The Sheikh's Forbidden Virgin

Kate Hewitt takes her readers on an extremely romantic journey through the desert in The Sheikh's Forbidden Virgin. While reading this exciting adventure, an adventure it surely was, I actually felt like I was in Zaraq, in its markets, the palace and in a desert storm. As for Calista where Princess Kalila is to be wed, the same applied, the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, riding in the desert with the sun beating down and fantasizing of being with a rugged sheikh. The author succeeded in giving me my fantasy and then some. Kalila had known from a very young age that she would have to marry the future king of Calista. An arranged marriage by her father and Zakari's father. She had just finished college in London and now she has to return home and to her duty. She mourns the fact that both of her parents married for love and she wants the same for herself. But duty prevails and she must go through with it. She hasn't seen her future husband since she was twelve years old. Now this future king is due to come and claim her in Zaraq. However, he doesn't come, he sends his brother Arif who is a very rugged, handsome and aloof prince. Arif is the brother everyone looks to, the protector and an extremely honourable prince. One immediately senses the attraction between Arif and Kalila, a forbidden one because of course nothing can come of it because she is soon to become the wife of his brother. Arif holds a lot inside, has dreams of a horrible kidnapping which ended in the result of one of his brothers disappearing, never to be found. However, he adores his country and family and is determined to take Kalila home to his brother. Kalila resists the marriage and escapes by horseback and rides off into a dust storm the day they are to leave. She is confused because first of all she hasn't heard from her bridegroom and she's attracted to Arif. Of course Arif follows and they have to spend the night in the desert in a tent. They act on their attraction and in the morning Arif is furious with himself. He can't believe he has betrayed his brother and the burden is heavy on his heart. However, Kalila is pleased it's happened even though she's lost her virginity and is to marry the King. She feels it was precious and sacred. Once in Calista, still no King, no message and Kalila is more confused. She is lonely and misses her time with Arif. It was such a sad time for them both and really a sad time for this reader because once you read this wonderful book you will be cheering them on and hoping to see them together. Each time they meet or go sightseeing, it's a battle for them both not to look or touch, it's heartbreaking. Kate Hewitt is such a talented author and this sheikh book was a little different from others I've read because I felt I could actually live the fantasy. It's such a sweet romance, even though their emotions for each other were a little rocky at times. The Sheikh's Forbidden Virgin was a wonderful addition to The Royal House of Karedes series