Good book and start to the series. The suspense was excellent, with a nice mix of romance. The story opened with a bang, as Emir finds out that his beloved younger sister has been kidnapped. Since the deaths of their parents six years earlier, Tara has been the glue that holds the family together. Losing her is not an option.

Emir is the head of the family security firm. Though very good at what he does, Emir is also realistic enough to know that his emotions would affect his objectivity in this case. He contacts his second-in-command at the Wyoming branch and asks for their best profiler/kidnapping agent. KJ hasn't been with the company long but has a fantastic reputation. What he doesn't know is that KJ is a woman.

I loved the first meeting between Emir and KJ. He is furious when he discovers that she is a woman, and makes it clear that he doesn't want her there because of it. I loved how KJ got right up in his face, calling him out on his attitude. Her response to his assertion that he'd have to look out for her was priceless and certainly got his attention. Her insight into their family dynamics made him reconsider.

I liked the development of the relationship between KJ and Emir. It's a little rocky at first because of Emir's earlier attitude. Underneath the antagonism, there is also a definite attraction that affects both of them, creating distractions that neither one welcomes. There is also a deeper connection that forms between them. One of KJ's strengths is her observational skills, which she puts to good use when dealing with Emir. I loved how well she understood what he was going through and how she could cut through his pain and bring him comfort. Emir normally keeps very tight control over his emotions, and he is dismayed by his lack of control around her, but also grateful for her understanding. Their feelings for each other grow quickly, thanks to the amount of time spent together and the need to trust and depend on each other. The scene in the helicopter at the end of the book was funny, with Emir's twin calling him out on his "declaration."

The suspense of the story was good and kept me engaged throughout the book. The big questions of who, why, and where drove the investigation. Who took Tara, and why? And where are they now? I could see it was hard for Emir to admit that he wasn't in top form for the investigation. KJ's incredible attention to detail and refusal to leave any possibility unspoken made her the perfect person to cut through his objections. I liked the way that she could think on her feet and adapt to circumstances. Her familiarity with Moroccan culture was a big plus, especially during their time in El Dewar. There were also some scenes told from Tara's point of view that emphasized the danger she was in. The final confrontation with the kidnapper was intense, with an unexpected twist at the end.

I liked seeing a little bit of each of the brothers. Zafir is Emir's identical twin. Though he wants to go with Emir and KJ, his part is to play decoy. Talib is the next youngest brother. He is hot-tempered but must keep a lid on his rage to provide the backup they need. The youngest brother, Faisal, runs their Wyoming branch and is too far away to do anything but hope that his brothers reach Tara in time. It is clear that family means everything to them, and nothing will stop them from saving their sister. ( )

Link to full review below! Fast paced and unique locations make Sheik's Rule a quick read!See full review on The Book Disciple ( )