The Desert Bride (Harlequin Presents, No 1875)

Rating:
Summary: Where's *my* sheikh?
Review: I first read this book four years ago. It was the first Lynne Graham book I'd ever read, and the second Mills & Boon I'd read. Lynne Graham remains my favourite M&B author, and I avidly wait anything new from her. "The Desert Bride" is a Valentino-esque story of love blossoming in the desert, with Razul as the crown prince of a fictitious middle-eastern country, and Beth,an english scholar researching his country. Beth finds herself stranded in Razul's country after becoming separated from her obligatory male companion. When Beth finds herself in trouble with the airport security upon entering the country alone, we discover that she and Razul knew each other while they were studying at university together some five years before. Beth uses Razul's name to get her out of trouble, at which point she is whisked off to the palace, somewhat against her will. It turns out that Beth and Razul had a rather steamy past - but nothing came of it - until now. Our hero is tall,dark, handsome, and very compelling - and it is hard to understand why it takes so long for Beth to see this! There are the usual elements of romance novels - a jealous woman who threatens to break our couple up; falling in love followed by a misunderstanding, then realisation - and of course, a happy ending. But one thing that is not usual, is that Graham has a remarkable story-telling ability, and her attention to detail and rich portrayal of the scenery our characters are experience is something which pervades all of her novels. 'The Desert Bride' is no exception. Graham's description of the palace both inside and the gardens, is especially beautiful, as are the desert scenes. As such, this is my favourite desert romance novel, and if you like this sort of romance, you will positively fall in love with this one. I also strongly recommend two other novels by Lynne Graham - 'An Arabian Courtship' (another desert romance, but entirely different from this one); 'The Secret Wife' (this is my favourite Lynne Graham, and I highly recommend it, for the strength of the characters and storyline); and 'The Spanish Groom' (for the humor and a heroine who actually has some misgivings about her looks!)

Rating:
Summary: Where's *my* sheikh?
Review: I first read this book four years ago. It was the first Lynne Graham book I'd ever read, and the second Mills & Boon I'd read. Lynne Graham remains my favourite M&B author, and I avidly wait anything new from her. "The Desert Bride" is a Valentino-esque story of love blossoming in the desert, with Razul as the crown prince of a fictitious middle-eastern country, and Beth,an english scholar researching his country. Beth finds herself stranded in Razul's country after becoming separated from her obligatory male companion. When Beth finds herself in trouble with the airport security upon entering the country alone, we discover that she and Razul knew each other while they were studying at university together some five years before. Beth uses Razul's name to get her out of trouble, at which point she is whisked off to the palace, somewhat against her will. It turns out that Beth and Razul had a rather steamy past - but nothing came of it - until now. Our hero is tall,dark, handsome, and very compelling - and it is hard to understand why it takes so long for Beth to see this! There are the usual elements of romance novels - a jealous woman who threatens to break our couple up; falling in love followed by a misunderstanding, then realisation - and of course, a happy ending. But one thing that is not usual, is that Graham has a remarkable story-telling ability, and her attention to detail and rich portrayal of the scenery our characters are experience is something which pervades all of her novels. 'The Desert Bride' is no exception. Graham's description of the palace both inside and the gardens, is especially beautiful, as are the desert scenes. As such, this is my favourite desert romance novel, and if you like this sort of romance, you will positively fall in love with this one. I also strongly recommend two other novels by Lynne Graham - 'An Arabian Courtship' (another desert romance, but entirely different from this one); 'The Secret Wife' (this is my favourite Lynne Graham, and I highly recommend it, for the strength of the characters and storyline); and 'The Spanish Groom' (for the humor and a heroine who actually has some misgivings about her looks!)