Are Sheikhs the ultimate romantic hero?
I’ve been a fan of Harlequin Mills & Boon romances since I was a teenager (a long time ago!) and I have always loved stories about exotic, sexy Sheikhs set in a romantic desert kingdom. But although I enjoyed reading Sheikh books (and still do) I felt wary about trying to write one. For one thing, it is difficult to imagine a hot, dry desert and a Bedouin camp from a windswept and frequently wet corner of Kent! But having written eight books featuring Mediterranean heroes I decided to take the plunge.
At the Sheikh’s Bidding is the story of Sheikh Zahir bin Kahlid al Muntassir, a prince from the desert kingdom of Qubbah. Zahir has discovered that his estranged older brother and heir to the throne of Qubbah, is dead, and that Faisal’s orphaned son Kazim is living with his nanny in a house on the remote Yorkshire moors. Zahir’s father, King Kahlid is frail. By law only the oldest son of the royal dynasty can become the next king, which means that Kazim is the heir to the throne of Qubbah.
Zahir goes to Ingledean House in England to claim custody of his nephew, and is immediately attracted to beautiful flame-haired Erin Maguire, who he believes is a member of the household staff. He is shocked to learn that Erin was Faisal’s wife, and she is Kazim’s adoptive mother and will not give up her son – even when he offers her a fortune in return for the child.
Erin adores Kazim and is fiercely protective of him. She had a difficult childhood growing up first with her drug-addict mother and then in the care of social services. She was Kazim’s nanny, but when Faisal learned that he was dying she agreed to marry him in name only so that she could adopt Kazim. She is stunned to discover that Faisal had a family in Qubbah, and although she instantly dislikes arrogant, powerful Zahir, she feels that she cannot deny Kazim the chance to meet his blood relatives, and agrees to take the little boy to Qubbah.
But when they arrive at the remote desert palace Erin realises that Zahir has tricked her and has no intention of allowing her to take Kazim back to England. To keep her son she must marry Zahir, even though he despises her as a gold-digger who had married his brother for money.
Despite their mutual mistrust and hostility neither Zahir nor Erin can deny the sizzling sexual attraction between them. But Erin is a commoner and a virgin who longs for love, while Prince Zahir has been hurt in the past and has vowed never to lose his heart again. How can they ever overcome the differences of culture, class and their own emotions to find lasting happiness?
At the Sheikh’s Bidding was in bookshops in the US in September and in shops in the UK in October, you can also buy it online at eHARLEQUIN.com. If you go to www.chantelleshaw.com you can read an excerpt from the book and see a backlist of my previous books.
So what kind of man is your ultimate romantic hero – a sexy Sheikh or maybe a gorgeous Greek millionaire? (my second favourite!) The thing I love most about writing for Modern/Presents is that I can bring my fantasy heroes to life so that the passion between the hero and heroine simmers! Writing Presents novels takes me away to a world of glamour, excitement, exotic locations and emotional intensity – and through my books I hope I can share my imagination with you.
I’d love to read your comments about your favourite hero, or why you enjoy reading Presents.
Best wishes,
Chantelle
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My favorite hero is tall, dark, a bit broody, mysterious, and always with a soft spot on the inside and hard one on the out. He holds the door, despite protests. He always shows respect even while he’s pushing all the buttons. And he ALWAYS gives as good as he gets in bed.
I love romance novels for the fantasy you find. That perfect guy for that perfect girl. The ultimate relationship that will weather all the bad.
Alright, I’m done being sappy/wistful for the night…well, maybe!
Oh, and Chantelle, I like Greek heroes too!
Chantelle,
Do you like heroes with a chip on their shoulder? I tend to like the interaction between the h/h better if their some history and he has a chip about something she’s done or is about.
I’m starting to find myself liking different, stronger men. Even in my reading I tend to like the stronger, more direct hero.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
I usually like vulnerable heroes, yet very strong as the same time.
And I always like a nice Sheikh story.