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Desert Rogues #8
The Sheik & the Princess Bride
Prince Jefri of Bahania had just been bested…by a woman! And not just any female, but Billie Van Horn, his gorgeous, take-no-prisoners flight instructor who was more than a match for this ultramasculine male. Well, she might be an ace in the air, but when it came to romance Billie was determined to keep both feet on the ground.
So why did the sexy sheik make her feel as if she were soaring high above the clouds? She knew that when royal honor called, her high-born lover would fly from her side forever…unless Jefri defied his destiny and chose love….
So why did the sexy sheik make her feel as if she were soaring high above the clouds? She knew that when royal honor called, her high-born lover would fly from her side forever…unless Jefri defied his destiny and chose love….
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2004
91 people are currently reading
596 people want to read
About the author
Susan Mallery
864 books15.5k followers#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.
Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.
Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 30, 2016
Again a wonderful addition to the series.
Billie is a strong pilot instructor who kicks men's asses, and when she is asked to train the royal guards and prince of Bahania, she meets Jefri.
I love their combustible chemistry, and adored muffin vs the cats.
Also enjoyed how Tahira and Doyle find one another.
The king who was detestable in the earlier books is now turning out to be one of my favorite characters.
Safe read
4/5
Billie is a strong pilot instructor who kicks men's asses, and when she is asked to train the royal guards and prince of Bahania, she meets Jefri.
I love their combustible chemistry, and adored muffin vs the cats.
Also enjoyed how Tahira and Doyle find one another.
The king who was detestable in the earlier books is now turning out to be one of my favorite characters.
Safe read
4/5
February 4, 2013
We never heard much about Jefri in the other books, only passing scenes where he’s called the funny and carefree guy of the family. I believe people say this because he’s the youngest and has no chance of assuming the crown, but his also the expert of flaying in the family. He’s very passionate about planes and the desert, which made him the perfect person to be responsible for the new Air Force that has been the talk for the last few books.
Billie is actually the perfect girl for him, because she’s carefree and her job is to teach pilots the offensive maneuvers in the sky. She spent her life flying and loves everything connected planes, but she’s very girlie and also loves shopping.
I liked this couple and how Jefri accepted his love and had to fight to be together with Billie. She’s just a normal regular girl and he had ordered a marriage of convenience and now had to deal with a fiancé and the love of his life.
The best part to me was discovering that the king was behind these love stories, it made me remember another romance series that I love written by Nora Roberts, Macgregor's.
Billie is actually the perfect girl for him, because she’s carefree and her job is to teach pilots the offensive maneuvers in the sky. She spent her life flying and loves everything connected planes, but she’s very girlie and also loves shopping.
I liked this couple and how Jefri accepted his love and had to fight to be together with Billie. She’s just a normal regular girl and he had ordered a marriage of convenience and now had to deal with a fiancé and the love of his life.
The best part to me was discovering that the king was behind these love stories, it made me remember another romance series that I love written by Nora Roberts, Macgregor's.
August 29, 2020
Son el uno para el otro y merecen ser felices
July 2, 2022
As it is with his brothers, prince Jefri of Behania has his own area of expertise and is in charge of the kingdom's air force. The purpose of the air force is to protect the kingdom's natural resources as well as the main source of revenue at the present time. The Oil.
To better the fighting capabilities of the air force, Jefri has hired a top rated firm to train his pilots as well as himself. During the first encounter with the firm's top pilot, Billie, Jefrie is shot down in a training sort of way. He is pissed but also intrigued by the tactics used by Billie.
The author masterfully writes the story where the reader is virtually taken to this beautiful corner of the world to see the craftiness of a proud father and old King who takes matters in his own hands to ensure the happiness of his children. The plot is very well written and, includes love, disappointments, arranged marriage as well as the power of love that will either be enough to having the parties decide to stay together or not Definitely 5 Stars.
To better the fighting capabilities of the air force, Jefri has hired a top rated firm to train his pilots as well as himself. During the first encounter with the firm's top pilot, Billie, Jefrie is shot down in a training sort of way. He is pissed but also intrigued by the tactics used by Billie.
The author masterfully writes the story where the reader is virtually taken to this beautiful corner of the world to see the craftiness of a proud father and old King who takes matters in his own hands to ensure the happiness of his children. The plot is very well written and, includes love, disappointments, arranged marriage as well as the power of love that will either be enough to having the parties decide to stay together or not Definitely 5 Stars.
June 25, 2013
Prince Jefri of Bahania had just been bested...by a woman! And not just any female, but Billie Van Horn, his gorgeous, take-no-prisoners flight instructor who was more than a match for this ultra masculine male.
Well, she might be an ace in the air, but when it came to romance Billie was determined to keep both feet on the ground. So why did the sexy sheik make her feel as if she were soaring high above the clouds? She knew that when royal honor called, her high-born lover would fly from her side forever...unless Jefri defied his destiny and chose love....
Loved all the characters of this 13 book series.... some more than others. This was a very quick read. Held my interest up to the very end. 5 stars.
Well, she might be an ace in the air, but when it came to romance Billie was determined to keep both feet on the ground. So why did the sexy sheik make her feel as if she were soaring high above the clouds? She knew that when royal honor called, her high-born lover would fly from her side forever...unless Jefri defied his destiny and chose love....
Loved all the characters of this 13 book series.... some more than others. This was a very quick read. Held my interest up to the very end. 5 stars.
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December 27, 2017Miniseries: Desert Rogues
January 15, 2018
There are many aspects of this romance that illustrate why I like Susan Mallery's books. She develops strong, female characters; they are often in roles that are traditionally male-dominated (as with Billie teaching fighter pilots) and they are aren't afraid to stand up for themselves or others. In this story, that compassion for others helps make Billie's position with Prince Jefri even more difficult, but she stands her ground to do what is right even if it means personal pain or sacrifice. And it doesn't matter if the person they're standing up to is a prince (as in this Shiek series). But it's not just the females that draw me in. Prince Jefri is (as you might expect) a strong, slightly arrogant, man who is used to getting his own way. Because he is royalty, things generally come easily to him. But from the very start, nothing about Billie is easy for him. But again, Mallery shows a depth of character and a level of growth as he realizes the old adage "be careful what you wish for" is true and that love is very real and very possible.
April 21, 2018
My favorite of this series as I work on a re-read. Billie is the most realistic heroine yet - smart, funny, and realistic, she gets that's living a fairy tale and handles it with grace when the fairy tale goes a bit too far into the realm of the unbelievable and an 18-year convent raised girl shows up to marry her prince. Jefri also seems the best of the trio of brothers; he never seeks to trap Billie but earns her love by accepting who she is and her past experiences. This is a tale from this series I can get behind. Also, did she ever write the book on Tahira and Doyle because I want to know how that story ends too.
July 29, 2017
I like when Billie beats Prince Jefri but dislike how he handled his fiancee. He could have save everyone from their misery if only he and his fiancee told the truth. Lie only complicate the situation especially when it is unnecessary.
May 28, 2017
Well i love how the king is one naughty schemer lol. He's the best!
November 6, 2017
It felt incomplete. I wanted more before HEA.
June 27, 2012
Billie Van Horn is usually treated as one of the guys because 1) she's a kick-ass fighter pilot/instructor and 2) she works with her overprotective dad and brothers. If a man isn't turned off by the first, he tends to get scared off by the second. Prince Jefri of Bahania meets Billie during his work establishing a joint air force with El Bahar and the City of Thieves. His royal pride is stung by repeated defeats at the hands of the beautiful Billie, but he is also intrigued and attracted.
Meanwhile, King Hassan has decided that it's time for Jefri to marry again (his first marriage having been a disaster). The youngest prince of Bahania hasn't met anyone particularly compelling up until this point and is more interested in the air force project than a bride search, so he agrees to an arranged marriage and pretty much forgets about the whole thing. In Billie he finds not only a gorgeous woman, but someone strong and independent who shares his passion for flight. When Jefri's fiancee arrives unexpectedly, things appear impossibly complicated, and heartbreak all around seems inevitable.
I loved Billie, and while Jefri had some bad moments, he easily overcame them. The plot was plausible (you know, for a world where you're dealing with sheikhs) and the characters were relatable. We don't get inside Doyle's head, but we get more depth from him than the other non-perspective characters. It seems like a waste to have past primary players in the book without leveraging their actual histories and personalities, but it's a short book. I'm happy with the resolutions all around.
*Note: Wasn't Jefri supposed to be about 16 during The Sheikh's Secret Bride? King Hassan makes a comment to Liana about his youngest son "just starting to appreciate the gentler sex"... There's a 4 year gap in the publication dates, but Jefri is 29 in this book, so I'm going to chalk that up to a consistency error.*
Meanwhile, King Hassan has decided that it's time for Jefri to marry again (his first marriage having been a disaster). The youngest prince of Bahania hasn't met anyone particularly compelling up until this point and is more interested in the air force project than a bride search, so he agrees to an arranged marriage and pretty much forgets about the whole thing. In Billie he finds not only a gorgeous woman, but someone strong and independent who shares his passion for flight. When Jefri's fiancee arrives unexpectedly, things appear impossibly complicated, and heartbreak all around seems inevitable.
I loved Billie, and while Jefri had some bad moments, he easily overcame them. The plot was plausible (you know, for a world where you're dealing with sheikhs) and the characters were relatable. We don't get inside Doyle's head, but we get more depth from him than the other non-perspective characters. It seems like a waste to have past primary players in the book without leveraging their actual histories and personalities, but it's a short book. I'm happy with the resolutions all around.
*Note: Wasn't Jefri supposed to be about 16 during The Sheikh's Secret Bride? King Hassan makes a comment to Liana about his youngest son "just starting to appreciate the gentler sex"... There's a 4 year gap in the publication dates, but Jefri is 29 in this book, so I'm going to chalk that up to a consistency error.*
February 11, 2017
Almost made me weep. Awesome ending. Really excited to read the next book.
August 17, 2016
Oh, I loved this. Jefri is a super lovable guy (unlike practically every other prince in this series besides Rafe), and Billie? I adore her. What a strong, yet beautiful woman. Fantastic as a female lead. Their chemistry was silly but fun to read. I liked their backgrounds, and I especially loved that Billie wasn't a virgin.
The plot conflict was silly but generally enjoyable. Jefri and Billie behaved reasonably, and you really can't blame them for the situation. Overall, a great read :)
The plot conflict was silly but generally enjoyable. Jefri and Billie behaved reasonably, and you really can't blame them for the situation. Overall, a great read :)
May 23, 2020
Billie Van Horn trains fighter pilots. Prince Jefri is one of her students and is shocked that he cannot outfly her. I found this book more in line with modern times, except for the arranged marriage bit, but it is a good story without much royal bullying in sight. Just a royal quandary due to that same arranged marriage bit.
July 11, 2010
Interesting story. I haven't read something else that contained details about planes, so it was very nice at the beginning. What I didn't like so much though was the progress of the story. In S. Mallery's books usually the mutual love interests between the heroes are in the end of the book. Now simply they had to find a way to "get rid" of Tahira (I don't know why but I didn't like her too much).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2016
“Know you are protected,” he said. “That if you become lost, all you have to do is ask and you will be directed to me. Whatever happens, wherever you go, there will always be a safe place for you here. When I am gone, my heirs will honor the promise of the bracelet until the day you draw your last.”
November 10, 2016
Pretty good! I like that Billie was a strong woman without being a b***h. I liked that Prince Jefri was not intimidated by her nor become angry at her expertise in fighter jet dogfights.
The conflict came in when a fiance Prince Jefri didn't know he had appeared. Does he submit to his father-the-king's will and marry Tahira honorably or follow his heart?
The conflict came in when a fiance Prince Jefri didn't know he had appeared. Does he submit to his father-the-king's will and marry Tahira honorably or follow his heart?
August 27, 2012
Goodreads officially sucks at saving my reviews today. So once again..
This novel was good because we are finally given a lead heroine with the personality and spunk to match. It's eventually why the hero falls in love with her but he originally pursues her simply because of arrogance and pride.
This novel was good because we are finally given a lead heroine with the personality and spunk to match. It's eventually why the hero falls in love with her but he originally pursues her simply because of arrogance and pride.
April 13, 2009
I found the story is not complicated enough, but it's nice for light-reading though. =)
April 22, 2012
2 stars
review
review
January 22, 2014
i love this series. susan mallery is great!
June 28, 2014
Great story.
January 3, 2016
Just love the say the characters seem so true to life! And loved the way the king manipulated his sons' lives in a good way!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2016
I enjoyed reading.
March 6, 2016
This one annoyed me a litte bit. But only because of the circumstances with Billie and Tahira. Otherwise it was full of passion and beautiful love. Now onto the next book of the series.
August 19, 2012
Billie sure did set the cocky Prince Jefri straight~!
September 25, 2012
I didn't think Billie was as devoted to her job as most women would have been.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews