Scan barcode
theeditorreads's review against another edition
4.0
“A woman in America was supposed to receive her brother-in-law’s sperm. She received yours instead.”
Rashid’s blood ran hot and then cold. He felt...violated.
When a few lines into the book, you read this; I don't know whether to laugh or cry. I know it's no laughing matter.
And yet he had no choice. If the woman was pregnant, she was his.
Of course, if you knew what Rashid bin Zaid al-Hassan, the new King of Kyr, has already been through, you'll understand this statement. That incident has turned his heart to ice.
We are then introduced to the woman in America as Sheridan Sloane, who wanted to act as a surrogate to her older sister Annie. Not only because it was a good thing to do due to the problems Annie had, but because she felt guilty of being the better one among the two.
I'd never want to be in Sheridan's shoes. Such a strange place to be in while going through so tough a time! Rashid feels guilty of leaving her all by herself but, what to do, he can't get over his past, it's not that easy, after all.
This book tries to actively dispel many preconceived notions about the Arab world, their people. But what I'm seeing nowadays, I still find some things difficult to believe. And of course the book is a fiction, so I'll leave it at that.
Almost half of the book is...is she or isn't she...pregnant. But, before the real baby, came a just as much adorable pupper, a Canaan named Leo. I love books with doggies. What a dramatic climax! 'Love makes one do crazy things', and this book just proved that, and how. Grrr... Where is the epilogue?
conprimo's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Child death, Infertility, Sexual violence, Death, and Sexism
booksuperpower's review
4.0
Carrying the Sheikh's Heir by Lynn Raye Harris is a 2014 Harlequin Presents publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sheridan Sloane only wanted to help her fragile sister achieve her greatest dream. Ann was unable to have children and Sheridan felt so guilty about how things turned out for Ann due the financial issues her parents had. So, she agreed to IVF and is all set to have a child for her sister. Now she is being informed that there had been a mix up and she was inseminated with the sperm of the wrong donor.
When Rashid Al Hassan discovers the mix up he flies to the states to confront the woman who could be carrying his heir. This is of course a very serious situation,but you will laugh out loud at Rashid, He can't imagine the mother of HIS child working in a shop while she carried the child of a king. He is of course very cautious with people and refuses to open himself up for any kind of pain or heartbreak. So, he comes off as being supremely arrogant and overly formal. Then he really does become quite difficult as it becomes clear Sheridan has no intentions of doing what he wants. A man accustomed to money and power and certainly unaccustomed to having someone defy him doesn't know how to deal with Sheridan.
The real difficulty though lies in the fact that Rashid wants the child because he would be his heir and since he is aware Sheridan planned to give the child up he doesn't see the problem. The fact that her sister is the one who is to be the child's mother doesn't even come into the equation for Rashid. Then he kidnaps Sheridan AND he wants to marry her because of course he can't have his child born out of wedlock.
Being stuck and practically imprisoned, Sheridan goes through a great many emotions. Anger at Ann for putting her in this situation, anger of course at Rashid, and of course the worry and fear of having the baby taken away from her and her sister. But, another emotion has begun stirring as well. Despite her feelings about Rashid she finds him attractive. Sheridan is a smart woman and while she is mainly focused on her own predicament, she does understand Rashid's point of view as well.
As the two struggle to figure out what to do next they find it harder and harder to deny the physical chemistry brewing between them. But can Sheridan agree to Rashid's terms and would she even consider a marriage in name only?
As I stated after reading the first book in this series, I have not read a great many Harlequin Presents novels in the past. But, I have enjoyed some of Lynn's other books and thought I would try these out. I also stated in my previous review that I had never really understood the attraction to Sheikh themed romance novels. However, these two were pretty good. There were serious issues that were pretty thought provoking and there were lighter moments as well and the romance is spicy hot. This is one really unusual situation that looks like it could turn into a really ugly battle over the child Sheridan might be carrying. So, there were some emotions that were riding high and a lot was at stake for Sheridan. I was once again very engaged in the story as I was with the first book in the series. I'm am now a little curious about this authors back list from Harlequin as it seems writing about good looking, sexy, hot and very rich and powerful Sheikhs are a niche for Lynn.
This one gets 3.5 stars rounded to 4
Sheridan Sloane only wanted to help her fragile sister achieve her greatest dream. Ann was unable to have children and Sheridan felt so guilty about how things turned out for Ann due the financial issues her parents had. So, she agreed to IVF and is all set to have a child for her sister. Now she is being informed that there had been a mix up and she was inseminated with the sperm of the wrong donor.
When Rashid Al Hassan discovers the mix up he flies to the states to confront the woman who could be carrying his heir. This is of course a very serious situation,but you will laugh out loud at Rashid, He can't imagine the mother of HIS child working in a shop while she carried the child of a king. He is of course very cautious with people and refuses to open himself up for any kind of pain or heartbreak. So, he comes off as being supremely arrogant and overly formal. Then he really does become quite difficult as it becomes clear Sheridan has no intentions of doing what he wants. A man accustomed to money and power and certainly unaccustomed to having someone defy him doesn't know how to deal with Sheridan.
The real difficulty though lies in the fact that Rashid wants the child because he would be his heir and since he is aware Sheridan planned to give the child up he doesn't see the problem. The fact that her sister is the one who is to be the child's mother doesn't even come into the equation for Rashid. Then he kidnaps Sheridan AND he wants to marry her because of course he can't have his child born out of wedlock.
Being stuck and practically imprisoned, Sheridan goes through a great many emotions. Anger at Ann for putting her in this situation, anger of course at Rashid, and of course the worry and fear of having the baby taken away from her and her sister. But, another emotion has begun stirring as well. Despite her feelings about Rashid she finds him attractive. Sheridan is a smart woman and while she is mainly focused on her own predicament, she does understand Rashid's point of view as well.
As the two struggle to figure out what to do next they find it harder and harder to deny the physical chemistry brewing between them. But can Sheridan agree to Rashid's terms and would she even consider a marriage in name only?
As I stated after reading the first book in this series, I have not read a great many Harlequin Presents novels in the past. But, I have enjoyed some of Lynn's other books and thought I would try these out. I also stated in my previous review that I had never really understood the attraction to Sheikh themed romance novels. However, these two were pretty good. There were serious issues that were pretty thought provoking and there were lighter moments as well and the romance is spicy hot. This is one really unusual situation that looks like it could turn into a really ugly battle over the child Sheridan might be carrying. So, there were some emotions that were riding high and a lot was at stake for Sheridan. I was once again very engaged in the story as I was with the first book in the series. I'm am now a little curious about this authors back list from Harlequin as it seems writing about good looking, sexy, hot and very rich and powerful Sheikhs are a niche for Lynn.
This one gets 3.5 stars rounded to 4
mousegoddess's review
1.0
when she instantly identified a man as "an Arab" I side eyed a bit (because it's really not that easy, as evidenced by all the Sikh men who have been attacked, killed, and profiled since 9/11). But then the heroine's old Southern family lived in "gentile poverty" and the eye rolling started. I think I might have sprained something with all the eye rolling and facepalming. Because it just got more and more ridiculous. good GRIEF did it ever get ridiculous. It was a train wreck and I was the shameless Lookie Lou. I would be ashamed if I was capable of it.
More...