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The Tazeem Twins #1
The Sheikh's Tenacious Lover
Rene is done with men.
After discovering her fiancé cheating just before the wedding, she’s determined to make the most of what would have been her honeymoon at a luxury hotel. A little escape is just what she needs to try to put the past behind her. But a chance encounter with a tall, dark and handsome stranger at the hotel pool leaves her feeling flustered. At first she’s put off by his arrogant attitude, but she’s quickly swept away by his confident smile and undeniably masculine charm.
Sheikh Tazeem is worth billions, but when the sexy American assumes he’s a hotel employee, he doesn’t bother to correct her. He came to escape the stress of his everyday life and despite her slightly brazen, untraditional attitude, something about her calls to him. When they happen to meet again, he can’t ignore his feelings for the beautiful brunette or their sizzling chemistry.
Fate is determined to bring the strangers together, but when the truth about his identity comes out, Sheikh Tazeem’s lies may ultimately lead to heartbreak.
After discovering her fiancé cheating just before the wedding, she’s determined to make the most of what would have been her honeymoon at a luxury hotel. A little escape is just what she needs to try to put the past behind her. But a chance encounter with a tall, dark and handsome stranger at the hotel pool leaves her feeling flustered. At first she’s put off by his arrogant attitude, but she’s quickly swept away by his confident smile and undeniably masculine charm.
Sheikh Tazeem is worth billions, but when the sexy American assumes he’s a hotel employee, he doesn’t bother to correct her. He came to escape the stress of his everyday life and despite her slightly brazen, untraditional attitude, something about her calls to him. When they happen to meet again, he can’t ignore his feelings for the beautiful brunette or their sizzling chemistry.
Fate is determined to bring the strangers together, but when the truth about his identity comes out, Sheikh Tazeem’s lies may ultimately lead to heartbreak.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2015
652 people are currently reading
1103 people want to read
About the author
Leslie North
669 books1,526 followersNew to Leslie? Readers suggest starting with 'The Bossy One' (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C6BP3BBF) —Imagine a sunny Minnesotan Mary Poppins, employed by a grumpy Irish billionaire. The story is a blend of humor, revenge, passion, heartbreak, hope, and witty banter. As one reader put it, ‘This story had me squealing at the romantic moments and silly moments.’
Leslie North is the USA Today Bestselling pseudonym for a critically-acclaimed author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance. The anonymity allows her to fully express her creativity, especially in the romantic and fun sexy scenes!
In fact, she confesses to loving her fictional persona, Leslie North, more than her everyday self! Her bestselling books are known for their strong characters, particularly women who aren’t afraid to challenge an alpha bosshole. And the humor? So infectious, you’ll be laughing out loud in public!
Leslie’s love for romance began when she picked up a worn-out romance book from her local library. She started writing soon after, and as they say, the rest was history. She now resides in a cozy cottage on the British coast, enjoying long walks with her two Dalmatians, George and Fergie.
She LOVES reader feedback, and if you have any comments, don’t hesitate to contact her!
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Leslie North is the USA Today Bestselling pseudonym for a critically-acclaimed author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance. The anonymity allows her to fully express her creativity, especially in the romantic and fun sexy scenes!
In fact, she confesses to loving her fictional persona, Leslie North, more than her everyday self! Her bestselling books are known for their strong characters, particularly women who aren’t afraid to challenge an alpha bosshole. And the humor? So infectious, you’ll be laughing out loud in public!
Leslie’s love for romance began when she picked up a worn-out romance book from her local library. She started writing soon after, and as they say, the rest was history. She now resides in a cozy cottage on the British coast, enjoying long walks with her two Dalmatians, George and Fergie.
She LOVES reader feedback, and if you have any comments, don’t hesitate to contact her!
I'm Social Too:
Website: www.leslienorthbooks.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/leslienorthbooks
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@leslienorthcomments
Instagram:www.instagram.com/leslienorth_books
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
May 4, 2017
*** 2 ***
I feel very bad every time I have to give a rating lower than 3, because I am aware that it is only my opinion and I hate that just because I might not have liked it, some else probably did or would and my rating affects the over all rating on GR in some way...
Having said that, I was quite disappointed with this one. I have read Harlequins and smutty romances all of my life and have developed an understanding that they have a rating scale of their own, impossible to compare with other genres, so I rate them for what they are. Even on that scale, the writing, the simplistic way of telling a story, the rediculous dialogue and the lack of character ware very bothersome.
Here is how I see it. If you want to write a sexy encounter between two adults, just do as most erotica writers do and don't try to make it more than that. In the moment when you start trying to stretch it into a romance or something but lack the ability or the basics for a story, you fail. This was the case here. I see the desire to write, but I am not sure of the ability, at least not as of this book... I hope that it is a fluke and I always give authors a second chance, but I would not recommend this one to my friends...
I feel very bad every time I have to give a rating lower than 3, because I am aware that it is only my opinion and I hate that just because I might not have liked it, some else probably did or would and my rating affects the over all rating on GR in some way...
Having said that, I was quite disappointed with this one. I have read Harlequins and smutty romances all of my life and have developed an understanding that they have a rating scale of their own, impossible to compare with other genres, so I rate them for what they are. Even on that scale, the writing, the simplistic way of telling a story, the rediculous dialogue and the lack of character ware very bothersome.
Here is how I see it. If you want to write a sexy encounter between two adults, just do as most erotica writers do and don't try to make it more than that. In the moment when you start trying to stretch it into a romance or something but lack the ability or the basics for a story, you fail. This was the case here. I see the desire to write, but I am not sure of the ability, at least not as of this book... I hope that it is a fluke and I always give authors a second chance, but I would not recommend this one to my friends...
April 28, 2015
Yup, this book is horrible.
April 16, 2015
I read some of the reviews left behind and I ask myself "did they read the same book as me?" These characters were flat, completely underdeveloped in personality. I found Rene to be obnoxious, the stereotypical American woman visiting a foreign country and bumbling about in ignorance. I felt zero emotional connection with this story.
April 13, 2024
Purchased from Amazon June 1, 2015
Finished Reading October 9, 2015
2.75 Stars
The writing started out okay but quickly turned stilted.
The story line was cute, but the characters never seemed to go past two dimensional. There is potential here, but the author has a lot of work ahead of her.
I don't know if this is her 1st book or not. But it unfortunately shows inexperience & naivete in her writing.
That said, I actually kind of liked it notwithstanding its flaws.
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Finished Reading October 9, 2015
2.75 Stars
The writing started out okay but quickly turned stilted.
The story line was cute, but the characters never seemed to go past two dimensional. There is potential here, but the author has a lot of work ahead of her.
I don't know if this is her 1st book or not. But it unfortunately shows inexperience & naivete in her writing.
That said, I actually kind of liked it notwithstanding its flaws.
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January 28, 2015
The Tazeem Twins
I normally don't feel passionate about the books I read; however, this one peaked my interest. The downfall of this story was its length. I'm a fast reader which means I'm constantly either buying or borrowing books. Since I like to reread stories in a series I prefer having all the books in the series at once. Again for a great quick read you will love this story.
I normally don't feel passionate about the books I read; however, this one peaked my interest. The downfall of this story was its length. I'm a fast reader which means I'm constantly either buying or borrowing books. Since I like to reread stories in a series I prefer having all the books in the series at once. Again for a great quick read you will love this story.
April 28, 2015
One star was generous
No wonder her fiance cheated on her, she is brash and uncouth and totally unlikable. The unsinkable Molly Brown had more manners than this girl. I don't know if she got any better because I stopped with chapter two and won't go further.
Having an Arab Prince think " God," like the Christian god is slightly less ridiculous than calling him "Mr. Stick-Up-Your-Butt". This author needs to reconsider her offerings to the public.
No wonder her fiance cheated on her, she is brash and uncouth and totally unlikable. The unsinkable Molly Brown had more manners than this girl. I don't know if she got any better because I stopped with chapter two and won't go further.
Having an Arab Prince think " God," like the Christian god is slightly less ridiculous than calling him "Mr. Stick-Up-Your-Butt". This author needs to reconsider her offerings to the public.
January 28, 2015
Love it!
I really like this story. I am loving on Joshua. The way they met it just classic! I like that they fell for each other before she knew who he was. Great start and can't wait for more!!!
I really like this story. I am loving on Joshua. The way they met it just classic! I like that they fell for each other before she knew who he was. Great start and can't wait for more!!!
April 13, 2015
As always Leslie North brings hot, rich, alphas to us by pairing them with women so out of their league. There is nothing sexier than a strong willed man to be brought to his knees by an every day woman!! Love these stories!
February 12, 2019
Quick, hot read! Looking forward for the next book in the series.
November 20, 2015
This review was originally posted on Delighted Reader
The Sheikh's Tenacious Lover caught my eye one day and since it was free, I said why not? Well, maybe I should have said maybe. This story was so...well, bad. Not horrible, just extremely unbelievable and I never felt passion between these two.So Rene finds out her fiance is cheating on her right before the wedding day. She's done with men, but why not go on the honeymoon anyway...to the middle east. A luxury hotel awaits her, but it's hard to get over being cheated on. When she arises from the pool one day and doesn't notice her top is missing, a handsome man informs her for inappropriateness. She thinks he's the pool boy so she orders a drink only to have him walk way...with a stick up his ass.
Sheikh Tazeem, Joshua, is in need of rest. Being a prince means he works all the time. So he just wants to enjoy a few days to himself, only to have this American woman, Rene, follow him around and speaking to him informally. Inside his head I never even found where he might find her attractive.
Rene is loud mouthed and pretty uncouth for the most part and Joshua (or Josh as Rene irritatingly calls him) can't seem to relax nor become informal in the way he treats her. Never once did I really feel these two were attracted to each other. No chemistry.
So here is where I really had problems. Yeah, I wanted a Sheikh to take a woman passionately, but come on. This is Saudi Arabia, where there are so many laws and rules governing what you can show and not show, let alone if you have sex when you aren't married. So Rene loses her bikini top in the beginning of the book when I have a hard time believing they even allow women to wear bikinis. Second I don't know if I would want to honeymoon in a country where I as a woman am second class. Third, she has no class and I would think people would be offended left and right. Now Joshua is a prince of a different country so I can't make too many comments about what is expected there. I might be well off base in my assumptions, but this just didn't come off as being authentic.
It's free guys and gals, so if you want to give it a try without risk, nows the time. There are more books in this series, but I am done for now. This didn't fulfill the need I wanted in my romance and I can't really recommend it...especially for money.
February 19, 2015
terrific reading
This is Joshua and Rene's story of finding each other, what started as a flung grew by the day to love!! There roe try of bumps in the road as Rene discovers that Joshua is a Sheikh!!! She's hurt because he withheld that information from her. She is there because her fiancé was caught sleeping with another woman one week before the wedding-but she decides to use the honeymoon Package fir herself. She was swimming in the hotel pool, was getting out when a really good looking man asked her if she lost something- she looks down and sure enough her breasted r hanging out for the world to see. Then thinking he works for the hotel she asks him for a drink And that's the beginning of their relationship. Rene is somewhat clumsy so everything she does Joshua is so amused. Lighthearted, loving, interesting, definite 5 stars.
This is Joshua and Rene's story of finding each other, what started as a flung grew by the day to love!! There roe try of bumps in the road as Rene discovers that Joshua is a Sheikh!!! She's hurt because he withheld that information from her. She is there because her fiancé was caught sleeping with another woman one week before the wedding-but she decides to use the honeymoon Package fir herself. She was swimming in the hotel pool, was getting out when a really good looking man asked her if she lost something- she looks down and sure enough her breasted r hanging out for the world to see. Then thinking he works for the hotel she asks him for a drink And that's the beginning of their relationship. Rene is somewhat clumsy so everything she does Joshua is so amused. Lighthearted, loving, interesting, definite 5 stars.
October 3, 2019
Really I was not all that impressed.
I guess I shouldn't expect much from a book that was free on the Kindle store. For erotica, really I felt like I have read better written sexy scenes in books that focus on the romance rather than the sex. I know that this is supposed to be a sexual fantasy that someone should be able to insert themselves into but I had a hard time buying this- Joshua seems to go from being annoyed with Rene to on a dime being turned-on/fascinated by her. Rene thinking that Joshua not completely revealing his true identity to her is as bad as when her ex-fiancee cheated on her, after knowing each other for less than a week. After having sex once they seem immediately attached to each other to the point that Rene is living in the palace with Joshua and his family...I just...no...just no...
I guess I shouldn't expect much from a book that was free on the Kindle store. For erotica, really I felt like I have read better written sexy scenes in books that focus on the romance rather than the sex. I know that this is supposed to be a sexual fantasy that someone should be able to insert themselves into but I had a hard time buying this- Joshua seems to go from being annoyed with Rene to on a dime being turned-on/fascinated by her. Rene thinking that Joshua not completely revealing his true identity to her is as bad as when her ex-fiancee cheated on her, after knowing each other for less than a week. After having sex once they seem immediately attached to each other to the point that Rene is living in the palace with Joshua and his family...I just...no...just no...
January 28, 2015
I received an ARC of The Sheikh's Tenacious Lover for an honest review. I thought the story was adorable. Joshua and Rene were a cute couple.
I loved the concept that being yourself at all times can draw others to you. Rene was an adorable klutz and Joshua was arrogant. Cute story.
Wish it had been longer though.
I loved the concept that being yourself at all times can draw others to you. Rene was an adorable klutz and Joshua was arrogant. Cute story.
Wish it had been longer though.
June 14, 2015
Hot and hilarious!
Love this story. Kept me laughing. Rene was something else, a charming, funny klutz who captured Joshua's heart in spite of his reluctance to have anything to do with her. Although the dialog was a tad stiff, the plot and characters made up for it and I can give this one four stars. Read it and enjoy.
Love this story. Kept me laughing. Rene was something else, a charming, funny klutz who captured Joshua's heart in spite of his reluctance to have anything to do with her. Although the dialog was a tad stiff, the plot and characters made up for it and I can give this one four stars. Read it and enjoy.
April 11, 2015
So much potential
I liked the book but I hate when a book is broke down into sequels. I enjoyed to story. The play between the two was entertaining. I found myself laughing at times. I just hate that I have to continue buying 100 pages at a time.
I liked the book but I hate when a book is broke down into sequels. I enjoyed to story. The play between the two was entertaining. I found myself laughing at times. I just hate that I have to continue buying 100 pages at a time.
April 19, 2015
Cute, endearing and funny. Short novella that can stand alone. Based on the title I didn't expect much and my expectation was correct. No substance but a quick read to pass the time. There are numerous editing issues and character definition is lacking.
April 19, 2015
Intriguing
love the fact the Rene has no clue who Joshua is. Joshua is stoic and always in control. I can see why he would hide that he is a sheik, sometimes it's nice to be invisible.
Rene and Joshua both need time, let's see where this goes
love the fact the Rene has no clue who Joshua is. Joshua is stoic and always in control. I can see why he would hide that he is a sheik, sometimes it's nice to be invisible.
Rene and Joshua both need time, let's see where this goes
May 10, 2015
Another great book
Love Ms North writing style notl only is there romance but humor in her books. Try them out you won't regret it. Truly worth the price of purchase. Great job! Thanks for writing these wonderful stories.
Love Ms North writing style notl only is there romance but humor in her books. Try them out you won't regret it. Truly worth the price of purchase. Great job! Thanks for writing these wonderful stories.
May 5, 2024
Sometimes, when books are free, the reason is probably that the book was very bad; the other reason is that it is just free because of whatever reason :P. I don’t even care that the main girl got cheated on; she’s so annoying. Lust at first sight; this isn’t love.
January 27, 2015
Loved this! So funny and endearing. Great characters. Really looking forward to next installment.
April 22, 2015
I didn't think these two would EVER get together..but when they did...talk about fireworks
October 4, 2016
no. just no
did-not-finish
April 12, 2015DNF at 12%.
April 15, 2015
The dialogue was juvenile, the characters flat and even the sex did nothing for me.
January 1, 2019
I really dislike giving a 2 star rating, both because someone's hard work and creativity went into writing this book, and, because it means I wasted hours of my life on something that I should have left on my DNF pile. This is a prime example.
Where to begin. Ugh. The point of view jumps ALL over the place. Even within the same paragraph. I was constantly having to reread to figure out who was speaking and who or what they were looking at. The sentences and writing style were short, choppy, and never used words longer than two syllables. There were no contractions and the writing sounded like the author had NEVER read the book aloud. There was no flow, no rhythm. The dialogue was stilted, at best, and nonsensical, at worst. The characters were flat and, honestly, the heroine was an obnoxious example of how the rest of the world views Americans. There were more adverbs than I could count, and the entire book was a prime example of telling a reader, not showing a reader, what you intend the characters to think or feel.
In general, it was a disappointment. So, you may ask, why am I giving this a two star "it was ok" review? Because there was potential. The overall story line - American woman, jilted at the altar, goes on her honeymoon to the Middle East and meets/falls for a Sheikh - has potential. It was just completely underdeveloped by someone who writes very poorly. Hopefully she's improved with her other works.
Where to begin. Ugh. The point of view jumps ALL over the place. Even within the same paragraph. I was constantly having to reread to figure out who was speaking and who or what they were looking at. The sentences and writing style were short, choppy, and never used words longer than two syllables. There were no contractions and the writing sounded like the author had NEVER read the book aloud. There was no flow, no rhythm. The dialogue was stilted, at best, and nonsensical, at worst. The characters were flat and, honestly, the heroine was an obnoxious example of how the rest of the world views Americans. There were more adverbs than I could count, and the entire book was a prime example of telling a reader, not showing a reader, what you intend the characters to think or feel.
In general, it was a disappointment. So, you may ask, why am I giving this a two star "it was ok" review? Because there was potential. The overall story line - American woman, jilted at the altar, goes on her honeymoon to the Middle East and meets/falls for a Sheikh - has potential. It was just completely underdeveloped by someone who writes very poorly. Hopefully she's improved with her other works.
January 14, 2018
This story is about Sheikh Joshua and Rene. Rene found out that her fiance was cheating on her a week before the wedding and after its cancellation her best friend convinced her not to cancel her honeymoon travel but to go and enjoy it. So she will find herself in a luxury hotel and one day as she gets out of the pool a handsome guy will stop her to give her her bikini top and in this awkward situation she will meet Joshua. Joshua initially is irritated by Rene, but it seems that wherever he goes he finds her in front of him and soon they will spend time together and make love. He enjoys that she seems not to know that he is a sheikh and unexpectedly he relaxes and enjoys their time together. Until one day his men will rush into his suite and Rene will find out the truth.
A pleasant easy reading book for a Saturday afternoon. I liked the flow of the scenes and the interchange between love scenes and the progress of the story. To be honest I did not have high expectation, so for my it was a relaxing quick reading.
A pleasant easy reading book for a Saturday afternoon. I liked the flow of the scenes and the interchange between love scenes and the progress of the story. To be honest I did not have high expectation, so for my it was a relaxing quick reading.
August 8, 2025
I did enjoy the short story but it ended in a cliffhanger!!!
There was no real depth to the story, it was a very short story but basically she meets a prince at the hotel they’re both sharing he finds her brash but they hook up, she finds out he’s a sheik/prince and is upset but goes to the palace they tell each other they’re in love and it ends!!!
A real shame it’s not a complete Read as alonger read would have more depth I’m a fan of this author usually as I’ve never read a cliffhanger from her, unfortunately I may not buy more if they may be cliffhangers!!! ( my pet hate, let reader/buyer know giving them the choice knowing it isn’t complete. )
Had I known this wouldn’t have purchased but it didn’t say to be continued or cliffhanger ending.
The end of the book says buy book 99c but it’s actually $3.99 ( 107pg story) when I went to buy.
There are 5 books in the series so I won’t buy more as 20.00 for a 400 pg read is a bit much especially as I don’t know it it even ends there!!!
There was no real depth to the story, it was a very short story but basically she meets a prince at the hotel they’re both sharing he finds her brash but they hook up, she finds out he’s a sheik/prince and is upset but goes to the palace they tell each other they’re in love and it ends!!!
A real shame it’s not a complete Read as alonger read would have more depth I’m a fan of this author usually as I’ve never read a cliffhanger from her, unfortunately I may not buy more if they may be cliffhangers!!! ( my pet hate, let reader/buyer know giving them the choice knowing it isn’t complete. )
Had I known this wouldn’t have purchased but it didn’t say to be continued or cliffhanger ending.
The end of the book says buy book 99c but it’s actually $3.99 ( 107pg story) when I went to buy.
There are 5 books in the series so I won’t buy more as 20.00 for a 400 pg read is a bit much especially as I don’t know it it even ends there!!!
October 8, 2018
Nothing Tenacious
This is the worst of all the Sheikh's novellas that I've read so far. Even for fiction, this book was totally unbelievable. There's absolutely no plot. Characters are not developed at all. There's a description of why the American, Renee, is in Saudia Arabia, which is ludicrous. Why the sheikh, Joshua, even took time with her was ridiculous.
It was short even for a novella with no ending. Surprise, there's a part two, which is listed as a novella. From the description, it's shorter than this one. I wouldn't consider purchasing it even for .99. A free read is not worth your time, so save your time, there are far better multicultural romance books involving sheikhs.
This is the worst of all the Sheikh's novellas that I've read so far. Even for fiction, this book was totally unbelievable. There's absolutely no plot. Characters are not developed at all. There's a description of why the American, Renee, is in Saudia Arabia, which is ludicrous. Why the sheikh, Joshua, even took time with her was ridiculous.
It was short even for a novella with no ending. Surprise, there's a part two, which is listed as a novella. From the description, it's shorter than this one. I wouldn't consider purchasing it even for .99. A free read is not worth your time, so save your time, there are far better multicultural romance books involving sheikhs.
March 21, 2019
Rene is on her honeymoon alone as her ex cheated on her and she wasn't about to waste it. She is still so nagry so when her best friend tells her to have some fun she knows that she has found the perfect man. Joshua is looking at having a peaceful break but this annoying woman won't leave him alone so he just goes with it. But everything changes when Rene finds out who he really is. She is so angry and hurt but can she walk away without giving it a go. Joshua knows that everything has moved very quickly but he has fallen for this strange woman that makes him happy. But can he convince her to stay for good? A good read.
November 18, 2021
I hate giving one-star reviews, but this book was just a hot mess. After being left right before her wedding, Renee decides to go on the honeymoon and try to forget her ex. What happens then is a series of strange and not very realistic events that somehow turn into love. Renee is brash and just seems so clueless. Joshua is, frankly, a jerk. His sudden turnabout to enjoying Renee’s company makes no sense. The premise of the story is sound, but Ms. North did not execute this story well at all in my opinion. I don’t believe I’ll be seeing how these two progress in this series, but will look forward to another, better book by Ms. North soon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews