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| TwoLipsReviews.com |
| "Desert Guardian is far and away one of the most compelling and thought-provoking novels I have had the privilege to read in quite some time. I give it a high thumbs-up for plot, characterization, setting, and the very vivid imaginative setting of Karen Duvall. Ms. Duvall has plucked a situation straight out of the headlines of a few years back, and then crafted it in her capable hands to create an entirely new and vividly terrifying concept. Few readers will be able to stop reading this one before the end, because Desert Guardian is a non-stop, no-holds-barred ride of rollercoaster-paced excitement. The tension between rescuer Sam and abductee Kelly mirrors the tension between both and the insanity of the Star Mother cult. Reader, do not walk away from this one: Desert Guardian is a must-read." |
| 5 Kisses Rating and a Recommended Read from TwoLipsReviews.com |
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| Romance Heart |
"Published by Wild Rose Press, Desert Guardian captivates the reader from the opening chapter, with a mystery/suspense driven plot worthy of reading. Ms. Duvall creates strong, dramatic characters as Sam and Kelly confront their own personal emotional demons and at the same time face off devious psychopaths who escalate their attacks to include murder." |
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| Realms of Love |
"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." |
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| Long and Short Reviews |
"This is more than a straight forward thriller, however: it is a daring psychological study into the motivations behind early cult membership, the reasons why people, especially young people, might give up control of their lives for the security of some sort of family. "More; there is a depth of character, personal strength and attachment uncovered even within the least trustworthy characters. Duvall carries an ability to humanize even those with the most evil intent. "Sex here is a force of alienation as much as union, a reminder of dark motivations and doubt. "This is an intriguing read, with an unexpected complexity that only adds to the action. Duvall exhibits huge insight in this work." |
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| Coffee Time Romance, 5 cups |
| "This is a very gripping tale into a cult and how it might be seen from varied eyes. A member, a leader, an outsider, and an ex-member, all are different views of the same whole. I loved this with the adventure of a lifetime rolled into just a few days. Sam could not save his mother but he will save Kelly, Jake, and a new found young daughter. Working as a team is part of this tale, but trusting others is key. Toss in a little love, some caring, someone to share a dream of family and belonging with, and this hits home. This tells us that even dysfunctional families can be salvaged with new bonds and love." |
| Wild Child Publishing - Rating: 5 out of 5 Cats |
| "In a gripping tale the author makes us believe that the hero and heroine must work together to achieve their outcome and that the close contact they have makes their growing attraction for each other very real and intense... Desert Guardian was a highly enjoyable book that I read straight through. If you are looking for a good suspense with a romantic theme and a new twist on danger, then I recommend this book." |
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Home Page | Karen Duvall | Author of Adventure & Suspense | Bend, Oregon |