Book One in the Ruthless Royal Sheikhs Series centres around the oldest al-Razim brother, Ilyas. From birth, Ilyas has been raised to one day be ruler of Zayrinia so his main focus is his duty to his people and country. When a blackmailer threatens to release a video of Ilyas’s brother, Hazin, with a woman in a green bikini. Ilyas has the blackmailer ‘Suzanne’ found and taken to his desert retreat. Only it isn’t Suzanne but her unwitting friend Maggie that is whisked away. Maggie has been travelling for a year and is at her final destination before her return home. After having an party where she was ill, she takes Suzanne’s place at a stargazing trip where she is kidnapped and taken to a royal tent. The mistake is soon realised but the pair are stuck in the tent due to the sandstorm.
A beautifully descriptive book which really bought to life the country of Zayrinia. I loved how the history and folktales describe at the stargazing trip are woven into the narrative detail such as the scene with Maggie in the Hamman. There is also a significant introduction to Hazin and Florence with a few lines to suggest that something has happened between them, which leads nicely in to the next book. The only thing I wasn’t keen on was that most of the book takes part over a day or two.

Wooow.. I got emotional reading this story and still I couldn't put it down. The story made me feel like I was there. I want a friendship like Maggie and Flo and a love story like Maggie and Iiyas without the heartache. A strong man who knows his mind and goes after what he want at all cost. I will definitely recommend this book without thinking twice about it. Looking forward to Flo's story.

Captive For The Sheikh's Pleasure by Carol Marinelli is the first in the Ruthless Royal Sheikhs Series. Shiekh Ilyas al-Razim knew from birth that one day he would be King of Zayrinia. He is committed to preserving his family's reputation when his brother, yet again, caused embarrassment and preventing a waitress, Maggie Delaney, from blackmailing him. Maggie vehemently denies this claim. Once she has proved her innocence she is free to return home, but will she?

This is a very well written book, full of imagery of the desert and the past. It could, without the mention of photographers and the internet be a historical romance. The mythical royal stories, descriptions of star gazing and sandstorms all add to the depth of the book.

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for an honest review, I am a #MillsandBooninsider

Shiekh Ilyas al-Razim has had tough childhood, which means he doesn't trust easily.
Maggie Delaney also had a tough childhood, but still has an innocent naivety.
A case of mistaken identity where Maggie gets whisked into the desert for daring to blackmail the future King of Zayrinia. When truths are revealed, will they be able to trust each other enough not to let the past overshadow their present? You'll have to read on to find out.
A very good romance, where you will be pulled into the desert heat and still left wanting more.
This book was received free from NetGalley via Mills and Boon Insiders, but that does not in any way influence my opinions.

This book was a thrill to read I so enjoyed it and both of the characters where wickedly complex yet so wonderful it was perfectly written with art and flare I do hope his brother gets a book,

A lovely, atmospheric, and touching romance in the desert as a Crown Prince tries to stop a scandal and falls in love.
Carol Marinelli has excellent form in writing this kind of story - her desert kingdoms are always richly crafted, and the descriptions help the reader form a vivid picture of the landscape. The mythical stories of royal history (one of which turns out to be based on fact) add to the depth of the location, and the descriptions of star-gazing and sand storms are vivid and atmospheric.
Crown Prince Ilyas was born to be King some day, Maggie Delaney is a waitress coming to the end of a year seeing to world, and, in normal circumstances, the two would never meet. Both are lost souls; Maggie lost her mother when she was young, and is looking for a sense of belonging somewhere, while Ilyas is ruled by routine and plans for the future, and isn’t willing to risk it all by falling in love.
However, when Maggie’s encounter with Ilyas’s wayward brother Hasin threatens to cause a major scandal in the royal family, Ilyas resorts to ‘kidnapping’ Maggie from a star gazing trip to the desert to maintain her silence. As first meetings go, it’s a memorable start to the story, and mistrust and disbelief override the attraction between the two. Indeed, even as Maggie begins to feel more than she should for Ilyas, he hides behind his facade of unfeeling, and proclaims that a real relationship could never work between them as it wouldn’t be proper in his world.
It’s this attitude that causes Maggie to leave, and, naturally, causes Ilyas to re-evaluate his life in pursuit being happy.
Without spoiling the plot, Ilyas’s grand gesture to prove to Maggie that he genuinely loves her is emotional, touching and romantic as the two attempt to navigate their way to an against the odds happy ending, and Maggie realises that she really does have a place in the world.
Maggie’s good friend, Flo, briefly makes an appearance towards the end, and, her introduction to Hazin is clearly paving the way for the second part of this duet. The ending nicely rounds out the story, but it will be nice to read the second book to catch up with Maggie and Ilyas.
Beautifully written, emotional, and romantic to the end - a wonderful, escapist read about finding a place in the world where you least expect it.

A Touching Desert Romance, 5 Stars 🌟
Ms Marinelli has written a poignant interpretation of a classic fairy tale with engaging characters that you will quickly become emotionally invested in.
We are introduced to Maggie Delaney as she is finishing her year long working holiday with a much anticipated stopover in the Arabian country of Zayrinia; where Maggie finds herself unwittingly caught up in her roommate Suzanne’s blackmail attempt and consequently kidnapped at the hands of Sheikh Ilyas al-Razim the crown prince of Zayrinia. From the first meeting it's clear Maggie is not the criminal mastermind Ilyas is expecting and as the Simoom (a large sandstorm) rages, their passions flare. But will Ilyas let Maggie into his heart and conquer the Hammam Ruby Red River for true love, so Maggie can finally have the family she has longed for, for so long and to live HEA as they both deserve!
A word of warning you will become so invested in these characters that book two Sheikh Hazin al-Razim and Florence Andrews story in a Christmas Bride for the Sheikh (which I had already purchased before finishing this book) will become your next must read! Although you can enjoy Captive for the Sheikh's Pleasure as a great standalone in its own right.
Fyi I received my copy from Netgalley and Mills and Boon via Mills and Boon Insiders, but this does not influence my opinions as all opinions are my own.