WEDLOCKED: BANISHED SHEIKH, UNTOUCHED QUEEN - Carol Marinelli (Dark Hearted Desert Men)

Author: Carol Marinelli
Line: Harlequin Presents / Mills and Boon Modern
Release month: North America: April 2010 /UK:
The S-Factor: Sensual and Sizzling

Back Blurb:

About to lose his kingdom, Xavian is marrying for power—his wedding night will be purely for duty. As he unveils his new queen, nervous and naked, bathed in fragrant oils, he's stunned that she's as beautiful as the desert stars….

This queen deserves a royal bedding worthy of the Arabian Nights…and in her arms Xavian discovers that, though he may not have a kingdom, he has the strength and power of a thousand kings.

But this untouched queen could be his undoing….

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Author Carol Marinelli has again charmed me as well as answering my wish for this particular story to be written with Wedlocked: Banished Sheikh, Untouched Queen. It’s an absolutely magnificent love story and the first book in the Dark Hearted Desert Men series.

If you read The Royal House of Karedes in the very last book there was a stranger at the Queen of Aristo’s wedding who noticed a man with eyes so like her new husbands that she was shaken. For she new that her husband and brothers as children had been kidnapped and that the youngest Al’Farisi brother, Zakari was swept out to sea and never found. The brothers never got over their loss nor did the country of Calista.

This incredible story is about that lost brother, now known as Xavian, the ruler of Qusay, the sheikh playboy who has been promised to Layla, the Queen of Haydar. A very strong Queen, a beautiful woman who rules alone and is a virgin. A woman not to be kept waiting, a proud woman who gives as good as she gets and who almost faints at her wedding because her future husband is so handsome and powerfully built, who oozes sensuality and takes her breath away.

Throughout reading this story one is made aware that Xavian takes his duties seriously and puts his country first. However, he is trouble by the scars on his wrists, he has bad dreams at night, and since the wedding of the Queen of Aristo, he’s troubled because they keep contacting him all of a sudden and it makes him unsettled. Now he is about to marry a woman who is queen of another country and he’s expected to produce an heir and possibly assist her in ruling her country, uniting both lands.

Queen Layla was nervous, it was her wedding day to a man she had been betrothed to since childhood. A man with a reputation of a playboy, a man who would take her on their wedding night. This sheikh, her future husband kept her waiting and she was furious. She just wants the honeymoon over and wants to get back to what makes her comfortable, ruling her country. Let’s just say, you won’t want to miss their time in the desert because it’s just as hot as the desert sun, it’s a complex, beautiful and extremely passionate love story with lots of conflict.

However, it’s a rollercoaster love story because one just knows that it’s going to explode in both of their faces when the King of Qusay finds out he’s been living a lie and the wrong life! When the truth is revealed, it’s devastating for this couple, not just for Xavian but for Layla because she loves her husband and she’s torn on what to do because she also loves her country. You’re happy for him because he’s found his lost family but you also cry for him because he now must step down from being the ruler of his beloved country. He feels cheated for what his so called parents did to him and the son who died, the son and heir to the Qusay throne.

Wedlocked: Banished Sheikh, Untouched Queen was as I’ve said a stunning love story and how author Carol Marinelli tied The Royal House of Karedes and this new series together was incredible. A personal thanks to the author as I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

Carol Marinelli's website:

Carol talks about her first sheikh and the last book in the Royal House of Karedes which let to this sheikh's story.

Carol's Dear Reader

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INNOCENT SECRETARY, ACCIDENTALLY PREGNANT – Carol Marinelli

Author: Carol Marinelli
Line: Mills and Boon Modern Heat
Release month UK: December 2009
North America: TBA
 The S-Factor: Sizzling

Back-Blurb:

Sexy Sicilian boss – handle with care!

Plain Emma Stephenson might not look like a tycoon’s glamorous assistant, but for Luca D’Amato – a playboy who likes to play – breaking through her no-nonsense attitude is his favorite new game.

Sensible Emma thought all they’d be sharing was an office – not a bed! But she’s learning fast what being Luca’s personal assistant really means!

Now he’s standing there offering her a promotion, and she’s trying to find the words to tell him…she’s pregnant!

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Again, author Carol Marinelli charms her readers with Innocent Secretary…Accidentally Pregnant and gives a new meaning to new beginnings.

This brilliantly crafted love story gives one so many thoughts to think about, like the true meaning of love and I so admired the heroine in this story. Emma because of her character, her strength and how she endured the hurt from the man she loved. When she should have walked away, she stayed and was there for him during his time of need. Both for his sister’s wedding and his father’s funeral, she was there supporting him and loving him. It showed one that yes love can hurt but real love could also make you strong. And strong she became when she did finally walked away.

Emma Stephenson new exactly what it was like living with a home full of men, how they treated women, using them and then casting them out of their lives. She also knew what it was like not having a mother and living a life feeling not wanted or loved by her father. Now, however, she had the responsibility of taking care of her father who was in a nursing home plus the new responsibility of a new job and a boss that was the most handsome man she had ever seen. He’s demanding, he’s arrogant, he’s rich and he’s off limits because of his reputation for going though women and disregarding them at a moments notice. She’s now faced with an even more pressing problem in her life, her desire to become an artist, the cost of the nursing home and now her sexy boss insists she must play his girlfriend at his sister’s wedding in Sicily. Will she be able to resists his charms? If she falls for him, will she escape being hurt because he makes it very clear he will never love nor marry?

Luca D-Amato is tall, dark, handsome and sexy man who never will commit. The reason is made known early in the book because of the abuse he heard and witnessed his father inflicting on his mother. It’s so deeply imbedded in his mind and heart that he doesn’t want to take a chance he’ll be like his father. However, working with Emma, seeing how bright, cheeky she is, she challenges him and she’s constantly in his thoughts from the moment he meets her. She’s different from the other women he’s dated, she’s a challenge, one he understands immediately he can’t do anything about it because he likes her and doesn’t want to hurt her. However, emotions become their highest for them both while attending the family wedding and they finally make love and then things go down hill.

As we all know, pasts sometimes affect one’s future and one can only hope there’s a chance for this couple. However, as in life, walls, barriers, emotions and harsh words get in their way and their short termed affair abruptly comes to an end. Add to that Emma finds out the truth of her mother’s death and realizes she’s pregnant. Then Luca’s father dies, his family expects her to attend the funeral, which she agrees to because he asked. If that’s not enough emotion, Luca finds out a secret his mother has kept from him.

Innocent Secretary…..Accidentally Pregnant is one I’ll read over and over again because it simply was that good. Besides the sizzling passion, the book brings a new beginning and second chances theme, and the reminder that love heals all! Thank you Carol Marinelli for this moving and magnificent book!

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

Behind the Book from Dear Reader:

“I had a very clear fission of Luca when he arrived in my mind….he smiled at me and I promptly melted. He crooked his finger and I bounded towards him like a puppy in the window….pick me, pick me!

Oh Carol!

I knew then that I was going to need a special heroine for Luca. Frankly, I’d have been putty in his warm hands, and would have made all the wrong choices (but, oh, so right at the time!) Thankfully, Emma has rather more self-control than her creator.

I loved finding out more about Luca…..getting to know the real man behind his rich playboy veneer and I hope you do too.” Carol

BEDDED FOR PASSION, PURCHASED FOR PREGNANCY – Carol Marinelli

Line:                   Mills and Boon Modern/
                          Harlequin Presents

Release month   UK:                  June 2009
                         North America: December 2009

The S-Factor:    Sizzling

Back-Blurb:

When Zarios D'Amilo meets Emma Hayes again, she is no longer the awkward teenager who tried to kiss him, but a beautiful, confident woman. Now he wants her!

To claim his inheritance, this untamed tycoon must curb his wild ways. He needs a convenient fiancée, and Emma needs a million dollars. So Zarios seizes his opportunity—he will have her! But passion soon leads to pregnancy, and suddenly, the stakes are higher….

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

If you enjoy romances with alpha- heroes who'll sweep you off your feet and set your pulse pounding, you'll definitely want to read Carol Marinelli’s Bedded for Passion, Purchased for Pregnancy. This book is an excellent indication of Carol’s wonderful talent for writing captivating stories and vibrant characters.

Eric Hayes and Rocco D’Amilo have been friends for over fifty years and now its Eric’s 60th birthday and Rocco and his playboy son Zarios have arrived at the family’s home in Melbourne to celebrate. Zarios has been warned not to mess with Eric’s daughter Emma and he reminds his son he needs to settle down because when he retires, he wants his son to take over. However, the board of directors do not look kindly upon Zarios because of his playboy reputation even though he is for the most part solely responsible for the firms success.

Emma is nervous about seeing Zarios as she remembers years ago how attracted she was to him. But as fate would have it, they are immediately drawn to each other and then the next day when Emma goes for an ocean swim and almost drowns, Zarios saves her in more ways than one. He saves her life and then they make love. For them both it’s something they both realize was special and they agree to see each other soon. Fate steps in again in the form of an ex-girlfriend who claims to be pregnant and if that’s not enough Emma is again faced to deal with her brother’s gambling debts plus her parent’s parish in a fatal car accident the very next day after her father’s birthday.

Now months later Emma approaches Zarios to ask for a loan to pay off her brother’s debts. She uses the fact that she will pay him back when she receives her inheritance. In a way, Zarios blackmails Emma into faking an engagement to him until the board convenes so that he appears respectable and focused on the future. She agrees for the sake of her brother.

Their time together will have you holding your breath because it’s obvious they still desire each other and fight it every step of the way. Of course, throw into the mix that Zarios suspects it’s Emma who has a gambling problem as he’s not aware of her brother’s situation. They just keep hurting each other. Emma is aware she loves Zarios and then to add more stress to their marriage, she is told she’s pregnant with Zarios child.

Trust in the end is what’s important, trust and forgiveness especially for this man that was raised motherless, used by women for his wealth and status, and owning up to realizing that things are not always what they seem. Their realization they love each other, Zarios confessions, and Emma’s forgiveness, were spectacular to read. For those who love romances with vibrant characters and a plot full of surprises, Carol Marinelli’s Bedded for Passion, Purchased for Pregnancy is a story that's got to be read!

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

SECRET SHEIKH, SECRET BABY – Carol Marinelli

Author: Carol Marinelli

Line: Harlequin Medical/ Mills and Boon Medical Duo with Jessica Matthews

Release month UK: September 2009 / North America: August 2009

The S-Factor: Sexy

Back-Blurb:

Hot-shot surgeon Karim Zaraq is prince of a desert kingdom. Karim knows he must find a wife and produce an heir, but this playboy wants one final fling before royal duty beckons.

Pretty midwife Felicity Anderson has no idea who Karim really is, but her one night with the sexy surgeon has turned her world upside down—suddenly she's pregnant!

With Felicity carrying the kingdom's hopes, Karim must marry her. But Felicity won't say "I do" unless the prince can prove it's for love.

Review: ♥♥♥♥

Secret Sheikh, Secret Baby was a very intense and sexy sheikh love story written by the very talented Carol Marinelli. It was also my first Harlequin Medical romance and I was very impressed that due to its nature it was not boring but very interesting as the heroine was a midwife and the hero a sheikh prince and surgeon.

They meet at an orientation in London where Felicity Anderson is attending in order to determine if she wants to accept a position already offered in the Middle East or accept a position in one of the most modern and beautiful hospitals located on a private island, ruled by a royal family the Kingdom of Zaraq. The royal prince and surgeon Prince Karim is overseeing the recruitment for his hospital and university.

Karim and Felicity meet in the most interesting way when he slips inside the presentation and immediately they sense each other, through site, smell, and sexual attraction. What’s so very bizarre is that Felicity has recently broken off with her boyfriend because of sexual problems and after a year, she cannot have a relationship, even though she has been through therapy. So, this immediate attraction to a stranger, a man who makes her feel things she’s never felt before are frightening yet exciting. As fate would have it, they are brought together after the conference due to an auto accident and then the fateful night they spend together before they both go their separate ways.

Karim is a man bound by honour to his King (his father), his brothers and his country. His first love is his profession as a surgeon but due to the illness of his father, he will be to any lengths to serve his country. He has also been a playboy but that is soon to end as his father wants him to marry and produce an heir since his brother’s wife is barren. However, he can’t seem to forget his one night with Felicity and wonders if he’ll ever see her again in his country.

Like Karim, Felicity has been honor bound to her mother and sister. She has accepted all financial responsibilities for her sister’s illness and her mother’s bills. She is determined to make a success of her life in Zaraq and when she finally gets there and starts orientation and later being a midwife, she realizes she has made the right decision. Only there are a few problems……upon arrival she finds out the man she spent the night with is a prince and heir to the throne, that she’s pregnant with his baby.

When Karim is told he’s the father of Felicity’s baby, his entire personality changes. He accuses her of lying, he put together a deceitful plan for the good of his brother and for his country, and he demands marriage and takes her into the desert. There in the desert, they learn quite a lot about each other and all Felicity wants is the man who she grew to love in London, the sensitive and caring man.

This royal family would do anything for their country, I mean anything and that was what I found so interesting, the difference in cultures and what lengths they would go to in order to keep peace and structure for their country and King. It was indeed a hurtful scheme which would hurt Felicity. Thanks to a friend she escapes and returns home. But Karim can’t escape and be at peace until he realizes what’s important in life and he doesn’t realize it until it’s almost too late.

The Secret Sheikh, Secret Baby was an excellent look into a royal family, the desert, its customs, the difference between the East and the West and most of all, forgiveness. It’s an intense love story, with intense characters, in a beautiful desert kingdom with lots of sexual tension as only Carol Marinelli can pen.

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

Behind the Book from Dear Reader:

Carol Marinelli states, “I love writing about instant attraction. More than that, I love the whole idea of two people who have never met before, who know nothing about each other, and suddenly they click!”

BLACKMAILED INTO THE GREEK TYCOON’S BED - Carol Martinelli

Author: Carol Marinelli

Line: Harlequin Presents/ Mills & Boon Modern

Release month UK: August 2009/North America: August 2009

The S-Factor: Sizzling

Back-Blurb:

Bookish heiress Karin has failed in her first act of defiance! She's tried to take back the symbol of everything good in her life, but ruthless billionaire Xante Rossi has caught her red-handed!
Why is this shy beauty stealing from him? Xante is intrigued. Karin's purity belies the corruption her family name represents. To save her from scandal and uncover the truth, he'll make a proposal. If Karin wants her precious heirloom, she'll have to earn it back in his bedroom!

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Carol Marinelli’s contribution to the International Billionaire’s series with Blackmailed Into the Greek Tycoon’s Bed was stunning. Immediately one becomes aware that the handsome, successful and wealthy millionaire Xante Rossi is immediately attracted to the beautiful English heiress Karin Wallis. Also, as one reads this brilliantly penned love story a very valuable lesson is learned that “you can’t judge a book by it’sits cover. And that’s putting it mildly.

This series involves rugby and Xante is a huge fan, in fact his hotel is housing the English rugby team and one of his most prized possessions which he’s recently acquired; a ruby encrusted rose which Karin’s grandfather, a famous English player, received and it’s part of her inheritance. Without her permission, her brother sold it to the highest bidder and it’s sentimental value to Karin is all she has left and she’s determined to get it which is the reason for her visit to Xante’s hotel. They meet and the attraction between this couple is so hot it sizzles off the pages. One thing leads to another and Karin is accused of stealing and Xante gets his perfect chance to get to know this woman who has been dubbed by the press as the “Ice Queen”.

Karin challenges Xante in so many ways. He has a past at getting what he wants when it comes to women and she offers him a challenge, plus he’s sure she’s hiding things and he’s also not ready to let her go. What better opportunity to get to know her is to take her home to Greece for a family gathering. Both of them are hiding secrets from each other….Xante about his past as a teenager and how he used lady tourists and Karin, her family secrets, her reputation, an horrific accident and on and on.

For me, this entire story was amazing as throughout it there were twists, turns, more of their secrets revealed and just when you think nothing else can be revealed it happens. There were lessons learned for both of them, for Karin learned that if you opened up and let others in, the “world was actually quite forgiving and kind”. And for Xante, he couldn’t always fix everything and by letting her go and learning about herself, she would become so much stronger. As the author stated in the ending of this wonderful story, “love was a gift that was just a given – but trust was a treasured reward.”

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Reviewed by: Marilyn