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Secret Sheikh, Secret Baby
Sheikh Surgeon, Pregnant Midwife!
Hot-shot surgeon Karim Zaraq is prince of a desert kingdom. Karim knows he must find a wife and produce an heir, but this playboy will have one final fling before royal duty beckons...
Pretty midwife Felicity Anderson had no idea who Karim really is, but her one night with sexy surgeon has turned her world upside down - she's pregnant!
With Felicity carrying the kingdom's hopes, Karim must marry her. But Felicity won't say 'I do' unless he can prove it's for love.
Hot-shot surgeon Karim Zaraq is prince of a desert kingdom. Karim knows he must find a wife and produce an heir, but this playboy will have one final fling before royal duty beckons...
Pretty midwife Felicity Anderson had no idea who Karim really is, but her one night with sexy surgeon has turned her world upside down - she's pregnant!
With Felicity carrying the kingdom's hopes, Karim must marry her. But Felicity won't say 'I do' unless he can prove it's for love.
284 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Carol Marinelli
1,490 books459 followersCarol Marinelli was born in England to Scottish parents, then emigrated to Australia, where there are loads of Scottish and English people who did exactly the same, so she’s very at home there.
She lives in the outer suburbs of Melbourne—pretty much in her car, driving her three children to their various commitments.
Carol writes for the Harlequin Presents and Medical lines and she also writes contemporary women's fiction (with a dark twist).
When she's not writing she's reading, when she's not reading she's writing.
She lives in the outer suburbs of Melbourne—pretty much in her car, driving her three children to their various commitments.
Carol writes for the Harlequin Presents and Medical lines and she also writes contemporary women's fiction (with a dark twist).
When she's not writing she's reading, when she's not reading she's writing.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 6, 2019
You never know what you’re going to get with a Harlequin Medical – or with Carol Marinelli for that matter.
So here’s what we get from this story:
A Sheikh hero – third from the crown – who is also a surgeon – and a complete pig – unrepentant pig, I might add – when the story opens. He’s just dumped his mistress. Hero is a serial monogamist and “loves sex and pleasuring women” but sometimes he’d prefer his mistress to cut to the chase and give him oral sex and no talking. He wants more variety before he settles down to marriage.
Virgin heroine is a midwife who has come to London to learn about high-paying nursing jobs in the Sheikh’s country. She needs the money because her father was an alcoholic who ran up debt, her mother is an anxiety-ridden mess and can’t work, and her younger sister is in expensive treatment for an eating disorder. Oh, and heroine is frigid – even after a year of therapy, having her hymen surgically removed and an increasingly impatient boyfriend who ended up dumping her.
The H/h see each other at the career fair, but bond later when they help a mother and infant in a car accident. They both get caught in the rain. Hero offers the heroine a room for the night at his hotel. He can’t decide if her wariness is an act or not. He decides he’d like to have sex with her that night, but if she doesn’t come through in three hours (total – that includes the time it takes to eat dinner) he’ll send for his other booty call.
They have a lovely dinner. Hero puts the moves on the heroine who panics and goes to her room alone. Hero is angry, but he doesn’t send for his booty call. He pleasures himself thinking of the heroine (what a romantic).
The next morning he confronts the heroine who breaks down and tells all (hero pulls the I’m a doctor card. LOL.) He then offers her sexual healing when he’s done with phone calls. He makes a big deal about using condoms.*
Heroine has an orgasm – several in fact. She’s cured. By lunchtime it’s all over. Hero has been called back to his country. Daddy the king needs surgery he might not survive.
Two weeks and one day later heroine is working in hero’s country and discovers she’s pregnant. She tells the hero after he is called in for an emergency. He calls her a whore and kicks her out of the country. He is convinced she was pregnant when she entrapped him into sex.
It’s delightfully cruel and angsty – I won’t lie.
But hero’s piggy days aren’t over.
Hero was awful – but heroine was equally awful with her payback. They both deserve each other. This had some fun drama and angsty twists and turns.
*He later discovers that his former mistress had poked holes in all the condoms in order to trap him. LOL Vipers everywhere.
So here’s what we get from this story:
A Sheikh hero – third from the crown – who is also a surgeon – and a complete pig – unrepentant pig, I might add – when the story opens. He’s just dumped his mistress. Hero is a serial monogamist and “loves sex and pleasuring women” but sometimes he’d prefer his mistress to cut to the chase and give him oral sex and no talking. He wants more variety before he settles down to marriage.
Virgin heroine is a midwife who has come to London to learn about high-paying nursing jobs in the Sheikh’s country. She needs the money because her father was an alcoholic who ran up debt, her mother is an anxiety-ridden mess and can’t work, and her younger sister is in expensive treatment for an eating disorder. Oh, and heroine is frigid – even after a year of therapy, having her hymen surgically removed and an increasingly impatient boyfriend who ended up dumping her.
The H/h see each other at the career fair, but bond later when they help a mother and infant in a car accident. They both get caught in the rain. Hero offers the heroine a room for the night at his hotel. He can’t decide if her wariness is an act or not. He decides he’d like to have sex with her that night, but if she doesn’t come through in three hours (total – that includes the time it takes to eat dinner) he’ll send for his other booty call.
They have a lovely dinner. Hero puts the moves on the heroine who panics and goes to her room alone. Hero is angry, but he doesn’t send for his booty call. He pleasures himself thinking of the heroine (what a romantic).
The next morning he confronts the heroine who breaks down and tells all (hero pulls the I’m a doctor card. LOL.) He then offers her sexual healing when he’s done with phone calls. He makes a big deal about using condoms.*
Heroine has an orgasm – several in fact. She’s cured. By lunchtime it’s all over. Hero has been called back to his country. Daddy the king needs surgery he might not survive.
Two weeks and one day later heroine is working in hero’s country and discovers she’s pregnant. She tells the hero after he is called in for an emergency. He calls her a whore and kicks her out of the country. He is convinced she was pregnant when she entrapped him into sex.
It’s delightfully cruel and angsty – I won’t lie.
But hero’s piggy days aren’t over.
Hero was awful – but heroine was equally awful with her payback. They both deserve each other. This had some fun drama and angsty twists and turns.
*He later discovers that his former mistress had poked holes in all the condoms in order to trap him. LOL Vipers everywhere.
January 12, 2017
The beginning started really interesting. Plus, I'm a big fan of Sheikh heroes. I really had high hopes but ended up disappointed and frustrated for most of the book. But I loved the ending, though.
February 21, 2015
Felicity dashes into a hotel conference room to hear a spiel about a midwife job in the slickly funded hospital of Zaraqua. Zaraqua is part of Sheikhtopia. It is an island, maybe in the Mediterranean or maybe in an ocean somewhere. Fictional geography is not my strong point. It has sheikhs and kings and associated middle eastern … things.
She’s late and she meet-cutes Karim, a doctor associated with the hospital. The hospital sounds pretty great: good pay, which Felicity can really use to help out her family, what with her mother being nervous and clingy and her sister having an eating disorder. She could also use a bit of difference for see previous reasons.
Then there’s the hotness of Karim, and one thing leads to another thing, and then another thing, and then they go to bed.
Karim is concealing a big deal. Sure, he’s a big important doctor, but he’s also a sheikh and if he’s not too careful, some convoluted stuff is going to go down and he’ll end up king. Felicity is his last pure moment of happiness, before he has to go home and do royal things.
I came to this book because of Doctor Sheikh, because the concept is irresistible. It’s like when I wanted to be an astronaut ballerina, before I had to learn to be sensible. And of course there are no doctor sheikhs or astronaut ballerinas in fiction because no one would believe in them, but sometimes I just feel that there should be, and that I would be prepared to deal with a lot of not-ok things if a book is going to deliver on that perfect dream of someone being two sparkly amazing things at once.
Felicity, who is pretty consistently great throughout the book, takes the job in Zaraqua, and finds out that Karim is a sheikh, and he disses her at the hospital, because doctor sheikhs don’t talk to lowly midwives, even if they’ve slept with them and relieved them of their virginity.
Then she starts getting some signs and takes a pregnancy test. Bingo. Then she faints and Karim is there and he catches her, and she begs him not to let them run any tests because she’s preggers and they’ll deport her when they find out.
So it’s all out in the open between them, and I’d been fairly happy with how everything was shaping up. I had this thought at one stage that Karim was really outraged about the pregnancy because he had these super-special condoms that were custom made for him and therefore fool proof. Like, completely over-engineered to bring the percentage chance of escaping wrigglers down to almost zero. I don’t quite know where it is, but there’s a line in the book about condoms that got me started … and I thought it was an intriguing idea. You could have them monogrammed!
Then Karim starts thinking some thoughts which I won’t go into because of spoilers, but I was definitely out of love with Doctor Sheikh at that point. I can usually get past the disappointment when stuff doesn’t go quite the way I wanted, but with this book I never really got the magic back. Why he couldn’t he have stayed, sure a bit arrogant on the surface, but all sparkly amazing underneath? Why couldn’t he have left the being a jerk plot to all those dime a dozen hot Greek billionaires?
She’s late and she meet-cutes Karim, a doctor associated with the hospital. The hospital sounds pretty great: good pay, which Felicity can really use to help out her family, what with her mother being nervous and clingy and her sister having an eating disorder. She could also use a bit of difference for see previous reasons.
Then there’s the hotness of Karim, and one thing leads to another thing, and then another thing, and then they go to bed.
Karim is concealing a big deal. Sure, he’s a big important doctor, but he’s also a sheikh and if he’s not too careful, some convoluted stuff is going to go down and he’ll end up king. Felicity is his last pure moment of happiness, before he has to go home and do royal things.
I came to this book because of Doctor Sheikh, because the concept is irresistible. It’s like when I wanted to be an astronaut ballerina, before I had to learn to be sensible. And of course there are no doctor sheikhs or astronaut ballerinas in fiction because no one would believe in them, but sometimes I just feel that there should be, and that I would be prepared to deal with a lot of not-ok things if a book is going to deliver on that perfect dream of someone being two sparkly amazing things at once.
Felicity, who is pretty consistently great throughout the book, takes the job in Zaraqua, and finds out that Karim is a sheikh, and he disses her at the hospital, because doctor sheikhs don’t talk to lowly midwives, even if they’ve slept with them and relieved them of their virginity.
Then she starts getting some signs and takes a pregnancy test. Bingo. Then she faints and Karim is there and he catches her, and she begs him not to let them run any tests because she’s preggers and they’ll deport her when they find out.
So it’s all out in the open between them, and I’d been fairly happy with how everything was shaping up. I had this thought at one stage that Karim was really outraged about the pregnancy because he had these super-special condoms that were custom made for him and therefore fool proof. Like, completely over-engineered to bring the percentage chance of escaping wrigglers down to almost zero. I don’t quite know where it is, but there’s a line in the book about condoms that got me started … and I thought it was an intriguing idea. You could have them monogrammed!
Then Karim starts thinking some thoughts which I won’t go into because of spoilers, but I was definitely out of love with Doctor Sheikh at that point. I can usually get past the disappointment when stuff doesn’t go quite the way I wanted, but with this book I never really got the magic back. Why he couldn’t he have stayed, sure a bit arrogant on the surface, but all sparkly amazing underneath? Why couldn’t he have left the being a jerk plot to all those dime a dozen hot Greek billionaires?
October 25, 2018
Felicity Anderson (I love that name since Arrow happened) is a midwife who is on the lookout for a promising employment opportunity at Zaraqua Hospital, situated in an island of the same name in the Kingdom of Zaraq. While attending a presentation of the new University/Hospital in London, she has a strange encounter, a silent one; an instant attraction with a tall, dark, and handsome stranger. She is in need of money, and although she has a job lined up in a Middle East Hospital, Zaraq sounds more tempting since it pays more, and she has to pay back the loans she took for treating her sister, Georgie. Felicity believes she is frigid, because of something that happened in her past.
Karim, the playboy Prince of Zaraq, is a surgeon who is more involved with managing a hospital now since he's about to take the Crown. His is the hospital which Felicity is considering to work in. He is in between women, when Felicity snatches his attention. He is smitten with her beauty. Karim helps Felicity in regaining her confidence, and one night spent together, before he has to return to Zaraq, results in a pregnancy.
Karim is the third of four brothers. The second brother Ahmed is deceased. The fourth brother, Ibrahim's story, opposite Felicity's sister Georgie, is contained in the book, Heart of the Desert by Carol Marinelli. It doesn't seem the eldest brother, Hassan, has a book. Here, he's already shown as married to Jamal. And with no child for Hassan-Jamal after many years of marriage, meaning no heir for Zaraq; Karim is groomed to be the next King of Zaraq.
With Karim's aloofness, it was as endearing as it was heartrending to see Felicity talk to herself animatedly after their marriage.
Karim had a really horrible plan about Felicity and their baby. I just hated him for it. Her pain, her sadness, it literally made me cry. And finally I know why Hassan will never get his own story, he is despicable; as despicable as what it took for Karim to finally believe that Felicity was telling the truth from the beginning. It was a bittersweet ending. Overall, it was a great read. Recommended, for re-read as well!
Karim, the playboy Prince of Zaraq, is a surgeon who is more involved with managing a hospital now since he's about to take the Crown. His is the hospital which Felicity is considering to work in. He is in between women, when Felicity snatches his attention. He is smitten with her beauty. Karim helps Felicity in regaining her confidence, and one night spent together, before he has to return to Zaraq, results in a pregnancy.
Karim is the third of four brothers. The second brother Ahmed is deceased. The fourth brother, Ibrahim's story, opposite Felicity's sister Georgie, is contained in the book, Heart of the Desert by Carol Marinelli. It doesn't seem the eldest brother, Hassan, has a book. Here, he's already shown as married to Jamal. And with no child for Hassan-Jamal after many years of marriage, meaning no heir for Zaraq; Karim is groomed to be the next King of Zaraq.
With Karim's aloofness, it was as endearing as it was heartrending to see Felicity talk to herself animatedly after their marriage.
Karim had a really horrible plan about Felicity and their baby. I just hated him for it. Her pain, her sadness, it literally made me cry. And finally I know why Hassan will never get his own story, he is despicable; as despicable as what it took for Karim to finally believe that Felicity was telling the truth from the beginning. It was a bittersweet ending. Overall, it was a great read. Recommended, for re-read as well!
April 21, 2012
The book was kind of screwed up. It freaked me out that the hero would just try to give away the baby to his elder brother because he needed an heir for the kingdom and didn't want to be king himself. I wanted to smack the brothers heads together. The heroine was so brave in the book and worthy, it's just the whole book was kind of lame.
December 18, 2017
Se oli hyvä!!
October 28, 2025
The storyline had potential but was too predictable , there was lots of drama that didn’t fit.
The heroine thinks she's frigid and can’t get intimate yet after meeting a doctor (who's really a prince) he assures her she isn’t and helps her to get over her problem.
2 weeks after they had their one night she realised she was pregnant ( 2weeks is ridiculous to consider being pregnant)
Bu tells him she’s pregnant and he calls her a whore!!!
He refutes he’s the father claiming the baby is most likely not his.
He insists they marry as his father may die and they need an heir and he intends to give the baby to his brother who is in line to become the next king. The sex scenes weren’t upto much but they got a HEA.
Disappointing and wouldn’t recommend
July 11, 2020
Secret Sheikh, Secret Baby
I have read this book already. She was a midwife in need of some extra money for her family. He has been set for greater things. Their time together exploded when she finds out that she is pregnant. He will take her as his wife. But there are some people who are unhappy about their pregnancy. Will they be able to overcome the many laws that govern his own country?
I have read this book already. She was a midwife in need of some extra money for her family. He has been set for greater things. Their time together exploded when she finds out that she is pregnant. He will take her as his wife. But there are some people who are unhappy about their pregnancy. Will they be able to overcome the many laws that govern his own country?
August 3, 2024
Instalust
April 8, 2011
It is more of a 2.5 star rating, but I rounded up to a 3. A big saving grace in this book is the heroine. She is absolutely great and stands her ground. The hero on the other hand, I felt, brought the book down. His "God's gift to women" attitude was appalling, not to mention when he said, I am a prince, you will listen, what I say goes, you will not argue drove me up the freaking wall. The heroine, though, a couple of times said, Oh, but I will argue. And in the end, it did all work out and I really do commend the heroine for taking a stand.
December 12, 2020
cM is one of my favourite Mills and Boon authors but I didn’t like this so much. Neither the hero nor the heroine were particularly engaging and the hero was an utter bastard.
The heroine’s behaviour really wasn’t much better. However, CM’s writing is so good, I was absolutely riveted for the duration. I think dialling back on the angst and the viciousness would have improved this no end. The reader has to believe these characters are really in love. I wasn’t convinced. The cruelty by both was just too unpleasant.
The heroine’s behaviour really wasn’t much better. However, CM’s writing is so good, I was absolutely riveted for the duration. I think dialling back on the angst and the viciousness would have improved this no end. The reader has to believe these characters are really in love. I wasn’t convinced. The cruelty by both was just too unpleasant.
June 1, 2022
Hot-shot surgeon Karim Zaraq is prince of a desert kingdom. Karim knows he must find a wife and produce an heir, but this playboy wants one final fling before royal duty beckons.
Pretty midwife Felicity Anderson has no idea who Karim really is, but her one night with the sexy surgeon has turned her world upside down-suddenly she's pregnant!
With Felicity carrying the kingdom's hopes, Karim must marry her. But Felicity won't say "I do" unless the prince can prove it's for love.
Pretty midwife Felicity Anderson has no idea who Karim really is, but her one night with the sexy surgeon has turned her world upside down-suddenly she's pregnant!
With Felicity carrying the kingdom's hopes, Karim must marry her. But Felicity won't say "I do" unless the prince can prove it's for love.
February 15, 2014
A pretty good read. I liked the characters and the story line pretty well. There were plenty of emotions, some steamy scenes, tense moments, good conflict, and a great and perfect ending. This is something I wouldn't mind reading again. More for the cuddle-up, snuggle-in, relaxing and just something to read. Enjoy
January 22, 2016
This was a fast and easy read although there were some points when I wanted to give up on it because of the stubbornness of our protagonists. But the development of the story was managed well enough for things to turn around in time.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews