The Book: Sheik's Promise by Carole HoweyThe Particulars: Love Spell, 1994, Out of Print
The Blurb:
A RUN FOR THE ROSESIs It In Wendy's TBR?: Uh, no.Allyn Cameron had never been accused of being a Southern belle. Whether running her own saloon or competing in the Rapid City Steeplechase, the brazen beauty knew the thrill of victory and banked on winning. No man would take anything she possessed--not her business, not her horse, and especially not her virtue-- without the fight of his life.
An expert on horseflesh and women, Josh Manners desired only the best in both. Sent to buy Allyn's one-of-a-kind colt, he made it his mission to tame the thoroughbred's owner. But his efforts to win Allyn for his personal stable failed miserably when she roped, corralled, and, branded him with her scorching passion.
Any Reviews?: Just a completely unhelpful and vague 1-star Amazon customer review. C'mon people. If a book is bad enough to earn a 1-star rating, you can froth at the mouth a bit and give me some gory details. Just sayin'.
Oh, and while I didn't find a review for this one in RT's archives, they did give the follow-up book, Sheik's Glory, 3 stars.
Anything Else?: You know how you can sometimes read a back cover blurb and just know a book would drive you batshit crazy if you tried to read it? That was my reaction here. The heroine runs and owns a saloon, nobody would accuse her of being a "Southern belle," (so not a snooty-tooty ladee) and yet there's that word "virtue" tossed in there that makes me think "Virgin ahoy!" Sorry. Nothing against virgins, but trying to picture one running and operating her own saloon in the Old West causes my brain to melt a little bit.
Also, I'm totally confused by the "Sheik" in this title. It's a western. I mean, how likely is it the hero is a sheik? Not very. So I'm going to guess that the horse's name is "Sheik." Which would make sense if it's some Arabian thoroughbred. But talk about misleading. Maybe Love Spell was hoping to not only snag western readers with this one, but also Sheik-lovin' hero readers who would buy this one without looking closely at the plot description....
And is that a little heart dotting the "i" in Sheik?! If the couple copulating in the hayloft doesn't scream "romance novel!" to the reader, that cutesy lil' heart surely will. Barf. I think I need to lie down and put a cool cloth on my forehead now....
11 comments:
The thing that instantly turned me off about this book's description was the constant pairing of women and horses. Yes, I know she owns the horse and all, but the phrase "an expert on horseflesh and women" just...bothered me. Does he check his ladies' teeth, too?
You are so amusing...
I think I read this one in high school. 1994 release date? And set in the Old West? Yeah, I've read it. Absolutely guarantee that the horse's name was Sheik.
OMG. Now I have to hunt it down and read it. After this description, how could I not??? lol
So it's the horse's promise? Is the hero a were-horse because that would make sense out of the illogical.
@Keira - Hehe, maybe he's a matchmaking horse. "I promise you, I'll find you the man of your dreams. Or at least a guy who'll give me quality feed."
Ha! The horse made a promise.
And is book #3 "The Sheik's Secret Foal"? : )
A Library Girl: Disturbing image of the day: guys checking out teeth at the single's bar instead of thinking up cheesy pick-up lines....
Rosie: Why yes, yes I am.
Carrie: A Horse Named Sheik has been confirmed! Thanks!
JenB: Trust me, I was very tempted as well, before I thought better of it. Old School tends to annoy, but it annoys me less in westerns (for reasons I should probably explore one of these days).
Keira: You shouldn't have said that out loud. How long will it be now before we get a were-horse? LOL
Jill: The horse promises to not make any noise while the hero and heroine are copulating in the hayloft :)
Cathy: Can horses be billionaires? Book #3 could be The Billionaire Sheik's Secret Foal.
Can horses be billionaires? Book #3 could be The Billionaire Sheik's Secret Foal.
If the horse wins a lot of races it can be : )
How long will it be now before we get a were-horse? LOL
Don't laugh, Wendy, there IS a were-horse story out there somewhere. A modern western menage, I believe. No, not kidding : )
LOL, you crack me up Wendy with the following: "Can horses be billionaires? Book #3 could be The Billionaire Sheik's Secret Foal."
I was wondering about Sheik too... but never thought the horse would be named Sheik... Guess I'm still not experienced enough!
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