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Billionaire Heirs #3
The Desert Bride of Al Zayed
THE ROYAL WIFE
After five years Jayne could finally release herself from Sheikh Tariq bin Rashid, the desert prince of Zayed…and her husband. He'd courted her, captivated her, but he'd never truly trusted her. And treacherous palace lies had sent Jayne running.
Now the time for hiding was over―she was back to demand a divorce. And Tariq was willing to comply. If Jayne would pretend to be his happily wedded bride for a few weeks longer. But with passion still burning so intensely between them, would Jayne truly ever be free?
After five years Jayne could finally release herself from Sheikh Tariq bin Rashid, the desert prince of Zayed…and her husband. He'd courted her, captivated her, but he'd never truly trusted her. And treacherous palace lies had sent Jayne running.
Now the time for hiding was over―she was back to demand a divorce. And Tariq was willing to comply. If Jayne would pretend to be his happily wedded bride for a few weeks longer. But with passion still burning so intensely between them, would Jayne truly ever be free?
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2007
5 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Tessa Radley
240 books71 followersUSA Today Bestselling author Tessa Radley 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.
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.
Sign up and get updates about Tessa's next book here.
Read excerpts of (most of!) Tessa's books here.
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.
Sign up and get updates about Tessa's next book here.
Read excerpts of (most of!) Tessa's books here.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 19, 2018
Pretty angsty read about a woman separated from her husband for five years because he thought she cheated. His Father lied to him and he believed his Father. Now his Father is dying and he wants them to reconcile but the h wanted a divorce. She goes back to Zayed and they pretend to reconcile for the Father and they fall back in love. Lots of interesting and shocking plot twists made this a great read for me. The heroine annoyed me several times because she was just too righteous and indignant and really she shouldn't have been. She has secrets of her down and one is astonishing to me. I couldn't believe it. Really good book. Safe no cheating. Both were celibate while apart. Really liked the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2019
The heroine was kicked out of the kingdom five years ago on a trumped up infidelity charge. She is now back for a divorce.
I don’t see a HEA for these two. For one, the weak hero chose to believe his evil, lying, manipulative father over the heroine. The father didn’t even make an effort to manufacture evidence; his word was enough. For me, this was such a huge hurdle, but obstacles to love for me don’t seem to apply in Romanceland. The lies about the heroine were just the tip of the iceberg from the dad.
Two, the heroine is so done with the H and the kingdom, she is visibly unmoved when the H says his father is dying. Not even a half-baked, nominal, “Sorry.”
Three, she hates the kingdom, the desert, the lifestyle. All she ever wanted was a nice 9 to 5 hubby. Not a good sign for these two since he's the muckety muck Sheikh.
She gives him the cold shoulder for quite a long time, then kaboom. You know the drill.
There is an evil OW that claws her face then nothing, and a doe-eyed underage beauty lusting after the H. They were both celibate, but he was more celibate than she was as she is ready to move on with a blonde, bland 9 to 5 type at the beginning of the book.
This is not the one I remembered where the H and h could not claim their daughter. I was thinking of another one that was even more bleak. Maybe a Lucy Gordon.
I don’t see a HEA for these two. For one, the weak hero chose to believe his evil, lying, manipulative father over the heroine. The father didn’t even make an effort to manufacture evidence; his word was enough. For me, this was such a huge hurdle, but obstacles to love for me don’t seem to apply in Romanceland. The lies about the heroine were just the tip of the iceberg from the dad.
Two, the heroine is so done with the H and the kingdom, she is visibly unmoved when the H says his father is dying. Not even a half-baked, nominal, “Sorry.”
Three, she hates the kingdom, the desert, the lifestyle. All she ever wanted was a nice 9 to 5 hubby. Not a good sign for these two since he's the muckety muck Sheikh.
She gives him the cold shoulder for quite a long time, then kaboom. You know the drill.
There is an evil OW that claws her face then nothing, and a doe-eyed underage beauty lusting after the H. They were both celibate, but he was more celibate than she was as she is ready to move on with a blonde, bland 9 to 5 type at the beginning of the book.
This is not the one I remembered where the H and h could not claim their daughter. I was thinking of another one that was even more bleak. Maybe a Lucy Gordon.
October 3, 2019
The ramifications of the lies the hero’s father told were too extreme for this second chance story to be believable. The reader doesn’t find out until the end that the heroine was not only exiled for “adultery” but that How they could forgive the dying father after that is beyond me.
As for the rest, this is a standard second chance story. Heroine wants a divorce. Hero doesn’t until his father dies. Once the heroine returns to H’s country they spend all kinds of time together. They travel across the desert for diplomatic reasons and end up sleeping together. There are long passages about falconry and women, etc . . ..
The revelations of the spoiler ruined what was shaping up to be an interesting story. Both the H/h were celibate during their separation. But, not enough grovel from the dad and the hero. Very disappointing.
As for the rest, this is a standard second chance story. Heroine wants a divorce. Hero doesn’t until his father dies. Once the heroine returns to H’s country they spend all kinds of time together. They travel across the desert for diplomatic reasons and end up sleeping together. There are long passages about falconry and women, etc . . ..
The revelations of the spoiler ruined what was shaping up to be an interesting story. Both the H/h were celibate during their separation. But, not enough grovel from the dad and the hero. Very disappointing.
May 22, 2018
I absolutely loved this book. It was different from typical HP hustle bustle.
Jayne and and Tariq met in their college days and fell in love. Soon after they married and was called back to his country where root of all their problems stood in the form of Tariq’s father the Emir. Story starts were hero and heroine were separated for 5 years and heroine wanted a divorce inorder to move on.
All their problems and misunderstandings weren’t known first to us ,so I thoroughly enjoyed the slow unwrapping of story. What I loved the most was even though he had the incentive to hate her like hell he was never cruel to her. True he banished her 5 years prior but evidence were against her and alternative was to throw her in jail. So this book proved that inorder to be an alpha hero , becoming as**ole isn’t required. Heroine was bitter towards his father and I only understood the extent of it towards the end of the book. That was one twist I didn’t see coming and can’t say totally enjoyed.
And...
For the first time in my HP reading history a heroine rejected and stopped seduction/shivering/knees weaking situation .
And another plus was he was faithful to her from day 1 people. Even though it’s common in his culture to take another wife.
5 years! Heroes of LG take that💪. And there wasn’t even a mention of his past experience or exes.not even once! Bless my heart I’m in heaven.
I especially loved the tiny Arabic culture factors author introduced in this. It was different and accurate. Author even used Arabic sentence and words other than the ever common ‘Habibti’. I had read countless shiekh stories and its a common knowledge all of them are muslims but for the first time I read them saying Creator’s name , even some ‘insha allah’ popped out many times.
The information about falcon hunting and desert plains were interesting . Usually it bores me but here It was fascinating. I loved the authors writing style. But the ending bothered me somewhat. I didn’t understand the heroine’s reason for taking that particular decision nor did I like that. I felt bad on behalf of hero. So after finishing the book a heavy feeling still lingered. It didn’t felt that I finished a HP.I don’t want to give the spoilers thats why the incognito writings.
And epilogue was sadly lacking I badly wanted to see them with loads of babies.
Highly Recommended.
Jayne and and Tariq met in their college days and fell in love. Soon after they married and was called back to his country where root of all their problems stood in the form of Tariq’s father the Emir. Story starts were hero and heroine were separated for 5 years and heroine wanted a divorce inorder to move on.
All their problems and misunderstandings weren’t known first to us ,so I thoroughly enjoyed the slow unwrapping of story. What I loved the most was even though he had the incentive to hate her like hell he was never cruel to her. True he banished her 5 years prior but evidence were against her and alternative was to throw her in jail. So this book proved that inorder to be an alpha hero , becoming as**ole isn’t required. Heroine was bitter towards his father and I only understood the extent of it towards the end of the book. That was one twist I didn’t see coming and can’t say totally enjoyed.
And...
For the first time in my HP reading history a heroine rejected and stopped seduction/shivering/knees weaking situation .
And another plus was he was faithful to her from day 1 people. Even though it’s common in his culture to take another wife.
5 years! Heroes of LG take that💪. And there wasn’t even a mention of his past experience or exes.not even once! Bless my heart I’m in heaven.
I especially loved the tiny Arabic culture factors author introduced in this. It was different and accurate. Author even used Arabic sentence and words other than the ever common ‘Habibti’. I had read countless shiekh stories and its a common knowledge all of them are muslims but for the first time I read them saying Creator’s name , even some ‘insha allah’ popped out many times.
The information about falcon hunting and desert plains were interesting . Usually it bores me but here It was fascinating. I loved the authors writing style. But the ending bothered me somewhat. I didn’t understand the heroine’s reason for taking that particular decision nor did I like that. I felt bad on behalf of hero. So after finishing the book a heavy feeling still lingered. It didn’t felt that I finished a HP.I don’t want to give the spoilers thats why the incognito writings.
And epilogue was sadly lacking I badly wanted to see them with loads of babies.
Highly Recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2020
3.5 stars
October 4, 2018
I struggled all the way through this book and didn't enjoy it. I thought it ended up incredibly sad. I hated how the hero believed his lying, scheming father over his wife as he told him horrible lies about her to try and break them up. It did indeed break them up and they lived apart for five years and not just apart but her husband went to the extent to have her thrown out of his country. The hero was sickenly devoted to his father and chose to believed the worst of his wife.
I was disappointed that she did not go ahead and divorce him. He certainly didn't deserve her.
I'm sorry but I cannot recommend it!
I was disappointed that she did not go ahead and divorce him. He certainly didn't deserve her.
I'm sorry but I cannot recommend it!
April 5, 2009
I quite enjoyed this novel about a couple who were pulled apart by the lies of someone who was thought to be beyond reproach. I loved the descriptions of Zayed and the desert. I felt as though I was in this beautiful, exotic place, feeling the hot desert wind blowing on my face, seeing Tariq's majestic falcon on the hunt, feeling the deluge of a sudden, violent rainstorm, the smells of spices, and experiencing the customs so different from my own but much appreciated by me all the same.
This book evokes most of those feelings that make sheikh romances so enjoyable for me. I feel that the author did try to do research and not just stereotype the Arab and Bedouin peoples, which is very important to me. And better yet, I liked both the heroine and the hero. They were both good people, although they had allowed the lies of the Emir to tear them apart. Finally a hero who remains faithful although he is separated from his wife. Tariq really was a good man. He was proud, but not so proud he was obnoxious. He really cared about doing the right thing, which made it so sad that he believed his father would never lie about something like telling him his wife Jayne had cheated on him. Jayne was also a good person, although she did something that I struggle with. I believe she did it because she felt it was the right thing to do, but my heart aches at the choice she made, which will affect Tariq and her lives for always.
Sadly this couple will count the cost of the Emir's lies for the rest of their life, but for Jayne's sister, it was a wonderful blessing at the same time.
This is my second read by Tessa Radley, and I must say she is a really good writer who knows how to involve a reader in the romance tale she weaves so skillfuly with words. I hope to read about Tariq's Greek cousins soon.
This book evokes most of those feelings that make sheikh romances so enjoyable for me. I feel that the author did try to do research and not just stereotype the Arab and Bedouin peoples, which is very important to me. And better yet, I liked both the heroine and the hero. They were both good people, although they had allowed the lies of the Emir to tear them apart. Finally a hero who remains faithful although he is separated from his wife. Tariq really was a good man. He was proud, but not so proud he was obnoxious. He really cared about doing the right thing, which made it so sad that he believed his father would never lie about something like telling him his wife Jayne had cheated on him. Jayne was also a good person, although she did something that I struggle with. I believe she did it because she felt it was the right thing to do, but my heart aches at the choice she made, which will affect Tariq and her lives for always.
Sadly this couple will count the cost of the Emir's lies for the rest of their life, but for Jayne's sister, it was a wonderful blessing at the same time.
This is my second read by Tessa Radley, and I must say she is a really good writer who knows how to involve a reader in the romance tale she weaves so skillfuly with words. I hope to read about Tariq's Greek cousins soon.
February 27, 2021
PERDIÓ A SU HIJA, NO ME DUELE. ME QUEMAAAAAAA, ME LASTIMAAAAAAAA
November 28, 2010
I love a good sheik story, and this one didn't disappoint. Sheik Tariq and his wife Jayne didn't stand a chance almost from the beginning. The Sheik's meddling father destroyed their happiness with his lies and caused unnecessary pain to two people who loved each other very much.
Pros - A story about a jealous, powerful, angry sheik who still loves his estranged wife and fights his attraction to her when she returns to seek a divorce. The expression of emotional anguish by his wife, Jayne. She's stronger now, but she suffered greatly and still suffers because he doesn't believe or trust her. Good chemistry between the hero and heroine. Well-written. One of my favorite passages in the book: She was his woman. No other man had a right to touch her. Ever.
Cons - The reason why the divorce couldn't go through as planned. I wanted a stronger, more believable reason than that.
I have to say the ending was difficult for me to accept. Not because it wasn't believable, but because of the surprise at the end and the painful decision that was made.
This was a good read overall.
Pros - A story about a jealous, powerful, angry sheik who still loves his estranged wife and fights his attraction to her when she returns to seek a divorce. The expression of emotional anguish by his wife, Jayne. She's stronger now, but she suffered greatly and still suffers because he doesn't believe or trust her. Good chemistry between the hero and heroine. Well-written. One of my favorite passages in the book: She was his woman. No other man had a right to touch her. Ever.
Cons - The reason why the divorce couldn't go through as planned. I wanted a stronger, more believable reason than that.
I have to say the ending was difficult for me to accept. Not because it wasn't believable, but because of the surprise at the end and the painful decision that was made.
This was a good read overall.
August 26, 2012
It was honestly a great novel, I don't think there was really any boring parts in it but it saddened me that hero and heroine were so damaged because of the heroes father. I was glad that they actually fought for each other in the end and made it work. It was nice seeing that flip so passionately.
March 29, 2023
In the novel the father accused the heroine and based on this the hero told her that she was supposed to be punished instead of kicking her out and this is not true ...Any fair judge would have ordered the father to bring four witnesses. and if he could not, he would have ordered the father to be whipped. Because in Islam and in Surat Al-Noor - yes, the same name as the falcon -
==========
Those who accuse chaste women ˹of adultery˺ and fail to produce four witnesses, give them eighty lashes ˹each˺. And do not ever accept any testimony from them—for they are indeed the rebellious—
except those who repent afterwards and mend their ways, then surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
=======
The only case that needs one witness is that the husband is the one who saw her.
=======
And those who accuse their wives ˹of adultery˺ but have no witness except themselves, the accuser must testify,1 swearing four times by Allah that he is telling the truth, and a fifth oath that Allah may condemn him if he is lying. For her to be spared the punishment, she must swear four times by Allah that he is telling a lie,
and a fifth oath that the wrath of God is on her if he is telling the truth.
================
Also, the punishment will be for the man and the woman who committed adultery.
==========
Those who accuse chaste women ˹of adultery˺ and fail to produce four witnesses, give them eighty lashes ˹each˺. And do not ever accept any testimony from them—for they are indeed the rebellious—
except those who repent afterwards and mend their ways, then surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
=======
The only case that needs one witness is that the husband is the one who saw her.
=======
And those who accuse their wives ˹of adultery˺ but have no witness except themselves, the accuser must testify,1 swearing four times by Allah that he is telling the truth, and a fifth oath that Allah may condemn him if he is lying. For her to be spared the punishment, she must swear four times by Allah that he is telling a lie,
and a fifth oath that the wrath of God is on her if he is telling the truth.
================
Also, the punishment will be for the man and the woman who committed adultery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2022
I really really disliked this one because of the twist at the end, the heroine gave their daughter up for adoption to her sister. Yes it's good that she wasn't miscarried or aborted but I just really dislike the whole premise that they are back together but their child isn't being raised by them and she will have full siblings but will be raised as cousins. I quite disliked the hero throughout the book, he even said he was glad she lost the baby (thinking it was another guys). He said in another time he could have had her stoned to death and that he should have had her imprisoned. C.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2022
Jak typowy harlequin - opiera się na jednym i tym samym i nie zachwyca. W przypadku tego tytułu nie zachwyca szczególnie.
Mając na myśli harlequin rozumie się, że będzie to literatura lekka (typowy "odmóżdżacz"), i owszem - one wszystkie takie są. Jednak "Wierną żonę" bynajmniej nie czyta się lekko. A to za sprawą terminologii arabskiej. Niemal na każdej stronie autorka wtrąca jakiś termin z arabskiego świata. Nie mam nic przeciwko jeśli jest to literatura w temacie (jak np. w przypadku "Klejnotu Medyny"). Ale jeśli jest to książka, która ma być lekkim "odmóżdżaczem" to trochę przesada. Nie mam ochoty przy lekkiej literaturze sprawdzać co i rusz co dane słowo oznacza.
Zresztą z tematem książki wcale nie jest lepiej. O ile na początku jeszcze jest interesująco, o tyle potem jest coraz to gorzej. Jednym z najnudniejszych momentów tego "gorącego" romansu jest moment, w którym główni bohaterowie polują na... sokoły. Poświęcony jest temu cały rozdział, w którym mężczyzna opowiada kobiecie o nomadach, sokołach i tym podobnych rzeczach. Dodatkowo relacja między skłóconymi małżonkami pragnącymi rozwodu według mnie nieoczekiwanie staje się niedorzeczna.
Jeśli ktoś szczególnie interesuje się tematyką sokołów i lubi czytać romanse na tle pustyni: to "gorące" romansidło o synu Emira i jego żonie z Europy jest w sam raz dla niego.
Ogólnie w książce tej niewiele się dzieje. Jak nie wątek o sokolnikach, to rozwiązywanie spraw politycznych między dwoma arabskimi państwami: Zayedem i Bashirem. Ja mimo, że lubię wątki arabsko-indyjskie etc.) wynudziłam się, więc raczej odradzam.
Opinia opublikowana na moim blogu:
https://literackiepodrozebooki.blogsp...
Mając na myśli harlequin rozumie się, że będzie to literatura lekka (typowy "odmóżdżacz"), i owszem - one wszystkie takie są. Jednak "Wierną żonę" bynajmniej nie czyta się lekko. A to za sprawą terminologii arabskiej. Niemal na każdej stronie autorka wtrąca jakiś termin z arabskiego świata. Nie mam nic przeciwko jeśli jest to literatura w temacie (jak np. w przypadku "Klejnotu Medyny"). Ale jeśli jest to książka, która ma być lekkim "odmóżdżaczem" to trochę przesada. Nie mam ochoty przy lekkiej literaturze sprawdzać co i rusz co dane słowo oznacza.
Zresztą z tematem książki wcale nie jest lepiej. O ile na początku jeszcze jest interesująco, o tyle potem jest coraz to gorzej. Jednym z najnudniejszych momentów tego "gorącego" romansu jest moment, w którym główni bohaterowie polują na... sokoły. Poświęcony jest temu cały rozdział, w którym mężczyzna opowiada kobiecie o nomadach, sokołach i tym podobnych rzeczach. Dodatkowo relacja między skłóconymi małżonkami pragnącymi rozwodu według mnie nieoczekiwanie staje się niedorzeczna.
Jeśli ktoś szczególnie interesuje się tematyką sokołów i lubi czytać romanse na tle pustyni: to "gorące" romansidło o synu Emira i jego żonie z Europy jest w sam raz dla niego.
Ogólnie w książce tej niewiele się dzieje. Jak nie wątek o sokolnikach, to rozwiązywanie spraw politycznych między dwoma arabskimi państwami: Zayedem i Bashirem. Ja mimo, że lubię wątki arabsko-indyjskie etc.) wynudziłam się, więc raczej odradzam.
Opinia opublikowana na moim blogu:
https://literackiepodrozebooki.blogsp...
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews