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Men of the Hour
King's Ransom
Battling bride Who was the stranger living in Brianna Scott's apartment? Ahmed ben Rashid claimed to be a foreign diplomat in need of a hiding place. And though Brianna needed Ahmed's generosity to take care of her brother, she wasn't about to play housemaid to some overbearing sheikh! In such close quarters it wasn't long before Brianna discovered Ahmed had the demeanor of a king. Yet the biggest surprise was "His Majesty's" demand that she become his bride. But Brianna wasn't walking down the aisle until her royal suitor learned a much-needed lesson in love.
187 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1993
326 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Diana Palmer
1,041 books3,097 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 1, 2021
.
This was super cute. Low angst. No real OW/OM drama.
I had it in my head that Brianna was the Brianne from Lord of the Desert, but that's a different Bri. Thank goodness.
Anyways, this Brianna has a glaring daggers kind of hate relationship with Ahmed, a visiting dignitary from Saudi Mahara (made up middle east country). He's super spoiled and gives new meaning to the word arrogant. For the first 30% it was entertaining to despise him along with Brianna.
They are forced to live together while he is hidden from assassins in her humble apartment. The plot has a LOT of holes in it, but just go with it as it's pretty fun watching them circle each other. She has a solid spine for a 22 year old. Not sure how old Ahmed is but I figure at least 30.
There's an MU that didn't last as long as i feared it would. Phew!
AND there's a great little epilogue.
Safety good.
This was super cute. Low angst. No real OW/OM drama.
I had it in my head that Brianna was the Brianne from Lord of the Desert, but that's a different Bri. Thank goodness.
Anyways, this Brianna has a glaring daggers kind of hate relationship with Ahmed, a visiting dignitary from Saudi Mahara (made up middle east country). He's super spoiled and gives new meaning to the word arrogant. For the first 30% it was entertaining to despise him along with Brianna.
They are forced to live together while he is hidden from assassins in her humble apartment. The plot has a LOT of holes in it, but just go with it as it's pretty fun watching them circle each other. She has a solid spine for a 22 year old. Not sure how old Ahmed is but I figure at least 30.
There's an MU that didn't last as long as i feared it would. Phew!
AND there's a great little epilogue.
Safety good.
March 17, 2017
Enjoyed it!
Brianna lives a quiet life, taking care of her brother Tad who's been in a coma for three years, after the same accident that took her parents life.
After Ahmed the "sheikh" of Saudi Mahara is put in her house in protective custody, her life is disrupted.
Ahmed is actually the king and ends her life and house in upheaval. Slowly sweet chemistry blooms with mustache tickling and boob rubbing love scenes.
Classic DP plots with a virgin and an alpha- but this time around he was just pompous and not a jerk.
Very adorable love story with well written side characters. Really enjoyed reading it. Mild angst and HEA.
Safe
4.25/5
Brianna lives a quiet life, taking care of her brother Tad who's been in a coma for three years, after the same accident that took her parents life.
After Ahmed the "sheikh" of Saudi Mahara is put in her house in protective custody, her life is disrupted.
Ahmed is actually the king and ends her life and house in upheaval. Slowly sweet chemistry blooms with mustache tickling and boob rubbing love scenes.
Classic DP plots with a virgin and an alpha- but this time around he was just pompous and not a jerk.
Very adorable love story with well written side characters. Really enjoyed reading it. Mild angst and HEA.
Safe
4.25/5
June 4, 2016
So adorable, so sweet! Loving characters and great chemistry! Another heartwarming love story with the cutest epilogue by my favorite author.
November 16, 2013
I'm in love! For a second I thought this book's going to be so sweet like young adult's love hate relationship, yet I can feel Diana Palmer signature story. Very good!
I like Ahmed, but I still can't picture his mustache. I kind a wish he had soft and smooth face. LOL! ;)
I like Ahmed, but I still can't picture his mustache. I kind a wish he had soft and smooth face. LOL! ;)
July 20, 2021
I liked this one pretty good even though I don’t normally like the royal themed books. I also didn’t like that he seemed to speak more French than Arabic and he’s from the Middle East.
November 14, 2021
If you like fairy tales….this one is for you. I know that many of the romances are hardly real, but this really was of epic fairy tale variety.
Basically, the h Brianna takes in Ahmed who works for a king of some Arab country. He needs a place to hide out as he and his king are targets for assassination attempts. The h and H do not get along. He comes off as a king himself and she is barely scraping by. She only takes him in because her young brother has been in a coma the last 3 years and money is running out. For putting up with his royal(not royal) maybe royal ass, she will be well compensated. Fireworks ensue as they put the H up in the h’s little 2 bedroom apartment. He tries to take over her bedroom, her closet, and orders take out of expensive food.(since he is in hiding, this is a big no no) They are under constant security, if it can be filmed or bugged, it is. Of course being in such close quarters the love bug hits them, not that either of them would admit it. Then her brother Tad comes out of the coma. They have to get a bigger place. Even though Tad has been in a coma for 3 years, he seems to bounce back right quick. He and the H both like science. He figures out pretty quick that the H is not his cousin from way down yonder, and that the apartment is being monitored on a regular basis(so if the 11 year old kid can make the agents, I am sure terrorists hell bent on assassinations will have no difficulty either. The h overhears the H on the phone begging to get placed elsewhere. The h is hurt by this. Then she finds out by Lang(he is in the next story) that the H is eager to get back to his country and get married. Well, the h decides it is time to pull back from the H and play it cool. The H notices that she is distancing herself from him. Finally, they have their moment of truth and the hero asks the H to marry him(while agents listen to all their sexy secrets) The h agrees. They settle in, still waiting for the arrest of the terrorists and eventually get their day when the apartment is shot up. The H tells the h he must leave for his country, but he will be back for her. He doesn’t call her for several weeks and she sees him on the news. She figures that he has moved on, so she decides she must as well. Then 3 weeks later, he shows up at her door. He professes to still love her and he insists that Tad and her come live with him in his country. They will have a huge wedding, because he is a big deal. They come together on their wedding night. Then there are 2 unofficial mini epilogues.
In the immortal words of Olivia Newton John from the classic movie Xanadu:
You have to believe we are magic
Nothin' can stand in our way
You have to believe we are magic
Don't let your aim ever stray
Oh the memories…..
Basically, the h Brianna takes in Ahmed who works for a king of some Arab country. He needs a place to hide out as he and his king are targets for assassination attempts. The h and H do not get along. He comes off as a king himself and she is barely scraping by. She only takes him in because her young brother has been in a coma the last 3 years and money is running out. For putting up with his royal(not royal) maybe royal ass, she will be well compensated. Fireworks ensue as they put the H up in the h’s little 2 bedroom apartment. He tries to take over her bedroom, her closet, and orders take out of expensive food.(since he is in hiding, this is a big no no) They are under constant security, if it can be filmed or bugged, it is. Of course being in such close quarters the love bug hits them, not that either of them would admit it. Then her brother Tad comes out of the coma. They have to get a bigger place. Even though Tad has been in a coma for 3 years, he seems to bounce back right quick. He and the H both like science. He figures out pretty quick that the H is not his cousin from way down yonder, and that the apartment is being monitored on a regular basis(so if the 11 year old kid can make the agents, I am sure terrorists hell bent on assassinations will have no difficulty either. The h overhears the H on the phone begging to get placed elsewhere. The h is hurt by this. Then she finds out by Lang(he is in the next story) that the H is eager to get back to his country and get married. Well, the h decides it is time to pull back from the H and play it cool. The H notices that she is distancing herself from him. Finally, they have their moment of truth and the hero asks the H to marry him(while agents listen to all their sexy secrets) The h agrees. They settle in, still waiting for the arrest of the terrorists and eventually get their day when the apartment is shot up. The H tells the h he must leave for his country, but he will be back for her. He doesn’t call her for several weeks and she sees him on the news. She figures that he has moved on, so she decides she must as well. Then 3 weeks later, he shows up at her door. He professes to still love her and he insists that Tad and her come live with him in his country. They will have a huge wedding, because he is a big deal. They come together on their wedding night. Then there are 2 unofficial mini epilogues.
In the immortal words of Olivia Newton John from the classic movie Xanadu:
You have to believe we are magic
Nothin' can stand in our way
You have to believe we are magic
Don't let your aim ever stray
Oh the memories…..
May 19, 2020
Fast, fun read
This was a light read after several nonfiction books and a lengthy British house history and it felt so good! Orphaned good girl caring for her twelve-year-old comatose brother is asked to shelter an Arab cabinet minister who is believed to be the target of a terrorist attack. They cannot stand each other at first; she is provincial, he is arrogant. Gradually they develop a grudging respect for each other as they spend more time together. Eventually sparks fly between them although a basic untruth could be uncovered at any time. I am glad I took the time to read this even if it is not memorable.
This was a light read after several nonfiction books and a lengthy British house history and it felt so good! Orphaned good girl caring for her twelve-year-old comatose brother is asked to shelter an Arab cabinet minister who is believed to be the target of a terrorist attack. They cannot stand each other at first; she is provincial, he is arrogant. Gradually they develop a grudging respect for each other as they spend more time together. Eventually sparks fly between them although a basic untruth could be uncovered at any time. I am glad I took the time to read this even if it is not memorable.
January 24, 2022
Briana and
One of my favourite books by Diana Palmer. Briana is sweet but strong, taking care of her little brother that has been in a coma after a car accident that took their parents life. The last thing she except is to be forced to live with the arrogant, spoiled and ill-tempered Ahmed. Despite their immediate dislike from one another, sparks flight between them. Great plot, likeable characters and red hot romance. Great epilogue. Highly recommended.
One of my favourite books by Diana Palmer. Briana is sweet but strong, taking care of her little brother that has been in a coma after a car accident that took their parents life. The last thing she except is to be forced to live with the arrogant, spoiled and ill-tempered Ahmed. Despite their immediate dislike from one another, sparks flight between them. Great plot, likeable characters and red hot romance. Great epilogue. Highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2025
4 Stars
I purchased a copy of King’s Ransom: Men of the Hour Book 2 by Diana Palmer. And this review was given freely.
An enemy-to-lovers combined with a fairytale ending.
Political intrigue and deception, the CIA, and a king disguised as a statesman lead to Ryker Air employee, Briana Scott, and her sacrifices to provide care for her 12-year-old brother Tad, who has been in a coma for three years, a different kind of sacrifice with a fairytale ending.
18+ for steamy scenes.
I purchased a copy of King’s Ransom: Men of the Hour Book 2 by Diana Palmer. And this review was given freely.
An enemy-to-lovers combined with a fairytale ending.
Political intrigue and deception, the CIA, and a king disguised as a statesman lead to Ryker Air employee, Briana Scott, and her sacrifices to provide care for her 12-year-old brother Tad, who has been in a coma for three years, a different kind of sacrifice with a fairytale ending.
18+ for steamy scenes.
August 17, 2019
Read this in 1993 or 1994 story of Ahmed and Brianna
Still a good story of a very young woman and an Arab king in disguise as he is forced to stay with her while the CI A looks for the assassination team which is after Ahmed. They meet fall in love while at her apartment disguised as a Mexican laborer.
Still a good story of a very young woman and an Arab king in disguise as he is forced to stay with her while the CI A looks for the assassination team which is after Ahmed. They meet fall in love while at her apartment disguised as a Mexican laborer.
February 7, 2018
I liked the story and the characters. Fast reading and good story line. Brianne and Ahmed are two opposites that definitely attracted. He a King she an office worker with a 12 year old brother, who is in a coma.
September 19, 2023
At first, H and h hated each other so much that they couldn't stay at the same room. And H was so arrogant although he had every right to be so considering his background, I still thought he was too spoiled. However, they got closer day by day and fell in love.
May 22, 2017
a Diana Palmer fairy tale
September 16, 2017
Почти да повярваш в Пепеляшка... как само един гаден жабок се превръща в мечтан принц, а и медицинското чудо с Тад. Но е по-добра от предишната. С една идейка.
November 21, 2017
Sheer Enjoyment
Lights ,action,cameras. There's plenty of thrills and suspense,but there's also a whole lot of laughter.And let's not forget the romance.A really good read.
Lights ,action,cameras. There's plenty of thrills and suspense,but there's also a whole lot of laughter.And let's not forget the romance.A really good read.
March 23, 2018
Wonderful story
The author never ceases to amaze me. A beautiful story filled with drama, action, and romance. I couldn’t put it down!
The author never ceases to amaze me. A beautiful story filled with drama, action, and romance. I couldn’t put it down!
March 1, 2019
Loved
This book is full of mischief and Suspense. The chemistry between these two are magnetic. I Highly Recommend this for over 18 due to content.
This book is full of mischief and Suspense. The chemistry between these two are magnetic. I Highly Recommend this for over 18 due to content.
April 23, 2019
Kings ransom
The book is wonderful the only thing that could improve it would be to put it in audio form.April Goodman
The book is wonderful the only thing that could improve it would be to put it in audio form.April Goodman
April 5, 2020
I am a long time fan of Diana Palmer. Her books are like eating candy..I can enjoy a little at a time but most likely will sit down and enjoy it all at one time..
October 4, 2022
Interesting premise.
December 15, 2023
Wonderful, Odd Couple style romance with one of the slightly immature/spoiled heroes that I weirdly enjoy. Some good old fashioned DP style steam here too.
September 2, 2024
Vintage romance. Quick read. Not much angst.
March 4, 2025
Loved it!!
January 9, 2021
I think this book is just ok. While i like her other works, I can tell this book was written in a different time and it just doesn’t draw me in. The thought I keep having is, it just didn’t age well.
March 16, 2017
Brianna and Ahmed's story. It was just ok.
March 12, 2017
Loved this book! Ever since Ahmed met Brianna in another of Ms Palmer's books called Night of Love
, I have been hoping she would write this book. It is everything I would expect from one of her books. I highly recommend this book!!
, I have been hoping she would write this book. It is everything I would expect from one of her books. I highly recommend this book!!
September 2, 2021
I am a huge Diana Palmer geek, thanks to my mom, so when I came across Ahmed and Brianna's interaction in Night of Love, I had to read their story. I was not disappointed. Ahmed starts off being a jerk in a suit as he believes he's entitled to everything because of his position, and Brianna keeps her head high, and fights with him, even though he's living in her apartment under protective guard. (Someone is trying to kill him) What I really enjoyed most about the whole story was the way the characters were set up, and how well their love was portrayed, as it grew slowly, or semi-slowly, and Ahmed turned from being a jerk to a caring, attentive man, who didn't want to see her hurt. It was after he realizes how much he cares, that you realize he has been putting up a front this whole time, and he truly is a caring man, instead of a jerk. I try not to spoil, but if you read Diana's books, everything is pretty much a given. I will say that I wish their story could have been longer, and we could have seen more interaction between them. In the end, if you just want a warm and cozy romance, this book is the ticket. Perfect with a cup of coffee and a warm blanket or a glass of lemonade and sitting in the sun.
March 19, 2017
I remember reading this back in the 90s, and though dated, King's Ransom is still quite sweet. Brianna and Ahmed aren't very developed as characters, but they are likable and their chemistry is nice. I'm probably more sympathetic now to Brianna's frustration (as an adult with bills to pay) with Ahmed's entitled attitude. I was still amused by Lang (a secondary character) and will probably check out Kobo so that I can reread his book now.
February 13, 2020
Good, old romance for a bad weather day.
Although, for today's readers this should come with a little warning. ;) The heroine is the typical young, naive woman Diana Palmer portrays in all of her books. Besides painfully naive, compared to today's standards, DP's heroines are also always virgins, who know nothing about sex - only that you should practice it (incl. kissing !) after marriage.
With that being said...have fun and keep in mind this was written a long time ago.
Although, for today's readers this should come with a little warning. ;) The heroine is the typical young, naive woman Diana Palmer portrays in all of her books. Besides painfully naive, compared to today's standards, DP's heroines are also always virgins, who know nothing about sex - only that you should practice it (incl. kissing !) after marriage.
With that being said...have fun and keep in mind this was written a long time ago.
July 27, 2010
So So... Cowonya rupanya Raja toh, pantas mau menang sendiri....
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews