This is the most intelligent and non-cheesy Sheik romance that you're ever likely to find. Set around 1800, it's the story of Princess Tess of a fictional Balkan country who marries Galen Sheik of a desert tribe. The marriage takes place pretty early in the book, so this may count as a marriage-of-convenience plot if that's your thing (or not). Tess is no unwilling victim - she's given the chance to exert some control over her life and future and she goes for it. Galen has his own schemes but finds himself falling for his wife.

The wonderful hero and heroine set this romance apart from many others. Galen is hot-tempered and just plain hot. He feels his "barbaric" blood keenly and controls himself rigidly. You get the impression of a volcano trying to keep itself from exploding. Alpha and sexy, he's also very protective towards Tess. He finds he desires her a lot more than he thought he would. He waits though until she's ready for the marital bed and (great hero!) doesn't even look at another woman in the meantime.

Tess is a strong and vibrant young woman, overflowing with vitality and enthusiasm but never dumb. A virgin but thankfully no prude or shrinking violet in the bedchamber. She shows her bravery and quick wits when the villain abducts Galen's sister. She actually has a sound plan and her playacting is delicious. Of course the hero still saves her in the nick of time. This is a romance after all :-)

The sexual tension is very strong leading up to the consummation. Actual sex scenes are rather few and not particularly graphic after the first. The story was so engrossing though, I really didn't miss them much. What I liked best was that the hero and heroine were actually heroic. They both rise above their times, and in the hero's case his inner "barbarian". Galen has a purpose - to unite the warring tribes into 1 law-abiding country. Tess aims to improve the lot of women in the new country. Galen refuses to whip her when she goes too far and he's expected to punish her. He finds another way to make her scream ;-) Ah we should all be "punished" so!