Prequel to the Desert Royals series

"Awakened by the Sheikh" — a forbidden love romance with royalty, redemption, and a celestial destiny written in the stars.

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.

Tropes include:

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.

If you love true romance and beautiful love stories set against a sensuous backdrop of the desert, art, and architecture, you'll love 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

The full novel, Awakened by the Sheikh, is available now—and it's bursting with romance, mystery, and star-kissed longing. Follow Celeste and Zayad as their fated connection deepens, secrets unfold beneath desert skies, and the power of love is tested against the pull of destiny.

🌟 Don't miss the complete story.