What do you think?
Rate this book
Monarch of the Sands
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 suburbia is hardly his regular stomping ground! But he is as achingly gorgeous as ever...and Francesca's certainly tempted by Zahid's 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?
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2011
47 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Kendrick
1,224 books454 followersI was told off as a child for making up stories—little did I know that one day I’d earn my living by writing them!
To the horror of my parents, I left school at sixteen and held a bewildering variety of jobs: I was a London DJ (in the now-trendy Primrose Hill), a decorator and a singer. After that I became a cook, a photographer and, eventually, a nurse. I waitressed in the south of France, drove an ambulance in Australia, saw lots of beautiful sights but could never settle down. Everywhere I went I felt like a square peg—until one day I started writing again and then everything just fell into place. I felt like Cinderella must have when the glass slipper fit!
Today, I have the best job in the world, writing passionate romances for Harlequin. I like writing stories which are sexy and fast-paced, yet packed full of emotion—stories that readers will identify with, laugh and cry along with.
My interests are many and varied—chocolate and music, fresh flowers and bubble baths, films, cooking and trying to keep my home from looking burglarized! Simple pleasures—you can’t beat them!
I live in Winchester, one of the most stunning cities in the world, but don’t take my word for it—come see for yourself! I regularly visit London and Paris. Oh, and I love hearing from my readers all over the world…so I think it’s over to you!
To the horror of my parents, I left school at sixteen and held a bewildering variety of jobs: I was a London DJ (in the now-trendy Primrose Hill), a decorator and a singer. After that I became a cook, a photographer and, eventually, a nurse. I waitressed in the south of France, drove an ambulance in Australia, saw lots of beautiful sights but could never settle down. Everywhere I went I felt like a square peg—until one day I started writing again and then everything just fell into place. I felt like Cinderella must have when the glass slipper fit!
Today, I have the best job in the world, writing passionate romances for Harlequin. I like writing stories which are sexy and fast-paced, yet packed full of emotion—stories that readers will identify with, laugh and cry along with.
My interests are many and varied—chocolate and music, fresh flowers and bubble baths, films, cooking and trying to keep my home from looking burglarized! Simple pleasures—you can’t beat them!
I live in Winchester, one of the most stunning cities in the world, but don’t take my word for it—come see for yourself! I regularly visit London and Paris. Oh, and I love hearing from my readers all over the world…so I think it’s over to you!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 3, 2012
I like Sharon Kendrick's books and have enjoyed reading them but this one I just could not get into it. I don't want to be nasty about it...there are a few good things about it.....the author's writing is great.
Firstly - the cover. I absolutely HATED IT. I could not picture the heroine looking like the covergirl....in fact it may have been one of the reasons that I could not connect with Frankie. And the hero....i found him really uninteresting.
Sheik stories are usually not my favourite - although I have read a few that were really good - but generally I find the whole thing with a young,rich billionaire sheik from a little country in middle east falling in love....no that's wrong....these sheiks first 'deflower' the virgin - they HAVE to be virgins if they are to marry these guys !!! - and then finds he cannot live without this gorgeous, innocent...read virgin.....woman and takes her off to his desert oasis FABULOUS tent where he tells her of his undying love, his terrible childhood, etc etc.....and why the heroine in these sheik stories always or almost always have to be either blonde english girls with limpid blue eyes, golden silken hair....oh yes i forgot....the heroine always gets the MAKEOVER....new clothes, new hairstyle, makeup....
I must admit I did not finish reading this book.....not something that happens that often with my mills & boon's novels....but I just gave up after trying two or three times to start it again.
I have now put it on my TBR bookshelf ....who knows I might get into it next time.
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?
Firstly - the cover. I absolutely HATED IT. I could not picture the heroine looking like the covergirl....in fact it may have been one of the reasons that I could not connect with Frankie. And the hero....i found him really uninteresting.
Sheik stories are usually not my favourite - although I have read a few that were really good - but generally I find the whole thing with a young,rich billionaire sheik from a little country in middle east falling in love....no that's wrong....these sheiks first 'deflower' the virgin - they HAVE to be virgins if they are to marry these guys !!! - and then finds he cannot live without this gorgeous, innocent...read virgin.....woman and takes her off to his desert oasis FABULOUS tent where he tells her of his undying love, his terrible childhood, etc etc.....and why the heroine in these sheik stories always or almost always have to be either blonde english girls with limpid blue eyes, golden silken hair....oh yes i forgot....the heroine always gets the MAKEOVER....new clothes, new hairstyle, makeup....
I must admit I did not finish reading this book.....not something that happens that often with my mills & boon's novels....but I just gave up after trying two or three times to start it again.
I have now put it on my TBR bookshelf ....who knows I might get into it next time.
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?
October 12, 2011
Okay read,Zahid-Frankie knew each other were friends,they meet after some years,both are attracted to each other,loved each other and even accepted and confessed their feelings for each other but Zahid being a sheikh had to marry a girl from royal heritage,the only issue in Zahid's mind whether to choose Duty or Love,he chooses Love and we get HEA
November 17, 2013
This is a childhood friends to lovers story. Hero and heroine fall in love but they can't get married cause hero is a Sheikh King whose duty is to take a bride from his own country. These two are star-crossed lovers. Destined to be together!
June 15, 2020
Storia... boh.
Personaggi... mah.
La storia fa acqua da tutte le parti e mi ha annoiato da morire.
I personaggi? Lei da prendere a sassate da subito, lui si fa mille problemi (a Roma si dice in un altro modo, ma è un po' volgare, manteniamo un certo decoro).
2 stelle perché sono molto buona.
Personaggi... mah.
La storia fa acqua da tutte le parti e mi ha annoiato da morire.
I personaggi? Lei da prendere a sassate da subito, lui si fa mille problemi (a Roma si dice in un altro modo, ma è un po' volgare, manteniamo un certo decoro).
2 stelle perché sono molto buona.
August 15, 2019
Una historia de reencuentro, seguí leyendo porque Sharon tiene una manera muy única de hacer que te den ganas de avanzar la lectura aunque no valga demasiado la pena... O quizá sea que tengo debilidad por esta autora y me cuesta abandonar algo de ella. En fin, no es una de sus novelas más destacables.
June 26, 2020
I loved this one! So different in that the h/H recognise they love each other fairly early on but marriage appears impossible because as King, he is supposed to marry someone from his own country. I loved the way Francesca grew up and became the strong woman she needed to be. Zahid was a superb hero and I loved him.
I did not like that at the end, he waited a year before deciding he had to marry Francesca and persuading his Council to make it so.
I could have lived with 3 months while he worked on solving the problem - but a year!! 4 stars instead of 5.
I did not like that at the end, he waited a year before deciding he had to marry Francesca and persuading his Council to make it so.
I could have lived with 3 months while he worked on solving the problem - but a year!! 4 stars instead of 5.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2013
Francesca's life long friend Zahid turns up out of the blue to stop by and say hello. He's now the reigning Sheikh of Khayarzah, a country which is indebted to Frankies deceased father. He's horrified to discover Frankie is now engaged to a rogue who's mission is to to the valuable piece of land her house rests on. In the first show of Sheikh Zahid's tell it like it is trait he shows Frankie who her fiancee really is which leaves her jobless. Offering her something he's offered no other, let alone an European woman, she jets off to Khayarzah to type up his father's diaries. In the beautiful country it's triple hard for the two to fight their feelings and in a rare show of letting his guard down Zahid goes after what he wants.
Frankie and Zahid gravitate to the inevitable and by the time they get there it's believable and an absolute firecracker of a moment. They learn all sorts about each other just when Frankie dares to dream the strictly traditional, stubborn and remote Sheikh may just be returning her feelings he flicks her back to England without a second thought.
A fabulous early Sunday morning read filled with Sharon Kendrick's brilliantly timed humor and set in wonderful locations. I like how they don't fall into bed the first second they are reunited so when it finally happens I was like "YES!" I also liked how the strict traditions of the middle east aren't glossed over and it's a real issue for Zahid to worry about. I thoroughly enjoyed Monarch of the Sands and would recommend it for anyone who loves a bloody good Sheikh story, mixed with humor, stubbornness and the growing braveness of the heroine who grows from strength to strength. And for Sharon Kendrick fan's it's a must-read! I also hope to learn via google if Zahid's brother and friend have their own stories.
Frankie and Zahid gravitate to the inevitable and by the time they get there it's believable and an absolute firecracker of a moment. They learn all sorts about each other just when Frankie dares to dream the strictly traditional, stubborn and remote Sheikh may just be returning her feelings he flicks her back to England without a second thought.
A fabulous early Sunday morning read filled with Sharon Kendrick's brilliantly timed humor and set in wonderful locations. I like how they don't fall into bed the first second they are reunited so when it finally happens I was like "YES!" I also liked how the strict traditions of the middle east aren't glossed over and it's a real issue for Zahid to worry about. I thoroughly enjoyed Monarch of the Sands and would recommend it for anyone who loves a bloody good Sheikh story, mixed with humor, stubbornness and the growing braveness of the heroine who grows from strength to strength. And for Sharon Kendrick fan's it's a must-read! I also hope to learn via google if Zahid's brother and friend have their own stories.
May 2, 2013
This book aggravated the crap out of me! There were just too many things that took me out of the story like how incredibly arrogant and just downright mean the hero was. I mean I get that he's a sheik and king of a country but the man just came off as an unnecessarily super colossal douche especially when the heroine is an old family friend who he's strongly attracted to. The heroine meanwhile is too much of a silly victim and what really bugs me is the fact that despite having grown up in a lab environment surrounded by scientists she has absolutely zero skill and education and apparently can only get jobs supplied by her boyfriends after daddy dies. I had to struggle to finish the book and when I finally did rather than feeling satisfied it was more like "meh, who cares?"
January 9, 2022
It has been awhile since I read a SK book. I enjoyed watching this friends to lovers story unfold even though it is destined for heartbreak.
Basically, she is an English commoner and he is a reluctant sheikh(his uncle and heir apparent died in a plane crash elevating his status). In the best interest of his country, and keeping bloodlines pure, he needs to marry a virgin woman from his own country(he can have up to 4)!
Francesca: 24 year old raven haired beauty(and virgin).
She is a reformed geeky tom-boy. She has known the hero all her life and her father was close with his father. (It was her father’s discovery of oil in the mythical country of khayarzah that elevated the small desert country into a booming economy). The two fathers would often to get together, and Zahid enjoyed the antics of the young Tom boy h. They formed a friendship over the years, and as many impressionable young girls do, she developed a crush on him.
Zahid: 37 year old raven haired stud..
He often comes to the Western Hemisphere on business. Some of his business is of the carnal kind as he can not sate his longings in his own country without censure. It has been 5 years since he has seen the h, and when she opens the door, the H is hit with feelings that are not so brotherly. When he discovers that the h is engaged, feelings of jealousy arise in him and he wants to meet the fiance that has made the h a woman.
Simon: 28 year old fiance…He is the h’s boss and is responsible for the h’s transformation from geek to fleek. He oozes a smarmy stereotypical salesmen’s charm. The H senses insincerity and shallowness in Simon. Let’s just say he is not impressed!
Things develop, the fiance is out of the picture, and the H offers a job to the h in his country. The sexual tension between these two is simmering, and there is nothing left to the imagination because we see what they are both thinking. The h goes with the H to London in preparation for her job(a more sedate wardrobe is needed). While there the H is constantly snipping and snapping at her(unrequited passion). The h isn’t sure where it is coming from and makes the decision to not take the job. The H should let her back out. He knows this. Instead he insists she keep the job and addresses the fact that the two of them have simmering passions for each other. This confession shocks and excites her so she keeps the job knowing that they can not give into their attraction.
Despite their best intentions, they become lovers. Before she succumbs to his lovemaking, he reminds her that this cannot be permanent.
For several weeks they have a secret love affair behind the palace walls. The H realizes that the relationship cannot continue as is.
So the h is back in England, and Zahid is an abrasive, love frustrated sheikh who decides he can’t live without the love of his life. Since he is sheikh he is able to change the laws.
Once in England Zahid tells the h his intentions and assures her that she will be his one and only. She agrees to the marriage and there is a sweet epilogue.
This was, as I said, an enjoyable read. I wouldn’t say it was super angsty since we get both their POV’s and we know the guy gets the girl in the end. (Or it wouldn’t be an HP!)
So now I will need to seek out brother Tariq’s story…I’m hoping to see these two pop up! The Sheikh's Undoing
Basically, she is an English commoner and he is a reluctant sheikh(his uncle and heir apparent died in a plane crash elevating his status). In the best interest of his country, and keeping bloodlines pure, he needs to marry a virgin woman from his own country(he can have up to 4)!
Francesca: 24 year old raven haired beauty(and virgin).
She is a reformed geeky tom-boy. She has known the hero all her life and her father was close with his father. (It was her father’s discovery of oil in the mythical country of khayarzah that elevated the small desert country into a booming economy). The two fathers would often to get together, and Zahid enjoyed the antics of the young Tom boy h. They formed a friendship over the years, and as many impressionable young girls do, she developed a crush on him.
Zahid: 37 year old raven haired stud..
He often comes to the Western Hemisphere on business. Some of his business is of the carnal kind as he can not sate his longings in his own country without censure. It has been 5 years since he has seen the h, and when she opens the door, the H is hit with feelings that are not so brotherly. When he discovers that the h is engaged, feelings of jealousy arise in him and he wants to meet the fiance that has made the h a woman.
Simon: 28 year old fiance…He is the h’s boss and is responsible for the h’s transformation from geek to fleek. He oozes a smarmy stereotypical salesmen’s charm. The H senses insincerity and shallowness in Simon. Let’s just say he is not impressed!
Things develop, the fiance is out of the picture, and the H offers a job to the h in his country. The sexual tension between these two is simmering, and there is nothing left to the imagination because we see what they are both thinking. The h goes with the H to London in preparation for her job(a more sedate wardrobe is needed). While there the H is constantly snipping and snapping at her(unrequited passion). The h isn’t sure where it is coming from and makes the decision to not take the job. The H should let her back out. He knows this. Instead he insists she keep the job and addresses the fact that the two of them have simmering passions for each other. This confession shocks and excites her so she keeps the job knowing that they can not give into their attraction.
Despite their best intentions, they become lovers. Before she succumbs to his lovemaking, he reminds her that this cannot be permanent.
For several weeks they have a secret love affair behind the palace walls. The H realizes that the relationship cannot continue as is.
So the h is back in England, and Zahid is an abrasive, love frustrated sheikh who decides he can’t live without the love of his life. Since he is sheikh he is able to change the laws.
Once in England Zahid tells the h his intentions and assures her that she will be his one and only. She agrees to the marriage and there is a sweet epilogue.
This was, as I said, an enjoyable read. I wouldn’t say it was super angsty since we get both their POV’s and we know the guy gets the girl in the end. (Or it wouldn’t be an HP!)
So now I will need to seek out brother Tariq’s story…I’m hoping to see these two pop up! The Sheikh's Undoing
June 30, 2017
Zahid, a sheikh, stops in to visit his childhood friend, Francesca, to discover that she's turned into a stunning beauty, and that she's engaged to be married. He learns that Francesca's fiancee is a con artist and is cheating on her and offers her a job to save face. At first she turns it down, but later decides to accept a job recording Zahid's father's journals. So she accompanies him to his conservative country where women cannot be educated and must be virgins before marriage. Zahid and Francesca spend a lot of time together and eventually succumb to their attraction, but despite how much Zahid loves Francesca, they cannot be together. His country expects him to marry a woman of his status.
I had a lot of trouble believing that Zahid was actually friends with Francesca. Instead of treating her like someone he cared about, he treated her like he hated her. His reasoning was that he was frustrated sexually because of how much he wanted her, but I would not be remaining friends with someone who treated me that way, no matter what his reasons. So I had a whole lot less respect for Francesca for putting up with it, but then she'd pretty much been established as a doormat from the beginning. I give major props for the fact that Zahid, despite being a bit of an ass to begin with, is the one to declare his love for Francesca before reluctantly and quite painfully sending her back to England. He is quite clearly gutted and even cries at the circumstances. He pretty nearly redeemed himself in that one instance...though his behavior when he goes to get her back left something to be desired. I also found myself wanting an epilogue for this story. It gets left on a hopeful note with the two of them reunited and Zahid making promises to modernize his country and then we get a sentence that says he did it, but I would have liked to see some of it in an epilogue instead.
I had a lot of trouble believing that Zahid was actually friends with Francesca. Instead of treating her like someone he cared about, he treated her like he hated her. His reasoning was that he was frustrated sexually because of how much he wanted her, but I would not be remaining friends with someone who treated me that way, no matter what his reasons. So I had a whole lot less respect for Francesca for putting up with it, but then she'd pretty much been established as a doormat from the beginning. I give major props for the fact that Zahid, despite being a bit of an ass to begin with, is the one to declare his love for Francesca before reluctantly and quite painfully sending her back to England. He is quite clearly gutted and even cries at the circumstances. He pretty nearly redeemed himself in that one instance...though his behavior when he goes to get her back left something to be desired. I also found myself wanting an epilogue for this story. It gets left on a hopeful note with the two of them reunited and Zahid making promises to modernize his country and then we get a sentence that says he did it, but I would have liked to see some of it in an epilogue instead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2012
I really enjoyed this book because although much of the history and culture of the land in the desert is a mis-match of Arabia and India, the concerns about feminist freedoms like having the right to drive and go to university were nicely brought out. Love isn't enough, and Francesca is smart enough to understand that. And so, her passion for Zahid is tempered with that realisation. I liked the quiet intensity of their romance, there were no outward, outlandish displays of love, instead there was real emotion. I think this was one of the best sheihk romances I've read.
July 21, 2011
Another great read again from Sharon. Zahid and Francesca feature briefly in one of Sharon's earlier books so good to see how their story pans out. Great passion and Zahid is just dreamy. More please!
December 8, 2012
Talk about an impossible love affair made possible. This was a good read. Love Zahid and Francesca. Its crazy because he had been there her whole life. It was like she was made for him. **Tear ** Now where is Tariq's story.
November 11, 2016
A wonderful love story
I found the story of love so strong that I had trouble putting the book down. It brought tears to my eyes and love in my heart. I would definitely recommend this book to families and friends.
I found the story of love so strong that I had trouble putting the book down. It brought tears to my eyes and love in my heart. I would definitely recommend this book to families and friends.
December 22, 2011
Wonderful read
March 29, 2012
Great book! a must read.
April 17, 2019
I don't know why, but I couldn't get in to this book. It felt boring and nothing really happened. And for some reason I kept forgetting that the main characters were childhood friends. Maybe it was a lack of chemistry between them that made the story flat or maybe it's just that I don't really like sheikh books.
Anyhoo, one boring star
Anyhoo, one boring star
April 13, 2023
In the beginning of the book i was like "im not gonna love this heroine" cos who hids their engagement ring. After their dinner with zayid im like "if im the one, my engagement ring will be in the bin". Zayod showed a strong character and charm. Dealing with his willful brother and taking one the throne. It was pretty good.
P.s zayid brother story is titled"the sheikh undoing".
P.s zayid brother story is titled"the sheikh undoing".
September 28, 2024
Ça se lit rapidement mais sans plus… le protagoniste est énervant au possible et grave sexiste…
October 2, 2022
DNF. The disparity between the leads was painful. She’s an insecure, gauche weakling who can barely speak to him without stammering, or be in his vicinity without trembling. Her ugly duckling transformation must have been really something to make a royal so obsessed by her figure that it overrides how unsuited they are together. The MMC is a mean, arrogant asshole who is surprisingly (given their long acquaintance) unpleasant to her, either “silkily” snide and condescending - if not outright demeaning - or hostile and snarling at her for no reason other than his own frustrated lust. His behaviour in the car (after the dinner with his brother) was inexcusable.
February 18, 2012
This was pretty much a starcrossed lovers book. It was very sweet and emotional.
Zahid drops in on an old family friend, a geeky girl named Frankie, who so happens to be nt so geeky anymore. Frankie aka Francesca has turned into a beautiful young woman and after some shock and drama Zahid takes her back to his desert kingdom for his is the king there.
They fight the impending romance because they are not allowed to be together, for it could potentially be disastrous for his country. When they do give in and make love to each other, they both fall in love but love can't lead the country the way he is suppose to, so he lets her go.
Soon Zahid finds himself missing her, like he would miss his own limb. So he hunts her down and begs for her to take him back. But will she?
This book was so romantic and beautiful and forbidding, it's the kind of stuff legends are built out of, queue Romeo & Juliet but with a totally better ending. You'll love it.
Zahid drops in on an old family friend, a geeky girl named Frankie, who so happens to be nt so geeky anymore. Frankie aka Francesca has turned into a beautiful young woman and after some shock and drama Zahid takes her back to his desert kingdom for his is the king there.
They fight the impending romance because they are not allowed to be together, for it could potentially be disastrous for his country. When they do give in and make love to each other, they both fall in love but love can't lead the country the way he is suppose to, so he lets her go.
Soon Zahid finds himself missing her, like he would miss his own limb. So he hunts her down and begs for her to take him back. But will she?
This book was so romantic and beautiful and forbidding, it's the kind of stuff legends are built out of, queue Romeo & Juliet but with a totally better ending. You'll love it.
January 24, 2014
I need a Sheikh-Sheikh-Sheikh shelf.
I have a hard time ranking this. The writing was splendid, and sucked me in completely. That was an easy 4. The hero was awful, probably a 2. The vintage flavour was a 3 or 4. Eh, I'll go with 4.
I was prepared to be totally on Zahid's side here. I mean, Simon is a rat-bastard, who hired Frankie (and got engaged to her!) in order to get at her house, plus that whole "she wasn't good enough until I made her over" thing was AWFUL, right?
Whereas Zahid takes them out to dinner, assesses the awfulness of Simon, has him investigated, presents Frankie with proof that Simon is horrible, and then...offers to create a job for her. Wait.
She initially turns him down and goes stomping off to confront Horrible Simon, but then changes her mind and takes Zahid up on the job offer, whereupon he...tells her he needs to buy her a whole new wardrobe.
I have a hard time ranking this. The writing was splendid, and sucked me in completely. That was an easy 4. The hero was awful, probably a 2. The vintage flavour was a 3 or 4. Eh, I'll go with 4.
I was prepared to be totally on Zahid's side here. I mean, Simon is a rat-bastard, who hired Frankie (and got engaged to her!) in order to get at her house, plus that whole "she wasn't good enough until I made her over" thing was AWFUL, right?
Whereas Zahid takes them out to dinner, assesses the awfulness of Simon, has him investigated, presents Frankie with proof that Simon is horrible, and then...offers to create a job for her. Wait.
She initially turns him down and goes stomping off to confront Horrible Simon, but then changes her mind and takes Zahid up on the job offer, whereupon he...tells her he needs to buy her a whole new wardrobe.
May 20, 2014
This was a good book. I liked the characters and the plot. There were plenty of emotions and aggravation, some growth, courage, sparks, some steaminess, and a good HEA. This is something I probably wouldn't mind reading again. More for a relaxing cuddle-snuggle up chick-flick kinda read. I did 'get a little something in my eye' towards the end, but it was a good something. ;) This was written well and had me in the story (if not immersed) and I was feeling this book. Always a plus. Pretty good, but not whirlwind reading great. Enjoy
June 3, 2021
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 suburbia is hardly his regular stomping ground! But he is as achingly gorgeous as ever...and Francesca's certainly tempted by Zahid's 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
After all, he's now the Sheikh of Khayarzah - England's suburbia is hardly his regular stomping ground! But he is as achingly gorgeous as ever...and Francesca's certainly tempted by Zahid's 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
February 26, 2012
There is a scene reminiscent of Bridges of Madison County and Brokeback Mountain where the leave taking is so emotionlly overwhelming for the characters. It is a scene which grabs me everytime an author uses it. So powerful and utterly brilliant, as it constructs another layer of emotion within the narrative. The Help has such a scene as well.
August 22, 2013
the characters were okay...the hero is the typical alpha male and i love sharon kendrick for that... but the only problem for me is the ending... even though it has an epilogue w/c says about the difficulties of transforming the law... it seems not that realistic enough for me... hmmm... maybe i feel i need some more, or longer. plus the love, cant feel it that much.
February 3, 2012
more like a 2.5 star book instead of 3 stars. i just can't believe that a king, no less, would permit an ordinary english person to call him by his first name, and that said king would have such poor self control as to seduce an old friend despite knowing he can't marry her.
September 7, 2011
So good!!!! :-)
September 11, 2011
Very enjoyable for its genre
January 18, 2012
Not my cup of tea. The heroine sounds like a total looser. She has no backbone and extra stupid. I did not like it. I like my females with a character who can stand up for themselves
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews