Carmen had fled from Farooq Aal Masood, pregnant and alone.  After all, their relationship was only intended as a fling and Carmen never thought she could get pregnant!  Now, Farooq is determined to claim both Carmen and their child, Mennah.  Will his sense of betrayal prevent him from seeing Carmen's love for him? 

At first glance, THE DESERT LORD'S BABY is everything I don't want to read in a book.  Farooq is a very dominant man and his power has made him used to others giving in to him.  This is where the gift of an author truly shines however.  Olivia Gates makes me like Farooq!  In fact, she makes me understand him and see his point of view in the entire scenario as Farooq's passion for Carmen shines through every facet of his being.  Carmen's fear of Farooq's reaction to the pregnancy has tainted her mental view of him, but her actions show what she cannot yet acknowledge herself: that their love is powerful beyond words.

Olivia Gates writes some of the most stunning scenes!  The image of Carmen during the henna process is perhaps the most incredible and revealing scene of THE DESERT LORD'S BABY.  The depth of Carmen's love begins to reveal itself as she yearns for him with every fiber of her being.  I think it was at that point that I fell in love with Farooq's character as well... and the grand finale of the tale only solidified my belief that Farooq's tough exterior hid a compassionate heart of gold. 

Olivia Gates writes one heck of a romance tale!  THE DESERT LORD'S BABY is incredibly sensuous and it is beautiful to see Carmen and Farooq look beyond the exterior to what is in their hearts. 

Reviewed by Debbie

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Posted June 2008