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Maelstrom
She was an engineer -- doing her job
True, female petroleum engineers were still something of a rarity, especially in Saudi Arabia, but Samantha was fully qualified, and respected by the men in her field.
So why was Max Kramer having such difficulty accepting her presence on the rig?
Obviously he would have preferred her in his bedroom, but did he really think Samantha was so eager to join Jessica, Farida and the others?
True, female petroleum engineers were still something of a rarity, especially in Saudi Arabia, but Samantha was fully qualified, and respected by the men in her field.
So why was Max Kramer having such difficulty accepting her presence on the rig?
Obviously he would have preferred her in his bedroom, but did he really think Samantha was so eager to join Jessica, Farida and the others?
- GenresHarlequin Romance
187 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 15, 2015
This book was ridiculous on so many levels. The heroine is an oil engineer with "several years" experience. This translates later to a few months in Alaska. Now she has been assigned to a Saudi Arabian country and the very first thing she does is hop on down to the local souk wearing short-shorts and a halter top! A Western man accosts her and berates her for being so ignorant as to insult "these very religious and dignified men of the desert". Then, in the next breath, he leers and makes a pass at her. It goes downhill from there.
She doesn't know how to drive in the desert, but insists that it couldn't be that hard, so the first thing she does in her new car is drive into the sand and get stuck. The SAME goofball (of course)comes to her rescue and informs her that she didn't even have it in 4-wheel drive. Naturally, she is mortified, and intrigued by this so handsome, sophisticated stranger.....who (gasp!) turns out to be the man she has to work with!!!! He makes another pass.
The best part is when she goes to the local pool, wearing a bikini that is so brief she has to keep adjusting it. Impulsively, she engages in some by-the-pool horseplay with a good-looking Persian (read Iraqi)father of four during which he has to keep putting his arms around her and naturally, they fall into the pool...JUST AS THE SAME MAN SHOWS UP AGAIN! WHAT a coincidence. She protests the innocence of the situation - I mean his wife was right there and SHE didn't have a problem! - he bawls her out again....and makes another pass. Are you getting the pattern here?
There is a crisis at the well. They fix it together. He makes a pass.
She finds out he has affairs with just about every other woman in the community. He makes a pass.
She cries. He makes a pass.
She pouts. He makes a pass.
They end up not only having sex but a lot of it and pretty much moving in togther, which for a Harlequin Romance written in 1984, is very cutting edge. You must read this book!!! NOT.
I nearly forgot...at one point, HE shows up at the local country club, wearing "miniscule white shorts". Ewwww.
She doesn't know how to drive in the desert, but insists that it couldn't be that hard, so the first thing she does in her new car is drive into the sand and get stuck. The SAME goofball (of course)comes to her rescue and informs her that she didn't even have it in 4-wheel drive. Naturally, she is mortified, and intrigued by this so handsome, sophisticated stranger.....who (gasp!) turns out to be the man she has to work with!!!! He makes another pass.
The best part is when she goes to the local pool, wearing a bikini that is so brief she has to keep adjusting it. Impulsively, she engages in some by-the-pool horseplay with a good-looking Persian (read Iraqi)father of four during which he has to keep putting his arms around her and naturally, they fall into the pool...JUST AS THE SAME MAN SHOWS UP AGAIN! WHAT a coincidence. She protests the innocence of the situation - I mean his wife was right there and SHE didn't have a problem! - he bawls her out again....and makes another pass. Are you getting the pattern here?
There is a crisis at the well. They fix it together. He makes a pass.
She finds out he has affairs with just about every other woman in the community. He makes a pass.
She cries. He makes a pass.
She pouts. He makes a pass.
They end up not only having sex but a lot of it and pretty much moving in togther, which for a Harlequin Romance written in 1984, is very cutting edge. You must read this book!!! NOT.
I nearly forgot...at one point, HE shows up at the local country club, wearing "miniscule white shorts". Ewwww.
June 25, 2024
The thing about this one was that it wasn't very romantic. I'll hold my hand up and say that desert settings, Dubai style cities and oil drilling are not my things but a petroleum engineer h (Samantha) seemed quite interesting for a change. Alas the H, Max, was a very crass manwhore. Absolutely no finesse, a string of women in his orbit, handsy, as subtle as a bulldozer. There was a lot of oil exploration technology talk ('wet string' anyone?!?) which was good for accuracy but terrible for romance. The story took place over 2 weeks which seemed ridiculously rushed for a proposal. Ends with her refusal to give up her job (she'd studied hard and her career mattered to her) and him finally coming up with possible compromises. The old, old struggle. I'd possibly try this author again because the lust was pretty good but I'm in no rush.
abrierto-to-read-hr-other
March 3, 2021She was an engineer -- doing her job
True, female petroleum engineers were still something of a rarity, especially in Saudi Arabia, but Samantha was fully qualified, and respected by the men in her field.
So why was Max Kramer having such difficulty accepting her presence on the rig?
Obviously he would have preferred her in his bedroom, but did he really think Samantha was so eager to join Jessica, Farida and the others?
True, female petroleum engineers were still something of a rarity, especially in Saudi Arabia, but Samantha was fully qualified, and respected by the men in her field.
So why was Max Kramer having such difficulty accepting her presence on the rig?
Obviously he would have preferred her in his bedroom, but did he really think Samantha was so eager to join Jessica, Farida and the others?
August 24, 2016
I am woman hear me roar...or something like that.
Sometimes it's fun to pick up an older romance as it brings back good memories of discovering the world of Harlequin back when I was in college. I read probably a few hundred of these back in the 80s and early 90s, so to read one of these now (and for all I knew, I read this one before) is kind of fun, especially when you see how much times have changed. Or at least how much we've hoped they've changed.
This one is interesting though. Woman as a chemical engineer in the Middle East? Fascinating location, and definitely a fascinating job - one you wouldn't expect to see. I couldn't help but wonder if this story would even work today - and if indeed it worked back then. If so, then I'd say we've backslidden somewhat in the realm of gender equality.
Not that the author pulls her punches. There's a lot of unfairness outlined here, and a lot of thought gone into how a woman would react in this kind of position.
Overall I liked the book. The romantic elements...ok he comes off as a bit of a jerk. The promiscuity hinted at is such a throwback to the early 80s - were we really that casual about sex then? I suspect so...
I wouldn't mind digging out a few more by this author to read. She has a nice touch, and her characters stay with you a long time after you turn the last page. Very enjoyable read!
Sometimes it's fun to pick up an older romance as it brings back good memories of discovering the world of Harlequin back when I was in college. I read probably a few hundred of these back in the 80s and early 90s, so to read one of these now (and for all I knew, I read this one before) is kind of fun, especially when you see how much times have changed. Or at least how much we've hoped they've changed.
This one is interesting though. Woman as a chemical engineer in the Middle East? Fascinating location, and definitely a fascinating job - one you wouldn't expect to see. I couldn't help but wonder if this story would even work today - and if indeed it worked back then. If so, then I'd say we've backslidden somewhat in the realm of gender equality.
Not that the author pulls her punches. There's a lot of unfairness outlined here, and a lot of thought gone into how a woman would react in this kind of position.
Overall I liked the book. The romantic elements...ok he comes off as a bit of a jerk. The promiscuity hinted at is such a throwback to the early 80s - were we really that casual about sex then? I suspect so...
I wouldn't mind digging out a few more by this author to read. She has a nice touch, and her characters stay with you a long time after you turn the last page. Very enjoyable read!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews