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.
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 include:
Grumpy x sunshine
Royalty & commoner
Forced proximity
Slow-burn emotional intimacy
He falls first—but she won't trust her heart easily
✨The Journey Continues…
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.
Available wherever books are sold.
★★★★★ ‘AWAKENED BY THE SHEIKH by Mollie Mathews is the first book in the Desert Royals series and I can’t wait for more. Having read the prequel, I knew I wanted more details regarding the potential relationship between the main characters of Dr. Celeste Valente and Crown Prince Zayad Al-Rami and to watch how it evolved. This book didn’t disappoint as their romance unfolded and we learn more about their connection through their love of the stars.’
Praise for other books in Mollie's Sheikh-Inspired Romance Series
CLAIMED BY THE SHEIKH (The Sheikh's Untamed Bride)
Compellingly page-turning
‘Wow, just wow, I can’t articulate enough how compellingly page-turning this remarkable story was. If I could give it more than 5 stars this would be it! This author has the gift & the power to make you experience her remarkable craft on a whole other level. I’m not one to tell the story; the blurb & other reviewers will cover that, but I will concede that this magical, mystical, hauntingly beautiful story will stay with me for the longest time. Highly recommended.’
~ Terry
Genre: Romance
‘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.
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 include:
Grumpy x sunshine
Royalty & commoner
Forced proximity
Slow-burn emotional intimacy
He falls first—but she won't trust her heart easily
✨The Journey Continues…
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.
Available wherever books are sold.
★★★★★ ‘AWAKENED BY THE SHEIKH by Mollie Mathews is the first book in the Desert Royals series and I can’t wait for more. Having read the prequel, I knew I wanted more details regarding the potential relationship between the main characters of Dr. Celeste Valente and Crown Prince Zayad Al-Rami and to watch how it evolved. This book didn’t disappoint as their romance unfolded and we learn more about their connection through their love of the stars.’
Praise for other books in Mollie's Sheikh-Inspired Romance Series
CLAIMED BY THE SHEIKH (The Sheikh's Untamed Bride)
Compellingly page-turning
‘Wow, just wow, I can’t articulate enough how compellingly page-turning this remarkable story was. If I could give it more than 5 stars this would be it! This author has the gift & the power to make you experience her remarkable craft on a whole other level. I’m not one to tell the story; the blurb & other reviewers will cover that, but I will concede that this magical, mystical, hauntingly beautiful story will stay with me for the longest time. Highly recommended.’
~ Terry
Genre: Romance
Used availability for Mollie Mathews's Awakened By The Sheikh Prequel