Desert Guardian by Karen Duvall

Sam Reed is a cult intervention specialist doing his job when he sneaks into the nomadic Star Mother cult’s camp in search of Jake and Kelly Bancroft. He and his coyote helper, Cody, have successfully handled many such situations though he has a more personal aversion and drive regarding this particular group. After all, his mother had joined them bringing him with her since he had only been a child. He left on his own at age 16 instead of going through the right of passage that had been planned. By then he was fully conscious that the bizarre beliefs were delusions and that the cruelty and mind control could not be excused.

A carefully worded letter from Jake to his sister spoke of suicide. Though they are from a dysfunctional family that was headed by an abusive parent, the sibling bond of love was strong. Kelly arrived at the site determined to save her brother by removing him from the group and taking him home with her. Her attempt was cut short when she was virtually kidnapped out of the trailer in which she had been waiting to meet with her brother. The handsome man insisted he was saving her.

The married co-leaders of the cult, Valya and Von, and their followers have been awaiting Anston’s comet which will signal the presence of the starship that they believe to be coming to bring them back to their home planet, Atria. But only their Essence will be able to travel in this way so all of them will have to be free of their bodies when the time comes—and it is coming soon.

Brainwashing, threat of mass suicide, cult leaders drunk on power, attempted rescue, and in the midst of it all, a very real romance.

This is a very well-crafted read. It has been quite some time since I came across such engaging characters, such an unusual and exciting storyline, and such clean writing. The pacing flows nicely without any dragging areas and the details bring the whole situation to life before our eyes. Even the secondary characters and villains are portrayed in a wonderfully multi-faceted way.

The suspense is exquisitely developed but the love story between the wonderful hero and heroine absolutely shines. Both Sam and Kelly have personal issues to work through and the way that they manage to do it while also helping each other really underlines the partnership between them. There are twists and turns to this tale that will keep you on your toes, but are plausible enough that they fit perfectly into all of the action.

Readers will definitely want to make time to settle in for the duration of Desert Guardian.

Added: June 7th 2007
Reviewer: Athena
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Related Link: Wild Rose Press
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