Review: The Cobra and the Concubine by Bonnie Vanak

Synopsis:  Badra sought refuge in the Sahara, but she could never truly escape the sheikh who'd stolen her childhood. Fareeq had proven that her long dark hair and lush body aroused a passion in men that meant only pain-and neither his death nor protection by her rescuers, the Khamsin, the Warriors of the Wind, could change that. Badra could no more forget her past than one Khamsin's burning sapphire eyes. And she could no more accept the feelings Khepri aroused than she could admit the secret shadowing her heart. Kenneth Tristan, heir to the duke of Caldwell, had ridden with the Khamsin since his English family's slaughter. Known as Khepri, the Cobra, he'd grown up in Egypt and loved the land. Yet, now, all was sand in the wind. The love of his Arabic brothers, the title that awaited him in London, the treasures from his family's archaeological dig - all was nothing, for he could not protect Badra, could not avenge her past and win her love. He would sacrifice all to make her whole. But until he did just that, they would still be just... THE COBRA AND THE CONCUBINE (from the back of the book)

Review: This is a typical romance novel. It’s a bit clichéd, but she does a solid job of creating believable characters (especially Badra) and the action is heroic and melodramatic, as is proper. The “big mystery” I thought was forced and contrived, but it is a romance novel – that’s part of their charm.  If you want a good romance novel NOT set in the typical Regency drawing room, I recommend this book. It is the third in a series, and the previous characters show up. I would say that "spoiler" the previous books, but it doesn't.

Prude Note: The sex scenes are a bit graphic, and seem overly dramatic. However, given Badra's past, it's forgivable. You can skip if you want to and it will only detract from the story in a minor way.

Bookmarks: 6.5 of 10

Awards: None

Date Finished: 10-28-2012
Pages: 342