Series

Part of a Series!

Review: The Sheikh’s Forced Bride (Sharjah Sheikhs #1)

2 April 2018 / Reviews, Series / , , , , / 2 Comments

My ReviewsA journalist gets an offer she can’t refuse!

The Sheikh’s Forced Bride is #01 of 03 in the Sharjah Sheikhs Series by Leslie North. All 3 are currently published with 02 being in audio. #3 should be out in audio soon.

Nicholas Thurkettle narrates the series, to include #3.

HEA with no cliffhanger!

These 3 are connected by brothers, and are more enjoyable in order, but could be taken as standalones. There would be slight spoilers for the earlier ones if you start at #2 or #3.

Length: 2 hrs and 53 mins

Warning: SEX!
Yes! Both in thoughts and actions, so those opposed should avoid.

Trigger Warnings
None that I see.
Please let me know it you think there should be.

♥ Story ♥

 

Sheikh Khalid Al-Qasimi ❤ Journalist Casey Connolly

 

The story opens at the altar of all things. Sheikh Khalid Al-Qasimi is getting married, and not to the heroine of the story. Not quite what you were expecting huh? It’s a forced/arranged wedding that neither of the participants want, but it is tradition. The marriage is a punishment in Khalid’s eyes, handed down by his father who is tired of his sons making less than honorable headlines, and kids today complain about losing cell phone privileges. Really puts thing in perspective.

Enter Casey Connolly, a journalist out for a story on arrange marriages that will make front page and forward her path to a Pulitzer. She’s a woman on a mission! Her outbursts disrupts the wedding, causes the bride to call it off, muddies the water for all other present, and lands Casey in the palace prison. So not quite how she thought it was going to play out.

While pacing her cell, Casey receives a visitor with an offer she can’t refuse! Khalid wants to thwart his father’s plans for him to marry and sees a way out in the journalist. Casey needs the interview to headline her report to get her front page across the nation. Seems like a win-win for both of them, so what could possibly go wrong?
Always EVERYTHING when you say that!

This is more of a Novella size at barely 3 hours, but Casey and Khalid have enough time to do some soul searching and discover some deeper part of themselves. Plus have some sexy times too! Overall a sweet and sexy little story!

“Please. Always. Forever.”
— Casey

 

♥ Author ♥

 

This is my first read/listen by Leslie North, and I am looking forward to #2! Her writing is sexy and the HEA rock! The covers are HOT too. I now have all of her other titles on my Wishlist!

Leslie has 41 Audible Titles

♥ Narrator(s) ♥

 

This is my first listen by Nicholas Thurkettle, and I’m in love! His voice definitely works for the future ruler Khalid as well as the determined Casey. He uses a slight accent for Khalid and his family that sounds real and not overly done like some can resort to.

Nicholas has 13 Audible Titles

The Sheikh’s Forced Bride

Sharjah Sheikhs Series

Written by Leslie North

Read by Nicholas Thurkettle

Ebook obtained through Kindle Unlimited.

Audiobook obtained for free at my request and I am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review

Review: Ryker (Bad Boys for Hire #1) by Rachelle Ayala

27 July 2019 / Reviews, Series / , , , , , , , , , , , ,

My Reviews
I asked for more and I got it!

This is the 1st in the Bad Boys for Hire Series. I previously listened/reviewed book #2 Ken.

♥ Story ♥
Terri “Terr” Martin is turning 30 and needs a date! She calls the Bad Boys for Hire agency to hire a biker to accompany her to the party her mother is throwing for her. She wants to make a ripple in the pond, not show up with a respectable date. Terry runs her own florist shop to her mother’s dismay who is always trying to set her up with someone that will raise the social status of the family.

Ryker is a marine, who just so happens to be a biker, sidelined by a war injury trying to find a job, and it’s not going well. After an awkward if not embarrassing standoff, Ryker ends up working for Terri. Their chemistry is on fire, but when the meddling mother comes to visit/coerce her into a date, Ryker recognizes a woman from his past and all the pieces fall into place.

Secrets start pouring out, and they are juicy! Seems they have a lot more in common than once thought, and their pasts coming roaring back with a vengeance. The story ends so far from where you think when you first start, but trust me, It’s so worth it!

♥ Author ♥
This is my second read by Rachelle Ayala and I am so not disappointed! I can’t wait for the 3rd book to make it to audio!

♥ Narrator(s) ♥
Chris Abell also narrates this title. My opinion of who his voice reminds me of still stands, but I was so enthralled with the story and what was going to happen that I cannot say much more about his performance which should say everything about the job he did!

Ryker

Written by Rachelle Ayala

Read by Chris Abell

Ebook obtained through Kindle Unlimited

Audiobook obtained for free at my request and I am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review

Review: Ken (Bad Boys for Hire, Book 2) by Rachelle Ayala

27 July 2019 / Reviews, Series / , , , , , , , , , , ,

My Reviews
I love it and want more!

This is number 2 in the Bad Boys for Hire series, and my first of this series, and author. I do want to read number one now and definitely am looking forward to number 3. I also want to read other titles by this author.

I loved this story. It’s so much more than a man rescuing a damsel in distress. Both Ken and Jolie have their own issues in life to work out so that they can move on in love and living. Ken has always been living but hasn’t taken the time to love. Jolie has taken the time to love, but on her terms. She has never truly lived which forces her to inner reflect if she has truly loved.

Ken is the equivalent of Jerry O’Connell from Stand By Me. He was a chubby child that grew up to be a super fit hottie! He took a big header while surfing and while his career is on hold so his head can heal, we moonlights as a Bad Boys for Hire! Yes, it’s an escort service, but sex is specifically a no-no and is written into the contract.

Jolie is a bride without a groom! Her intended was caught literally with his pants down the night before the wedding by her bridesmaids, so in an attempt to keep Jolie from looking foolish, Ken is hired to be a stand-in.

Ken recognizes Jolie from their childhood school days and now that he is no longer the pumpkin boy, he wants to see if he can get her to fall for him. Jolie on the other hand has no clue this fit and fabulous man before her is that same little boy that was in her play at school so long ago.

I completely adored Ken’s interactions with his sister, Carol, who fell off a mountain while climbing it during a winter storm, and now is in a wheelchair. He was an awesome brother and friend and I look forward to the next book which features Carol in her own HEA!

Chris Abell was excellent in his narration. Both male and female characters were completely believable and it was easy to get lost in the story. He does remind me a bit of Casey Kasem but unless you are in your thirties or older, you probably have no idea whom I’m talking about.

I give this 5 of 5 stars, and recommend it especially as a palate cleanser for in between the heavier, more dark reads.

Ken (Bad Boys for Hire Series, Book 2)

Written by Rachelle Ayala

Read by Chris Abell

Ebook obtained through Kindle Unlimited

Audiobook obtained for free at my request and I am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review


Review: Ken (Bad Boys for Hire Series, Book 2) by Rachelle Ayala