Type of bind: Mass Market Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN num: 9780373766673
ISBN number: 037376667X
Label: Silhouette
Manufacturer: Silhouette
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 192
Printing Date: July 01, 2005
Publishing house: Silhouette
Sale Popularity Level: 138604
Studio: Silhouette
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Rated by buyers 
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Not long after I read the amazing Slave to Sensation, I had the opportunity to get a handful of Nalini Singh's backlist, signed, in a charity auction, so I jumped at it. This is the very first of those books I've read.
On the heels of rejection by a man she thought she'd loved, Hira Dazirah finds herself married to an American she's never actually met, Marc Bordeaux.
The fictional Arabic country of Zulheil is fairly progressive, but not so Hira's family. She's wanted to go to school, use her brain, be independent, but her father has forbidden it. When she believes herself in love with one of the few young men she's come in contact with, she suggests they elope. He refuses--beautiful though Hira is, he wants her father's approval, and his money--more.
Then she sees Marc, and feels a spark for him, and when her father informs her Marc has asked for her hand in marriage, she believes he feels the same way, and that this is her chance to be both free and loved.
Marc is scarred, and believes no woman would be interested in him because of it. Hira is very beautiful, but she believes no man would be interested in anything other than her beauty.
Which is a good and poignant conflict, except that it made me want to whack them both upside the head, then lock them in a closet until they actually talked to each other.
Marc thinks Hira wants beautiful clothes and to spend her days shopping, so he provides her with that, then uses the fact that she accepts as proof that that's all she wants. Hira thinks Marc wants a beautiful trophy, so she spends her time making herself beautiful and uses the fact that he appreciates her beauty as proof that that's all he wants.
And then the sex. Yes, it's steamy, but it's almost painful to read, because they can't resist each other, but they're both so afraid of rejection that they hold back emotionally, and the encounters leave them physically satisfied but emotionally miserable.
I know that in real life, communication is a huge problem in relationships. But it drives me nuts, especially in books, but in real life, too. Inside, I'm screaming, "just talk to each other already!"
I was so distracted by my frustration with this couple that I just couldn't appreciate the story.
I do have high hopes for the other older Nalini Singh books in my TBR pile.
Rated by buyers -
Hira Dazirah is tired of being just another pretty face. Unfortunately, her new husband, Marc Bordeaux doesn't seem to see beyond the surface appearance. Hira finds herself away from her homeland of Zulheil living in the bayous of Louisiana. Marc is haunted by his own personal tragedies and the physical scars that mar his body and face. Will Claire be able to see the true heart of this Beast? And will Marc be able to see Claire as more than just a Beauty?
CRAVING BEAUTY is a modern day Beauty and the Beast tale with an international twist. Marc is surprised by the provincial attitude of Hira's father towards women as the fictional Zulheil is very modern in its approach to women's rights. However, his own high casual handedness provides an interesting and thought provoking contrast. Hira craves respect and intellectual stimulation but Marc struggles with seeing anything other than her stunning physical beauty. Hira's determination to be accepted and respected regardless of her appearance is one that will resonate with women readers.
CRAVING BEAUTY is further proof of the sheer talent of Nalini Singh. Regardless of the locale or the type of plot, Nalini Singh writes a fantastic story! Stories of arranged marriages are definitely not a theme that I gravitate towards in my reading, but time after time, Nalini Singh demonstrates that if her name is on the cover of the book, it's an instant buy for me!
COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES
Rated by buyers 
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This is the very first book written by Nalini Singh that I read. However it won't be the last one. This story was really captivating.
I loved the balance between romance and sex during the whole story. I started reading the book at night and it was so hard to give up when I fallen sleep at 2am in the morning. Definitely a page turns over. I would recommend to anyone who loves a strong romance.
In this story: Beautiful Hira had many deceptions from the way men desire her. They only wanted her as a trophy to be hold for her beauty. When she was arranged married to an American (Marc) with scars in and outside his body. She promised herself that she will never love him; that she will be a beautiful woman for him and nothing else. Will Marc be able to lose his past and find the true love with Hira? Would she be able to love and forgive him?
The story touches many other life issues that make the story outstanding.
Definitely a great reading
Barbara
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