The Desert King's Housekeeper Bride (The Royal House of Karedes) [Paperback]

Oh, I so enjoyed this one - though the first bedroom scene, where the female character walks into the Prince's room was rather ummm! It has a good story with strong and likeable characters and some really hot sexy scenes!

Really excellent instalment to the Karedes series - one the best so far. Very surprisng outcome. Effie really deserved her happy ending after such a humble beginning, and although King Zakari's deceit was hurtful, we undertood why he acted the way he did. However, his behaviour and attitude were tolerable (not like some sheikhs I could mention!). This series is very addictive (and leaving me out of pocket), and Carol Marinelli's The Desert Housekeeper Bride is an enjoyable contribution to the series. Well done!

There are series and then there are spectacular series and that what every single Harlequin Presents author gave to The Royal House of Karedes.

Dramatic and stunning is all I can say about the last book which is Carol Marinelli's contribution with The Desert King's Housekeeper Bride. It was so amazing that it kept be charged and up all night reading it and absolutely not wanting it to end. As I read the last three chapters my heart raced because I new it was going to end dramatically and it lived up to that emotion and so much more!

Knowing that you were going to be King of a country would be hard on any man but not this future King, this desert sheikh Zakari He can't wait but before he can rule his country Calista and take over the island Aristo he must find the missing pink Stefani diamond. Once he does that and he's very sure he will, he will rule both countries as Adamas as it once originally was before a bitter family feud. The desert always clears sheikh Zakari's head so that's where he's gone and he awaiting a maid from the palace to take personal care of him in everyway. However, she's becomes unavailable and in her place a palace maid is sent thinking she's going to clean and cook for him. Of course, this sexy and handsome sheikh has other ideas until he sees this prim, shy and curvy virgin.

Effie is a very sweet and sincere person, takes her duties at the palace very serious and misses her mother very much since she passed away. She loves her country but also has a love of Aristo where her mother once was a palace maid as well before leaving and arriving in the desert kingdom to live out her days in her little cottage. Effie has kept up on the politics of both countries and is aware Aristo's king cannot have his coronation until the missing diamond is found. She is hard working, honourable and wishes to serve her King but when she arrives to his desert tent what she sees is the most amazing and handsome King she's admired from afar. What she doesn't count on is liking him, spending time talking with him, sharing a meal and in the end having him seduce her.

Zahir is used to getting what he wants especially in bed. He doesn't make the time for kissing he only takes but on this occasion when he realizes that Effie is a virgin he makes sure it's perfect for her. What he doesn't realize is two things, 1) it's perfect for him as well and 2) later that evening she's wearing a gift from her mother, a necklace with a pink diamond the exact one he's looking for and he puts two and two together with Effie's stories about her mother. He realizes her mother had an affair with the King of Aristo and she's the result. He whisks her back to his palace, demands they marry, lies with words of love and then the next day destroys her when he tells her the news.

How can the man she loves sink so low by lying with words of love to get the diamond and end the end for one reason only to be the ruler of bother countries? Effie's devastated and the proud sheikh doesn't understand. He likes Effie, she gives him peace and soothes him and he believes she'll be a good Queen and mother of his children. She'll have power, money, everything her heart desires so how can she turn away from him?

Personally I wondered how any author could tie all of these books together, with the two countries, the different families and their own personal stories and Carol Marinelli did it brilliantly. The last chapters, the strong emotions, the uncertain, the heartbreak and the oh so surprising ending full of twists and turns, they had me on the edge of my seat and I thought absolutely brilliant. And then the teaser because not all of the mysteries surrounding these two dynasties were solved as there is still one missing person and Ms. Marinelli left one hoping and dangling at the same time. So if you're a fan of The Royal House of Karedes, Carol Marinelli's Wedlocked: Banished Sheikh, Untouched Queen might hold all of the answers. This will be part of her Dark-Heart Desert Men series.

Behind the book - Carol Marinelli:

"I loved how awkward and shy Effie first appeared, yet just beneath the surface, she was intelligent an strong. And as the story revealed, there was something special about her - she just didn't know it yet.

As for Zakari, he was my first sheikh, so he holds an extra-special place in my heart. I love Zakari!" CM