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The Stallion and the Rabbit
Alex is a reporter, determined to follow a great race through the Sahara and earn his name in his field. What he doesn’t count on is desert cheiftan Alfahl kidnapping him and carrying him off.
Alfahl needs and English tutor, and Alex fits the bill. Alex fascinates him, as much for the Arabian Nights style tales he tells as for his sweet body and foreign ways. Can these very different men find enough common ground to last together? Or will they become just another story?
Alfahl needs and English tutor, and Alex fits the bill. Alex fascinates him, as much for the Arabian Nights style tales he tells as for his sweet body and foreign ways. Can these very different men find enough common ground to last together? Or will they become just another story?
111 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2005
1 person is currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Mike Shade
34 books53 followersSunshine and light breezes, the scent of sea-drenched skin, dewed-grass under foot. Cowboy hats, tuxedos, painted on jeans. Blue eyes, grey eyes, green eyes, crinkled at the edges eyes. Snow, rain, wind. Love in the morning. Love in the afternoon. Love in the evening. The sole of a man's foot, a working man's hands, a strong back, the curve of an ass.
These are a few of Mike's favorite things.
Want to know more? Read Mike's books, most days his characters feel more real to him than he does.
These are a few of Mike's favorite things.
Want to know more? Read Mike's books, most days his characters feel more real to him than he does.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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March 24, 2009I found it. It's months that I want to read about a sheikh who stole the body and the heart of a young man and today I found my story in The Stallion and the Rabbit by Mike Shade.
Alfahl is a sheikh of the modern days who lives like in the past. He has a moving tribe and sets their tents on the oasis, every three months a different oasis. His name means The Stallion and he is like a stallion, tall, dark and powerful.
Alex is a journalist who wants to write about a car race in the desert, but even before the race begins, is car broke in the desert and he is rescued by Alfahl's men. Really he is kidnapped by Alfahl's men who brings him to their leader. Alex is pale, slim and short, with blond hair and blue eyes: Alfahl decides to take him like English's teacher and like midnight storyteller. And because he is so cute, he names him Arneb, The Rabbit.
Nights after nights Alex tells his stories to Alfahl and the tales magic chained both of them: Alfahl, The Stallion, will succeed to keep Arneb, The Rabbit, with him forever?
A sweet tale who reminds me about Sherazahde and her stories: I would like to read more about those two.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/53...
Alfahl is a sheikh of the modern days who lives like in the past. He has a moving tribe and sets their tents on the oasis, every three months a different oasis. His name means The Stallion and he is like a stallion, tall, dark and powerful.
Alex is a journalist who wants to write about a car race in the desert, but even before the race begins, is car broke in the desert and he is rescued by Alfahl's men. Really he is kidnapped by Alfahl's men who brings him to their leader. Alex is pale, slim and short, with blond hair and blue eyes: Alfahl decides to take him like English's teacher and like midnight storyteller. And because he is so cute, he names him Arneb, The Rabbit.
Nights after nights Alex tells his stories to Alfahl and the tales magic chained both of them: Alfahl, The Stallion, will succeed to keep Arneb, The Rabbit, with him forever?
A sweet tale who reminds me about Sherazahde and her stories: I would like to read more about those two.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/53...
August 9, 2011
I would have never chosen this book if it weren't for a challenge, but I did it and was enchanted by it.
Alex is a journalist who's abducted to tutor a sheik. The sheik, Alfahl, the Stallion, is immediately fascinated by the shy determination of the other man, who he names Arneb, rabbit. It doesn't take long for the two to seduce each other. Alex spins stories of increasing sensuality for his sheik as he surrenders to the touch of the other man.
The story is very simple and it alternates glimpses of the growing intimacy between Alfahl and Alex with stories that seem to depict the different stages of the relationship between the two men. On some level I know that there could have been aspects of the story that could have been used to give it more weight - such as the clash of different cultures - but it was enthralling and magical like a fairy tale.
I don't know if it's a story I'd recommend, but it totally worked for me.
Alex is a journalist who's abducted to tutor a sheik. The sheik, Alfahl, the Stallion, is immediately fascinated by the shy determination of the other man, who he names Arneb, rabbit. It doesn't take long for the two to seduce each other. Alex spins stories of increasing sensuality for his sheik as he surrenders to the touch of the other man.
The story is very simple and it alternates glimpses of the growing intimacy between Alfahl and Alex with stories that seem to depict the different stages of the relationship between the two men. On some level I know that there could have been aspects of the story that could have been used to give it more weight - such as the clash of different cultures - but it was enthralling and magical like a fairy tale.
I don't know if it's a story I'd recommend, but it totally worked for me.
November 8, 2010
Sheherazade structure is not my favorite. Unless it is brilliantly handled, it leaves little room for the primary relationship in the story.
I'm not even sure what era this takes place during - is it contemporary? Rabbit is a reporter, but he doesn't understand the concept behind a recirculating fountain, and can a desert leader really be impressed that someone has 'conquered the steel beast'- referring to a car?
Not my cup of chai.
I'm not even sure what era this takes place during - is it contemporary? Rabbit is a reporter, but he doesn't understand the concept behind a recirculating fountain, and can a desert leader really be impressed that someone has 'conquered the steel beast'- referring to a car?
Not my cup of chai.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2010
This is a less intense version of Tales of 1,001 Nights, only with two dudes.
June 21, 2011
I so liked this book. Stories within a story. Wonderful read.
May 4, 2020
This was a surprisingly lovely story. Alex, a reporter was kidnapped by a Sheik, Alfahl who wants Alex to teach him proper English. The premise is a commen enough story in Mills & Boons where the cruel Sheik keeps poor virgin captive and then love ensues. But here the author has beautifully presented us a story where Alex is entertaining Alfahl with his cache of short stories of princes and enchanting men. It reminded me of Shehrazade in The Arabian Nights, where she had to keep on telling stories to prevent getting killed by the emperor. And like the emperor, Alfahl also falls in love with his sweet story teller, Alex/ Arneb (rabbit).
Recommended read
Recommended read
June 11, 2010
This is an odd little novella and almost defies my reviewing it. It possibly is far more clever than I am giving it credit for, the meaning of it is probably steeped with folklore or something but that may have gone completely over my head.
At first glance it seems like a typical Sheik/slave story, Alex is reporting on the first Trans Sahara road race when his car breaks down and he is captured by Alfahl, a powerful Sheik.
Ostenibly, the men have brought Alfahl an English speaker to help him with his language but it’s soon clear that Alfahl has more on his mind than vowels and he refuses to let Alex go.
Alfahl nicknames Alex “the Rabbit” for reasons that escaped me (as I said, perhaps the whole book went over my head) because I considered Alex to be (‘scuse the pun) quite spunky and he stood up to his kidnapper, wasn’t afraid to make a deal with him when a lot of people might have been a little more terrified. Alfahl is “the Stallion” which is hyperbole whichever way you cut it.
Alex borrows Scherezhade’s trick of tale-telling (because, hey, every Sheik falls for that trick, right?) and it works beautifully. Alex’s ravishment is gradually put off until he starts to tell tales that excite both of them.
On the surface that’s just about all it is, but I think personally it’s more than that. There is some beautiful writing here, and the gradual increasingly sexual scenes are genuinely erotic rather than verging anywhere near porn. For those reasons I have kept the e-book (which is rare for me) and I intend to read it again because it haunts me a little. I do have a small quibble that a white man and a reporter can go missing in the desert and no-one actually bothers to look for him, but that’s just me.
That being said, this book has the feeling more of an allegory, (although I’m too dim to work it out) and less of a narrative and I personally liked that feeling as I was unsettled throughout and still am.
Well worth the $3.95 that it’s on sale for, and I wouldn’t mind reading more of this author, if there is any.
At first glance it seems like a typical Sheik/slave story, Alex is reporting on the first Trans Sahara road race when his car breaks down and he is captured by Alfahl, a powerful Sheik.
Ostenibly, the men have brought Alfahl an English speaker to help him with his language but it’s soon clear that Alfahl has more on his mind than vowels and he refuses to let Alex go.
Alfahl nicknames Alex “the Rabbit” for reasons that escaped me (as I said, perhaps the whole book went over my head) because I considered Alex to be (‘scuse the pun) quite spunky and he stood up to his kidnapper, wasn’t afraid to make a deal with him when a lot of people might have been a little more terrified. Alfahl is “the Stallion” which is hyperbole whichever way you cut it.
Alex borrows Scherezhade’s trick of tale-telling (because, hey, every Sheik falls for that trick, right?) and it works beautifully. Alex’s ravishment is gradually put off until he starts to tell tales that excite both of them.
On the surface that’s just about all it is, but I think personally it’s more than that. There is some beautiful writing here, and the gradual increasingly sexual scenes are genuinely erotic rather than verging anywhere near porn. For those reasons I have kept the e-book (which is rare for me) and I intend to read it again because it haunts me a little. I do have a small quibble that a white man and a reporter can go missing in the desert and no-one actually bothers to look for him, but that’s just me.
That being said, this book has the feeling more of an allegory, (although I’m too dim to work it out) and less of a narrative and I personally liked that feeling as I was unsettled throughout and still am.
Well worth the $3.95 that it’s on sale for, and I wouldn’t mind reading more of this author, if there is any.
August 6, 2011
I wouldn't have normally picked this book for myself, but I'm glad it fit one of the categories in a monthly challenge I'm doing or I would have missed out on it. The central theme of this story is about one of the main characters (Alex) getting abducted and held against his will and then falling in love with the sheikh who keeps him captive. While this might sound like a classic case of Stockholm Syndrome, it didn't feel that way at all and I thought the relationship developed for the right reasons vs. being forced. The storyline is rather unique in that much of the story is about Alex telling stories to the sheikh, and as those stories progress in terms of their erotic nature, so does the "real life" relationship between Alex and the sheikh. Overall, great little story with hope for their future together!
October 9, 2011
The story was like a fairy tale in a tale. Kind of easy plotted with lot of sexy tales really graphically told. In a way I would say it was simple plotted story, but then all fairy tales are. Overall it was a bit to sweet, but enjoyable enough.
Want to read
February 3, 2011Sheik
March 11, 2012
Interesting, light story, reminiscent of Arabian Tales. Fun, uncomplicated, and a good escapism story.
May 24, 2015
I hate MM where one of the male characters is a "chick with a dick" and this was one of them.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews