The Sheikh's Contract Fiancée

Almasi Sheikhs, Book 1

De: Leslie North

Narrado por: Craig Van Ness

She’s expecting a simple business deal, but he’s expecting much more....

Annabelle works tirelessly for her father’s mining company, despite their rocky relationship. So when he asks her to travel to the Middle East to complete an important business merger, Annabelle sees an opportunity. It’s her chance to prove her worth, but the culture clash proves difficult for the strong-minded American woman. She’s supposed to work closely with the son of the oil company’s CEO, but Annabelle’s not sure what to make of Imaad. He may be gorgeous, but she refuses to be cowed by his good looks or his old-fashioned ways.

Sheikh Imaad is ruthless in his business dealings for the family oil company, but standing up to his traditional father is not as simple. When he learns his father’s full intentions - that the business arrangements include an arranged marriage to the American executive, Imaad wants to refuse. His intended bride is both beautiful and brash, but Imaad has a plan. If he can convince Annabelle to go along with the fake marriage, they might both get what they truly want. Sounds simple, but Imaad soon realizes it won’t be easy to tame a Western woman.

©2017 Relay Publishing (P)2018 Relay Publishing

yes to Imaad :)

A short but entertaining story that took Annabelle and Imaad from doing everything to stop the arranged marriage to falling in love. It was fast, kept my attention and had me rooting for them. The steamy scene in the dessert was really hot. Ending in a satisfying way resolving quite a few problems, the HEA is clear for these two and make a great pair. Looking forward to the next story in the series.

Enjoyed the narrator's voice, animated and engaging, good accents and variations, I will be checking out his other works too.

contract for love

I would say it was a cute story a little bit typical but a cute one the story was enjoyable for 3 hours and it was a sweet in parts so overall a nice story

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

Business or Pleasure?

This is a fun listen that moves fast. The storyline is not original but enjoyable. Daughter blackmailed by father to do something and in return he supports her mother. Son is told by father that its his obligation to the family. The two get together and think they outsmart their parents and fall in love. Their journey to find love was full of great imagery and exotic locations. The narrator was new to me, and he had a pleasant voice. I would continue to listen to more books by this wonderful author and talented narrator. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. Books by this author are great escapisms from cold winter days and bring sunshine and steam.

Enjoyable Listen

The Sheikh’s Contract Fiancee is the first book in the Almasi Sheikhs series. It was my first book by author Leslie North and my first listen with narrator Craig Van Ness.
The story is short and fairly predictable, but enjoyable as light entertaining reading.
Annabel is a bit of a brat and annoying although I did appreciate that she was put into a difficult situation and wanted to rebel against her controlling father.
Sheikh Imaad seemed to roll with the punches a bit better. He found ways to deal with each situation and adjusted. I could find myself swooning for this Sheikh!
When the story started I felt like the narration was just a bit too precise or staccato, but as I fell into the rhythm of the story, the pace seemed to fit the tale. Overall an entertaining experience and I’d definitely listen to more books with this narrator.
3.5 Stars

Love is risky business, but heady stuff.

Imaad and Annabelle are as different as night and day, but they share one commonality. Proving themselves to the people they love.   Secret agendas conspire to bring them together, will a plan of their own, bind them forever?  Ms. North made use of a commonplace theme to create an original masterpiece.

Contract for love and business

This is a fast paced fantastic story. The Audio was great . It was smooth . Both parties were forced into a business dealings from their fathers. The female heroine was from New York the hero is a middle eastern man . They both got a surprise that was laid out to them and if they didn’t uphold that surprise the business deal would fall through. But one look at each other and their was instead attraction . Both parties didn’t like to be forced into the surprise. Did the attraction depend did it turn to love.
The narrator was smooth and calming. He was great.
Will need to get the other 2 stories of the other 2 brothers

Sassy storyline, loved it!

Loved the storyline, loved Annabelle and her sassy mouth and strong personality. Imaad was the perfect fit. Full of chemistry, it was an excellent fun, hot read.
Highly recommended it!

A Sheikh's story!

This is the first book in the Almasi Sheikhs Series. I like Sheikh's story. This was a good, short and predictable story. This was my second Leslie North's book and my first listen with narrator Craig Van Ness. He has a good voice, easy to listen. Overall, this was a good and entertaining story.

You need this in your library!

I had never read or heard anything by Leslie North before but this left me intrigued and wanting to find other works by her. Going into it I wasn't really sure what to expect because I don't generally read or listen to much of this particular trope (arranged marriage nor Sheik romance) but I was given this one and I am so glad that I was because I don't know that I would have found it and/or given it a try otherwise.

In the same way, I had never heard anything by Craig Van Ness but he was absolutely phenomenal! I have some pretty high standards for narrators that make it tough sometimes to wow me but he did just that! I was drawn in and felt the emotions of the story from the very beginning...another feat in itself. I just can’t say enough good about any of it; book or narrator.

Hot And Entertaining!

This is the first title in the Almasi Sheikhs Series.

HEA, no cliffhangers!

Being the first, it could be read as a standalone, but I always advise to read in order to get the most out of the experience.

Content Warning: SEX! Plus Annabelle has a BIG potty mouth! So if you do not like sex or cursing, then you should avoid.


♥ Story ♥

A bit of a new spin on the Sheikh’s arranged marriage plot. Usually it's an arrangement made by their father to a woman from their country that they are trying to avoid. This time the deal is with an American father trying to sweeten a merger deal.


Sheikh Imaad Almasi is the youngest of the Almasi brothers. The merger is necessary to prevent massive dismissals, but he doesn't like being cornered into marriage. He is the one to initially come up with the plan: to play along until the merger is complete.


Annabelle Thomas doesn't have the best relationship with her father, but agrees to be his representative in Parsabad. She is to see to the finial details, sign the paperwork, and in exchange, her mother's hospital bills will be paid in full. It is not until she arrives that the "Fine Print" is revealed to her. She agrees to go along with Imaad's plan but not without a contract. Annabelle swears like a champ, and I love it! It's not excessive, but sometimes in life you need a good curse word, or 4, 😊.


Life doesn't go according to their plans, and its oh so good! This story is HOT and entertaining. Although making love out in the desert worries me. Just like the beach, sand gets EVERYWHERE! It is refreshing for both the Hero and Heroine to be equally strong/dominate. Often there is a deficit in one direction or another. There are still 2 more brothers to go and I can't wait!


♥ Author ♥


Leslie North is one of my go to authors for great romance. This title has had some publication issues that can be read about on her website. I find it totally unfair and a bit F*d up, but you can read for yourself.


♥ Narrator ♥


Craig Van Ness was great. Both genders as well as the general story narration was done superbly! Would listen to more titles performed by him.


♥ Audio Production ♥


Original speed seemed a bit fast to me. I listened @ 0.85 speed. Don’t be afraid to experiment.


♥ Fave Book Quote ♥

“Not all love fits inside the convenient boxes we make for it. It seeps out, one way or another, in ways we least expect it.”
–Sheikh Imaad Almasi



Ebook not currently available. See the Author website for more info.
Audiobook obtained at my request and I am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review