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Sunday, December 25, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Carol Marinelli - Heart of the Desert, International Giveaway
Meet Carol Marinelli:
She lives in the outer suburbs of Melbourne—pretty much in her car, driving her three children to their various commitments.
Carol first tried to write for Harlequin Mills & Boon while doing her nursing training in London. It was merrily rejected and she was devastated. Rejection became a regular friend over the next few years and she amassed quite a collection. Still, as the years moved on the rejections became more detailed and instead of weeping over them and scorning them, she finally read them. Properly.
In 2000 her first romance was accepted for the Medical Romance line and she lived happily ever after. Well, that's what she thought would happen but actually, no, it was then that the hard work really began!
Once published she discovered the Romance Writers of Australia—it would, she now knows, have been far easier on this journey to have discovered them earlier. Attending her first conference she realized that she wasn't the only person who lived with a constant cinema happening in her head—in fact they were all THE SAME! Different but the same and many wonderful friendships were made.
Carol now writes for both the Medical Romance and Presents lines and loves them both.
Back of the Book
Sheikh Prince Ibrahim refuses to bow to the duty that has destroyed his family, by locking away his emotions and shunning his royal responsibility.
Georgie is just the kind of woman duty demands he should avoid—streetwise, troubled and not interested in being queen—exactly the challenge Ibrahim seeks.
Trapped among the swirling sands, in the burning heart of the desert, Georgie finally surrenders to the brooding rebel prince—yet the law of his land decrees that she can never really be his.…
Where you can find Carol:
Carol at Facebook:
Carol's Website:
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 7:35 PM 7 comments
Labels: carol marinelli, Heart of the Desert
Sunday, November 13, 2011
To Touch a Sheikh (Pride of Zohayd) - Olivia Gates
If you love a hot romance, especially one set in the desert with one hot royal sheikh as only author Olivia Gates can deliver, you'll sincerely love To Touch a Sheikh. This was sadly for me, the final book in Olivia's Gates Pride of Zohayd triology. I would say probably one of the "darkest" sheikhs I've ever read and that was for a reason, betrayal! I wondered if Prince Amjad's wounds would ever be healed and if he would find love his his brother's.
To Touch a Sheikh I would also describe as a romance/suspense because there were so many twists and turns; betrayal, family drama and just plain hot sex! Maram Aal Waaked was a lioness. She was determined to have Prince Amjad Aal Shalaan not only in her life, but for the rest of her life. However, what was on his mind, and that of his father and brothers were finding the jewels which had been stolen with fake ones put in their place. His family honor and ruling their country were at stake and he had a plan but it backfired and in it's place the smart mouth and sexy Princess came in the place of her father. So how to continue their plan for the kidnapping? I could only see heat, no not desert heat but sexual tension and heat between these royals.
There were issues about the Princess's past, her father and first and foremost trust. Because she gave him a different version of her past and she had given him everything, herself. It was so very obvious that this adorable Princess wanted this man forever, but at what cost to her and to him? Their time stranded in the desert was lovely to read. They had both suffered so much thanks to duty at the hands of people that used them both. To go any further into each of their past marriages, the rivalry between countries, and who would end up in power would ruin the last book in this incredible series. Let's just say, this "dark" prince gets his happy ending with the woman who had stolen his heart. This triology has been such a joy to read and I highly recommend all three books.
Back of the Book
No one gets past Prince Amjad Aal Shalaan's defenses. No one. But when Princess Maram shows up at Amjad's gala in her father's place, destroying Amjad's plans to reclaim what was stolen from his family, Amjad sees red…and uses a freak sandstorm to make her his prisoner of passion.
Swept to safety by the man she's always loved from afar, Maram knows she has one chance to make Amjad see her as a woman. His woman. But when the impossible prince and the unstoppable princess take shelter from the storm, neither is prepared for the aftermath of their desire…
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 4:48 PM 0 comments
Labels: 2011 Harlequin/Silhouette Reading Challenge, Olivia Gates, Pride of Zohayd
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Meet Author Dana Marton / International Giveaway
When not writing, she can be found either reading or gardening — two of her other ruling passions in life. To find out more about her and her latest releases, please visit her web site: www.danamarton.com.
Black Sheep Sheik is the exciting conclusion to the six-book miniseries Cowboys Royale that I was asked to write with five other authors. I hope you'll check them all out. Together the books tell the story of a brotherhood of royals who come to the United States on business and end up finding love. But each book is enjoyable on its own, having its own rollercoaster plot and heart-warming romance. Happy reading!
Back of the Book
Waking up from a coma in a remote Wyoming cabin, Sheik Amir Khalid thought he was dreaming when he laid eyes on the woman he'd spent one steamy weekend with. Dr. Isabelle Andrews was every bit as gorgeous as he remembered—and nine months pregnant. But when shots rang out and it was clear their hideaway had been discovered, Amir's questions had to wait. Desperate to keep Isabelle and his unborn baby safe, Amir vowed to personally guard them 24/7. And as the independent beauty fought him at every turn, he knew it wasn't just royal protocol that made him want to keep her by his side. He'd give up everything that was expected of him if it meant protecting the family he'd only just met. Including his life.
What is Harlequin Intrigue?
Here is what the publisher says: "Taut, edge-of-the-seat contemporary romantic suspense tales of intrigue and desire. Kidnappings, stalkings, women in jeopardy coupled with bestselling romantic themes are examples of story lines we love most. Whether a murder mystery, psychological suspense or thriller, the love story must be inextricably bound to the mystery where all loose ends are tied up neatly…and shared dangers lead right to shared passions. As long as they're in jeopardy and falling in love, our heroes and heroines may traverse a landscape as wide as the world itself. Their lives are on the line…and so are their hearts!"
Where you can find Dana Marton:
Dana's Website
Dana on Twitter
This contest is International and will end November 30th. To win a copy of this book, simply follow Dana on Facebook. Don't forget to leave your email address so that you can be contacted.
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 2:10 PM 4 comments
Friday, October 28, 2011
Monarch of the Sands - Sharon Kendrick
Monarch of the Sands literally took my breath away. It was such a fantastic and romantic love story by the fabulous Sharon Kendrick.
Zahid Al Hakam was now sheikh of his country due to the death of his uncle and cousin. He was in England for a series of meetings. So he stopped by to see his childhood friend Frankie O'Hara. His father and Frankie's father had not only been close friends, her father discovered oil in his country and you can well imagine how that improved their economy. Frankie's father was considered a hero. However, it had been years since Zahid had seen her and when her father had died he couldn't attend the funeral, so he sent his brother. But now the young woman standing before him was someone he didn't know, she was lovely, no, she was beautiful and she was engaged to be married.
After questioning her, he found out that her fiance, Simon had come to her home when her father had passed. A home sat on a lot of acreage, worth a fortune. He had even gone so far as to offer her a job. He also found out that her fiance, Simon had told her she was drab and so Frankie had a make-over. New clothes, hair, make-up and contacts. The red flags went up when he was told they were selling her family home. To learn more, Zahid insisted on taking them both to dinner. It was a disaster, and in the end Zahid "called" Simon out, she broke off the engagement and was so emotional because now she didn't have a job. On top of everything, Zahid didn't know how to respond to this new Frankie who had grown into a very beautiful and desirable woman because she definitely appealed to him physically. Resisting her was going to be hard.
Frankie had loved and adored Zahid from the time she was a child. As a teenager, she not only loved him she fantasized about him. He affected her in ways her own fiance didn't, It troubled her because she was so in-experienced. Shee was also furious with Zahid because he had Simon investigated and found out he had another woman. She was embarrassed, no job and wanted to leave her home. So what did Zahid do........he created a job for her and took her home to Khayarzah. Sounded a little fishy to me, because deep down I just knew he wanted her for himself. He had ended his affair with a Russian model so he had no one in his life at the moment......dangerous!
When they arrived in his country, all sorts of things changed. Frankie worked on his father's diary. Zadiq was challenged to keep his distance and she couldn't believe how archaic their customs were. Resisting Frankie or Francesca as Zahid called her, was torture. Of course, in the end with all of the sexual tension arching between them, they entered into a very secret affair. And then when he realized it couldn't continue and he would have to choose a proper wife and/or wives, it ended brutally.
The ending chapters were hard to read and that's because author Sharon Kendrick always builds up the emotion, in such a powerful way and then it comes crashing down. Adding to this particular romance, due to his country and the people, they would never accept a western woman as their queen, even though her father had been their hero. Heart broken, Frankie returned home and Zahid was miserable and in bad temper.
Monarch of the Sands was such an interesting and spectacular love story. I couldn't see how they would get their happy ending. So how would Sharon Kendrick tie this all up? I'm definitely not telling, you'll just have to trust me with patience and their love, they would both make their relationship work.
Back Blurb:
An impossible love affair – with a sheikh!
Francesca is shocked when family friend Zahid Al Hakam turns up on her doorstep. After all, he's now the Sheikh of Khayarzah – England's surburbia is hardly his regular stomping ground! But he is as achingly gorgeous as ever…and she's certainly tempted by his invitation to come to the desert and work for him.
Zahid finds the geeky, gauche teenager he once knew is now an understated beauty. Embarking on a secret affair is bittersweet – but, however all-consuming their passion, Zahid's duty to his kingdom must surely come first?
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 8:23 PM 0 comments
Labels: 2011 Harlequin/Silhouette Reading Challenge, harlequin 2010 Reading Challenge, Harlequin Presents, Sharon Kendrick, sheikh romance
The Sultan's Choice - Abby Green
The Sultan's Choice by the fabulous Abby Green was a charming and sultry romance.
The Sultan of Al-Omar had only one reason he wanted to marry Princess Samia Binte Rashad al Abbas and that was for the stability and reputation of his country. That came first for him and he wanted a wife to enhance that. Samia also brought respect and no scandal as she was a respected archivist from London's National Library. Unlike his parents marriage, he wanted a wife that was stable, who would compliment him and give him heirs.
Poor darling Samia overheard a conversation with the man she was soon to be asked to marry. A man she had met years before when she had been embarrassed at a party she attended with her brother. Now she overheard a conversation between Sadiq and his secretary about why he wanted to marry her and it was hurtful. However, in the end she knew she would have to go through with it because as Sadiq pointed out it would benefit both of their countries. Plus it would also bring peace to both countries. On top of that, she was next in line for the throne of her country Burquat should something happen to her brother, the ruler. As the Sultan pointed out, if she married him, he would assist her in ruling. Personally, I thought it was a lot of pressure for this princess.
His future queen charmed him and his body responded in ways he didn't understand. Five days later while at an exclusive department store in London he realized Samia actually had a body, built for sin and secretly I thought "let the games begin" because I would tell this playboy sheikh was going to meet his match both in and out of the bedroom. Let's just say he was also in for a surprise because he thought as a 25 year old woman she couldn't possibly be a virgin. There were definitely sparks between this couple and I just knew in the end, Samia would make Sadiq a marvelous queen. However while in London they embarked on different discussions concerning his past romantic liaisons and what if she couldn't give him heirs, he told her he would divorce her and remarry.
Sadiq was absolutely sure Samia would make a great queen and so did his mother. When they were both presented at the palace, even those attending admired Samia. It was only her who felt unsure of herself, especially now that she had a new wardrobe and was not wearing her former "boxy" clothes. There was also the fact that she was afraid she would please her husband. There was also the fact that Sadiq didn't believe in love because he had seen how it had destroyed his parents.
Their first time together was the night before their wedding and she gave herself completely to this sheikh. She was so responsive, like no other woman he had ever been with and she held nothing back. Oh, oh, I thought would this turn out hurtful for this future queen? Her honeymoon was like a dream and they couldn't get enough of each other. Sadiq even went so far as to take her to a tent and an oasis in the desert. He had never experienced anything like this with a woman. I could see neither of them had expected this from their marriage. So who would get hurt, I thought probably both of them. Because Samia made Sadiq feel things he had never felt before. As for Samia when they returned back to the palace, the honeymoon was definitely over because she started making demands to her King. She definitely wasn't going to be a figure head Queen, she wanted to make a difference in her new country!
Weeks later, her husband met her project demands but for her she was hurting. She realized she loved her husband and really wanted her marriage to work, she wanted to get to know him, be with him both in and out of the bedroom. She wanted it all! And then in a jealous rage, Sadiq said things he didn't mean and there was a huge crevice thrown up between them.
A hot romance set in the desert, with all sorts of road blocks for each of them to knock down. An amazing Sultan and Queen with so many lessons for each of them to learn, especially about each other. It was shear madness until his very own mother made him see the light. In the end, this fierce Sultan came to his senses and finally realized his connection and love for his wife! Samia's and Sadiq's love story was fascinating and definitely extraordinary to read.
Back Blurb:
Chosen as the Sultan's bride, Samia has no option but to go ahead with the marriage. And, as her new husband slowly peels away her bejewelled wedding finery, despite her best intentions she finds her inhibitions swept away.
Sadiq is surprised by his new bride's passionate nature! He chose her as a shy, biddable wife who will not make any demands on his time. Now he finds Samia to be anything but...Instead she's determined, demanding - and defiant!
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 8:15 PM 0 comments
Labels: A Sultan's Ransom, Abby Green, Alexandra Sellers. Desert Rogues, Harlequin Presents, Mills and Boon Modern, sheikh romance
Saturday, June 11, 2011
For Duty's Sake (Royal Brides) - Lucy Monroe
Angele bin Cemal and Sheikh Zahir bin Faruq al Zohra had been promised to each other since she had been a young girl. Zahir had been photographed with a German actress Elsa Bosch. In fact, the photos had been sent to her residence in the United States. What a cruel thing for someone to do. It made me wonder if it was Elsa herself. In the end, it was a blackmailer. Angele had always cared for Zahir from afar and wondered if she should just give him up so that he could be with the beautiful and curvy actress and find happiness. Because in the photographs they looked very intimate and happy. Maybe she and Zahir wouldn't wed but she would ask him to share one intimate night together before she gave him up!
Since Angele had been eighteen, she had been in love with Zahir. She had not cared if people understood or believed that such a young innocent girl was capable of that emotion. She'd just known what she felt and it was not a crush. As each year passed, it had grown deeper. In fact at a state dinner they had attended tohgether, while strolling in the gardens she had asked him to kiss her. Instead of doing so, he had told her she was too young and had kissed her on the forehead. Talk about awkward. On top of that, there was the fact that her father was not faithful to her mother. It was an embarrassment to her family and to their country. Therefore, as she sat looking at the pictures of Zahir and Elsa "lip locked", she knew deep in her heart that she could not allow Zahir to be held to the contract. The contract which had been brokered by men who had never given love between the two people involved even a thought. His lack of love for her demanded his freedom. Personally, I thought what a lovely and noble gift she was giving him.
Angele had been treated as the favored niece by the King of Jawhar. Now they were both, along with the wedding guests, attending his brother Amir's and Grace's wedding. A marriage which was based on love. Both of his brothers had found love with women not all together suitable. However, it was not the same for him. His bride had been set by an agreement between Zohra and Jawhar and he honored his duty and the contract. Angele had refused the request to be apart of both weddings and Zahir assumed it was her way of demanding he formalize the engagement between them. It was obvious she was tired of waiting and he realized the time had come to do his duty. On top of that Zahir had spoken to Angele's father and told him he would not marry a woman whose farther appeared in the tabloids, Her father patched things up with her mother and had not been featured in the press for five years. Thus proving he took his daughter's future seriously. Zahir vowed he would never be unfaithful even though his marriage would be a loveless one on his part. His future bride's stubbornness gave him hope for their future together and he realized so did her love for him as well..
Angele slipped away from the wedding and approached Zahir in his private office. She blurted out that she knew about Elsa. In fact, it was then revealed to the reader, that twice she had paid the blackmailer in order to avoid a scandal for Zahir. This fact he was unaware of because he thought it was Angele who had seen the pictures in the tabloids. However, during their discussions Zahir told her his five year relationship with Elsa was over and assured he was not like her father. He also assured her he did not consider himself "stuck" and he had been a young adult when the agreement had been made and that he chose his future. Because Angele loved Zahir so much, she wanted him find happiness like his brother's, he deserved to have it. She could do no less for the man she loved with her entire heart.
Angele and Zahir continued to argue about duty, honor, responsibility and a marriage that should take place, a marriage their families agreed to but this stubborn young woman held firm. She actually asked him if he had loved Elsa. The answer to the question was he refused to discuss it. Then she told him she wanted the wedding night she would never have and he realized she loved him. Back and forth they argued and then he agreed after all of his brother's marriage celebrations were over he would give her that one night and he sent to her room the dress that his grandmother wore on her wedding day. That was a huge surprise and I wondered why he would do such a sentimental thing like that for a woman he wasn't going to end up marrying?
Zahir was furious, with Angele, because after an evening of making love, which he enjoyed immensely, he was sure she would agree to their royal engagement and future wedding. How could she have left him like this, putting out press releases, giving letters of explanation to the Kings, calling her father? How could she after all they shared? Damn her for doing this to him. He was shocked and so angry with her. After hours of explanation to his father, her father, and the Kings, he came up with a plan. One that had me laughing so hard because in the end, I was sure this proud sheikh would fall hard. He wanted his father to put out a "royal" press release stating that he Zahir, future King would "woo his future wife". His father laughed at him and his answer back was "you doubt my ability to woo one innocent woman after witnessing his skills at negotiations with world leaders?" Angele's father died laughing and his response was "a woman is not a world power." With that Zahir said, "no, but one day your daughter will be married to one." I thought, good luck with the wooing, Zahir. lol
For Duty's Sake, clearly showed Lucy Monroe's sense of humor and I couldn't wait to continue along with Zahir's and Angele's journey at finding happiness. After he found the blackmail pictures she left behind for him, he knew Elsa had not only betrayed him with a lover, now these picture and the lengths that Angele would go to protect him, proved to him how much she loved him. First, he would deal with the blackmail and then the courtship, because Angele would take her place as his Queen by his side because she truly loved him. She was honorable, stubborn and would make him a perfect queen. From a distance, the courtship began with gifts and flowers and all the while, he thought of her. Finally, he personally came to see her and was shocked at her appearance. He was even more shocked when she agreed to marry him because she was carrying his heir. Could this get anymore complicated? She had conditions for their marriage. After I read them I realized they reflected back on both of their childhoods convcerning fidelity and how their children would be raised. It made complete sense to me.
In the end, they were both full of surprises. Zahir's feelings about her love for him and how it would be positive for their marriage. Her thoughts on her pregnancy and how Zahir' negotiated everything. Moreover, of course, their upcoming "quickie" wedding. However, it all worked out in the end with both mother's doing the wedding planning. There was also the fact that world leaders would soon be attending a summit in Zohra. Which meant their wedding would take place in two months time and would be a "political" event. The surprises continued to come with her future husband continuing the courtship. I began to wonder could he possibly be falling in love with her?
The ending chapters were amazing and Lucy Monroe made sure that anyone reading For Duty Sake would realize Angele was Zahir's treasure. There was also the fact that he was an old fashion man. Because on the fateful night when they first made love, he had actually considered her his wife. In the end, their lovemaking changed and I understood why because Zahir needed his future wife to trust him. To me it seemed like they had a real chance for a successful and happy marriage. That was until he took her on a business trip with him to Europe. Could their love survive the fact that she saw him having lunch with a female instead of attending the meeting her told her about on his schdule?
Love is about trust and Angele trusted her future husband and in the end realized, he cherished her. Oh, I cannot begin to convey how much I've loved this Royal Brides series and this book was no exception. How Zahir discovered his love was amazing to read and so was their beautiful royual wedding. It was just the perfect ending, to a perfect royal romance thanks to the brilliant Lucy Monroe.
Book Description:
Angele has longed for her betrothal to Crown Prince Zahir to be consummated within wedlock. She naively hoped her promised husband would wait for her, as she would him—but compromising paparazzi photos have dashed those youthful dreams….
She cannot become Zahir's wife out of duty and endure a loveless union; she must let him go free…but on one condition. Without taking Angele's hand in marriage, will the proud sheikh agree to give her the wedding night she has long dreamed of?
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 3:15 PM 1 comments
Labels: 2011, 2011 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge, 2011 Harlequin/Silhouette Reading Challenge, Lucy Monroe
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Breaking the Sheikh's Rules - Abby Green Contest - International
I loved this book so much I went out and purchased it to share with those of you who love romance and the genre.
Description: (corrected)
The huge imposing castle and the barren terrain of Merkazad are a far cry from the modest farm and the emerald fields that horsewoman Iseult calls home. Or used to, until Sheikh Nadim bought her family's stud farm. As part of the deal, she must work at his royal stables….
Nadim enrages Iseult…but he also inspires a more unwelcome, unfamiliar feeling: desire. Drawn into Nadim's sensual world, Iseult feels like a beautiful, confident woman for the first time.
But she must remember the sheikh's cast-iron rule….
About the Author:
I've been hooked on romance novels for as long as I can remember, and it all started one day in my grandmother's bedroom in the west of Ireland where I spent all my summer holidays. She had taken one of the distinctive rose emblemed books out of the library, and being a voracious reader, I devoured it in one sitting. It could have been a Penny Jordan, or a Sally Wentworth, I can't remember now. But what I can remember is being swept away into a story that was passionate and romantic and wanting more.
The fact that I am now writing for that company is a dream that still hasn't quite sunk in, although deadlines and readers figures are helping a little!
I've lived in Dublin all my life but was lucky enough to spend a lot of time in Kerry with my grandmother. Ireland is a vibrant, ever changing and growing country, and especially Dublin its capital.
I've been working pretty much since the day I left school in the film industry as an assistant director, getting in on the very lowest rung and working my way up. It's been a fascinating and engrossing career. It also gave me the opportunity to work abroad which was such a gift. But, the hours are long, the work is extremely hard and the situations can be very stressful. Not to mention the weather conditions, especially here in Ireland! I'd often thought of trying to write a Mills and Boon and when a friend lent me a guide to writing one, the idea just wouldn't go away.
Many years of procrastination later, I finally sat down and put pen to paper, or finger to keyboard. My first and second attempts were both rejected, albeit with encouragement, and at that stage I was determined so I didn't give up. I sold my first manuscript to Mills and Boon Modern Romance in March 2006, and have been living my dream since then.
I can honestly say to any aspiring author out there that it really is worth it to keep trying, the only difference between an unpublished author and a published author is persistence, I truly believe that.
Good luck to anyone out there trying to get published and just believe that you will. Abby
Abby Green on Facebook
Abby's website
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 10:42 AM 4 comments
Labels: Abby Green, Harlequin Presents, sheikh romance
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
STRANGERS IN THE DESERT - Lynn Raye Harris
Strangers in the Desert was a most unusual "sheikh" romance as only the extremely talented Lynn Raye Harris can write. In order for this proud sheikh to move forward, he needed to deal with the past. Here he thought his wife was dead and now she's been spotted in Hawaii......poor man!
Sheikh Adan and the entire country of Jahfar believed his wife was dead and that she had been buried in the sand, leaving behind Adan and their infant son Rafiq. However, Adam needed to marry in order to be crowned king and he also wanted a mother for Rafiq . An old friend Jasmine was a perfect choice. She would be an excellent mother and Queen. More so than his ex-wife Isabella.
So what could possibly go wrong? A fellow countryman spotted his ex-wife in Hawaii, using the name of Beth Tyler and she was a singer in a Hawaiian cocktail lounge. He immediately needed to confirm if there was a possibility she was alive and if so, how would this discovery affect his son and his country? He couldn't believe his eyes but for some reason Isabella didn't know Adan and he wondered if she was faking it for actually had amnesia. It all seemed quite strange reading their history, their arranged marriage, her immediately pregnancy, her father taking her to America to stay with her mother and how she got to Hawaii and I just knew this was going to be explosive in more ways than one could imagine.
Adan was determined to get to the bottom of things and so he literally dragged her back to Jahfar kicking and screaming, frightened and confused. Isabella realized one thing, she was a problem and an embarrassment. An issue to be dealt with. What she didn't understand was why her mother and father didn't tell her she had been married and then with a blow to her heart, she found out she had an infant son and in the end was told she was not going to see him. Well enough to that, Isabella couldn't remember Rafiq but if she were a mother she was going to see him, hold him, and Adan wasn't going to stop her. However, being the ruling sheikh and future King, Adan had other ideas. Even though the sparks flew between them, he didn't trust her so he confined her to the palace. However, his old nanny and a woman he loved like a mother, heard Isabella singing in her room and so did baby Rafiq, And then everything came crashing down upon them.
I got the distinct impression from reading about Adan's thought about their marriage, that Isabella was meek, mild and willing to please. However, not this new Isabella, she was fierce, determined and when she held her son nothing was going to stand in her way. They came to a mutual agreement, a two week period to see if Isabella could be trusted with her son and so he took them all, including Kalila the nanny and a minimal staff to a the Butterfly Palace located in the Jahfaran desert. It was so obvious Adan was concerned for his son because he loved him so much and he was afraid Rafiq would be confused. He was also concerned for Kalila his childhood nanny because she was older, should have been retired and he adored her. In the end, Adan's mistrust stemmed from his childhood because his mother used her son's as "show pieces", to brag to her friends and had never been much of a mother. It had been Kalila who had loved the raised the prince's not their mother. He was so attracted to Isabella but held back because she was so different now from the woman he married. She had spunk, was determined and she made him crazy from wanting to make love to her.
There was one thing for sure, she adored her son and with every breath fought her attraction for her husband, Adan, because he was still legally her husband until they could come up with legal documents so they could divorce and he could remarry. But there was one thing for sure, she was Rafiq's mother, she would not leave Zahfar and she would have a part in raising her son. But they were both confused as to why her parents had lied and how she survived the desert and why her father hadn't informed Adan she was alive. But that would have to wait, until her father returned from a business trip. I had my suspensions as to why, only meeting her husband a week before the wedding, being a virgin, him duty bound, her being left alone, pregnant immediately and giving birth alone. How depressing would that have been, thrust into royal life and alone?
Just like the hot desert sun, their passion blossomed and yet Adan held back his emotions. Sometimes he was curt with her, sometimes passionate yet she stood firm, so different from the woman she had been before the accident. And then it was time to return to the royal palace because Kalila had a heart attack, he was needed to govern his country. Plus there was the fact he need to speak with her father and get down to the bottom of things. Also proceed with the divorce? Bella, well she didn't agree with everything he said like she used but was she playing a game now so she could become queen? Also, first and foremost, was she play acting with their son to become queen? He didn't think so because he had watched her closely and he truly believed she loved their son.
Just when I thought they could all have it all, her father told Adan what had happened to Isabella and some of it was like I had suspected and some of it was not. And then, the divorce issues and papers were ready to sign. Add to that the complication of Jasmine and Adan's relationship and what she witnessed at the palace. But this new Isabella was stronger and I just knew she would survive. And would Adan realize all women were not like his mother and could be learn to trust his feelings for this beautiful woman.
I loved Strangers in the Desert for many reasons. The wounded young prince now in his adult life soon to be king and a caring and loving father. A woman transformed by an accident and her her singing. A darling sweet heir to the throne, Prince Rafiq and his doting nanny Kalila. A very unusual and powerful love story full of mystery and set in the desert.
Book Description:
The Desert King's Lost Wife…
Isabella, the wife Sheikh Adan thought was dead, has just walked back into his life – on the eve of his wedding to another woman…
Now Adan is to be crowned King, Isabella must be his Queen – sharing his desert throne and the royal bed… But gone is the dutiful, pure girl he once knew – in her place is a defiant, sultry woman who makes Adan's blood run hot… A woman who has no memory of being his wife…
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 2:49 PM 3 comments
Labels: 2011 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge, 2011 Harlequin/Silhouette Reading Challenge, Lynn Raye Harris, Mills and Boon Modern, Romance Reading Challenge 2011
Sunday, May 08, 2011
Happpy Mother's Day
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 1:00 AM 0 comments
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Coming Soon
Mills and Boon Modern - May 2011
The Desert King's Lost Wife… Isabella, the wife Sheikh Adan thought was dead, has just walked back into his life – on the eve of his wedding to another woman… Now Adan is to be crowned King, Isabella must be his Queen – sharing his desert throne and the royal bed… But gone is the dutiful, pure girl he once knew – in her place is a defiant, sultry woman who makes Adan's blood run hot… A woman who has no memory of being his wife…
Shadow of the Sheikh - Nina Bruhns
Mills and Boon Nocturne - May 2011
Fierce, sensual predator…or a sacrifice on the altar of love? Sheikh Shahin is an immortal shape-shifter who serves a powerful Egyptian god, and no human has dared approach his hidden oasis for nearly a century. That is until Gemma comes looking for her missing sister. And in doing so walks straight into Shahin's carefully laid trap… Yet Shahin does not want Gemma as his prisoner. Just one taste of Gemma's lips and he knows he must possess her fully. He wants her to burn for him as he burns for her, with a desire as hot and vast as the desert. He's determined to claim her heart…no matter what the cost.
Prince Rashad believes the stunning American he saved is hiding something—he must keep her close! What he doesn't expect is to fall under Lauren's captivating spell…. Yet as the enchanting nights in Arabia reveal the truth, could a future for Lauren and her prince ever be more than just a mirage?
Nadim enrages Iseult…but he also inspires a more unwelcome, unfamiliar feeling: desire. Drawn into Nadim's sensual world, Iseult feels like a beautiful, confident woman for the first time.
But she must remember the sheikh's cast-iron rule….
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 3:47 PM 0 comments
Labels: Lynn Raye Harris, Nina Bruhs, Rebecca Winters
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Another Student Request Concerning Sheikh Romances - University of Georgia
I am studying and reading desert romances. It seems like a lot of folks are recently -- I think I saw a post on your blog about a student looking for responses. I have been working on this project for about three years (I can't believe it's been that long!).
I won't say that I blog, because I am horrible about keeping it up, but you can see some of my thoughts here:
Here is Amira's blog
I am interested in telling a more complicated story about desert romances. It seems that most commentary on it takes the orientalist angle to criticize the books and comes from folks who do not actually read any kinds of romance novels, so I want to interrogate that a bit. For example, Erika Wittlieb's comment in the Chicago Tribune article about the fact that desert romances actually speak back to mainstream U.S. images of Arab men (because the desert romances give us positive portrayals) helps to complicate the story that is being told about them.
If you are interested, please contact Amira: email@example.com.
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 11:01 AM 0 comments
Monday, March 28, 2011
Brenda Novak: Be Part of the Cure - May 2011
Coming in May Brenda Novak's Jr. Diabetes Auction
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 11:12 AM 0 comments
Labels: Brenda Novak, Jr. Diabetes Auction
Monday, March 21, 2011
University of Flordia Student Seeks Your Assistance in a Survey
If you read the genre and are interested, I agreed to post this on behalf of a college student who will be writing a paper based on your responses
If you are interested in participating in this survey, here is her email:
Survey email: firstname.lastname@example.com
If you have questions or concerns about this research protocol, please contact me, Catherine Jean, (352) 278-0725, Center for Women's Studies and Gender Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7352 or my supervisor Trysh Travis, PhD, (352) 273-0393, Center for Women's Studies and Gender Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7352. Questions or concerns about your rights as a research participant rights may be directed to the UFIRB office, University of Florida, Box 112250, Gainesville, FL 32611, (352) 392-0433.
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 9:39 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Penny Jordan - A Royal Bride at the Sheikh's Command Giveaway - International Contest
Welcome to Lucy Leprechaun Giveaway Hop! March 17th to 20th.
This event is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. 200 Blogs have each signed up to host a book related giveaway and we are all linked up together allowing you to easily enter one giveaway then hop to another one.
Print off the linky list of giveaway sites and cross them off as you enter them.
You don't have to go in order - you can start in the middle or at the end of the list and work backwards.
The Follower Love Giveaway Hop runs from Tuesday, February 8th to Sunday, February 13th. Winners will be announced on each blog on Valentine's Day.
Book Description:
Summoned for the sheikh's convenience...
The line of succession in Niroli seems dead...until a desert prince makes his claim...
Sheikh Kadir: ruler of an Eastern kingdom, but also the last heir to Niroli's throne. Kadir must find himself a queen!
Natalia Carini loves Niroli. To her, the new ruler is an invader, and now he's demanding her, as his bride! Yet to be bedded by a barbarian excites her more than she's ever known....
To Win a copy, follow this blog and don't forget to leave your email address. Winner will be announced If you already follow here, tell me how you'll celebrate St. Patrick's Day! Thanks for stopping by and for following Romancing the Desert, Sheikh Books.
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 12:59 PM 32 comments
Labels: Follwer Love Giveaway Hop
Monday, March 14, 2011
Chosen as the Sheikh's Wife - Liz Fielding (Becoming the Tycoon's Bride)
Violet Hamilton put her grandmother first when she had a stroke and took care of her for three years. Before the stroke occurred she had been at university and was studying to be a fashion designer. She had always known her grandmother was a descendant of the desert princess, Fatima. It was a long and involved story but as a young child, Violet remembered seeing pictures of Fatima, an Arabic letter and other family mementos.
Now her grandmother has passed away and due to circumstances she stood to loose the house. As she was getting ready to pack up household and personal items, her foot went through the floor boards. She discovered an ancient dagger encrusted with large rubies and her friend and next door neighbor suggested she take the dagger to an antique road show called Trash or Treasures. According to the appraiser, it was indeed ancient and very valuable.
Word got to the future Emir, Sheikh Fayad al Khalifa concerning the dagger. Because Violet shared additional information concerning her grandmother and grandfather via television, she also showed a picture of Fatima and mentioned a letter. The Chronicle, a local news paper was going to run an article about the dagger possibly being "The Blood of Tariq which supposedly had mystical powers and that put an unbelievable value on the dagger. To hold and posses it was to hold the fate of Ras at Kawi. Finding it meant trouble, especially for the person who possessed it and of course, that meant Violet.
What Fayad feared was what it meant to his country as well as Violet because many would go to certain lengths to steal it, possibly harming Violet especially the Sayyid's who were Violet's relatives. Fayad made a decision to travel to England and make Violet an offer. Once there, he was almost too late because someone had broken into her home and was holding her neighbor by the throat. Violet admitted the evening before she had put the dagger in her ancient freezer. I almost died laughing at her choice of hiding places. However, before she could turn it over, Fayad overtook the thief and saved the day! Violet being the person she was and always putting others first, handed over the ancient dagger to Fayad, its rightful owner.
After meeting Fayad, turning over the dagger and getting his personal phone number, the next day upon returning home Violet found her home entirely trashed, beyond repair. She was distraught, called Fayad and enter her Prince Charming to the rescue. She was so upset, he wasn't thinking and he kissed her in front of his staff. He told them to pack up Violet he was taking her home to Ras al Kawi and to his grand father to present him with the ancient dagger. However there was one problem, in his culture kissing a woman meant more it meant marriage. Fayad had been there, done that and lost his wife and son in a tragic accident, resulting in both of their deaths.
Fayad had the perfect plan, present her to his grandfather. With Violet returning the symbol of their country's origins, she would be righting an old wrong, restoring her family's honor and neutralizing the Sayyid threat. It was a marriage that would please his grandfather and give Fayad a beautiful wife and reunite two great tribes. He really didn't have time to explain the entire process of the presentation, so he did a quick run through telling her how to react to her relatives, presenting the dagger to his grandfather and when he personally addressed her, "just say yes". Talk about being trusting and now she was in a few weeks going to be married with an eventual escape, divorce and he tricked her. There was one thing for sure, she made him feel like a man and he hadn't felt that way since his wife and child had died.
She loved seeing this new country, meeting his family and being apart of it all. She contributed and gave her ideas to Fayad and his countrymen loved her. She dreaded leaving in three months and the time passed quickly and it was time to become his wife, only to leave. However a chain of events happened from Violet being kidnapped for the dagger, to Fayad turning it over as ransom. In the end love won him over, giving this unusual couple a beautiful and perfect happy ending. On top of that, a lovely wedding to seal the deal with Fayad making sure Violet knew "I am yours, twin of my soul".
Book Description:
Chosen as the Sheikh's Wife by Liz Fielding (Becoming the Tycoon's Bride)
After a beautiful stranger discovers his long-lost heirloom under a floorboard, Sheikh Fayad al Khalifa swoops in to protect innocent Violet Hamilton. Now, with greedy enemies gathering, the only way he can keep her safe is to put her on his private jet, take her to his desert kingdom and…marry her!
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 12:35 PM 0 comments
Labels: 2011 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge, 2011 Harlequin/Silhouette Reading Challenge, Liz Fielding, Romance Reading Challenge 2011, sheikh romance
Saturday, March 12, 2011
The Inheirited Bride - Maisey Yates
"Love is not weak, love is strong."
The Inherited Bride is Maisey Yates "debut" sheik romance and if you think the desert is hot, well think again, this is one spectacular hot romance that will definitely need an oasis to cool everyone down or will it heat everything up?
Princess Isabella Rossi knew and understood her duty to her country. She honored the marriage contract her family had arranged with High Sheikh Hassan al bin Sudar to benefit both countries. However, before she could go through with the marriage, she only wanted a few days to experience life. So she fled her brother's home and retreated to Paris. She wanted to experience things like sightseeing, movies, shopping, the normal things any young girl would have had the opportunity to do. Why? Because her parents had told her what to do her entire life. How to think, how to dress, leaving nothing but an empty shell. She didn't know who she was and she just wanted to experience the simple things in life. However, Hassan's brother Adham had different ideas. He had arrived in Paris to stop Isabella from not only making the mistake of putting her self in danger; he was determined to bring her home to his brother, her future bridegroom because their royal wedding was to take place in a few months and he wanted to keep an eye on her to make sure it happened for the good of his country.
Adham was a handsome sheikh himself. He was so loyal to his brother, the high sheikh and duty bound to his country. He felt honor was the one thing no one could take away from you. Isabella stirred things in him he tried to deny. He thought her to be a spoilt royal. After some conversations with her, he agreed to take her to the Eiffel Tower, buy her a simple hamburger, take her to a movie and shopping. The shopping trip, well let's say she had never chosen her own clothes but she tormented him when they went to the lingerie department. He saw a different side of her. She was a lovely and beautiful woman with curves and she made his body harden. She drove him crazy and there was only one way to put a stop to it! So he took her home to the Palace and his brother, the brother who had gone missing and was now at the family retreat!
During the early chapters, the interesting reading part for me was getting to know both Adham and Isabella because one could immediately feel their connection. It was going to be intense and very, very sad because he definitely would not betray his brother. Their loyalty was not something that could be thrown aside for a woman even if she was sweet, beautiful and tempting. She was forbidden as his brother's future wife and as brothers, they had an unbreakable bond. They worked together as a team for the good of their country. On top of that, Adham had seen too many things, horrible things……the death of his parents and it had scarred him in more ways one could imagine. He also had physical scars from being a prisoner of war.
As for Isabella's feelings, she was attracted to him and was confused because she had no experience with men. She ached for him and she was tormented like him because she also wouldn't betray and agreement nor her country. However, where was her future groom and why was he away at a retreat and not to return until the wedding? Well, Adham knew the truth and he was not just angry, he was shocked and was put in a position again to entertain Isabella. How could survive this and survive this passion and tension?
Poor Adham, I thought when he suggested taking her to Adalia, a desert oasis located two hours away from the palace because I knew it would be trouble for both of them. Palm trees, sand, water, sun, the seductive setting of a tent because who in their right mind could resist something like this and kid themselves and survive? Isabella called to him more than any other woman. She was alive in the desert and temptation. But it was a line he would never cross. We'll see, I personally thought! Duty and honor like I mentioned before, meant everything to him but would cross the line?
This proud sheikh had seen so much…..his parents being killed in front of him. He's been a prisoner of war. .He would protect the high sheikh, his brother and his country with his life. Isabella wanted to comfort and soothe him. Her innocence and touching turned into blazing heat, At this oasis, in the tent, this couple exploded with want and mutual need for their passion. She honestly loved him but it cost Adham everything he was, everything he believed in and she knew she was the cause of it. He had betrayed his only family member and he felt the shame because she had been promised to his brother.
However, I couldn't help but wonder, wasn't his brother also betraying his country and Adham as well because I knew the "secret" of why he wanted two months at the retreat before the wedding. What his brother Hassan asked of both of them would not only affect both his country and hers due to the original agreement to benefit trade routes, military alliance and oil prices; it would change their lives. Everything well let's just say was complicated.. You'll just have to read it to understand it without me spilling their secrets.
The ending chapters were amazing and shifted just like the desert sands. He was so cold, so hard and she wondered how she would live and survive Adham withholding himself. Now everything was different for both of them and for his country and they were both tormented. He now had so much placed on his shoulders, a man who needed to be strong and one with so much responsibility one will learn. What a roller coaster with so much emotion and so much to loose if they each made a wrong move.
What was so special about The Inherited Bride? Adham had "taught this sheltered woman and had helped her to become a woman, shown her the importance of putting others before herself and the importance of living for more than her own happiness. He made her complete." Isabella taught him about absolute love and healed him. It was such a beautiful, sweet and romantic royal romance thanks to the author's creative and genuine skills. It reminds one of the true meaning of love and how it can heal and make one strong, not weak because of it.
Way back when, Maisey posted a blog post and her wedding pics……and about her sheikh and the inspiration
Book Description:
Princess Isabella was certain of three things...
She desperately didn't want to marry the Sheikh to whom she was betrothed...
There was more to the darkly handsome, dark-hearted desert stranger escorting her back to the altar than met the eye...
And, having kissed the stranger once, she was never going to be the same again...
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 2:16 PM 0 comments
Labels: 2011 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge, 2011 Harlequin/Silhouette Reading Challenge, Maisey Yates, Romance Reading Challenge 2011, The Inherited Bride
TO TAME A SHEIKH (Pride of Zohayd) - Olivia Gates
To Tempt a Sheikh is the second book in the Pride of Zohayd series. It's absolutely a brilliant love story and probably one of the most amazing in the "sheikh" genre because of the exotic and passionate heat due to the amazing talents of author, Olivia Gates.
From the moment as a reader I was introduced to Prince Harres Aal Shalan Zohayd's Minister of Interior and head of Central Intelligence and Homeland Security, I knew due to his position and love of his other "sheikh" brothers he would be loyal, fierce and determined to find out who was trying to over throw his family's reign. For months, they had known of a conspiracy to overthrow their father, the King. The Pride of Zohayd jewels which gave the royal house the right to rule, had been stolen and replaced with fakes just before their holiday, Exhibition Day. There was the threat if this information was exposed it would bring down chaos that would see the King removed from power. A US reporter by the name of T.J. Burke had information concerning the conspiracy. However, "he" had been kidnapped and it was Harres job to rescue T.J. A successful mission but oh what a surprise.
Talia Burke, a surgeon was on a mission to prove her twin brother T.J.'s innocence. However, before she could leave for Zohayd in her disguise as a man, she was kidnapped and held captive in the desert until a group of men burst into the cabin and bodily took her away. She was thrown into a helicopter by her new captor and whisked away into the desert until they were fired upon and crashed. Imagine both of their surprises when Harres uncovered Talia Burke NOT T.J. Burke and Talia found out that Harres family are the ones she feels responsible for having her twin brother T.J. imprisoned in a US jail for a crime he did NOT commit. However, in order to survive, she needed to stitch up the wounded pilot, Harres and then make a 200 mile trek across the desert to the oasis in order to be rescued by Harres family and get to the bottom of everything.
From the first moment one reads about their "crash meeting" and their connections to each other, one immediately learns a couple of things. They are two confident individuals, loyal to their family, fierce, determined to survive and very, very attracted to each other. For Harres I believed it was love at first sight and he saw into her soul. For Talia, I knew there would be trust issues because all she had left in the world was her twin and she believed he'd had been set up. However facing all of the danger together, the elements of the desert and trying to get to safety and get down to the bottom of things became very complicated. I believed there was one thing for sure, there would be great passion and challenges for this couple and that would take place at a very exotic oasis if they survived their desert trek.
The oasis was magical and I can honestly say I felt transported to that oasis with these two soon to be lovers because of the way the author set up all of the scenes. From the culture and welcoming of the oasis nomad tribe, to the way their culture was described, the wildlife, flora and fauna, everything was magnificent. It was all very exotic, erotic and so full of emotion. From the moment Harres had to leave Talia behind to make his way on his own, to his feelings for this woman, to his worry was he going to be too late and would he find her dead? And then there were Talia's feelings, if she were going to die, why hadn't they made love in the desert sands, something she would regret. Talk about a knight to the rescue and one dedicated to seeing this woman live so he could make love to her and oh such erotic scenes, especially the two of them on a "white horse". Onething was for sure,in the end they loved each other and their time together would soon end. Harres family would come for them, take them back to the palace and try to sort out everything. They needed to prove her brother innocent and find out who was trying to overthrow the reigning Aal Shalaan's?
Talia was anxious about her brother but there was one thing for sure, she loved and adored this prince. After meeting his family she was secured undercover at the palace until they flushed out the traitors. But not before she was set up to over hear a conversation between Harres and his brother at the hands of the "royal's" enemies. After that everything came crashing down around the two of them. However, her brother was set free but at what cost because Talia's heart was broken. She felt used and she returned back to the United States to her position as a surgeon at the hospital and to the truth!. So much heart break for this couple and feelings of betrayal. The ending of To Tempt a Sheikh was gripping and so very unexpected. So hold on to your seat when this desert prince surprises his princess and gives her that happy ending in a very public way!
Book Description:
He rescued hostage Talia Burke from his royal family's rival tribe and swept her into his strong embrace. But Prince Harres Aal Shalaan soon discovered there was more to the brave beauty than he knew. Talia held information vital to protecting his beloved kingdom…and she had every reason not to trust him.
Marooned together at a desert oasis, Talia couldn't resist Harres. Yet even as his sizzling seduction entranced her, his loyalty to his family and country would always make them enemies. Falling for the sheikh would be her heart's greatest mistake…but she feared it was already too late….
What other's are saying:
To Tempt a Sheikh garners PRIDE OF ZOHAYD trilogy its 2nd TOP PICK from RT Book Reviews!!
"Unbelievably, Gates gives readers a second sexy and singularly charming sheikh from the royal family of Zoyhad."
"Unbelievably, Gates gives readers a second sexy and singularly charming sheikh from the royal family of Zoyhad."
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 2:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Olivia Gates, Pride of Zohayd, To Tempt A Sheikh
Friday, March 11, 2011
SECRETS OF THE OASIS - Abby Green
Secrets of the Oasis by Abby Green was full of sexual tension, secrets and lots of twists and turns. Add to this romance an extremely tortured hero Sheikh Salman al Saqr. with a past relationship with the heroine Jamilah Moreau.
In Ms. Green's first sheikh release, Breaking the Sheikh's Rules one was introduced to Sheikh Nadim Bin Kalid Al Saqr and the lovely Irish woman Isuelt O'Sullivan. Nadim bought one of the O'Sullivan's prize horses and took the horse and Isuelt back to his native country where she went to work for the stable manager and trainer Jamilah a childhood friend. Nadim and his brother Salman shared a past with Jamilah. Both sets of their parents had perished together. Nadim and Salman had been close as children and she had always loved him from afar. So you can well imagine years later when they accidentally bumped into each other in Paris and he saw how lovely she'd become, she was stunning. He had no problem seducing her and taking her virginity.
Their affair lasted only three weeks because Jamilah let it slip that she loved him and he sent her packing because he didn't do emotional affairs and most certainly not love. He broke her heart in a very cruel way. He had seen way too much in his past childhood, had been tortured when years earlier a neighboring sheikh had captured his parents, along with he and his brother. Things had been done to him that no one knew about, horrible things and he was ashamed, very guarded and unfeeling man. However, what he didn't know was he had gotten Jamilah pregnant and she miscarried. Now six years later, Salman was asked to return to his country to take over being an interim ruler while his brother and wife went back to Ireland for a vacation. You can well imagine the shock of Jamilah seeing this man again and for Salman she was lovelier than he ever remembered, he still wanted her and was determined to have her.
While out of the country, his brother requested that Salman fly to Paris to attend meetings in his absence and to take along Jamilah with him to negotiate and checkout a neighboring horse farm. He demanded she stay with him in his penthouse suite at the Ritz. He tormented her, made her feel so uneasy with his touches, kissed her, driving her crazy until she gave in and they took up where they left off. However, this time the affair was more intense. All I will say is from then on to the end of the book you absolutely won't want to miss the sensual tension and passion this couple share. For some reason Salman shared more with her, even his tortured past. But it didn't stop there because Salman made it very clear he wanted her but he didn't do love nor commitment.
To protect her heart from further hurt, Jamilah informed him once they returned home there would be no more shared passion. However, Salman had other ideas and tried to be very creative to coax her back into his bed. He even went so far as to get her out into the desert on a pretense she was needed for her veterinarian skills. An oasis, lavish tent, incredible food and this handsome sheikh….temptation at it's best. The ensuing chapters featured roller coaster emotion and more secrets revealed as only Abby Green can pen. This sizzling "sheikh" romance complimented and tied Green's first book together and the ending chapters were extremely emotional to read.
talks about Secrets at the Oasis at I(Heart)Presents
Book Description:
Shocking secrets of the sands!
When she gave herself to Sheikh Salman in Paris five years ago, Jamilah Moreau fantasised about wedding dresses and happy endings. But Salman was driven by desire, not diamond solitaires
Now, Sheikh of a desert kingdom, Salman can have anything he wants and, as Jamilah discovers when he spirits her off to a desert oasis, its still her! However, time has wrought changes, and their lovemaking is no longer enough Something happened back in Paris that had everlasting consequences for both of them…
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 1:36 PM 0 comments
Labels: Abby Green, Secrets of the Oasis
Saturday, February 26, 2011
SHEIKH'S DEFIANT QUEEN - Jane Porter and Annie West
Yet again, Jane Porter mesmerizes her readers with a magnificent and magical "sheikh" story, part of The Desert King series. It's a bit of a reunion love story as nine years ago, Jesslyn and Prince Fehr were lovers in every sense of the word. They were brought together by a tragedy when Fehr's two sisters and Jesslyn were in a horrible accident and the sisters were killed. The other tragedy was that Jesslyn was not only left with their loss but injuries which would affect the rest of her life, probable infertility.
Your heart will break as you take the journey with them…..you'll meet his three sweet girls, his horrible and meddling mother and watch from the sidelines as secrets, lies and manipulation unfold.
Jesslyn walked away nine years ago from the love of her life, Sharif Fehr. Why? His mother hated her, told her he was to marry and that she was not fit to love and be his wife due to the fact she could never give him children. So she walked, still secretly hoping he could come after her. He did not, he married another and had three beautiful girls and now he's a widower and needs Jesslyn's help with his girls. Sharif realizes something is dreadfully wrong with the children and knows that Jesslyn is a teacher not living far from his palace. He "demands" she come to the palace, teach the girls and hopefully help them to adjust to their life without their mother. Sharif also has an agenda, one you'll learn about when you read this incredible book.
You'll love Sharif, his lack of understanding of how to be the father his girls need and how Jesslyn helps to heal and bring this family together through love and determination. It's an exceptional romantic and sweet story as only Jane Porter can write with promises of more to come in her next release, Captive Bride.
Trapped by desire and something else, you won't want to miss The Desert King's Pregnant Bride!
Sheikh Khalid Bin Shareef and Ms. Maggie Lewis were like "two star-crossed lovers" when they met one dark, blustery and rainy evening. They were meant to be but they didn't know it; not at the time they first met nor did the handsome sheikh realize it until it was almost too late! Even taking into consideration how they were both raised, the emotional obstacles they needed to overcome; they were meant to be….lovers.
Maggie is upset, soaked to the bone and realized what a fool she'd been in wanting to take her relationship with her boyfriend a step further. It was like a slap in the face when she found him in the arms of another; she flees, stumbles and is rescued by a handsome stranger who she later finds out is visiting royalty. Khalid persuades Maggie to take a ride from him and upon close inspection sees that she's troubled; instead of taking her home he takes her to the lodge where he is staying while visiting Australia. He's determined to soothe her by getting her warm and dry clothes, just talking to her to reassure and comfort her. He realizes he might be in trouble because he finds her attractive and she intrigues him; he wants to protect her and more.
Khalid hasn't felt like this since his wife died 8 years ago and it disturbs him. While soothing and holding Maggie, things change and they act upon their attraction to each other (I call it fate). She gives Khalid the greatest gift of all, her virginity. However, the next morning she's determined to leave while Khalid sleeps; when he awakes and finds her gone, he's determined to see her again! However, on top of everything, his brother dies and Khalid is forced to return to his country and become the ruler.
Maggie felt foolish and stupid that she was so trusting. She'd never felt loved……her father used, rejected and over worked her; her mother left and took her younger sister when she was very young. She had no sense of belonging, of being loved or self confidence as a woman that she might be desired by a man. It was painful to read about Maggie's childhood. However, that one night in Khalid's arms, and their passionate love making would stay with her for a lifetime, she was sure if it!
As for Khalid's youth, his father was selfish; he only cared about his mistresses and Khalid's half brother which left Khalid on his own to forge his own future because he was not heir to the throne. Khalid married young; a few years his wife died. He's vowed never to give his heart again. He desires Maggie, wants to see her again and arranges for her to travel to Shajehar on the pretence of purchasing horses. It's an accident which causes Maggie to be seen by a physician and later they both learn she's pregnant with his child. He's determined they will marry, she agrees because they are both committed to giving their child support, love and stability, something neither of them experienced when they were growing up. However, Maggie questions if she can live without love knowing Khalid is still mourning his dead wife?
The Desert King's Pregnant Bride was a moving, touching and very enjoyable love story set in a progressive country with its people accepting Maggie as their queen. Watching Maggie grow as a person, taking language lessons, meeting with the women of the village, promoting education, and bonding with Khalid's relatives, lovely!
As for this handsome Sheikh Khalid, his protectiveness and tenderness towards Maggie was incredibly sweet. Yet one wanted to shake him because he held on to a ghost; his dead wife. He was afraid to give his heart and you'll cry for him because it's obvious he adored Maggie.
This was a fascinating book to read. Their passion burns with their strong desire for each other. Annie West pens a wonderful romance novel with The Desert King's Pregnant Bride being her third sheikh book. I think my favourite parts of this story were watching Maggie grow, feeling more confident as a person, and taking charge of her life. As for the sexy sheikh…..his tenderness, his concern and desire for Maggie and reading about how he was brought to his knees! Thanks Annie for another wonderful story…..I felt as if I were in your lovely home country, Australia and the beautiful desert!
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 1:58 PM 1 comments
Labels: "Has a Sheikh ever read a Mills and Boon romance?, 2011 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge, Annie West, category romance, Jane :Porter, sheikh romance
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Win a Trip to Las Vegas From Harlequin
Hurry! You have until March 30 to design and submit your kiss. The winner will be chosen from the top ten kisses with the most votes. So don't forget to vote for your kiss! If you're voting, mine's named "Marilyn"
Click here for full contest rules and regulations to make sure you're eligible.
*No purchase necessary required for the Submit Your Kiss Contest. Contest ends 30/03/11. Click here for details.
Must be 21 or older to gamble. Know When To Stop Before You Start. ® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700. © 2011, Caesars License Company, LLC.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Opens on 2/3/2011 at 12:01 AM (ET) and closes on 3/30/2011 at 11:59 PM (ET). Enter online at www.PatentYourKiss.com (http://www.PatentYourKiss.com) . Open to legal residents of U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Overseas Military Installations and other U.S. Territories) and Canada (excluding Quebec, Yukon, NWT and Nunavut) who are 21 or older at time of entry. Void where prohibited by law. One (1) prize is available to be won, consisting of a 3-night/4-day trip for two to Las Vegas, NV (12/30/2011 to 01/2/2012). Approximate retail value: $3,000.00 USD. Official Rules available online at www.PatentYourKiss.com (http://www.PatentYourKiss.com) . Sponsors: Harlequin Enterprises Limited and Paris Las Vegas Operating Company, LLC d/b/a Paris Las Vegas.
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 10:05 AM 0 comments
Monday, January 31, 2011
Bella and the Merciless Sheikh - Sarah Morgan
Bella Balfour intrigued me as she hid so many hurts. As we've learned in previous The Balfour Legacy series, their father Oscar holds a charity ball every year and it seems each one has some sort of press coverage of a new family scandal. Behind the scenes, Bella who is known for her beauty and being a party girl and her Olivia were locked in a battle over a shocking discovery and it was revealed concerning their sister Zoe. So their father like he has done in the past sent Bella away to a quite retreat in the desert to think about her behavior and how she could turn her life around.
Feisty Bella had noticed the stables across from the retreat and slipped away. She found a lovely mare and as she in her youth was an experienced horsewoman, she decided to take the mare to go into the city because she was going crazy at the retreat with no cell phone, Internet, etc. Once there she would leave the mare. However, she got lost and thought she would die in desert alone.
Sheikh Zafiq was an amazing man and head of his country, Al-Rafid. He was a strong and proud ruler, loved his country and his journey once a year to find peace and meditation. He was devoted to his siblings and had raised them He at times, felt the burden of raising them plus the burden of his country so he was looking forward to his five days alone in the desert, with no one, not even his guards. You can well imagine when he found his prize mare and a beautiful young Bella lost, dehydrated and sunburned in the desert, he was furious.
Bella and Zafiq's time in the desert began on a extremely rocky note and then after he nursed her back to health, the sparing began and then the sexual tension. They have five days to get to know each other and their time and romancing you absolutely will not want to miss. Their attraction was as intense as the hot desert sun and Bella fell in love. Zafiq, well let's just say duty came first. He was determined not to be like his father and be weak and fall in love with a beautiful, spoilt and pampered woman. Bella shared with him so much of her life in England and her family and he knew he was duty bound to his country to find respectable wife and mother for his heir so he needed to say goodbye upon their return to Al-Rafid and send her home to England.
Bella didn't want to go home because she felt two things; 1) her sisters were still angry with her and 2) every time her father looked at her she reminded him of her mother's betrayal.
She also new the mare she had stolen, his prized mare was the prize in an upcoming race. Zafiq's marvelous horse favored to win. However, if he did not, then the sheikh stood to loose his mare. She begged him to stay and promised if he gave her a chance, she would work in his stables, anything not to have to go home and face her family. I so admired how Bella handled herself with the grooms and horses. How hard and long she worked and because of her love for this proud man she was willing to sacrifice her safety. It was brilliantly written and so many lessons for all reading Bella's Disgrace.
Oscar Balfour had many family rules and I think Bella learned a few under the desert sun which were dignity, courage, loyalty and commitment traits any man could love. However, she most importantly learned about sacrifice because that was what she was willing to do for the man she loved even if it meant sacrificing herself or injury.
"When I was first invited to contribute to the Balfour Bride series, I was thrilled. As I waited nervously for the brief to arrive, I hoped that my Balfour sister would be someone 'real' – someone whose journey would be absorbing and emotional. Right from the first moment I read Bella's story I was excited, and that excitement stayed with me all the way through the writing of the manuscript. Bella was definitely flawed. She was also complex and sometimes spoiled, but I sensed immediately how vulnerable she was underneath all that attitude and how much of her 'image' had been developed as a defence mechanism. Spoiled Bella became humble Bella and then bold, brave Bella. I loved her (Go Bella!), and I hope you love her too'.....Sarah's post at I(Heart)Presents
Sarah's post at Tote Bags n' Blogs
Back Blurb:
Sheikh Zafiq Al-Rashid is furious when his week of solitude is interrupted by Bella Balfour, lost in the desert! While his fierce honor demands he rescue her, the willful heiress is a little less grateful than he'd expected. Zafiq is tempted to leave the spoiled socialite wandering the wilderness…but where would be the challenge in that?
He's powerful enough to tame the rebellious beauty. However, when they depart from the seclusion of the oasis, will Zafiq leave the memory of the fiery passion behind or announce to his kingdom that he is taking a queen?
Posted by Marilyn Shoemaker at 4:24 PM 0 comments
Labels: 2011 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge, 2011 Harlequin/Silhouette Reading Challenge, Romance Reading Challenge 2011, Sarah Morgan


text: SOUTH BEND -- The St. Joseph County Council will decide today whether to sustain or override the county commissioners' veto of the controversial anti-smoking ordinance. The vote will follow the regular County Council agenda and is not expected to involve any new testimony on the issue, which has already been the subject of three public sessions. The council meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the fourth-floor council chambers of the County-City Building. Topping the regular agenda will be a rezoning plea involving a 47-acre subdivision proposed for a site north of Dragoon Trail and east of Elm Road. The proposal now includes layout and drainage changes intended to allay fears expressed earlier by residents of the nearby Reverewood subdivision. The anti-smoking ordinance was passed 7-2 by the council at a Jan. 17 meeting, and vetoed by the commissioners in a 2-1 vote on Jan. 26. Since then, council members have been weighing their options and counting their votes, at least six of which are needed to override the veto. As passed by the council, the ordinance would ban smoking in restaurants, stores, shopping malls, stadiums, sports arenas, parks and most other public places, as well as in most places of employment, including businesses that provide employees with smoking in breakrooms. Bars, bingo parlors, private clubs and outdoor areas of golf courses would be exempt from the ban, which would be enforced by the county health department. Commissioners Mark Dobson, R-District 1, and Cindy Bodle, D-District 3, cast the veto votes after expressing support for the smoking ban concept but unhappiness with the way the ordinance was crafted. Should the council override the veto, the ordinance would stand as it is unless it is amended at a later date. If the council sustains the veto, the ordinance would be defeated. Any future anti-smoking law would require a new ordinance.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
IRVINE — Estancia High Coach Mike Bargas said his football team has to clean up the mess.
The offensive side did not help the Eagles Thursday night as they lost to University, 13-6, suffering their second straight loss.
Estancia's defense has done its job during the skid, while the offense has only mustered 19 points.
The Eagles (1-2) went scoreless in the final three quarters of the nonleague game at Irvine High. Out of the last eight quarters, opponents have shut out Estancia five times.
Despite turning the ball over twice in the final 7 minutes, 3 seconds of the game, Estancia's defense gave its offense a shot at the end to come from behind and win.
Defensive lineman Juan Mejia was a big reason for the late opportunity. He was everywhere, helping Estancia hold University's run game to a measly 16 yards on 19 carries before leaving the game with three minutes left to play with an ankle injury.


text:
Leader of the Opposition Delia Lawrie said today the Chief Minister must end the cover up on CLP slush fund Foundation 51 and finally tell Territorians the truth about its shady operations.
Adam Giles has persistently denied that there is any relationship between the CLP and Foundation 51 – but this is not true.
In the Legislative Assembly on 7 May 2014 Adam Giles said "There is no direct connection between Foundation 51 and the Party."
"But late funding disclosure returns lodged with the NT Electoral Commission indicate the CLP received hundreds of thousands of dollars of support from Foundation 51.
"The Chief Minister is a member of the CLP Management Committee and it is inconceivable he did not know about Foundation 51 donations to the CLP," Ms Lawrie said.
A leaked email from Foundation 51 Director Graeme Lewis to then CLP President Braedon Early indicates that as long ago as November 2012 the CLP Executive Committee was aware of the extent of the financial support Foundation 51was providing to the CLP.
But this financial support was not disclosed as required by the Electoral Act until the CLP was pressured do so by leaked emails, questions in Parliament from the Labor Opposition and media scrutiny.
In the email Graeme Lewis stated "Like you, I will be mortified if this information becomes widely known. It must be closely held for obvious reasons."
And in an email on 26 March 2014 to the Chief Minister, Graeme Lewis said that "He (the Chief Minister) and I have on many occasions discussed the matter of the Foundation and he is well disposed to having the Foundation continue its activity."
"The CLP is adopting a deliberate strategy to distance itself from the Foundation 51 but Territorians will see through this deception" Ms Lawrie said.
"The Chief Minister should tell Territorians and the Legislative Assembly the truth about Foundation 51 and stop the deception."
Foundation 51 is being investigated by the Australian and Northern Territory Electoral Commissions and the NT Police.
Media Contact: Sonia Peters 0437 762 881
Opposition Leader Delia Lawrie today said the Giles CLP Government's 2015 Budget fails to deliver the 120 extra police promised by the CLP before the last election.
"The Chief Minister and former Police Minister has failed to deliver on a key promise to the police and our community, when across the Territory we are seeing rises in crime, with house break-ins, car thefts, anti-social behaviour and alcohol-fuelled assaults.
"The budget funding announced does not even fill current vacancies in the force – let alone the 120 extra police promised."
Police numbers have gone backwards under the CLP, last year the Police Annual Report showed numbers fell by 61.
"The CLP are running out of time to deliver this commitment before the next election, and this cynical ploy indicates they have no intention of keeping to their commitment.
"This budget announcement is a slap in the face to our hard-working police, right across the Territory, and is another example of how the CLP can't be trusted.
The Police Association, representing police members, have clearly identified "the government is not meeting its election commitment, it's a commitment that they made and now they're trying to spin their way out of it." *
Police Association President Vince Kelly also said, "a bit of honesty and integrity from these guys would go a long way or alternatively simply meet your election promise." *
"Our police force is bearing the brunt of poor CLP policy on alcohol that is seeing police officers being used as a replacement for the Banned Drinkers Register – it is unsustainable and is negatively affecting police resourcing and morale.
"Last year's $9 million in funding cuts to crime prevention and general policing under the CLP is adding to the difficulties for police to respond to crime," Ms Lawrie said.
In Government, Labor delivered an extra 434 police officers and a further 94 extra officers, funded by the Federal Government, providing in total 494 additional police, growing police numbers by almost 50 per cent from 2001.
* Mix radio, 9 April 2015
Opposition Leader Delia Lawrie said today the Giles CLP Government's failure to address crime and antisocial behaviour in Alice Springs was impacting on local business and residents.
"It is an indictment on Adam Giles and his failed CLP policies that a weekend where taxis were pulled off the streets because of rock throwing, visitors assaulted, houses and businesses vandalised and broken into and large groups of young people were roaming the streets of the CBD late at night can be described as nothing unusual," Ms Lawrie said.
"Adam Giles has a litany of broken promises to Alice Springs and sadly it is residents and businesses who are paying the price.
"Youth after hours services were slashed by the CLP Government and the results of this ill thought out policy are obvious with young people out on the streets late at night, reports of vandalism and graffiti and businesses and residents calling for action.
"Earlier this year Adam Giles promised funding for youth services – but money has still not been released.
"He says the Town Council will be conducting youth patrols with Congress, but there are few details on how this approach will work, when it will start and where the funding is coming from.
"Even members of his own Government are saying they got it wrong, with the CLP Member for Araluen Robyn Lambley saying it was a mistake to scrap the YSOS program.
"Adam Giles refuses to even acknowledge there are issues with crime in Alice Springs, instead making claims that the town has never had it so good.
"He is arrogant and out of touch with what is going on in his own backyard and Central Australia deserves better.'
Media contact: Louise Connor 0438 241211
Leader of the Opposition Delia Lawrie has called on Chief Minister Adam Giles to urgently reinstate child protection and early intervention funding to address the child protection crisis.
"The number of child protection notifications falling through the cracks is at crisis levels, and on current trends will more than triple since the CLP were elected," Ms Lawrie said.
"This follows savage CLP funding cuts that has seen massive job and capacity loss across the child protection system, critically at the important preventative end."
"Latest figures indicate 1347 child protection notifications were not completed within the mandated 28 day timeframe in just the first six months of this financial year, up from 389 over the 12 months ending 30 June 2012.
"Every notification requires a response and it is not good enough for the Minister John Elferink to whitewash these numbers and suggest the problem is due to police over-reporting"
"The CLP have shown the have the wrong priorities. In just this year's budget $8 million was cut from crucial prevention support services and the agency, while the Chief Minister added $30 million to his department and spends millions on self-promotion.
"The sector has seen significant funding cuts resulting in the loss of preventative programs.
"It has been reported 90 jobs have been lost from within the child protection system, and staff turn-over at 30 per cent, is creating a capacity crisis in the Children and Families Department.
"Caseload targets are 20 per worker, yet it was revealed in the Estimates process last year that under the CLP, some caseworkers had more than 50 cases to manage and no child protection office in the Territory met the target, a situation that has since likely worsened.
"The CLP have abandoned the recommendations of 'Growing them Strong, Together' report that focused on building child protection response capacity and early intervention and preventive programs, to prevent child abuse occurring and strengthen parenting support.
"Labor calls for an independent audit of child protection, including action on the 'Growing them Strong, Together' recommendations to address the current crisis.
"It is clear the Minister is not up to the job of protecting children when he states the core function of his agency is "the ambulance turning up at the crash scene." *
(*) John Elferink MLA, Parliamentary record, 10 June 2014
Media contact: Louise Connor 0438 241 211
Leader of the Opposition Delia Lawrie has called on Chief Minister Adam Giles explain what he is doing to ensure crucial programs at Ngukurr School aren't abandoned followingIndigenous Advancement Strategy funding cuts.
"I have been asked by parents at Ngukurr to speak out on behalf of their school to try and save the nutrition program and horse program that have failed to receive important ongoing funding," Ms Lawrie said.
"I have met with community leaders in Ngukurr who are dismayed and shocked with CLP Senator Nigel Scullion's decision to cut funding to two key programs supporting students and providing local Indigenous employment.
"The Nutrition program and Horse-Riding programs are delivering great outcomes for children and providing local jobs, but will face closure under the savage IAS cuts.
The Nutrition Program provides breakfast, recess and lunch, it supports five local jobs and is jointly funded by parents and the school, but will lose federal funding of about $200,000 per annum which makes it unaffordable to run.
"This funding decision fails to take into account the fact families are living in very overcrowded conditions, many with family living in the kitchen area that makes it unable to function and it provides a school canteen to ensure children are fed which is crucial to learning outcomes," Ms Lawrie said.
Ms Lawrie praised the Riding Program which is has created two local jobs and is credited by community leaders as being a great support to school attendance and providing a pathway for students to employment in the cattle industry. This fantastic program is facing the axe due to a $230,000 funding cut.
"Ngukurr School is in the top six of Northern Territory remote schools for student attendance, averaging 74 per cent, yet the programs that support attendance are being cut," Ms Lawrie said.
"Remote students and local Indigenous jobs are losing out under CLP Senator Nigel Scullion's cruel funding cuts and the Territory Government need to ensure sustainable funding for these programs. If Senator Scullion ignores this need then the CLP need to ensure funding in this coming Budget.
"The CLP Giles Government received funding under IAS, but Adam Giles is yet to say what that funding is for. Is he willing to ensure these two crucial school programs are funded?
"Adam Giles has broken every promise he's made to the bush. It's time he stop the funding cuts to valuable services that support children to achieve great education outcomes and a pathway to employment, while employing local residents."
Leader of the Opposition, Delia Lawrie, today called on the Federal Government to provide Territory input into the Northern Australia Insurance Premiums taskforce.
"The establishment of this Taskforce is an acknowledgment of the real risk to Territorians of skyrocketing premiums following Adam Giles selling TIO," Ms Lawrie said.
"Adam Giles sold TIO without a public mandate and in the face of evidence of market failure in Queensland following the sale of their public insurer.
Head of the Senate Inquiry, Warren Entsch, publicly stated on ABC Radio that he warned Adam Giles not to sell TIO, saying, "I was concerned that by selling it we would end up in the same situation we are in the rest of Northern Australia."*
The Federal Senate Inquiry heard evidence that following the sale of Suncorp in Queensland, insurance became unaffordable or unavailable, and insurers withdrew cover in some regions.
"The Federal Government's Taskforce is a welcome response to the recommendations of the Senate Inquiry into the Development of Northern Australia to reduce insurance premiums back to an affordable level," Ms Lawrie said.
"It has been reported the Taskforce will consider two options: a government-run reinsurance pool or community-owned Northern Australia mutual insurer providing cyclone-specific cover.
"We want to ensure that flood and storm-surge cover is also considered, alongside cyclone cover, as well as the provision of affordable contents insurance for non-home owners.
The Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce and the NT Council of Social Service are two organisations that could represent Territory industry and community on the Taskforce, to address concerns about affordability and accessibility of insurance coverage in the Territory.
"With three months to prepare an interim report, I call on the Federal Government to immediately invite Territory participation onto the Taskforce and release the consultation plan to ensure there is appropriate community and stakeholder engagement."
*ABC Radio 12 November 2014
Media contact: Louise Connor 0438 241 211
Leader of the Opposition Delia Lawrie will travel to Timor Leste tomorrow for the official opening of a new hotel in Balibo and senior ministerial meetings.
The Balibo Fort Hotel is part of a project to restore the old Portuguese colonial fort built between 350 to 375 years ago.
In addition to visitor accommodation, the project includes a cultural centre and museum, a café and restaurant and visitor information centre.
"Balibo, situated close Timor Leste's western border, was the last refuge of five Australian-based journalists employed by Channel 7 and Channel 9 who were killed on 16 October 1975 during the invasion," Ms Lawrie said.
"The hotel and visitor services will provide income, employment and training opportunities for the community. Profits are also returned to the community through the Balibo Trust."
Ms Lawrie acknowledged Australian investors who include the industry superannuation fund for journalists and media workers, Media Super, Channel 9, Network 7, the Harold Mitchell Foundation and Rotary Victoria.
"The restored fort and hotel will bring tourists to the region, which will provide a welcome boost for the local economy," Ms Lawrie said.
During her visit to Timor Leste Ms Lawrie will travel with the Australian Ambassador Peter Doyle and meet with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Hernani Coelho, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Mr Alfredo Pires, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Mr Kalbuady Lay.
"The Northern Territory enjoys a wonderful relationship with Timor Leste - our closest neighbour," Ms Lawrie said.
"I have a strong and enduring relationship with the Territory Timorese community and look forward to strengthening people-to-people, tourism, business, cultural, administration, education, health and trade opportunities in the future."
Tracker Tilmouth' s State funeral at St Mary's Cathedral and reception at Parliament House, Darwin was a worthy send-off for a dedicated and passionate activist, Labor Opposition Leader Delia Lawrie said today.
"He deserved no less than this. It was poignant, but also filled with laughter. Many speakers reminded us that, unfortunately, Tracker's life-long work isn't done with his passing," Ms Lawrie said.
"The large number of people who attended from all over the Territory and interstate, attested to his leadership and courage. From humble people who lived and worked alongside him in the many struggles he championed, to the politicians and business leaders he held to task; all held him in esteem."
"Tracker played a strong role together with other activists during 1970s in establishing the Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service and the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress. He also served on the boards of several Indigenous representative groups.
"As Chairman of the Central Land Council for six years he fought Federal and Territory Government attempts to erode land rights and weaken native title.
"He brought an entrepreneurial focus to discussions around land rights and native title rights and championed the opportunities available to traditional owners through business partnerships to secure employment and community development.
"Tracker strived to make our Territory a better, fairer place and never remained silent in the face of prejudice and adversity."
Media contact: Louise Connor 0438 241 211
Leader of the Opposition, Delia Lawrie, today paid tribute to Bruce (Tracker) Tilmouth who passed away last night aged 62.
Ms Lawrie said that Tracker Tilmouth was an outstanding Territorian who will be sadly missed by many.
"Tracker was at the forefront of the Aboriginal rights movement and leaves a legacy of regional economic development as a pathway to social and economic opportunities," Ms Lawrie said.
"We are deeply saddened at Tracker's passing; he was such a strong voice for Aboriginal Territorians who spent decades challenging accepted norms.
"Tracker was a strong Labor man who challenged us to take action to improve the lives of Territorians.
"His sharp intellect combined with a wicked sense of humour was a tool he would wield to challenge us all to do more for his people."
Ms Lawrie said that Tracker was a Centralian who had been raised on Croker Island and in Darwin as part of the Stolen Generation.
"He was a man of the Territory and the grief of his loss is being felt across the Top End and in Central Australia," Ms Lawrie said.
"I was fortunate to have known Tracker for many years and considered him both a friend and mentor.
"Our lives kept crossing paths, from his teenage friendship with my late brother Charlie when they were ratbags together, through the years of Territory Labor politics and then to my employment of his daughter as my media advisor."
Ms Lawrie paid her sincere condolences to Trackers widow, Kathy; daughters Cathryn, Shaneen and Amanda; sons-in-law Luke Bayetto and Jarrad Doudle; granddaughters Elaina and Yvette; and siblings William Tilmouth, Patrick Tilmouth, Margaret Hampton, Harry Nayda and Ian Nayda.
"May this great man rest in peace."
Leader of the Opposition, Delia Lawrie, has called on the CLP Government to respond to growing community concern over the epidemic of methamphetamine "Ice" abuse in the Territory.
Ms Lawrie has asked for the immediate establishment an "Ice Room" at Royal Darwin Hospital which has construction underway now to expand the Emergency Department.
Ms Lawrie has also called for an interagency taskforce of Police, Health and the Department of Children and Families to recommend urgent actions to tackle this scourge.
"Territory families and frontline workers are dealing with a growing Ice epidemic that is affecting and harming Territorians," Ms Lawrie said.
"Ice related property crime is also on the rise with Territory Police confirming that Ice users are motivated to steal to support their drug habits. (NT News 8 January 2015)
"Immediate focussed action is needed to combat this growing crisis."
Ms Lawrie questioned Adam Giles in Parliament Question Time today about whether he would immediately implement measures to tackle the scourge of Ice in the Territory.
"The first step that needs immediate action is improving facilities for medical staff to manage patients on Ice who present to their Emergency Departments," Ms Lawrie said.
"Nurses and doctors on the frontline need support and appropriate facilities to treat patients that present to them while under the influence of Ice. This facility is critical for the safety of hospital staff and patients."
Ms Lawrie said that the Chief Minister was failing to understand the need for a multi-faceted approach that included Police, Health and support services for families.
"A multi-agency taskforce consider education and awareness, training for frontline professionals and support services. Who do families turn to and what support can they receive for early recognition and intervention?" Ms Lawrie asked.
"Our Police and nurses are doing a great job in tough circumstances. Let's give them the tools and support they deserve. Let's help families who are suffering the consequences of this scourge."
Media contact: Cathryn Tilmouth 0427 500 667