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WRAPPED IN PLEASURE - Brenda Jackson Harlequin Kimani/Arabesque December 2009 |
SYNOPSIS: Two Westmoreland novels—one classic and one new—from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Brenda Jackson.
SERIES ROMANCE - SEDUCED BY A STRANGER |4+| Susan Plummer - DELANEY'S DESERT SHEILK |4+| Jeanette Cogdell
REVIEW: - Brenda Jackson delivers a double-header with an oldie but goodie, Delaney’s Desert Sheik and a new novel, Seduced by A Stranger, sure to be a hit with fans.
Princess Johari Yasir completes her studies in the U.S. but instead of returning home to plan her arranged marriage she decides to live a little and takes off on a two-week adventure to experience the world. Johari’s first night on the town she meets a dashing and debonair stranger who intrigues her. He promises to show her the world and teach her the art of making love. Johari is seduced by the promises in Monty’s eyes and immediately agrees. Unbeknownst to Johari, her eager seducer is actually her betrothed, Rasheed Valdemon “Monty”. Monty is so outraged his virginal bride-to-be so easily agrees to relinquish her innocence to a total stranger; he decides to teach her a lesson. No matter how much Johari learns about pleasing a man it will never be enough to endear him to love her solely. It is the way of their culture for a husband to have mistresses and she needs to accept it. Over the next two weeks Monty finds himself being schooled as Johari shows him not only can one woman please him but that she is that woman. Johari unknowingly teaches Monty what it means to truly love completely. Initially Monty is duty bound to marry Johari but after their two weeks together, he wants nothing more than to make her his wife. Monty hopes Johari will feel the same once she learns of his deception.
Johari is grappling with her archaic cultural customs and their impact on her marriage. She is torn because she wants a marriage based on love not duty. Rasheed Valdemon however, resigns himself to this arrangement as little will change for him. Monty is allowed extramarital partners, Johari is not. Although mostly traditional, Rasheed’s beliefs are slightly tempered by his exposure to multi-cultures. The characters are well scripted and brought to life with astounding clarity and three-dimensionality. Readers will also get an update on Delaney Westmoreland and Jamal Ari Yasir as Johari’s story unfolds.
Johari and Rasheed’s communication is interesting because it reminds me of a card game. Both are aware that the other is not revealing everything yet many truths come out of their discussions. When they can and do speak honestly with each other, their rapport is kinetic and quite captivating. It is clear from their dialogue that if neither had been promised in marriage, they would have hit it off and would have fallen deeply in love, which ultimately happens.
Curling up with a Brenda Jackson novel has long been one of my favorite past times and Seduced by A Stranger it definitely worth some couch time. Get the novel -- you’ll love it as much as I did.
reviewer@romanceincolor.com | 1st March 2010
REVIEW: Take
one fiery independent outspoken pediatric medical graduate and a handsome
willful controlling desert sheikh who believes women belong in the house,
barefoot and pregnant and what do you get? One captivating and very sensual
story about the power of love and how it transcends all boundaries.
Delaney Westmoreland has just graduated from medical school. Worn out from
studying, she retreats to her cousin’s secluded cabin thinking of nothing but
sleep and more sleep. No need to worry about her five overprotective big
brothers checking up on her, because they don’t know where she is and that’s
exactly the way she wants it.
Jamal Ari Yassir plans to spend the next 30 days at the secluded cabin of a
college friend of his. He’s just completed business negotiations with the
leaders of the other countries surrounding his own and desperately needs the
down time. He’s been celibate since negotiations began and now his body is
reminding him of that fact.
Jamal has been at the cabin for two days when Delaney shows up in a pair of
shorts that remind him just how male he is. Her smart retorts and determination
not to give in to his demand that she leave, make Jamal want her even more.
Warning Delaney of his yearning to have her, but on his terms, he tells her
about his mistress and his arranged marriage to take place in the coming year.
Delaney has no desire to have an affair with Jamal knowing that they can never
have anything more that those days at the cabin, but his exceptional kisses (are
they are exceptional) have her passing out and changing her mind. Some kiss!
This is Ms. Jackson’s first Silhouette Desire novel and judging from the smile
on my face I would have to say that she is starting out with a bang. This is
classic Brenda Jackson and even though I prefer the shorter format, I really
hated to see this story come to an end.
I absolutely loved Delaney's Desert
Sheikh. The story
pulled me in from page one and kept me there. Watching Delaney and Jamal fall in
love was like being outside of the cabin window peering inside. Ms. Jackson is
truly an artist with the written word creating strong characters and a great
plot. It amazes me how, book after book her craft gets better and better. This
reader can’t wait for the next Westmoreland book.
Ladies, be forewarned. Delaney has five gorgeous brothers who are sure to get
their own books so “Hands off, Stone belongs to ME!”
The Madarises will always have a special place in my heart, but I say bring on
the Westmorelands. The more the merrier. Ms. Jackson, you did us Hotties proud!
reviewer@romanceincolor.com | 1st March 2010