I enjoyed this romance. I received it for free and I voluntarily chose to review it. I've given it a 4.5* rating. This one has been out for a few years but one I hadn't read. Except for an overly dominant male, which also goes with his position in life, I could see him mellow a bit along the way. The heroine is trying to write a book on "Harem's", which has suposidly gone by the wayside. Lots of interesting little tidbits in this about another way of life.This is not for the under 18 readers as there is a bit of sexual content in this. ( )

The Sultan’s Harem Bride is yet another delightful book by Annie West. And it’s a given that it’s a one-sitting read; it’s just too good to put down. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Asim is the Sultan of Jazeer, with an imperial attitude and a chip on his shoulder about love. Jacqui is a journalist, with an inferiority complex the size of the Sultan’s palace. She was a victim of a terrorist bombing in which her photographer, Asim’s cousin, was killed. She feels guilty about the accident and he blames her for his cousin’s death. So it doesn’t look as if it will be love at first sight.

Their first meeting, however, is unique, to say the least. Unbeknownst to Asim, his grandmother has allowed Jacqui to stay in the palace while she writes a book about harem life. He hears screaming in the night and goes to investigate. Jacqui is having another of her nightmares – and she’s naked. He didn’t expect to find her in his palace, he sure didn’t expect her to be naked, and he also didn’t expect that he wouldn’t be able to get her out of his mind. From this point on you want to keep reading and find out what they are going to do with this obvious mutual attraction.

Their initial meetings are tense, both because of their personalities and because of the physical attraction between them. He’s stubborn and demanding and arrogant and used to having his way. She’s stubborn and quick to jump to conclusions and used to being able to convince people to see things her way. He doesn’t believe in love, she doesn’t believe she is worthy of love. But you can see the attraction is strong and it makes your heart beat faster with anticipation.

They soon begin an affair. Whew - they are wonderfully compatible, are a little surprised that they also enjoy just spending time together. He’s still convinced, though, that there is no such thing as love and that this affair, like all the others, will run its course. That makes him feel a little sad but he knows he needs to get on with the business of finding a suitable wife. She feels beautiful and wanted for the first time and realizes she doesn’t want this to end. The backstory and supporting characters add welcome depth. Asim’s grandmother is a bit of a matchmaker and works to turn Jacqui from the ugly duckling into the swan. His sister is very fragile and recovering from some bad experiences.

I couldn’t help but smile at Asim and his certainty that love wasn’t possible. He spoke such loving and tender words to Jacqui, even calling her Jacqueline, and the words were like balm on a wound to her. His head told him to keep this physical only, but his heart seemed to be taking over. Watching them circle each other and spar, and then come together, pull apart, and start over ran me through all the emotions – it was comical and sad and infuriating and hopeful and of course oh, so sexy.

This was a great read and I strongly recommend it. I’ll definitely be reading more Annie West. ( )