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Legacy Collection #4

Saving the Sheikh

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Rachid bin Amir al Hantan is fighting for the sovereignty of his small country. He needs to find some powerful allies - and fast. Attending the wedding of Dominic Corisi is as much about reconnecting with old friends as it is about celebrating nuptials. The last thing he needs right now is the distraction of a woman.

Zhang Yajun is a self-made billionaire who can’t believe she accepted her friend’s dare to kiss Sheikh Rachid before the end of the wedding.

When impulsive words lead to even more impulsive actions, these two will discover that sometimes the last thing you were looking for is the one thing that can save you.

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 2012

863 people are currently reading
1912 people want to read

About the author

Ruth Cardello

110 books2,942 followers
Ruth Cardello hit the NYTs and USA Today for the first time back in 2012. Millions of sales are evidence that her books are akin to potato chips, addictive from the first one. She has created a multi-series billionaire world with a combination of escapism and realism that has gained her a faithful following of readers.

What Kindle Reviewers write about her:

"Wow hot at every page. Heart stoping, fear raging, mind blowing wonderful."

"I'm a true fan of Ms. Cardello. I ran on to her first book a few years back and have been hooked ever since. I could go on and on about the story like of this book, but I'm not. All of her books are total page turners, unique, heart wrenching, and I love them all. There isn't two alike in the bunch and I feel like i know the characters personally. I personally read 97 authors books. And I buy every book they put out. This author is in my top 10. Great job and keep them coming."

"Love this series. Got me to start reading again. I look forward to the next book. Thank you for giving me the love of reading back."

Ruth Cardello was born the youngest of 11 children in a small city in northern Rhode Island. She spent her young adult years moving as far away as she could from her large extended family. She lived in Boston, Paris, Orlando, New York--then came full circle and moved back to New England. She now happily lives one town over from the one she was born in. For her, family trumped the warmer weather and international scene.

She was an educator for 20 years, the last 11 as a kindergarten teacher. When her school district began cutting jobs, Ruth turned a serious eye toward her second love- writing and has never been happier. When she's not writing, you can find her chasing her children around her small farm or connecting with her readers online.

Email Notice of New Releases: www.RuthCardello.com/Signup

You can find her on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/RuthCardello

Follow her at Twitter @RuthieCardello

If you'd like to email her directly, you may contact her via her website: www.ruthcardello.com

Lone Star Burn Series
Book 1: Taken, Not Spurred
Book 2: Tycoon Takedown
Book 3: Taken Home
Book 4: Taking Charge

Want to hear the song Charles proposed to Melanie with? https://youtu.be/SGZT5nVKfMs

The Legacy Collection
Book 1: Maid for the Billionaire (FREE on Amazon!)
Book 2: For Love or Legacy
Book 3: Bedding the Billionaire
Book 4: Saving the Sheikh
Book 5: Rise of the Billionaire
Book 6: Breaching the Billionaire: Alethea's Redemption
Book 7: (Novella) A Corisi Christmas

The Andrades:
Book 1: Come Away With Me (FREE on Amazon)
Book 2: Home to Me
Book 3: Maximum Risk
Book 4: Somewhere Along the Way
Book 5: Loving Gigi
Christmas Novella: A Recipe for Love (Maddy and Richard)

The Barrington Billionaires:
Book 1: Always Mine
Book 2: Stolen Kisses
Book 3: Trade It All
Book 3.5: A Billionaire for Lexi
Book 4: Let It Burn
Book 5: More than Love
Book 6: Forever Now
Book 7: Never Goodbye
Book 8: Reluctantly Alpha
Book 9: Reluctantly Rescued
Book 10: Reluctantly Romanced
Book 11: Loving a Landon
Book 12: Loathing a Landon


For a more complete list visit her website at www.ruthcardello.com

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5 stars
1,995 (44%)
4 stars
1,525 (33%)
3 stars
787 (17%)
2 stars
145 (3%)
1 star
45 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
Profile Image for Lover of Romance.
3,668 reviews1,108 followers
March 15, 2015
Summary
Rachid bin Amir al Hantan is packed with big responsibilities to his country and his family. He knows that he shouldn’t have attended the wedding, but Dom is one of his oldest friends and despite what others may think, he is loyal to those he claims “friendship” with. But what he never expects is to meet the woman who would change his destiny…Zhang Yajun. Zhang left her chinese village to have something different from what her family planned for her. She wanted to do something more for her life, and now she is one of the most influential and successful women of the world. But there is one thing she doesn’t have…love of a good man. She always thought that she had enough, until she met women that became her friends, that showed her the power of love, that it strengthens and brings joy into your life. So when her friend Lily dares her to kiss the Sheikh Rachid, she decides to take control and do what she agreed do. But with one kiss, comes another agreement one with a sexy sheikh and a fantasy that they fulfill together…a fantasy that would lead to change but a change that would change her future forever…

The Hero
Rachid bin Amir al Hantan, was his fathers firstborn, but after his mother died, he was sent away and always felt rejected or not good enough for his father. Never knowing that his father was making sure he was the man to lead their country the way it was meant to be led, with a mixture of old and new ideas. We see how conflicted Rachid is, but what a sexy shikh this man is. He is passionate, intelligent, and has a commanding presence. He is a leader, and doesn’t mind taking the role the was paved for him. Rachid is a man of honor and loyalty and dedication. As the hero of the story, he is one to admire. And oh boy…where can I find my own Rachid…and the whole playing out the harem fantasy….Whew….,he could blow your mind.

The Heroine
Zhang Yajun, is a woman who is successful and strong in everything she does. She has had to do whatever it took to get things done. She is confident and sure of herself. Ever since she was a girl, she wanted more from her life, to help those in poverty and help those women understand their world and capabilities. Zhang has had to sacrifice much to be the woman she dreamed to become. Now she feels the loneliness and craves a man to share her life with, knowing it might never happen. Zhang was such an impressionable heroine, and I have admired since we have seen her entry in the series from the first book. Ever since we met her, my heart went out to her. She is the heroine that needs love more than anyone, becuase she has only known betrayal from the one man she loved. I loved her tenacity, brilliance and inner strength.

Plot and Story Line
This is the fourth book in a brilliant contemporary series by Ruth Cardello. Now I have to say that with each book that this author produces I become even more and more impressed. She has a voice that is likeable and endearing and completely fresh. There isn’t an author like her, and if you have yet to read her, I highly recommend you try her out (her first book is still free on Amazon and B&N). The story sets of with Dom and Abigail’s wedding. The scene when Zhang and Rachid first meet is intense, and wow did I feel like being completely sucked into the story. You can see how drawn they are to each other, and then Zhang makes a reference to harems and sheikh and soft pillows and sweet seduction…well Rachid isn’t a man to back down from a dare like that, so they decide to have one night for each other, knowing they can never have a future together. That first night they are together, is one that is sensual and HOT…and whew….you will need a fire extinguisher to put the fire out!! They definitely need no help in that department. But that one night has consequences, and they only have once choice: Marriage. Zhang is furious, and we see how formidable this pair is, especially when they don’t agree. Well Rachid displays alpha sheikh behavior, his way only. Zhang doesn’t like anyone especially a man telling her what to do. But you see how the situation is more complicated than it appears, and Zhang will have to choose over her pride or doing what is right. There are so many qualities to this story I adored, but one that I loved the most, Even though their story happens in one week, I felt like their journey toward falling in love and facing the dangers from an enemy, was very realistic, and love can happen in one week, heck it can happen in one day. But what I enjoyed was seeing these two work together, and make the best of the circumstances thrust onto them. They both have strong personalities, and you see what a great team they make. We also get to see all of the other side characters we have come to adore in the past books. This is a story that is compelling, with intense characters, and a writing style that is hard to resist. And after reading this you just might get addicted to sexy Sheikh’s…I know I want to find more stories just like this one.

The Cover
There are two covers for this book, but I liked this one more, because it portrays the story a bit better. I love the shadow look of the couple, with the Arab background, and the yellow color is a nice touch.

Overall View
Saving The Sheikh is a story of passionate love, danger lurking from every corner, and a tale to keep you on your toes and give you some laughs and giggles in the process. What more could you ask for.
Profile Image for Simara.
593 reviews3 followers
June 18, 2013
Stopped half way through. The story line is just ridiculous. Two adult independent business owners spend a night together, get caught and then they are forced to get married because if not their countries would go to war? And he locks her on a room and still she wants to marry him? No kidnapping charges? No go-to-hell-world-I'm-my-own-woman? Oh please...
Profile Image for Musing.
492 reviews
November 23, 2012
Thank you Ruth for another fabulous book in The Legacy Collection!! Saving the Sheikh had everything you could want in a Contemporary Romance. Tall, dark and handsome Heros; beautiful and dynamic Heroines and sizzling love scenes to keep you completely absorbed.

But, Saving the Sheikh had more than that. It had a brand of humour that is uniquely Ruth Cardello's; sassy and witty dialogue that was both ingenious and believable and characters that cause you to fall more in love with them, with each book you read.

Both European educated Rachid, the next King of Najriad, and Zhang, the extraordinary Chinese entrepreneur, had more than their share of challenges to overcome if their initial explosive encounter was any indication of what their futures could entail. (In and out of the bedroom!!!) Would their cultures be too different or would their combined passion for tradition mixed with progressive be in their favor? Both were strong-willed, passionate and loyal people. Yet, in some ways, this had led them to be equally isolated and solitary.

Saving the Sheikh could just as equally be called Saving the Formidable, but of course, that wouldn't set your heart racing and entice fantasies of being swept away to desert castles by a devilishly handsome Sheikh now would it??

It's a book that will keep your mind occupied, your blood pumping and your imagination satisfied. Enjoy!!
Profile Image for 🦉Maggie Whitworth.
3,254 reviews112 followers
May 24, 2019
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋
Really great book , if your a fan this is one you have to read
Profile Image for Ileana Tsai.
53 reviews
February 21, 2013


This is definitely my favorite book in the series. Two strong characters from different cultures/backgrounds who end up falling in love with each other. I must say Zhang is definitely my hero. I have to say I enjoyed the book cover to cover. The story line was full of twist and turns and made it a great fun book to read. I must admit that I find it hard to mentally picture an Arab man marrying a Chinese lady. I just cannot picture it in my head. I just have to think that both characters have received enough foreign influence and they are strong enough to make this union work. All in all a fun book to read.
Profile Image for Rinelle Grey.
Author 61 books182 followers
November 15, 2012
I've read and loved each of Ruth's books, and this one was no exception. I thought Lil and Jake's story (Bedding the Billionaire) was my favourite, until I read this one.

Rachid and Zhang's story is both hotter, and more complex than the others have been. They have to overcome the differences in their cultures to find their way together, and the journey is both heart-warming, and tinged with humour. Definitely on my favourites list.
Profile Image for Elizabeth (Perusing Princesses).
730 reviews34 followers
November 27, 2012


I really liked this book... Something about a sheik, and desert palaces... Lots of pillows, being held against your will by a prince only to be forced to become a princess and eventually inherit the throne and become Queen... Yeah... Definitely luved the fantasy of it!
Profile Image for Jennifer Leigh (jenjenbookfan).
1,298 reviews30 followers
September 25, 2023
Saving the Sheikh is Book 4 in the Legacy Collection by Ruth Cardello, featuring a one-night stand fantasy turned marriage of convenience for Zhang and Prince Rachid. Zhang never dreamed that a dare to kiss a sheikh at Abby’s wedding would lead to an impulsive decision to fulfill a fantasy, not realizing it would cause an international incident. While neither person fits in the other’s world culturally, they just might be exactly what they need.

While they definitely have steamy chemistry, I’ll admit Rachid and Zhang’s master/slave kink isn’t my favorite, but when it counted she continued to assert herself. What I love about this book was the suspense aspect, and the way the other characters came together again to help out. I love the friendships and the found family vibe in this series. I look forward to continuing with Jeremy’s story.

I received an ARC for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Julie.
603 reviews5 followers
November 21, 2012
I enjoyed this book because I love anything with a sexy sheik. I looked forward to reading Zhang's story because she seemed like a strong willed women and who better to pair her with than a Sheik. I am glad I read this but it seemed a little rushed and I didn't really feel connected to the characters. It was just like one night together and bam their in love, I just wanted more. In more I mean more dialogue, more connection and more hot sheik in control love scenes. I will defineately buy Jeremy's story which I think is next in the series I just hope it's a little long with a little more depth.
Profile Image for Jennifer Gallagher.
301 reviews14 followers
September 13, 2013
Love this series..I love the characters.. I really love the author! Each Book gets better and better.. and this one is a totally Laugh out Loud time..Ruth Cardello has an Fantastic sense of humor and it shines in this tale of fantasy. What woman hasn't dreamed of being carried off to an exotic place by a fabulous hunk of a man?? well I sure have!! and a prince no less.. Ruth gives us the dream.. you can really imagine yourself in this story and some also lots of great laughs along the way.. This is one awesome book.. please do not miss this series !!
Profile Image for Heather.
329 reviews7 followers
February 21, 2013
The 4th in the series, and just as good as the first 3!

I love how all the books are so different from the one that preceeded it, but because you know the characters it's like being reunited with long lost friends.

Saving the Sheikh had a different feel to the first 3 books, but I like that it had a different tempo and in some places seem to take on a darker feel.

Looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Tracie Redmond.
Author 4 books114 followers
December 9, 2012
Wow, another great story to the series. I love how the author is able to continue the stories and keep you captured from the very beginning. I love lil and she still makes me smile in this one lil and jake are my favorites but this story did rock. A must read series. Cant wait for the next book, maybe it will ne abput jeremy.
Profile Image for Kame.
802 reviews38 followers
December 30, 2012
I liked it, not as much as the first book, but I did like it.

I find all this falling in love in week stuff getting old. But I do like the characters and I really like the ribbing they give each other.

A more detailed review to follow.
Profile Image for Samantha.
173 reviews27 followers
February 23, 2013
I really enjoyed this book as well as the series .. The whole situation was an interesting story and glad that all the characters of the previous books are mixed in, fingers crossed we get to read about Jake & Lils Wedding in the next book also looking forward to Jeremy's Tale ;)
Profile Image for Naomi Flirty and Dirty Book Blog.
235 reviews27 followers
November 27, 2012


Thoroughly enjoyed this book.. It really made me laugh at points but also had some serious elements to it. I loved the characters and yet again cannot wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Donna Porter.
1,034 reviews9 followers
February 4, 2013
Another great book Ruth. Loved the story between Zhang and Rachid. It was really great I can't say enough about it. By the title of your next one it sounds like maybe Jeremy and Althea, can't wait
Profile Image for Krista.
1,107 reviews65 followers
April 15, 2013
Love this series!!! Can't wait for Jeremy's story next!!

Light cute quick read!! And hot....did i mention hot?
718 reviews3 followers
April 16, 2022
A sexy role play that goes too far

Part four of this series and we’ve taken a bit of a minor detour. Whilst our two main characters are still linked to Dominic Corisi, Zhang and Rachid are more acquaintances than the close family relationships we’ve seen in previous books.

I would definitely suggest that you read the previous books in order to fully understand how everything in this series pieces together and you will also get to meet Zhang.

What we know of Zhang is that she is powerful - a self-made businesswoman who has gained a reputation in her home country and around the world. Fiercely intelligent, strong-willed and determined to succeed, Zhang isn’t the kind of woman who has dedicated any time to sentimentality or romance. Business and developing ways to help women in her culture achieve more has always been her driving force.

The problem is… that comes with a heavy price to pay. Until she attends the wedding of her new American friends, Dominic and Abby, she had no desire to fall in love. She had neither the time, nor the inclination but when she takes on a dare from her new friend, Lil to kiss her paired-up groomsman, the indescribably gorgeous, Sheikh Rachid she doesn’t realise that just one kiss is about the turn her life upside down.

Prince Rachid also isn’t looking for love. With his country constantly on the brink of war, his life is full of responsibilities and expectations. He’s grown up outside his native country Najriad at the request of his father but this has made his people wary of him. They don’t see him as their future leader and that problem is causing unrest not only within the people of his nation, but also his own family. The burden of taking over the throne from his father when he abdicates is daunting but necessary. Even if his people don’t like him, he will honour his father and accept the ascension.

So, when the beautiful Zhang, Chinese billionaire practically propositions him at his college friend Dominic’s wedding he is shocked and stunned that this often stoic and socially awkward beauty has a naughty and mischievous side.

In an act completely belying either of their usually sensible ways, they leave the wedding together to act out a fantasy sexual encounter. Both getting carried away in their characters they jet off to Rachid’s desert castle (because he’s a crown Prince and she’s a billionaire - so it just a bit of fun, right). The trouble is, with no one else being made privy to their secret their actions have dire consequences.

This is a fabulous story. The cultural aspect I really enjoyed. Accepting peoples differences is of the upmost importance and the way that Zhang is encouraged to embrace the traditions of Najriad, she is also pushed to see how much she could help Rachid achieve his vision of combining the Eastern and Western cultures and bringing his beloved country forward.

Despite the obvious reluctance Zhang initially had, the more she realises and understands the sacrifices and compromises Rachid is willing to make for her - the more she falls in love with him.

But something isn’t right and Rachid finds himself the target of a deadly plot to make sure he doesn’t take the throne.

It’s all very exciting. Will Zhang be able to be woman they want her to be, without losing herself in the process. Can she be everything she needs to be? But, most importantly, can Rachid keep the woman he has fallen in love with safe? Can he keep his Kingdom from falling into the wrongs hands? Can he let Zhang go, even though it will break his heart?
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,792 reviews5 followers
March 7, 2019
Zhang and Rachid are at the wedding of mutual friends. Her friends dare her to kiss Rachid. Both of them are wildly successful people who are Americanized children of none American parents. The kiss leads to one night which blows up in their faces when a photo is taken. With traditional parents, the only solution is marriage. But Rachid thinks he can make all the decisions without talking to Zhang, including taking over her company. He'll give her a comfortable life which is not what this independent woman wants.

They have chemistry which makes this easier and more difficult at the same time. Add in a threat to Rachid and his family and things become even more tense. 4 stars instead of 5 because I'm not a huge fan of instant love and I felt that Zhang should have put up more of a fight at times. I also felt that Rachid simply dismissed her protests because he wasn't listening with his head. Overall, it was enjoyable though so I'm still giving it 4 stars.
Profile Image for Jamoz23.
5,276 reviews46 followers
May 17, 2020
Different but enjoyable.
Read years ago but really do not remember it that well. Great to re-read the box set through KU.
I so enjoyed reading about Zhang from book one but how this all plays out was not what I expected from Zhang.
A strong self-made woman meets the man for her in a Sheik with a country’s problems on his shoulders.
Except they have a very rocky start and it is not quite plain sailing.
I loved how we saw softness in Zhang as she had been one tough cookie when new meet her before.
No surprise that she is a big help to Rachid.
Rachid was a bit of an a**e at first but I grew to like him.
Loved how this played out and though we don’t get lots of time with the others, they come in to help save the day at the end, it didn’t impact the story at all.
Read in the box set through Kindle Unlimited.
Profile Image for Cindy Caron.
1,367 reviews4 followers
April 3, 2018
What an awesome read! I absolutely loved this fast-paced tale to find love! Between overheated tempers, family pressures, traditions and of course, the press, this story will have you rolling around laughing at times, and in tears the next. The characters are a pleasure and easy to imagine. Zhang is a strong minded woman who knows what and who she wants, and when she finds herself in a situation that is about to change her life, there isn't much she can do other than go with the flow. Rachid also knows who and what he wants, but he has rules to play by. If only he could let go and pretend to be normal for a while! Will this duo ever manage to have a go at a real relationship, or will the outside pressures be too much to handle?
Profile Image for Night Runner.
1,535 reviews37 followers
December 4, 2019
Overall opinion: Grrr! It started out really well, then an event happens immediately after the H and h get together and I almost shut down Audible. If you are being kept against your will, not allowed to speak with family no matter the reason, that is kidnapping!

Brief Summary: No need to expand on the author's summary.

Narrator(s) would be better with two

POV: both

Overall Pace: medium

Instalove: Yes and no

H Rating: Good to horrible to good

h Rating: strong then wtf

Sad/happy/thrill/. Everything

Heat Level: mediun

Descriptive Sex: some

OW/OM Drama: no

Sex with OW/OM: no

Cheating: no

Separation: maybe

Triggers: freedom

Closure (HEA/HFN/Cliffhanger): HEA

Does not have:
Cheating
Separation
Abuse
11 reviews2 followers
April 9, 2020
Not much romance or interaction at all before the main characters are suddenly "in love". h is too easily convinced to stay with the H forever for a heroine who's supposedly smart and independent enough to have created a billion dollar business despite her family's wishes. The h's mother is also very inconsistent with her traditional views that are strong enough to hurt her relationship with the h but are also gone against very easily. Despite the negatives, the writing was good and the H was fine, if a bit boring, so it's 2.5 stars for me.
Profile Image for Angela Griffin.
1,580 reviews4 followers
September 22, 2022
Satisfying and engaging

Ruth Cardello continues to shine! In "Saving the Sheik," she has created a romance with abundant passion that is perfectly balanced with tenderness between the leads. Rachid is arrogant but honorable and quite literally willing to sacrifice his life for his loved ones. Zhang is strong, intelligent, compassionate, and always ready to fight for what's important. Their chemistry is palpable, attention is given to developing the supporting characters, the bonds of friendship carry great value within the storyline, and an insidious threat ratchets the tension throughout. I look forward to Book Five!
Profile Image for Mauaqui.
1,339 reviews3 followers
August 12, 2017
Wow - full of action

Zhang and Sheik Rachid left Dominic and Abbeys wedding dinner to go live a fantasy. She loves Sheik fantasies. Rachid was pretending to kidnap her and fly her to his desert oasis to let her act out her fantasy. Unfortunately someone caught the moment he carried her over his shoulder into the airplane and the photo appeared in every gossip rag throughout the world. Chinese Billionairess Zhang kidnaped by Sheik Rachid. The ramifications were immense and an imminent wedding was the result. Will they find love or mutual respect and unhappiness.
1,533 reviews3 followers
October 1, 2017
.Good read

Another good book in this series, what's not to enjoy a hot royal sheikh every girls fantasy being kidnapped and whisked away to his palace. That's what happens in this when the two meet at Dominic's wedding and play out a fantasy that ends up becoming real. Zhang and Rachid are instantly drawn to each other he is an Arab prince soon to become king she is a sharp and ruthless Chinese business woman they fall head over heels in love and marry but have to survive a plot to kill Rachid. This is a sizzling romance with a lot to keep the interest going. Good read.
Profile Image for Tamara.
1,145 reviews3 followers
June 26, 2019
Wow Thrilling

The twists and turns this one took were great. The storytelling flowed and there were only a couple of hiccups that had me backing up a couple of pages and starting a scene again. I adore that all the women in this series are just as strong as the alpha males they end up with as partners. The multi cultural difference that needed to be bridged and the fact that the wedding was more of a contract negotiation rather than a pomp and circumstance ceremony was interesting.

On to the next in the series.
5 reviews
September 5, 2019
Can a strong woman and a strong man over come
Each other's way of life Can you force a women
to marry you after you lock her up and tel her she will no matter what. Can you love a man who wants to take over what. You have struggled to build. Will they be able to see what really matters and learn that they both need to work together to build what they want and to make each other safe. This is a true journey you wont want to miss reading how two worlds can try to come together n the name of true love.
2,142 reviews5 followers
March 25, 2018
I really enjoyed this book.

I like how Zhang, the heroine, is a self-made billionaires from China. She meets Sheik Rachide at a wedding. They. attracted to each other and go to his country for a night of a romantic fantasy. There, they are entangled with politics and a plot to assassinate Rachide. Zhang is a strong and determined character. She does everything she can to save Rachide. She is not a damsel in distress.















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