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Khamsin: Warriors of the Wind #3
The Cobra & the Concubine
THE SAND
Badra sought refuge in the Sahara, but she could never truly escape the sheikh who’d stolen her childhood. Fareeq had proven that her long dark hair and lush body aroused a passion in men that meant only pain—and neither his death nor protection by her rescuers, the Khamsin, the Warriors of the Wind, could change that. Badra could no more forget her past than one Khamsin’s burning sapphire eyes. And she could no more accept the feelings Khepri aroused than she could admit the secret shadowing her heart.
& THE FURY
Kenneth Tristan, heir to the duke of Caldwell, had ridden with the Khamsin since his English family’s slaughter. Known as Khepri, the Cobra, he’d grown up in Egypt. He loved the land, yet the respect of his Arabic brothers, the title that awaited him in London, the treasures from his family’s archaeological dig—it was all sand in the wind, nothing, for he could not touch the woman he loved, could not save her from the past. He would sacrifice everything to make her whole. And until he did, they would be just… the Cobra and the concubine.
Badra sought refuge in the Sahara, but she could never truly escape the sheikh who’d stolen her childhood. Fareeq had proven that her long dark hair and lush body aroused a passion in men that meant only pain—and neither his death nor protection by her rescuers, the Khamsin, the Warriors of the Wind, could change that. Badra could no more forget her past than one Khamsin’s burning sapphire eyes. And she could no more accept the feelings Khepri aroused than she could admit the secret shadowing her heart.
& THE FURY
Kenneth Tristan, heir to the duke of Caldwell, had ridden with the Khamsin since his English family’s slaughter. Known as Khepri, the Cobra, he’d grown up in Egypt. He loved the land, yet the respect of his Arabic brothers, the title that awaited him in London, the treasures from his family’s archaeological dig—it was all sand in the wind, nothing, for he could not touch the woman he loved, could not save her from the past. He would sacrifice everything to make her whole. And until he did, they would be just… the Cobra and the concubine.
342 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2005
5 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Bonnie Vanak
136 books505 followersBonnie Vanak fell in love with romance novels during childhood. While cleaning a hall closet, she discovered her mother’s cache of paperbacks and started reading. Thus began a passion for romance and a lifelong dislike for housework.
After years of newspaper reporting, Bonnie became a writer for a major international charity. She travels to destitute countries such as Haiti to write about famine, disease and other issues affecting the poor. When the emotional strains of her job demanded a diversion, she turned to her childhood dream of writing romance novels.
She lives in Florida with her husband Frank and two dogs, where she happily writes books amid an ever-growing collection of dust bunnies.
After years of newspaper reporting, Bonnie became a writer for a major international charity. She travels to destitute countries such as Haiti to write about famine, disease and other issues affecting the poor. When the emotional strains of her job demanded a diversion, she turned to her childhood dream of writing romance novels.
She lives in Florida with her husband Frank and two dogs, where she happily writes books amid an ever-growing collection of dust bunnies.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 23, 2008
I figured this would be my usual ridiculous romance novel, but I was a little worried when, reading the forward, I came across the following dedication: ''Special thanks to Dr. Sharon D. Cassell, for your invaluable help with behavioral issues relating to child sexual/physical abuse.'' Uhh... Luckily my worst fears were not confirmed, and it turned out to be a pretty engrossing story. It follows two adopted members of an Egyptian tribe in the 1800s, one of whom is an Englishman and the other a concubine kidnapped from a rival tribe. There's plenty of kindness and intrigue, and not too frustratingly much of the "I can't love you!" that seems unreasonable.
January 21, 2022
This is my first read by Bonnie Vanak. Got it at a thrift store, wanted to read something different with some action and adventure. I liked that it was centered in the desert with tribes and shiekes and battles between tribes. Did not feel like the 1800's.
This story will have MAJOR triggers for sexual assult, rape,child sexual assault, male and female and physical assult. Even some bondage triggars. It was pretty graphic in the details of Badra's unfortunate childhood and being sold to the slave trade by her parents! That was hard to swallow and I kept reading. I think what was really unnecessary was later in the book Badra has a dream about her sexual abuse by the evil Shiek. I don't know why Vanak felt compelled to retell that horrifying story again and with more detail. It reads like it was written in the 90's, but n0, 2005. I almost DNF. But, I pressed on, read it rather rapidly due to so much going on with characters and the mystery of who was trying to kill everyone. Khepri went from stupid love sick puppy to a commanding Duke with power and money. His transition was not quite believable. But I liked that he loved Badra despite everything. I love the band of brothers/warriors, secondary characters who fight and support each other all throughout the story. There are a couple of eye rolling scenes. I was really confused at the end of who was related to who and who the good guys and the bad guys. Vanak wrapped things up rather neatly at the end, too neat and sudden. Also, why the heck would Khepri/Kenneth leave Badra in a hotel room without protection after they had just barely escaped death is beyond me. It was a"Oh come on!' moment. The sex scenes when they FINALLY happened (Khepri had loved her forever, to the point of obsession but kept almost having sex, not quite,so very close) were pretty graphic and frequent, like whole chapters. I was a little put of, well, maybe a lot, that he chose some S&M bedroom techniques that were Badras worst nightmare from her childhood trauna! I almost stopped reading then! Badra also become the eager lover way to fast for her own trauma and reluctance. I think I would have enjoyed a really beautiful, slow, caring seduction by by Khepri. Not the "Mine, you belong to me!" dominance and control when given the opportunity
I am giving this 3 stars, because despite the abuse/graphic sex scenes and all other related sexual trauma that characters experienced, it held my attention and wanted to know how the mysteries were solved. Lots of great action, unexpected twists and turns and surprises.
This story will have MAJOR triggers for sexual assult, rape,child sexual assault, male and female and physical assult. Even some bondage triggars. It was pretty graphic in the details of Badra's unfortunate childhood and being sold to the slave trade by her parents! That was hard to swallow and I kept reading. I think what was really unnecessary was later in the book Badra has a dream about her sexual abuse by the evil Shiek. I don't know why Vanak felt compelled to retell that horrifying story again and with more detail. It reads like it was written in the 90's, but n0, 2005. I almost DNF. But, I pressed on, read it rather rapidly due to so much going on with characters and the mystery of who was trying to kill everyone. Khepri went from stupid love sick puppy to a commanding Duke with power and money. His transition was not quite believable. But I liked that he loved Badra despite everything. I love the band of brothers/warriors, secondary characters who fight and support each other all throughout the story. There are a couple of eye rolling scenes. I was really confused at the end of who was related to who and who the good guys and the bad guys. Vanak wrapped things up rather neatly at the end, too neat and sudden. Also, why the heck would Khepri/Kenneth leave Badra in a hotel room without protection after they had just barely escaped death is beyond me. It was a"Oh come on!' moment. The sex scenes when they FINALLY happened (Khepri had loved her forever, to the point of obsession but kept almost having sex, not quite,so very close) were pretty graphic and frequent, like whole chapters. I was a little put of, well, maybe a lot, that he chose some S&M bedroom techniques that were Badras worst nightmare from her childhood trauna! I almost stopped reading then! Badra also become the eager lover way to fast for her own trauma and reluctance. I think I would have enjoyed a really beautiful, slow, caring seduction by by Khepri. Not the "Mine, you belong to me!" dominance and control when given the opportunity
I am giving this 3 stars, because despite the abuse/graphic sex scenes and all other related sexual trauma that characters experienced, it held my attention and wanted to know how the mysteries were solved. Lots of great action, unexpected twists and turns and surprises.
April 30, 2018
CAUTION: This book does contain depictions of sexual and physical violence towards women.
I enjoy stories set among the Arabic tribes (like "Lawrence of Arabia"), so I thought I would give this book a try. It is a little different from other historical romance that I've run across. Abuse (sexual, physical, and emotional) feature prominently in the past of the heroine and even affect one of the male side characters, both in fairly realistic ways. Of course, both people can't be Arabic; the hero is actually an orphaned duke who was raised by the Khamisin tribe and then returns to England. (I definitely liked his tribal name of "Khepri" better than his English one "Kenneth.") The heroine Badra is pretty strong, especially considering all she's been through, and was a very sympathetic character. Khepri is loyal, albeit a little slow to catch on that Badra is reluctant to marry or have sex with him because of her past, even if she doesn't come right out and tell him straight up that she was beaten and raped while enslaved to a previous master. The biggest problem I have with the book is that she... "overcomes" these psychological scars a little too quickly to be believable. Technically she's spent several years among the Khamisin recovering, but that much abuse doesn't magically vanish after a bout of really good sex. Still, the book is essentially improbable, unrealistic romantic fluff akin to "The Sheikh" and is enjoyable if you don't question it too closely.
I enjoy stories set among the Arabic tribes (like "Lawrence of Arabia"), so I thought I would give this book a try. It is a little different from other historical romance that I've run across. Abuse (sexual, physical, and emotional) feature prominently in the past of the heroine and even affect one of the male side characters, both in fairly realistic ways. Of course, both people can't be Arabic; the hero is actually an orphaned duke who was raised by the Khamisin tribe and then returns to England. (I definitely liked his tribal name of "Khepri" better than his English one "Kenneth.") The heroine Badra is pretty strong, especially considering all she's been through, and was a very sympathetic character. Khepri is loyal, albeit a little slow to catch on that Badra is reluctant to marry or have sex with him because of her past, even if she doesn't come right out and tell him straight up that she was beaten and raped while enslaved to a previous master. The biggest problem I have with the book is that she... "overcomes" these psychological scars a little too quickly to be believable. Technically she's spent several years among the Khamisin recovering, but that much abuse doesn't magically vanish after a bout of really good sex. Still, the book is essentially improbable, unrealistic romantic fluff akin to "The Sheikh" and is enjoyable if you don't question it too closely.
September 3, 2020
No me ha gustado. Me he aburrido en muchas partes del libro. La protagonista es vendida de pequeña a un jeque despiadado que la somete a toda clase de humillaciones. Se escapa ayudada por otra tribu donde la tratan bien y conoce al protagonista que se convierte en su guardián. Es también tiene un pasado duro, es un noble inglés que es adoptado de pequeño por una tribu del desierto al morir su familia. La historia es bonita, pero muchas de las situaciones que se van dando en la novela me parecen forzadas, no muy bien escritas, los protagonistas son fuertes pero no brillan ni se relacionan hasta muy al final. Cuenta muchas cosas y en varios escenarios pero sin llegar a engancharte en ningún momento.
October 17, 2012
So I like to make impulsive purchases of romance novels every now and then, do not judge me! I love me some romance (what, you think I read fanfics and books because of other substantial stuff? Pur-lease!)and it was only $3. I like to think I got my money's worth, unlike Evernight thank you very much.
I don't even really remember why I picked it up. I guess there is something about exotic-sounding locations, 'forbidden romances', and sexy men who have a fierce devotion to the one love of their life and are honourable and loyal to the death. Stuff like that. Although I wish we had like like some supernatural angle shoehorned in with mummies, cursed artifacts, and more archeologist-esque adventures so this could also make sense as to why I also thought of the Mummy (film) and Indiana Jones film when I read this. I am also not sure where the whole concubine/guardian thing came from either. Hold on, I think I do... it's all coming back to me now.
Well what do you know? I guess I picked this up because for some strange, unfathomable reason - I got deja vu and was instantly reminded of the Percheron trilogy and thought this would be just as good - but hopefully not as iffy as that series became.
I'll admit that I may have enjoyed this a teensy bit more than I did with the Percheron series and such - and that's saying something! Well, better off than the sequels anyways. I guess this book - with the main romance between Khepri/Kenneth and Badra was supposed to fulfil the void that I didn't get out of the romance from Lazar/Ana. They may have more at stake with the whole pending wars and Gods uprisings and all that jazz - but I daresay that I believed in Khepri/Badra's romance a bit more.
Although I was kind of cheesed off that I didn't get enough pages to fully develop their romance in the first half of the book. Like, I wasn't entirely annoyed that the author briefly summarized their mutual love growing over the five years they spent being in the same tribe together, and constantly having to be near each other due to the whole falcon guard/concubine arrangement thing. I just wished we got to spend more time with them, so we could have been more invested in their romance.
At least the sexual tension was there for most of the book. Oh God, the tension. I swear, at some points I was just like: "Oh your God, just SHANK EACH OTHER AND GET IT OVER AND DONE WITH. YOU TWO ARE MAKING ME FEEL FRUSTRATED! And not in a good way!"
But then again, I guess those were kind of the best moments - when it was so bleeding obvious that they had the hots for each other and were inches from just shagging their brains out but had issues that obstructed them. I do like the fact that even after they confessed their feelings/confronted each other about their issues, it wasn't just instant OH LET'S JUST JUMP STRAIGHT INTO THE SEXY TIMES. There were still conflict that they had to overcome and they were willing to help each other throughout the way. Then, I swear, it gradually became pages of them constantly having sex and I just incredibly bored, and trudged one because I wanted something more interesting to happen.
At least Badra didn't annoyed me half as much as Ana did. Like, Badra had legitimate reasons why she didn't want to pursue a relationship with Khepri - no matter how much she loved him (I mean, how could you, he sounds incredibly hot) and it was so fundamental to the little "character growth" she got, even though I will admit that she got pushed to the sidelines as a Relationship Sue for most of this book too. But for some reason, this didn't annoy me as much as Ana did. But I wish we got more depth with her character as we did with Kenneth/Khepri.
Kenneth/Khepri was just an embodiment Wish Fulfillment. Not entirely, because there was moments that made just purse my lips and go "hmmmm". Like whenever he gets possessive of Badra (why hello there Romantic Cliche #475). Although I do not know whether to be perturbed or highly amused that he seems to have the most erratic sex drive when it comes to Badra. Seriously, there is like a scene where this English tailor is taking measurements for his pants. He has some thoughts about Badra and then bam! It's time to have that awkward hello to Khepri's other friend, Mr. Boner.
I can't say much for everyone else, because they were so static and stayed within their respective archetypes. The 'villains' were really underdeveloped and everything was so simple and straightforward - I felt kind of cheated because I wished there was so much more. And don't give me any baloney about "oh it's just a romance novel, it's meant to be senseless". You know what else is senseless? Half the YA books out nowadays that try to be something else, when it really is just a thinly-veiled romance novel for teens. At least actual romance novels don't have to hide under all that pretense and just tell it as it is.
Yeah, it got incredibly repetitive, there were moments that were just pure wish-fulfillment and God, some of the dialogue was made of absolute cheese but you know what? At the end of the day - I can say that I genuinely enjoyed it; regardless of its absolute corniness (especially towards the end) and such.
I don't even really remember why I picked it up. I guess there is something about exotic-sounding locations, 'forbidden romances', and sexy men who have a fierce devotion to the one love of their life and are honourable and loyal to the death. Stuff like that. Although I wish we had like like some supernatural angle shoehorned in with mummies, cursed artifacts, and more archeologist-esque adventures so this could also make sense as to why I also thought of the Mummy (film) and Indiana Jones film when I read this. I am also not sure where the whole concubine/guardian thing came from either. Hold on, I think I do... it's all coming back to me now.
Well what do you know? I guess I picked this up because for some strange, unfathomable reason - I got deja vu and was instantly reminded of the Percheron trilogy and thought this would be just as good - but hopefully not as iffy as that series became.
I'll admit that I may have enjoyed this a teensy bit more than I did with the Percheron series and such - and that's saying something! Well, better off than the sequels anyways. I guess this book - with the main romance between Khepri/Kenneth and Badra was supposed to fulfil the void that I didn't get out of the romance from Lazar/Ana. They may have more at stake with the whole pending wars and Gods uprisings and all that jazz - but I daresay that I believed in Khepri/Badra's romance a bit more.
Although I was kind of cheesed off that I didn't get enough pages to fully develop their romance in the first half of the book. Like, I wasn't entirely annoyed that the author briefly summarized their mutual love growing over the five years they spent being in the same tribe together, and constantly having to be near each other due to the whole falcon guard/concubine arrangement thing. I just wished we got to spend more time with them, so we could have been more invested in their romance.
At least the sexual tension was there for most of the book. Oh God, the tension. I swear, at some points I was just like: "Oh your God, just SHANK EACH OTHER AND GET IT OVER AND DONE WITH. YOU TWO ARE MAKING ME FEEL FRUSTRATED! And not in a good way!"
But then again, I guess those were kind of the best moments - when it was so bleeding obvious that they had the hots for each other and were inches from just shagging their brains out but had issues that obstructed them. I do like the fact that even after they confessed their feelings/confronted each other about their issues, it wasn't just instant OH LET'S JUST JUMP STRAIGHT INTO THE SEXY TIMES. There were still conflict that they had to overcome and they were willing to help each other throughout the way. Then, I swear, it gradually became pages of them constantly having sex and I just incredibly bored, and trudged one because I wanted something more interesting to happen.
At least Badra didn't annoyed me half as much as Ana did. Like, Badra had legitimate reasons why she didn't want to pursue a relationship with Khepri - no matter how much she loved him (I mean, how could you, he sounds incredibly hot) and it was so fundamental to the little "character growth" she got, even though I will admit that she got pushed to the sidelines as a Relationship Sue for most of this book too. But for some reason, this didn't annoy me as much as Ana did. But I wish we got more depth with her character as we did with Kenneth/Khepri.
Kenneth/Khepri was just an embodiment Wish Fulfillment. Not entirely, because there was moments that made just purse my lips and go "hmmmm". Like whenever he gets possessive of Badra (why hello there Romantic Cliche #475). Although I do not know whether to be perturbed or highly amused that he seems to have the most erratic sex drive when it comes to Badra. Seriously, there is like a scene where this English tailor is taking measurements for his pants. He has some thoughts about Badra and then bam! It's time to have that awkward hello to Khepri's other friend, Mr. Boner.
I can't say much for everyone else, because they were so static and stayed within their respective archetypes. The 'villains' were really underdeveloped and everything was so simple and straightforward - I felt kind of cheated because I wished there was so much more. And don't give me any baloney about "oh it's just a romance novel, it's meant to be senseless". You know what else is senseless? Half the YA books out nowadays that try to be something else, when it really is just a thinly-veiled romance novel for teens. At least actual romance novels don't have to hide under all that pretense and just tell it as it is.
Yeah, it got incredibly repetitive, there were moments that were just pure wish-fulfillment and God, some of the dialogue was made of absolute cheese but you know what? At the end of the day - I can say that I genuinely enjoyed it; regardless of its absolute corniness (especially towards the end) and such.
June 21, 2019
3.5 stars. The heroine has suffered great abuses, physically and sexually. That's a common theme throughout and may bother some readers. The love is deep and real though between the hero and heroine and they go to great lengths to honor each other.
December 19, 2010
I love historical romance, and this book adds another element of travel to exotic Egypt. There is excitement and romance.
June 12, 2012
Very different from what I normally read. Brutal and breathtaking devotion. I read this in one sitting and ached for the characters. Beautifully depressing, yet utterly rewarding.
January 30, 2015
Awesome
My third book from her, she has a way of making your heart strings pull and twist with her words.
My third book from her, she has a way of making your heart strings pull and twist with her words.
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May 5, 2018Book made you wish you were in that time period with this tribe.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews