The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride

This was a pleasant read. I liked the first half better than the second half because in the second half the heroine was a bit of a ninny. In the first half I particularly enjoyed that she managed to hide her thoughts when she was sitting there thinking how hot he was. He perceived her reactions as if she was upset about how she had been treated during her kidnapping and stressful reactions now that it was over.

The hero was a super nice guy and was never at all mean to her. He basically knew he wanted her and went after her but not right out, kind of surreptitiously in order not to scare her off.

Nice read even in a sub genre that I sometimes find hard to swallow.

In the second half of the book after she marries him, she refuses to sleep show more with him. Come on, it's the 21st century, way after the sexual revolution. They're married and they both know they're attracted. Hell get out of the way, I'll sleep with him. show less

From the very beginning, I was captivated, intrigued and on edge as this story begins with a kidnapping, a ferocious storm and two very captivating characters Rafig (ruler and monarch) and Belle, a marine archaeologist who along with her co-worker was kidnapped and held for ransom. Immediately the stage is set as Belle and Rafig are thrown together, he her protector and Belle with everything she’s been through, her strength and courage shows throughout in this desert tale.

Belle’s homeland was Australia; she and her sister were for the most part, raised by her mother. Belle is strong, beautiful, hard working and proud. She has come to Q’aroum to explore and excavate a sunken first century trading ship. She and her co-worker are show more kidnapped by Rafiq’s cousin and the ransom demanded is the “Peacock’s Eye” not only very valuable but of importance to the people of Q’aroim. For generations it has been the gift of the Sheikh to his bride and Rafiq has given it up in order to save Belle and her co-worker!

Rafiq, is lilke no other sheikh or monarch…….his character ireminds me of something out of “The Arabian Nights”. He’s handsome, intelligent, fearsome and very proud and he wants Belle……he wants her for his bride! Sparks fly off of these two characters as they both fight their attraction to each other and along the way find their way into a romance you won’t forget. A tale of East and West, two such different cultures and people who find a bond, mutual respect and love!

This is Annie West’s first "sheikh" book and I personally feel was exceptional, full of intrigue, chemistry and a wonderful love story set on a dessert isle. show less

Beautiful read. Story is definitely worth the read.