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The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride
Kidnapped by rebels, Belle Winters discoversher rescuer is Rafiq al Akhtar, SovereignPrince of the desert kingdom of Q'roum.Whisked away to his exotic palace, Rafiqexpects her to show her gratitude--bymarrying him!
Rafiq demands Belle perform all her royalduties--both in public and in private. Soonshe succumbs to the sultry heat of the desertand to Rafiq's seduction. Belle is no longer anunwilling wife, now she is the sheikh's verywilling lover--.
Rafiq demands Belle perform all her royalduties--both in public and in private. Soonshe succumbs to the sultry heat of the desertand to Rafiq's seduction. Belle is no longer anunwilling wife, now she is the sheikh's verywilling lover--.
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
45 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Annie West
920 books422 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Hello! I love writing passionate, intense love stories about sexy alpha men and the women who are their perfect match. Look out for my books with Harlequin (Presents) or Mills & Boon (Modern/Sexy) and for my indie stories, full of passion and intense emotion with a touch of glamour. My latest stories are my Hot Italian Nights series including 'Bound to the Italian Boss' June '17, 'The Italian's Bold Reckoning' July '17, 'At the Italian's Bidding' August '17 and 'Falling for the Brooding Italian' September '17.
Yes, I do like a dark, handsome hero!
You can catch up with my news at www.annie-west.com (where you can also sign up for my exclusive reader newsletter with giveaways and behind the scenes info). I'm on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anniewest.au... and I adore hearing from readers. You can also contact me at annie(at)annie-west(dot)com
I live with my family at beautiful Lake Macquarie on the east Coast of Australia and my favourite things when not writing are good food, good company, great books, getting outside in nature and travel.
Bookwise, I'm a multi USA Today bestselling author with millions of books sold, in English as well as in lots of other languages. I've won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and the Romantic Book of the Year (Romance Writers of Australia). One of my favourite review quotes is from Romantic Times which said in its review of The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride 'This is what a love story could be.'.
Hello! I love writing passionate, intense love stories about sexy alpha men and the women who are their perfect match. Look out for my books with Harlequin (Presents) or Mills & Boon (Modern/Sexy) and for my indie stories, full of passion and intense emotion with a touch of glamour. My latest stories are my Hot Italian Nights series including 'Bound to the Italian Boss' June '17, 'The Italian's Bold Reckoning' July '17, 'At the Italian's Bidding' August '17 and 'Falling for the Brooding Italian' September '17.
Yes, I do like a dark, handsome hero!
You can catch up with my news at www.annie-west.com (where you can also sign up for my exclusive reader newsletter with giveaways and behind the scenes info). I'm on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anniewest.au... and I adore hearing from readers. You can also contact me at annie(at)annie-west(dot)com
I live with my family at beautiful Lake Macquarie on the east Coast of Australia and my favourite things when not writing are good food, good company, great books, getting outside in nature and travel.
Bookwise, I'm a multi USA Today bestselling author with millions of books sold, in English as well as in lots of other languages. I've won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and the Romantic Book of the Year (Romance Writers of Australia). One of my favourite review quotes is from Romantic Times which said in its review of The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride 'This is what a love story could be.'.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 24, 2012
This was a pleasant read. I liked the first half better than the second half because in the second half the heroine was a bit of a ninny. In the first half I particularly enjoyed that she managed to hide her thoughts when she was sitting there thinking how hot he was. He perceived her reactions as if she was upset about how she had been treated during her kidnapping and stressful reactions now that it was over.
The hero was a super nice guy and was never at all mean to her. He basically knew he wanted her and went after her but not right out, kind of surreptitiously in order not to scare her off.
Nice read even in a sub genre that I sometimes find hard to swallow.
The hero was a super nice guy and was never at all mean to her. He basically knew he wanted her and went after her but not right out, kind of surreptitiously in order not to scare her off.
Nice read even in a sub genre that I sometimes find hard to swallow.
November 26, 2008
This book had a really good adventure story line, passion, and two likable characters. You wanted them to find happiness together. This is a book that reminds a long-term romance reader who feels that she is getting burned out, why she should keep reading romance. If you like Sheikh books, you should read this book.
December 14, 2021
"The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride" is the story of Bella and Rafiq.
When the heroine is kidnapped by rebels in a foreign country, she never expects her rescuer to be the Sovereign Prince of the desert kingdom of Q'roum. He gently cares for her, and then keeps her safe in his kingdom, soon realizing his people expect him to marry her. After a bit of miscommunications and political drama, they get their sweet HEA.
This was a VERY saccharine romance which was a tad bland for me, with ultra nice characters. Good one time read.
Safe
3/5
When the heroine is kidnapped by rebels in a foreign country, she never expects her rescuer to be the Sovereign Prince of the desert kingdom of Q'roum. He gently cares for her, and then keeps her safe in his kingdom, soon realizing his people expect him to marry her. After a bit of miscommunications and political drama, they get their sweet HEA.
This was a VERY saccharine romance which was a tad bland for me, with ultra nice characters. Good one time read.
Safe
3/5
June 24, 2017
I don't usually enjoy Sheikh books, but the hero, Rafiq, in Annie West's "The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride” was a dream! This one starts out wonderfully with an action packed beginning as the hero saves the heroine from being held captive.
After rescuing Belle from the hostage situation, he marries her only to save political face, or so she thinks.
There's a terrorist on the loose to add to the drama, but he's only in the background. The real plot is based on Belle’s apprehension about sleeping with her husband, which to me was a bit confounding.
Rafiq’s a modern ruler of his secular nation, with a very western mindset. She's sexually experienced, he obviously desires her, and she wants him...what's the dithering all about? Belle's worried about getting intimate because he married her out of duty. Then open your mouth and tell him how you feel!
But then the book would be over in 100 pages and not the requisite 185+, so on with the doubts.
The big conflict that prevents them from having sex on their honeymoon is silly...
I enjoyed the characters of Rafiq & Belle, but the "conflict" wasn't really there, it was all in her head.
Still, I had to admit that despite the internal dithering, the hero was a yummy change from the usual alpha-holes in these HPs, especially the sheikh ones.
3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4 just for Rafiq
After rescuing Belle from the hostage situation, he marries her only to save political face, or so she thinks.
There's a terrorist on the loose to add to the drama, but he's only in the background. The real plot is based on Belle’s apprehension about sleeping with her husband, which to me was a bit confounding.
Rafiq’s a modern ruler of his secular nation, with a very western mindset. She's sexually experienced, he obviously desires her, and she wants him...what's the dithering all about? Belle's worried about getting intimate because he married her out of duty. Then open your mouth and tell him how you feel!
But then the book would be over in 100 pages and not the requisite 185+, so on with the doubts.
The big conflict that prevents them from having sex on their honeymoon is silly...
I enjoyed the characters of Rafiq & Belle, but the "conflict" wasn't really there, it was all in her head.
Still, I had to admit that despite the internal dithering, the hero was a yummy change from the usual alpha-holes in these HPs, especially the sheikh ones.
3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4 just for Rafiq
October 8, 2020
3.5 stars
Sheikh stories are not really my cup of tea neither are sheikhs, however Rafiq, the ruling sheikh won me over, he was actually a bit of a hottie and a very decent guy. If you’re after some fun and enjoy sheikh stories this is a good, easy, sweet and quick read. Furthermore, it’s packed with a dash of action and adventure which gave the story a bit of edge.
Book No.19 in the #20Backlistin2020 Challenge
Sheikh stories are not really my cup of tea neither are sheikhs, however Rafiq, the ruling sheikh won me over, he was actually a bit of a hottie and a very decent guy. If you’re after some fun and enjoy sheikh stories this is a good, easy, sweet and quick read. Furthermore, it’s packed with a dash of action and adventure which gave the story a bit of edge.
Book No.19 in the #20Backlistin2020 Challenge
August 25, 2018
This was just okay. The beginning was really strong and I immediately got hooked into the story, unfortunately the rest of the book went downhill from there.
The heroine, a marine archaeologist, is rescued by the Hero. She has been kidnapped by insurgents. They spend a harrowing night together during the rescue, but all goes well and she finds out that her rescuer is the sheikh.
The Hero had to pay as ransom, a national treasure that is only given to wives of the sheikh, so now the people expect him to present her as his bride. He convinces her to marry him.
After that it just gets annoying....the whole rest of the book is:
She: “he’s only marrying me for convenience”
He: “She’s hot so I wont mind at all”
She: “...but it was only an arrangement”
He: “..it’s completely legal and binding”
She: “..but you only married me to please the people”
He: “..it is a real marriage..”
And so on and so forth....
The heroine, a marine archaeologist, is rescued by the Hero. She has been kidnapped by insurgents. They spend a harrowing night together during the rescue, but all goes well and she finds out that her rescuer is the sheikh.
The Hero had to pay as ransom, a national treasure that is only given to wives of the sheikh, so now the people expect him to present her as his bride. He convinces her to marry him.
After that it just gets annoying....the whole rest of the book is:
She: “he’s only marrying me for convenience”
He: “She’s hot so I wont mind at all”
She: “...but it was only an arrangement”
He: “..it’s completely legal and binding”
She: “..but you only married me to please the people”
He: “..it is a real marriage..”
And so on and so forth....
August 4, 2011
3.75 stars
I haven't read a Harlequin book in probably years, but had a huge craving for a sweet Sheikh romance and this quenched the thirst nicely.
It was exactly what I find typical of a Harlequin romance, sweet, easy to read and almost always leaves me with the nice fuzzy feeling (and hopefully good dreams).
I loved this story and it has reignited my love of all things 'Sheikh'. I really have to get me one of those.
I haven't read a Harlequin book in probably years, but had a huge craving for a sweet Sheikh romance and this quenched the thirst nicely.
It was exactly what I find typical of a Harlequin romance, sweet, easy to read and almost always leaves me with the nice fuzzy feeling (and hopefully good dreams).
I loved this story and it has reignited my love of all things 'Sheikh'. I really have to get me one of those.
February 17, 2012
3.5 stars
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book and thought it had loads of potential. I only wished the second half was a fast paced and interesting as the first half.
Despite this still a decent read!
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book and thought it had loads of potential. I only wished the second half was a fast paced and interesting as the first half.
Despite this still a decent read!
June 18, 2019
3.5 stars, I adore this one! I miss the classic sheikh-themed romance and this one is not as drastic as the others. The Hero is gentle and treating the heroine nicely, which is amazing for me. So yeah, overall a wonderful read before bed. Will read more!
March 12, 2012
Loved this book, love Annie West. A great read...where the Hero and heroine are wonderful.
August 20, 2015
Rating: 1 star.
If only the heroine was the type I liked. MEH.
If only the heroine was the type I liked. MEH.
February 6, 2020
2.5 stars
April 13, 2015
Caretaking instead of overbearing alpha. Heroine who will (theoretically) keep her career. Marriage of convenience.
Good times!
Good times!
August 28, 2017
The book had a lot of potential with a start where hero rescues the heroine, but after that it lost its fizz. The drama at the end with the terrorist just about saved it from falling completely flat. I like my heroes to be ruthless alphas (without being cruel). This H was very nice to the h, sort of a beta. Because he was nice there was not good enough angst. The little strain between them was because h refused to have sex although she liked and was attracted to H because he married her for duty. With a little honeymoon that issue got solved.
Still an okay read.
Still an okay read.
January 28, 2019
Belle and Rafiq
This book was packed with action, adventure and passion. Belle is kidnapped and eventually rescued from a hostage situation by Rafiq, that consequently is forced to marry her for politicians.... or so she thought😉 This was a really good story but the reasons given for not having sex and consumating not only their marriage but their red hot attraction for each other were.....pitiful, ridiculous. She wasn't even a virgin or anything like that🙄
This book was packed with action, adventure and passion. Belle is kidnapped and eventually rescued from a hostage situation by Rafiq, that consequently is forced to marry her for politicians.... or so she thought😉 This was a really good story but the reasons given for not having sex and consumating not only their marriage but their red hot attraction for each other were.....pitiful, ridiculous. She wasn't even a virgin or anything like that🙄
December 6, 2016
This is an awesome read. I loved Rafiq the most. He was very understanding and patient and so charming. He tried to understand Belle's inner conflict and made her trust him. A very highly recommended for sheikh lovers.
June 8, 2020
Wonderful story
Belle is kidnapped in a foreign country, but then rescued by the ruling sheikh. What follows is a tale of love, but also of a couple's struggle to find their place with each other. There is danger and also passion.
Belle is kidnapped in a foreign country, but then rescued by the ruling sheikh. What follows is a tale of love, but also of a couple's struggle to find their place with each other. There is danger and also passion.
August 27, 2025
Eye of the Peacock
Wow Ms. West's exceptional story wrung my emotions dry! The beauty of this relationship with the highs and lows and twists and turns kept me at the edge of my seat and my heart engaged!
Wow Ms. West's exceptional story wrung my emotions dry! The beauty of this relationship with the highs and lows and twists and turns kept me at the edge of my seat and my heart engaged!
December 26, 2017
Esperaba algo un poco más, no se le falto algo.
August 29, 2022
Beautiful read. Story is definitely worth the read.
May 7, 2023
Pretty adventurous for a little book. Nothing we haven't read before a few times. But done pretty well I say read it.
November 29, 2014
What's Not To Love............d:)
A swashbuckling romantic story and I loved it! The h was educated, strong and feisty, I liked how she handled herself when in a tough spot. The H was definitely the star for me; alpha male, prince, warrior and protector; he knew what he wanted and pursued it. You knew early on he really liked the h and, in true pirate fashion, he wanted to make her his. He'll make you want a sexy pirate prince of your very own. It's light, fluffy and a real gem..........d;)
A swashbuckling romantic story and I loved it! The h was educated, strong and feisty, I liked how she handled herself when in a tough spot. The H was definitely the star for me; alpha male, prince, warrior and protector; he knew what he wanted and pursued it. You knew early on he really liked the h and, in true pirate fashion, he wanted to make her his. He'll make you want a sexy pirate prince of your very own. It's light, fluffy and a real gem..........d;)
June 2, 2021
Kidnapped by rebels, Belle Winters discovers her rescuer is Rafiq al Akhtar, Sovereign Prince of the desert kingdom of Q'roum. Whisked away to his exotic palace, Rafiq expects her to show her gratitude--by marrying him Rafiq demands Belle perform all her royal duties--both in public and in private. Soon she succumbs to the sultry heat of the desert and to Rafiq's seduction. Belle is no longer an unwilling wife, now she is the sheikh's very willing lover-
February 1, 2015
it's not dat bad but i guess too much deja vu! like the sheikh took one glance at belle and whisked her away to his palace. he then persuaded her to wed him when logically, he cud have courted her and seduced her!like a normal man. it bored me.
January 7, 2011
book 3 of 2011 - aim for 133 books for the year ...
Read
February 23, 2011Aku baca dalam versi bahasa inggrisnya.NIH
August 10, 2016
3.5 stars
August 19, 2015
Histoire sans intérêt
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews