March 8th was International Women’s Day, and the United Nations announced the theme: ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress”, and encouraged people to take a stand using the hashtag #InvestInWomen.
On this week’s blog, enjoy a Free Excerpt and explore the inspiring story of the Women to Drive movement and their determination to create progress and independence for women drivers.
While researching the third book in my Sheikh’s Untamed Brides series, Bought By The Sheikh I’ve discovered that for a long period Saudi women were not able to have a driver’s license–and therefore drive a car. But that didn’t deter some brave women. Al-Hathloul, literally accelerated progress— previously obtaining a driver’s license from the United Arab Emirates. She filmed her experience of driving from the United Arab of Emirates with the intention of crossing the border back to Saudi Arabia.
The determination to experience the freedom and liberation and desire to be independent and be able to drive has created The Women to Drive movement. As they note:
“Until June 2018, Saudi Arabia was the only country in the world in which women were forbidden from driving motor vehicles.[1] The Women to Drive Movement was a campaign by Saudi women, whom the government denies many rights to which men are entitled, for the right to drive motor vehicles on public roads. Dozens of women drove in Riyadh in 1990 and were arrested and had their passports confiscated.In 2007, Wajeha al-Huwaider and other women petitioned King Abdullah for the right to drive, and a film of al-Huwaider driving on International Women’s Day 2008 attracted international media attention.”
I was fourteen years old when I first learned to drive and my father taught me. When I was 15, I received my driver’s license and was able to borrow my parent’s car. It seems so young to me now. But because 15 was often the start of a person’s working life, the legal driving age matched it. Some things were highly regulated in the 1960s and 70s, but it was relatively easy to get a driver’s license.
I can’t imagine not being able to drive. Let alone being arrested when I did so. I was 55 years young when I first drove a Ferrari, and the feelings of passion, fun and freedom have never left me.
BOUGHT BY THE SHEIKH is part of THE SHEIKHS UNTAMED BRIDES series starring Maverick Sheikh Billionaires. While it can easily be read as a standalone story, you’ll likely enjoy reading the other books, too.
The next day, Grace Hunt sat alone in her lavish office, her heart heavy with a mix of determination and longing. As Chairwoman of Dubai Ferrari, she was used to making tough decisions and commanding respect, but deep inside, a part of her yearned for something more.
Her office, a sprawling oasis of refined taste, was a testament to Grace’s impeccable style and her love for all things lavish. Every detail had been carefully curated to create an environment that exuded sophistication and power. Her eyes were drawn to the shimmering crystal chandelier that hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, ethereal glow over the room.
The walls, adorned with rich, velvety wallpaper in deep shades of burgundy and gold, nodded to Grace’s love for classic elegance. The room was filled with antique furniture, each piece meticulously chosen to complement the overall aesthetic.
She trailed her manicured fingers over the large, polished mahogany desk, commanding attention in the center of the room. Its surface was adorned with an array of exquisite stationery and a golden nameplate that proudly displayed Grace’s name and title.
Behind the desk, a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of Aibud’s city skyline. The windows were draped in sumptuous silk curtains, their deep crimson hue adding a touch of drama to the already breathtaking vista. On either side of the windows, towering bookshelves showcased a collection of leather-bound volumes, a testament to Grace’s love for literature and her thirst for knowledge.
She had come a long way, she reflected as she studied her surroundings, which transported her into a world where luxury and elegance reigned supreme.
Her thoughts drifted back to her painful past, to the relentless abuse inflicted upon her by her narcissistic mother and siblings. They had torn her down, belittled her every accomplishment, and shattered her self-worth. Grace had endured years of emotional torment, her spirit nearly broken.
But it was her father’s constant criticism that cut the deepest. His words had echoed in her mind long after he had passed away, reminding her that she was a girl, second-class, and would never be good enough. He had instilled in her a fear of failure, a fear that crippled her ambitions and left her doubting her own abilities.
As she sat there, surrounded by opulence, Grace’s gaze fell upon a photograph of a radiant mother cradling her child with unconditional love. It was a sight that stirred a deep longing within her, one that she had suppressed for far too long. She yearned to experience the joy of motherhood, to create a loving family of her own.
But Grace was acutely aware of the dark cloud that hung over her desires. The cycle of abuse that had plagued her own childhood was a specter she couldn’t ignore. She feared that if she were to have children, she would unknowingly perpetuate the pain and suffering she had endured.
Determined to break free from the chains of her past, Grace had founded the Frida Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering oppressed women who aspired to drive. It was her way of giving back, of ensuring that other women wouldn’t have to endure the same struggles she had faced.
The foundation, named after the indomitable Frida Kahlo, aimed to provide opportunities for these women, teaching them to drive and giving them the tools to reclaim their independence. It was a cause close to Grace’s heart, a way for her to channel her longing for motherhood into something meaningful and transformative.
But as she poured her heart and soul into the foundation, a part of her couldn’t help but feel a pang of emptiness. The desire to have children of her own tugged at her, reminding her of the love and connection she longed for. She wondered if she could ever find a way to reconcile her conflicting desires.
Grace knew that her journey towards healing was far from over. She still carried the scars of her past, and the fear of perpetuating the cycle of abuse weighed heavily on her. But she was determined to rise above her pain, to create a brighter future for herself and for the women she sought to empower.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over her office, Grace made a silent vow to herself. She would continue to fight for the oppressed women of the Frida Foundation, offering them a chance to reclaim their lives. And perhaps, in the process, she would find a way to reconcile her own conflicting desires and discover the path that would lead her to the family she had always longed for.
Did you enjoy this excerpt? Pre-order today!
Sometimes, love is the greatest ride of all.
In the opulent and enchanting world of Arabian royalty, 31-year-old charismatic playboy Sheikh Prince Fazza na Hassir finds himself face-to-face with a challenge that will test his business acumen and his heart. When he sets his formidable business skills on acquiring the prestigious Ferrari company, little does he know that his life is about to collide with that of an extraordinary American woman.
Grace Hunt, a fiercely independent and brilliant CEO, has moved to Aibud to escape from her toxic family. Dedicating her life to revolutionizing the automobile industry, when she learns that a captivating Arabian prince wishes to acquire her beloved Ferrari brand, she is determined to resist his charms and protect her legacy.
Known for his wealth, power, and insatiable desire for beauty, things take a turn for the worse when Fazza tries to buy her affection. But Grace is not a woman who can be bought by the sheikh.
Bought By The Sheikh weaves a mesmerizing tale of love, passion, and destiny, set against the backdrop of opulent Arabian palaces and the thrilling world of luxury automobiles. Escape into a world where love knows no boundaries and where two souls, seemingly worlds apart, find solace and strength in each other.
Defying the odds and rewriting their destinies, Bought By The Sheikh reminds us that freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes and that sometimes, unconditional love is the greatest freedom of all.
A compelling and thrilling story about a powerful woman and her equally formidable opponent.
