Banished Sheikh Malid Adjalane has no interest in returning to the family business under the watchful eye of his controlling father. But if Malid doesn’t agree to take on a tough deal, he won’t be allowed into the palace to see his dying mother. With no other choice, Malid finds himself deep in negotiations with the largest oil producer in the world. He expected hard work, but he never could have prepared himself for the gorgeous, ambitious woman on the other end of this business deal. Nigella Michaels works hard for her father’s oil company, but she still has a lot to prove. It’s a masculine industry, and with her dad about to retire, this deal could be just what she needs to show him once and for all that she’s the right person to continue his legacy. She’s always worked well with others, and this should be no exception. But not even her meticulous research could have prepared Nigella for the instant attraction she has with Malid. After so many years on his own, it won’t be easy for Malid to put up with his father’s terms. But with Nigella’s help, perhaps they’ll both learn to balance the weight of their family with their own desires.
Jessica Sterling has just discovered a life-changingsecret. In the desert kingdom of Bha''Khar is the familyshe never knew she had! Little does she realize thatincludes the man she''s been betrothed to since birth…. Sheikh Kardahl Hourani is rich, gorgeous and justa tiny bit arrogant. He''s happy to marry, but this broodingprince doesn''t have love on his agenda. Can Jessica seethe man behind the playboy persona and find her way intohis guarded heart?
Sheikh Khalid Al-Qasimi’s playboy ways have finally caught up with him. After creating a scandal during a diplomatic visit to America, Khalid is given a choice by his father—marry or face banishment. Rather than lose his family, Khalid bows to his father’s wishes but an outspoken American interrupts Khalid’s would-be wedding. Now Khalid has a new plan that might please his father, secure his inheritance and leave Khalid still able to go on with his life …he’ll take the beautiful American as his bride—and then his father will hate her so much he’ll beg Khalid not to get married after all. Journalist Casey Connolly has never been afraid to share her opinions. While researching an article on arranged marriages, she lands in trouble when she crashes a royal wedding to get a quote from the attending American guests.. The sexy groom offers to set her free if she’ll step into the role of his fiancée—just for a short time. Seeing a chance to get the scoop she needs, Casey agrees. Soon there’s no denying the chemistry they share. But Casey’s boss is pushing her to complete her piece and head back to the States, while Khalid’s father is still pushing for a hasty wedding. Will this pseudo-romance become the real thing or buckle under all the pressure being put on these two?
Christina is in the tiny country of Kattahar for one reason and one reason only - she is looking for a potential donor for her adorable neophyte who is desperate for a kidney. While Christina is stumbled upon a family secret, her sister, Kasha, is adopted and her birth mother, Sabrina, and a potential kidney donor, is living in Kattahar. With her world thrown into a tailspin, Christina heads to Kattahar to seek Sabrina out. What's not in her plans is getting involved with anyone, including the sinfully hot man she can't keep her eyes off. But when she asks her to be his fiancée, she's more than a little intrigued. As desperate for Christina to find her sister's birth mother, Dakaric, the King of Al Qalb, is just as desperate to keep power-hungry, crown-seeking women from distracting him from his goal of making his country prosperous. Christina just happens to be the perfect woman at the perfect time. She's only in Kattahar for a week, just long enough to pose for some PR photos and prove his "fiancée" exists. If she agrees to keep the gold diggers away, she will help her find Kasha's mother. The only hitch in his plan is his growing attraction to Christina, who is starting to look more and more perfect in every way. But desert sand is not all that swirls around them. Secrets and lies threaten their blossoming attraction before it can take root. Now Christina and Dakaric must decide if they want their temporary engagement to become an everlasting one.
Work always comes first for Sheikh Nassir Adjalane. From an early age, he learned business was infinitely more important than having a personal life. But with the pressure from an opponent on his board, Nassir suddenly has only one month to marry, or risk being voted out of his company. With everything he's working on the line, Nassir desperately needs a bride ... and only one woman will do it. Wedding planner Janna Davis never imagined she would be summoned to Middle East to plan Sheikh Nassir's nuptials. But the outrageous sum he's offered will finally give her what she needs to stand on her own two feet. As planning gets underway, Janna is put off by Nassir's businesslike way, but she can not deny his appeal. No matter what she's feeling though, Janna has a job to do. Janna values her independence and refuses to fall for a soon-to-be married man, but what will happen when she learns that she is Nassir's intended bride?
Book One: The Sheikh's Secret Bride Work always comes first for Sheikh Nassir Adjalane. From an early age, he learned business was infinitely more important than having a personal life. But with pressure from an opponent on his board, Nassir suddenly has only one month to marry, or risk being voted out of his company. With everything he's worked toward on the line, Nassir desperately needs a bride…and only one woman will do. Wedding planner Janna Davis never imagined she'd be summoned to the Middle East to plan Sheikh Nassir's nuptials. But the outrageous sum he's offered will finally give her what she needs to stand on her own two feet. As the planning gets underway, Janna is put off by Nassir's businesslike manner, but she can't deny his appeal. No matter what she's feeling though, Janna has a job to do. Janna values her independence and refuses to fall for a soon-to-be married man, but what will happen when she learns that she is Nassir's intended bride? Book Two: The Sheikh's Stubborn Bride Sheikh Adilan Adjalane has always felt he has a lot to prove…and that's why he always wins. As the youngest in his hugely successful family, it's not easy to live in his older brother's shadow. So when he sees a chance get back his father's land, the former Olympian will fight to earn his place at the top of the family real estate business. But with an older brother who'll stop at nothing and a beautiful, feisty American landowner who refuses to sell, Adilan is struggling to remember that he always fights fair. Teacher Michelle Reynolds has always wanted to see the world, and it doesn't take long for her to fall in love with the Middle East. She's always been open to compromise, but when Adilan Adjalane offers her cash for her land, Michelle refuses. She's determined to build a sanctuary on her mother's land, just as she promised. Besides, she's been warned about the Adjalanes. Adilan may be devastatingly handsome, but she knows he comes from a family of heartbreakers. With the stakes getting higher and their attraction growing, will Adilan have to sacrifice his ethics to earn his place in the family business, or is Michelle more important than winning? Book Three: The Sheikh's Reluctant American Banished Sheikh Malid Adjalane has no interest in returning to the family business under the watchful eye of his controlling father. But if Malid doesn't agree to take on a tough deal, he won't be allowed into the palace to see his dying mother. With no other choice, Malid finds himself deep in negotiations with the largest oil producer in the world. He expected hard work, but he never could have prepared himself for the gorgeous, ambitious woman on the other end of this business deal. Nigella Michaels works hard for her father's oil company, but she still has a lot to prove. It's a masculine industry, and with her dad about to retire, this deal could be just what she needs to show him once and for all that she's the right person to continue his legacy. She's always worked well with others, and this should be no exception. But not even her meticulous research could have prepared Nigella for the instant attraction she has with Malid. After so many years on his own, it won't be easy for Malid to put up with his father's terms. But with Nigella's help, perhaps they'll both learn to balance the weight of their family with their own desires.
In the second Quarterly Essay of 2004, Paul McGeough offers a dramatic account of why Iraq remains in chaos despite desperate American efforts to create a model democracy in the Middle East. According to McGeough, Iraq to this day remains a tribal society. It cannot be governed without the cooperation of the true powers in the land, the tribal and religious sheikhs. Those who have ruled Iraq in the past, including Saddam Hussein and the British before him, understood this fact. The Americans, by contrast, seem to have missed the point. In Mission Impossible, Paul McGeough enters the world of key Iraqi tribal and religious leaders. There are vivid portraits of the sheikhs' role in the fall and capture of Saddam, as well as their part in the growing insurgency. There are glimpses, too, of a history that once involved Lawrence of Arabia and Gertrude Bell, and which pre-dates Islam, stretching back thousands of years. Combining reportage and analysis in brilliant fashion, this groundbreaking essay is well timed to coincide with the next major phase in Iraq's troubled history. "Throughout the history of their region, the sheikhs have been the powerbrokers, deciding who would reign between the great rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates." —Paul McGeough, Mission Impossible
It's been five years since Alexa set eyes onGiovanni de Verrazzano—five years since shewalked out on their pretense of a marriageand took with her a precious secret. Since discovering that he is the son of apowerful desert ruler, Giovanni isdetermined that Alexa resume her role ashis wife and accompany him to his desertkingdom. But how will this proud Italian, ofKharastani descent, react when he discovershe has a son?
As head of the Tazeem Spice Company, the deal Sheikh Hussain has on the horizon could net him millions. Now he needs an assistant, but he certainly wasn’t expecting someone like Cassie Milton. She defies him at every turn with her courage, intelligence, and playful attitude. Her lush curves and golden eyes present a sinful temptation, but he needs to focus on what’s important. He can’t afford to be caught off guard by an American woman who claims to have no knowledge of her past. A bump on the head leaves Cassie with no memory of who she is or why she is in the Middle East. Luckily, salvation comes in a tall, muscular, irresistible package. When Sheikh Hussain Tazeem puts her to work, she has access to his business deals and all the luxury his billions can buy, but it’s pushing his buttons that’s giving her the biggest thrill. He’s easily the most uptight man she’s ever met. Yet, the more she’s drawn to his dark eyes and silent strength, the more she knows there’s something she needs to remember… But what? With their attraction building and millions of dollars on the line, the stakes are high for Cassie and Hussain. But as Cassie’s memory begins to resurface, the truth could jeopardize everything.
BENEATH THE DESERT STARS There was something tantalizingly mysterious about the man Chloe Randall had met on board the luxury cruise ship bound for exotic Morocco. With her head full of romantic images of her film idol Rudolph Valentino, she couldn’t help but be aware of the pent-up passion that was close to breaking through this stranger’s cool reserve. It was only when he rescued her from the merciless heat of the desert that he let his true self appear. He was a proud sheikh, and keenly dangerous. Because, having saved Chloe’s life, he had no intention of ever letting her go….
