What do you think?
Rate this book
The Howard Sisters #1
Η ΑΠΑΓΟΡΕΥΜΕΝΗ ΚΑΤΑΚΤΗΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΣΕΪΧΗ (ΜΟΙΡΑΙΟΙ ΕΡΩΤΕΣ #1) - ΧΡΥΣΟ SPECIAL 369
Δαμάζοντας ένα βασιλιά της ερήμου
Ο σουλτάνος Καντίρ αλ-Σουλαϊμάρ είναι ο πιο διαβόητος πλέιμποϊ της Ευρώπης. Όμως από τη μέρα που ενηλικιώθηκε η μέλλουσα σύζυγός του –μια πριγκίπισσα που δεν έχει συναντήσει ποτέ του– έχει ορκιστεί να μην την απατήσει.
Ωστόσο, ο αυστηρά οργανωμένος κόσμος του αναστατώνεται όταν η πιλότος Λέξι Χάουαρντ του σώζει τη ζωή. Ο Καντίρ πρέπει να σκεφτεί το καθήκον και τη χώρα του, αλλά δυσκολεύεται να μείνει μακριά από την αισθησιακή πιλότο… ειδικά τώρα που εργάζεται για εκείνον!
Η τόλμη με την οποία τον αψηφά η Λέξι είναι μάλλον… αναζωογονητική για τον Καντίρ. Και ο βασιλιάς της ερήμου μπαίνει στον πειρασμό να έχει μαζί της την τελευταία του και πιο απαγορευμένη ερωτική περιπέτεια…
Ο σουλτάνος Καντίρ αλ-Σουλαϊμάρ είναι ο πιο διαβόητος πλέιμποϊ της Ευρώπης. Όμως από τη μέρα που ενηλικιώθηκε η μέλλουσα σύζυγός του –μια πριγκίπισσα που δεν έχει συναντήσει ποτέ του– έχει ορκιστεί να μην την απατήσει.
Ωστόσο, ο αυστηρά οργανωμένος κόσμος του αναστατώνεται όταν η πιλότος Λέξι Χάουαρντ του σώζει τη ζωή. Ο Καντίρ πρέπει να σκεφτεί το καθήκον και τη χώρα του, αλλά δυσκολεύεται να μείνει μακριά από την αισθησιακή πιλότο… ειδικά τώρα που εργάζεται για εκείνον!
Η τόλμη με την οποία τον αψηφά η Λέξι είναι μάλλον… αναζωογονητική για τον Καντίρ. Και ο βασιλιάς της ερήμου μπαίνει στον πειρασμό να έχει μαζί της την τελευταία του και πιο απαγορευμένη ερωτική περιπέτεια…
160 pages, Paperback
First published May 19, 2015
28 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Chantelle Shaw
660 books158 followersI grew up without a TV, let alone DVD’s, computer games etc that my kids spend so much time engrossed in, but I learned to read at an early age and from then on I was always entertained – so much so that my friends used to hide their books when I visited them because all I wanted to do was read!
When I was a teenager I discovered Mills & Boon romances in my local library, and so began a lifelong love affair. I still remember that feeling of anticipation when I settled down with a pile of books - all bearing the famous rose logo - knowing that I would be drawn into a world of love, passion and emotional intensity that I have never found in any other books. I enjoy reading a wide range of books, especially historical novels, and I am a big fan of Agatha Christie, mainly I think because her characters seem so real, but I love romances and unashamedly admit that I only want to read books with a guaranteed happy ending. Reading is my joy and pleasure and I don’t want to cry buckets at the end of a book or have my sleep disturbed by its gruesome content.
For me, the characters in Harlequin Mills & Boon romances are the key. I love reading and writing about strong, alpha heroes and feisty, independent heroines who find that they can’t fight the blazing attraction between them.
When I married my own tall, dark, but sadly not wealthy hero, we moved out of London to the Kent coast and started a family that grew and grew. I adore my six children, and when they were small I loved being a stay-at-home mum, but there can be days, as I’m sure many of you know, when you feel isolated and – dare I say it – bored of conversing with three-year-olds. Harlequin Mills & Boon romances were my life-line and my sanity and I read them whenever I had a spare five minutes (in the bath, pacing the floor at three am with colicky baby on one shoulder and a book in the other hand!)
My imagination soared and I decided to try and write a book myself. My first attempt was typed up on a manual type-writer with the full-stop key and the letter p missing. Luckily my hero and heroine were not called Paul and Poppy, but it still meant going over my manuscript with a pen to fill in the gaps!
That first book was duly rejected as were my next two. I suppose I was disheartened and by now I had four small children and very little spare time, so although I continued to read romances, I gave up writing. It wasn’t until my youngest son started school that I tried writing again. I was struggling to come to terms with the death of my darling mum Gabrielle and writing became my therapy. Mum had always nagged me to get on and write a book and had an unshakeable belief that I would one day be published – I’m so glad that she was proved right and my biggest regret is that she isn’t here to share my success with me.
I wrote two more books which were both rejected by HM&B, but I was given some advice on my writing from the editorial team that encouraged me to try again. Third time lucky certainly applied to me – the day I received ‘the call’ was exactly four years after Mum had died. It was one of the most exciting moments of my life - but instead of chatting to the editor about contracts I had to dash off and pick my sick daughter up from school. Reality is never far away in my house!
I have now had nine books published - At the Sheikh's Bidding was released in September 08. My next book, Argentinian Playboy, Unexpected Love-Child will be out in the UK in July 09, and The Greek Billionaire's Innocent Princess in the UK in August 09. I have just had my twelfth book accepted and am already busy on my thirteenth. Now that my children are growing up I am able to write every day between 9 am and 3 pm, but often I become so involved with my characters that I sneak off to write again in the evening!
I feel I must be one of the luckiest people in the world to be doing something that I love, but I work hard at my luck and I believe that w
When I was a teenager I discovered Mills & Boon romances in my local library, and so began a lifelong love affair. I still remember that feeling of anticipation when I settled down with a pile of books - all bearing the famous rose logo - knowing that I would be drawn into a world of love, passion and emotional intensity that I have never found in any other books. I enjoy reading a wide range of books, especially historical novels, and I am a big fan of Agatha Christie, mainly I think because her characters seem so real, but I love romances and unashamedly admit that I only want to read books with a guaranteed happy ending. Reading is my joy and pleasure and I don’t want to cry buckets at the end of a book or have my sleep disturbed by its gruesome content.
For me, the characters in Harlequin Mills & Boon romances are the key. I love reading and writing about strong, alpha heroes and feisty, independent heroines who find that they can’t fight the blazing attraction between them.
When I married my own tall, dark, but sadly not wealthy hero, we moved out of London to the Kent coast and started a family that grew and grew. I adore my six children, and when they were small I loved being a stay-at-home mum, but there can be days, as I’m sure many of you know, when you feel isolated and – dare I say it – bored of conversing with three-year-olds. Harlequin Mills & Boon romances were my life-line and my sanity and I read them whenever I had a spare five minutes (in the bath, pacing the floor at three am with colicky baby on one shoulder and a book in the other hand!)
My imagination soared and I decided to try and write a book myself. My first attempt was typed up on a manual type-writer with the full-stop key and the letter p missing. Luckily my hero and heroine were not called Paul and Poppy, but it still meant going over my manuscript with a pen to fill in the gaps!
That first book was duly rejected as were my next two. I suppose I was disheartened and by now I had four small children and very little spare time, so although I continued to read romances, I gave up writing. It wasn’t until my youngest son started school that I tried writing again. I was struggling to come to terms with the death of my darling mum Gabrielle and writing became my therapy. Mum had always nagged me to get on and write a book and had an unshakeable belief that I would one day be published – I’m so glad that she was proved right and my biggest regret is that she isn’t here to share my success with me.
I wrote two more books which were both rejected by HM&B, but I was given some advice on my writing from the editorial team that encouraged me to try again. Third time lucky certainly applied to me – the day I received ‘the call’ was exactly four years after Mum had died. It was one of the most exciting moments of my life - but instead of chatting to the editor about contracts I had to dash off and pick my sick daughter up from school. Reality is never far away in my house!
I have now had nine books published - At the Sheikh's Bidding was released in September 08. My next book, Argentinian Playboy, Unexpected Love-Child will be out in the UK in July 09, and The Greek Billionaire's Innocent Princess in the UK in August 09. I have just had my twelfth book accepted and am already busy on my thirteenth. Now that my children are growing up I am able to write every day between 9 am and 3 pm, but often I become so involved with my characters that I sneak off to write again in the evening!
I feel I must be one of the luckiest people in the world to be doing something that I love, but I work hard at my luck and I believe that w
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 1, 2015
2.5 stars
Why oh Why do I keep torturing myself!!!!!!
So, still hoping for an amazing sheikh story out there for me!!!
Why oh Why do I keep torturing myself!!!!!!
I keep promising myself...this will be the last sheikh book I will read...and still I keep breaking my promise!!!! Perhaps I hope that one will come my way that I will love....but no, here's another one that failed again.....if not for the heroine, I will have given it a 1 star...but I kinda liked her...hey, she's a RAF helicopter pilot, seen action in Afghanistan...why the hell she would fall for such a twit of a hero is beyond me....I really did not feel the love between these two......all that heroism for his country....please.....give me a break!!!!
So, still hoping for an amazing sheikh story out there for me!!!
February 25, 2024
3.5 stars
Enjoyable fun read.
Sultan falls for helicopter pilot, who rescued him from the sea.
Enjoyable fun read.
Sultan falls for helicopter pilot, who rescued him from the sea.
June 21, 2015
Major plot spoilers ahead. Read at own risk
I know from the reviews on this site that it hasn't gotten the greatest reviews, but I loved it. It was really good. I thought it was awesome. I just loved it, though I didn't think I would because in the beginning it was okay and I liked but I wasn't on the love train. But as I got deeper into the story and into the psyches of the characters the more absorbed I got and the more I fell in love with this book with every turn of the page. I just thought it was really great and very well done on Chantelle Shaw's part especially the emotional roller coaster and the journey that Kadir and Lexi go on together. It was just delicious and very intense all the way through.
I know from reading the reviews on this site that most people weren't thrilled with Lexi as a Harlequin Presents heroine because for one she wasn't an innocent virgin and two because she was the sweet, gullible naïve girl that most heroines are noted for in this genre. People believed that Lexi was very gruff and too strong, but I absolutely loved her. It was nice change from the typical Presents heroine and added a whole new spin to the story. She was just so unique. I quickly fell in love with her and could understand how Kadir had fallen so deeply in love with her. I loved the blend of her character that shown both the strong side and the vulnerable side, rounding out her character nicely. I liked seeing the contrasting sides to her personality and how that played a role in her relationship with Kadir. The main reason that she had those two sides of her was because of her past. The moments of her past really shaped who she was. She was rejected and unwanted by her biological mother, who was prostitute when she got pregnant and had no idea who her father was. Her adoptive parents no longer wanted her once they had their own child Athena and treated poor Lexi as a nuisance more than anything even sending her away so they could focus on Athena. And lastly her ex fiancé, the person she finally let her guard down with and expected to get the happily ever after with him, by betraying by revealing her already had a girlfriend and a baby back at home. It caused her pain and caused her to close herself up again. She became an ice princess with a firmly etched wall in front of her. But I totally understood why and I could feel her pain of what she experienced during her traumatic past. Then with her belief that she was unwantable and unlovable made me hurt for her even more especially when she believed she was going through a similar thing with Kadir when she finally let her guard down with him. My heart broke for most of the book, and I just wanted to give her hug. I wanted her to get her happily ever after and have some happiness in her life. I teared up a few times when her vulnerable emotions were finally coming to the surface. Because of all those experiences in her life, he had to put that wall around herself to survive and not allow the hurt to touch her like it had for so much of her past. That was where the strength portion of her character came to the surface and showed how strong she truly was. I also loved that she had an unconventional job of a rescue helicopter pilot and she had been in the service. So she had been through some tough terrain and circumstances along the way, which also toughen up. I loved seeing her bad ass side. And she had one. She showed when she stood up to Kadir for the first time when they met and showed no mercy not caring for who he was. It did take her a back when she was so intensely attracted to him. She never felt that way before and that's when the vulnerable emotions came into play. I loved everything about her. She was great.
Another thing I also loved was how they met in the first place because it was so unique and different. It made it have a unique twist/spin on the whole story. Lexi was the helicopter pilot sent to rescue Kadir and his crew after his boat capsized during a major storm. Lexi battled the elements and rescued Kadir and his crew without too much difficult, but thought Kadir was a class one idiot for getting in the situation in the first place. Boy sparks fly between them when they met and she basically confronted him and told him he was idiot, not knowing who he was, a Sultan or caring that he was such an attractive man. I mean the sexual tension was immediately there and oozed off the page from that confrontation. Not only that there was friction and back and forth going on that was a little bit playful but also reflected the tension between them. I loved that. It was so sexual charged from the beginning. I didn't know how much more sexual charged it could get before it melted the pages.
Let me tell, the sexual charged didn't dissipate throughout the story and just increased in intensity whenever they were in the same room together. Heck, it was there even when they weren't together. The sexual tension was there throughout no matter what, but it was off the charts when they were together. To add the intensity was the back and forth between them throughout the book. They liked to push each other's buttons. Him in a playful way while she did it defensively and trying to keep him angry thinking that would keep him away from her. Wrong. That just challenged him more and made him want to pursue her all the more even though he knew in good conscience he shouldn't, but he couldn't help it because he wanted her so much. It was really enjoyable to watch and see their story play out. The tension was thick, but it was just enough and created this great anticipation to the story that had me dying for their first kiss.
Their first kiss was hot. I mean steaming hot. In fact all their intimate moments and sexy scenes were hot and sizzling. It upped my temperature a bit for sure. It was just all that anticipation combined with tension that just made the words melt off the pages until it finally exploded with that first kiss. At first the kiss was meant to be punishment for Lexi after having pushed him too far but soon became all about the passion that they had for one another. If Kadir hadn't pulled away when he did that would have been when they did deed. But he did pull away remembering he wasn't free to explore the attraction between them because he was promised to another in an arranged marriage his father set up for him in order to secure peace among the nations. And Kadir felt he had no option but to obey the wish of his father so he went along with despite he despearately wanted Lexi with everything that was in him. He found it hard to stay away from him and from that hot kiss I could tell their love scenes were going to be boiling hot. I knew I had to prepare myself.
But nothing really could prepare me for what was to come both on the emotional journey between the two as well as their intimate journey with their mind, body and souls. I mean I wish I could come up with another term beside sizzling, but sizzling is the only thing I could up with. Their passion broke the thermometer that's how hot there were. Again it was a combination of the suppressed tension, the anticipation, and feelings starting to get involved on both sides. Lexi tried her best to keep her guard up, but finally knew she couldn't do it anymore. She wanted to be in his arms where she felt safe and for the first time in her life she felt like she belonged all while in his arms. It was a difficult thing for her to realize and she hated showing her vulnerable side to him, but he just broke down her defenses, and passion ensued.
There were so many sexy moments in this book, and it wasn't just the lovemaking scenes either. It was all the way through. Whether it was a brush of hand or just sexy looks they were giving other. It was all there. The way it was written it was accurate betrayed and made to feel very believable. I could feel the connection between them and it wasn't necessarily sexual. It was more than that. They needed each other, and I could tell when they finally gave into their passion that it was more than just lovemaking for both of them. Just many scenes made my breath catch and the pulse to race a little higher.
Their first scene was absolutely beautiful. It was beautifully written. The setting was perfect on that secluded island at his private tent. The timing was perfect as well and made sense why after all this time denying themselves what they wanted (both for different reasons)that they finally gave into it finally. They were both in an emotional and vulnerable state, but by being together they got their strength back temporarily. Their time together was a revelation to both of them and made them realize much the other meant to the other. Just everything about that scene was spot on and right. It was tender, loving, emotional, and very sexy. Oh my goodness was it sexy. It fit really well into the story and laid everything bare for the other to see.
But despite that intimate moment between the two, things blew up and turmoil ensued afterwards with the bliss of their first time together having disappeared. This was when my heart ripped out of my chest for her because she was in such a vulnerable spot. She believed he used her and slaked his lust while she fell hard for him. Once again she felt unloved and not wanted causing all this inner turmoil for her. Her pain and emotional turmoil really touched my heart as I continued on this roller coaster with her.
All the elements of a great romance were in this story. The tension. The anticipation. The friction. The passion. The intensity. The vulnerability. And finally the emotional roller coaster of the whole ride. I loved seeing the vulnerable sides of their characters come and play. It made the story richer. It made me feel it in my own heart what the characters were going through. And more than anything it felt real and genuine this love story and the relationship. It paced wonderfully so I could see the development not only in the characters but their relationship as well. It was really nice to see all that build up. They had a bit of friendship in the beginning and just grew from there. Granted it was friendship fraught with sexual tension but it still was a friendship. It was really refreshing to see, and I loved seeing it play out on the page. The story was developed perfectly I thought. It had a perfect balance of playful moments to serious one. For small book, it packed an emotional impact not only for the characters but for me as well.
Another complaint in the reviews were that Kadir wasn't as alpha as people would have liked for a Harlequin Presents novel, but I really loved him like I loved Lexi. I thought he was the perfect match for her. Yes, he wasn't a cruel jerk that set out to beat Lexi down emotional like alphas have done in the past to their counterparts, but I don't think it would have fit his character if he did do that. He was too much of a loyal guy who grew up with a loving father and great upbringing with him. He didn't want to cause Lexi any pain and hated when he did. He felt guilty about it because he could read her so well and see her pain. It killed him. I thought that was a refreshing change from the typical Presents heroes. It certainly made him more loveable. I loved his playfulness with Lexi, but also liked seeing he had a serious side to him as well. This book showed his emotional turmoil of what he wanted (Lexi) and his loyalty and duty to his father's memory (marrying a woman that was picked for him ten years ago once she became of age). I also loved seeing his integrity. He vowed not to sleep with anyone once his bride came of his age so he wouldn't be "cheating" on her despite the fact that they never met before but he was willingly to and vowed to do so. Well, until he met Lexi that was. And when he gave in to it he still vowed to go through with his marriage even when Lexi and him were intimate. He saw how that hurt Lexi and that killed him. I really loved him as a character. Just seeing all the softer sides to him. He was beautiful and yummy. And totally rootable.
The book was pretty perfect, I thought. I might have liked to see a scene between Lexi and her parents just to see hos they actually treated her because there were moments that I thought that maybe it was just her perception on things and not actually the truth. But since there was never a meeting/confrontation between them I wasn't sure if her view was as accurate as she believed. But regardless, it was still a great story with an emotional intense roller coaster ride that I went on along with Lexi and Kadir.
Well done Chantelle Shaw and thank you for creating a satisfying, emotional story that I completely dived into and didn't want to get out of until I finally closed the book. Everything was great and pretty spot on. I fell in love with this book. It was just so good.
Can't wait to read about Athena's story coming some time later in the year. She intrigued me when I read about her as a character, and I know that is going to be an emotional intense love story as well being that she has her own issues to deal with. She needs some loving in her life. I guess Luca is the man for that job. Hopefully it will be as passionate and steamy as this one. We will see.
I know from the reviews on this site that it hasn't gotten the greatest reviews, but I loved it. It was really good. I thought it was awesome. I just loved it, though I didn't think I would because in the beginning it was okay and I liked but I wasn't on the love train. But as I got deeper into the story and into the psyches of the characters the more absorbed I got and the more I fell in love with this book with every turn of the page. I just thought it was really great and very well done on Chantelle Shaw's part especially the emotional roller coaster and the journey that Kadir and Lexi go on together. It was just delicious and very intense all the way through.
I know from reading the reviews on this site that most people weren't thrilled with Lexi as a Harlequin Presents heroine because for one she wasn't an innocent virgin and two because she was the sweet, gullible naïve girl that most heroines are noted for in this genre. People believed that Lexi was very gruff and too strong, but I absolutely loved her. It was nice change from the typical Presents heroine and added a whole new spin to the story. She was just so unique. I quickly fell in love with her and could understand how Kadir had fallen so deeply in love with her. I loved the blend of her character that shown both the strong side and the vulnerable side, rounding out her character nicely. I liked seeing the contrasting sides to her personality and how that played a role in her relationship with Kadir. The main reason that she had those two sides of her was because of her past. The moments of her past really shaped who she was. She was rejected and unwanted by her biological mother, who was prostitute when she got pregnant and had no idea who her father was. Her adoptive parents no longer wanted her once they had their own child Athena and treated poor Lexi as a nuisance more than anything even sending her away so they could focus on Athena. And lastly her ex fiancé, the person she finally let her guard down with and expected to get the happily ever after with him, by betraying by revealing her already had a girlfriend and a baby back at home. It caused her pain and caused her to close herself up again. She became an ice princess with a firmly etched wall in front of her. But I totally understood why and I could feel her pain of what she experienced during her traumatic past. Then with her belief that she was unwantable and unlovable made me hurt for her even more especially when she believed she was going through a similar thing with Kadir when she finally let her guard down with him. My heart broke for most of the book, and I just wanted to give her hug. I wanted her to get her happily ever after and have some happiness in her life. I teared up a few times when her vulnerable emotions were finally coming to the surface. Because of all those experiences in her life, he had to put that wall around herself to survive and not allow the hurt to touch her like it had for so much of her past. That was where the strength portion of her character came to the surface and showed how strong she truly was. I also loved that she had an unconventional job of a rescue helicopter pilot and she had been in the service. So she had been through some tough terrain and circumstances along the way, which also toughen up. I loved seeing her bad ass side. And she had one. She showed when she stood up to Kadir for the first time when they met and showed no mercy not caring for who he was. It did take her a back when she was so intensely attracted to him. She never felt that way before and that's when the vulnerable emotions came into play. I loved everything about her. She was great.
Another thing I also loved was how they met in the first place because it was so unique and different. It made it have a unique twist/spin on the whole story. Lexi was the helicopter pilot sent to rescue Kadir and his crew after his boat capsized during a major storm. Lexi battled the elements and rescued Kadir and his crew without too much difficult, but thought Kadir was a class one idiot for getting in the situation in the first place. Boy sparks fly between them when they met and she basically confronted him and told him he was idiot, not knowing who he was, a Sultan or caring that he was such an attractive man. I mean the sexual tension was immediately there and oozed off the page from that confrontation. Not only that there was friction and back and forth going on that was a little bit playful but also reflected the tension between them. I loved that. It was so sexual charged from the beginning. I didn't know how much more sexual charged it could get before it melted the pages.
Let me tell, the sexual charged didn't dissipate throughout the story and just increased in intensity whenever they were in the same room together. Heck, it was there even when they weren't together. The sexual tension was there throughout no matter what, but it was off the charts when they were together. To add the intensity was the back and forth between them throughout the book. They liked to push each other's buttons. Him in a playful way while she did it defensively and trying to keep him angry thinking that would keep him away from her. Wrong. That just challenged him more and made him want to pursue her all the more even though he knew in good conscience he shouldn't, but he couldn't help it because he wanted her so much. It was really enjoyable to watch and see their story play out. The tension was thick, but it was just enough and created this great anticipation to the story that had me dying for their first kiss.
Their first kiss was hot. I mean steaming hot. In fact all their intimate moments and sexy scenes were hot and sizzling. It upped my temperature a bit for sure. It was just all that anticipation combined with tension that just made the words melt off the pages until it finally exploded with that first kiss. At first the kiss was meant to be punishment for Lexi after having pushed him too far but soon became all about the passion that they had for one another. If Kadir hadn't pulled away when he did that would have been when they did deed. But he did pull away remembering he wasn't free to explore the attraction between them because he was promised to another in an arranged marriage his father set up for him in order to secure peace among the nations. And Kadir felt he had no option but to obey the wish of his father so he went along with despite he despearately wanted Lexi with everything that was in him. He found it hard to stay away from him and from that hot kiss I could tell their love scenes were going to be boiling hot. I knew I had to prepare myself.
But nothing really could prepare me for what was to come both on the emotional journey between the two as well as their intimate journey with their mind, body and souls. I mean I wish I could come up with another term beside sizzling, but sizzling is the only thing I could up with. Their passion broke the thermometer that's how hot there were. Again it was a combination of the suppressed tension, the anticipation, and feelings starting to get involved on both sides. Lexi tried her best to keep her guard up, but finally knew she couldn't do it anymore. She wanted to be in his arms where she felt safe and for the first time in her life she felt like she belonged all while in his arms. It was a difficult thing for her to realize and she hated showing her vulnerable side to him, but he just broke down her defenses, and passion ensued.
There were so many sexy moments in this book, and it wasn't just the lovemaking scenes either. It was all the way through. Whether it was a brush of hand or just sexy looks they were giving other. It was all there. The way it was written it was accurate betrayed and made to feel very believable. I could feel the connection between them and it wasn't necessarily sexual. It was more than that. They needed each other, and I could tell when they finally gave into their passion that it was more than just lovemaking for both of them. Just many scenes made my breath catch and the pulse to race a little higher.
Their first scene was absolutely beautiful. It was beautifully written. The setting was perfect on that secluded island at his private tent. The timing was perfect as well and made sense why after all this time denying themselves what they wanted (both for different reasons)that they finally gave into it finally. They were both in an emotional and vulnerable state, but by being together they got their strength back temporarily. Their time together was a revelation to both of them and made them realize much the other meant to the other. Just everything about that scene was spot on and right. It was tender, loving, emotional, and very sexy. Oh my goodness was it sexy. It fit really well into the story and laid everything bare for the other to see.
But despite that intimate moment between the two, things blew up and turmoil ensued afterwards with the bliss of their first time together having disappeared. This was when my heart ripped out of my chest for her because she was in such a vulnerable spot. She believed he used her and slaked his lust while she fell hard for him. Once again she felt unloved and not wanted causing all this inner turmoil for her. Her pain and emotional turmoil really touched my heart as I continued on this roller coaster with her.
All the elements of a great romance were in this story. The tension. The anticipation. The friction. The passion. The intensity. The vulnerability. And finally the emotional roller coaster of the whole ride. I loved seeing the vulnerable sides of their characters come and play. It made the story richer. It made me feel it in my own heart what the characters were going through. And more than anything it felt real and genuine this love story and the relationship. It paced wonderfully so I could see the development not only in the characters but their relationship as well. It was really nice to see all that build up. They had a bit of friendship in the beginning and just grew from there. Granted it was friendship fraught with sexual tension but it still was a friendship. It was really refreshing to see, and I loved seeing it play out on the page. The story was developed perfectly I thought. It had a perfect balance of playful moments to serious one. For small book, it packed an emotional impact not only for the characters but for me as well.
Another complaint in the reviews were that Kadir wasn't as alpha as people would have liked for a Harlequin Presents novel, but I really loved him like I loved Lexi. I thought he was the perfect match for her. Yes, he wasn't a cruel jerk that set out to beat Lexi down emotional like alphas have done in the past to their counterparts, but I don't think it would have fit his character if he did do that. He was too much of a loyal guy who grew up with a loving father and great upbringing with him. He didn't want to cause Lexi any pain and hated when he did. He felt guilty about it because he could read her so well and see her pain. It killed him. I thought that was a refreshing change from the typical Presents heroes. It certainly made him more loveable. I loved his playfulness with Lexi, but also liked seeing he had a serious side to him as well. This book showed his emotional turmoil of what he wanted (Lexi) and his loyalty and duty to his father's memory (marrying a woman that was picked for him ten years ago once she became of age). I also loved seeing his integrity. He vowed not to sleep with anyone once his bride came of his age so he wouldn't be "cheating" on her despite the fact that they never met before but he was willingly to and vowed to do so. Well, until he met Lexi that was. And when he gave in to it he still vowed to go through with his marriage even when Lexi and him were intimate. He saw how that hurt Lexi and that killed him. I really loved him as a character. Just seeing all the softer sides to him. He was beautiful and yummy. And totally rootable.
The book was pretty perfect, I thought. I might have liked to see a scene between Lexi and her parents just to see hos they actually treated her because there were moments that I thought that maybe it was just her perception on things and not actually the truth. But since there was never a meeting/confrontation between them I wasn't sure if her view was as accurate as she believed. But regardless, it was still a great story with an emotional intense roller coaster ride that I went on along with Lexi and Kadir.
Well done Chantelle Shaw and thank you for creating a satisfying, emotional story that I completely dived into and didn't want to get out of until I finally closed the book. Everything was great and pretty spot on. I fell in love with this book. It was just so good.
Can't wait to read about Athena's story coming some time later in the year. She intrigued me when I read about her as a character, and I know that is going to be an emotional intense love story as well being that she has her own issues to deal with. She needs some loving in her life. I guess Luca is the man for that job. Hopefully it will be as passionate and steamy as this one. We will see.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2021
In the mood for a very very light story!
This was cute and fun!
Just love that the heroine was a pilot. A soldier who fought in Afghanistan. She's amazing!
This was cute and fun!
Just love that the heroine was a pilot. A soldier who fought in Afghanistan. She's amazing!
June 6, 2015
Sheikh’s Forbidden Conquest by Chantelle Shaw was a well written romance on the forbidden romance trope.
Kadir is an amazing hero because he takes his duty seriously and cares deeply about his people. Lexi is an independent heroine whose best thing was her being a pilot! She was strong, sincere, dedicated and refreshing from the usual set of heroines.
The romance was enjoyable partly because I loved both the characters and partly because they shared an amazing chemistry.The pacing was a little off and some parts dragged or were unnecessary and therefore my attention kept wavering at some parts.
Overall, Sheikh’s Forbidden Conquest by Chantelle Shaw was a passionate and enjoyable read.
Kadir is an amazing hero because he takes his duty seriously and cares deeply about his people. Lexi is an independent heroine whose best thing was her being a pilot! She was strong, sincere, dedicated and refreshing from the usual set of heroines.
The romance was enjoyable partly because I loved both the characters and partly because they shared an amazing chemistry.The pacing was a little off and some parts dragged or were unnecessary and therefore my attention kept wavering at some parts.
Overall, Sheikh’s Forbidden Conquest by Chantelle Shaw was a passionate and enjoyable read.
June 6, 2015
When RAF rescue helicopter pilot Lexi Howard saves the crew of racing yacht in the midst of a storm, she didn't realize that she was rescuing Sultan Kadir Al Sulaimar, an award-winning racer and ruler of his own country; all Lexi thought was that she was rescuing some rich playboy who'd rather put his crew in danger than pay attention to the weather and told him so! This didn't go down too well with His Royal Highness but for a woman, this incredibly beautiful woman, to stand up to him like that so turned him around that Kadir didn't know what to do. So he hired her as his private helicopter pilot since his finacee wouldn't be allowed to travel with a male pilot. Brought into invariably close contact like that it's not too long before sparks fly between them but Kadir is intent on honoring his betrothal to a woman he's never met. What will happen when the inevitable occurs?
I don't usually like sheikh stories but this one has several different twists and turns that are intriguing. Among them is Lexi's time serving in Afghanistan for the RAF and how that affects her personality. Kadir's mother was English and he also carries an English title. It's a great beach read
I don't usually like sheikh stories but this one has several different twists and turns that are intriguing. Among them is Lexi's time serving in Afghanistan for the RAF and how that affects her personality. Kadir's mother was English and he also carries an English title. It's a great beach read
May 12, 2015
Prefer a sheikh romance to feature an uber alpha badass hero and virgin heroine(please not feisty/shrewish/promiscuous). Decided not to read due to the heroine. Not my kind of fantasy.
Read
April 26, 2020Doesn’t deserve a single ⭐️ Rude, uncouth, snappy, ill-mannered h. What was CS thinking really. And to pair this embarrassing woman with an Arabian sheikh who’s the sultan of his kingdom. Really.
November 19, 2018
AWESOME!!!
I confess I loved this one the H is kick ass and the h is kick ass too.
They both have their own issues but are irresistible to each other and this really is a case of love conquering all.
H has sunk his yacht off the coast of the UK and the h comes to rescue him in her role as a rescue pilot for the UK coastguard, prior to this she flew rescue in the RAF fr 10 years. YEP this h is a genuine kick ass h. She is independent and feisty, has a spine she earns her own money while not suffering fools. She also has a chip on her shoulder as she was adopted and her parents didn't want her once they produced a biological offspring. Once she tracked her real mum down that didn't go down well either as she is a using tart. Final nail in the coffin is a cheating ex fiance.
H is the half Arab/Half English Sultan/Earl who is betrothed to a woman he has never met in order to continue ruling his country and keeping peace. His parents split when he was 7 as his mum couldn't cope with life as a Sultana (The royal one not the dried fruit, that would be weird). He was torn between the 2 but chose his pops ultimately. (Both parents were ok though he just felt torn between them). He more of less falls in love at first sight with the h when she drags his ass out of the sea then bollocks him for his reckless behaviour. He is shocked, no one speaks to him like that but he hires her as his personal pilot and soon these 2 are in mega love/lust. They both try to be honourable he to his invisible fiancee and she is pretty angry to find out hes a cheat but after a kidnap/attempted coup they lurve is too strong and they go for it in a big way.
The H is a decent guy he goes to front up his fiancees family and break the deathbed promise to his dead dad and says he cannot marry the woman. Phew, conveniently she doesn't want to marry him either he wants to be a Dr and study so crisis/civil war dodged there.
He heads back to his woman to find her packed and ready to leave him which upsets him greatly turns our her biological mummy dearest was a ho (a literal one not figurative) and doesn't know who the daddy is - not Sultana material. H doesn't really give a rats ass but shes off anyway. He kidnaps her back to the tropical island they were taken to before and they all live happily ever after.
I love a decent h and the H was a pretty decent guy too.
I confess I loved this one the H is kick ass and the h is kick ass too.
They both have their own issues but are irresistible to each other and this really is a case of love conquering all.
H has sunk his yacht off the coast of the UK and the h comes to rescue him in her role as a rescue pilot for the UK coastguard, prior to this she flew rescue in the RAF fr 10 years. YEP this h is a genuine kick ass h. She is independent and feisty, has a spine she earns her own money while not suffering fools. She also has a chip on her shoulder as she was adopted and her parents didn't want her once they produced a biological offspring. Once she tracked her real mum down that didn't go down well either as she is a using tart. Final nail in the coffin is a cheating ex fiance.
H is the half Arab/Half English Sultan/Earl who is betrothed to a woman he has never met in order to continue ruling his country and keeping peace. His parents split when he was 7 as his mum couldn't cope with life as a Sultana (The royal one not the dried fruit, that would be weird). He was torn between the 2 but chose his pops ultimately. (Both parents were ok though he just felt torn between them). He more of less falls in love at first sight with the h when she drags his ass out of the sea then bollocks him for his reckless behaviour. He is shocked, no one speaks to him like that but he hires her as his personal pilot and soon these 2 are in mega love/lust. They both try to be honourable he to his invisible fiancee and she is pretty angry to find out hes a cheat but after a kidnap/attempted coup they lurve is too strong and they go for it in a big way.
The H is a decent guy he goes to front up his fiancees family and break the deathbed promise to his dead dad and says he cannot marry the woman. Phew, conveniently she doesn't want to marry him either he wants to be a Dr and study so crisis/civil war dodged there.
He heads back to his woman to find her packed and ready to leave him which upsets him greatly turns our her biological mummy dearest was a ho (a literal one not figurative) and doesn't know who the daddy is - not Sultana material. H doesn't really give a rats ass but shes off anyway. He kidnaps her back to the tropical island they were taken to before and they all live happily ever after.
I love a decent h and the H was a pretty decent guy too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2020
This was rather good. Excellent hero who I just found delicious!
The heroine was a little too much of a caricature - I thought the author somewhat over-egged the pudding with the triple dosage of the angst ridden back stories:-
1. The birth mother was a prostitute,
2. And won’t tell her current family about Lexie and
3. has built up credit card debt which the heroine Lexie is trying to pay off and 4. Her adopted parents decided they didn’t really want her after they gave birth to their own daughter so she feels doubly rejected and
5. Lexie was engaged to a man who already had a girlfriend and baby
I just thought that was all over the top and quite frankly her fabulous career in the RAF and service in Afghanistan showed what a strong, feisty character she was.
However, apart from all that, the romance between Lexie and Kadir and the latter’s sense of duty to his country made for an exciting and entertaining story. I think if the author had dialled back the dramas on Lexie’s side, it would have been better.
The heroine was a little too much of a caricature - I thought the author somewhat over-egged the pudding with the triple dosage of the angst ridden back stories:-
1. The birth mother was a prostitute,
2. And won’t tell her current family about Lexie and
3. has built up credit card debt which the heroine Lexie is trying to pay off and 4. Her adopted parents decided they didn’t really want her after they gave birth to their own daughter so she feels doubly rejected and
5. Lexie was engaged to a man who already had a girlfriend and baby
I just thought that was all over the top and quite frankly her fabulous career in the RAF and service in Afghanistan showed what a strong, feisty character she was.
However, apart from all that, the romance between Lexie and Kadir and the latter’s sense of duty to his country made for an exciting and entertaining story. I think if the author had dialled back the dramas on Lexie’s side, it would have been better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2023
so romantic, beautiful and fun. this was intense from the very beginning
I absolutely loved this story! I was fun, romantic, entertaining and sexy. This is a must read that will keep you turning pages.
I absolutely loved this story! I was fun, romantic, entertaining and sexy. This is a must read that will keep you turning pages.
April 1, 2023
I got introduced to the romance world reading the graphic novel of this book and went into the actual book itself eventually. I was originally just into young adult and popular fictional reads, but this was an opening to a door that has now led me to the romance reader I am.
June 15, 2019
Very enjoyable
September 30, 2019
Almost no weird racial fetish stuff, so that was great. Overall both characters were likable and the dude wasn't abusive.
Want to read
May 11, 2020perfect
June 16, 2019
Sultan Kadir Al Sulaimar may be Europe's most notorious playboy, but since his bride-to-be finally came of age, he's sworn to be faithful to the princess he's never met.
Yet when feisty helicopter pilot Lexi Howard saves his life, she turns Kadir's regimented world upside down. His first duty must be to his country, but avoiding the sensual pilot is becoming increasingly difficult…especially now that she's working for him!
Lexi's disregard for his command is somewhat…refreshing. Can the desert king resist making her his final—and most forbidden—conquest?
Yet when feisty helicopter pilot Lexi Howard saves his life, she turns Kadir's regimented world upside down. His first duty must be to his country, but avoiding the sensual pilot is becoming increasingly difficult…especially now that she's working for him!
Lexi's disregard for his command is somewhat…refreshing. Can the desert king resist making her his final—and most forbidden—conquest?
May 4, 2015
3.5 stars!
Read
January 12, 2016Miniseries: The Howard Sisters
Read
January 12, 2016Miniseries: The Howard Sisters
November 29, 2024
3,5/5.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews