Forged in the Desert Heat by Maisey Yates: Zafar Nejem is making his way from the Bedouin camps he’s called home most of his life to the palace where he is to take over the throne of his kingdom. Tragedy struck the young prince when his parents were brutally murdered in front of him and his uncle took over as ruler. He was exiled, but now that his uncle, a tyrannical and classist Sheikh has died, Zafar has vowed to return – if only to restore Al Sabah to its former glory.
As The Gypsy Sheikh stops at a small camp to rest, he’s set upon by thieves who wish to make him an offer. They are holding American heiress Analise Christensen captive, and she just happens to be affianced to the ruler of the neighboring kingdom. Zafar has little choice but to purchase her release. If she is found in his country it could start a war – and the relations between the two countries is already tenuous at best.
Ana has no idea what prompted her to go out with her friends the day she was kidnapped, but being bartered over is just another in a string of humiliating experiences. Zafar makes no bones about his intentions. He is taking her to the palace while he can find a way to give her back without creating an international incident. He knows nothing about his temporary companion, and doesn’t wish to. However, life has never gone according to plan for Zafar – and it’s not going to start now.
Once arriving at the palace, Zafar realizes he’s not prepared to take on all the responsibilities as ruler of Al Sabah. He’s lived in the desert for many years so diplomacy and modern conventions are long-lost abilities. But not to Ana. She’s been groomed to be a hostess, and in diplomatic ways because of her betrothal to the Sheikh of Shakar. Since he has to keep her at the palace, she might as well help refine his leadership qualities.
Neither of them have any idea that in learning to interact with others they learn how to better themselves. And in helping Zafar, Ana has realizations she would have never come to on her own. She has fears she’s never confronted, and he has demons he was never willing to chase away.
I *love* Maisey’s HP books. Her heroes are Alpha, flawed, and not easily swayed – but her heroines are spunky and know how to handle the men they decide to love. Ana had hidden depths, which I was expecting, but Zafar became an entirely new man under her watch – and that was fascinating. Talk about multitasking. By the end, I was kinda hoping that there would be a twist to Ana’s connection to Tariq and her father, but it didn’t come about – and it made me feel a little sadistic. I fall in love with all of her heroes, and Zafar is no exception. Amazing story!
Book Info:
HJ Recommends
Published: December 17th 2013 by Harlequin Presents (Book 3203)
A woman that could start a war
The Gypsy Sheikh, betrayer, modern-day marauder–Zafar Nejem has been called many things. And now he is to be called Your Majesty. Returning to the throne of Al Sabah, his first act is to rescue American heiress Analise Christensen from her desert kidnappers.
Since Ana is engaged to the ruler of the neighboring kingdom, her discovery must be concealed until Zafar can explain her presence, or else he risks war. But as the sun rises over the sand dunes, so does the forbidden heat that burns between them, threatening everything…