Pregnant by the Sheikh

The Billionaires of Blackcastle #3

by Olivia Gates

The sheikh bargains for an heir in this story by USA TODAY bestselling author Olivia Gates

At first sight, Sheikh Numair Al Aswad's lethal sensuality overwhelms Princess Jenan Aal Ghamdi. And when he rescues her from an arranged marriage, he has a shocking price…an heir! Though logic screams no, her body and soul burn for him.

Numair has come from the darkest of pasts to exact revenge—and to claim his throne. Jenan is vital to his plans. But his cold-blooded scheme melts under the heat of their passion. Now he must choose: his lifelong ambitions or the woman who carries his unborn child.

Genres: Romance, Harlequin Desire, Harlequin

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 2015

About the author

I am a USA TODAY Bestselling Author of 45 books in different genres including Contemporary Romance, Medical Romance, Medical Action Thrillers and Paranormal Romance. My upcoming works will also veer into fantasy.

But one thing is for sure…there will always be central romances in my books. The all-consuming kind that leaves readers breathless and begging for more.

I love to hear fron my readers, so come say hello, here on Goodreads and make sure to sign up to my VIP Mailing List on my website so I can keep you updated on all my news and special content and offerings!

My latest series is Dr. Angelica Mortmain novels, a heart-pounding medical action thriller with a white-hot central romance, and it starts with LETHAL TREATMENT, out NOW!

Happy reading everyone!

Reviews

[Jen - Reviews]

I love a good sheikh book and no-one ( and I do mean no-one) can write them better than Olivia Gates.
Pregnant By The Sheikh has all the hallmarks of a fabulous romance. Both hero and heroine are great characters. I always enjoy Olivia's heroines because they are strong, educated and just fabulous women. This book was no exception.
Great story, wonderful larger than life characters, steamy love scenes, can't ask for anything else!

[Cyber Dragon]

Passion and unexpected love undermine the best laid plans. Pregnant by the Sheikh starts as any romantic story. What makes it stand out is Olivia Gates's talent to show the strongly emotional inner nature of the main characters, Jenan and Numair. She has a unique way to draw in her character's emotive turmoil while putting them through the best sex ever.

Jenan, a self-sufficient princess, who is avoiding forfeiting her freedom to a husband for the second time. Ironically to save her sisters' future, her father and her country, must agree to an arranged marriage to a man she despises. Numair shows up at her engagement and promises to free her from the horrible ordeal, but he has a price: an heir and Jenan must marry him instead.

Regardless of being a strong woman in charge of her own life, Jenan is affected by Numair's raw masculinity. But she's not willing to easy give up the independence that cost her so much. Her instincts warm her of not trusting Numair, but Jenan is between a rock and a hard place. Numair being the hard part of the equation, no pun intended.

Tall, dark, sexy and vindictive, Numair, can't be at peace until he gets revenge of the men who betrayed his family and him. Also, because of the harsh experiences endured during his youth, he is ruthless. Before meeting Jenan, she was already an important tool in his vengeance. After meeting her, he is more determined than ever to have her playing her part in his vindictive plot, and he can't wait until Jenan becomes completely his. Because she's everything he needed but didn't know that he did. Jenan simply drives him out of control, honoring the meaning of her name, which is madness.

I enjoyed the verbal fencing between then, the building up of the passion, when that passion bursts and the exciting end. Because Numair and Jenan have an awesome chemistry, which is beautiful detailed in the explicit love scenes. And the more they learn about one another, the more their mutual admiration, passion and love spring up. But Jenan foresees that there is more to Numair than the untold story of the scars that mar his beautiful figure.

Pregnant by the Sheikh is a satisfying reading, the characters are among the most likable ones I'd ever encountered, and the love scenes are sizzling. The sensualism of the love scenes is beautifully conveyed by the author. I will not include spoilers because it was really exciting for me to keep turning pages trying to figure out the secrets Numair is hiding and Jenan's reaction of learning his original plans.

Also, even if the happy ending is a given, I was wondering how would be possible for both of them to get what they want. This is an engaging story with believable secondary characters, and one of the most painful black moments ever. I highly recommend it.

[Aayesha]

Not a virgin heroine, not for me.

[Ayat Wahby]

Any book written by Olivia Gates "specially any Sheikh hero" is unusually HOT!!!. I enjoyed this book very much as the creating of both characters was enriched by both being strong not weak. Numair was introduced as the toughest & oldest of the BC group but turned out the most vulnerable, which indicates how Olivia has been building anticipation in the 1st 2 novels of the series. Throughout the progress between the Numair & Jenan, you can touch passion, compassion & eagerness to connect but both are holding back afraid of being hurt. It makes you always want to reassure them that everything will turn just fine.
The way every book of the BC series starts with the blunt attraction between the 2 heroes gives a new meaning to love at 1st sense. Intimate scenes were exceptional, "not too hot" in a sense makes you want to just close ur eyes & imagine it the way you want " which in my opinion makes it even hotter".
Cobra , Najeeb & Bones added richness 2 the book "waiting 4 their version of happily ever after". Of course no one deserves 2 b king but Numair. Olivia thanks 4 a wonderful book & plz keep up the creation of more novels & heros that worth losing time over.
I recommend reading all Olivia's books, specially Sheikhs' versions, they r all steamy hot, harsh in a tender vulnerable way that leaves u wondering y can't u write something that artistic.

[Tanya Mayes]

I was given this book as an ARC for an hones review.

All I can say is I absolutely LOVE THIS BOOK and it is a must read the author did her thing with this one. If I could give it more stars I would. Throughout the series it was something about Numair that I just had to know his story. One he is a powerful & deadly man and a sheikh (my favorite). In this book you can really see how lethal he is and you learn the sadness of his past. You learn it takes a strong woman with a given heart Jenan to tame him. I love how they were drawn to each and the depth of their attraction and love. This book popped-off from the beginning. I was all in from the start. At times I laughed and others I wanted to cry. To watch those two find love in each other put a smile on my face. The tenderness that he shows her was just wow. The author made me feel as if I was there with them each touch and each tear. This is one of my all time favorites now.

On another note I was happy just to see my other favorite(Kings) names it made me want to re-read their stories. I'm looking forward to the next book about Richard. I can't wait to see what happens their but I do know that I want Richard and Numair to call a truce to rebuild their friendship. I know there is more books to come I just sitting on the edge of my seat waiting.

[Tanya Mayes]

I was given this book as an ARC for an hones review.

All I can say is I absolutely LOVE THIS BOOK and it is a must read the author did her thing with this one. If I could give it more stars I would. Throughout the series it was something about Numair that I just had to know his story. One he is a powerful & deadly man and a sheikh (my favorite). In this book you can really see how lethal he is and you learn the sadness of his past. You learn it takes a strong woman with a given heart Jenan to tame him. I love how they were drawn to each and the depth of their attraction and love. This book popped-off from the beginning. I was all in from the start. At times I laughed and others I wanted to cry. To watch those two find love in each other put a smile on my face. The tenderness that he shows her was just wow. The author made me feel as if I was there with them each touch and each tear. This is one of my all time favorites now.

On another note I was happy just to see my other favorite(Kings) names it made me want to re-read their stories. I'm looking forward to the next book about Richard. I can't wait to see what happens their but I do know that I want Richard and Numair to call a truce to rebuild their friendship. I know there is more books to come I just sitting on the edge of my seat waiting.

[Lisa Weaver]

“Pregnant by the Sheikh”, the latest novel in Olivia Gates’ captivating “The Billionaires of Black Castle” series is a riveting word tapestry of sensuality and seduction. It is impossible not to get caught up in this enthralling story as Sheikh Numair Al Aswad (yes, he’s as hot as his name sounds!) rescues lovely Princess Jenan Aal Ghamdi from an arranged marriage. You’re certain to get caught up in Ms. Gates’ enigmatic hero (and sexy….I did mention sexy, right?) as he overcomes his dark past. Will the possibility of a future with Princess Jenan be threatened by his driving desire for revenge?

[Penney]

At first sight, Sheikh Numair Al Aswad's lethal sensuality overwhelms Princess Jenan Aal Ghamdi. And when he rescues her from an arranged marriage, he has a shocking price…an heir! Though logic screams no, her body and soul burn for him.

I absolutely love this book, the characters were great, I love how it turn out in the end, I love this series and highly recommend reading it, very well written, I'm looking forward to many more from Olivia Gates.

[Donnelle]

When considering the offerings from Harlequin's stable of authors, I've long thought that Olivia Gates' work packs the most heat and emotional punch, and that was confirmed for me yet again with this book.

The synopsis and many of the other reviews contain all of the pertinent details about the plot, so I'll focus more on the characters and the impact of their relationship.

Jenan is a pretty wonderful heroine: she's fierce and bucks tradition, valuing instead the ability to educate herself and truly live, the latter having left her with a failed marriage under her belt. She's independent, pragmatic, and really knows her own mind. All of these qualities make how swept up she gets in Numair and their romance all the more powerful and evocative.

Of course, the facet of her character that facilitates the two characters meeting is that she would do everything in her power, and sacrifice all that she has, in order to protect her younger sisters. In this case, that means agreeing to an arranged marriage with a man 35 years her senior, both to save her homeland and rectify her father's financial and leadership mistakes, and to ensure that neither of her sisters would be forced into such an odious union.

At a reception "celebrating" the forthcoming nuptials, Numair sweeps in and changes the course of both of their lives. The man is a force of a nature; all ruthless control, and an intimidating presence. He's uber wealthy and powerful beyond the telling of it, having made his mark in the intelligence and counter-terrorism arenas. He's also gorgeous, of course, and Jenan is captivated at first sight; a feeling which is entirely mutual. He is, however, hiding a dark, ultra-violent past, which has imbued him with - as per his own thoughts - "savagery and rawness and coldness," all of which have fed his motivations for getting her into his life; namely, so that he can embark on a plan to recapture his birthright, a throne or two, and wreak vengeance on the man whom he believes had his father murdered. Not surprisingly, all of that goes by the wayside the instant he sets eyes on Jenan, and his utter absorption in her from that moment on is potent, intense, and leads to one heck of a romance.

Olivia Gates' books tend to be known for the extraordinary chemistry of her characters, but I can say in all honesty that with Numair and Jenan, she's created a pairing whose heat and passion are palpable from their very first meeting, and only turn even more combustible as the story progresses. The chemistry is off the charts, resulting in love scenes that are incendiary and mesmerizing.

Believing these two individuals to be totally and completely in love and lust with one another is neither a hardship nor unbelievable, in any way, which means the angst when his original motivations are revealed really packs an emotional punch. The devastation both feel is immense and truly heart-wrenching.

It does, however, lead to the one aspect of the story of which I wasn't a huge fan. Minor spoiler alert: once the air is cleared, she is the one who takes all of the blame, and given the amount of lies under which the man had been operating, that didn't sit all that well with me.

That said, the emotionality of it all is off the charts, and one can't help but be drawn in and eagerly await these two getting their happily ever after.

I truly think Olivia Gates has outdone herself with this story: the characters are interesting and easy to root for; the romance and chemistry are powerful and evocative; and the angst and resolution truly do tug at the reader's heartstrings. All of those qualities combined lead to a story that is wonderfully written, and one that I very highly recommend.

[Amelia]

From lavish wealth to uncontrollable passion, the compelling sheikh romances created by Olivia Gates are truly original in every way. With very spirited characters and an abundance of emotional issues, the stories by this very gifted author always take imagination to new heights. The Billionaires of Black Castle series has only gotten better with each release, and the third book drew me in and never let go until the very last word. PREGNANT BY THE SHEIKH is breathtakingly romantic.

Even though she feels her future husband will never bring her joy, Princess Jenan Aal Ghamdi knows their upcoming marriage must take place for the sake of Zafrana. Since her father has not been a very good ruler, her homeland is in debt and wedding a neighboring king will help to save the country, even if she has to sacrifice her own happiness. During her extravagant engagement party, one guest immediately grabs the attention of Jenan. As a businesswoman, she certainly knows the reputation of Sheikh Numair Al Aswad as one of the founders of Black Castle Enterprises, but she never expected him to make such a personal proposal to her.

When Numair came to the celebration, he wanted to make Jenan an offer so he could right a past wrong. But his thoughts for vengeance quickly turn to sexual fantasies when he actually meets her. He states that he will keep her from marrying the older king, but he does have one stipulation to which she must agree and that is to give him an heir. Jenan is at first shocked by what Numair is suggesting, but countless hours of pleasure with such a tempting man makes her consider his request.

Oh, to be one of the heroines in a book by Olivia Gates! Yes, there would definitely be some anguish in the relationship and probably a heart-rending emotional challenge to overcome, but the reward of being with one of her heroes would make it all worthwhile in the end. The men Ms. Gates creates for her stories are often bigger than life in both their professional and private lives, and Numair is a certainly a prime example. What he went through when younger and the man he is today only made me love him more. He thinks himself toughened to any situation that arises, but being around Jenan has him reacting to her and not following his carefully thought-out plans. Her vibrant personality is infectious, causing Numair to be greatly affected from the moment they met. I enjoyed her intellect, and the conversations this couple had were especially fun at times when her quick wit was involved.

How this couple interacts with each other is expressed with such thorough details. Whether they are having sex or just voicing a thought, the reason for their responses is always clear. Olivia Gates has such a way of portraying the lusty desire two individuals feel for each other, and the passion between Numair and Jenan is frequently off-the-scale yet still beautifully put into words. What they go through along the way to a blissful life together is overflowing with intense emotions which deeply touched my own feelings. PREGNANT BY THE SHEIKH is profoundly moving over and over again.

[Judyrudy]

Pregnant by the Sheikh is Olivia Gates’ third book in the Billionaires of Black Castle series. I have to say no one writes a better story about Sheikh’s than Olivia Gates. This character type is her strength and she definitely doesn’t disappoint with this book. From the outset, one can feel the strength of Numair’s character. He has grown-up in a life that only a few have encountered. Only his partners in Black Castle Enterprises know what he has endured. Then, to top it off with a memory that doesn’t hold true, Numair decides to act out a revenge plot only to have it backfire in the end. Jenan is forced to marry a man to save her country. When Numair seeks her out at her engagement party, a life altering decision is made by Jenan. Ms. Gates leads us down a path of discovery. Numair’s remembers his past and almost realizes too late to put an end to his plot for revenge. Pregnant by the Sheikh had me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t wait to learn the truth about Numair’s past. Jenan is a strong character that I thoroughly enjoyed as she too discovered untold truths. I would highly recommend this book. I received an advanced copy of Pregnant by the Sheikh in exchange for a fair and honest review

[Deborah]

There's nothing like reading a HEA. Jen and Numair must overcome dark secrets and past hurts. Will Numair's most coveted past be too much for his true love? This is a love story worthy of reading.

[L.M. Gonzalez]

The attraction between Jenan and Numair is immediate and so was the way this book PREGNANT BY THE SHEIKH by Olivia Gates held me in its grip from the first page. How can you not continue reading after an opening like this: It never failed. Every time she looked at him, hell, every time she thought of him, nausea overpowered her. It was a testament to her self-control that she hadn't thrown up all over him yet. Surely, the heroine isn't talking about the hero. She's not. When the hero, Numair, makes an appearance, no other man is even a blip on the heroine's radar. I loved this story because of the all-consuming relationship between the two. Both h/h are three-dimensional characters, strong and sure in their lives - until they come together. As is usual in romance, the h/h must go through quite a few challenges before they can have their happily ever after. Numair must come to terms with his violent past and Jenan must learn to trust the man she loves.

I recommend this book highly to all readers especially ones who like stories with strong characters, steamy love scenes and huge black moments.

[Melody Cox]

***1.25 Stars*** Is generous! This was truly just plain old bad.

Wow! I really struggled to get through this book. I didn't feel it flowed as well as it could have and the progress of the book was very slow. Unfortunately I would go so far as to say it bored me and I came close to not finishing two or three times. By the time I finished it I felt as though I had been reading for a full day.

Another problem: For me this was not a good read for a stand-alone. I was lost through some of the book and in all my years of reading that has never happened to me before. What was going on was unclear at times because I had no background, the people (brothers) were not well vetted out for us readers to understand where they came from and where they were at now.

Just a huge disappointment. I cannot recommend and will not be reading any of the others in this series.

[Joy]

Numair is everything an alpha male hero should be. This is how you write one, and this is what a fairytale romance that takes you away from this world and into the depths of passionate magic should be like. I adore anything Olivia Gates writes, and she keeps surprising me by giving me even better heroes and better love stories each time. Can't recommend this book and the whole The Billionaires of Black Castle series enough.

[Laurie Gyd]

very good

This story was very good-loved seeing the different countries from the writers eyes. I liked the two main characters in this story. They both had family issues that directly impacted their lives. Neither had planned on the others instant attraction almost mesmerizing the other. Enjoyed

[H.L. Laffin]

I love how this story was thought out. I love how Jenan thought by being rescued from one marriage was going to be the best rescue, but turned into a trickery ordeal. Numair was only thinking of his legacy and yet when he married the woman to secure it, he found out that family and his family was all that was truly important. Great BOOK!!!

[Miranda Owen]

As always - fab, sexy hero who treats the heroine w/ respect. Lots of passion, not too much drama. Look forward to next in the "Billionaires of Black Castle" series.

http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id...

[Harlequin Books]

"The attraction between Numair and Jenan burns bright. They are so immersed in passion that any plans for revenge fall away as the leader of Black Castle Enterprises discovers the meaning of love and life" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).

Miniseries: The Billionaires of Black Castle

[Cheri D Mendenhall]

Very good

I liked this book, with all of the unanswered threads in this series, makes me want to read them all. This is the first one I've been read. I will the first two and I can't wait for the next one.

[T'Odes]

There really should be a rating in the negatives. Some books are that bad. This is one of them.

[Shannon Shields]

Olivia Gates has done it again. This book was, in my opinion, a heart stopper. Great!

[lily]

silly! !
2 stars for the hot sex scenes .

[Amanda]

I devour sheikh books. There is something magnetic about a tall, dark and broody sheikh tamed by a strong woman in an exotic locale as backdrop, which makes for an interesting read. Pregnant by the Sheikh by Olivia Gates is a good, solid book. I found the characters to be well-drawn out and their back-stories moving. Ms. Gates talent shines in this sexy story. Numair and Jenan’s journey towards their happy ever after will win you over. Overall, Pregnant by the Sheikh is a deeply emotional yet electrifyingly sexy book that is a wonderful treat for Harlequin Desire fans!

Highly Recommended
5 Stars

[Chelsea Ortiz-Gonzalez]

This book was so amazingly wonderful in my opinion it should be illegal. Even then I would read it over and over again. There is nothing sexier than a man who dominates you just so he can give every pleasure imaginable to you before even thinking of his own. And that is the type of man Numair is. Will be purchasing this book in order to read it whenever I feel the need.

[Ada]

Estos hombres me derriten

[Susan]

Good addition to the Black Castle series. Numair, the head of Black Castle Enterprises, is the latest of the "brothers" to pursue his revenge against those he holds responsible for the horrors he endured growing up. Known to be cold and ruthless in pursuit of what he wants, Numair focuses on Princess Jenan as the key to his plans.

Jenan is beautiful, intelligent, and will do anything to protect her family. Though she escaped her stifling homeland years ago to pursue her ambitions, she can't stand back and see her father and country destroyed. She consents to her father's arranged marriage to a neighboring king, but she dreads it.

Everything changes when Numair walks into the engagement party. He has a plan, and this is the first step in it. He doesn't expect the instant connection and intense chemistry that hits him the moment he sees Jenan. The feeling is entirely mutual despite Jenan's familiarity with Numair's reputation. Intrigued by his offer to get her out of the engagement, her first reaction is wariness when she hears his terms. A baby and marriage were not on her radar at all. His promises, his intensity, and the heat between them convince her to give in.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Numair and Jenan. From the moment he saw her, Numair's plans for revenge took a back seat to his complete absorption in Jenan. From the incredible home he made for her to keeping his promise to help her father, Numair's intensity is all for her. Jenan blows away the walls that kept his emotions buried within him, stunning him when he realizes he loves her. Jenan makes the same discovery, but having been burned once, hesitates to tell him so. I ached for Numair, who knows he must come clean with Jenan but wants the timing to be right. He picks a poor method of delaying that conversation, creating doubt and insecurity for Jenan just when she needs him. Add in a premature revelation of Numair's original motivations, and the devastating results are off the charts.

I ached for both of them. Jenan feels betrayed and duped and heartbroken at the thought he never cared at all. Numair realizes his mistake in keeping secrets and is devastated by the pain he caused Jenan and the fear he's lost her forever. There's an interesting twist resulting from that fear, changing Numair's view of part of his past. Help comes from an unexpected source, and Numair finally gets his chance to face Jenan. The depth of emotion as he bared his soul and his past was heartwrenching, and its effect on Jenan was no surprise. Jenan also realized that her lack of trust contributed to the problem and finally let go of those fears. The ending was great, and their future looks bright.

The secondary characters of Richard and Najeeb were great. Richard, aka "Cobra," and Numair have a rocky relationship. Richard's actions in the past had a devastating effect on Numair and his fellow Black Castle brothers. Numair doesn't trust him, and Richard seems to enjoy pushing his buttons, but they work together when necessary. Najeeb is the oldest son of the king Jenan was supposed to marry. He was originally the prospective groom, but he and Jenan feel more like siblings, so they refused the arrangement. Najeeb is a good friend of Jenan's and protective of her. The first meeting between Numair and Najeeb was hilarious, with the two pawing and snorting at each other. I laughed out loud at Jenan's comments and attempts to settle them down. Najeeb plays some important parts later in the story.

[Judy]

Pregnant by the Sheikh by Olivia Gates
The Billionaires of Black Castle Series Book Three
Sheikh Numair Al Aswad is the leader, the oldest, and the coldest of the brotherhood. He has set a plan in motion to destroy the man who took his life away from him—and his birthright. He had everything planned out...except falling in love.

Princess Jenan Aal Ghamdi doesn't want to marry the old king. But, to save her country—and her sisters—she'll do what she must. And then he walked into the ballroom and soon she had renewed hope. Maybe there was another way out after all.

The men who went through terrible times as children have grown up to be masters of their own destiny's. If they want something, they take it. They are learning that with love...the rules are very different. Unique characters in story lines in this series. I'm really enjoying it.
**Sexual content
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...

[Dj]

The sheikh bargains for an heir. At first sight, Sheikh Numair Al Aswad's lethal sensuality overwhelms Princess Jenan Aal Ghamdi. And when he rescues her from an arranged marriage to a man older than her father, he has a shocking price…an heir! Though logic screams no, her body and soul burn for him. Numair has come from the darkest of pasts to exact revenge for his perceived slight by his uncle—and to claim his throne. Jenan is vital to his plans because marrying her will unite his Mom’s heritage and country with his dad’s. But his cold-blooded scheme melts under the heat of their passion. Now his choice is clear, he must choose the woman who carries his unborn child over vengeance his sought since he was a child.

Ends abruptly and doesn’t give enough information about major issues that are settled in the story

[Elaine]

That was…over the top? Melodramatic? Eye-rolling “angst”? All of the above. Jenan and Numair are both supposedly really competent people who have high-powered jobs but their actions in this book are driven by emotions and assumptions. Makes for high drama but not necessarily a belief in their HEA. At least they both deserve each other…but whether that is a good thing or not, I’m still undecided.