means kidnapping Madison and forcing her into marriage by first taking her into his bed, so be it.

What neither of them counts on is that the passion they share will change everything.

THE SHEIKH'S DEFIANT BRIDE is the first book in my new three book mini series, THE SHEIKH TYCOONS. The trilogy tells the stories of Tariq, Khalil and Salim, three old friends who are the rulers of fantastic kingdoms in a place called The Nations. They're powerful, passionate men.

They're also as sexy as sin.

TRISH MOREY

love that word “forbidden”. To me it conjures up images of wayward yearnings and dangerous desires, and a compelling tightrope walk between enforced restraint and sheer recklessness.

On one side of the tightrope lies safety.

On the other, the possibility of satisfaction beyond belief. But at what price?

Sheikh Rafiq Al’Ramiz, in Forbidden: The Sheikh’s Virgin, the third story in the Dark-Hearted Desert Men miniseries, knows all about that tightrope walk between restraint and recklessness. He knows he could play safe – and he’s determined at first to take just that course. Why should he have anything to do with the woman who took his heart so many years ago and then smashed it so cold heartedly on the rocks of her marriage vows to another?

Except after his return to Qusay, restraint soon finds itself replaced by the desire for revenge. Sera is now a widow. And why shouldn’t Rafiq make her feel as uncomfortable with the situation as he does? What’s stopping him now taking what was so rightfully due to him so many years ago? And what price might he ultimately pay if he does?

It’s a rocky road – or maybe more appropriately, an emerald strewn road – if this couple are to ever find their happy ever after.

I loved writing Forbidden: The Sheikh’s Virgin, the third installment in the Dark-Hearted Desert Men mini-series. I hope you love it too! I(heart)presents

JENNIE LUCAS

Last month, Carol Marinelli’s book, Wedlocked: Banished Sheikh, Untouched Queen, told the story of a king who discovered he was not the trueborn heir of Qusay. This month, The Dark Men of the Desert series continues as his three royal cousins are forced to decide who will take the throne!

My hero is the eldest, Kareef Al’Ramiz.

It was fascinating to write the story of a powerful man – a half-barbarian sheikh just returned from the desert – who knows he loves and wants only one woman, right from the very first page.

After thirteen years in New York, Jasmine has returned to Qusay to marry a wealthy older man for the sake of her family. That makes her absolutely forbidden to Kareef, as is his knowledge that he must marry a virgin princess who can give him an heir. But as honorable as Kareef is, how can he surrender Jasmine to another man’s possession? Especially since they share a secret that could destroy everything for them both….

I loved writing this book, especially since it meant working with Carol Marinelli, Trish Morey and Annie West. They are so great!

While writing Kareef and Jasmine’s story, I drew a map of Qusay just for fun. For various reasons related to Annie’s plot, we ended up turning this map upside down, so it’s not really accurate anymore (and I’m not sure how much the other girls really used it anyway), but I thought you might get a kick out of seeing it!

The fictional desert island kingdom of Qusay (just turn it upside down *g*)

Like Carol, I am eagerly awaiting the final two books in the series, Forbidden: The Sheikh’s Virgin by Trish Morey in June and Scandal: His Majesty’s Love-Child by Annie West in July. I am dying to see how it all turns out, and see if all four sheikhs have happy endings – and are ultimately tamed by the strong, loving women they deserve. Happy reading, Iheartpresents

CAROL MARINELLI

The Desert King’s Housekeeper Bride is the last in the Karedes series and my very first sheikh.

I was delighted when my editor invited me to be part of the series, especially when I found out that I’d be writing a sheikh romance. I was also thrilled when I saw who the other authors in the series were.

I couldn’t wait to get started.

Until I started!

My brain went into gridlock. I thought of all the fabulous authors in the series and their amazing books. I thought of all the other wonderful sheikh romances the readers love and I admit that I had stage fright, writers block… I had the lot! I tried to type, to just push my way through it, but I kept stressing about tiny details – like, do they have fridges in the desert? Honestly, I am an Olympic level procrastinator!

Well, a friend gave me a good talking to, as good friends do, and finally, when I got past the white noise in my head, I got my first real glimmer of Zakari.

For those that have read it, the image that came to mind was the first time Effie laid eyes on Zakari!

Finally I could see Zakari and his surrounds — I felt as if I were standing behind Effie and witnessing what she could see and it was at *that* moment I fell in love, not just with Zakari, but with sheikh romances. Suddenly, the book I had had so much trouble starting, I didn’t want to finish, I wanted to stay with the characters for a little while more.

There is something truly wonderful about a sheikh romance , I’m completely hooked now. They’re sexier, richer, more alpha…. they’re just … more!

Pass me a fan!

The Karedes series has been a joy to work on. I spent a wonderful weekend refusing to move from the sofa, with my stash of books, some chocolate and wine, and I read all the books from start to finish (except my own) and again, I didn’t want the fantasy to end but luckily for me it didn’t have to! In April the first or a new series – Dark- Hearted Desert Men comes out. The first book, Wedlocked: Banished Sheikh, Untouched Queen will answer any lingering questions I may have left you with in the final book of Karedes.

So, even though it’s the end of a great series, it’s not all over yet.

When I wrote the final book in The Royal House of Karedes series, I was tying up a lot of threads and also giving a little link into a new series.

Well, that was what I was supposed to do.

The thing is, when you write, there is no chance of a little link.

You write that little link and it’s like rain on soil and that little link starts to unfurl and that little link has become the Jack and the Beanstalk of little links and it’s right outside your window and PLEASE let me write it.

You see – I knew, more than Xavian did, all the challenges he faced – I knew this was so much harder for him than it first appeared and that he needed the most supportive, wonderful heroine.

Wedlocked: Banished Sheikh, Untouched Queen was to be the first in the Dark-Hearted Desert Men series and I did get to write it.

Except…..

The heroine that the series required was just a little bit different to the one I had envisaged for Xavian. I like writing about real women and I had been given a Queen!

Where was calm and reassuring when I needed it for my hero?

Layla had troubles of her own – she had a Kingdom to run and she certainly wasn’t going to leave it on hold while Xavian got his act together!

She had as much drama going on as him.

The more I worked on, the more I liked her and found out that she was, of course, a real woman too, with the same, albeit different, versions of the problems we face. Pretty soon I realized that Layla was exactly the woman needed.

This is what I love about continuity – it’s your own story, but there are other ideas in the ring that push you towards a different path than the one you might have taken.

There are also the discussions with your editor and the other authors — Jennie Lucas, Trish Morey and Annie West – together we worked out jewels and characters and the fun bit for me will be reading their books and seeing what happens when Xavian and Layla left the building! Happy reading! I(heart)presents

KATE WALKER

But for me the best stories are where the setting is not just like scenery in a play, a painted ‘backdrop’ to the action. When the setting of a book really works it adds to the tension of the story, the development of the character. And it encloses my hero and heroine in a world of their own. So that’s when Bedouin tent in At the Sheikh’s Command, that snowed in cottage, or the Greek billionaire’s island home all come into their own.

LUCY MONROE - Sheikhs Bartered Bride

THE CHARACTERS: Hakim bin Omar al Kadar is a man driven by honor, duty and loyalty to his family - the Royal Family of Kadar. His duty includes convincing Catherine Benning to marry him. Catherine spent her childhood and teen years as a social outcast because of physical problems she could do nothing about. By the time she was able to alter her appearance, she no longer trusted people, particularly men, enough to pursue her dreams of love and having her own family. She begins the book vulnerable, but she's a strong woman and her growth forces Hakim to look at his own motivations and feelings.

THE SETTING: This book takes place almost equally in Seattle, WA and the imaginary Middle Eastern country of Kadar. I had a tremendous time making up my own Middle Eastern country with its very own Royal Family as well as traditions and customs. And setting parts of the story in nearby Seattle was a lot of fun too.

THE STORY: Hakim is the alpha hero we all dream about. Sexy. Intelligent. Bent on doing what is best for all the people he cares about, including a quickly recalcitrant Catherine. While Catherine learns to trust beyond betrayal and Hakim learns to love beyond duty, they both test the limits of the emotion that simmers between them.

INTERNATIONAL CONTEST - To win a $10.00 gift card, follow the Harlequin Presents Author Blog, come back her and post a comment and leave your email address. Winner will be announced Januarhy 24th.

Abby Green and her Sheiks

2011-01-22T00:40:00.000-08:00

SECRETS OF THE OASIS:

Shocking secrets of the sands!

When she gave herself to Sheikh Salman in Paris five years ago, Jamilah Moreau fantasized about wedding dresses and happy endings. But Salman was driven by desire, not diamond solitaires

Now, Sheikh of a desert kingdom, Salman can have anything he wants and, as Jamilah discovers when he spirits her off to a desert oasis, it’s still her! However, time has wrought changes, and their lovemaking is longer enough

Something happened back in Paris that had everlasting consequences for both of them

Breaking the Sheikhs Rules is Abby's first sheikh book and I'm reading it at the moment. Talk about an arrogant man and a sassy Irish redhead lass.

Blurb:

When Sheikh Nadim buys the O'Sullivan stables, Irish virgin Iseult is plunged into a life of glorious sensuality and luxury - for as long as she can obey Nadim's one cast-iron rule: don't fall in love with me...

On January 22nd , please stop over to ROMANCE AUTHOR BUZZ to read my interview with Abby and for a chance to win a $10.00 Amazon card.

Details here

Rescued by the Sheikh - Barbara McMahon - International Giveaway

2011-01-21T23:33:00.000-08:00

Meet Author Barbara McMahon

So, what is this gently-bred Southern Belle from the Old Dominion State of Virginia doing setting up housekeeping in the wilds of the California Gold Rush Country? I'll bet you suspect there's a story to be told here. . . .

As so often happens, the quiet, subdued pace of my childhood left me yearning for new places and adventures as I finished my high school years. Hm, let's see, how far away from home can I get on the excuse it's to go to one of the best universities in the nation? How about Berkeley and the University of California? Yes, that ought to do it--very daring.

Talk about culture shock! The university was urbane, sophisticated, and in the midst of social and political upheaval like the world had never seen over the Free Speech Movement. It was an exciting time, but it was also like being on another planet. I know the folks back home watched the news diligently every night to see if their darling, shy Barbara was somewhere out there in the crowd and the teargas, wearing khakis and waving her fist in the air. That wasn't my style, but all of a sudden, I was quite the independent woman.

And, I was just across the Bay from that dream of a city, San Francisco. The quaint ethnic neighborhoods and towering skyscrapers of "the City" had a real effect on me. They made me want to see the whole world! I had dreams of joining the Foreign Service, of becoming a full-fledged diplomat in service to my country.

But in the meantime, what better way for a travel-hungry young college grad to put some miles under her belt than to become an international flight attendant? Now, I had a smorgasbord of wondrous places and experiences set before me--even though some were a bit of a blur because of the jetlag. I developed an affection and an appreciation for places very different from my own. At the same time, I came to understand how much in common we as human beings have, no matter what exotic locale we might call home.

My flying days came to an end when I fell head-over-heels in love and decided the best place to practice my diplomatic skills for the time being was with my new husband and our growing family. But it wasn't easy to settle myself into a nine-to-five day job. I've always been something of a daydreamer, and with all those marvelous places in the world tucked away in my heart, the stresses and restrictions of the work-a-day routine sent my thoughts wandering well beyond my office window at the most inopportune times.

While I could no longer jump on a plane for my Great Escapes, there was an alternative. I began to write. Soon, it became a joyful obsession, and, while the usual demands of family and finances kept me tied to the corporate grindstone, slowly but surely, the books began to take shape. Much to my delight, the books started to sell, dozens of titles to Harlequin Mills and Boon, a dozen more to Silhouette and even a couple to HardShell Word Factory! My latest venture carries me into the world of Harlequin SuperRomance books.

By the time my youngest graduated, an idea had started to take shape for my dear husband and me. I was ready to devote all my time to writing. We were both ready to leave the bustle and stresses of big city urban life, but we didn't want to stray too far from our children and the lives they had created for themselves. We came up with a perfect compromise.

Both of us had always been drawn to California's rugged and pristine Sierra Nevada Gold Rush Country, a few hours' drive from San Francisco. Of course, these days, the picturesque boom towns host visitors from all over the world, but the relaxed pace, the tall, fragrant pines and the glorious mountain air make for a little piece of heaven for my writer's soul. The move was one of the best decisions we ever made.

I still travel to various writer's conferences and signings. Getting to know readers in the process enriches my life in countless ways. My fans are the best!

I also visit family all over the country, particularly since I've developed a curiosity about my family's geneology.

Now and then, the wanderlust still comes over me and I picture myself living a life of cultured leisure in a cozy cottage in the English countryside. So, I sit down at the computer and take myself there for an hour or two, or to the pristine beaches of Hawaii, or even a quick trip Down Under.

But for now, the breathtaking and historic California mountains are very much home.

Source: McMahon's website

About Rescued by the Sheikh (Desert Brides)

Riding into the sunset with a sheikh!

When photographer Lisa Sullinger injures herself while exploring alone in the harsh desert of Moquansaid, she thinks it's pretty bad luck. Then a sandstorm strikes!

Handsome, enigmatic Sheikh Tuareg al Shaldor shelters Lisa in his desert tent before whisking her to his stunning, palatial home.

Lisa can't help but fall for Tuareg--but she knows he has built barriers around his shattered heart. Can Lisa dare to dream she might be the one to bring light--and love--back into the brooding sheikh's world?

To win a copy, take a look at this blog and comment on which book you would choose to read. Post a comment and please leave your email address. Winner will be announced January 24th.

Meet Loreth Anne White

2011-01-21T21:08:00.000-08:00

Meet Loreth Anne White

Loreth Anne White was born and raised in southern Africa, but now lives in Whistler, a ski resort in the moody British Columbian Coast Mountain range. It’s a place of vast, wild and often dangerous mountains, larger-than-life characters, epic adventure, and romance — the perfect place to escape reality.

It’s no wonder it was here she was inspired to abandon a 16-year career as a reporter, features writer, and editor (under the name Loreth Beswetherick) to escape into a world of romantic fiction filled with dangerous men and adventurous women.

When she’s not writing you will find her long-distance running, biking or skiing on the trails, and generally trying to avoid the bears – albeit not very successfully. She calls this work, because it’s when the best ideas come.

Loreth has won the Romantic Times Reviewer’s choice award, is a double Romantic Times Reviewers’ choice award finalist, a Rita finalist, a double Daphne Du Maurier finalist, and multiple CataRomance Reviewers’ choice winner.

The Sheik’s Command

Angel of mercy— or desert temptress?

Aid worker Nikki Hunt only wanted to ask Sheik Zakir Al Arif for safe passage across his war-torn country. She never expected to be taken prisoner by the handsome, secretive sheik. Or to be attracted by
the lust his dark stare set off in her—a lust as hot as the Sahara.

Desperate to thwart a coup, Zakir was forced to hold the beautiful stranger captive—though what he really wanted was to take her to his bed. In close quarters, Nikki and Zakir succumbed to their explosive desire—until an enemy within forced an act of betrayal that could tear them apart forever.…

To save a kingdom, they must conquer love.

Chosen by the Sheikh Contest - International

2011-01-21T17:47:00.000-08:00

About Kim Lawrence:

Though lacking much authentic Welsh blood, Kim Lawrence comes from English-Irish stock. She was born and brought up in North Wales. She returned there when she married, and her sons were both born on Anglesey, an island off the coast. Though not isolated, Anglesey is a little off the beaten track, but lively Dublin, which Kim loves, is only a short ferry ride away. Today they live on the farm her husband was brought up on. Welsh is the first language of many people in this area and Kim's husband and sons are all bilingual she is having a lot of fun, not to mention a few headaches, trying to learn the language! She is a keen gardener and cook and enjoys running often on the beach, as living on an island the sea is never very far away. She is usually accompanied by her Jack Russell, Sprout don't ask, it's long story!

With small children, the unsocial hours of nursing didn't look attractive so encouraged by a husband who thinks she can do anything she sets her mind to, Kim tried her hand at writing. Always a keen Mills & Boon reader, it seemed natural for her to write a romance novel. In 1995, she published her first novels and now she can't imagine doing anything else.

About Lynn Raye Harris

Lynn Raye Harris is a veteran world traveler and avowed shoeaholic. After a lifetime of military moves, she now plies her pen in Northern Alabama where she resides with her handsome husband and two crazy cats. When she's not shopping for new shoes or the perfect antique for her collection, she crafts stories about sexy alpha warriors and the heroines who bring them to their knees.

Prince Tariq Al Kamal furiously forbids his brother to marry an unsuitable woman. Then Tariq whisks Beatrice away to his desert home where he becomes intent on seducing her. What he doesn't realize is she isn't his brother's intended—she's an innocent who's about to become his bride!

Kept for the Sheikh's Pleasure by Lynn Raye Harris

King Zafir bin Rashid al-Khalifa does not care for surprises. Especially ones that involve the reappearance of his ex, Dr. Genie Gray! Now Zafir has the power to make all the rules—and what he wants is a willing Genie in his bed….

International Contest - Offering a copy of Chosen by the Sheik a Harlequin Presents 2 Stories in 1 to one lucky winner. To win a copy, follow this blog or tell us who is your favorite "sheikh author" and why. Don't forget to leave your email address. Winner will be announced January 24th.

Abby Green's Secrets of the Oasis

2011-01-21T17:26:00.000-08:00

Shocking secrets of the sands!

When she gave herself to Sheikh Salman in Paris five years ago, Jamilah Moreau fantasised about wedding dresses and happy endings. But Salman was driven by desire, not diamond solitaires Now, Sheikh of a desert kingdom, Salman can have anything he wants and, as Jamilah discovers when he spirits her off to a desert oasis, its still her!

However, time has wrought changes, and their lovemaking is no longer enough Something happened back in Paris that had everlasting consequences for both of them

Isn't this a beautiful cover? Abby is such a wonderful author, her romances sizzle and will take your breath away.

Romance Writers of Australia Requesting Books for Flood Victims

2011-01-21T11:00:00.000-08:00

The following message was posted to my in box from Romance Writers of Australia. Please consider doing this as I know it would mean so much to these flood victims.

We've all seen the devastation the recent Queensland floods have wrought and have wondered how we can help. We know that for many affected families, books will not be high on their priorities list for some time to come. But...We also know how valuable books can be in providing time out when reality gets tough.

So…With the aid of some wonderful volunteers, we've put together a Romance Writers of Australia Flooded Communities Book Appeal.

What we need?

FICTION BOOKS! Romance books, children's books, young adult books, genre books, whatever – either new or in sparkling condition.

Please send them to:

RWA Flooded Communities Book Appeal
PO Box 1717
Noosaville Post Office
Noosaville BC
Queensland 4566

When to send them?

Now! And any time over the next few months. The books will be boxed and delivered to the appropriate libraries/schools/neighbourhood centres/community centres in batches as soon as the communities are ready to receive them. We’ll be liaising with councils, libraries and schools to ensure this is done appropriately. Feel free to pop a note inside, or if you're an author, sign it.

Questions:

If you have a question about donations, email Jess Anastasi:

If you work in a library / council / community centre / school in a flood affected area, email Rachel Bailey:

BREAKING THE SHEIKH'S RULES (Summer Sheikh's)- Abby Green

2011-01-21T05:15:00.000-08:00

Spirit, sass and spunk is what I adore in a heroine and Abby Green has outdone herself in Breaking The Sheikh’s Rules, her first venture into writing the sheikh genre. It’s an amazing sensual journey you’ll take with Sheikh Nadim and Iseult O’Sullivan.

Sheikh Nadim Bin Kalid Al Saqur was quite the ruler and he was in the process of purchasing the O’Sullivan Stud Farm. In fact not only the farm but the O’Sullivan home, along with the services of Paddy, Isuelt O’Sullivan and their housekeeper, plus their prize two year old magnificent horse, Devil’s Kiss. What he didn’t count on was he would be on the receiving end of her smart mouth. No one, but no one talked to him in the manner this sassy redhead did; she not only challenged him she intrigued him. In the end, the plan was to move his racing and breeding horse program to Ireland and to make sure Iseult returned home with him to Merkazad along with Devil’s Kiss to assist in training the prize horse.

What an excuse, to have her return home to his country and see her daily. What a mistake, but he couldn’t help himself because he desired her. He didn’t do love nor relationships. He would have a mistress from time to time but that was the extent of his love life. At one time he had been married. But his wife and unborn child died, due to a horse riding accident. However, this young and spirited woman stirred things inside him and until he figured it out and got her out of his system, he wasn’t going to get much sleep.

It all happened to fast, the sale of the farm, her relocation to Merkazad and being installed in employee housing. Then of course, her being part of his training team. Iseult was confused by her feelings for this handsome sheikh. As he pointed out, when he purchased O’Sullivan’s, he owned all of them including Iseult! He was larger than life and she felt the sensual pull, especially when he was too near, touched her and then kissed her. While working with Devil’s Kiss there was an incident which made Sheikh Nadim angry and gave him the perfect excuse to move her to his castle. Sparks flew every time they were together and in the end on a horse buying trip to look at Arabian’s, they finally both had had enough. An innocent “harem dance” led to them making love in his tent, and this virgin’s fate was sealed. Honestly, it was like something out of the Arabian Knights!

Because Nadim was her first, he reminded her he didn’t do love or commitment. She was reminded of an earlier conversation when he revealed he did not love his wife and their’s had been a marriage of convenience. So when she agreed to be his mistress, he was very firm their relationship would be over when he said so! What an arrogant Sheikh! I only hoped she would remember her conversation with her boss, the head trainer Jamilah and family friend of the Al Saqur’s. Jamilah warned Iseult the Al Saqur’s were ruthless and she knew it first hand because she had once been involved with Nadim's younger brother.

Back at the palace they resumed their love making; however he didn’t stay the night with her and she realized then that he had the power to hurt and destroy her. There were other changes, her co-workers treated her differently, so did Lina her maid and her sheikh didn’t like it when she wasn’t there waiting for him. However, there was something about her; he realized was special . Nadim felt comfortable with her and shared more with her than he had with anyone. In a way, I personally thought they were somewhat alike as they had both been thrown into taking responsibility for their family……Iseult for her family and horse farm and he for his family and country.

Holding my breath, I wondered what would become of their affair because Sheikh Nadim was so adamant they didn’t have a future together. Plus the fact that their world's were so different from each others. When would it end and how? Simply, Iseult ended it because she couldn’t continue and spilled her emotions.... she loved him! Shock would be the word I would use to describe his reaction to her confession..... “I’ve fallen in love with you” . Then disbelief because she was leaving him, followed by anger. However, Abby Green gave this desert lord and sassy Irish lass a brilliant and happy ending. It was hard to believe this was Abby Green's first sheikh book.

Be on the lookout for Sheikh Nadim’s brother’s story in Secrets of the Oasis. It’s his younger brother Salman and his family friend Jamilah Moreau, Nadim's head horse trainer. You’ll get a short glimpse of the emotion and tension brewing between this couple, towards the end of Breaking the Sheikh’s Rules.

Behind the Book:

"When my editor first asked me to consider writing a sheikh story, I was reluctant. Why? Because this prospect was daunting to say the least. These books, to me, have always delivered the ultimate fantasy – the heroes are impossibly autocratic, hardened by their harsh environments; the heroines have to be strong enough to withstand their particularly delicious brand of arrogance. And there is a well-loved list of names who do them so well; Penny Jordan, Jane Porter and Sandra Marton, just to name a few. Not to mention the sheer task of creating that evocative world. Deserts and oasis and stupendously gorgeous palaces.

But….the lure became too great. I’d had an idea in my head for sometime about a sheikh who comes to Ireland to buy a thoroughbred horse and so that became the start of my story…not in the arid desert, but in the lush green fields of Ireland.

And whilst in the process of writing the story, I found myself encountering two more arrogant heroes; one a sheikh, the brother of Nadim in this story, and the other a sultan from a neighbouring sultanate. So, far from my initial trepidation, if looks like I’m going to be inhabiting the land of sheikhs and sultans for a while longer.

I hope you enjoy Nadim and Iseult’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it"……Abby

Book Description:

When Sheikh Nadim buys the O'Sullivan stables, Irish virgin Iseult is plunged into a life of glorious sensuality and luxury - for as long as she can obey Nadim's one cast-iron rule: don't fall in love with me..

New York Times Bestselling Author Susan Mallery and Her Desert Rogues

2011-01-21T05:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome Susan. My sheikh genre reading actually began with your Desert Rogue series. For me personally, this has been an exceptional and enjoyable reading journey.

Can you tell us about your The Sheik and the Bought Bride, your final book in your The Desert Rogue series? What inspired you to write this particular story?

Susan: There are several elements I’ve wanted to put in a story for a long time. I’ve been saving them for the right time. I wanted to tell a story that was outrageous and exciting and sexy. For me, the sheikh books are all about the fantasy.

How does it feel to have the series ending and will you ever write another sheikh romance?

Susan: I’ve learned to never say never. Ideas show up when they’re least expected. But for now, I’m reaching the end of my sheikh book story telling.

How did The Desert Rogue series evolve?

Susan: I started with three books and really never thought I would do more. But the reader interest was huge and the mail started pouring in. So I kept writing them.

Of all your sheikh heroes, who was your favorite and why?

Susan: Oh, I don’t really have a favorite. Every story, every hero, is special.

I love how your heroines are always strong and stand up to these Princes of the desert. Your sense of humor shines through along with the sensual tension you create between your characters. Who was your favorite heroine to write?

Susan: Again, no favorites. I’ve enjoyed them all.

I believe I once read in one of your interviews that you created your own regions and countries. Was there a reason for that?

Susan: Yes. The real world of the Middle East is complex and difficult. There are religious differences and deadly conflicts. My books are about taking people away from the real world. So I created my own countries where my romantic stories can take place. There’s no religious issues, no war, no disagreements, except between the hero and heroine.

Have you read any book from the sheik genre?

Susan: I read them all the time and love them!

Why do you think the sheikh romances appeal to readers?

Susan: It’s the fantasy of the powerful, royal male brought to his knees. Most people think it’s the love of a good woman that changes him, but I disagree. It’s not being loved, but loving that makes him see the value of connecting emotionally as well as physically.

Is a sheikh the ultimate alpha male hero - “bad boy”? Or is it the appeal of the unknown, even the forbidden?

Susan: I think he’s more bad boy than forbidden.

Do you think current events ever influence one’s love — or hate — of sheik stories, or do you think reader’s are able to put all that aside and just enjoy the story?

Susan: Most are. I have had people say horrible things about these books and about me because they can’t see anything but reality. In truth, romance is all about different fantasies. That’s why we read them—to be swept away. Who better to do that than a sheikh.

Susan, I want to thank you for joining Romance Author Buzz and I look forward to reading The Skeik and the Bought Bride. I want to thank you for all of the joy The Desert Rogue series personally brought me.

Susan: My pleasure!

List of Books in the Desert Rogue Series:

1. The Sheikh's Kidnapped Bride (2000)

2. The Sheikh's Arranged Marriage (2000)

3. The Sheikh's Secret Bride (2000)

4. The Sheikh and the Runaway Princess (2001)

5. The Sheikh and the Virgin Princess (2002)

6. The Prince and the Pregnant Princess (2002)

7. The Sheik and the Princess in Waiting (2004)

8. The Sheik and the Princess Bride (2004)

9. The Sheik and the Bride Who Said No (2005)

10. The Sheikh and the Virgin Secretary (2005)

11. The Sheik And The Christmas Bride (2007)

12. The Sheik And The Pregnant Bride (2008)

13. The Sheik and the Bought Bride (2009)

Become a Fan of Susan's on Facebook here

Susan can also be found on Twitter!
Susan Mallery's website:

INTERNATIONAL CONTEST............FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A $10.00 STARBUCKS CARD EITHER FOLLOW SUSAN ON FACEBOOK OR JOIN HER MEMBERSHIP PAGE AT HER WEBSITE. COME BACK HERE, TELL US WHAT YOU DID AND LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. WINNER ANNOUNCTED JAN 24TH.

Welcome to Bloggiesta Ole

2011-01-21T04:59:00.000-08:00

Welcome! Today kicks off the three day weekend of Bloggiesta Ole. I hope you enjoy your time here and check back daily for giveaways. To see other book bloggers particapating, click on the sidebar to the right of this blog. While you're here, I'm hopeful you also follow this blog!

Olivia Gates at Holiday Bash

2010-12-30T08:39:00.000-08:00

Well the holidays are behind us and soon is will be a new year. Olivia Gates talks about her latest "sheik" books at Romance Author Hotspot. Stop by before December 31st, there are lots of authors blogging and prizes. I've donated some books to the cause from Marilyn's Romance Reviews.

Here's what she says about the behind the book story:

And Marilyn, about the backstory. I was going to include this particular premise in my first sheikh trilogy for Desire, Throne Of Judar, incidentally for the second book in the trilogy, too. But I thought it might be has too much danger, action/adventure elements for the line so I instead wrote The Desert Lord’s Bride with a different premise.

Then when I started plotting Pride of Zohayd, I felt such a desire to write this premise again, and this time, feeling more courageous, I wrote the proposal for it, among the three proposals I turned in to my editors for the trilogy.

And lo and behold. EVERYONE loved this premise most of all!!!!

I so hope readers love it as much, not only because I loved writing the book, but because this would encourage me to try more unusual premises that still deliver the lines promise of ‘always passionate, powerful and provocative’!

TO TAME A SHEIKH - (Pride of Zohayd) - Olivia Gates

2010-11-09T18:43:00.000-08:00

Recently, author Olivia Gates was quoted in an interview saying she wanted to write this triology, Pride of Zohayd for years. To Tame a Sheikh was everything Gates desired it to be and more for this reader as her desert prince and his once childhood friend Joharea were truly magnificent characters and lovers. Their love story was “most intense, romantic, and a devoted love story.” It was magical to read!

As a child, Zohara Nazaryan and her family resided in the palace in the kingdom of Zohayd as her father was the royal jeweler. Her brother had been best friends with the King’s youngest son, Prince Shaheen. From the moment Zohara had set eyes on this older young man, she loved and adored him. And then as he grew older his distanced himself from she and her family and she never understood why.

Shaheen had advised his father he would accept an arranged bride but he also promised a friend before leaving, he would attend a party. Johara knew the man she had always loved was going to attend a party in his honor and she wanted to see him as it had been twelve long years. Then their eyes locked, he sought her out but for some reason he didn’t recognize her but he wanted her with such intensity, it sizzled off of the pages. He took her to his room, took her virginity and made love taking both of their breath away. In the morning she left and Shaheen had no idea of her last name or how to contact her.

Eight weeks earlier, Johara’s dreams came true when she laid in the arms of the man she had adored and loved. Now she was back in Zohayd to help her father as he was going to retire. And then they saw each other and Shaheen realized he absolutely couldn’t marry another woman, that this woman of his heart, the woman he had always loved even as a young girl but never admitted it was the woman he wanted permanently in his life. And then things changed for them both as well as the royal family. They found out that the royal jewels were fakes and of course suspicion was placed on Johara and her father. Even his older brother believed she was involved and his middle brother, well in the end believed she and her father had no involvement.

Reading about all three desert sheikhs makes me NOT want to wait for their stories if they are going to be anything like To Tame a Sheikh. It’s obvious that each brother is going to be strong, handsome, unusual and when he finally finds that special woman to love, he’ll fall hard. Personally, I can't wait!

Johara’s and Shaheen’s journey was not an easy one because not only were facing the jewelry scandal that could take down their country, Johara was pregnant the family eventually learned plus the fact that the entire Zohayd tribal council were counting on Shaheen marrying one of their own. If he didn’t, it would cause a major war but he wouldn’t hear of it as he worshiped, adored and loved Johara and was determined to marry her and keep his child.

Would they get their second chance? Would the mystery behind the fake crown jewels be unraveled? If you believe in miracles, then believe in this love story, because with the support of family, they get their second chance along with the last few chapters setting the scene for the upcoming books in the series. To Tame A Sheikh was an incredible and extremely moving royal love story.

Behind the book:

“I’ve been dreaming of it for a very long time. I’ve been wanting to write this trilogy ever since I was writing my first sheikh trilogy for Desire, THRONE OF JUDAR.

This trilogy takes place in the neighboring allied kingdom of Zohayd, and the heroes are the half-brothers of Aliyah, the heroine of the final chapter in JUDAR’s trilogy, THE DESERT KING.

But I had to write five books in between to get here, so I was very anxious to start this book. Then when I did, the characters came alive, and defied my plans for them. My original plot was filled with conflict and doubt. But even though it was reasonable to doubt each other with all the evidence, the characters laughed at my logic. THEY knew each other, would never doubt one another, and I should butt out.

The result was the most intense, romantic, devoted love stories I’ve ever written. So far, I’ve gotten amazing reviews for it, and I’m thankful for and thrilled with each word of praise for those two exceptional lovers. I hope everyone else who reads their story will think the same.” O. Gates

Book Description:

He would possess her!

He’d noticed her across a crowded room, and in that instant Sheikh Shaheen Aal Shalaan wanted her. With just a few words, Shaheen had his mystery woman in his bed, where she awakened passions he’d long denied.

Then the sheikh discovered his lover’s true identity. She was Johara, his childhood friend, now fully blossomed into a vision he could not do without. But his lineage demanded he take a wife of the throne’s choosing. Anything else would have catastrophic results. Yet how could he turn away from the woman who carried his baby?

To Tame A Sheikh—Book One PRIDE OF ZOHAYD trilogy—Nov 2010
To Tempt A Sheikh—Book Two PRIDE OF ZOHAYD trilogy—Feb 2011
To Touch A Sheikh—Book Three PRIDE OF ZOHAYD trilogy—Aug 2011

MAJESTY, MISTRESS.......MISSING HEIR - Caitlin Crews

2010-11-02T10:55:00.000-07:00

Majesty, Mistress……Missing Heir was an extremely enjoyable romance to read by author Caitlin Crews. However, it was also one of the most emotional romances I’ve also read. In fact, I still have a lump my throat. It was a royal roller coaster romance, one you will definitely not want to miss!

Sheikh Tariq was now the King of Al-Nur and had once been a playboy living in London. Now as king of this desert country he was expected to marry and produce an heir. However, in order to move forward with his life he must get the woman he left five years earlier out of mind. Jessa Heath! What this proud, sexy and extremely handsome king did not know was he had fathered a child, a son.

Jessa had finally come to terms with everything that had happened after her lover had abruptly left her pregnant and alone without a word when he had to return to his country as its ruler. She did not have the opportunity to tell him five years earlier that she was pregnant. He as well, did not say goodbye because she had gone away for a few days when he was called home. Alone, with no job only her older sister and brother-in-law, Jessa had a lovely baby boy which in the end she gave up for adoption because emotionally she wasn’t able to raise him. Now, after five years of no communication who should return on her doorstep but the very man who broke her heart, the very man she hadn’t realized was a billionaire and royal sheikh until he abruptly left and she read the headlines. Why she wondered was he now here in England and demanding to see her? It was to have one more night with her to get her out of his system?

As soon as one learns how they met, how hot their chemistry was, how emotional their relationship was five years earlier plus the fact that Jessa was keeping horrible secrets from Tariq I knew this was going to be an emotional mess and in the end they would both get hurt. Emotional doesn’t even begin to describe this “second chance” romance and I warn you to have a box of tissues handy because you’ll need it.

After angry words, tension and more, Tariq finally talked Jessa into meeting him for dinner. However, when he sent a car for her, she wasn’t aware that dinner would not be in York, it would be in Paris. The sensual tension was like a powder keg ready to explode. However, Jessa knew she was done for and decided to take charge and the upper hand in their one night of wild passion. It was obvious one night wouldn’t be enough and then Tariq saw the stretch marks on Jessa and knew she had lied to him, had deceived him. However, he was not without blame and it all came tumbling out with one exception. Jessa was keeping the secret of who had adopted her son, because she knew who they were. However, she loved her son and would do anything to protect that secret.

Days, weeks go by as they spend time together in Paris, wonderful and passionate time together and then the bomb was dropped when Tariq realized who had adopted his son and he demanded to see him. All I can say was personally I drenched the pages of this book with my tears. I ached for his loss, for Tariq’s pain as well as for Jessa because it was so very obvious they realized they loved each other. They had both lost their parents at an early age and especially for Tariq family would mean everything. I agonized for this couple and wondered how they would survive this mess that had been created by both of them due to the choices they had both made.

Majesty, Mistress…Missing Heir was a compelling story about the battle waged between passion, reason, desire and love. For me Tariq is one hero I will long remember.

Behind the book:

Caitlin talks about her book at I(Heart)Presents

Book Description:

Sheikh Tariq bin Khalid Al-Nur is as treacherous and formidable as the desert land he wants to rule. But he cannot take the throne of his country until he marries. Why, then, has he not wed? Tariq cannot rid his dreams of ordinary but bewitching Jessa Heath!

Jessa knows she and Tariq have unfinished business. What if she were to take control and allow herself the one night he's offering to put their passion to rest? But Jessa is treading dangerous ground! It would only take that night to reveal the secret she has so desperately kept hidden….

CHOSEN BY THE SHEIKH - The Sheikh and the Virgin\Kept for the Sheikh's Pleasure - Kim Lawrence and Lynn Raye Harris

2010-10-28T13:42:00.000-07:00

The Sheikh and the Virgin by Kim Lawrence was quite an interesting royal to read because Prince Tariq Al Kamal had an agenda which was to make sure his brother didn’t end of with a woman he disapprove of, a very unsuitable woman. However, what he didn’t know was that Beatrice Devlin had an agenda which was to make sure her friend and Tariq’s brother got their happy ending and in the end would get married.

Beatrice was a fabulous heroine, she was fierce and loyal to her friends Emma and Khalid and she appealed to Prince Tariq even though he fought it. And then he summoned his brother home and sent him off on an assignment which resulted in Khalid getting hurt and he fought for his life. Still Tariq was determined that Beatrice and Khalid not be together. He wanted to pay her off, but she wouldn’t have a thing to do with his offer.

Beatrice was an incredible heroine, she had spirit and beauty. She had also been alone most of her life and when Khalid was hurt she was torn if she should send for Emma. And then Tariq misunderstood her loyalty to Khalid and agreed that she loved his brother and they should marry. Talk about a mess because it was obvious that Tariq wanted Beatrice for himself. And then quite by mistake Tariq found out his brother loved Emma and they were married.

The chemistry between Tariq and Beatrice was sizzling and he wanted to make Beatrice forget his brother. However, he went about it in the wrong way, he made love to her and realized he loved her, this poor young woman who was so alone, had been alone with no family. Could he make a life with her, marry her? You’ll just have to read The Sheikh and the Virgin to find out the lesson Tariq and Beatrice learned and that was home was where they both were, together.

Book Description:

The Sheikh and the Virgin by Kim Lawrence Prince

Tariq Al Kamal furiously forbids his brother to marry an unsuitable woman. Then Tariq whisks Beatrice away to his desert home where he becomes intent on seducing her. What he doesn't realize is she isn't his brother's intended—she's an innocent who's about to become his bride!

Kept for the Sheikh's Pleasure by Lynn Raye Harris was a most unusual and amazing sheikh romance. Immediately, I could imagine King Zafir on his Arabian horse or in his desert tent with the woman he once knew so intimately, Doctor Genie Gray. They very same woman who had been kidnapped, the same woman whose heart he had destroyed because of a secret.

Genie Gray couldn’t believe she was seeing Zafir again after all of the years of separation when she loved him in college until she found out he was promised to marry another woman. And then he asked the most unthinkable thing of her, to return home with him and to become his mistress. Even though she knew his culture was different, it didn’t help one bit and it destroyed her, she felt betrayed. Now she was forced to be in his company again and it was evident he wanted her back again, in his bed. What really hurt was that she after all of years between them desired him, possibly still loved him.

Zahir had lost so much, his brother, his father, his first wife and a divorce from his second wife. He was alone and now he was king. So much responsibility and first and foremost was his need to unite his country. He was shocked to see Genie Gray again after ten years, the one woman he believed understood him, the woman who refused him. She was in Bah'shar on a dig and had been captured and presented to him as a gift. And still after all of these years, he wanted Genie in the most intimate way. And so he kept her in his tent and then took her to his palace.

Genie had learned at a very early age from her mother what loving a man could do, especially when that man wasn’t able to return that love. How was she going to resist Zahir because she knew if she gave in she would be hurt all over again and she suspected after being around him that she was still in love with him. However, leaving wasn’t an option because the sheikh who presented her as a gift would be offended and Zahir needed his sheikh's to all unite. So he offered Genie an incentive, a dig in the ruins of the old temples at Al-Shahar and she accepted.

Talk about a roller coaster of a reunion, one steeped in sensual tension, old memories, old hurts and they could keep their eyes or hands off of each other. And while reading this beautiful romance, I felt that I was in the desert and at the palace with Zahir and Genie. This romance was brilliantly written, very descriptive and very emotional.

Zahir knew it was wrong to keep her with him but she brought some normalcy into his life with all of upheaval going on around him. She made him remember how he used to be when he was a student studying architecture and made him feel not so alone in the world. As for Genie, it was shear torture because she still wanted and needed him even though he had hurt her so badly those years ago. However, she was keeping a secret as well, a secret which was revealed about her childhood and the reason why she had refused him all of those years ago.

Kept for the Sheikh's Pleasure was a beautiful second chance love story, yes hurtful at times to read because they both wanted each other more than life itself and for all of the pain and sorrow they both had to experience to get that chance. In the end, this desert lord moved heaven and earth to get his queen in the most unusual way, thanks to the extremely talented romantic story teller, Lynn Raye Harris.

Book Description:

Kept for the Sheikh's Pleasure by Lynn Raye Harris

King Zafir bin Rashid al-Khalifa does not care for surprises. Especially ones that involve the reappearance of his ex, Dr. Genie Gray! Now Zafir has the power to make all the rules—and what he wants is a willing Genie in his bed….

Behind the book with author Lynn Raye Harris:

Author Lynn Raye blogging at the Jaunty Quills about

International November Contest - Chosen by the Sheikh - Kim Lawrence and Lynn Raye Harris

2010-10-27T16:01:00.000-07:00

I so loved this book that I went out and purchased it to share with those of you who stop by here at Romancing the Desert. This contest is International. To win, stop over at The Pink Heart Society Review Blog and follow them; return back and leave your email address so you can be contacted. Thanks.

The Sheikh and the Virgin by Kim Lawrence

Prince Tariq Al Kamal furiously forbids his brother to marry an unsuitable woman. Then Tariq whisks Beatrice away to his desert home where he becomes intent on seducing her. What he doesn't realize is she isn't his brother's intended—she's an innocent who's about to become his bride!

Kept for the Sheikh's Pleasure by Lynn Raye Harris

King Zafir bin Rashid al-Khalifa does not care for surprises. Especially ones that involve the reappearance of his ex, Dr. Genie Gray! Now Zafir has the power to make all the rules—and what he wants is a willing Genie in his bed….

PRIDE OF ZOHAYD TRILOGY - Olivia Gates, Coming November 2010

2010-10-23T12:10:00.000-07:00

Coming Next From Silhouette Desire, PRIDE OF ZOHAYD trilogy

A new sheikh trilogy, loosely connected to the best-selling THRONE OF JUDAR trilogy starting in November 2010.

He would possess her!

He’d noticed her across a crowded room, and in that instant Sheikh Shaheen Aal Shalaan wanted her. With just a few words, Shaheen had his mystery woman in his bed, where she awakened passions he’d long denied.

Then the sheikh discovered his lover’s true identity. She was Johara, his childhood friend, now fully blossomed into a vision he could not do without. But his lineage demanded he take a wife of the throne’s choosing. Anything else would have catastrophic results. Yet how could he turn away from the woman who carried his baby?

4.5 Stars TOP PICK from RT Bookreviews!

Look out ladies, Sheikh Shaheen Aal Shalaan, heir to the throne of Zohayd, will steal your hearts, even though his is pledged to the lovely Johara Nazaryan, the royal jeweler’s daughter.

A swashbuckling desert prince whose words are as beautiful as a desert sunset, a beautiful and talented woman, palace intrigue, theft and warring factions combine to create a riveting love story that seems to defy all odds.

Pay special attention to Shaheen’s eldest brother, the dangerous raider whose heart has been damaged almost beyond repair. Gates knows how to “Valentino” a love story.

Dear Reader

When I wrote The End in my first Silhouette Desire trilogy, Throne Of Judar, I was already dreaming of a sequel in the neighboring ally kingdom of Zohayd. So I am so excited to be realizing that dream, and beginning my new trilogy, Pride Of Zohayd, starring Aliyah’s, now Queen of Judar, half brothers from her father King Atef Aal Shalaan of Zohayd, princes Shaheen, Harres and Amjad.

The trilogy kicks off with the youngest of the trio, Shaheen, who is at the cusp of sacrificing his freedom for his kingdom in a marriage of state, when what he believes to be a chance meeting with the woman of his dreams changes everything for him. But like every profound love story, everything is against them, from his commitments, to a brewing conspiracy that could topple the royal house of Zohayd and plunge the whole region in chaos. The worst part is that Johara, his beloved, and her father are the main suspects or at least seem to be pivotal instruments in his family’s plotted downfall.

Would his love stand the test of shocking revelations and discoveries? Would he and his brothers succeed in uncovering the conspiracy, and defending their throne and kingdom, before it’s too late?

I adored writing Shaheen’s and Johara’s story, with all its twists and turns and escalating stakes and emotions, and I hope you enjoy reading it, too!

I would love to hear from you at oliviagates@gmail.com. You can also visit me on the Web at www.oliviagates.com.

Enjoy, and thanks for reading.

Olivia Gates, —USA TODAY Bestselling Author

Silhouette Desire
To Tame A Sheikh—Book One PRIDE OF ZOHAYD trilogy—Nov 2010 (RT TOP PICK)
To Tempt A Sheikh—Book Two PRIDE OF ZOHAYD trilogy—Feb 2011
The Sarantos Secret Baby—Billionaires & Babies series—Apr 2011
To Touch A Sheikh—Book 3 PRIDE OF ZOHAYD—Aug 2011

In Too Deep - The Sheikh's Bargained Bride by Olivia Gates

2010-09-13T17:36:00.000-07:00

Book 1 in A Summer Scandal miniseries it’s described “spend the season in the Hamptons, where the wealthy play hard and their passions run hot!”

The Sheikh’s Bargained Bride by the fantastic author Olivia Gates was book with all sorts of surprises because one is immediately given the insight that he cherished and adored his wife, but that was only for the press. Let’s just say I was shocked at the reason he married Sabrina Grant because it was obvious they had made love and that she adored her new husband. She was also confused why he stayed away from her until she found out her about the bargain he made with her father. A ridiculous one at that!

Again, set in the Hamptons and around the polo matches of course this rich sheikh would be involved as he was a top notch player and bred Arabians. He adored his animals but he mistrusted his wife because he believed she knew about the agreement he had with her father. However, he wanted her!

As a new bride Sabina Grant could not understand why her new husband had put a distance between them. They had been intimate when they were dating and she adored him and missed him fiercely. Why during the day in front of his friends and the press did he pay attention to her, touch her, act as if she was the most special woman in the world? Then nothing, no sharing a bedroom…..nothing!

Well it had to stop and then the most horrible thing happened she overheard a conversation one that explained that what he thought of her and why he married her and it broke her heart! However, in the end he lusted after her, he couldn’t help himself and she saw “red” and left him. Well, I loved a dark man, a mysterious one and in the end this particular royal was brought to he knees, I promise. Again, Olivia Gates has written a sensual dance between two extremely charismatic characters in The Sheikh’s Bargained Bride.

Book Description:

The Sheikh's Bargained Bride by Olivia Gates

Meet the shocked groom: Sheikh Adham saw marriage as a business venture, his wife a mere convenience…until they portrayed the loving couple in public. Would finally seeing his bride in a new light shatter all his rules?

Giveaway International - Book Blogger Appreciation Week Sept 13-17

2010-09-13T17:28:00.000-07:00

Autographed copy, International contest. Just follow this blog or follow Susan on Facebook. Thanks.

Book Description:

Casey Michaels has come prepared for her new job in the desert--complete with a safari outfit! But, faced with her gorgeous boss's potent sexuality, she suddenly feels out of her depth....

Sheikh Rafik al Rafar knows an inexperienced woman when he sees one, and in the sultry heat of the desert he begins her sensual awakening. To his surprise, Casey teaches him about the simple pleasures in life. But royal duty is never far from their door....

Summer Sheikhs

2010-08-13T08:44:00.000-07:00

Desert Heat..."Sheikh's Betrayal" is written by Alexandra Sellers. Sheikh Salah Al Khouri didn't suspect that celebrated beauty Desiree had come to his desert kingdom to stop his long-awaited royal marriage. Desiree'd slipped from his grasp once, but this time he would have her in his bed!

"Breaking the Sheikh's Rules" is written by Abby Green. When Sheikh Nadim buys the O'Sullivan stables, Irish virgin Iseult is plunged into a life of glorious sensuality and luxury - for as long as she can obey Nadim's one cast-iron rule: don't fall in love with me...

"Innocent in the Sheikh's Harem" is written by Marguerite Kaye. Lady Celia Cleveden thought herself eminently sensible until rescued by darkly handsome desert prince Ramiz al-Muhana, ruler of exotic A'Qadiz, she discovered her true passionate nature...
guerite Kaye

Her Sheik Protector (Desert Sons) Linda Conrad

2010-07-15T12:40:00.000-07:00

Her Sheik Protector by Linda Conrad is the first book in her Desert Sons miniseries and was not only interesting to read but kept me on the edge of my seat with all of the intense intrigue and danger.

This was so unlike most sheik books which are usually set in the desert. The heroine Riley Hunt was from Texas and Darin Kadir even though he was from a Middle Eastern bedouin tribe, the book began in Geneva, Switzerland and then moved on to Milan.

Rylie’s father, Darin’s uncle, dignitaries, Hunt employees and the press were attending the grand opening celebration of Hunt Drilling. Before Rylie’s eyes, she witnessed a huge explosion which took all of their lives. It took six long months for her to heal. Because Kadir Shipping was also involved in the partnership, Rylie was going to attend a conference in Geneva and get to the bottom of things because she suspected the Kadir’s to be responsible for the explosion. She would make them pay because she and her mother had lost everything by trying to do the right thing and pay off the Hunt employees families who had lost their loved ones.

Kadir being the oldest felt it was his responsibility to attend the very same World Industry and Shipping conference in Switzerland. He and his brothers thought because of a century old feud between the Kadir and Taj Zabbar family, they might have been responsible for the explosion due to recent changes in the Taj Zabbar family’s financial and political positions.

So much for being subtle……the spunky redhead who was barley able to stand and still weak from the accident, literally accused Darin and his family of her father’s death. And then such an unbelievable chain of events occurred. During the conference they noticed each other across the room but Rylie knew which one was Darin Kadir, with eyes locked on her, Darin witnessed her on unsteady legs fall to the floor and he was at her side immediately. Then she told him who she was an accused his family of being responsible for the explosion.

Darin and Rylie set up a meeting at a bar to discuss the explosion and then everything went haywire, from Taj Zabbar watching them, from the head of their family trying to abduct her in hopes of finding out information she might know. Then attempted kidnapping of Rylie, Darin killing one of the abductors and finding a Taj Zabbar secret document. Darin agreed with his brother’s to bring the document to Milan where they suspected the Taj Zabbar would try to follow. Rylie followed Darin and he had no choice but to take her with him to protect her. Then they both boarded a train to Milan and everything changes! Trust me, it was brilliant how everything was tied together and how Linda Conrad documented the family feud and the history of the two families. Don’t think the feud is over.

What I loved about Her Sheik Protector was immediately Darin Kadish new they were destined to be together. And for him that was quite something because he protected his brother’s after their mother died, he was afraid to love but in the end after they made love he was so moved and determined to have and protect this woman it was fierce. Darren was a planner and a man with lists. A man who didn’t fall in love; however Rylie moved him to tears. she was his…..had to be his and he would go to any lengths to protect her!

And Rylie, she was determined, strong, feisty and scared because she loved this man only after a few days together. He gave her magic and he scared her to death. But let me just say this, her determination to help him, in the end. what she would do for him was so incredible. I can’t remember ever reading about such a strong heroine as Rylie and in the end how she dealt with everything ……the abductions, the attacks, everything……she was fierce!

Her Sheik Protector was an high paced romance suspense combining family, feuds, passion, danger all rolled into one. I’m certainly adding Ms. Conrad to my auto-buy list and I look forward to the next story in this miniseries.

Behind the Book from Dear Reader

Back Blurb:

Darin Kadir had to protect American Rylie Hunt at all costs. Seeking answers, she'd traveled halfway around the world to find him. Now she is a target of his family's arch nemesis and must trust Darin in order to survive.

Caught up in a covert war between two families, Rylie wants only to find her father's killers and bring them to justice. She doesn't want to fall in love. But the desire burning in Darin's eyes is unlike anything she's ever known. Will she surrender her heart—or become a casualty of a war across the ages?

Linda's website

June Contest

2010-06-06T17:39:00.000-07:00

Just around the corner here in North America it's Father's Day. Tell me about your father for a chance to win Trish Morey's Forbidden: The Sheikh's Virgin, part of the Dark Hearted Desert Men series. If you've already read this book I have a few others I can substitute.

Thinking about Father's Day and my Dad makes me fell such joy as he was an incredible father. Even though he has passed away, I feel so blessed to have had him in my life.

Don't forget to leave your email address so that I can contact you. I look foward to hearing about your Dad, or how you might spend Father's Day!

Author Trish Morey Talks About Her Writing Experience - Forbidden: The Sheikh’s Virgin

2010-06-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

Trish Morey's book was such a wonderful addition to this series. Here's what the author posted over at I(Heart) Presents the other day.

I love that word “forbidden”. To me it conjures up images of wayward yearnings and dangerous desires, and a compelling tightrope walk between enforced restraint and sheer recklessness.

On one side of the tightrope lies safety.

On the other, the possibility of satisfaction beyond belief. But at what price?

Sheikh Rafiq Al’Ramiz, in Forbidden: The Sheikh’s Virgin, the third story in the Dark-Hearted Desert Men miniseries, knows all about that tightrope walk between restraint and recklessness. He knows he could play safe – and he’s determined at first to take just that course. Why should he have anything to do with the woman who took his heart so many years ago and then smashed it so cold heartedly on the rocks of her marriage vows to another?

Except after his return to Qusay, restraint soon finds itself replaced by the desire for revenge. Sera is now a widow. And why shouldn’t Rafiq make her feel as uncomfortable with the situation as he does? What’s stopping him now taking what was so rightfully due to him so many years ago? And what price might he ultimately pay if he does?

It’s a rocky road – or maybe more appropriately, an emerald strewn road – if this couple are to ever find their happy ever after.

I loved writing Forbidden: The Sheikh’s Virgin, the third installment in the Dark-Hearted Desert Men mini-series. I hope you love it too!

PS: Already in its second week at #3 on the Borders Group Series Bestsellers List, Forbidden: The Sheikh’s Virgin has just debuted in the USA Today Bestseller List at number 96!

Desert Sons - Linda Conrad

2010-06-02T10:50:00.000-07:00

A trilogy from Silhouette Romantic Suspense

About Desert Sons from Linda's website"

When I was a little girl, I spent my afternoons daydreaming in the library. I loved getting lost in the fantasies and dramas between the pages of a book. Then when I became a teenager, I spent Saturday afternoons watching ancient movies about strong heroes, once again getting caught up in the fantasy.

My favorite stories as a girl were The Tales of the Arabian Nights. And as a teenager, one of my favorite movie themes centered on a dark sheik coming to the rescue of the fair maiden and the two of them riding across the desert into the sunset.

Somewhere along the line I grew up, took up reality and put aside my favorite fantasy themes. But with the Desert Sons trilogy, I’ve decided to revisit those old themes and once again get lost in stories about sheiks. This time the sheiks are modern businessmen and warriors. Not quite reality, but not total fantasy either.

A modern world threat has appeared out of the stark deserts and oasis of an ancient land. An old enemy with new wealth has gained power and begins a covert war of retribution. As one of the Kadir brothers says about their old enemies, “It’s like they have one foot in the twenty-first century and one foot in the middle ages.”
That’s how I feel about the whole Desert Sons series. I had a great time juxtaposing modern men and women against the backdrop of venerable legends and centuries’ old feuds.

The Kadir family is ancient. The tribe began in the middle eastern deserts as Bedouin travelers and traders—nomads. A few centuries ago the Kadirs had a run-in with another warrior tribe, called the Taj Zabbar, that lasted for decades. When the Kadirs finally left their territory, the Taj were decimated. Then their harsh neighbors, the Kasht, took the Taj Zabbar’s land and enslaved the remaining Taj. Five centuries later, during modern times, the Taj have at last obtained their freedom from Kasht.

But it is the Kadir clan whom they despise. The Taj have vowed to ruin and decimate the whole Kadir clan.

In HER SHEIK PROTECTOR, the oldest Kadir brother, Darin, must set aside his disbelief and accept the reality of a cold war with an enemy that the world does not yet recognize. Worse, he comes face to face with his own desperate obsession for love in the middle of fighting for his family. He finds his first true love—just as she becomes the target for revenge.

In BOOK TWO, the Kadirs are involved ever more deeply in their covert war with their ancient enemies, the Taj Zabbar. In the process of obtaining proof of terrorism to give to the world authorities, the Kadirs have learned that the long lost love of the middle brother, Shakir, is being held in the desert kingdom controlled by the Taj Zabbar. Shakir has no decision to make, he will come to her rescue. But his past love has other ideas. She’s there for a reason. And the reason turns out to change everyone’s lives and nearly costs them everything.

In BOOK THREE, Kadir youngest brother, Tarik, is undercover trying to obtain the information for U.S. authorities that will convince them of the Taj Zabbar’s pending threat. Unfortunately, he’s been saddled with a female cover agent partner that he finds sexy but a nuisance. Yet within days the two of them discover the world doesn’t have much time. The Taj have obtained a nuclear weapon and are preparing to use it!

The Desert Sons will be a fun way to ride into the mists of an ancient tale for a modern era. Come along with me. Let’s get lost in the story together.

SCANDAL: HIS MAJESTY’S LOVE-CHILD – Annie West (Dark Hearted Desert Men, Book 4)

2010-05-29T19:40:00.000-07:00

Annie West has successfully succeeded in creating one of the most charming yet tortured sheikh in Scandal: His Majesty’s Love-Child. It was essential that the final book tied everything together and Harlequin/Mills and Boon couldn’t have picked a more accomplished author than Ms. West to complete the task!

The Dark Hearted Desert Men was a spin-off from the Royal House of Karedes series. Of these four devastating sheikhs who would be king and would they find love? However, let’s not forget the authors who had a hand in writing this sexy series……Carol Marinelli, Jennie Lucas, Trish Morey and Annie West…..bravo!

Tahir Al’Ramirz was larger than life…..at a very young age he was exiled from his country by his father, a cruel and abusive man, more than abusive one will learn while reading this particular book. His father not only brutally beat him he also sent his thugs to also do the job. He also betrayed his wife with a string of mistresses. Tahir had never been able to please his father no matter how hard he tried. He was a loner and self-contained. He was dark, handsome, sexy, rich and had a different woman on his arm weekly. He had long ago given up caring what his family was up to until he received a call from his oldest brother that he was needed at home. It was on this journey over the desert, flying a helicopter in a dust storm that his plane went down.

Annalisa was keeping a promise to her father. She had promised to go into the desert and take his telescope to view a comet he named after her mother. She would make sure that the comet got the recognition it deserved! Yearly, she and her father had spent time camping in the the desert when she was not working as his medical assistant as he was the village doctor. Now she really had no one with the exception of a few aunts and cousins. So out to the desert she went and was to return home in a few days with a camel caravan. Then the most amazing thing happened while bathing in the oasis, the most incredible man appeared on the horizon wearing a tuxedo, staggering down the dunes. He was bleeding, had a bump on his head and he was the most handsome man and had the most incredible blue eyes. It was obvious to Annalisa that he was in need of medical assistance.

For them both their time spent in the desert was emotional; Annalisa missed her father but was looking forward to when she returned home she could travel, see the world and then go to university. Tahir’s wounds needed to be healed but he also needed to come to terms with his past and his nightmares and his feelings for this sweet young woman who had become his caretaker. As Tahir’s wounds healed, temptation was off the charts for them both. They actually liked and respected each other but the attraction was like a magnet for them both and then out in the desert camp, under the stars they made love many times and Annalisa lost her heart and virginity and Tahir for the first time in his life really enjoyed himself, he felt at peace. However, he knew the caravan that would take them home was soon to come and he needed to make a clean break, not to give her any hope and so he was curt, dismissive but made sure she knew that if she’d become pregnant, she needed to contact him.

Annalisa returned home and Tahir was hospitalized and then he was told he was to be King as he brother Rafiq didn’t want the throne. A shock yes, but a greater shock Annalisa had to face when she found out she’s was pregnant. She wandered the streets after receiving the news and fate steps in again when she accidentally meetsTahir’s mother the Sheikha who invited her to be a guest and stay at the palace.

Tahir was a fierce leader and stepped into his responsibilities as if he was born to lead. Annalisa’s stay at the Palace made him aware that’s she was more than a pretty face, she was different from and not the typical Qusay woman based on her European heritage and her involvement in her father’s profession. Talk about tension in the palace both sexual and emotional for them both. They complimented each other in so many ways and while reading this final story I could see hope for their relationship even though it took this tortured alpha some time to see reason.

Scandal: His Majesty’s Love-Child was a roller coaster romance with extreme tension leading the heroine from innocence to mature awareness and the hero from feeling tortured to feeling content. Annie West more than deserves high praise for writing such a beautiful contemporary and ending the series on such a high!

Book Description:

Speculation surrounding exiled rebel Prince Tahir Al-Ramiz has reached fever pitch! After being spotted causing mayhem in an exclusive Monte Carlo casino, Tahir flew home to Qusay for his brother-s coronation. But when a desperate mayday was received, and the remains of Tahir-s helicopter were discovered the worst was assumed- Until he came back from the dead, with no explanation as to how he had survived!

Now a mysterious beauty has moved into the palace. Rumours of a pregnancy abound- Could it be that this notorious playboy prince’s lost days in the desert camouflaged a secret affair?

Author's website

The Sheikh as a Hero - Liz Fielding

2010-05-29T17:12:00.001-07:00

The Sheikh, as hero, burst onto feminine consciousness when, in 1919, E M Hull’s bestselling novel, The Sheik seized the imagination of a generation of women.

Sheik Ahmed ben Hassan is portrayed as the archetypal alpha male. Commanding, driven, set apart from society by his role as leader. Putting himself outside of civilisation when he kidnaps the boyish, aristocratic English girl, Diana Mayo – a symbol of everything he most hates -- raping her, keeping her his prisoner.

What then, for the millions of women who were swept away by Hull’s book, could possibly be the attraction in this character? What was the power of The Sheik?

At the beginning of the twenty century society deemed that sex was something that “nice” women did out of duty, on their back, with their eyes closed and the light off. In The Sheik, Hull gave them – without ever lifting the tent flap -- the fantasy of the forbidden; guiltless, white-hot sex. Diana struggles, screams, declares she would kill herself if Sheik Ahmed had not taken her pistol and, having resisted with every fibre of her being, she is morally off the hook, free from the censure of society. And what happens next, of course, is that the stunningly virile Sheik Ahmed awakens the sensuality in this almost asexual young woman, but awakens it for him alone.

Sheik Ahmed never admits to feeling anything for Diana. Only when she is kidnapped by his enemy does he reveal the strength of his passion, putting his life on the line to save her. Only in delirium, hovering between life and death, are his feelings revealed and, all but destroyed by what he’s done to her, it is Diana who redeems him with her love.

It’s a powerful story and one that romance writers have been revisiting ever since; the Greek ship owner, the ruthless Sicilian, the Italian count are versions of “The Sheik” in an Armani suit. Powerful men brought to their knees by love. Yet of all these mythic heroes, the Sheikh alone carries an air of mystery and romance that was once the prerogative of royalty, the rich.

He is different. Exotic in manner and in dress. Unfathomable. Not just able to live in the desert, but most happy in its empty spaces. Even though the Sheikh may own a penthouse, wear fine broadcloth when the occasion demands, he retains the aura of man not just in command of, but at one with his environment. He is the cowboy in robes and when danger threatens, his strength and protection are absolute.

These are the characteristics that make him, still, a powerful, a compelling hero in the romance genre.

I have had two Sheikh stories published – with two more in production. In my first, HIS DESERT ROSE, published in 2000, I took as my model the classic story. When Prince Hassan al Rachid kidnaps beautiful international journalist Rose Fenton, she shows all the spirit of Diana Mayo, even attempts escape. But Prince Hassan’s motives are political, and Rose has her own agenda. It’s his story that she wants and by kidnapping her, concealing her at his desert oasis, he has played straight into her hands. Despite the fact that this is a complete switch on E M Hull’s The Sheik, as with the beginning, the end has echoes of the original. Hassan kidnaps her, but then Rose, in enslaving him, becomes the hero of her own story.

And that, I suspect, is the secret of the Sheikh romance. The heroine has to be as strong as the hero. Not necessarily one of those feisty females, who gives as good as she gets, but a woman who is strong to the core. Lucy Forrester, the heroine of THE SHEIKH’S GUARDED HEART, is not, at first glance, strong. Her entire life has been dictated by the whims of others and yet, when confronted by difficult choices she never hesitates to do what is right. Even confronted with treachery and betrayal, her only thought is of the innocent. It’s a thought that nearly costs Lucy her life.

Sheikh Hanif al-Khatib, a man mired in guilt and grief, who has put himself out of society, exiling himself in the desert, rescues her in a classic “sheikh” moment, lifting her onto his horse, carrying her away from danger. But this is the twenty-first century and he’s still holding her, keeping her safe, on the helicopter he summons to ferry her to the nearest hospital. At this point he should be able to walk away, hero stuff done. Except that she’s alone, with no one to take care of her and honour demands more.

The hero is, once again, held captive by the heroine, who as her wounds heal, sets about healing his soul.

And, yes, she enslaves him.

FORBIDDEN: THE SHEIKH’S VIRGIN – Trish Morey (Dark Hearted Desert Men)

2010-05-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

After reading the Prologue in Forbidden: The Sheikh’s Virgin by Trish Morey, I knew this book was going to be one big bombshell! In book one learned that King Xavian abdicated when he learned he was really the missing Prince Zafir of Calista (The Royal House of Karades series). This meant then Kareef Al’Ramiz would be the next heir to the throne. However Kareef fell in love with a woman from his past, someone who could not produce an heir. Because of his love for her, he abdicated leaving his brother Rafiq Al’Ramiz the next in line to be King.

Coming home to Qusay was hard for Rafiq because of the memories and the woman he left behind, the woman he loved and who betrayed him by marrying another man. The very same woman named Sera who was now his mother’s companion and living in the palace, the woman he hated! Sera had married for wealth, privilege and status and now she was a widow. On top of it all, his mother the Sheikha wanted him to go into the desert to a village where the women of the village made beautiful fabrics to see if he wanted the fabrics exclusively for his emporium back in Australia. The same business he built from nothing which was a huge success because he enjoyed the challenge. Because of adversity it had shaped him into the man he was today. And Rafiq saw this journey as a way of getting revenge from Sera by taking her along with him. Knowing she was uncomfortable just being around him, pleased Rafiq and feeling her squirm in the vehicle, gave him great pleasure!

Sera was terrified. Remembering back eleven years ago when she loved him, all of the pain came flooding back. The Sheikha said maybe this trip was a way to put the past behind them, a chance to heal. However, sitting next to him, remembering their past love was killing her. And then at an oasis stop, emotions welled up when she held a visitors baby and if that wasn’t bad enough, Rafiq asked way too many questions, making her uncomfortable, making her remember their time spent together when they loved each other. And then Rafiq confronted her about how she had not only hurt him but had humiliated him, and he exploded in anger. She remembered how his father the King and her father demanded she marry Hussein, the Qusay ambassador, the same man her father promised her to years earlier. There had already been one scandal in the King’s family and he wasn’t about to have another.

For both Rafiq and Sera the trip was troubling. On top of that the emotion they were both feeling, remembering the past. So many secrets were revealed the ntire “horror” of her marriage. Trish Morey wrote those scenes with such pain and passion she’ll have you weeping, I promise! When Rafiq realized he’d been blinded by his past pain and learned what part his father had played in Sera’s marriage he was shocked.

Just when you think they will get their second chance, the fates go against them. Rafiq wanted Sera to return to Australia and live with him but upon returning to the palace he’s told his brother had abdicated and he, Raif would now be King. Everything started to unravel in front of both their eyes when this proud man told her he loved her and wanted her to be his Queen. More secrets from Sera’s past marriage were revealed, horrible things her husband insisted she do, his threats and for Rafiq the enormity of these wrongs against Sera were overwhelming. Could he be King and also have the woman he loved as he wife? Or would he realize his future was with the her not the kingdom of Qusay?

As a wise village woman told him:

“Sometimes we look only with our eyes and we see only that which is right in front of us. Some people have perfect vision but will never see. For sometimes we must look beyond the pictures our mind presents as fact. Sometimes we need to see what is in our hearts. Only then do we see what is really true."

Trish Morey with her Forbidden: The Sheikh’s Virgin’s gave both Rafiq and Sera the second chance they deserved. But it also left a question as to who would be king. It left one to wonder if the youngest of the Al’Ramiz brothers’, Tahir would be found in the desert since his helicopter crashed. Would Tahir become king because it was obvious Rafiq was not giving up Sera the love of his life.

A kingdom torn apart by scandal, a throne left empty' four smoldering desert princes....Which one will claim the crown - and who will they claim as their brides?

More About the Book

Book Description:

“Bedded, by order of the Sheikh”

Sheikh Rafiq Al'Ramiz left his homeland behind-betrayed by the woman he loved. He's hardened his heart and made his fortune-and now he must return: his country needs him. But he is more powerful than ever, and vengeance is high on his agenda!

Seeing Sera again, he finds the image he's held of a heartless temptress at odds with her drab robes and downcast eyes-but he will take what he's owed! What will this ruthless sheikh do when he discovers Sera's very real innocence?

Prince of Persia: - The Movie, The Game & The Premier

2010-05-26T10:52:00.000-07:00

Talk about a fantasy come true......you going to see it?

The Disney Movie:

The Game:

The “Prince of Persia” crew are really pumping out the behind-the-scenes featurette for the movie. Then again, since they’re trying to make themselves a multi-billion dollar franchise here, I suppose shelling out the cash for a dozen or so featurettes ain’t no big thang. The latest two focuses on the film’s leads, Jake Gyllenhaal as buff Prince Dastan and Gemma Arterton as seductive Princess Tamina. The second featurette is all about Princess Tamina, who unlike actress Gemma Arterton, probably doesn’t giggle like a schoolgirl in the movie from what I’ve seen. Mind you, Gemma Arterton giggling as she talks about her Disney Princess outfits is very hot.

Set in medieval Persia, the story of an adventurous prince who teams up with a rival princess to stop an angry ruler from unleashing a sandstorm that could destroy the world. Which is why after the prince was tricked by a dying Vizier to unleash the Sands of Time that turns out to destroy a kingdom and transforms its populace into ferocious demons. In his effort to save his own kingdom and redeem his fatal mistake, it’s up to the prince and the princess to return the sands to the hourglass by using the Dagger of Time, which also gives him a limited control over the flow of time.

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Ben Kingsley, Gemma Arterton, Toby Kebbell, Alfred Molina, Reece Ritchie, Richard Coyle, Gísli Örn Garðarsson, Steve Toussaint, and directed by Mike Newell

Beyond Hollywood

The Movie Premier

May Contest - Jennie Lucas's Tamed: The Barbarian King

2010-05-07T12:02:00.000-07:00

Product Description
He's as wild as the desert, a barbarian prince, a revered leader. Long ago he loved a girl, but the power of their feelings almost destroyed them both. Now that woman, the only one he could ever love, is forbidden to him!
Betrothed to another, unable to bear him sons, she is unfit to be his queen…. But she can stop the storm that has raged in his heart since he last made her his.

His choice—take her as his mistress, or become the king he was born to be….

About the Author

Jennie Lucas's parents owned a bookstore and she grew up surrounded by books, dreaming about faraway lands. At twenty-two she met her future husband and after their marriage, she graduated from university with a degree in English. She started writing books a year later. Jennie won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest in 2005 and hasn’t looked back since. Visit Jennie’s website

Unclaimed Contest Books

2010-04-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

I purchased these books for my blog contests and honestly don't want to see them gather dust on my shelves.

So here's what I have to still giveaway because they weren't claimed when I emailed the winners.

Kim Lawrence - Desert Prince, Blackmailed Bride
Kim Lawrence - The Sheikh's Impatient Virgin
Sarah Morgan - The Sheikh's Virgin Princess
Jennifer Lewis - The Desert Prince
Jane Porter - Duty, Desire and The Desert King (this is up for the RITA award nominated by Romance Writers of America.

Check on this blog just in case I've posted your name as a winner. However, like I said, I've emailed the winners at least two times.......no response. Thanks.

My email: seattlesnoops at aol dot com

Put in the subject Sheikh books and if you have choices of what you want.

BOOKS HAVE NOW ALL BEEN CLAIMED. NOT SURE HOW TO RUN FUTURE CONTESTS AS I CONTACT THE WINNERS AND THEY DON'T RESPOND.

WEDLOCKED: BANISHED SHEIKH, UNTOUCHED QUEEN - Carol Marinelli

2010-04-10T09:14:00.000-07:00

Author Carol Marinelli has again charmed me as well as answering my wish for this particular story to be written with Wedlocked: Banished Sheikh, Untouched Queen. It’s an absolutely magnificent love story and the first book in the Dark Hearted Desert Men series.

If you read The Royal House of Karedes in the very last book there was a stranger at the Queen of Aristo’s wedding who noticed a man with eyes so like her new husbands that she was shaken. For she new that her husband and brothers as children had been kidnapped and that the youngest Al’Farisi brother, Zakari was swept out to sea and never found. The brothers never got over their loss nor did the country of Calista.

This incredible story is about that lost brother, now known as Xavian, the ruler of Qusay, the sheikh playboy who has been promised to Layla, the Queen of Haydar. A very strong Queen, a beautiful woman who rules alone and is a virgin. A woman not to be kept waiting, a proud woman who gives as good as she gets and who almost faints at her wedding because her future husband is so handsome and powerfully built, who oozes sensuality and takes her breath away.

Throughout reading this story one is made aware that Xavian takes his duties seriously and puts his country first. However, he is trouble by the scars on his wrists, he has bad dreams at night, and since the wedding of the Queen of Aristo, he’s troubled because they keep contacting him all of a sudden and it makes him unsettled. Now he is about to marry a woman who is queen of another country and he’s expected to produce an heir and possibly assist her in ruling her country, uniting both lands.

Queen Layla was nervous, it was her wedding day to a man she had been betrothed to since childhood. A man with a reputation of a playboy, a man who would take her on their wedding night. This sheikh, her future husband kept her waiting and she was furious. She just wants the honeymoon over and wants to get back to what makes her comfortable, ruling her country. Let’s just say, you won’t want to miss their time in the desert because it’s just as hot as the desert sun, it’s a complex, beautiful and extremely passionate love story with lots of conflict.

However, it’s a rollercoaster love story because one just knows that it’s going to explode in both of their faces when the King of Qusay finds out he’s been living a lie and the wrong life! When the truth is revealed, it’s devastating for this couple, not just for Xavian but for Layla because she loves her husband and she’s torn on what to do because she also loves her country. You’re happy for him because he’s found his lost family but you also cry for him because he now must step down from being the ruler of his beloved country. He feels cheated for what his so called parents did to him and the son who died, the son and heir to the Qusay throne.

Wedlocked: Banished Sheikh, Untouched Queen was as I’ve said a stunning love story and how author Carol Marinelli tied The Royal House of Karedes and this new series together was incredible. A personal thanks to the author as I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

Book Description:

About to lose his kingdom, Xavian is marrying for power—his wedding night will be purely for duty. As he unveils his new queen, nervous and naked, bathed in fragrant oils, he's stunned that she's as beautiful as the desert stars….

This queen deserves a royal bedding worthy of the Arabian Nights…and in her arms Xavian discovers that, though he may not have a kingdom, he has the strength and power of a thousand kings.

But this untouched queen could be his undoing….

Carol Marinelli's website

Carol talks about her first sheikh and the last book in the Royal House of Karedes which let to this sheikh's story.

Carol's Dear Reader

April Contest - Wedlocked: Banished Sheikh, Untouched Queen

2010-04-08T18:19:00.000-07:00

April brings a new series.....Dark Hearted Desert Men and Carol Marinelli's Wedlocked: Banished Sheikh, Untouched Queen is an incredible first book in the series. The author sent me a copy to review but I just had to purchased one for this blog because it's that good!

If you read The Royal House of Karedes series, the last book talked about the youngest son who was swept out to sea on a raft and never to be found. His family was devastated, looked for him for many years. And then at her wedding the Queen of Calistan sees a handsome stranger with scars on his wrists and eyes so like her husbands and the seed was planted! Could this be the missing brother?

I hoped that his story would be written and it was by the brilliant author Carol Marinelli. Trust me, you won't want to miss it nor this series or The Royal House of Karedes series.

To win a copy, stop over to the authors Facebook page, say hello and then come back here and post your contact email. The winner will be announced the first week in May, after my knee surgery! Good luck!

March Contest Winner of Kim Lawrence Book

2010-04-04T11:09:00.000-07:00

KallMeKayla, you're the winner. Email me with your address, etc.

Congratulations!

seattlesnoops at aol dot com

Lucy Monroe offers Reader's At Home Conference

2010-03-22T07:41:00.001-07:00

Harlequin Presents and Brava author Lucy Monroe is attending The Romantic Times Conference this year. I've heard from some that it is great fun. For her readers and fans who cannot attend, Lucy is having a blog party which will introduce you, possibly, to some new authors. Prizes galore!

Every day there will be multiple authors visiting and guest blogging, with new blogs posting every 3 hours between 6 AM and 6 PM. And cover models? We've got 'em - with behind the scenes action as well as hero inspiration. There will be daily drawings for multiple prizes, including dozens of signed books, a B&N gift card, a t-shirt, 3 prize tote bags filled with books & goodies (donated by Sue Grimshaw from BTRB and Becke Martin), free online subscriptions to Affaire de Couer magazine and 2 more Swag Bags given away each day. What could be better?

To be eligible for daily "door prizes" you need to register for the conference. However daily "blog post" prize winners will be drawn daily from all the comments made on all the posts (as per my normal blog prize policy - each comment is counted in the drawing). Two ways to win lots of very cool prizes!

Stop over to Lucy's Blog and check it out!

Lucy’s Blog

THE AL MAKTABI BROTHERS - Susan Stephens

2010-03-18T15:37:00.000-07:00

THE AL MAKTABI BROTHERS

Kings of the desert...
Masters of the bedroom!

Razi al Maktabi

This prince has two passions; business and women. His playboy days might be numbered when duty beckons, but there's always time for one final fling! As he takes the Phoenix throne, Razi will work the same magic on the Isla de Sinnebar as he has on every woman of marriageable age--but what happens when he finds out he's going to be a father?

Razi was last seen cavorting in Ruling Sheikh, Unruly Mistress. You can find the review for this book on this blog.

Ra'id al Maktabi

Darker than night and twice as dangerous, Razi's older brother sits on the Sapphire throne of Sinnebar. Scarred inside and out, Ra'id is a powerhouse of strength and command. He rules his heart like his country--with an iron will. Now one woman is about to come between him and his throne!

Find Ra'id ruling The Master of the Desert with the review found below this post.

MASTER OF THE DESERT - Susan Stephens

2010-03-18T15:26:00.000-07:00

“The al Maktabi brothers...........Kings of the desert… Masters of the bedroom!”

In Ruling Sheikh, Unruly Mistress one was introduced to Razi al Maktabi and now you’re going to meet his half brother Ra’id al Maktabi in Master of the Desert by the extremely talented Susan Stephens who pens the most delightful sheikh romance which took me on such a sensual fantasy and journey, one I’ll long remember

Ra’id is described as “darker than night and twice as dangerous, who sits on the Sapphire throne of Sinnebar. Scarred inside and out, Ra’id is a powerhouse of strength and command. He rules his heart like his country….with an iron will. Now one woman is about to come between him and his throne.”

One is immediately made aware of Ra’id’s strength and power and how much he loves his country. In the most bizarre way, he meets the lovely Italian beauty Antonia Ruggiero when she sneaks onboard his yacht and takes not only his food but also his knife. She sought passage on a vessel which was boarded by pirates and narrowly escaped harm by swimming for her life, seeking refuge on Ra’id’s yacht and seeking his assistance in getting to Sinnebar. Antonia is adored by her rich brother who has seen to her every need and she wants to prove herself to him by promoting his charity. However, what neither Ra’id nor Antonia count on is the chemistry between them. Like the hot desert sun they combust and share passion on a beautiful deserted island, never revealing their true identities. Their affair is brief and ends once they dock in Sinnebar, or so they both believed. However, fate has other ideas for this pair.

Antonia Ruggiero may be young and spoiled but she has the heart of a lioness. She’s determined to make a difference in the world and to take the opportunity to find out about her deceased mother who once spent some time on Sinnebar before marrying her father. In order to set up her brother’s charity she needs to meet influential people. When she finds out those people will be attending, a party along with Sinnebar’s ruler, she decides to crash it. Only it backfires when guards arrest her, she’s deported and sent back to Italy. What Antonia doesn’t count on months later is the news that she’s pregnant with a man she spent time with on a deserted island; the very same man she only knew as “Sarif”.

In Susan Stephens first book one learned about the strong bond between these two sheikh rulers and that they shared the same father. However, their father had a mistress who was Razi’s mother, Helena. Their father did not allow his mistress access to her son. Instead, he banished her to a citadel where she was miserable. Helena eventually escaped and returned back to Italy with Antonio Ruggiero, leaving everything behind. Helena married, having two children Rigo and Antonia and then died.

Sheikh Ra’id is determined never to let a woman get in the way of his country nor make bad decisions for his people like his father once did with his mistress. And then, a locked door in the palace is revealed to be the place where his father’s mistress once lived and a document which leaves a parcel of land to her daughter, the daughter Ra’id knew by the fictitious name of “Tuesday”, the very woman he shared passion with on an island.

Upon returning home to Rome, Antonia was determined to prove to her brother she was worth something and she worked very hard setting up his charities all over Europe. And now she was fueled with more determination because she wanted to set up the charity in Sinnebar, and find information about her mother. However, there was unfinished business there as well, the man she only knew as Sarif, the man who was the future father of her unborn child. But Ra’id has other ideas because like her mother, Antonia was a “threat to his people’s happiness, with those documents granting her land in Sinnebar” and Antonia was his father’s mistress daughter.

She’s shocked when she attends the meeting with Sinnebar’s dignitaries, when she meets the ruling sheikh and finds out he’s the very same man who stole her heart. It all heats up and becomes very complicated, very emotional and such a journey for this pair of fated lovers. To think her mother was Ra’id’s father’s mistress, to find out she had a brother, to see her mother’s possessions in the palace and the desert fortress, to feel her mother’s pain, to long for Ra’id, to love him, to know his passion again only to feel rejected.

As only Susan Stephens can pen, Master of the Desert was a magnificent and sensual journey with strong and interesting characters. As sheikh Ra’id said to his bride, “if you look with your heart, you will find as I did, the most important things in life, aren’t land or possessions, they’re invisible.” Don’t miss the al Maktabi Brother’s series, they’re both such strong, romantic and passionate sheikhs!

Susan Stephens website:

Book Descriptiuon:

Stranded, seduced…and pregnant!

Sheikh Ra’id al Maktabi mastered the wild inhospitable desert out of necessity… But the sexy stowaway who has clambered onto his yacht he’ll tame for fun.

He assumes that heiress Antonia Ruggiero is used to being pampered and preened. But on his boat Ra’id is the master. He’ll put her to work scrubbing the decks – and after hours he’ll take her between the sheets!

Until they get to dry land, where the only mistress Ra’id obeys is duty. But an unexpected pregnancy could change all that!