The Sheikh's Bartered Bride / The Venetian's Defiant Woman

Catherine has a chance meeting with Hakim, an heir to the throne of Jawar, at the library where she works. He seems just like a prince out of a fairy tale… She falls for him with one glance, and the two begin a passionate romance. One day, he proposes to her out of the blue. Catherine is thrilled…until she learns that it was all just an elaborate ploy. He then whisks her away to the burning sands of the desert! Catherine doesn't know what Hakim's motives are, just that she seems to be trapped far from home… What is he trying to do?

This volume also features the story about a love affair between Charlie, an art conservator, and Orlando, the strong-willed Venetian man who hires her to consult on a painting he's recently acquired.