About the Author New York Times Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit.   Read more Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. They called him the Beast of Hajar for a reason. Katharine could see that now. Zahir S'ad al Din was every bit as frightening as they said. He was an entirely different man from the one she'd met so many years ago. Cold, completely forbidding.But Katharine didn't have the luxury of being frightened by him. Anyway, she was used to cold, forbidding men."Sheikh Zahir," she began, taking a step toward his expansive desk. He wasn't looking at her, his dark head inclined, his focus on a paper in front of him. "I have been waiting for you to contact me. You haven't.""No, I have not. Which makes me wonder why you are here."Katharine swallowed. "To marry you.""Is that right, Princess Katharine? I had heard a rumor about that, but I didn't believe it." He lifted his head and for the first time, Katharine saw his face.Yes, he was every bit as frightening as they said. The skin on the left side of his face ravaged, his eye not as focused or sharp on that side. Yet she still felt like he was seeing all the way into her, as if the accident that had served to cloud his physical vision had made him able to see more than a mere mortal man.That he was a ghost, or a god of some kind was part of his legend, and looking at him now, she understood why."I did call." She hadn't exactly talked to Zahir, but she'd talked to his advisor. And she hadn't really been invited, either."I didn't think you would travel all the way from the comfort of your palace to have your marriage proposal turned down, as I was certain I had relayed my thoughts on the matter."She straightened her shoulders. "I thought you owed me a conversation. A personal one, not your relayed response. And I didn't come to be turned down. I came to make sure the contract was honored. The deal was struck six years ago…""For you to marry Malik. Not me."Thinking of Malik always made her feel sad. But her sadness was for a young life cut short, nothing deeper. He had been her destiny, her duty, for all of her adult life, and while she had liked him, cared for him in some ways, she had not loved him.At first it seemed like losing him had changed everything, that her horizons had opened, that she might have a different future before her. It was clear now that nothing had changed.Instead of Malik, it would be Zahir. But she was still destined to be sold into marriage for the sake of her country. She'd accepted it. Ultimately she hadn't felt that the change in groom had mattered all that much.Although, looking at him now it became a whole different matter than it had been in theory. He was…he was something much more than she'd counted on.This was never about you. Never about your feelings. You have to be prepared to see this through."That's what I thought. But when I examined the documents a little bit closer…" Her father had handled most of the legal portion of the marriage agreement that had been drawn up between her and Malik.It hadn't really been of personal interest to her. Her relationship with him had been nothing more than political maneuvering by their parents. She'd only met him on a few occasions. She'd simply accepted that it was what she could do for her country, that the marriage was what she could contribute. She had never personally studied the agreement. Until recently."Well, yes. But really, if you look at the wording, I am promised to Malik. Unless he is not able to assume the throne of Hajar. In that case, it is his successor that I'm meant to marry. That's you."So strange to be standing before him, all but begging him to marry her when a large part of herself wanted to run out of the room. She didn't want to marry him, not on a personal level, any more than he wanted to marry her.But her father was dying. Far too soon, and that put everything on a tight timetable. Her marriage had been pushed to some far off, fuzzy future after Malik's death, and for a while, no one had bothered her about it. For a while she had been allowed to serve in more of a practical manner, visiting the sick in hospitals, doing vital networking to bring more tourism dollars into the country. It had been liberating in a way, to find some use for herself outside of her gender and appearance.But that time was over.Her father only had a few months left, and Alexander, her brother and future king, didn't reach the legal age to rule for another six years. That meant someone had to be appointed Regent in the event of her father's death, and she lacked the necessary physical equipment to be considered.She was over being bitter about that. Now she was ready to act.If she didn't have a husband when her father died, the man placed in charge of her country would be her closest male relative. And what her closest male relative would do with that kind of power didn't even bear thinking about. She couldn't let it happen.More than that, she had sworn to her father it would not happen. That she would secure the alliance with Hajar and the marriage to Zahir. That she would protect Alexander.Failure was not an option. She couldn't look her father in the eye and tell him that she'd failed. She was a woman, and in the eyes of the authorities of her country, it made her subpar. In the eyes of her father, it seemed to have the same effect. Her father pushed her harder, demanded more and praised her less than he did Alexander. He saw Alexander's worth as a given; part and parcel to being the only male child. And Katharine had to work and work to prove she possessed any.And she had welcomed it. She had been up to the challenge, always, to be all that she could be. To serve her family, her country and her people. A good thing, since she was the only hope left.She wouldn't trip now, not in this last leg of the race. The thought of it made her insides tremble with sickness and dread. It made Zahir look friendly in comparison."I do not want a wife," he said, looking down again, obscuring his face from her view.She crossed her arms beneath her breasts and tilted her chin up. "I didn't say I wanted a husband. This isn't about want. This is about need. About doing what is best for both of our countries. This marriage will strengthen the economy for both nations and whether it's Malik or…you…it doesn't change that it's the right thing to do."Her words were cold. Mercenary. They chilled her to the bone. And yet she had to do this. For the lives of her people, the future of a nation.Anyway, it wasn't as though she was sacrificing herself on the altar. Though in many ways she might be termed the Virgin Sacrifice.The thought made her shudder. She would never be that. This was her choice. No one had forced her into Zahir's office. If she wanted to stand back and watch her country go to hell while she partied in Europe, there was nothing to stop her from doing it. Nothing except common decency, a sense of what was right. Nothing but the need to prove that when it counted, she could be worth something.That was why she was here. Ready to do what she had to, ready to face Zahir head-on, even while her knees shook slightly.He looked at her, his dark eyes cold, disinterested. The flatness in them sent a chill straight into her soul, made her feel like she was staring into a bottomless, empty well. His face, distorted by injury, made him seem less human.He inclined his head. "You are dismissed."She looked at him, her mouth dropping open. "Excuse me?" She'd never been dismissed in her life."I have been trying to excuse you for the past ten minutes. Get out of my office.""I will not," she said. Because she couldn't. But for one second she wished she could. Just for a moment. That she could walk out of his dark office and into the bright Hajari sunlight, head to the market, the mall and melt into the crowd.Just for a second. And then she remembered. Remembered that she had to do this. Because if she didn't, Alexander would be shoved to one side while John claimed the throne, and if he managed to change laws to keep himself on there permanently…or even the possibility of him spending six years messing with the economy. It was unacceptable.And it would mean she'd failed. Failed at the one thing her father felt she would be useful doing.Zahir stood from his position at his desk. She stepped backward, the move instinctive, the action that prey would take when it knew it was eyed by a predator. He was big.Much bigger than she remembered. Broad and toned, his tunic shirt clinging to the muscles on his chest."Haven't you gawked long enough? Why don't you go, sell the tale of your encounter with me to the highest bidder?""That isn't why I'm here.""No, of course not, you just want to marry me. Live here, in the palace." He rounded the desk with long strides and his gait languid for two steps before she noticed a break in the rhythm, before she noticed the slight limp that accompanied his movements. He stopped in his tracks then, arms crossed over his broad chest. "With me. Because how could Princess Katharine Rauch, from her idyllic Alpine country ever resist such an opportunity? Do you imagine you'll be having grand, Arabian Night-themed balls? Is that it? I am not Malik.""I know that," she said, her throat tightening. She was losing control, losing her footing. She couldn't lose. She had given her word to her father. And she had made a blood oath to her people from the moment of her birth. She was born a Rauch, she was meant to protect her country. And this was the only way she was allowed to do it.That sense of duty was like a weight on her shoulders, her chest. Some days it made it hard to breathe. But it was a part of her, of who she was.Katharine's heart rate kicked up when he took another step toward her, the light in hi... Read more
A**A
An emotional story (a different Beauty & the Beast)
I took a chance to buy the book despite having no reviews to encourage me (or not). And I am so happy with the decision that I felt like I should help other readers discover it.I appreciate a lot the emotions and "substance" that Ms Yates is usually putting in her books. No fluffy stories, heroes that spend the entire book acting like absolute jerks and stupid heroines. With her is mostly about discovering the bound between 2 people who deserve each other, people who had some difficult times in their life. This particular book it's an interesting angle on the "Beauty and the Beast". Zahir is the only member of the royal family that survived the attach which killed his parents and his brother, the future sheik of the country. He is left with disfiguring scars, but the worst scars are those in his mind and soul (these inner scars are those that make him see himself as a Beast too). Katherine is a princess that fought her entire life to prove herself to her father, doing what was requested for her country. Both are strong, but in the same time very much alone and buried in the weight of their responsibilities. This is a story about how they help each other to discover a new life, to accept who they really are and how much they have to offer to another human being, not only to their country & duty.It is one of those rare books in which you see much more of the male internal battle than the female and the way Zahir is emerging out of his own drama is impressive. This is one of the very few books in this category that I'm convinced I will read again. I sincerely recommend it!
S**N
Quite good, but I wasn't as amazed by it as others here.
Don't get me wrong, if you're inclined to read a Harlequin Presents (and you are realistic about what to expect from a HP!) then definitely this is not a waste of money. This is my first Maisey Yates novel and I thought it was very good.I liked that we explored the hero and heroine's issues, and that there was some depth and substance to the story, other than two people hot for each other but fighting over ridiculous things and stupid misunderstandings. (Which is how the majority of HPs go.) The writing was very good. The characters were sympathetic and interesting. I especially loved the heroine, who wasn't "too stupid to live" (a common trait in HP's heroines). She stuck up for herself and didn't back down. And didn't hesitate to call the hero on his b.s.! Loved that. The hero was good too, with lots of baggage that he was overcoming, and that the reader will find sympathetic. He isn't a typical arrogant alpha-male d*****bag who gets his own way all the time. We *want* him to succeed, because he's been through a lot. He deserves a happily ever after and we're glad he gets one with such a lovely and remarkable heroine.The reason why I'm giving the book four stars is that at the end I started to feel, enough already, it should end. There was too much blah blah talk when we could see it was happily ever after and revving towards the end.Another thing that I noted (but I wouldn't rate less for) is that the sex scenes kinda went a teensy bit "too" hot compared to what I'm used to in my favorite HP authors. I'm not griping too much as each HP has varied levels of hotness and as a regular reader we need to realize that, right? But I'm just saying. I completely understand that it's a matter of personal preference.
R**N
A spin on Beauty and the Beast - A story of second chances
Review originally posted on Reader's Edyn (Blogspot) ~ Please visit for full review!Katharine in a princess and has known her entire life that she would have to marry for political gain for the good of her country. She is ok with that, knowing that it is her responsibility. But her betrothed was murdered in an attack against his family, so she went about doing what she could to be useful. She isn’t a man, which makes her of little importance, but still she finds a way to help; her family, her people, her country. She discovers that her wedding contract has a rule stating that should her betrothed not be able to fulfill his commitment, she would then have to marry his successor. His brother, Zahir. Badly scarred in the same attack, Zahir has come to be known as the Beast of Hajar. His reputation isn’t the best, but Katharine has a job to do, a duty to fulfill, a contract to uphold. She will offer him a proposal that he can’t refuse and she will not back down until he relents.Zahir is fine with his beastly reputation. People leave him alone and he gets his work done. He doesn’t even have to go out of the palace very often because he has someone take care of that as well. He is on a strict schedule and it is necessary. It allows him to maintain control, to keep the nightmares of the attack at bay – usually. Everything is as he wants it … until Katharine walks in and knocks his entire world upside down. His control is slipping and he isn’t sure he will be able to harness the monster within when that happens. He doesn’t want to hurt her. She brings in light when all he saw was darkness. Desire when all he knew was loneliness. Challenge when everyone else around him avoids him. When he acts the beast he is famed to be, she doesn’t cringe. Even his scars don’t phase her. She is allowing possibilities he hasn’t entertained, possibilities he doesn’t deserve. He lived and his family died. Why should he allow himself a future? But Katharine could change all of that – if only he lets her.This was a very good book. I was a little annoyed about the bad editing job. I have seen worse, but come on Harlequin – I expect more out of you. That said, I can’t complain about anything else. The editing was a small issue that several people would probably not even notice. This book is about redemption and second chances with a solid storyline. A modern day take on Beauty and the Beast, Katharine’s stubborn streak and love the magic that opens the door for a future where anything is possible. Katharine realizes a lot about herself, while Zahir struggles to accept that he can have happiness and a future. Katharine and Zahir, while both incredibly stubborn end up complimenting each other. I enjoyed how they came to trust each other and depend on one another. Overall, this was a very good book with steamy sexual content. I am highly likely to read Ms. Yates again, just hopefully without the editing errors.Kindle version purchased for personal library
R**R
EMOTIONAL AND INTENSE
Princess Katherine must marry to save her country from an unsuitable ruler, the marriage contract for her to marry the ruling sheikh of Hajar was agreed between the two families some years before, time is now running out as her Father is dying. But Zahir is a recluse. known as the beast of Hajar due to his physical and emotional scars. He has no intention of marrying anyone, he is happy to stay behind his palace walls and rule his kingdom. That is until Katherine forces her way into his life. Demanding that he marry her.I had mixed feelings about this story, yes it was well written, and it has a strong heroine something I really like. But Zahir was very badly physically scarred, but more so emotionally. I felt at times that Katherine was more like his counsellor than his intended. In fact most of the book dealt with his issues and Katherine's attempts to help him. Not that I minded that so much but it did not make it a very romantic read. Of course some might think that a beautiful princess helping the scarred hero is romantic, but that is not how parts of this book were presented to the reader. It did not quite hit the mark for me, maybe other readers might feel differently.
M**8
Emotional and intense
Wow! Just wow! I'm a big fan of Maisey Yates' books and this one has got to her best yet. I was drawn into the story from the first page.This is an intense, emotional read that had me sniffing and smiling in equal measures.I love tortured heroes and Zahir's emotional pain jumps off the page and really makes you root for him. If ever a man deserved to be loved it's Zahir. Katharine is a truly amazing heroine, determined to do the right thing for her country and protect the ones she loves in the process.She challenges Zahir at every turn, forcing him to face up to his weakness, and helping him heal in the process.Maisey Yates truly digs deep in this story and it will stay with me for some time. Definitely one I will read time and time again.Should come with a warning. Do not start reading late in the evening, cause you will not be able to put it down and you will need intravenous coffee the next day ;-)
L**N
Wonderful
I love this author, she writes such great characters, this is a wonderful thought provoking tale of love and understanding, rainy day read, curl up and enjoy this book.
B**R
Good Job
I thought this was an amazing service as I got my books quickly and it is good condition , I couldn't of asked for better
C**L
awesome
Really enjoyed this book :) awesome love story with a happy ending recommend it to friends to refs and enjoy
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