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Brides for the Taking #1
The Desert King's Blackmailed Bride
With this ring...
When naive Polly Dixon lands in the desert kingdom of Dharia clutching an ornate ring--the only link to her hidden past--she never expected to be arrested and deposited at the feet of the country's formidable ruler!
I thee blackmail!
King Rashad is suspicious of desirable Polly, but her possession of the ring has caught the imagination of his country. They believe that Polly is the bride he's been waiting for, so Rashad begins a fiery sensual onslaught to melt away Polly's resolve and have her begging to walk down the aisle!
When naive Polly Dixon lands in the desert kingdom of Dharia clutching an ornate ring--the only link to her hidden past--she never expected to be arrested and deposited at the feet of the country's formidable ruler!
I thee blackmail!
King Rashad is suspicious of desirable Polly, but her possession of the ring has caught the imagination of his country. They believe that Polly is the bride he's been waiting for, so Rashad begins a fiery sensual onslaught to melt away Polly's resolve and have her begging to walk down the aisle!
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 17, 2017
181 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Graham
1,763 books1,448 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Lynne Graham was born on July 30, 1956 of Irish-Scottish parentage. She has livedin Northern Ireland all her life. She grew up in a seaside village with herbrother. She learnt to read at the age of 3, and haven't stopped since then.
Lynne first met her husband when she was 14. At 15, she wrote her firstbook, but it was rejected everywhere. Lynne married after she completed adegree at Edinburgh University. She started writing again when she was athome with her first child. It took several attempts before she sold herfirst book in 1987 and the delight of seeing that first book for sale in thelocal newsagents has never been forgotten. Now, there are over 10 million ofher books in print worldwide.
Lynne always wanted a large family and has five children. Her eldest and heronly natural child is 19 and currently at university. Her other fourchildren, who are every bit as dear to her heart, are adopted. She has two9-year-olds adopted from Sri Lanka and a 5- and a 3-year-old adopted fromGuatemala. In Lynne's home, there is a rich and diverse cultural mix, whichadds a whole extra dimension of interest and discovery to family life. Thefamily lives in a country house surrounded by a woodland garden, which iswonderfully private. The family has two pets. Thomas, a very large andaffectionate black cat, bosses the dog and hunts rabbits. The dog is Daisy,an adorable but not very bright white West Highland terrier, who loves beingchased by the cat. At night, dog and cat sleep together in front of thekitchen stove. Lynne loves gardening, cooking, collects everything from oldtoys to rock specimens and is crazy about every aspect of Christmas.
Lynne Graham was born on July 30, 1956 of Irish-Scottish parentage. She has livedin Northern Ireland all her life. She grew up in a seaside village with herbrother. She learnt to read at the age of 3, and haven't stopped since then.
Lynne first met her husband when she was 14. At 15, she wrote her firstbook, but it was rejected everywhere. Lynne married after she completed adegree at Edinburgh University. She started writing again when she was athome with her first child. It took several attempts before she sold herfirst book in 1987 and the delight of seeing that first book for sale in thelocal newsagents has never been forgotten. Now, there are over 10 million ofher books in print worldwide.
Lynne always wanted a large family and has five children. Her eldest and heronly natural child is 19 and currently at university. Her other fourchildren, who are every bit as dear to her heart, are adopted. She has two9-year-olds adopted from Sri Lanka and a 5- and a 3-year-old adopted fromGuatemala. In Lynne's home, there is a rich and diverse cultural mix, whichadds a whole extra dimension of interest and discovery to family life. Thefamily lives in a country house surrounded by a woodland garden, which iswonderfully private. The family has two pets. Thomas, a very large andaffectionate black cat, bosses the dog and hunts rabbits. The dog is Daisy,an adorable but not very bright white West Highland terrier, who loves beingchased by the cat. At night, dog and cat sleep together in front of thekitchen stove. Lynne loves gardening, cooking, collects everything from oldtoys to rock specimens and is crazy about every aspect of Christmas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
January 10, 2017
3.5 stars!
My second foray in as many days into the world of LG romances.This time around the location is in a fictional Arabian desert kingdom where our stalwart hero is the King.Our heroine is the eldest sister and upon her estranged mother's death,she and her other sister find out that there is another younger sister whose where abouts are unknown.Sounds like familiar territory here!
Anyways,the heroine sets off to said fictional desert kingdom and promptly gets taken to a holding room at the airport because somehow,it was made known that she is in possession of some sacred ring that was presumed missing or stolen many years ago.It seems that long,long ago,a foreign princess came to this desert kingdom and gave the King said ring and all was happy and prosperous .That is untill the present King's father was in power and he and his entire family were murdered and the hero was spared and sent to live in the desert with an uncle who was the ruling sheikh of his tribe.
This is where it gets intresting,the heroine is brought to the royal palace to meet the King.Lust at first sight for him,he is in a quandary, see he has to marry and provide an heir since his first wife died and childless.What is the poor heroine to do,but marry him of course.
What I did not like in this romance was the hero constantly having thoughts of the dead ex,seems like she was his first cousin too!He felt guilty at her death and did not want to destroy her memory of others.He was in a rage when the unsuspecting heroine wore his dead wife's parue of Amber jewelry,it was her favorite piece and he could picture her wearing it many times.
I did not feel his love for this heroine,I felt that the dead wife was too much in this book,her presence was felt by this reader way to much and that is a no no for me.Even at the end when love was declared and pregnancy was announced,I still did not feel the love.
The next story up is with the sister of the heroine and the best friend of the hero. His name is Rio and I swear,the song Rio by Duran,Duran was in my head whenever his name appeared.
The story started out as a strong 4,but when the dead wife came into the picture,weak 3.5 stars for me.
My second foray in as many days into the world of LG romances.This time around the location is in a fictional Arabian desert kingdom where our stalwart hero is the King.Our heroine is the eldest sister and upon her estranged mother's death,she and her other sister find out that there is another younger sister whose where abouts are unknown.Sounds like familiar territory here!
Anyways,the heroine sets off to said fictional desert kingdom and promptly gets taken to a holding room at the airport because somehow,it was made known that she is in possession of some sacred ring that was presumed missing or stolen many years ago.It seems that long,long ago,a foreign princess came to this desert kingdom and gave the King said ring and all was happy and prosperous .That is untill the present King's father was in power and he and his entire family were murdered and the hero was spared and sent to live in the desert with an uncle who was the ruling sheikh of his tribe.
This is where it gets intresting,the heroine is brought to the royal palace to meet the King.Lust at first sight for him,he is in a quandary, see he has to marry and provide an heir since his first wife died and childless.What is the poor heroine to do,but marry him of course.
What I did not like in this romance was the hero constantly having thoughts of the dead ex,seems like she was his first cousin too!He felt guilty at her death and did not want to destroy her memory of others.He was in a rage when the unsuspecting heroine wore his dead wife's parue of Amber jewelry,it was her favorite piece and he could picture her wearing it many times.
I did not feel his love for this heroine,I felt that the dead wife was too much in this book,her presence was felt by this reader way to much and that is a no no for me.Even at the end when love was declared and pregnancy was announced,I still did not feel the love.
The next story up is with the sister of the heroine and the best friend of the hero. His name is Rio and I swear,the song Rio by Duran,Duran was in my head whenever his name appeared.
The story started out as a strong 4,but when the dead wife came into the picture,weak 3.5 stars for me.
January 14, 2018
I LOVED this novel ! Polly was my fav among the three sisters in the series and Rashad was an absolute gentleman alpha of a hero. I adore the strong, silent type. Sometimes less huffing and puffing is sexy in a man.
January 2, 2017
Good marriage of convenience story. Hero is a widower and his first marriage was not a good experience for him so he is not sure how to be good husband material. I loved loved his jealousy and possessiveness. Polly is virginal and fierce. I liked how open and honest she was with her husband. Can't wait for heroine's sister and hero's best friend story though I know I will not like it cause Ellie is super feisty.
May 23, 2017
Sweet as sugar and about as intellectually nutritional.
Beta hero, beta heroine, and beta romance.
Tiny h and her sister were left mysterious rings and the names of their fathers after she dies. Raised by a disapproving and distant grandmother, they never knew their mother. I don't think it was too much of a loss as she spent her time trying to develop a child-care business rather than get to know her daughters. All three of them from different men because somewhere, out there is a younger sister they never knew they had. Oh yes ma'am, the Tomb of Judgement has been opened.
Anyhoo, this sweet little heroine heads to the made-up sheikdom with what turns out to be the ancestral ring of power. Kind of. She meets up with the handsome 6' 4"Greek tycoon Sheikh who is happy to have the One Ring to rule them all, One ring to find them; One ring to bring them all and in the darkness.... Turns out imaginary sheikdoms have social media issues as well as the western REAL world, and the populace of that fake kingdom want Frodo the h to marry the widowed king. It's fate or in this case Kismet.
Having been married and widowed at a very young ageGreek tycoon Sheikh doesn't want to get married again. No, he doesn't want to sleaze it up (too many watchful eyes for that), but he does want some time to be free to be me and...me. He's shocked when Frodo the h agrees to marry him. She doesn't want to admit it, but she really, really likes 6' 4" Greek tycoon Sheikh's with six pack abs and movie star looks. I like a girl who has her priorities in order. Plus she can pay off her sister's school loans and learn how to paint. Practical too.
Sexual chemical combustion helps bring these two together in a big way. He can't believe how addicted he is to her, and she is just mighty fine with that. There are a few breaks in the road with the sourpuss sister of the dead wife, and the hero wallowing in guilt about what a babe he has now versus the rather sad young girl he married and that died too early.
We have our HEA and a hint of what's to come for the sassy little sister.
All in all a very sweet read. Cleansed the palate of too many bad Doms with bad spanking technique, angsty dual, you-complete-me POV from young lovers, heroes who love their soul mates so, so, so much they are compelled to sleep with anything that moves and require massive doses of penicillin, heroines who martyr themselves with misplaced spines, more spineless tiny h's that forgive the most egregious sins.
Beta hero, beta heroine, and beta romance.
Tiny h and her sister were left mysterious rings and the names of their fathers after she dies. Raised by a disapproving and distant grandmother, they never knew their mother. I don't think it was too much of a loss as she spent her time trying to develop a child-care business rather than get to know her daughters. All three of them from different men because somewhere, out there is a younger sister they never knew they had. Oh yes ma'am, the Tomb of Judgement has been opened.
Anyhoo, this sweet little heroine heads to the made-up sheikdom with what turns out to be the ancestral ring of power. Kind of. She meets up with the handsome 6' 4"
Having been married and widowed at a very young age
Sexual chemical combustion helps bring these two together in a big way. He can't believe how addicted he is to her, and she is just mighty fine with that. There are a few breaks in the road with the sourpuss sister of the dead wife, and the hero wallowing in guilt about what a babe he has now versus the rather sad young girl he married and that died too early.
We have our HEA and a hint of what's to come for the sassy little sister.
All in all a very sweet read. Cleansed the palate of too many bad Doms with bad spanking technique, angsty dual, you-complete-me POV from young lovers, heroes who love their soul mates so, so, so much they are compelled to sleep with anything that moves and require massive doses of penicillin, heroines who martyr themselves with misplaced spines, more spineless tiny h's that forgive the most egregious sins.
January 20, 2017
Sweet story. Nothing OTT. So that is going to hold it back from more stars from me. When I read HPs I like to read about alpha asshats, gobs of angst etc. Here not so much. He was a nice guy. His only real problem was he was a bit clueless. He was just so reasonable when he saw the error of his ways and he saw them early and often. She was sweet and when she had a problem, she explained it at once to him in a rational manner. So nice in real life not so fun in HPlandia.
Now other pet peeve. Books that take place in some made up middle eastern country. First of all I have never liked made up countries just so you can have a story about a prince. Secondly, it is difficult to suspend my disbelief when I know that that part of the world is in a turmoil right now. I just don't like sheikh books, at least modern ones because they have to ignore so much of the real world and they do.
I know, I know. HPs are in no way real but at least if they are not kings of made up countries I can pretend a little easier...
Why aren't there more Swiss guys or Norwegians or ... There used to be heroes from many more countries than just Italy and Greece with the occasional Australian thrown in.
Now other pet peeve. Books that take place in some made up middle eastern country. First of all I have never liked made up countries just so you can have a story about a prince. Secondly, it is difficult to suspend my disbelief when I know that that part of the world is in a turmoil right now. I just don't like sheikh books, at least modern ones because they have to ignore so much of the real world and they do.
I know, I know. HPs are in no way real but at least if they are not kings of made up countries I can pretend a little easier...
Why aren't there more Swiss guys or Norwegians or ... There used to be heroes from many more countries than just Italy and Greece with the occasional Australian thrown in.
May 4, 2018
Forced-by-circumstances-to-marry story. What kind of circumstances? The Lynne Graham kind. An international nanny hooked up with three different guys and gave birth to three girls. Two were raised by her mother, another went into foster care. On her deathbed mommy dearest willed each girl a ring with a name attached.
The heroine of the first story is a beautiful blonde virgin who has wasted her youth taking care of her bitter grandmother and then trying to put her younger sister through medical school. Her ring is a man's opal with the name of a desert country inscribed.
Heroine journeys to that country and is promptly detained because of her name on her passport and the ring in her possession. Turns out the entire country has been waiting for the ring to return after it had been lost 25 years before in a palace coup that killed the hero's entire family.
The hero is now king and his people want him to marry the heroine. They marry and then the story got more interesting to me because the H/h don't know each other very well and they each have to overcome their hangups to have a good relationship. Hero has more hangups because he was married before and it was miserable.
LG works it all out - including providing the heroine with a set of lovely grandparents and her younger sister with a hunky Italian to argue with in the next story.
The heroine of the first story is a beautiful blonde virgin who has wasted her youth taking care of her bitter grandmother and then trying to put her younger sister through medical school. Her ring is a man's opal with the name of a desert country inscribed.
Heroine journeys to that country and is promptly detained because of her name on her passport and the ring in her possession. Turns out the entire country has been waiting for the ring to return after it had been lost 25 years before in a palace coup that killed the hero's entire family.
The hero is now king and his people want him to marry the heroine. They marry and then the story got more interesting to me because the H/h don't know each other very well and they each have to overcome their hangups to have a good relationship. Hero has more hangups because he was married before and it was miserable.
LG works it all out - including providing the heroine with a set of lovely grandparents and her younger sister with a hunky Italian to argue with in the next story.
February 10, 2017
Reminiscent of Arabian Courtship by LG, but AC was much better in my humble opinion. This is more of a 3.5 star read because I had to skim a couple of pages of unnecessary inner thinking.
P.S. I'll keep the 4 star rating IF I still remember this at the end of this month. If not, I'll have to go down to 3 stars.
P.S. I'll keep the 4 star rating IF I still remember this at the end of this month. If not, I'll have to go down to 3 stars.
February 12, 2022
I loved this story. Rashad and polly were one volatile couple.
Loved hero’s jealousy. He was deliciously intense.
Safe and recommended.
Loved hero’s jealousy. He was deliciously intense.
Safe and recommended.
January 13, 2018
Hero is a Desert King and not a manwhore, quite a sensitive soul too. Heroine is actually quite good, she’s not a shrew and not a doormat either. I liked this LG HP. The point of angst is the Hero was married before when he was very young and his first wife died. The heroine was kinda jealous but it all got resolved when Hero confessed he wasn’t in love and it was an unhappy marriage
May 1, 2019
"The Desert King's Blackmailed Bride" is the story of Polly and Rashad.
In this fairytale like book, we have Polly Dixon, who is left a mysterious opal ring by her estranged mother, and travels to the kingdom of Dharia to learn more about the man she was informed was her father. Upon reaching, she is ushered away to the royal palace, where King Rashad El-Amin Quaraishi explains that the ring is actually a royal heirloom, and the people now view her as the symbol of goodness and prosperity being bought back to them. Utterly taken in by the handsome man, Polly soon discovers many mysteries about her past, gets married to royalty, falls in love, experiences some angst followed by a sweet HEA.
A really well written book with likable strong characters, sizzling chemistry, hot sex, good tearjerking moments and an adorable ending and epilogue. Very enjoyable read!
Safe
4/5
In this fairytale like book, we have Polly Dixon, who is left a mysterious opal ring by her estranged mother, and travels to the kingdom of Dharia to learn more about the man she was informed was her father. Upon reaching, she is ushered away to the royal palace, where King Rashad El-Amin Quaraishi explains that the ring is actually a royal heirloom, and the people now view her as the symbol of goodness and prosperity being bought back to them. Utterly taken in by the handsome man, Polly soon discovers many mysteries about her past, gets married to royalty, falls in love, experiences some angst followed by a sweet HEA.
A really well written book with likable strong characters, sizzling chemistry, hot sex, good tearjerking moments and an adorable ending and epilogue. Very enjoyable read!
Safe
4/5
October 17, 2017
The Desert King's Blackmailed Bride began with intensity then went downhill into naval gazing about the past. Unfortunate turn since therapy should have been used to work that out so the hero & heroine can focus on the marriage.
May 29, 2018
No parece una novela de Lynne Graham, pero me gustó mucho.
Él es un héroe beta, pero me gusta leer variantes en el tema, así que eso no me cayó mal. Es una historia de amor un poco rebuscado, pero muy entretenida.
Él es un héroe beta, pero me gusta leer variantes en el tema, así que eso no me cayó mal. Es una historia de amor un poco rebuscado, pero muy entretenida.
August 18, 2019
Marriage of convenience story but with low angst.
Appreciate the characterization of both H and h: we understand their feelings/fears/misunderstandings thru an insightful description of their past issues (dysfunctional or murdered family, a past marriage for duty's sake etc.): nevertheless, both characters seem to overcome their scars quite soon because of their instant attraction-love.
An enjoyable read - part of series featuring the h and her two sisters (one of them still to be found at the end of the novel).
Appreciate the characterization of both H and h: we understand their feelings/fears/misunderstandings thru an insightful description of their past issues (dysfunctional or murdered family, a past marriage for duty's sake etc.): nevertheless, both characters seem to overcome their scars quite soon because of their instant attraction-love.
An enjoyable read - part of series featuring the h and her two sisters (one of them still to be found at the end of the novel).
April 10, 2020
No ha estado mal esta historia, me ha gustado, creo que seguiré con esta serie.
January 5, 2017
FOUR AND HALF AMAZING STARS!
I didn't think I would like this story after reading it's synopsis, but damn this was good.
Polly was an absolute sweetheart and I loved her. Rashad had his idiotic moments, but he was lovable too.
I loved her parents story, but certain parts of the story bore resemblance to LG's previous gems... And so, it lost it's half star.
Excited for the next book in the series.
I didn't think I would like this story after reading it's synopsis, but damn this was good.
Polly was an absolute sweetheart and I loved her. Rashad had his idiotic moments, but he was lovable too.
I loved her parents story, but certain parts of the story bore resemblance to LG's previous gems... And so, it lost it's half star.
Excited for the next book in the series.
May 21, 2017
Enjoyable first book in the trilogy. Polly was very likeable, not the usual doormat type. Rashad... dreamy hero! Overall, a great read!
December 12, 2017
Lynne Graham is one of my favorite HP authors and this book is a great example of why I love her work.
Rashad is such a wonderfully, damaged character. He’s not an a-hole, he’s just needs control because he learned from childhood that this is the best way to survive.
He meets Polly when she enters his country with an Opal ring that belonged to his family and had been lost for years. The circumstances causes Polly to become a hero to his people and as King, he has to listen to the needs and wants of his people. In his zeal to do the right thing for his country, he proposes to Polly.
Having had a very bad marriage when he was younger, this was a huge sacrifice that he is making.
Polly, sweet, innocent Polly only travelled to Rashad’s country to find her unknown father. Since she never knew her mother, she was looking for a familial connection. Getting arrested and held in the country’s castle by its king was not part of her vacation plans. And then he proposed.
What I loved most about this book was Polly’s straight talk. Without her directness Rashad would have stayed locked in himself. He was so terrified of being a husband again and changing habits ingrained from childhood that another approach would have sent him deeper into himself. And when he finally opened up - it was glorious!
Polly became his strength. She became the one person he knew he could trust his true self to and who would love him unconditionally. And that is a beautiful thing.
Rashad is such a wonderfully, damaged character. He’s not an a-hole, he’s just needs control because he learned from childhood that this is the best way to survive.
He meets Polly when she enters his country with an Opal ring that belonged to his family and had been lost for years. The circumstances causes Polly to become a hero to his people and as King, he has to listen to the needs and wants of his people. In his zeal to do the right thing for his country, he proposes to Polly.
Having had a very bad marriage when he was younger, this was a huge sacrifice that he is making.
Polly, sweet, innocent Polly only travelled to Rashad’s country to find her unknown father. Since she never knew her mother, she was looking for a familial connection. Getting arrested and held in the country’s castle by its king was not part of her vacation plans. And then he proposed.
What I loved most about this book was Polly’s straight talk. Without her directness Rashad would have stayed locked in himself. He was so terrified of being a husband again and changing habits ingrained from childhood that another approach would have sent him deeper into himself. And when he finally opened up - it was glorious!
Polly became his strength. She became the one person he knew he could trust his true self to and who would love him unconditionally. And that is a beautiful thing.
September 20, 2019
Polly is a fabulous heroine - sweet, feisty, honest and quite ready to challenge the hero Rashad. He’s a super sexy hero and actually rather nice to boot! I found myself skimming a little as there seemed to be pages of backstory, inner thoughts and needless observations rather than tackling the actual story. However it was an entertaining read and the relationship between h/H was lovely and I was happy when all was resolved. Good epilogue too. Interested to read about the other 2 sisters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2018
Dixon kardeşlerin hikayesini anlatan üç kitaplık serinin ilki Efsane Yüzük.Şeyhli hikayeleri sevmeye başladım ama buradaki Şeyh pek olmamıştı bana göre. :D
May 1, 2021
Un roman de trame classique mais sympathique. Si l'héroïne tombe rapidement sous le charme du héros, elle n'en a pas moins du caractère et ne se laisse pas totalement dominée par le caractère royal de son époux. Lecture sympathique et sans prise de tête.
August 11, 2017
3.5 - 4 stars.
Okay, first of all I was debating what star rating because I was kind of on the fence with this one. On one hand, I really enjoyed the set up of the story and was really intrigued with the long lost sister, the rings, and possibly revelation of the girls' fathers. It added just a level of mystery to this Lynne Graham miniseries. It was interesting and different for Presents. And I really like that part of the book. But on the other hand, the romance between Polly and Rashad was kind of underwhelming. The pieces and elements were there typical of Lynne Graham were there, but the edgy, emotional stuff wasn't. It just felt very weak and not as big of an emotional pay off as I would have liked. It needed to go there more on the emotional content. More angst. More friction. Just more pain. Just have it more so I felt more invested in the love story.
I will say that the love scenes were pretty steamy and showed off their chemistry. And I really enjoyed that aspect of the story. Their first time during their honeymoon was beautiful and romantic with that extra topping of steam. I just wish it felt more emotional than just the physical aspect of their relationship. In fact I wish all their love scenes had more emotional content because it really felt like all that was between them was lust and nothing more. In fact that was the only basis for their relationship because there wasn't a lot of exploration on the emotional side. It didn't make the love scenes less hot just less meaningful in my opinion.
Like I said there were many different threads that the story could have gone on and explored in depth, but instead it was either bypassed too quickly or not at. For example, the fact that Polly was a people pleaser. There was so much potential there and how she handled her marriage. It could caused deep emotional hurt because she was just trying to please him to the determinant of her own feelings. This could have played a huge part in the plot, but in reality to me she didn't seem like a people pleaser. Like at all. I
Also thought there would be more done with the sister in law and her causing trouble more throughout the book instead of just here and there. I also thought it might be addressed more about him only wanting her to produce an heir. Stuff like that to add to a more emotional story. It was kind of a let down that these threads weren't used more than they were. It would made the story more intense and so much stronger in my opinion. Just more emotional raw.
Also I wanted to believe he was head over heels for her, but I just couldn't. Yes, he did things for her. Yes, he opened up to her about his marriage that no one else knew about, but I just felt like I needed something more on his part. I needed more wooing or a romantic gesture. Something to show that he cared for her more beyond the passion between them. I just didn't think he was in love with her. I needed to believe it.
I did really like the fact that the identity of her father came early on. That was the reason she was coming to Rashad's country in the first place so I was glad that it was answered pretty quickly. And I also really like the fact that she got to know about that side of her family. In fact it was sweet and cute and just overall adorable. I wish I felt that about the romance.
Overall I liked the story and the characters. It was the romance that I felt kind of blah about. There was no rawness. No intensity to their romance. There was not really a lot depth between them. It lacked that edge that was desperately needed. There was so much potential with the threads that were presented but it didn't happen. That would have given it some oomph to the story if those threads were utilized more than they were. I think that if there was more angst or I felt more of that friction between them that would help. And overall I really just needed more emotional content going on in the story than there actually was.
Okay, first of all I was debating what star rating because I was kind of on the fence with this one. On one hand, I really enjoyed the set up of the story and was really intrigued with the long lost sister, the rings, and possibly revelation of the girls' fathers. It added just a level of mystery to this Lynne Graham miniseries. It was interesting and different for Presents. And I really like that part of the book. But on the other hand, the romance between Polly and Rashad was kind of underwhelming. The pieces and elements were there typical of Lynne Graham were there, but the edgy, emotional stuff wasn't. It just felt very weak and not as big of an emotional pay off as I would have liked. It needed to go there more on the emotional content. More angst. More friction. Just more pain. Just have it more so I felt more invested in the love story.
I will say that the love scenes were pretty steamy and showed off their chemistry. And I really enjoyed that aspect of the story. Their first time during their honeymoon was beautiful and romantic with that extra topping of steam. I just wish it felt more emotional than just the physical aspect of their relationship. In fact I wish all their love scenes had more emotional content because it really felt like all that was between them was lust and nothing more. In fact that was the only basis for their relationship because there wasn't a lot of exploration on the emotional side. It didn't make the love scenes less hot just less meaningful in my opinion.
Like I said there were many different threads that the story could have gone on and explored in depth, but instead it was either bypassed too quickly or not at. For example, the fact that Polly was a people pleaser. There was so much potential there and how she handled her marriage. It could caused deep emotional hurt because she was just trying to please him to the determinant of her own feelings. This could have played a huge part in the plot, but in reality to me she didn't seem like a people pleaser. Like at all. I
Also thought there would be more done with the sister in law and her causing trouble more throughout the book instead of just here and there. I also thought it might be addressed more about him only wanting her to produce an heir. Stuff like that to add to a more emotional story. It was kind of a let down that these threads weren't used more than they were. It would made the story more intense and so much stronger in my opinion. Just more emotional raw.
Also I wanted to believe he was head over heels for her, but I just couldn't. Yes, he did things for her. Yes, he opened up to her about his marriage that no one else knew about, but I just felt like I needed something more on his part. I needed more wooing or a romantic gesture. Something to show that he cared for her more beyond the passion between them. I just didn't think he was in love with her. I needed to believe it.
I did really like the fact that the identity of her father came early on. That was the reason she was coming to Rashad's country in the first place so I was glad that it was answered pretty quickly. And I also really like the fact that she got to know about that side of her family. In fact it was sweet and cute and just overall adorable. I wish I felt that about the romance.
Overall I liked the story and the characters. It was the romance that I felt kind of blah about. There was no rawness. No intensity to their romance. There was not really a lot depth between them. It lacked that edge that was desperately needed. There was so much potential with the threads that were presented but it didn't happen. That would have given it some oomph to the story if those threads were utilized more than they were. I think that if there was more angst or I felt more of that friction between them that would help. And overall I really just needed more emotional content going on in the story than there actually was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2017
First in the series. Polly and her sister have each received a ring and a name from their deceased mother with the instructions that they may lead to each one's father. Polly's ring leads her to Dharia, and an unexpected marriage to the king.
Decent enough story, nothing sticks out either way.
Decent enough story, nothing sticks out either way.
January 9, 2017
Review to come.
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May 9, 2018El Dueño Del Desierto (Tres Hermanas #1)
May 31, 2018
If you're looking for a pretty angst free, almost zero push/pull, guaranteed HEA , then look no further. If you're looking for something with a little passion and explosive chemistry, then keep on looking.
If this were real life then I would say that Rashad and Polly are a great example of how to be rational adults in a relationship. Aside from Rashad's inner turmoil re: his first marriage, there's almost NO angst in this book. The Desert King's Blackmailed Bride is a story of two very mature, very level headed, very accommodating people coming together. And that's pretty much it. Issues arise, and throughout the book Polly is very rational about everything, and usually calmly/rationally explains her POV to Rashad. He's more closed off, but Polly makes an effort to learn about the culture in hopes of understanding her husband more. Rashad is pretty much willing to do anything to make his people and his new wife happy-- unfortunately his emotions outside of the bedroom are pretty much closed off, so Polly spends a decent amount of this book thinking that she really is playing second fiddle to Rashad's first (dead) wife. And she's basically ok with that. She admits to herself that she's in love with her husband, knows/thinks he doesn't love her, and is ok with it. She calmly believes his feelings can grow with time. I'm not saying there's anything WRONG with the above, what I am saying is that it was kinda boring. For me. I need a little push/pull, a little angst, and little groveling.
If this were real life then I would say that Rashad and Polly are a great example of how to be rational adults in a relationship. Aside from Rashad's inner turmoil re: his first marriage, there's almost NO angst in this book. The Desert King's Blackmailed Bride is a story of two very mature, very level headed, very accommodating people coming together. And that's pretty much it. Issues arise, and throughout the book Polly is very rational about everything, and usually calmly/rationally explains her POV to Rashad. He's more closed off, but Polly makes an effort to learn about the culture in hopes of understanding her husband more. Rashad is pretty much willing to do anything to make his people and his new wife happy-- unfortunately his emotions outside of the bedroom are pretty much closed off, so Polly spends a decent amount of this book thinking that she really is playing second fiddle to Rashad's first (dead) wife. And she's basically ok with that. She admits to herself that she's in love with her husband, knows/thinks he doesn't love her, and is ok with it. She calmly believes his feelings can grow with time. I'm not saying there's anything WRONG with the above, what I am saying is that it was kinda boring. For me. I need a little push/pull, a little angst, and little groveling.
December 22, 2017
Polly and Ellie are illegitimate daughters of Annabel, a professional nanny,abandoned by her and raised by their grandmother.Polly is 25 and Ellie is 23, a medical student.Polly had to give up her place at an art college in order to support them.Now both their mother and grandmother are dead.The sisters get a letter and a ring each from Annabel.They also learn they have a younger sister, Penelope (20).In the letters there are the names of their fathers.
Polly learns that ber father came from a small kingdom of Dharia.She decides to come and look for him.But she is detained at the Dharian airport (a drug-bust operation ,she was chosen randomly).Her passport, phone and the ring are taken from her.(Threre is nowhere in the book stated that Polly got her passport and phone back).
Hakim, the elderly advisor to the new king, is excited.Polly's ring is the long-missing ceremonial ring of the previous king! Hakim even ordered a replica of it for King Rashad.Rashad was the 3-d son of the previous king, never expected to rule.When he was six, there was a coup and the king, his wife (wives?) and two older sons were killed in a bombing.Rashad wasn't with them and thus survived.He grew up in the desert, with nomads, later to be educated in England.He was married at 16 to his cousin, who was barren.She died after ten years of marriage.
Now Rashad must remarry .Hakim points out Polly's real name- Zariyah ,which is the name of Rashad's famous ancestor,a queen who lived 100 years ago.So Polly is brought to him and demands her ring back.Rashad refuses, as it is his by law.Polly shouts at him,irreverent of his status.
The people in Dharia believe Polly came to marry their king, just like her namesake.Rashad is attracted to Polly and proposes to her.The blackmail is that either she marries him or she'll becone persona non grata in the kingdom.
Polly is in a dilemma- to marry a virtual stranger or leave and never get to know her family.She has just learned that Hakim is her grandfather ,her parents did marry and her father was a war hero.
So they marry.Ellie, who usually behaves as if she is the older one, berates Polly.Ellie meets Rashad's friend Rio Benedetti and they dislike each other on sight.
Polly is frightened of the wedding night, while Rashad is cold to her and doesn't understand her decision to delay it.
Rashad doesn't know how to express his feelings.Both he and Polly are volatile,only he tries not to show it.it's meeting of East and Weat, modern and old-fashioned-in behavior,clothes ,rules.Also, Polly thinks her husband still loves his first wife and wants him to chose.
As I've read Ellie's story first, I am confused.Polly and Ellie learn their sister's name is Penelope, later changed to Gemma.Fine. But the blurb inside Polly's story and Ellie's book give her name as Lucy.Inconsistency !!
Polly learns that ber father came from a small kingdom of Dharia.She decides to come and look for him.But she is detained at the Dharian airport (a drug-bust operation ,she was chosen randomly).Her passport, phone and the ring are taken from her.(Threre is nowhere in the book stated that Polly got her passport and phone back).
Hakim, the elderly advisor to the new king, is excited.Polly's ring is the long-missing ceremonial ring of the previous king! Hakim even ordered a replica of it for King Rashad.Rashad was the 3-d son of the previous king, never expected to rule.When he was six, there was a coup and the king, his wife (wives?) and two older sons were killed in a bombing.Rashad wasn't with them and thus survived.He grew up in the desert, with nomads, later to be educated in England.He was married at 16 to his cousin, who was barren.She died after ten years of marriage.
Now Rashad must remarry .Hakim points out Polly's real name- Zariyah ,which is the name of Rashad's famous ancestor,a queen who lived 100 years ago.So Polly is brought to him and demands her ring back.Rashad refuses, as it is his by law.Polly shouts at him,irreverent of his status.
The people in Dharia believe Polly came to marry their king, just like her namesake.Rashad is attracted to Polly and proposes to her.The blackmail is that either she marries him or she'll becone persona non grata in the kingdom.
Polly is in a dilemma- to marry a virtual stranger or leave and never get to know her family.She has just learned that Hakim is her grandfather ,her parents did marry and her father was a war hero.
So they marry.Ellie, who usually behaves as if she is the older one, berates Polly.Ellie meets Rashad's friend Rio Benedetti and they dislike each other on sight.
Polly is frightened of the wedding night, while Rashad is cold to her and doesn't understand her decision to delay it.
Rashad doesn't know how to express his feelings.Both he and Polly are volatile,only he tries not to show it.it's meeting of East and Weat, modern and old-fashioned-in behavior,clothes ,rules.Also, Polly thinks her husband still loves his first wife and wants him to chose.
As I've read Ellie's story first, I am confused.Polly and Ellie learn their sister's name is Penelope, later changed to Gemma.Fine. But the blurb inside Polly's story and Ellie's book give her name as Lucy.Inconsistency !!
January 22, 2021
Rashad, el nuevo rey de Dharia, un país árabe, se encuentra con una extranjera que porta el anillo perdido de la familia, y la imaginación del pueblo hará que la confundan con la futura reina.
Compré los tres libros de la miniserie cuando salieron a la venta, pero se fueron directos a la estantería. Cuando este se cayó al suelo mientras buscaba otro, decidí que le había llegado el momento. Y la verdad es que ha sido una estupenda idea.
En esta primera entrega se nos narra la historia de la hermana mayor. Se pueden leer por separado aunque hay un nexo común entre ellos, cada uno nos cuenta la historia de una hermana. La miniserie está compuesta por tres títulos.
Polly Dixon es una británica de veinticuatro años. Su madre las abandonó a ella y a su hermana siendo pequeñas, y su abuela no tuvo otro remedio que ocuparse de ellas. Pero la anciana estaba avergonzada por la ilegitimidad de sus nietas y fue muy severa con las chicas.
Además, Polly tuvo que abandonar los estudios para cuidarla en sus últimos años, lo que le impidió relacionarse con chicos y provocó que sea algo ingénua.
Es el típico cuento de hadas en el que la chica pobre conoce al príncipe, rey en este caso, pero nuestra Polly no es una dama desvalida y sacará a relucir su temperamento.
Rashad tiene treinta y un años y es el nuevo rey de Dharia. Perdió a su familia de pequeño y recibió una educación muy estricta por parte de su tío. Fue educado para esconder sus sentimientos y comportarse de manera ejemplar, a la usanza tradicional.
Los excesos de su disoluto padre condujeron al país al desastre, y él intenta recuperar la confianza de su pueblo. Está condicionado por un pasado, del que nada sabe Polly, y que complicará la relación de los jóvenes.
Las inseguridades, la falta de comunicación, la educación recibida, las vivencias previas y el rígido protocolo pesan sobre ambos y provoca conflictos en la pareja, aunque la fuerte atracción mutua suaviza las cosas entre ellos.
Me ha gustado mucho el libro y lo he devorado, a punto estuve de leerlo del tirón. Es muy entretenido, fácil de leer y engancha desde el principio.
Es una obra típica de la autora, lo que para mí es algo bueno porque sé que voy a disfrutar de la lectura y pasar unas horas entretenidas.
Estoy deseando ponerme con el siguiente libro y no tardaré mucho en hacerlo. Os animo a darle una oportuna a esta novela romántica de jeques, o a cualquiera de los títulos de la autora, tenéis muchos donde elegir.
Compré los tres libros de la miniserie cuando salieron a la venta, pero se fueron directos a la estantería. Cuando este se cayó al suelo mientras buscaba otro, decidí que le había llegado el momento. Y la verdad es que ha sido una estupenda idea.
En esta primera entrega se nos narra la historia de la hermana mayor. Se pueden leer por separado aunque hay un nexo común entre ellos, cada uno nos cuenta la historia de una hermana. La miniserie está compuesta por tres títulos.
Polly Dixon es una británica de veinticuatro años. Su madre las abandonó a ella y a su hermana siendo pequeñas, y su abuela no tuvo otro remedio que ocuparse de ellas. Pero la anciana estaba avergonzada por la ilegitimidad de sus nietas y fue muy severa con las chicas.
Además, Polly tuvo que abandonar los estudios para cuidarla en sus últimos años, lo que le impidió relacionarse con chicos y provocó que sea algo ingénua.
Es el típico cuento de hadas en el que la chica pobre conoce al príncipe, rey en este caso, pero nuestra Polly no es una dama desvalida y sacará a relucir su temperamento.
Rashad tiene treinta y un años y es el nuevo rey de Dharia. Perdió a su familia de pequeño y recibió una educación muy estricta por parte de su tío. Fue educado para esconder sus sentimientos y comportarse de manera ejemplar, a la usanza tradicional.
Los excesos de su disoluto padre condujeron al país al desastre, y él intenta recuperar la confianza de su pueblo. Está condicionado por un pasado, del que nada sabe Polly, y que complicará la relación de los jóvenes.
Las inseguridades, la falta de comunicación, la educación recibida, las vivencias previas y el rígido protocolo pesan sobre ambos y provoca conflictos en la pareja, aunque la fuerte atracción mutua suaviza las cosas entre ellos.
Me ha gustado mucho el libro y lo he devorado, a punto estuve de leerlo del tirón. Es muy entretenido, fácil de leer y engancha desde el principio.
Es una obra típica de la autora, lo que para mí es algo bueno porque sé que voy a disfrutar de la lectura y pasar unas horas entretenidas.
Estoy deseando ponerme con el siguiente libro y no tardaré mucho en hacerlo. Os animo a darle una oportuna a esta novela romántica de jeques, o a cualquiera de los títulos de la autora, tenéis muchos donde elegir.
February 8, 2020
Biasanya aku menghindari baca hq yg latar cerita nya itu kerajaan gurun atau kerajaan2 yg letaknya di bagian Timur, soalnya pernah baca komik hq yg latar nya begini, dan Ew! merusak fantasi ku wkwk. I mean, kalau latarnya kerajaan daerah Timur sana otomatis yg ada di pikiranku itu ya mereka mesti megang adat Timur. Tapi ya karena ini hq, aku menganggap aku cuma lagi kena culture shock. Soalnya kalau nyebut kerajaan Arab, tapi kalau sampai hero dan heroine nya begituan sebelum resmi kan hahaha I just can't deal with it.
Tapi untungnya buku ini ga semengerikan perkiraan ku, ceritanya lumayan. Oh, untung Rashad ga aneh2 wkwk. Cerita tentang Polly,anak cucu yg hilang, eh atau baru ketemu? yg dapat cincin dari mendiang ibunya, yg kemudian nekat pergi ke Dharia untuk mencari ayahnya. Karena Polly selama ini diasuh nenek nya dan ga dekat sama ibunya dan tidak tahu siapa ayahnya. Sesampai di Dharia ternyata, cincin warisan dri ibunya adalah cincin milik Raja yg telah lama hilang, dan Polly berhasil mengetahui siapa ayahnya bertemu dgn keluarga ayahnya. Polly yg ternyata nama di passport/nama lahirnya mirip dgn mantan ratu yg begitu dicintai rakyat dan membawa cincin pusaka yg telah lama hilang, akhirnya terdesak buat nikah dgn Rashad.
Rashad yg sebenarnya tdk menginginkan pernikahan, karena kegagalan masa lalu, membuat dia pesimis dgn pernikahannya bersama Polly ini. Tapi pada akhirnya mereka tetap menikah demi rakyatnya. Seru saat, Polly yg terbiasa bebas, ketika akhirnya harus berhadapan dgn manusia kaku-Rashad yg memang harus punya kendali diri karena ia seorang Raja. Rashad yg berusaha mengalah karena ga mau buat konflik, eh malah Polly yg semangat mau buat Rashad ekspresikan emosinya, jadi dgn semangat memancing amarah Rashad.
Tapi untungnya buku ini ga semengerikan perkiraan ku, ceritanya lumayan. Oh, untung Rashad ga aneh2 wkwk. Cerita tentang Polly,
Rashad yg sebenarnya tdk menginginkan pernikahan, karena kegagalan masa lalu, membuat dia pesimis dgn pernikahannya bersama Polly ini. Tapi pada akhirnya mereka tetap menikah demi rakyatnya. Seru saat, Polly yg terbiasa bebas, ketika akhirnya harus berhadapan dgn manusia kaku-Rashad yg memang harus punya kendali diri karena ia seorang Raja. Rashad yg berusaha mengalah karena ga mau buat konflik, eh malah Polly yg semangat mau buat Rashad ekspresikan emosinya, jadi dgn semangat memancing amarah Rashad.
September 19, 2020
Lagi mencoba readathon HQ dari LG. Sudah 2 trilogi yang menggunakan pola sama. Hero-nya ada 3, masing-masing dari Yunani, Italia dan Timur Tengah. Di series ini, fokusnya adalah heroine-nya.
Polly mendapatkan warisan sebuah cincin dan nama ayahnya. Karenanya, Polly berangkat ke sebuah negara di Timur Tengah untuk mencari tahu asal-usulnya. Ternyata cincin yang dibawanya adalah milik pusaka kerajaan. Polly pun dibawa menemui sang raja, Rashad.
Layaknya HQ pada umumnya, pertemuan antara H/H pasti ada percikan chemistry-nya. Begitu juga antara Polly dan Rashad. Karena kepercayaan kuno, Polly dianggap jodoh yang diturunkan untuk Rashad. Rashad sendiri tidak menolak menikahi Polly, meski bayangan pernikahan kembali masih menakutkan untuknya.
Polly adalah "lawan" seimbang untuk Rashad. Polly bisa membuka lapisan pertahanan Rashad sehingga sedikit demi sedikit, Rashad melepaskan keangkuhan dirinya. Di sisi lain, Polly yang meski sadar pernikahan mereka bukan atas dasar cinta, berusaha memperjuangkan pernikahan itu sendiri. Kisah yang menarik lainnya adalah misteri pencarian adik bungsu Polly (yang akan muncul di buku #3).
Polly mendapatkan warisan sebuah cincin dan nama ayahnya. Karenanya, Polly berangkat ke sebuah negara di Timur Tengah untuk mencari tahu asal-usulnya. Ternyata cincin yang dibawanya adalah milik pusaka kerajaan. Polly pun dibawa menemui sang raja, Rashad.
Layaknya HQ pada umumnya, pertemuan antara H/H pasti ada percikan chemistry-nya. Begitu juga antara Polly dan Rashad. Karena kepercayaan kuno, Polly dianggap jodoh yang diturunkan untuk Rashad. Rashad sendiri tidak menolak menikahi Polly, meski bayangan pernikahan kembali masih menakutkan untuknya.
Polly adalah "lawan" seimbang untuk Rashad. Polly bisa membuka lapisan pertahanan Rashad sehingga sedikit demi sedikit, Rashad melepaskan keangkuhan dirinya. Di sisi lain, Polly yang meski sadar pernikahan mereka bukan atas dasar cinta, berusaha memperjuangkan pernikahan itu sendiri. Kisah yang menarik lainnya adalah misteri pencarian adik bungsu Polly (yang akan muncul di buku #3).
November 13, 2021
Tertarik untuk membacanya setelah melihat sinopsisnya dan komentar orang, yang sepertinya tokoh wanitanya tidak menye - menye, lemah dengkul seperti ciri khas LG. Tiga wanita dari satu wanita dengan ayah yang berbeda. Ketika meninggal, Annabelle memberikan tiga cincin kepada ketiga putrinya yang menandakan siapa ayah mereka. Cincin itu yang membawa Polly ke kerajaan Dharia (entah dimana letaknya tetapi secara kultur mengambil banyak dari budaya timur tengah). Ternyata cincin itu milik kerajaan Dharia dan terdeteksi di bandara plus nama asli Polly di paspor adalah Dharia yang merupakan nenek buyut dari raja. Singkat cerita setelah tes DNA, Polly ternyata cucu dari penasehat kerajaan. Ayah Polly tewas ketika terjadi kudeta dua puluh lima tahun lalu dan menyelamatkan cincin itu dengan memberikannya kepada Annabelle. Berita cincin itu telah tersebar beserta legendanya sehingga rakyat menghendaki raja Rashad untuk menikahi Polly. Selanjutnya biasa saja, proses keduanya saling mengenal dan jatuh cinta. Direcokin sedikit oleh Hayat, adik ipar Rashad yang tidak rela Rashad menikah lagi.
2.5⭐
2.5⭐
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