Desert Justice

Code of the Outback #4

by Valerie Parv

Businesswoman Simone Hayes traveled to the exotic land of Nazaar to search for family. But instead of having the idyllic vacation she'd hoped for, she witnessed a murder that had far-reaching political implications. To escape with her life, Simone needed the protection of Nazaar's most powerful man...the sheik.

Accustomed to wielding his authority, Sheik Markaz al Nazaari had traits that clashed against Simone's Western independence. But while Simone and Markaz came from two different worlds, they shared one common passion: each other. And with an attraction this intense, would boundaries or borders keep them apart?

Genres: Harlequin

Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 2006

About the author

Valerie Christine Parv was a popular Australian writer of over 70 romance novels, with more than 34 million sales. She published her novels in Mills & Boon's since 1982.

Reviews

[Fiona Marsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only recently found out Ms Parv wrote a sheikh adventure when it was released on eBook under the Intrigue label. Originally published as a paperback in 2006 it was a Silhouette Intimate Moments imprint.

The heroine Simone Hayes is an Australian of Nazaari parentage. They fled the country before her birth to avoid being killed by rebel forces for speaking out against them. Simone has now returned to seek out a relative to reassure her mother who is severely depressed after the recent death of her husband.

Sheik Markaz al Nazaari is of no real interest to Simone except that her uncle may be working for him. When Simone witnesses the murder of a woman trying to get to the sheik, she is drawn into his orbit.

This is a story about two people from essentially different worlds who are attracted to each despite knowing it is an impossible situation. Simone is an independent modern business woman and Markaz rules a country that still treats it's women as chattels although he is trying to change things.

It is these changes that bring danger, keeping our hero and heroine constantly in each other's company where they feel obliged to resist the link between them.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice touch of fantasy in a well constructed world. Simone and Markaz were appealing and the HEA for them believable.

[M.R. Cullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Australian born Simone travels to the land of her ancestors, the last thing she expects is to be caught up in the political intrigue sweeping the country as Markz, Sheik of Sheiks, attempts to introduce sweeping reforms into his country that will see equality engendered in legislation and the middle eastern country swept into the 21st century. But, when a stranger presses a ring into her hand and issues her a whispered command, 'get this to the Sheik,' Simone finds herself caught up in a race against rebels who want control of the Government to stop the reforms and the pull of true love as she battles her attraction the Sheik.

I've never read anything by Valerie Parv before. Until her recent death, I had never heard of her. But, as an aspiring/emerging writer, I'm a strong believer in learning how to write from all angles, not just the genre you already write in.

Valerie Parv sold 34 million books in her career, a pretty amazing achievement for an Australian author. When I learned about this, I bought her book "The Art to Writing Romance," After finishing that, I decided I wanted to see how she put the tips and techniques into practice.

This book was a light read, but I found myself engaged with the characters and enjoying the ride across a middle eastern desert kingdom with the independent Australian woman who saves the Sheiks life but steals his heart.

If you're looking for something that is easy, fun and comes with some great characters and locations, Desert Justice might just hit the spot.