The Sultan's Harem Bride
WANTED: Desert princess to join haremSultan Asim of Jazeer has hundreds of women at his beck and call. So why does he want the only one who threatens to reveal his family’s shameful secrets?Journalist Jacqui Fletcher jumped at the chance to write a history of the harem – not to become a sultan’s plaything! But it’s hard to remember her assignment when the sultan’s sensuous caresses spark a fire she’s never experienced before…Asim is looking for a pliable princess for a marriage of duty. Brave, beautiful Jacqui couldn’t be more wrong for him. So why does holding her feel so right?Desert Vows DuetTwo powerful desert princes…and the only women who can tame them.As desire burns hotter than the desert sand, can these powerful sheikhs withstand the heat of temptation?Book 1: The Sultan’s Harem BrideBook 2: The Sheikh’s Princess BridePraise for Annie WestThe Sultan’s Harem Bride 4.5* TOP PICK RT Book ReviewWest’s desert romance of duty versus love stars a haunted but brave heroine and an autocratic yet caring hero. The exotic, sumptuous settings exemplify palace life, and the royal co-stars are memorable. The first love scene is a sensual buffet.Rebel’s Bargain 4.5* RT Book ReviewWest’s second-chance romance is an imaginative and intensely thrilling brainteaser, ripe with shrouded misconceptions. Her silver-spoon hero and wounded heroine are passionate and convincing.Damaso Claims His Heir 4.5* TOP PICK RT Book ReviewWest’s page-turner set in colorful Brazil is impressively perfect, starring her well-matched, rags-to-riches hero and her unjustly scandal-ridden royal heroine. Her illuminating, expert narrative brings the breathtaking story and the explosive lovemaking to life.
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âDonât apologise.â Asim breathed deep, filling the void in his lungs. âI donât like it when youâreâ¦meek.â
The words surprised him as much as her. He felt the shock of the admission reverberate through him even as he saw it ripple across her face.
He didnât approve of the way she argued with him, refusing to be silenced after heâd made a decision. It happened daily when she tried to wheedle access to records or palace staff or ancient pavilions that had been locked up as unsafe generations ago. Yet seeing her hesitant and downcast was like watching a bright light dim.
For long seconds their eyes locked. Long enough for him to notice that in the syrupy lateafternoon light her eyes flashed with shards of gold.
Slowly her mouth eased into a crooked smile.
âIn that case, Asimâ¦â Jacqui paused over his name as if savouring it ââ¦I promise not to be meek with you again.â
She scooped up her towel and wrapped it around herself, hurrying towards her room. But her chin was up and her shoulders back and, despite his bodyâs howl of protest at her departure, Asim found himself smiling.
Two powerful desert princesâ¦and the only women who can tame them
Sultan Asim of Jazeer and Sheikh Tariq of Al-Sarath are both bound by honour, duty and tradition. Theyâve always known they must marry, but it will be for the good of their kingdomsânot for love. Yet now two very different women threaten the vows Asim and Tariq have always sworn to uphold.
As desire burns hotter than the desert sand can these powerful men withstand the heat of temptation?
Find out in:
THE SULTANâS HAREM BRIDEFebruary 2015
THE SHEIKHâS PRINCESS BRIDEApril 2015
Growing up near the beach, ANNIE WEST spent lots of time observing tall, burnished lifeguardsâearly research! Now she spends her days fantasising about gorgeous men and their love-lives. Annie has been a reader all her life. She also loves travel, long walks, good company and great food.
You can contact her at [email protected] or PO Box 1041, Warners Bay, NSW 2282, Australia.
To my dear friend Karen
with love and thanks, not just for now, but always.
Contents
âGIVE IT UP, JACK. This is a wild goose chase.â Imranâs voice came over the hubbub of vehicles, people and livestock thronging the pre-election cavalcade.
âNo!â Jacqui shook her head. âYouâll see. It will be worth it.â
It had to be worth it. They had a chance to interview one of the worldâs most hard to meet opposition leaders, an inspirational reformer the authorities would do anything to silence. It was an opportunity not to be missed.
Yet uneasiness stirred. This jammed street was strangely familiar, as if sheâd been here before. The pungent aromas of dust, sweat, spices and dung teased her nostrils. A disturbing sense of déjà vu made her pause.
Jacqui swung round, looking for Imranâs familiar face.
Anxiety speared her. Her nape prickled. âImran?â
âRight here, Jack.â She spun round and there he was, large as life, his camera over one shoulder, his laughing eyes narrowed against the sun.
Relief thudded in her chest. For a moment Jacqui had feared... Feared what? Her train of thought dissolved.
âThis is a long shot, despite the tip-off,â she said. âIf youâd rather go to the hotel, Iâll try to locate him then call you.â
Imranâs expression didnât change.
Had she spoken aloud or just thought about it? Confused, she lifted a hand to her hot forehead. Everything felt unreal, strangely distant. Even the faces of the people around them seemed blurred.
All except Imran.
Jacqui blinked and tried to focus. The job. The lead. This would be their best story yet. Their news editor wouldnât believe it if they came in with this exclusive.
It was an opportunity to reveal the truth about this oppressive regime. Then world powers could no longer plead ignorance and turn a blind eye to the violence.
âCome on, Jack. Donât dawdle.â Imran strode ahead, forging easily through the packed street.
Jacqui tried to follow but her feet seemed stuck to the ground, her limbs weighted. With a supreme effort, she struggled forward a pace. Just one. Around her the crowd slowed too, like a film moving frame by frame.
All except Imran, striding through the barely moving people. Each step took him further away.
Jacqui opened her mouth to call his name, urge him to stop. The déjà vu was back, stronger this time. Her flesh crawled in horrified premonition. Her throat constricted, silencing her strained vocal cords.
Helplessly she watched him meld into the crowd.
Then it came. The nameless thing sheâd been expecting without knowing. A soundless judder of vibration on the air. A quake that made the ground beneath her feet shudder and heave.
