Mysterious Sebastian Fairfax lives a life of ease as secretary to the British Ambassador in France. Living in Paris before the revolution, the handsome foreigner cuts a dashing figure and is respected by men, admired by women.
One evening, he becomes intrigued with an intelligent young woman named Sophie Gauvreau, whom he meets at a celebrated salonist’s home. Though the auburn-haired beauty attracts his attention, she is not what she seems. Educated and privileged Sophie has secretly started writing revolutionary pamphlets under a pseudonym as France teeters on the brink of disaster.
When Sebastian discovers her true identity, he tries to warn Sophie of the danger she has embarked on, as an Inspector has been dispatched to discover the writer’s true identity. Sebastian agrees to marry the reckless beauty to keep her safe from harm.
Though Sebastian desires the redhead in his bed, the saucy Sophie accepts his help but places one condition on their marriage…it will be one of convenience.
As the two intelligent and strong willed people come to terms with their feelings for each other, France slides into a revolution. As the firstborn son of a great Arabian Sheik, Sebastian will do what he must to keep his wife safe and in his arms.
Nicola spent her childhood in Los Angeles. She graduated from university with a degree in communications and held a variety of positions in journalism, education, government and non profit. Nicola has traveled extensively throughout Europe, China and Central America. She currently has twenty one novels available at Amazon, Google Play and Barnes and Noble.
A very enjoyable literary fiction by an author who is good at pulling the reader into the lives of the characters. This story is set in the middle 1700's in Paris, France. Sophie is a socialite who has been educating herself on what is happening in Paris and France. She has been writing pamphlets under a false name and feels she needs to educate people just as she educates herself about the injustices. But her pamphlets are making people think she is a revolutionary and is going against the monarchy. She also is attracted to Sebastian, the secretary to the Duke but also he is the Sheik's son. Sebastian is also attracted to Sophie. Then there is Sebastian's sister Leila who is a little minx. She is after Sebastian's good friend and is also determined to get rid of her virginity.
Nicola is great with description so you can really visualize the characters and locations. You can lose yourself in her stories. This is the second book by Nicola I have read and I've really enjoyed her writing. I thank Nicola for sending me a copy of this book for an honest review. I look forward to reading more of her books.
I've read three of the author's books & one thing I noticed so far was that the heroes were having more (and better, perhaps?) sex with their mistresses. I found it disturbing. In this book, it was not until nearly the end that the hero & heroin slept together. I felt the hero had more connection with his mistress Juliette because throughout the book he kept going back to her for sex & to confide with her even when he was married to the heroin. I also didn't feel like he resolved his affair with his mistress & I was left with the feeling that he would continue to seek her out when he returned to France. On finishing the book, I did not have that feel good feeling even though the hero & heroin had their happy ending. All I could think was....what was that all about?
My reading experience with this book was just ok. It ended kind of abruptly to me. The situation with the inspector was left rather open-ended in my opinion and I didn't like that. Side stories and alternately viewpoints are fine but I don't think Sebastian's mistresses, the duke, the father, the grandmother, Madame something or the other needed to have a viewpoint on anything. I marvelled several instances at the naivete that Sophie possessed in thinking no consequences would come of her actions and even when she considered it she still acted stupid. As someone in the book pointed out she had no notion of what others truly suffered and was purely approaching her subject matters from an ideological standpoint with no true experiences. The side story with Etienne and Leila was interesting enough though and probably one of the highest points in the book for me.
This author has amazing details and keeps your attention throughout the entire book. It is romantic, funny and thrilling. I laughed so hard during reading certain parts my eyes were watering.
This story is completely amazing. The setting and characters trap you and take you into another world. Sophie is in her mid-twenties and has recieved various proposals but has shot them down. She doesn't want any man for a husband, she wants someone who will see her as an equal. Sebastian is next in line to take over Arabia, but hasn't been actively looking for a bride. When he sees Sophie for the first time something awakens in him. Sophie begins to write pamphlets to create change, but doesn't understand the danger it brings to her doorstep. After realizing how much danger she is in Sophie gets Sebastain to accept a marriage. They come to an agreement that the marriage will only be of convenience and after Sophie isn't in danger they will annul the marriage. Sebastain begins to fall in love with Sohpie and can't help but want more from her. Once married Sophie is in even more danger than before and doesn't warn Sebastain about anything. Will Sebastain be able to save Sophie before it's to late? Is Sophie willing to give her marriage a real chance?
Sophie isn't looking for only marriage. She wants to change the world with her writings. She's good-but naive about the reception by the powers that be. Her romance with the well-travelled and experienced Sebastian may not be regulation for the time but it sparks the story, including some humor when his sister is sent to him to protect (which she really isnt cooperating with). Lots of intrigue, well described fashion statements and well described characters made it an enjoyable read. The end left the French Revolution hanging over the characters' heads; although they were safe, it seems some were not far enough away. This read as a stand- alone story with a prequel and possible sequel. I was left wondering how many survive the next five or so years. Also confusing were comments about Arab men are controlling, but the.two Arab characters are anything but. Love was claimed as the reason. Or maybe they were unique , with unique relationships. It might take another book to clear that up.
I finished it, but because I made myself soldier through. I found that there were too many sex scenes for my liking and that the language used in them was far from respectful of women for a book that was supposed to espouse women's rights and looking at them as more than just brood mares.
There were parts that I enjoyed, but overall there was too much of trying to be a good writer, instead of just being a good writer. Why did what they were wearing at any given moment really matter? (It doesn't). Does the reader really need to know such precise history of places and people for this story to move forward? (No, they don't).
I like historical romance but this was not it. Based on short synopsis, I had high hope for the book where I thought romance would be weaved with story of actual history of french revolution. But none of that happened. It was all about heroes sexual encounters. Overly intimate details and nothing else. Sophie gave me a little hope in the start of the book where I thought she would turn the book towards the revolution and how women get their rights but
The Sheik's Son ( The Sheik and the Slave Saga Book 2)
The love story of Sebastian Fairfax and Sophie Gauvreau. Sebastian is the first Bron son of Katharine and Mohammed. He is now working as a secretary to a Duke in French. The French Revolution is about to happen and government is cracking down on revolutionaries. Sophie is secret writing about women right and Sebastian known it. Will he tune her in or protector her? Ok story.
Constricted by the expectations of her class Sophie rebels and becomes the writer of inflamattory pamphlets. Now she is being hunted by a nefarious inspector, she requires the protection of a well placed husband. Will the womanizer Serbastian come to her rescue? A book filled with lively characters, sensuality, danger and love. A good read.
I enjoyed this book and I find it intriguing that some of the characters were historically accurate (though I would have loved more of an author's note at the end). The time period - pre-revolutionary France - made for an interesting setting, and it became a character in itself! It was well-written and certainly kept my interest.
To me this was a typical historical romance, sassy enough to keep you interested, descriptive enough that the reader didn't have to imagine any romantically encounters!
I was particularly impressed with the author's knowledge and description of French gowns of the time period. Great research!!!
I found myself skipping pages. There is so much about the clothing or the scenery that it distracts from the story. Also the bedroom scenes are written more in the modern way then Victorian. Not a great written story.
I thought the story line started out a little slow at first but then it got a lot better and then I really enjoyed the rest of the book. Great character s and story line. Strong women and men that fight for what they want and believe in.
Interesting plot and storyline. A rich educated French maid that questions society and politics is unusual for the time she lives in. What's a Sheik's son doing working as a secretary for an English Duke in Paris? The characters all mesh to make the story flow.
Interesting that it weaves in French society just prior to the Revolution.
A view into the “Salons” in Paris where intellectuals traded thoughts and theories. The over the top clothing and silks worn by both men and women and the powdered wigs. The plot was good but predictable.
Combination of erotica, romance and mystery. This book is not very well written. There were many instances of repitition as though the author needed to fill space. I did like the characters.