Reviewer: Janet Davies
Title: The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride
Author: Annie West
Publisher: Harlequin Presents
ISBN: 978-0-733-57847-2
Release Date: July 2007
Genre/Sub-genre: Contemporary Romance
Year/Setting: Present Day - Q’aroum (Middle East)
Overall Rating: 3.0
Sexual Content Rating: Sensual
Language (Profanity/Slang) Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: Minimal
Annie's Website: www.annie-west.com
Belle Winters has been kidnapped and her life is in peril. The situation she is in is hopeless. Or is it? Suddenly a man dashes in and rescues her. Who is he? A pirate? A secret agent? No, he is a Prince and he has every intention of getting to know the woman he saved a whole lot better.
Rafiq al Akhrar is a Prince but also a man. He is intensely attracted to Belle and he has paid the ransom on her life with a national treasure. To his people this means one thing – love, as no one would risk a national treasure for anything less. Rafiq sets about seducing Belle into his life.
Belle is gob smacked when the Prince tells her that because he has paid the ransom she is now expected to marry him as tradition decrees. Belle isn’t about to marry anyone out of gratitude. She wants to marry for love. Is what she is feeling for the handsome Prince love or infatuation? And what of Rafiq’s feelings for her? Is this just about possession? What can come of any of this when a madman threatens their happiness?
Belle, I can only imagine, is like any woman would be who suddenly finds herself thrust into an exotic palace setting with a handsome Prince. I liked it that she was more concerned about being infatuated with the Prince and worrying about independence than falling straight into his arms. The wedding night had an interesting twist. I had not seen that coming. As for Rafiq – well he is gorgeous as you expect a desert Prince to be and the passion flows nicely between the couple. I would have liked a little more on the bad guy but then this is romance and not intrigue. I particularly like the description of the setting. I could see the desert city kingdom of Q’aroum quiet clearly in my mind.
I found The Sheikh’s Ransomed Bride in parts to be slightly unbelievable – the whole Prince saving the girl routine was a little too over the top for me. Also in parts I found the story rather stereotypical – you must marry me because I say so bit – but in saying that this is certain genre romance and every reader will form their own opinion.
The Sheikh’s Ransomed Bride is sweet romance with nice edge of passion. Readers of this genre will love it.
Janet
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