The Sheikh's Forced Bride

Sharjah Sheikhs, Book 1

By: Leslie North

Narrated by: Nicholas Thurkettle

Sheikh Khalid Al-Qasimi's playboy ways have finally caught up with him. After creating a scandal during a diplomatic visit to America, Khalid is given a choice by his father - marry or face banishment. Rather than lose his family, Khalid bows to his father's wishes but an outspoken American interrupts Khalid's would-be wedding. Now Khalid has a new plan that might please his father, secure his inheritance and leave Khalid still able to go on with his life...he'll take the beautiful American as his bride - and then his father will hate her so much he'll beg Khalid not to get married after all. Journalist Casey Connolly has never been afraid to share her opinions. While researching an article on arranged marriages, she lands in trouble when she crashes a royal wedding to get a quote from the attending American guests. The sexy groom offers to set her free if she'll step into the role of his fiancée - just for a short time. Seeing a chance to get the scoop she needs, Casey agrees. Soon there's no denying the chemistry they share. But Casey's boss is pushing her to complete her piece and head back to the States, while Khalid's father is still pushing for a hasty wedding. Will this pseudo-romance become the real thing or buckle under all the pressure being put on these two?

©2017 Relay Publishing (P)2017 Relay Publishing

Where humor meets serious

This story is interesting in itself but I also really liked how it dealt with the topic for forced marriage and the importance of stopping forced marriage. Although this is a very serious topic it does not make the story heavy or sad.

Casey is delightful and funny, Khalid is a little self-centered and blind to emotions, they interact in a really interesting way and the book is heavily centered on the two of them.

Several parts of the story made me laugh and I enjoyed listening to it.

Nicholas' character voices were great and the overall delivery was well done. It flowed nicely and suited the story.

This book was supplied free by the author/narrator/publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

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A journalist gets an offer she can’t refuse! 

A journalist gets an offer she can’t refuse! 

The Sheikh's Forced Bride is #01 of 03 in the Sharjah Sheikhs Series by Leslie North. All 3 are currently published with 02 being in audio. #3 should be out in audio soon.

Nicholas Thurkettle narrates the series, to include #3.

HEA with no cliffhanger!

These 3 are connected by brothers, and are more enjoyable in order, but could be taken as standalones. There would be slight spoilers for the earlier ones if you start at #2 or #3.

Length: 2 hrs and 53 mins

Warning: SEX! 
Yes! Both in thoughts and actions, so those opposed should avoid.

Trigger Warnings 
None that I see.

♥ Story ♥ 

Sheikh Khalid Al-Qasimi ❤ Journalist Casey Connolly 

The story opens at the altar of all things. Sheikh Khalid Al-Qasimi is getting married, and not to the heroine of the story. Not quite what you were expecting huh?   It's a forced/arranged wedding that neither of the participants want, but it is tradition. The marriage is a punishment in Khalid's eyes, handed down by his father who is tired of his sons making less than honorable headlines, and kids today complain about losing cell phone privileges. Really puts thing in perspective.

Enter Casey Connolly, a journalist out for a story on arrange marriages that will make front page and forward her path to a Pulitzer. She's a woman on a mission! Her outbursts disrupts the wedding, causes the bride to call it off, muddies the water for all other present, and lands Casey in the palace prison. So not quite how she thought it was going to play out.

While pacing her cell, Casey receives a visitor with an offer she can't refuse! Khalid wants to thwart his father's plans for him to marry and sees a way out in the journalist. Casey needs the interview to headline her report to get her front page across the nation. Seems like a win-win for both of them, so what could possibly go wrong?
Always EVERYTHING when you say that! 

This is more of a Novella size at barely 3 hours, but Casey and Khalid have enough time to do some soul searching and discover some deeper part of themselves. Plus have some sexy times too! Overall a sweet and sexy little story!

♥ Author ♥ 

This is my first read/listen by Leslie North, and I am looking forward to #2! Her writing is sexy and the HEA rock! The covers are HOT too. I now have all of her other titles on my Wishlist!

Leslie has 41 Audible Titles

♥ Narrator(s) ♥ 

This is my first listen by Nicholas Thurkettle, and I'm in love! His voice definitely works for the future ruler Khalid as well as the determined Casey. He uses a slight accent for Khalid and his family that sounds real and not overly done like some can resort to.
Nicholas has 13 Audible Titles

Ebook obtained through Kindle Unlimited
Audiobook obtained for free at my request and I am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review
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Great start to a fun romantic series!

Stories about leaders always intrigue me. The brooding handsome man, the strong willed woman who gives him a hard time is the general theme. Leslie North uses this idea, but expands on it so you get lost in the story. The first book in this series, Khalid, first in line to be Sultan is getting married...to a woman his father picked. Casey, an American reporter, is doing an article about arranged marriages. The fun now begins! This couple from the start has high intensity and scorching chemistry. How they finally get it together is complete entertainment. Leslie North has a way of giving us well developed characters in a short period of time, enough to have us looking to the next I the series. Khalid's brothers are waiting in the wings, and I am anxiously waiting for the next audio!

The choice of Nichals Thurkettle to narrate this book is perfect. He has the rough, raspy voice with that sound of high class royalty. Great choice.

Ahhh, the playboy Sheik and the feisty reporter...

Sheik Khalid is about to enter into an arranged marriage to please his father, the Sultan...until it's interrupted by an American reporter. Casey wants to expose the lack of women's rights in Shajah and decides that the best way would be to crash an arranged marriage. All that gets her is arrested and thrown in jail for two days...until her unexpected visitor...non other than the Sheik! The two agree to their own version of an arranged relationship...a fake engagement. Will they be able to fool the Sultan and each get what they want or will their trickery be exposed? This was a fast pace story that explored the culture of the Middle East. Loved the ending.

Oh when we practice to deceive or however that gos

The sheiks forced bride by Leslie North
Oh when we practice to deceive or however that saying goes.
This is a lovely story, and I can't wait for the next part.
The narrator really brings the story to life.
This audiobook was given to me for free at my request from the publisher or author or narrator and I provided this voluntary review.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Funny, Great world building, Happily Ever After, Page-turner, Romantic, Wonderful characters.

very good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall

Great Sassy Story

Nicholas did a wonderful job narrating Khalid and Casey's whirlwind romance. I loved how Leslie mixed old world traditions into this new age. It was great hearing about a woman willing to stand up for what she believed in even when she knew that she could get into serious trouble. Getting to see two people set up a plan to fool others when they are really only fooling themselves is a real treat. The words of Leslie and the voice of Nicholas made this book so amazing and really great to listen to. If you love romance with sassy heroine's and stubborn hero's this is a must listen/read.

Nice Romance

I got this ARC via audiobook boom. The story is a nice listen with an HEA that is expected. The interactions between the characters were to be expected. The story was well written and narrated. But each scene made me think I have heard this before in another book. I have listened to many of this author's stories and enjoyed them. Ths was another one that was easy to listen to.

An Arranged Marriage you have to read

Interested in finding out about arranged marriage Casey, a journalist, crashes one such wedding. Only when she crashes it doesn't quite go off as planned. Don't want to give too much away, but the wedding doesn't happen, Casey goes to jail, pretends to be the grooms future wife and to try to land the story.

This was a short fun read. I was provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher in exchange for an honest review.