Customer Reviews

The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride (Harlequin Presents)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I absolutely loved this book. It is one where you find yourself giving a wistful sigh as you finish it.

Hero: the exotic "buccanner" described Prince Rafiq. Heroine: Belle, a fiercely independent & feisty career-oriented woman with an archaeological group, doing work in Prince Rafiq's arab kingdom.

Storyline: Belle is kidnapped along with a male co-worker, as part of a political up-rising attempt. They are brutalized and left for dead on a spit of an island. Rafiq rescues her, but not until after she shows her fighting spirit, and he greatly respects & admires her from the beginning. Wait until you read the sexual chemistry these two have for each other---ooh, la-la! Unique situations really make the story sizzle. I don't think I'll be forgetting the beach storyline anytime soon.

Both Belle & Rafiq respect each other highly throughout the entire story, and this was so refreshing & wonderful to read. Rafiq is not only described as a sexy dreamboat, he acts like one, too. *swoon* lol; he is definitely on my Top-10 Best Harlequin Heroes list.

Another reviewer mentioned the peacock jewelry, and it is part of the story to understand that this little arab country is a new democracy with the country's people still believing many years of traditions & firm cultural beliefs; so they would have considered it a sign of political weakness for their prince to give in to the terrorists and relinquish the sacred jewels unless it was to save his beloved, so after experiencing the kind of terror Prince Rafiq's enemy creates first-hand, Belle makes a conscious choice to help the people in this nation by going along with their traditional beliefs until the terrorists are caught; otherwise they would continue their bombing raids. Essentially, Belle is helping Rafiq buy time for finding the terrorists.

Belle is never, ever wimpy. She is a heroine that makes women cheer for her bravery. If you ever yelled at a tv or movie screen whenever a wimpy woman stood back & let her guy almost get killed instead of joining in the fight--this book is for you, because Annie West created a wonderful heroine for us.

Annie West writes so beautifully, with rich descriptions of events, people, places & things--to the point where one can easily imagine themselves transported to this beautiful place. I could tell you more of the story but that would ruin it for you...and I hate to do that. Ms. West writes almost poetically, her descriptions of things are often so evocatively beautiful.

So, bottom line: the hero & heroine both talk to & treat each other with great respect & caring, even when they don't say the "L" word yet. The chemistry between these two are sizzling, and anticipation makes the yearning these 2 characters have for each other all the sweeter. I hope no one passes up this book.

I'm definitely reading more Annie West books!

Annie West proves once again just what an exciting talent she is. The very first page of THE SHEIKH'S RANSOMED BRIDE is explosive, reminiscent of a Harlequin Intrigue. Kidnapped Belle Winters is dealing with not only an incoming cyclone but an injured colleague, Duncan, whose life is in her manacled hands. As their shelter collapses around them, a fearsome, powerful-looking man snatches Belle and Duncan from certain death. But is he a captor or a rescuer?

He's actually Prince Rafiq of Q'aroum, a desert kingdom, and he's paid a ransom to protect Belle and his tiny, otherwise peaceful, nation. If the ransom were paid in cash, Belle would no doubt be on her way home, shaken but grateful to be alive. However, Rafiq sacrificed the precious Peacock's Eye, a bejewelled heirloom normally bestowed by the royal sheikh to his bride. And so, Belle is now expected to show her gratitude by marrying the sheikh.

I fell in love with West's rich, layered characters and exotic location. Until I read this book, I never imagined picnicking in a desert could be so desirable. (It helps to have an advance party set up the royal marquee set up before you arrive...) All the way through, West sustains the emotional intensity between Belle and Rafiq, pitching this book into the "unputdownable" category for me. A very satisfying read.

This book is fantastic, Annie West's best so far. The characters have such reality and emotional depth and the love story is just breathtaking. Even if you're not into sheikhs, give this one a go. It's a great story and I bet you won't be able to put it down. I sure couldn't! Sexy, passionate, compelling, vivid. What a winner! Thank you, Ms West. Can't wait for the next one!

This is a very exciting & interesting story line. I couldn't read fast enough to find out what's going to happen next, & then I feel sad that I finished it so quick. The story has so many twists & turns, actions & the `hot' love scenes are added bonuses. This is such a well thought & well written story. The author has described how the hero & heroine gradually fall in love, how they wanted to protect each other from harm ways, very endearing. I just love reading it and I am going to read it again, slower this time.

Belle Winters and her colleague are kidnapped by rebels while visiting Q'aroum. Left to die in a broken down shack, they are rescued and ransomed by an unlikely savior. Belle is taken to his palace not knowing the price she is expected to pay. When Belle offers to pay the man back, she is informed of the expected payment. He wants her as his wife, in every way. Can she do as he asks and still keep her heart intact? What happens when she finds out that Rafiq is not pretending when he acts as if he cares for her? Can she walk away and return to her life as a marine archaeologist?

Sheikh Rafiq Kamil Ibn Makram al Akhtar, Sovereign Price of Q'aroum rescues Belle only to find out that she is all that he's ever desired in a woman and more. She's tough and caring, but how will she react when he informs her that she is to become his wife in every sense of the word? When Belle is wounded by a bullet that was intended for him, he realizes he cannot live without her and will do everything possible to keep her by his side. Can he convince Belle that he truly loves her and would do anything for her?

With THE SHEIKH'S RANSOMED BRIDE being Annie West's first foray into writing about Sheikh's, she did one heck of a job. I could not put the book down and even had to read it a second time. Belle and Rafiq are two characters who learn to give each other what is needed without sacrificing anything. I have to say that this book tops my list of favorites in the Sheikh's category. Of course I have always fantasized about a Sheikh kidnapping me. *deep dreamy sigh* Granted, I know it will never happen, but as long as authors like Annie West write so wonderfully about Sheikh's, I will continue to read and dream.

Reviewer for Romance Junkies

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 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.

the best read ever if only there were more men in the world like rafiq gorgeous sensual and virile how happy we would be

Great romance - I LOVED this book. I've read hundreds and hundreds of romance novels and this one is up there with the very best of them.

Like another reviewer remarked, this book starts well but goes rapidly downhill. The heroine does not demonstrate any of the courage and determination that got her through the first chapter or two anywhere else in the book. She's whiny, passive, and frankly, annoying. The hero is amazing and completely wasted on her. I hope Ms. West will recycle Rafiq w/ a better book and a more interesting heroine.

You have two kidnapped foreigners and held on a boat.
You have two rescuers on an inflatable that holds three.
Naturally a 24-hours cyclone is approaching, so there is no time to safely make two trips.

And that is the great ploy used to have our hero and heroins stuck together for 24 hours. Maybe the rescuers did not know, one might argue. But they did: "It's not often we have kidnappings in Q'aroum. Much less the abduction of two foreign nationals," and yet a three-boat people is chosen. This kind of stupidity makes me lose respect for the male lead in the story. What good is a beautiful man without brains? For heaven's sake! You go on a rescue missing, check the weather channel and get a suitable boat, you don't have it? Then buy it, rent it, steal it! Could not keep reading.