Desert Prince, Expectant Mother by Olivia Gates ... QC #128

5 Stars! ~~~ This book fulfilled every expectation!

Desert Prince, Expectant Mother by Olivia Gates

Mills & Boon Medical #1484 ~ April 2008

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At 27, Larrisa McPherson had worked hard to hone her skills as a trauma and reconstructive surgeon. Signing on with the GAO (Global Aid Organization) as a surgical trainer has given her the means to be in Bidalya, and covertly learn about the family of the baby she is carrying. On her first day at the Medical Complex, and from the very first look, Larrisa was mesmerized with the man approaching her.  He was magnificent, and his awareness of her seemed to be of equal intensity. From that moment on her life was forever changed, for the man was Sheikh Faress Aal Rasheed, Crown Prince and he was part of the family she’d come to get to know. Faress had been absolutely bowled over with attraction from his first site of Larissa, and nothing is going to stop the unstoppable. He knows Larissa needs time, but that’s okay his patience is legendary. As they work together with the surgical teams, and he makes his not so subtle advances, they form a bonding and mutual respect. Then a disaster strikes his family and Larissa’s only desire is to comfort him. She knows she must tell him that she carries his dead brother’s baby, only how can she add to his grief? And will he understand why she didn’t tell him sooner?

When I sit down with a book by Ms. Gates, I set aside the hours I need to read and savour the story. I know that I am going to be taken on a magical journey wrought with deep emotions, from erotic passion to bitter anger and disillusionment and to all consuming joy. This book fulfilled every expectation. From the opening pages, the magnetic attraction between Larissa and Faress is palpable. And this attraction is far far more than lust; it’s an instant connection, a meeting of souls. In Faress we have everything a hero should be; strength, determination, caring, integrity. He’s a perfect match for Larissa who is all that can be admired in a heroine. In every book written by Ms. Gates that I have read, I’ve been privileged to see deeply into the hero and heroine’s hearts; and the view is tremendous! Also with every book, I’ve been compelled to immediately savour it again. And upon each reading the words do not pale but rather become more powerful, more magical.

Excellence: Excellent! ~ Steaminess: Yummy

My Totals = 50 ~ Harlequin Imprint = 50 ~ Other Publisher = 0

April Mini-Challenge ~~ “It’s Raining Men” ~ #5

• Sheikh Faress – “he had the aura of a mystical knight, with power enough to bear mythic burdens, determination enough to forge legends. Had a face to make angels weep and a body to make the gods of old fade into insignificance…” …. Oh yes, please “rain” this man on me! … the male cover model doesn’t have enough presence, perhaps that’s why they show him only in profile … and sigh, the female cover model is not nearly as vivacious as I pictured Larissa, and where is her red hair? …..I cannot, in my mind, cast Faress … sadly, the only Middle Eastern actors that I can think of are Omar Sharif and Tony Shalhoub, and neither are suitable …even a young Omar could not do justice to Faress ….. Olivia, perhaps you can cast Faress for us …. How did you envision this man?

~~ KatherineT ~~ I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it!
~~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog