Veena’s review of To Defy A Sheikh by Maisey Yates
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Presents 01 Nov 14
This story is different from the norm of stories based in the oil-rich desert kingdoms with their playboy sheikhs who lust for beautiful white women. The heroine, Samarah, is middle Eastern and yet very definitely a modern woman. When her birthright is taken from her, she rises to the challenge and survives against all odds. She trained as an assassin to be able to avenge her father’s murder, and yet her hand falters at the final step and she’s overpowered by her target. Ferran is the sophisticated ruler of his rich desert kingdom and yet, given the circumstances of his youth, he is definitely not a playboy. Can they build something on the foundation of their past?
Samarah’s background and training in martial arts is definitely very different in a heroine, particularly one born in the part of the world she lives in and, more particularly, in the class that she belongs to. I like how she finds opportunities to spar with Ferran, even after he’s been able to survive her attempt to assassinate him. She’s definitely living proof that women can do anything they set their mind to, regardless of birth and background.
Ferran is a modern man. He sees the advantages of exploiting Samarah’s birthright for the good of his kingdom. In his own way, he admires her for surviving against all those odds. As he spars with her and showers her with the accoutrements of her station, almost against his will, she gets through the armor he’s encased himself in since the death of his parents and his execution of her father.
As in most stories of this ilk, they visit Bedouin tribesmen and spend time at an oasis, which is his retreat. Overall. the theme is different and yet. as intriguing as the theme is. the two characters, for all my admiration, never fully capture my attention to make this a memorable story.
Grade: C
Summary:
The cost of defiance
Princess Samarah Al-Azem knows you cannot rush revenge. Having bided her time, she’s finally ready to bring down Ferran, her kingdom’s enemy and the man who took everything from her. In the still of night, she lies in wait in his bedchamber….
It isn’t the first time Sheikh Ferran has found himself at the edge of an assassin’s blade…but never has it been wielded by such a beautiful assailant. Soon he has her at his mercy—something he’s wanted for years!
Now Samarah must decide: imprisonment in a cell…or in diamond shackles as his wife.
