Son of the Sheik - Ryshia Kennie (HI #1718 - June 2017)

Series: Desert Justice (Book 3)

Heir to a Fortune

Someone is threatening to expose Sara Elliott's secret. After draining her bank account, she flees to Morocco to face the one man she fears, the only man who can truly protect her son. Sheik Talib Al-Nassar has money and power beyond compare, but nothing could prepare him for seeing his ex, especially in his homeland. Though suspicious of this reunion, he would do anything to shield her and her little boy from further danger. He welcomes them to his family compound, but Talib's shelter has a price of its own. Like Sara's blackmailer, he desires only one thing: the truth about her son…

Good second chance romance mixed with some exciting suspense. Sara and Talib were a couple three years earlier. Sara made the mistake of telling Talib when her feelings for him grew into love. He wasn't ready for it and immediately broke up with her. When Sara discovered she was pregnant, she didn't tell him. She rationalized that his avoidance of relationships meant he wouldn't want a baby either. She was also afraid that it would be easy for him to take her baby away because of his wealthy family ties. Three years later, she is being blackmailed by an ex-boyfriend who threatens to tell Talib about Everett. Finally, out of money and tired of running, she takes Everett and flees to Morocco, knowing that Talib is the only one who can help her.

I loved the first meeting between Sara and Talib. The hotel she chose has been attacked, and in the confusion, she lost her grip on Everett. Talib is friends with the owner and has been working on setting up the hotel's security. He arrives at the hotel just in time to see a maid taking a little boy out a side door, and is immediately suspicious. After taking the boy himself, he is stunned to find Sara in the middle of the melee looking for that same child. Sara wasn't ready to face Talib yet but had no choice. I ached for her, as Talib didn't take the news well and said some rather nasty things to her. I also hurt for Talib, once he accepted the truth because he had missed so much of Everett's life.

I liked watching the rekindling of the relationship between Sara and Talib. Neither one had forgotten their feelings for each other, though Talib had become an expert at burying his memories of their time together. He made me mad with his initial suspicions about why she came to Morocco because he knew better. Once he understood the danger that sent her running to him, Talib's protective instincts kicked into high gear. The more time he spent with Sara and Everett, the more he realized that he wanted to keep them in his life. He also knew that he would have to earn Sara's trust first. Meanwhile, Sara knew that her feelings for Talib were as strong as ever, but she couldn't see herself fitting into his lifestyle. I liked the way that Talib overcame her fears, from his immersion in being a father to the special dates where they got to know each other all over again. I loved the ending and the surprise Talib had for Sara.

The suspense was terrific. It started as a simple blackmail scheme but became so much more. The initial culprit, Tad, was bad enough with his greed. The way he was always able to track Sara down, no matter where she ran to was creepy. Things became much worse when Sara ran to Morocco, and Tad enlisted the help of a school friend who was there. Glimpses into the mind of this man showed how his greed and hatred made him so much more dangerous. There were multiple twists to the story, including Talib coming out on the wrong side of some attacks, before the final confrontation. I was on the edge of my seat until it was all over. I liked how Sara stayed calm and did what was necessary to protect Everett. Talib's arrival was perfectly timed, and I loved watching him protect his family.

 

Sheik's Rescue - Ryshia Kennie (HI #1712 - May 2017)

Series: Desert Justice (Book 2)

As a sheik, he always got what he wanted -- until he met his beautiful and challenging new partner…

Zafir Al-Nassar knows everything about Jade Van Everett. He's studied the cases she's worked for his family's company and for the FBI. And it's hard not to notice that she's absolutely gorgeous. Teaming up for a routine security detail, Jade is desperate to prove herself and Zafir can't help but admire her determination. But when their assignment turns deadly, it becomes difficult to stay focused on the job. Because although they were hired to protect a Moroccan royal from a trained assassin, Zafir also has every intention of keeping Jade safe and by his side. Forever.

Good book. Zafir is in Wyoming filling in at this branch of Nassar Security while brother Faisal is away on a mission. He's at the office when Jade shows up to check the file on her next case before going to pick the man up at the airport. It's supposed to be an easy one - protect a minor Moroccan royal while he's in the US taking nature photographs. Both Zafir and Jade have a bad feeling about the case, even though it looks easy on paper. Those bad feelings are validated when "Stanley" is shot at when they arrived at the apartment complex where he will be staying. Jade calls Zafir for backup, but when he arrives, they discover that Stanley has disappeared.

I liked both Zafir and Jade. Zafir made his first appearance in Sheik's Rule, as Emir's twin brother. Like the other brothers, Zafir is more than just an owner; he is also an active agent. One of the things I liked best about him was that he didn't try to take over the case, but supported Jade as the lead. Zafir also has a reputation as a ladies' man, one who doesn't get serious about anyone. Jade is a highly skilled agent who has a stellar reputation. She is fearless when it comes to doing her job. She can be intimidating when it's called for, but she also has a way of getting through to Stanley, which shows a softer side to her.

I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. There were sparks between them from the moment they met, sparks that weren't unexpected. I found it intriguing that they already knew quite a lot about each other. Jade spent a lot of time reading up on Zafir's cases, learning his methods, and getting to know the professional side of him. Getting to know the man himself was an unexpected bonus. Zafir also read up on Jade before she came to the office to start her case. He was intrigued by what he saw in her files. He did not expect the kick of attraction that he felt when he met her. Zafir fought hard against his feelings for Jade. He never planned to fall for one woman. By the time they ended up in Morocco, he was a goner. I loved his big moment at the end.

The suspense of the story was terrific. I felt Jade's frustration when she first met Stanley. He was obnoxious, whiny, and selfish, and she wasn't sure she wanted to deal with that for the two weeks. Things went from bad to worse when someone started shooting at them. Jade had to worry on two fronts: keeping Stanley under control and keeping them safe from the shooter. Zafir's arrival and their subsequent discovery of Stanley's escape increased the tension. Because of the attack, Jade and Zafir are confident that something is going on that they weren't told about. I enjoyed the complexity of discovering the motivations. I liked seeing them confront Stanley and make him understand the problem. News from Morocco complicated the issues. A different side of Stanley began to come out, making him more likable. Once they got back to Morocco, the action ramped up quickly. I was on the edge of my seat as the final confrontation grew closer. It was intense and a nail-biter until it was over. My heart dropped at what happened to Jade, and I ached for Zafir and the guilt he felt.

Sheik's Rule - Ryshia Kennie (HI #1705 - Apr 2017)

Series: Desert Justice (Book 1)

He's an investigator on a mission, but it's impossible to ignore the brilliant woman helping him complete it…

His sister's life is at stake, and despite his wealth and power, Sheik Emir Al-Nassar feels helpless. At least heading his family's security agency provides him with resources to track down her kidnappers. But when the ace profiler he's sent turns out to be K. J. -- Kate -- Gelinsky, Emir is furious. Finding the kidnappers' desert hideout is dangerous enough without the distraction of a beautiful woman.

But K.J. is unlike any woman he's ever known. Her fearlessness and incisive mind inspires Emir's admiration. And her compassion breaches his guarded heart. Still, rescuing his sister is a perilous mission. And allowing desire to cloud his focus could endanger them all.

Good book and start to the series. The suspense was excellent, with a nice mix of romance. The story opened with a bang, as Emir finds out that his beloved younger sister has been kidnapped. Since the deaths of their parents six years earlier, Tara has been the glue that holds the family together. Losing her is not an option.

Emir is the head of the family security firm. Though very good at what he does, Emir is also realistic enough to know that his emotions would affect his objectivity in this case. He contacts his second-in-command at the Wyoming branch and asks for their best profiler/kidnapping agent. KJ hasn't been with the company long but has a fantastic reputation. What he doesn't know is that KJ is a woman.

I loved the first meeting between Emir and KJ. He is furious when he discovers that she is a woman, and makes it clear that he doesn't want her there because of it. I loved how KJ got right up in his face, calling him out on his attitude. Her response to his assertion that he'd have to look out for her was priceless and certainly got his attention. Her insight into their family dynamics made him reconsider.

I liked the development of the relationship between KJ and Emir. It's a little rocky at first because of Emir's earlier attitude. Underneath the antagonism, there is also a definite attraction that affects both of them, creating distractions that neither one welcomes. There is also a deeper connection that forms between them. One of KJ's strengths is her observational skills, which she puts to good use when dealing with Emir. I loved how well she understood what he was going through and how she could cut through his pain and bring him comfort. Emir normally keeps very tight control over his emotions, and he is dismayed by his lack of control around her, but also grateful for her understanding. Their feelings for each other grow quickly, thanks to the amount of time spent together and the need to trust and depend on each other. The scene in the helicopter at the end of the book was funny, with Emir's twin calling him out on his "declaration."

The suspense of the story was good and kept me engaged throughout the book. The big questions of who, why, and where drove the investigation. Who took Tara, and why? And where are they now? I could see it was hard for Emir to admit that he wasn't in top form for the investigation. KJ's incredible attention to detail and refusal to leave any possibility unspoken made her the perfect person to cut through his objections. I liked the way that she could think on her feet and adapt to circumstances. Her familiarity with Moroccan culture was a big plus, especially during their time in El Dewar. There were also some scenes told from Tara's point of view that emphasized the danger she was in. The final confrontation with the kidnapper was intense, with an unexpected twist at the end.

I liked seeing a little bit of each of the brothers. Zafir is Emir's identical twin. Though he wants to go with Emir and KJ, his part is to play decoy. Talib is the next youngest brother. He is hot-tempered but must keep a lid on his rage to provide the backup they need. The youngest brother, Faisal, runs their Wyoming branch and is too far away to do anything but hope that his brothers reach Tara in time. It is clear that family means everything to them, and nothing will stop them from saving their sister.