Heart of a Desert Warrior by Lucy Monroe
Harlequin
Contemporary
ISBN: 978-0-373-13077-1
Reviewed by Vanessa

Six years ago, Sheikh Asad with his one track mind, had plans for his future. These plans did not include the lovely diversion of Iris Carpenter. He soon realized that he’s made a mistake, but he seeks to stick it out for a time and then right a wrong that he committed years ago. Iris Carpenter had her life mapped out as well when she tangled with Asad. She never knew that he was more than he appeared, but she still fell hopelessly in love with him. Well, she was until he broke her heart and walked away from her. Now she is faced with him again as she is set to take a step that could improve her already great career. Yet, he may prove too much to risk her heart, and Iris may just opt to sacrifice her career to avoid Asad. Asad has a lot to atone for, but will Iris allow him the opportunity?

Heart of a Desert Warrior was beautifully crafted as it fleshed out the reasons for both Asad and Iris’s pain and suffering from the past. Asad knew from the beginning of his “rest of your life” day that he had made a huge mistake, but he sought to correct it after he endured for a while. However, he never knew if Iris would be a forgiving soul or a grudge holder when they meet again in Heart of a Desert Warrior. Neither Asad nor Iris seemed to know how perfect they were for each other given their hard childhoods, but they soon realized it.

Heart of a Desert Warrior did not have Iris giving in too quickly to Asad, either. He had to earn her friendship again. Iris, of course, has other reasons for acquiescing to Asad, and you know how that will play out in Heart of a Desert Warrior. However, it was still fun to watch as she tempted herself as well as Asad.

Heart of a Desert Warrior showed the humanness of both Asad and Iris. Showing that sometimes in a chosen path people make mistakes, but it takes a bigger person to forgive and to ask for that forgiveness. I thoroughly enjoyed that both Asad and Iris filled that role for me in Heart of a Desert Warrior. I was excited that Asad’s point of view was established. I could tell that he was extremely sorry for his choices in the past, and that he hoped to right the wrongs once he realized what he had given up for what he thought he wanted. Isn’t that how life is anyway? We think we want something when what we really want and need has been there all along