In one or two sentences can you sum up your overall impression of this book and how you feel about it?
This is a well
written-book and presented at a good pace. I hate books involving
sheikhs, but enjoyed this book more than I thought I would once I got
over my ‘sheikh’ bias.
What did you think of Bram and Ruby?
I liked Ruby as she was
honest with herself. And Bram and Ruby were likable as a couple working
through the difficulties of truly believing the other was in love with
them even though their marriage was an agreed-upon business transaction.
What did you think of Bram's portrayal as a sheikh?
Bram was presented well
and I liked his caring for others and ability to be his own man and not
need to be top dog (or top sheikh). He was an outstanding bloke for a
sheikh. But I have met many sheikhs and none where like Bram – most
were assholes who could care less about others, especially caring for
and falling for a woman. That is why I had a bias I needed to get past.
How do you think Liz Fielding handled the Middle Eastern culture?
I do not have enough
experience living at that level in the Middle East, but from what I
witnessed from the fringes of ultra-rich sheikhs and Middle Eastern
royal families, it appeared to be a good representation. I liked that
Ruby could understand things were much different than in her ‘normal’
life, but was able to flow with it and accept it. This made Ruby much
more likable as a heroine. In a number of other romance novels I have
read, the heroine will not accept they are in a different world and are
fighting it and in some cases, trying to change it. Ruby was initially
uncomfortable with things in a number of scenes, but quickly worked out
what was the new normal and flowed with it.
Was there anything in particular that stood out to you?
Two things. First both
Ruby and Bram had some baggage and became true loners who were highly
independent. Ms. Fielding wrote one line that really struck me and made
me think about people I know, including myself, as to how it applied.
The line was
I had not appreciated the difference previously and how much different being detached was from being unattached. I thought this one line showed how great Ms. Fielding’s writing is.
The second thing was the struggle Ruby and Bram had to keep their hands off each other for so long in the book, given the situation they were in. Ms. Fielding did an excellent job dealing with this and evolving it, and I felt significant sexual tension throughout, making me rate the book as 2-flames even though in terms of actual sex, it was really a 1-flame book!
“Like
him, she was not so much unattached as detached.”
I had not appreciated the difference previously and how much different being detached was from being unattached. I thought this one line showed how great Ms. Fielding’s writing is.
The second thing was the struggle Ruby and Bram had to keep their hands off each other for so long in the book, given the situation they were in. Ms. Fielding did an excellent job dealing with this and evolving it, and I felt significant sexual tension throughout, making me rate the book as 2-flames even though in terms of actual sex, it was really a 1-flame book!
What did you think of Ms Fielding's writing and storytelling?
She is a very crafted
story teller and writer. Pace was spot on. The only thing I tired of a
bit and this is a true ‘manview’ versus a female view I expect, is that
I did not enjoy spending 10% of the book reading about Ruby shopping
for her wardrobe, her accessories, etc.! It may not have been 10%, but
it felt like it to this guy. Had it been more like in 50 Shades of Grey
where they go to the hardware store to buy rope and duct tape, then I
may have enjoyed the shopping scene more! But as a man, I could not
wait for the clothes shopping scene to end!
This is not a poor reflection on Ms. Fielding’s writing as much as just noting a manview of this is different than the female view!
This is not a poor reflection on Ms. Fielding’s writing as much as just noting a manview of this is different than the female view!
What are you going to read next?
Extreme Exposure by Pamela
Clare
View all my reviews
About the author
Liz Fielding: Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads - Amazon
About the reviewer
Steve Shipley: Website - Facebook - Twitter - Amazon
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Hi Steve
ReplyDeleteFabulous review for an awesome story I loved this one and agree Liz Fielding writes fabulous stories that always take me away to places around the world with believable characters :)
I am glad that you did enjoy this Sheikh story
Have Fun
Helen
Liz Fielding writes awesome sheikhs.
DeleteWhile not my type of book I enjoyed the review.
ReplyDeleteIt didn't used to be either, I wasn't a fan of sheikhs but I really enjoy Liz Fielding's books on them.
DeleteAs always you make me smile
ReplyDeleteThat's cos he's awesome.
DeleteOh, gosh, Steve, your review made my day. I know that the sheikh "fantasy" is not everyone's cup of tea but I'm glad you liked Bram enough to get past that. Thanks for the 2 flaes. :)
ReplyDeleteI think Steve might have been a bit disappointed there was not duct tape and rope involved! :-p
DeleteHe does make me want to read this one. Lol. Excellent manview
ReplyDeleteIt's a good book. I really enjoyed it.
DeleteA wonderful and refreshing review. I agree with the others, Lis Fielding writes delightful stories and this review highlighted the reasons why it crossed genders so well. Another LF book to add to my library :-)
ReplyDeleteLiz is one of my favorite authors. She writes beautiful books.
Delete