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Summary: Your Highness, My Sheikh
Review: In Brenda Jackson's Delaney's Desert Sheikh, we are introduced to Delaney Westmoreland and the entire Westmoreland clan. Delaney, a recent medical school graduate, travels from Atlanta to the woods of North Carolina for some rest and relaxation. Upon her arrival she stumbles upon Jamal Ari Yassir, a prince from the Middle Eastern country of Tahran. Both Delaney and Jamal were promised the use of the cabin for one month, each refuse to leave and therein lies the problem.Delaney, the youngest and only female within a family of five brothers, is independent and headstrong and romance is the furthest thing from her mind. Jamal, his father's right-hand man when it comes to deal-making for his country, is arrogant and just as stubborn as Delaney. The only thing on his mind is seducing Delaney if only for one night. Will Delaney ignore her upbringing and succumb to passion? Will Jamal ignore the expectations and obligations placed upon him by his family and countrymen? Brenda Jackson explores two vastly different cultures with a unique realism of their natives' behaviors. Her romantic scenes are explosive but tastefully done and the introduction of the five Westmoreland brothers, Dare, Storm, Thorn, Chase and Stone leaves you anticipating more from this family. Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
Rating: 
Summary: Smashing!
Review: It was a great story though the ending was a little weak and the conclusion a little too sappy to remain true to the hard talking image of the shiek. For all those who are like me and like to know the characters before they buy a book the Sheik is an Arabian-Berben man and Delaney is an African American woman. They manage to surmount great odds because their love just wouldn't quit.
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Summary: Delaney's Desert Sheikh
Review: Looking for a read that will hold your interest? Well, have no fear, DELANEY'S DESERT SHEIKH is here! This work marks Brenda Jackson's debut venture with Silhouette Desire. DELANEY'S DESERT SHEIKH is steaming with sexual tension and truly unforgettable love scenes. Jackson brings it all using the plot of strangers falling in lust, mutual respect and then love. So, find that comfortable spot, get a cool drink and let's not forget that fan - because you're going to need it! What happens when you place a liberated, forthright pediatrician and a charismatic, desert prince, with politically incorrect ideas about women in a cabin alone together? You get F-I-R-E-W-O-R-K-S! Delaney Westmoreland and Sheikh Jamal Ari Yassir are due for a much needed vacation from the stresses of their occupations. Delaney just finished medical school and is in desperate want of relaxation and most importantly sleep. She's also seeking to escape her family's devoted attentions with some solitude. When her cousin suggests a cabin of which he is part owner, it's the perfect solution. While Jamal has just finished intense negotiations concerning his country, he's also seizing this time to mentally prepare himself for his upcoming, arranged marriage. With the summit over, Jamal's mind wanders and he's soon missing the affections of his long-time mistress. Likewise, the offer from his friend to have the cabin for his leisure is met with enthusiasm. That is until he meets Delaney. From the moment Jamal sees Delaney, he wants her. At first, it's because he has been on a self-imposed hiatus from intimacy to concentrate on the conference. However, despite their hostile attitude toward each other, an instant chemistry binds them together. Their admirable sparring only hides the passionate feelings that are barely beneath the surface. When two determined individuals are placed in a strange situation, confrontations for superiority are soon to materialize and Delaney and Jamal do not disappoint. Delaney firmly states her desire to keep her virginity until love and marriage comes along. Though Delaney's parents are good role models for a loving relationship, she observes how her charming, but domineering five brothers treat the women in their lives as playthings until that one woman who can challenge them comes along. Despite her wanting no part of that, she remains intensely attracted to Jamal. Jamal is equally unwavering in his obsessive craving to have her for himself. He offers an alliance with "no strings," just for the time they remain at the retreat. Of course, Delaney says no, initially, but finds herself ready to relinquish her innocence so that she can experience the power of making love. Delaney becomes a temptress and a willing victim of Jamal's allure. Jamal's magnetism is evident in his inventive kissing technique that leaves Delaney dizzy with wonder and anticipation. What ensues next is a love so filled with caring, ardor and sensuality that even time and distance cannot disrupt the memories or the love from continuing. Kudos to Jackson's engaging attempt at introducing an expansive romance audience to characters who are fresh, intelligent and exciting. Jackson validates African American women as encompassing the same personal concerns and professional tenacity that women of all races do. DELANEY'S DESERT SHEIK is refreshingly void of concentrating on the differences between persons with diverse backgrounds, but celebrates those distinctions instead. DELANEY'S DESERT SHEIKH proves love knows no boundaries and comes when you least expect it - even with a foreign prince! Jackson makes a valiant effort in making the characters come alive. Jamal and Delaney had no insecurities about themselves and they expressed that confidence with the acceptance of the other's social values and religious practices. Though other African American authors paved the way in published mainstream series romance, Brenda Jackson's entrance stands as a great romance read period - not just a great African American romance novel. Also, the format for launching Jamal and Delaney's relationship was well written. We are given an exclusive look at their connection without interference from "outside forces." The reader becomes that "fly on the wall" and is allowed to appreciate this special love. There was good use of secondary characters who will eventually have their own stories. It is those secondary players', especially Jamal's stepmother, whose advice propels Jamal to act on his fate with Delaney. Still, we get an all too brief glimpse of the Westmoreland brothers. But what we do receive is the knowledge their stories will sizzle as well. The forecast is that the Westmoreland family will become just as popular as Jackson's Madaris family series. DELANEY'S DESERT SHEIKH is a quick and thoroughly enjoyable read. Once you begin it, you will not want to put it down! I am anxiously anticipating Delaney's brothers' stories. If they can live up to Jamal's example, let's just say, "Keep those fans handy, girls!"
Rating: 
Summary: As Hot As the Cover!
Review: More intrique from the Westmorelands. If you are looking for hot and sassy romance you must read Brenda Jackson's 'Delaney's Desert Sheikh' from Harlequin. What happens when a very vocal independent young woman meets a man who demands and expects no back talk and total obedience from his women? New college graduate Delaney Westmoreland heads to her cousins cabin for a month of R&R, instead she finds an unexpected roommate, love and frustration. To complicate matters the roommate is a handsome charismatic Sheikh. We watch as Delaney and her Sheikh battle with each other, and their own emotions, as sexual tension and true feelings of love come forth in close quarters. The reality of their future together is dismal. Delaney finds that she is expected to be Prince Jamal's mistress, not his wife. Jamal is expected to find a wife in his homeland and run his country as his father has done. Even worse both also have to deal with all of the Delaney's brothers who are overly protective of their sister. This is a valentine of a story. Kick back with a cool drink and soft music and enjoy 'Delaney's Desert Sheikh'. Vannie(~.~)
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Summary: Not as good as I thought it was going to be...
Review: Okay, where do I start? Firstly, I have to say that I liked the characters - Jamal and Delaney. The chemistry was good and the story was well written to a point. I understand that Jamal is a prince and was brought up to honour his family's/country's customs which included not marrying for love but only thru arranged marriages and keeping a mistress. Then there's Delaney who's still a virgin and is appalled by Jamal's beliefs and therefore refused to sleep with him under any circumstances - then BAM - suddenly they're in love and those resolves went unconvincingly out the window - their love did not develop and I was not convinced that it was true. Then there are her brothers - WHAT'S UP WITH THEM??? They come off as stalkers rather than concerned brothers - and why should they be so concerned - she's 25 after all and just became a doctor - it seemed like they had nothing better to do than to constantly stalk their sister like a pack of fools and act stupid when they see her with a man - so unreal - they were acting like lovers not brothers - that was a major turn off - I still read it in 2 days tho so it kept my interest for that long even tho I was rolling my eyes in disbelief most of the time. All in all it was a so-so read - nothing to buy new - if you really want to buy it get it second hand and save some money. I've read better.
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Summary: Hot, Lusty Sheikh
Review: The heat between these two characters made me turn my ceiling fan on to cool off. Hot! HOt! Hot! Please write more like this Brenda Jackson!!
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Summary: THIS BOOK IS HOT AS A SAHARA DESERT
Review: THIS BOOK WAS WRIITEN BY ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE AUTHORS(I ALSO MET HER)THIS BOOK WAS NOT A DISAPPOINTMENT.IT WAS FUNNY.HONEST FAST PACE AND THE LOVE SCENES WERE GREAT.PLEASE PICK UP THIS BOOK.BRENDA JACKSON NEVER FALLS SHORT.
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Summary: Loved it!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: This is the 1st. book I have read by Brenda Jackson & just loved it. I checked out her web site & found it is the 1st. in a long series & couldn't wait to get on to the rest.
I just love the characters in this book, especially her brothers. I can't wait to read their stories. I'm just about to start "A little Dare" (bk 2). I do hope we see more of Delaney & Jamal in future books & get to meet her parents.
A great start to a great series.
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Summary: Not the best Brenda Jackson
Review: This was a good book to read while on the commute train. It was light and foo foo. It didn't take thought to keep up with the characters. I know it was a Harlequin, but it was not Brenda's usual. I kept having to look at the front picture to make sure it was a black woman she was talking about. Her other books (the Madaris family) are wonderful and I'm always glad to see which family member she will write about. I really hope she will have Valentine Kiss reissued.
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Summary: A little short on plot, and a lot of redundant sex scenes.
Review: This was an okay book and I can tell that Brenda Jackson is a good writer. She's got a good sense of humor, a nice sense of pace and I probably am going to read her "sequels" to this book. But I have to be honest -- there should have been more room for something like, you know, a plot or more character development or more drama. Too many of the pages were used up describing more and more sex acts. Yes, so I'm a bit of a prude, I admit it. But that's not really what my complaint is about. I've read other authors who are just about as explicit and "spicy" in their descriptions of lovemaking and I can deal with it if the rest of the story is gripping and engaging. But what made this book different was that so many pages were devoted to descriptions of sex and it seemed to me that the overall plot suffered because of it. Okay, so maybe I overstate it a bit -- there was some plot in there, some conflict in there, sure. But over and over and over again, the same hot sex scenes, just a little different this time. Come on! I'd rather have read something more, you know, dramatic. Something that moved the plot along. Some more *action* of a different kind. But most of the story was set up in this isolated cabin, with these two people bursting at the seams with lust. It kind of got stale after a while, you know? Not to say that I thought it was *that* bad. Like I said, it's obvious that Ms. Jackson is a skilled writer and she fleshed out the characters of Delany's brothers enough so I want to read about what happens to them in her following books. And I'm hoping that the next book I read will have, you know, a little more room for a *story*. That's all.
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