a forbidden love romance with royalty, redemption, and a celestial destiny written in the stars

Prequel to the Desert Royals series

In a kingdom ruled by ancient stars and modern secrets, Awakened by the Sheikh is a sweeping prequel romance of hidden identity, sovereign desire, and soul-deep recognition.

Celeste Valente, a brilliant Italian astrophysicist betrayed by her peers and exiled from the career she once loved, journeys to the desert kingdom of Qamar with one mission—to disappear. But destiny has other plans.

At the unveiling of the royal observatory, Crown Prince Zayad al-Rami glimpses her in a moment of wonder—one that sparks not just his curiosity, but a magnetic pull he can’t explain. She is not merely a scientist. She is a mirror of everything he has buried: awe, ache, and the desire to choose love over legacy.

But love in Qamar is not simple.

As tradition, power, and politics collide, Celeste and Zayad are drawn into a quiet revolution—one that begins with stargazing and ends in the possibility of reshaping an empire.

Tropes you’ll love include:
Grumpy x sunshine
Royalty & commoner
Forced proximity
Slow-burn emotional intimacy
He falls first—but she won’t trust her heart easily

AWAKENED BY THE SHEIKH is part of Mollie Mathews’ DESERT ROYALS series, featuring maverick sheikh billionaires and the extraordinary women who challenge their legacy. While it can easily be read as a standalone romance, you’ll likely enjoy falling in love with the other royals in the series, too.

Liberated by the Sheikh ( Rafi and Noor), coming soon

If you love true romance and beautiful love stories set against a sensuous backdrop of the desert, art, and architecture, you’ll love the prequel of Awakened by the Sheikh.

Praise for Awakened by the Sheikh (Prequel)

Held my interest and left me wanting more!

AWAKENED BY THE SHEIKH by Mollie Mathews is the prequel to the Desert Royals series and I can’t wait for more. Short and sweet with vivid descriptions, it’s a very quick read. We are introduced to the main characters of Dr. Celeste Valente and Crown Prince Zayad Al-Rami and they are fleshed out nicely.

The epilogue takes place thirty-four years before in Italy and clues us in to how Celeste became enamored and enthralled by the stars. Fast forward to the present, and the story takes place in the Emirate in Qamar with a hint of what’s going to happen next. I look forward to returning to the desert to see where the story takes us.
~ JoAnne

other books in Mollie’s Sheikh-Inspired Romance Series

THE SHEIKHS UNTAMED BRIDES

Claimed by the Sheikh (Tariq and Melanie)

Stolen By The Sheikh (Anwar and Lucy)

Bought By The Sheikh (Fazza and Grace)

Forgotten By The Sheikh (Asim and Yasmin)

Untamed By The Sheikh (Khalid and Amara)

Unveiled By The Sheikh ( Haleem and Laila)

Deceived By The Sheikh (Rafiq and Lina)

Seduced By The Sheikh ( Zahir and Layla)

GET YOUR COPY TODAY…

AMAZON:

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FF8CC6ZC

CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FF8CC6ZC

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FF8CC6ZC

AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0FF8CC6ZC

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