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Sheiks #3
The Sheikh's Reward
The beautiful Englishwoman had brought him such good luck that Sheikh Ali Ben Saleem wanted to reward her. But Frances refused his valuable gifts. All she wanted was an interview for a newspaper. Ali decided to oblige -- on one condition: She must accompany him to his kingdom....
The gorgeous sheikh seemed a caring, generous man. Until he imprisoned her with his concubines! Was Ali creating a desert fantasy to amuse Frances? Or was his marriage proposal serious?
The gorgeous sheikh seemed a caring, generous man. Until he imprisoned her with his concubines! Was Ali creating a desert fantasy to amuse Frances? Or was his marriage proposal serious?
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
5 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Gordon
691 books90 followersChristine Sparks was born in England, UK. She wanted to be a writer all her life, and began by working on a British women's magazine. As a features writer, she gained a wide variety of experience. She interviewed some of the world's most attractive and interesting men, including Warren Beatty, Richard Chamberlain, Charlton Heston, Sir Roger Moore, Sir Alec Guiness.
Single life was so enjoyable that she put marriage, and even romance, on the back burner, while she went about the world having a great time. Then, while on vacation in Venice, she met a tall, dark handsome Venetian artist, who changed all her ideas in a moment, and proposed on the second day. Three months later they were married. Her friends said a whirlwind romance would never last, but they celebrated their 25 anniversary, they are still married, still happy and in love.
After 13 years on the magazine Christine decided that it was now or never if she was ever going to write that novel. So she wrote Legacy of Fire which became a Silhouette Special Edition, followed by another, Enchantment in Venice. Then she did something crazy gave up her job. Since then she has concentrated entirely on writing romances for Mills & Boon, Harlequin and Silhouette and has written over 75 books. Her settings have been European and her heroes mainly English or Italian. Christine now claims to be an expert on one particular subject. Italian men are the most romantic in the world. They are also the best cooks.
A few years ago she and her husband returned to Venice and lived there for a couple of years. This proved the perfect base for exploring the rest of Italy, and she has given many of her books Italian settings: Venice (of course), Rome, Florence, Milan, Sicily, Tuscany. She has also used the Rhine in Germany for Song of the Lorelei, for which she won her first RITA Award, in 1991. Her second RITA came in 1998, with His Brother's Child, set in Rome.
Eventually Christine Fiorotto and her husband returned to England, where they now live. She write and he paints, they have no children, but have a cat and a dog.
Single life was so enjoyable that she put marriage, and even romance, on the back burner, while she went about the world having a great time. Then, while on vacation in Venice, she met a tall, dark handsome Venetian artist, who changed all her ideas in a moment, and proposed on the second day. Three months later they were married. Her friends said a whirlwind romance would never last, but they celebrated their 25 anniversary, they are still married, still happy and in love.
After 13 years on the magazine Christine decided that it was now or never if she was ever going to write that novel. So she wrote Legacy of Fire which became a Silhouette Special Edition, followed by another, Enchantment in Venice. Then she did something crazy gave up her job. Since then she has concentrated entirely on writing romances for Mills & Boon, Harlequin and Silhouette and has written over 75 books. Her settings have been European and her heroes mainly English or Italian. Christine now claims to be an expert on one particular subject. Italian men are the most romantic in the world. They are also the best cooks.
A few years ago she and her husband returned to Venice and lived there for a couple of years. This proved the perfect base for exploring the rest of Italy, and she has given many of her books Italian settings: Venice (of course), Rome, Florence, Milan, Sicily, Tuscany. She has also used the Rhine in Germany for Song of the Lorelei, for which she won her first RITA Award, in 1991. Her second RITA came in 1998, with His Brother's Child, set in Rome.
Eventually Christine Fiorotto and her husband returned to England, where they now live. She write and he paints, they have no children, but have a cat and a dog.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 1, 2010
This book has some crazy stuff in it. The hero kidnaps the heroine and takes her to his homeland where she is supposedly one of his concubines and he showers her with jewels and silks but keeps her captive. But the thing is, we are led to believe there really were no other women and he just pulled an elaborate ruse to mess with her - I am still not sure what was supposed to be real and what was fake - she was brought into his rooms on a freaking litter for goodness sake.
So the first part is over the top WTFery then settles down to "kidnapped woman falls for captor but wants to be set free so she can choose to return". They are supposedly in love but she wants to leave, lots of stuff about an Enhanted Garden, she comes back and they live HEA.
I am still not sure what the heck was real in this book because both the H and h kept telling lies and trying to fool the other. But they shared a great love so that was all that mattered apparently. The hero is seriously over the top for most the book, he's all "you will lay around waiting for my summons then please me in the bedroom wench. I will give you jewels and clothes but don't ask for freedom or show you have a brain." What's not to love?
The ending was a bit out there, trying to be all mystical with the Enchanted Garden of love when I think all he needed to do was apologize and grovel a bit and maybe shrink his head size a bit.
So the first part is over the top WTFery then settles down to "kidnapped woman falls for captor but wants to be set free so she can choose to return". They are supposedly in love but she wants to leave, lots of stuff about an Enhanted Garden, she comes back and they live HEA.
I am still not sure what the heck was real in this book because both the H and h kept telling lies and trying to fool the other. But they shared a great love so that was all that mattered apparently. The hero is seriously over the top for most the book, he's all "you will lay around waiting for my summons then please me in the bedroom wench. I will give you jewels and clothes but don't ask for freedom or show you have a brain." What's not to love?
The ending was a bit out there, trying to be all mystical with the Enchanted Garden of love when I think all he needed to do was apologize and grovel a bit and maybe shrink his head size a bit.
January 29, 2010
This started out a bit too Old Skool for my tastes - feisty redhead kidnapped by sheikh, for crying out loud! But it actually got rather sweet by the end, as you might expect from Lucy Gordon.
October 25, 2012
I used to like books like this 5 or 6 years ago. These type of books are fun and easy to read, has this smooth nature that doesn't require much deep contemplation concerning the story, characters, events happening etc in the book.
April 6, 2019
Too old school for me... Lucy redeems the storyline near the end... but it won't be a reread
April 20, 2019
Again, this was a typical romance, but I have to say that Ali grated on my nerves with his arrogance. An ok read.
February 1, 2020
Book opens with the journalist h trash talking the H to her colleague. She's gone to a casino to find the H and try to get info for an article about his… finances? I think she is some sort of economic paparazzi?
Anyhoo, she is observing that the women is hovering around the H like flies, and actually says that she will never succumb to such charm. During this conversation we get to know the h has a boyfriend. More on that later.
Then the H looks at her and smiles and she forgets all about the rant. She fallows him home and they have dinner and some kisses. They are then interrupted. The H is needed for something more important than snogging. The h takes offense and leaves behind his back.
Back to the supposed boyfriend (insert crickets)
We get to know nothing at this point. Usually u get some info. If they are just casually dating etc. I mention this because I want to know if she is technically cheating with the H. If she has a “real” boyfriend, that she’s living, laughing and sleeping with (I assume she dose more then make out with a boyfriend since she’s an adult woman, we don’t get to know her age) she is definitely a cheater. I couldn't stop thinking about it.
A couple of days later she is going to interview him (he doesn't know it’s her. She never told him her name.) He is first glad to see her again then angry at her deceit. He refuses to give her, a woman an interview, (her name is Frances, so he thought she was a he) some kissing and arguing. H tries to convince her to start a relationship with him. h tries to convince him that women are just as competent as men. Blah blah blah
Now the story take a stupid turn.
The H goes out of country and the h comes up with the brilliant idea to go under cover as a maid at his house. She puts an advertisement in the H’s mailbox and is hired. She wears a dark wig and is immediately unrecognizable (eye roll)
But the H got suspicious at the advertisement and catches her in the act. He is generous though and says that he will grant her an interview but she has to come with him to his desert kingdom since he has stuff to do there.
Duh duh duuuh!
You guessed it. He lockes her up in his harem. We don’t get to know if there is other women there but it is talk about her being the favorite, so we don’t know if the H really has a harem or not, which I find disconcerting.
More boring arguments, kissing and body betrayal. She does some shopping. They go to the desert. Have sex (she’s not virgin btw) Still no mention of her boyfriend.
Then a visit to a water plant. Don’t know why and didn't care at this point.
Anyhoo she ends up being kidnapped by the H’s cousin. Hero saves her (skipped that whole segment) More sex. Then they meet the H’s mother. The h finds out that the H is a philanthropist and yadda yadda. The H decides to marry her since his mother says he compromised the h and deprived her of a good marriage Presumably to the boyfriend. The h’s mother helps the h go home tho. She likes the h but thinks that the H is going about the marriage the wrong way or something. So the h goes home and ponders her relationship with the “boyfriend” he is the typical HP dull (h’s words) boyfriend or whatnot.
The H contacts the h’s newspaper and says he will allow them to make a feature on him on condition that the h writes it.
The H confronts her and they argue about why the h didn't jump at the chance to be ordered to marry a sheik. She storms out.
The H goes to the boyfriends office under the pretense that he wants to put some business his way. H praises the h’s work in his country and ensure that she hasn't been compromised. The H thinks that the h is going to marry the OM and tells him he looks forward to hearing about the marriage.
So the h is still stringing the OM along. NOT NICE HEROIN! But to be fair she also thinks she will marry him. Don’t know when he went from boyfriend to fiancée. As I said, I skimmed a lot.
The H confronts the h in her garden and say a bittersweet goodbye. Home in the desert the H is moping around when his mother says there’s a gift for him in his tent. Yep it’s the h. She is disguised so he thinks she’s some woman who’s there to “entertain” him. Don't worry tho, he isn’t even tempted until she reveals herself
The fact that he doesn't find it strange that there is a woman in his tent just strengthens my opinion that he has an “active” harem. If I remember correctly he says that she will be his only women from now on.
ILY’s and HEA
(Don’t know/remember what happened to the OM)
The good things about this book is that the h actually shows the H she is competent at her job (she discovers he is being defrauded) and the ending is pretty cute.
Anyhoo, she is observing that the women is hovering around the H like flies, and actually says that she will never succumb to such charm. During this conversation we get to know the h has a boyfriend. More on that later.
Then the H looks at her and smiles and she forgets all about the rant. She fallows him home and they have dinner and some kisses. They are then interrupted. The H is needed for something more important than snogging. The h takes offense and leaves behind his back.
Back to the supposed boyfriend (insert crickets)
We get to know nothing at this point. Usually u get some info. If they are just casually dating etc. I mention this because I want to know if she is technically cheating with the H. If she has a “real” boyfriend, that she’s living, laughing and sleeping with (I assume she dose more then make out with a boyfriend since she’s an adult woman, we don’t get to know her age) she is definitely a cheater. I couldn't stop thinking about it.
A couple of days later she is going to interview him (he doesn't know it’s her. She never told him her name.) He is first glad to see her again then angry at her deceit. He refuses to give her, a woman an interview, (her name is Frances, so he thought she was a he) some kissing and arguing. H tries to convince her to start a relationship with him. h tries to convince him that women are just as competent as men. Blah blah blah
Now the story take a stupid turn.
The H goes out of country and the h comes up with the brilliant idea to go under cover as a maid at his house. She puts an advertisement in the H’s mailbox and is hired. She wears a dark wig and is immediately unrecognizable (eye roll)
But the H got suspicious at the advertisement and catches her in the act. He is generous though and says that he will grant her an interview but she has to come with him to his desert kingdom since he has stuff to do there.
Duh duh duuuh!
You guessed it. He lockes her up in his harem. We don’t get to know if there is other women there but it is talk about her being the favorite, so we don’t know if the H really has a harem or not, which I find disconcerting.
More boring arguments, kissing and body betrayal. She does some shopping. They go to the desert. Have sex (she’s not virgin btw) Still no mention of her boyfriend.
Then a visit to a water plant. Don’t know why and didn't care at this point.
Anyhoo she ends up being kidnapped by the H’s cousin. Hero saves her (skipped that whole segment) More sex. Then they meet the H’s mother. The h finds out that the H is a philanthropist and yadda yadda. The H decides to marry her since his mother says he compromised the h and deprived her of a good marriage Presumably to the boyfriend. The h’s mother helps the h go home tho. She likes the h but thinks that the H is going about the marriage the wrong way or something. So the h goes home and ponders her relationship with the “boyfriend” he is the typical HP dull (h’s words) boyfriend or whatnot.
The H contacts the h’s newspaper and says he will allow them to make a feature on him on condition that the h writes it.
The H confronts her and they argue about why the h didn't jump at the chance to be ordered to marry a sheik. She storms out.
The H goes to the boyfriends office under the pretense that he wants to put some business his way. H praises the h’s work in his country and ensure that she hasn't been compromised. The H thinks that the h is going to marry the OM and tells him he looks forward to hearing about the marriage.
So the h is still stringing the OM along. NOT NICE HEROIN! But to be fair she also thinks she will marry him. Don’t know when he went from boyfriend to fiancée. As I said, I skimmed a lot.
The H confronts the h in her garden and say a bittersweet goodbye. Home in the desert the H is moping around when his mother says there’s a gift for him in his tent. Yep it’s the h. She is disguised so he thinks she’s some woman who’s there to “entertain” him. Don't worry tho, he isn’t even tempted until she reveals herself
The fact that he doesn't find it strange that there is a woman in his tent just strengthens my opinion that he has an “active” harem. If I remember correctly he says that she will be his only women from now on.
ILY’s and HEA
(Don’t know/remember what happened to the OM)
The good things about this book is that the h actually shows the H she is competent at her job (she discovers he is being defrauded) and the ending is pretty cute.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
own-but-wont-read-or-wallbanger
April 4, 2018The beautiful Englishwoman had brought him such good luck that Sheikh Ali Ben Saleem wanted to reward her. But Frances refused his valuable gifts. All she wanted was an interview for a newspaper. Ali decided to oblige -- on one condition: She must accompany him to his kingdom....
The gorgeous sheikh seemed a caring, generous man. Until he imprisoned her with his concubines! Was Ali creating a desert fantasy to amuse Frances? Or was his marriage proposal serious? (l
The gorgeous sheikh seemed a caring, generous man. Until he imprisoned her with his concubines! Was Ali creating a desert fantasy to amuse Frances? Or was his marriage proposal serious? (l
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews