DUTY, DESIRE AND THE DESERT KING  - Jane Porter
Harlequin Presents #2880
ISBN: 978-0-373-12880-8
December 2009
Series Romance

Kingdom of Sarq in the Sahara Desert – Present Day

Sheikh Zayed Fehrs calls himself the black sheep of his family. He has no responsibility and lives the high life in Monte Carlo .  Zayed gets a shock when he is informed about a plane crash and his older brother, King Sharif, is believed to be dead.  As the heir to the throne, he will be crowned within the week.  Zayed has a small problem.  He must find himself a suitable bride...fast.  And he knows just whom to turn to, whether she likes it or not.

Dr. Rou Tournell is a best selling author, lecturer, and successful matchmaker.  Rou grew up the victim of a nasty divorce that took years to settle.  Neither parent wanted her; they just didn't want the other to have her.  As a result, Rou made the decision never to marry. How ironic that she has become such a successful matchmaker.  Attending her friend Paulette's wedding three years ago, Rou was introduced to Zayed, who was there only because her good friend, Sharif, could not attend.  Rou was mesmerized by him and felt it was mutual; after all she is a successful matchmaker.  But hope crashed when she received a call from Sharif stating he had accidentally sent her an e-mail meant for his brother.  Rou was curious and read the e-mail.  She was crushed about Zayed's cruel opinion of her. Fast forward to the present, she is not just freaked out, but shocked when her secretary tells her Zayed is at her office demanding to see her.  When Zayed tells her what he needs, Rou refuses until she learns about Sharif's plane crash.  Needless to say, Rou knows she is in way over her head.  How can she find him a wife when she is so physically attracted to him?

The desert may be hot, but the passion that ignites between Rou and Zayed is scorching!  Can Rou and Zayed let go of the past and see that the love they feel for each other will not trap them, but set them free?

DUTY, DESIRE AND THE DESERT KING is the final chapter in the Desert Kings trilogy. Jane Porters is a self-proclaimed fan of those mysterious and handsome sheikhs who roam and live in faraway lands.  The story is well written and the characters are memorable. Was this a guilty pleasure?  Oh yes.  Enjoy, ladies.

Deborah  C. Jackson