THE SHEIKH'S VIRGIN - Jane Porter
Harlequin Presents #2473
ISBN: 0-373-12473-2
June 2005
Short Contemporary Romance

Texas , London , & Barakan - Present Day

Sheikh Kalen Nuri has a well-deserved reputation as an international playboy, but there is more to Kalen than meets the eye.  He is fiercely loyal to his brother, the Sultan of Barakan, and will do whatever it takes to protect his brother and his brother's family -- even kidnap an innocent young woman to prevent her marriage to his brother's enemy.

Keira al-Issidri has spent her life torn between her parents' two worlds.  Her father, a powerful man in the palace of the Sultan of Barakan, is a conservative man who believes in the old ways, including the one that deems daughters are good only to make powerful marriages.  Her London born mother was a scholar and an independent woman who eschewed the archaic life of Barakan.  A youthful indiscretion as a teenager has left Keira feeling unworthy, but determined to carve out her own life.  She's done just that.  She lives in Dallas , has a good job, and enjoys her independence.  When her father tells her he has arranged a marriage for her, Keira is appalled and refuses the match.  But can she really stand against a man as powerful as her father?

Kalen Nuri has always fascinated Keira, and she has secretly had a crush on him for years, but not even to fulfill her deepest fantasies will Keira submit to a man's rule.  But will she be able to resist Kalen's seductive charms when he is the only man who can save her from the marriage arranged by her father?

It has been a long time since I've read a Harlequin Presents, and after reading THE SHEIKH'S VIRGIN, I'm wondering why.  From the first page to the last, passion, danger, intrigue -- and did I mention passion? -- fill the pages.  Kalen is a wonderfully alpha hero; powerful, sexy, sensual, and delicious. But he is also a man of strong honor and convictions with hidden depths.  His machinations on behalf of his brother often paint him as a villain, but in the end he proves to be a wonderful hero. Keira is a young woman caught between two worlds, and in an impossible situation: marry a man three times her age, or submit to being seduced by the man she has worshipped for years.  It seems as if her choice would be easy, but there are depths to Keira that prevent her from readily succumbing to Kalen's seductive powers.  Keira has the same hopes and dreams of any modern young woman, but her heritage makes it difficult for her to believe her dreams can come true.  The narrative is smooth and paints a vivid portrait of exotic foreign places.  The dialogue is natural and flows easily.  Secondary characters play minor roles, but are well enough defined for the reader to understand them.

THE SHEIKH'S VIRGIN is romance in the traditional style, with a powerful hero, an intelligent and warm heroine, and while there is danger and intrigue, the heart of the story is the love between two worthy people.  The sensuality of the story is intense, but also romantic, and will please readers who love a good solid romantic read.  Grab your copy of THE SHEIKH'S VIRGIN, and while you're browsing in the bookstore, grab a couple more Harlequin Presents -- I know I will -- they get it right; it's all about the romance. <G>

Terrie Figueroa