Exposed: The Sheikh's Mistress

"As the respected ruler of a desert kingdom, Sheikh Hashim al Aswa must marry a suitable bride of impeccable virtue. He previously left Sienna Baker when her past was exposed. He saw the photos to prove it. But what is the truth behind Sienna's scandal? And with passion between them this hot, will he be able to walk away?" This book was so intense and satisfying, I flipped it over and read it again. After two days, I still think about Sienna and Hashim. I had no problem with his attitude about the calendar, considering his background. A good character and, of course purity, would be a must for a wife in his culture. It is true he had mistresses, but it seems most were pretty standard mistress types except for the actress in a "soft porn" movie. The other women were basically disposable, while he was actually considering wedlock with Sienna. He was angry at being fooled, so he thought, but as I got to know him, I believe he was hurt as well. Otherwise why would he go to all the trouble of such an elaborate seduction scheme? It's obvious he was very taken with her, not just sexually, from the start. I felt he was elated and horrifed to find her a virgin after all, but alas he couldn't figure a way to make it work. In one way I kind of hoped Sienna would refuse him, but I liked the way she handled him; it was just what he needed. The pressure on him became so great at the end, I thought he might consider abdicating, but the love and responsibility for his people was too strong. It would have been romantic, but she wouldn't have respected him then and he would have felt guilty all his life. I was so proud of the way he stood up for her at the end. He had a lot going on, a lot to consider. I believe he was really in love with her all along. Someone mentioned the sex. Oh gosh! It was so sensual and hot to me, it just permeated the whole book. The one negative I had was her switch in religion, but that's a personal issue. Conversion is a fairly common deal in royal marriages. For example the Canadian girl who married a British prince recently. There are people who believe "all roads lead to Rome" as the expression goes, so they would have no problem converting to another faith.

back cover: For love or money...Romance on the red carpet... Exposed: the story of the sheikh`s mistress! Is Sheikh Hashim Al Aswad back with Sienna Baker, the model he nearly married, before photos exposing her past were revealed? Unsuitable bride or model wife? But Hashim doesn`t know the truth behind the "scandal". And though he may just want to bed her, not wed her, with a passion this hot, can he walk away? my opinion: posing nude for a calender because of sick mother (surgery no less) is just too stiff : ( also the resolution: Hashim buys the rights for the calender so that no-one can ever print it again + none of the news about sheikh with topless model as his bride will ever reach his country (I guess those newspapers and tv-programs will not be shown/sale) Need to say more??? p.s. though this is EXPOSED there is hardly much sex in this book...should there be???

This book could either be a two star or a four star! I've still not decided. Because it's Sharon Kendrick, and I rate her, I've put four star. The problem for me is not the author, but the hero. He's a middle eastern prince and it shows - spoilt, arrogant and outrageously hypocritical about the good old double standard. Here he is admitting he's happy to pay for sex (because that's what he does with his mistresses - forks out a fortune for them), and has has loads and loads of sex with loads and loads of women, but throws a wobbly when he thinks the heroine is a slut. She posed for bare-breast photos in a calender to pay for an operation for her mother - that, so he thinks, gives him the right to treat her like some kind of prostitute. Then - what a hypocrite! - when he discovers she's a virgin suddenly she's a good girl again. All in all he's such a creep I thought the best the heroine should do is slap his face and walk out. But she doesn't want to lose her job (he's threatening her career, another nice touch). However, if you stick it out long enough, he does improve - just. The bit where they face up to the fact that they can never marry, and must part, is very touching. But, as with so many heroines facing this kind of hero, she really could do so much better for herself. Sharon Kendrick is very good at alpha heroes, but in this instance he's too far gone. And all the 'my Sheikh' stuff the heroine comes out with at the end, even if it's done teasingly, sticks in my craw. But, being Sharon Kendrick, it's well written and pacy. I'll wait for a more appealing hero though.