Book Description
A delightful, well-written, and vastly informative ethnographic study, this is an account of Fernea's two-year stay in a tiny rural village in Iraq, where she assumed the dress and sheltered life of a harem woman.
Customer Reviews:
An amazing piece of work.......2007-05-17
I have never in my life come across a book that has captured me in the way this book has. It's amazing in every sense of the word. The difference between the Middle Eastern world and the world where Elizabeth came from is great. It's definitely the most honest book. The stereo types that people carry with them every day, the assumption that you know a group of people when in reality you never know how different someone might be, and how that can change your life in many wonderful ways. It's definitely educational, informational, and just plain entertaining to read. I have read this book over and over again. I lost it, and I had to buy it again, so that I can...(guess what) read it again!! :)
Timely book.......2007-03-09
Even though this book was written in the last mid-century Iraq, the reader comes away with the feeling that it could have been written today, or 2 centuries ago. It's descriptions of the isolation of Iraqi villages, resistance to change, and brief insights into Iraqi politics makes it a book that should be read by those working to rebuild Iraq, those heading to Iraq, and those interested in why Iraq's move to democracy is so difficult.
Review of Guests of the Sheik.......2007-01-17
This book was very useful as an ethnography for the presentation needed for my daughters college cultural anthropology class. It was well written and offered a wonderful insight into the lives of a people we knew very little about. The professor appreciated the donation of the book to her library for students to use in the future.
A time capsule.......2006-04-02
I have always loved this book - I took Robert Fernea's class at UT in 1973 and this was the textbook. Actually, I did not do so well in the class and I discovered this book after I left college, but it is so well written I read it over and over.
Part of the reason I read it over and over is because I have always been interested in the Middle East, Egypt in particular,and I thought this book was a fascinating peek into domestic life in the ME which really hasn't changed much in 4000 years.
At the time EWF wrote this book the tribal government was still in power in Iraq - it was before the revolution in 1958 that put Saddam Hussein and the Baathits in power. That time was probably idillic compared to Saddam time or even now. Although I think we are trying to give the Iraqis a chance at self governance.
Anyway, I thing one of the big things BJ left out of this book is the female cirumcision issue - I know she must have known about it yet she did not mention it anywhere. She did allude to "honor
killings" when she took her friend with her in a sunset ride with men not related to her friend. She was worried that Laila would be "drowned in the canal" to save the families honor.
I think this is unacceptable in this day and age. Elizabeth should write a new introduction to her book that addresses these issues.
That said, Guest of the Shiek is a beautifully written book, but not indicative of the truth in Iraq at all on any level today.
A Great Ethnography.......2006-01-14
The Guests of the Sheik is a great ethnography about a newly wed American couple who visit a small Iraqi village called El Nahra, and the American couple's encounters with a third world country. While adapting to the new custom's like the clothing, the Arabic language, the Muslim religion, the celebrations, and getting along with the people. The story was mainly centered around Elizabeth Fernea (the wife) because she does not know the culture well unlike her husband Bob (the husband) who is an anthropologist.
While alot of events are taking place in El Nahra, Elizabeth is has it rough with the women in El Nahra. The women of El Nahra would insult her by saying she is flat chested, insult Elizabeth's religion (Christianity),they made fun of Americans by saying they stop having sex at an early age, making fun of non-polygamy couples in United States and etc. So as the book goes on you have to decide if Elizabeth is breaking away from her prejidism or not. Anyways, there's a lot more drama and details within the book and I highly recommend The Guests of the Sheik especially if you're interested in other cultures.
Customer Reviews:
Worth Reading .......2007-08-15
I liked this mainly because it was so different.
Not set in Scotland (lol) and not a western or pirate book. LOL
That leaves arab romance. Keep in mind the sexist ways of the shieks (harams and all that).
This book was good because it was so different. Worth reading if you like Connie Mason you'll know what to expect. They start right off. I mean RIGHT off.
A whole lot of sex and not enough depth.......2007-08-03
A great book if you want a novel filled with sex and heat, but I found the characters lacking in emotional depth and richness. The book spent a lot of time running around the desert and in bed, but not enough time developing the people in the story. I got no sence of who Jamal was, what makes him tick.
It will not live on my bookshelf, but it was worth the price of the purchase.
Sheik.......2006-08-30
Sex, sex, and more sex. How two people fall in love without ever having a conversation is beyond me. The sex scenes were very steamy but that was about all that ever occured between Jamal and Zara. A little more dialogue would have been nice.
was a good read for me.......2006-02-12
I love this book as soon as I started this book I could not put it down. The description she used was wonderful, it has everything to deciet, to fights and a chase to find his love and great Connie Mason love scenes. This was a good an entertainting book...
If you like Connie Mason you'll love this book I don't know about a first timer they always try to leave a bad review when reading a Connie Mason novel for the first time
Almost 4 stars.......2005-08-31
This was a very predictable piece of erotic fluff. But really,who reads romance for the action? The love scenes were very very steamy and well written. The only fault I found was how I knew what was going to happen next. It is a plot that's been used many times before, but one I enjoy reading.
If not for the forseeable story line, this would be one of my favorites. I will definitely try Connie Mason again.
Book Description
Shuck the Sheiks contains the facts about ethanol that the oil companies don't want you to know. Corn ethanol is currently blended in thirty percent of the gasoline sold in the United States, but it continues to be attacked in the press and in media coverage. Typical arguments include: “it costs more to produce than it is worth” or “it is only affordable because of tax subsidies.” Both of these messages are wrong!
The oil companies marketing departments want you to believe such statements. Unfortunately, most of us do. In Shuck the Sheiks, author Andrew Zacharias shows the positive net energy balance of ethanol and the subsidies that oil receives from our tax dollars, making ethanol subsidies look like a pittance.
Learn more about the positive environmental effects of ethanol, the economic benefit of producing domestic ethanol as opposed to foreign oil, and the amount of money the United States spends defending our oil supply with our military in the Middle East. The cost of importing foreign oil is too great for America, and every barrel that can be replaced will loosen the oil-noose from around our necks.
Customer Reviews:
An interesting take on an important question.......2006-12-17
Some of the criticisms made elsewhere may apply, but the bottom line is that this book is a quick read on an important topic that I cannot help but recommend. The author sounds like quite a character--I would like to meet him, have a beer and discuss the world.
Critical Review.......2006-05-04
This book was lacking in content. The author does not provide a clear researched critique of the economics and technologies. The book is filled with a lot of white space and meaningless quotes having nothing to do with the energy woes of the US. Ethanol is certainly one of the many solutions, but should not be touted as the answer to rid ourselves of foreign oil imports.
A passionate look at ethanol & alternative energy but needs to be expanded.......2006-03-18
Let's start with the positive first:
* A good basic introduction to oil (i.e. how it is used & where it comes from).
* Lots of data on why ethanol is more beneficial than gasoline.
* The author is passionate about solving America's energy crisis.
Now let's look at what needs to be improved:
* Extremely short book with lots of white space (only 110 pages long excluding the glossary and only about 70 pages long when you exclude all of the white space) and too many quotes from people like Julius Caesar.
* Looks like a college thesis paper.
* Lacks details regarding the actual production process for ethanol (some people would love to know how corn is actually converted into ethanol).
* Covers some important topics (such as cellulosic ethanol) with less than a sentence.
* Lacks the human touch.
Note to author - Next time, please add some stories about the people involved in this sector (such as the farmer, the ethanol plant manager, the E85 gas station attendant & the die-hard ethanol consumer). These people are leading the charge to reduce our dependence on foreign oil & improve the environment. They are sure to have many fascinating stories (and the addition of these tales would make your book more entertaining & informative).
Recommendation - Three stars. Good topic, lots of passion & data but book needs to be expanded (too many subjects get only minimal coverage).
Ethanol was good for Brazil........2006-02-20
Here in Brazil, in 1975, the so called Proalcool(pro-ethanol in English) was lauched by our honest military government.Our left fight against it, all times, using money pumped by Iran's aiatollahs and even Saddam Hussein's US dollars..After all,just 9 years later, in 1984, ethanol was responsable for more than 20% of fuel volume, used here in Brazil.
In 1975, more than 82% of fuel used in Brazil was imported.In 1985, just 32% of brazilian liquid fuel was imported.Today, about ZERO% of liquid fuel used in Brazil, is imported.
This book is good, but has failures.One of then is te fact that it doesn't tell nothing about the possiblity of using the "trash" from the production of ethanol as another source of fuel.If you have hydrogen, you could produce far more energy, from sugar cane (and corn), than with normal tecnology.
To exemple, when you produce ethanol, you also produces CO2.If you have hydrogen, than you could transform it in a source of fuel.The process is this:
C6H12O6(sugar)------->2(C2H6O)[ethanol] + 2 CO2.
CO2 + 4H2(hydrogen) -->CH4(methan) + 2H2O(water) + energy.
In the waste from sugar cane(and corn) there's more energy than in ethanol itself.This waste can be transformed in hight quality diesel, by Fisher-Tropsch process.
A fine book........2006-01-03
While reading this book, I was surprised at my own ignorance as regards ethanol. I fancy myself to have some knowledge about alternative energy, but somehow ethanol is not as sexy as solar, wind power or even biodiesel. This despite the fact that it is produced by American farmers, and it turns out that in San Diego, I burn some in my car every day. This is the point of the book: ethanol is environmentally sound, produced in the US, and we can use it in the cars we already own. American ethanol can reduce our dependence on foreign oil. It can happen now.
The book is light and fast paced, punctuated by quotations and anecdotes, as well as reference citations for those interested in learning more detail. I read it in one rainy afternoon. The author does a fine job in avoiding shrillness and the "blame game", and except for a clear distaste for Middle Eastern wars, the tone is remarkably apolitical and upbeat. Although oil companies seem to have some responsibility for slowing the nationwide adoption of ethanol blends, Zacharias wonders why they do not try to get more good publicity out of the fact that these companies already mix a lot of ethanol into gasoline. He points out that American car makers are not enemies of ethanol, but already sell "flex fuel" cars capable of running on 85% ethanol, and that these cars (I was surprised!) are actually on the road in the Midwest. He wonders why such cars are not more widely available. Living in California where gas has been nosing around $3 a gallon, I wondered this too. These points lend credence to his main premise - if we as a people want to use more ethanol in our cars, we can do it now - there are no structural or technological barriers. I did disagree with some of his points on foreign trade - he discusses Brazil and the fact that they have to a large degree supplanted petroleum with ethanol for their domestic use, but then states that importing Brazilian ethanol would be a bad idea. No doubt this follows from his desire that America be energy independent. However, I would rather buy ethanol from Brazil than oil from the Sauds. Also, any country capable of growing a fermentable crop could in theory become an ethanol exporter. Ethanol could become a stable and salable export crop for third world countries, and by importing ethanol we could use our energy dollars to encourage allies and progressive states.
The point of this book is a call to action on the individual level. The real mystery to me is why this has not already happened. We eat dolphin-free tuna and use recycled paper products because of public interest in these issues. Why are "green" groups like the Sierra Club not rabid advocates of ethanol? Why is ethanol not a popular cause? Perhaps it is just ignorance. Ignorance can be cured. This book worked for me.
Customer Reviews:
Another Incredible Susan Mallery Desert Rogue Story.......2006-03-07
Lianna Archer and her daughter landed in El Bahar looking forward to their new life and home. Lianna's looking forward to her new job as teacher at one of the schools, getting away from bad memories and saving some money for the future. However, just as they're ready to disembark, a band of men board, among them Crown Prince Malik Khan. This handsome prince spies Lianna and decides he wants this pretty teacher and daughter to stay with him at the Royal palace. He will not take "no" for an answer and whisks them away. The sexual attraction between them was so strong it was frightening. It's a constant battle between them for her to stay in the palace. However, Lianna demands to move to her own quarters the school provided for them.
Days later, the Prince arrives to extend an invitation that Lianna join him in the desert to attend a dinner with a nomad tribe. She is requested to dress appropriately so as not to offend the tribesmen. Little does she know that a marriage ceremony between them has been planned, he requests she stay overnight in the desert and she agrees. The next morning when she finds out they are married, she goes ballistic.
So many questions, she's attracted, can she trust her heart, and can she trust her daughter and her heart to this Crown Prince? What so moved me was Malik's story, his childhood, his first marriage, his inability to trust and feel and when he finally realizes what's it's all about, well it's tender, sweet and a great love story with a Cinderella ending.
From Back Cover.......2005-02-23
LIANA AND THE KING.
Single mom Liana Archer had read her share of romance novels featuring dashing, passionate sheiks. Still, she was astonished when sinfully handsome Malik Khan, Crown Prince of exotic El Bahar, hijacked her and her little girl off an airliner and into his lavish palace. Why would the sexy desert prince want a passably pretty schoolteacher from San Bernadino? Dazed, breathless and mesmerized with desire, Liana quickly became Malik's royal bride. But dare she entrust her daughter--or her heart--to a man who would give them anything but his love? Or might a caring American mother and child finally move this proud, imperious monarch and make his kingdom complete?
Third in the Desert Rogues series
Worth the reading time!.......2003-03-26
The Crowned Prince see's the new teacher for the American School and her daughter get off the plane and decides then and there that he wants her. So he takes her home and settles her into the palace and a romance insues that Lana (our young single mother) isn't all that sure she wants. Malik our strong, stiff-uper-lip type crowned prince is more than willing to give the woman he wants anything she wants but his heart. Unfortunately, she only wants his heart, for her all the rest of the royal trappings is just frosting on the cake. This is the concluding book in a wonderfull little trillogy by Ms. Mallery, and it is Definately worth the reading time!!
How many sheiks does the Middle East have?.......2002-11-06
Back Cover description: LIANA AND THE KING. Single mom Liana Archer had read her share of romance novels featuring dashing, passionate sheiks. Still, she was astonished when sinfully handsome Malik Khan, Crown Prince of exotic El Bahar, hijacked her and her little girl off an airliner and into his lavish palace. Why would the sexy desert prince want a passably pretty schoolteacher from San Bernadino? Dazed, breathless and mesmerized with desire, Liana quickly became Malik's royal bride. But dare she entrust her daughter--or her heart--to a man who would give them anything but his love? Or might a caring American mother and child finally move this proud, imperious monarch and make his kingdom complete?
This was an OK ending to the Desert Rogues brothers series. It just wasn't a great story. This teacher is going to be in this country for two years and it feels like she doesn't have a clue about the country. Also, I agree with some of the other reviewers about how different Malik is in this book than in the other two books. And, what's with these perfect children these heroines always have? If this kid was any better behaved, she'd be a saint.
Another great one!.......2002-07-24
Susan Mallery did it again. I loved this book and contrary to earlier reviews, I thought the sex scences were hot!
Book Description
Three bold, irresistible men. Three brand-new romances by today's top authors . . . Summer never seemed hotter!
"The Sheik's Virgin" by Susan Mallery
He was the brazen stranger who had made it his mission to chaperone innocent, beautiful Phoebe Carson around his native land. But what would Phoebe do when she discovered her suitor was none other than Prince Nasri Mazin -- and he had seduction on his mind?
"Sheikh of Ice" by Alexandra Sellers
She came in search of adventure -- and discovered passion in the arms of tall, dark and handsome Hadi al Hajar. But once Kate Drummond succumbed to Hadi's powerful touch, would she succeed in taming his hard heart?
"Kismet" by Fiona Brand
A star-crossed love affair and a stormy night combined to bring Lily Abernathy into Sheik Kalil Xavier Al Jahir's world. Now, as she took cover in her rugged rescuer's home, Lily wondered if it was her destiny to fall in love with the mesmerizing sheik . . .
Customer Reviews:
Three Great Stories.......2006-04-16
I liked these three stories a lot and would have given them 5 stars except for the fact I think the short stories don't allow for that relationship growth that really draws you into a good story.
Susan Mallery's The Shiek's Virgin is the first in the series. An innocent young woman following her late aunt's wishes to travel to her home country meets and falls in love with a handsome native only to find out that he's the crown Prince.
Next is Alexandra Sellers Sheikh of Ice-If you liked her Sons of the Desert series you will enjoy this short story. Kate is in the Barkat Emirates on business to check out the possibilities of her agency endorsing it as a vacation spot for their exclusive clientele. She is assigned Cup Champion Hadi as her guide. Although she doesn't know until later in the story that he is a cup champion she recognizes from the beginning that he is meant for something bigger than a tour guide. Hadi has had a bad experience with love and has hardened his heart to that emotion. He cannot hide his attraction for Kate even though he vows that he will only offer his body not love. She vows not to give into sex without the needed emotion. These two have clashing personalities that creates a lot of chemistry, but once again the story is a little too short to do it proper justice.
The third story and my favorite of the three is Kismet by Fiona Brand. The story opens 800 years ago with the death of Kalil the husband and love of Laure during the Crusades. Laure is devasted by his death and even more so the fact she never got to tell him she loved him. Back in future we realize that descendant Laine is dreaming about this after finding long lost family relics (a dagger and brooch). She is cleaning out her late aunt's house on an the island that her aunt has recently sold to a sheik. She doesn't know the sheik, but is attracted to his handsome aide even though she's only seen him a time or two. Laine is 32 years old, divorced and a librarian who dresses in plain clothes and lives a lonely life alone. Laine cuts her hand on the dagger then gets stuck in her aunt's house because of a cyclone. Her hand gets infected and she passes out to find the roof being torn off in the storm. The sheik's aide busts into the house and rescues her taking her to the sheiks fortress where he takes care of her. We find out that the aide is really the sheik and he lost his wife over five years ago to cancer and hasn't been attracted to a woman since, until he met Laine. We also find out that he has had flashbacks since his childhood to the Crusades and it is believed he is the first Kalil reincarnated. During delirium, Laine calls to him in Arabic and French and he realizes she is the reincarnated love of his life Laure. When she recovers they have sex and he tells her he will marry her if she is pregnant. When she finds out he is the sheik, she flees convinced he doesn't really want her. Of course, he follows and convinces her otherwise.
This was a pretty good series although I would have rather them been full length stories.
LOVED IT !.......2006-01-26
I love this book and all 3 stories but LADIES you have to have to have to read the last one, its breathtaking, romantic and sweet its the i can't put into words because its that good story, it gave me goose bumps just reading that story...
I think you should buy this book its a keeper i know i said all three are good but when you read the last story you guys will know why its soooooo romantic....
The Sheik's Virgin.......2005-11-29
A very sweet story of an innocent young girl who arrives on the beautiful Island of Lucia-Serratt. She finds the beautiful, handsome Prince Mazin who takes her breath away. He agrees to show her arround the island and their mutual attraction soars out of control.
Later Phoebe learns that the Prince is a Prince and that he has four sons. She also learns about desire and attraction and takes her relationship with Mazin to the next level.
Even though this is a short story, one of three in the Sheiks of Summer, it was just another example of Susan Mallery's incredible writing skill.
A collection of very romantic stories!.......2003-03-26
Each one of these stories is worth the reading time, and the price off the book!! This is one of the better trilogys of by multiple authors that I have read in a long time! I personally greatly enjoyed this book, and i think anyone who enjoy's ether romance stories or Susan Mallery in general will find this a great read!!! Thats all I can say without giving away the plots of the stories, just get a hold of a copy for yourself and I'm sure you'll agree!
Fiona Brand is the reason to buy this!!.......2002-10-26
I bought this book, too, to read Kismet. I'd read an excerpt on the Intimte Moments Board and I was hooked. It is simply brilliant. Kismet should have been its own book, it is so powerful. I can't see why the previous reviewer is raving about Ms Sellers' story to be honest. I would have given this anthology a 5 based on Ms Brand's story alone, because the other two drag this anthology down. Good stories - but Kismet surpasses them.
Average customer rating:
- Insighs to growing up in Somalia
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When a Hyena Laughs: A Somalian Novel
Abdi Abdulkadir Sheik-Abdi
Manufacturer: Doctor Leisure
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 British | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | 18th Century | 19th Century | 20th Century | Classics | Contemporary | General | Historical | Humor | Letters & Correspondence | Middle | Old | Poetry | Renaissance | Shakespeare | Short Stories
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0963880268 |
Book Description
A Somalian Novel
Customer Reviews:
Insighs to growing up in Somalia.......1999-01-01
When the Hyena Laughs is a novel about a young boy growing up in Somalia. It depicts the goings on of daily life. You learn what it means to grow up in Somalia. Not surprisingly it is a bit different than any life one could imagine within the United States. As the young boy grows, so does his facination and desire to go to the city.
I recommend this book to anyone who is genuinely interested in how other people live in a cultural experience different from our own. I suspect the author draws strongly form his own personal experiences. Sheik Abdi does a masterful job of conveying the places and times of his story.
A must read from one of the finest Somalian authors I have had the pleasure of meeting.
Customer Reviews:
Bashful or brazen? Passion in the desert........2005-11-07
The Sheik's Arranged Marriage is the second book in the Desert Rogue series by Susan Mallery and is Prince Jamal's and Heidi McKinley's story. Heidi is a long time friend of the family as her grandfather and King Givon were friends. Now the King and his mother feel that Prince Jamal needs to marry and of course, they have chosen Heidi, the virginal and studious plain Jane to be his bride.
Prince Jamal is the middle son, has a love of history, and his country and is extremely handsome, is a prince in more ways than one and known to be a ladies man like his brother Kahlil. He had a former disastrous marriage to Yasmine who was no longer alive and he did not believe in love. However, he is honor bound to his father and country to marry and produce heirs. So he agrees to marry Heidi.
After they wed, Heidi announces that she cannot be a wife in the true sense and that she is a virgin. However, as their relationship progresses Heidi decides she has deeper feelings for Jamal and so with the help of his family she becomes "Honey" and disguises her looks and becomes a "hot" sexual kitten. Jamal sees through her act but decides to go along with her plan and is intrigued by his new wife. When Heidi learns that Jamal has been wise to her little game, she is heart broken and ashamed. However, Heidi finally learns that she could have won her husband by just being herself and that he already loved her not his deceased ex-wife.
This is just another great story by Susan Mallery. The scenes where Heidi becomes Honey are fun and endearing. This is a wonderful addition to the Desert Rogue series.
Book Summary:
Man-shy American Heidi McKinley winces when the king himself insists she marry - and make heirs with - his sinfully sexy royal son! For Prince Jamal was a legendary lover, an expert on erotic intrigue. Whatever would he see in serious-minded Heidi?
Plenty! Up to his crown in gold-digging bubbleheads, Jamal is secretly enchanted with the sweet and studious virgin. So why was homespun Heidi donning silken disguises and posing as siren "Honey Martin" to seduce him? And how could Jamal hope to choose between a bold, brazen "mistress" and a bashful, blushing bride?
The Sheiks Arranged Marriage.......2000-05-10
I enjoyed this book, but I thought her first book of the series "The Sheiks Kidnapped Bride" was much better. I thought the premise of the arranged marriage and the heroine disgusing herself a little weak. However, I do love this family and the exotic setting. I laughed outloud at the family's antics.
Customer Reviews:
Whatever! Characters rushed into bed; had no relationship outside of it.......2007-01-05
From the back cover:
Royal willpowers...
Swept away by the passionate Prince Khalil Khan, Dora Nelson reveled in her new fairy-tale life as Princess of El Bahar. But once she learned that the love and affection Khalil had showered her with was a sham, she refused to bend to his will. For he'd tricked her, and she couldn't forgive him...
But she also couldn't stop loving him. More than anything else, Dora wanted a happy home and an adoring husband. Still, when Dora's feistiness met Khalil's arrogance, sparks flew. And unless Dora and Khalil agreed to meet halfway, this fiery marriage threatened to consume them both!
And my review:
I thought that this book started off well. Good atmosphere, good character sketches (especially of the heroine), and an interesting exotic feel without being over-the-top.
But the romance was so rushed. The character had barely interacted on anything other than a professional level when the hero enters the heroine's hotel room and they start having sex. Seriously, that abruptly...no believable buildup to it, no kisses or longing looks...just from a work relationship of subordinate and boss to twisting the sheets in two seconds flat. And given the fact that the heroine had just hung up the phone after being horrendously insulted by her awful ex-fiance (which the hero knew, because he was listening in), I really felt like he was just taking advantage of her vulnerability to get laid. Not exactly heroic behavior.
There relationship was based on nothing but out-of-control libidos. I felt rather cheated. Yes, physical chemistry is important, but it can't be everything in a relationship, or it will never last. I need something more real to be satisfied, and to cheer a couple on.
And what's all this about "meeting halfway"? More like the heroine just folded and gave the hero pretty much everything he wanted. The way she gave in to him made her come across as weak. I had a hard time believing that a man with such a strong personality would be satisfied with Dora for very long. Or that she would be happy being submissive to him for the rest of her life.
I guess I'm in the minority, but I can't recommend THE SHEIK'S KIDNAPPED BRIDE, not unless you like stories where the love is nothing but lust, and the heroine too weak to properly exert herself.
From Back Cover.......2006-01-08
Swept away by the passionate Prince Khalil Khan, Dora Nelson reveled in her new fairy-tale life as princess of El Bahar. But once she learned that the love and affection Khalil had showered her with were a sham, she refused to bend to his will. For he'd tricked her, and she couldn't forgive him....
But she also couldn't stop loving him. More than anything else, Dora wanted a happy home and an adoring husband. Still, when Dora's feistiness met Khalil's arrogance, sparks flew. And unless Dora and Khalil agreed to meet halfway, this fiery marriage threatened to consume them both!
1st in The Desert Sons series
A Battle of Wills Set in the Desert - Passionate and Fun.......2005-09-20
A lonely and scared Dora stranded in her wedding gown at an airport with no money, coat or personal belongings? What's a girl to do? Enter handsome, sexy and powerful Prince Kahlil Khan of El Bahar to the rescue. What a great start for the Desert Rogues series by Susan Mallery.
Dora Nelson had never known love nor had ever felt she belonged. She now has a chance to succeed as a personal PA to Prince Khalil. Little does she realize that she will grow not only to respect him but also fall in love? Little does the prince know that he will come to depend upon Dora not only as his PA but also to help him get out of an ugly situation, an arranged marriage to one of his countryman.....a personal family friend with loose morals and unsuitable as a wife of a crown prince. Khalil tricks Dora into marriage and when she finds out this fact, she can't forgive him. Khalil takes Dora back to El Bahar where a stand-off begins in their marriage. Dora is allowed to work with the Western businessman to liaise with them and El Bahar while she struggles with her love for her husband.
Susan Mallery has gotten off to a great start with this book, the first in her Desert Rogues series. I enjoyed the humor Susan brought to her story and the depth of passion that was shown. Her use of dialogue is interesting and intriguing as she weaves this very romantic tale set in the desert
Loved it!.......2002-07-24
Susan Mallery always has a great story in store but I think this is one of her best. I loved Dora's growing confidence throughout the story. Great story!
Great Desert Romance.......2000-06-27
The Sheik's Kidnapped Bride is sensational. I really enjoyed reading this book. I was absolutely in love with the character of Prince Khalil Khan of El Bahar.
Plain Dora Nelson finds herself abandoned on a private air strip in Kansas wearing her wedding gown. She has no identification, money, or clothes. She asks a stranger if she can bum a ride on his jet and meets Prince Khalil.
Prince Khalil is frustrated with his business trip to the States and would like to throttle his temporary assistant, Bambi. When a crying woman approaches him and asks for a ride he behaves as a knight in shining armor and allows Dora to board his plane. Dora becomes his assistant and shortly thereafter his wife.
Dora and Khalil are wonderfully written characters. Susan Mallery does a wonderful job of creating an exciting Arabian romance. The Sheik's Kidnapped Bride is definitely a book I will read again and again.
Customer Reviews:
Passion and Promise in the desert.......2005-11-29
Little does Emma Kennedy realize that she is still married to Prince Reyhan of Bahania and that years ago her parents kept her away from the handsome Prince. So when she is approached by the State Department and asked to travel to Bahania per the request of the King, she's stunned.
Prince Reyhan, he's closed his heart but upon seeing Emma, he longs for what might have been but is determined not to let things get out of hand.
As this story unfolds, they learn that Emma's parents tried to keep them apart. What doesn't help matters is that the King insists that they spend a few weeks together to reacquaint them selves with each other. If matters can't get any worse, Emma's protective parents arrive in Bahania and try to discourage Emma from seeing Reyhan.
Can this couple find their way back to each other? Susan Mallery tells their love story in such a way that it will melt and pull at your heart. This proud Prince will fall to his knees over the beautiful Emma. This is just another wonderful story and addition to Susan's Desert Rogue Series.
Back Cover Book Summary:
Emma Kennedy is working as a nurse in Dallas when two men await her at her apartment one day to inform her that the king of Bahania has requested that she travel to his country. At first she is puzzled, but when she realizes that his son, Prince Reyhan, is behind the reason, she literally faints when she sees him again after six years.
During their college days, the two married in a ceremony in the Caribbean. But had it been a real ceremony? Emma always thought it had been for "pretend", especially when he abruptly left her soon after their honeymoon. But the marriage is real, and the two are still very much husband and wife. Upon discovering this secret, the king orders Reyhan to spend two weeks with his wife before he is willing to grant a royal annulment so that his son can follow through with his wish to have an arranged marriage.
The two have no choice but get reacquainted with each other...and isn't the paradise of Bahania the perfect place to fall in love all over again?
From Back Cover.......2005-04-02
"I'M WHAT...?"
No, not pregnant, thank heavens. Emma would have known that. But married? Well, if the man standing before her - the very love of her college life - was to be believed, she was. And suddenly he was claiming to be a desert prince, too. Sure, they'd had a 'pretend' ceremony and honeymoon in the Caribbean. But it was pretend, wasn't it?
Prince Reyhan claimed his father, the king, had decided it was time for him to marry. There was just one little glitch - Reyhan was already married. So, the king ordered Reyhan's wife - Emma - to a two-week trip to paradise before he would grant a royal annulment. But wasn't paradise the perfect place for love?
7th in the Desert Rogues series
Three Stars.......2004-04-19
Emma Kennedy returns home to find men from the State Department in her apartment with an invitation from the King of Bahania to spend two weeks in his country where Emma learns that the guy she met during college was in fact Prince Reyhan and that they were married and had been for six years. Reyhan had to 'fess up to the marriage when his father started hinting that he marries.
The King has decided to meet Emma and after the two weeks he'll grant them a divorce. Reyhan can't wait for the two weeks to go by so he won't have to admitt that he loves Emma.
For six years Emma had no idea she was married she though the 'ceremony' was fake.
I gave it three stars because I liked the idea of not knowing she was married to a prince for six years and how the King's obviously trying to play the matchmaker.
It was fustrating how her parents had known she was married and decided not to tell her because they didn't think she was old enough. Her parents were so irritating that you kept waiting for Emma to rip into them for making decisions for her that they had no right to do. They claimed they weren't sure whether the marriage license Emma showed them was real or not. Her parents were so irritating that you just wanted to strangle them. Just when you thought Emma was finally going to stand up to them it fizzled away. Which I thought was a blot against her own charactor. I kept waiting for her backbone to grow in which never happened.
Reyhan was irritating on his high horse not wanting to be weak
because he loved Emma but was (like her parents) trying to make all the decisions for her that you keep waiting for her to stand up to him but once again fizzled.
Since I didn't read the books before this it I was a little out of the loop with the other charactors. The supposely bad dudes didn't come off being as terrifying as they should of. I would of liked the kidnapping to of last a little longer so that it would of added to Reyhan's worry and fear for the woman he loved leading to him to realize he loves her and can't live without her.
I also would of liked that when he's wounded and it just him and Emma to of lasted longer to add more to the reconcilation and romance.
Customer Reviews:
BORING.......2006-07-17
I have liked all the books in the Desert Rogues series until now. This book was so boring I went to the end after the third chapter, just to get it over with. I have read the next book in the series already and loved it. NOT this one though. The only reason to read this one at all is if you insist on reading them in order.
Temptation, love and lust in the desert sun!.......2005-11-29
In the Sheik and the Runaway Princess, you are introduced to Rafe Stryker who is in charge of security for the City of Thieves and an honorary sheik. Rafe is a "closed" man, who is strong, sexy and independent. In this story, Rafe has been assigned to the King of Bahania, King Hassen.
Zara and her foster-sister Cleo have one mission and that's to find out if Zara's father is in fact the King of Bahania. So the girls travel to Bahania to do a little investigating. Upon their arrival and tour of the Pink Palace, they literally "bump" into Rafe who later finds out their reason for being at the palace.
Rafe finds Zara sweet, soft and interesting. He also feels protective of her due to her vulnerability to the situation. The King puts Rafe in charge of Zara when he finds out that she is the daughter he never new existed.
Is Zara ready to become a Princess? Can Rafe fight his attractions for the sweet Zara? Theirs is a love story not to be missed. The way Susan Mallery tells their story is just plain wonderful. I also enjoyed how she described the difference between the sisters, Cleo and her also new found sister, Princess Sabrina. A very enjoyable addition to Susan's Desert Rogue series.
Book Summary:
When prim professor Zara Paxton ventures to distant Bahania, she wants only to find the father she'd never known. But her father turns out to be King Hassan of Bahania. The desert king promptly put his "princess" under the protection of a muscular, mesmerizing Sheik, who sets Zara's sense aflame, yet he refuses to quench the fire!
Steely security liaison Rafe Stryker scorns lasting love. But before he knows it, the bespectacled brunette sneaks into his heart, making him throb with the urge to taste her sweetness. Clearly, innocent Princess Zara wanted to be his woman, but taking her was tantamount to treason. Rafe knows the consequences, but even he can stand so much temptation.
Guess what!! Your a Princess!!.......2003-03-26
While on tour in the middle east a young woman finds the family she's always wanted...Only problem is, its a royal family!! Guiding the way for our newest princess is a fellow American who just happens to be a handsome Sheik with no family of his own and his only loyalty is to her royal family. The second book in Ms. Mallery's second middle eastern series this book introduces us once again to a royal family with growing pains, yet one that is rediscovering the love of man and woman and of family. Very much worth the read if you enjoy Ms. Mallery's writing, or if you just like a good story, you'll feel right at home.
A safe and simmering romance.............2003-03-13
The Sheik and the Virgin Princess may not be all the hot and sizzingly style of Mallery that readers have grown to love, but it definately carries all the heat of her monarch romances in the continuation of The Dessert Rogues series.
Princess Zara and Rafe Stryker bring their contemporary personalities to this tale of age-old classical love.
As Zara struggles to find her place among her new and diverse family, she manages to fall in love with the one person who doesn't want the princess' love......Rafe. Who is secretly fighting a losing battle to wrap the innocent temptress in his arms, and show her what all the fuss about making love is about.
The Sheik and The Virgin Princess, is a safe and soothing read, with tons of lovable characters that you'll definately hope to see more of.
Family found.......2002-11-22
Back Cover description: She was seeking roots and relatives-not royalty! When prim professor Zara Paxton ventured to distant Bahania, she wanted only to find the father she'd never known. But Dad proved to be a desert king--and he promptly put his "princess" under the protection of a muscular, mesmerizing sheik who set Zara's virginal senses aflame...yet refused to quench the fire! Bedding a virgin princess would mean his beheading! Steely security liaison Rafe Stryker scorned lasting love. So how did one bespectacled brunette sneak into his heart and make him throb with the urge to taste her sweetness? Clearly, innocent Princess Zara wanted to be his woman. But taking her was tantamount to treason. Still, even a sheik could only stand so much temptation...
Fun read if you can suspend disbelief that any of this would even happen. This book is part of the author's Desert Rogues series. It moves along and the characters are OK. The princes personalities are not that developed, but they are probably waiting for their own stories.
Books:
- Hidden Truth: Forbidden Knowledge
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- How Could You Do This to Me?
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