Jackie Ashenden: Sheikhs are the Ultimate Fantasy

Ashenden_JI became a huge fan of New Zealand author, Jackie Ashenden, the very first time I read one of her books.  Her strong writing style coupled with a sharp wit and intense, sexy characters made it all too easy to get hooked. Then Jackie wrote Never Seduce A Sheikh, featuring a bad boy who is also a Sheikh… two of my very favorite types of heroes rolled into one.  Isma’il is a delicious bad boy and so very easy to fall in love with!  What more could a girl ask for?

Jackie and I had a quick chat about Never Seduce a Sheikh and bad boys and here’s what she had to say —

Okay so I LOVE a bad boy. Especially their flaws because it’s their flaws that make them human and not just some cardboard cut-out, perfect man. But a bad boy who’s also a sheikh? Well, that’s one of my ultimate, alpha fantasies. A sheikh is a king, a warrior, a man whom no one can say no to. He rules his domain with an iron hand, is strong and in total command of himself. Yes, he may be arrogant, but if you’re a king you need a certain amount of arrogance, not to mention confidence, because who wants an uncertain, unconfident king?

So why is he an ultimate fantasy? I think the appeal of this kind of hero lies in the idea of a strong man brought low and changed by the love of his heroine. And it’s appealing because it makes the heroine a very powerful force. And what woman doesn’t want to feel that powerful? 🙂

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000032_00050]
How deep into the darkness will she have to go to help bring him into the light?
Oil baronness Lily Harkness isn’t so much steel magnolia as titanium cactus. She’s used to living in a man’s world and when she plays, she plays to win. She wants exclusive oil rights to ensure her company remains at the top and she’s not walking away empty handed.
Sheikh Isma’il al Zahara rules his country his way. Always in command, he has his own plans for his country’s oil and it’s not just about the money. But he’s intrigued by the buttoned up business woman who’s come to his country to strike a deal. He can’t help but wonder what’s beneath her icy facade.
Lily’s desires are buried down deep, but her attraction to Isma’il is too strong to deny. Will seducing the sheikh cost Lily her body and her soul?
~~

Thank you, Jackie!  For those of you who haven’t yet read Tule’s Bad Boys series, do be sure to grab Jackie’s Never Seduce A Sheikh soon.  This Sheikh is simply irresistible!

I also have a special giveaway for you.  For a chance to win, tell me if you’ve read any of Jackie Ashenden’s stories before and if so, which title you enjoyed most.  Or just tell me about your weekend reading!  One lucky winner will win this awesome prize package!

photo

73 Comments

  1. I haven’t read her yet. She is a new to me author. After reading about this book I NEED to read this. It’s on my list. Love a sexy powerful alpha.

  2. I haven’t read her books yet but from the looks of her cover of “never seduce a sheikh” I think I am going to be soon

  3. Haven’t read any of her books yet, but after the weekend is over it will be a different story 🙂 I’m currently on vacation and it’s a reading one for me 🙂 Love the books from Tule so far. And also the books from Jane 🙂

  4. will have to pick up one of her books; new to me author.
    didn’t read over the weekend. hoping to be back to some kind of routine by wednesday.

  5. Haven’t read this author! But anyone Jane invites to her blog is certainly worth giving a try! Thanks again!

    ohhhh and look….. chocolate!!

  6. Well first I haven’t read Jackie’s
    books because she’s a new author for me. But I have added her to my MUST READ Authors list. This weekend I’ll be reading some Montana Born Books about Christmas and love. Thanks Jane for another great giveaway.

  7. She is a new to me author that I will check out soon. This weekend I read Marie Force’s newest-I Saw Her Standing There and began an ARC by Tina Seskis-One Step Too Far

  8. Thank you for the introduction! I haven’t read any of her books but will look forward to it. I just finished reading Neil Patrick Harris’ autobiography it was a fun read for our book club. Each chapter directs you to an alternative “ending” and it had magic tricks and recipes 🙂

  9. Hi Jackie! Sorry, Jane, family always seem to interfere 😉 New author to me, too, but my TBR shelf is always open to new books! Looking forward to it!

  10. I have not read any of her books, but after that description, I am sure to purchase one! I read an Ava Miles book this weekend, and enjoyed it greatly!

  11. Hi Jackie ! I loved Never Seduce a Sheik !! Can’t wait to read more of your work . Just got home from work or I would have posted sooner !

  12. She is a new author to me, but I will definitely be reading her. I love bad boys because they turn out to be sooo good.

  13. This is the first time I have heard of Jackie Ashenden. I always enjoy reading a new author and I fully intend to add her to my TBR books in my reader. At the moment I am reading Nalini Singh and Karen Marie Morning.Never Seduce a Sheikh will be joining a great group.

  14. I’ve have not read any of Jackie’s books yet, but I know I must now!!!
    My weekend was a bit crazy. Weather was horrible and we had solid sheets of ice everywhere from numerous hours of freezing rain. I had to drive a long commute in it to get to work, but made it safe!

  15. She is a new author to me, and I will check out her books! This weekend I read “The Art of Racing in the Rain.” I have never read a book set entirely from the dog’s point of view before. It was good.

  16. This book was the first I have read by Jackie. I enjoyed it. I spent my weekend reading Melanie Shawn’s latest Crossroads story and just finished Christmas in Magnolia Bay tonight!

  17. I have not read any of these book…yet! Sadly, not reading the ladt few days. Been busy with my booth at an antique mall.

  18. I have not read any of Jackie’s books, but this one sounds great! This weekend I started ‘What Alice Forgot’ very intriguing, I’ll keep you posted.

  19. Jackie Ashenden is new to me – can’t wait to read her books, because if you recommend her then I know I’ll like her!

    I just finished the uncorrected proof of Victoria Laurie’s NO GHOULS ALLOWED – it was awesome!!!

  20. She’s a new author for me, but I like what I’ve read so far. I had a super busy weekend, but still found a little bit of time to read from Twelve Shades of Midnight.

  21. I haven’t read any of her books yet. I am currently reading a great Marietta story with a few Christmas reads on deck. I can’t wait to read this one though. Might have to squeeze it in between!

  22. I haven’t read any of her books yet. But will definitely try this one. Love the hunk on the cover. Reading the Montana Christmas stories now.

  23. No, I haven’t had the opportunity to read anything from this author, but it sounds like a wonderful read!
    I’d love the chance to read it. Thanks for introducing me to a new author.

  24. I have not had a chance to read Jackie yet, but I do have 3 of her books ready to be read on my Kindle. Love reading about those bad boys!

  25. I haven’t read any of her books YET. 🙂 I haven’t read a lot lately. My house is full of sick people so I’ve been busy with that. 🙂

  26. I can’t wait to meet Jackie Ashenden’s Sheikh Isma’il and feisty, independent Lily. Who goes after what she wants. Sounds like a powerful struggle of strong, stubborn wills!

    I just finished Cindy Gerard’s Killing Time. I’m now reading Bella Andre’s THE LOOK OF LOVE.

  27. I have not read any of Jackie’s books, but am always looking for new authors to read. I went through a Rudolph Valentino craze a number of years ago, and have his movie, The Sheikh on DVD…one of my favorites!

  28. I haven’t read any of her work, but now that I’m introduced to it, I want to! Thank you! I love finding new authors to read. 🙂

  29. Have not had the pleasure to read any of her work. Have need to my wishlist! Love finding new authors to feed my addiction! 🙂

  30. Hi Jackie! I have not read any of her books, YET but I would love to. I live in upstate NY and that’s what weekends are for… Hot tea and great stories! I was readin James Pattersons Neery Christmas this past weekend, very good!

  31. I have not read any of Jackie’s books yet, but would like to. What could be better than an Sheikh story. (I bought it for my kindle.) Thanks for the give away.

  32. I have not read Jackie’s books before but look forward to reading this one!

    Right now I am reading No Rest for the Wicked by Katherine Garbera – a title I got from reading this blog 🙂

    Have a great weekend.

  33. Hello Jackie and best of luck with your new book. Sounds like both strong male and female leads in this one. Tule is putting out some majorly great reads! Congrats on the success of Tule, Jane!

  34. Thank you, everyone, for making Jackie welcome on the blog and sharing your thoughts about sheikhs and the books you’re reading. Our winner is #1 Brandy Bosquez!

    Brandy, drop me an email with your mailing details so I can get the prize to you and everyone, have a very Happy Thanksgiving!! I am thankful for each and everyone of you for all your support and for being a loyal reader!

    much love,
    Jane xoxo

    1. Woo hoo!! I am beyond excited. I responded to the email sent to me and included my mailing address. Have a happy turkey day.

Leave a Comment

Your email is never published or shared.

*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

By posting a comment, you consent to have your personally identifiable information collected and used in accordance with our privacy policy.