Book excerpt: When a reluctant king meets a beautiful but innocent diplomat, their passionate alliance makes for a scorching hot holiday season. As King of Tabat, Sheikh Salim Al-Noury would rather abdicate than taint his realm with his dark secrets. Until one exquisitely beautiful diplomat is hired to persuade him to reconsider the throne . . . Christmas means heartbreak to Charlotte McQuillan, so working abroad over the festive season is the perfect getaway. But Salim proves to be her most challenging client yet as his rugged masculinity awakens untouched Charlotte to unimaginable pleasures! Soon Salim accepts that he alone can bear the weight of the crown. And his first proclamation will be to make Charlotte his Christmas queen!