Hajar’s Hidden Legacy (Beast Sheikh) Giveaway!
WIINNERS! I have chosen you! Okay, I always feel bad when I have to draw winners because not everyone can win. BUT check back, because I have a couple more books coming soon and should have author copies shortly.
My randomly drawn winners ARE: Sara McDaniel, Desere, Jamie, Laura Field, and Joanne Dannon. Email me at maisey at maiseyyates dot com! Or use the contact form.
As I said, please check back for more contests. Hot Rod, who has an excerpt above, and Untouched Hero (A Royal World Apart) will be with me soon, and when they are, I’ll have more to give away!
You all know I love to torture my heroes. And I know I’ve mentioned how much I love beauty and the beast. And sheikhs. And basically, when I sat down to write Hajar’s Hidden Legacy (which I affectionately called Beast Sheikh and which, here in North American says “Beasts of the Desert” right across the top which I think is filled with UTTER WIN) I decided to play with those things that I love so much.
I loved the idea of writing this man, this hero, who was so utterly dark and scarred that he had earned, rightfully, a reputation in his country for being a beast. But Zahir’s physical scarring and handicaps are only a part of his damage. (Naturally, I told you it was hero torture) He’s terribly traumatized but the events that killed his family and left him alone to rule the country.
Enter Princess Katharine Rauch, who had a marriage agreement with Zahir’s older brother, and is now intent on making Zahir honor it to help protect her country’s interests.
I loved writing a scene where the heroine has come to claim her convenient husband…and he just wants her to leave. All Zahir wants is to be left alone, and Katharine absolutely refuses to do that. She draws him out, teaches him to live again, helps him find his honor and strength.
Read on for an excerpt, and comment for a chance to win a copy of my Beast Sheikh! This contest is open to international entries. 😉
Chapter One
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 to 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 it. 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.
Beauty…
Princess Katharine has always been destined for a political marriage. Her heart heavy, she prepares to meet her future husband-the man whisperers in his royal kingdom call The Beast of Hajar…
…and the Scarred Sheikh…
Concealing his disfigurement from public scrutiny, Sheikh Zahir rules his country from within the castle walls, allowing no one in. Until duty demands he carry on the Hajar family dynasty and allow his new bride to cross the threshold.
Zahir expects Katharine to flee at first sight. Yet her unflinching gaze fires Zahir’s blood, and their attraction burns hotter than the scorching desert sands…
Comments
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Ahhh! LOVED the excerpt!!!! I cannot wait to read this. Zahir already gave me goosebumps…
Maisey, your heroes’ make me go neek at the weeks…..sorry weak at the knees always. I would love to spend a day in your head!
Wow!! Very excited to read this little excerp….makes me anxious to read more!! Love the storyline so far!
I cannot wait to read more!
The grown-up in me says “Great excerpt”.
The kid in me says “Pick me! Pick me!”
Looking forward to reading this.. You always tell a story where it is like I am there, in their shoes! I love a story I can be involved in.
I am in love with this excerpt i got chills while reading it, I simply have to read more! Very nicely done
Indeed ! It sounds simply fabulous,thank you so much for the awesome
Giveaway and the change to win,you are the best!
Well, you have all made my morning! You’re so sweet. 🙂 Glad you liked the excerpt!
I’ve heard good things about your books but haven’t read any of them. This excerpt whetted my appetite and I’m really looking forward to reading their story 🙂
What a fab excerpt – well done 🙂
I read this book a while ago as I am a UK subscriber. I love all your books Maisey! Gotta love the scarred hero! My fave is His Virgin Acqusition. I have read it again and again and so have my family and friends.
Thank you, Kelly!
Thanks, Joanne, glad you enjoyed it!
Seeta, thank you so much. That’s so nice to hear. 🙂
I loved reading the excerpt! I cannot wait to read this. Sounds so good.
I’ve got this one and ‘A Royal World Apart’ in my Amazon wishlist. Just waiting for payday to roll around 😉
Can’t wait!
Oh wowza!! I love that fact that Katharine is a princess!! I need this book! Please! 🙂
Oohhh! WANT! 🙂
Love the excerpt, the unusual hero, and the heroine’s attitude!
Thank you all for entering, and for your kind words. 🙂 My randomly drawn winners are: My randomly drawn winners ARE: Sara (McDaniel), Desere, Jamie, Laura Field, and Joanne Dannon.
If you’re going to be at RWA, this is the book I’ll be signing, and all the proceeds will go to charity. 😉
I won oh my gosh I am so happy this is so cool !!!! Thank you so very much this is awesome ! Congrats to all the winners and thank you so much Maisey for a fantastic contest. I am sending my mailing address through your website contact option (I hope that is OK)
Thank you again so much !
Thank you so much for the win. I’m so happy as I will get my hands on my very first Maisey Yates book. I’m so looking forward to reading this book.
I’ve used the contact form and sent a message.
Thank you.