DESERT GUARDIAN
KAREN DUVALL
ISBN# 1-60154-014-0
October 2006
The Wild Rose Press
www.thewildrosepress.com
E-Book
$5.00
269 pages
Romantic Suspense
Rating: 5 Cups

Kelly Bancroft is in the deserts of California looking for her runaway brother. Receiving a letter saying he was going to kill himself because of a cult, she had to rescue him. Unknown to her, the cult also wants Kelly to join their ranks along with her brother Jake.

Sam Reed is an ex-cultist, a former member of the same Mother Star band of psychotic, sadistic cult devotees his mother joined when he was a child. He now helps to rescue those integrated into various cults and bring them back to their loving families. Such is the case of Jake and Kelly Bancroft; they are his current mission.

After growing up in this Mother Star cult, Sam would never have gone back to it if not for rescuing someone. Five years before, he went to save his mother and ended up only conceiving life in exchange for that of his mother, who died that night. Meanwhile, Kelly is desperate to get her brother to safety before a mass suicide attempt of the cult members happens in days.

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.

Lainey
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books