Desert Brides

Warm deserts make up an estimated 1/5 of the Earth's surface and present unique challenges to the creatures, plants, and people that survive the temperature extremes. Desert is a detailed guide to some of the most inhospitable places on Earth, and offers spectacular full-color photographs to give readers an "eyewitness" view of life in the desert. See thestunning sand dunes of the Namib Desert, a Bedouin in full wedding dress, the desert in bloom, a jewel wasp, and a camel's regalia. Learn how sand dunes form, how a few honeypot ants store food for a whole nest in their own bodies, and howa mummy is preserved in sand. Discover why a Tuareg woman never uncovers her face, what makes a dromedary different from a Bactrian camel, the mystery of Timbuktu, and why some desert animals have big ears, and much, much more! Discover the harsh world of hot and cold deserts and the people, plants, and animals that live in them.

Marriage…or mirage? She'd gone to the desert to escape from the past. And in Nathan Trehearn's arms, Georgia Maitland thought she'd found her future. The honeymoon wasn't even over when reality intruded in the shape of Nathan's past: a glamorous woman who claimed to be "Mrs. Trehearn." Had their desert wedding been merely a mirage?

A sheikh, his innocent…and their desert wedding deal! USA TODAY bestselling author Heidi Rice is stirring up plenty of drama in this royal marriage of convenience romance! A practical agreement… An indisputable desire! Sheikh Karim needs a fiancée in order to avoid royal retribution from his tyrant father. Orla Calhoun needs to save her family’s legendary stud farm. The “no sex” clause of their contract should make things simple…if they can contain their simmering chemistry! Orla’s rich-girl reputation belies years of hard work and her most protected secret: she’s a virgin! That’s never been an issue, until the intense attraction between her and Karim refuses to subside. That attraction becomes unavoidable when duty calls Karim—and his bride-to-be—back to Zafar… From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.

When Sheikh Mikael catches notorious model Jemma Copeland flaunting Saidia's laws—and her body—in his desert, he knows one thing: revenge against his family's destruction is within his reach! To achieve it he makes Jemma an offer: imprisonment or marriage. With her life shattered by the scandal that rocked her family, Jemma needed that modeling job. She didn't know that she was breaking the law! But Mikael's outrageous proposal pushes her beyond shock…to utter fury. If he expects her to be a meek, pliable bride, this arrogant sheikh has another think coming!

The king’s brother stirs up scandal with an innocent nanny in this royal romance by a USA Today–bestselling author. Prince Jasim bin Hamid al Rais was concerned that his womanizing elder brother was bewitched by his child’s nanny—the throne of Quaram could be threatened by scandal! Though Elinor Tempest appeared to be a fragile beauty, Jasim wasn’t fooled; he’d deal with this strumpet himself. . . . Only after he’d ruthlessly seduced her did Jasim discover Elinor really had been a virgin—and she’d fallen pregnant! A royal baby couldn’t be born out of wedlock so, faster than the desert wind, Elinor became Jasim’s unwanted bride. . . . Originally published in 2009.

Ex-lovers unexpectedly reunite and renew mutual passions and desires in this sexy, steamy romance. “I am a close acquaintance of Crown Prince Razul’s!” Rash words indeed. Bethany was desperate to stop her deportation for Datar, and only Razul could help her. But she’d tried so hard to forget him—they’d been involved two years before, and back then Bethany hadn’t been able to handle such a proud, passionate man. Bethany got to stay in Datar. However, by renewing her “close” acquaintance with Razul she paid his price—he demanded she become his wife.

The Beguine movement arose in Europe during the thirteenth century and consisted of women living together in chastity and poverty, doing works of Christian charity. Although many of their number were wealthy, this urban phenomenon had no founder, no single rule, and no agreed way of life. The Beguine movement was part of a yearning to democratize religion, and it produced four great writers.Saskia Murk-Jansen, a specialist in medieval women's mysticism, looks at the lives and works of Beatrijs of Nazareth, Mechtild of Magdeburg, Hadewijch, and Marguerite Porete. These mystics used images, metaphor, and paradox to express the numinous aspect of God. They pioneered vernacular literature and forged theological visions out of their own experience. Their writings provide an invaluable supplement to the work of their male contemporaries.Saskia Murk-Jansen probes the key images in Beguine spirituality including the soul as the bride of God, suffering as an integral part of a relationship with the Holy One, and the desert as a place to focus on the transcendent. In this excellent, balanced treatment, Murk-Jansen clearly outlines the development of the movement, pointing to its influence as well as its repression by church authorities.

She'd come to Texas for a little R and R, but after meeting her sexy riding instructor, sophisticated Carly Kirkwood began experiencing sleepless nights filled with vivid dreams. For Zane Roan Eagle was like no man she'd ever met, and his chiseled Lakota features made Carly wild with anticipation every time he was in her presence. Before long, their days were filled with lingering looks and their nights with yearning. And although Carly always believed she belonged in Los Angeles, the thought of leaving Zane created an ache deep in her heart. Could this die-hard city girl conceive a future as a West Texas bride?