This Week's Special Guest - Barbara Clark

This week's special guest at the Tiki Hut is author Barbara Clark. Barbara stops by this week to talk about her paranormal romance series and to celebrate her 80th birthday with us!

"All dreams lie beyond defeat." That quote has inspired Barbara Clark to keep writing and creating new stories set in a variety of locations from California to a glittering penthouse in New York City, a working cattle rance in Arizona, the Sahara Desert, and the heat and danger of a Brazilian Rain Forest.

Writing as April Reid, her erotic romances plunge into fantasy worlds where dragons speak and magic rules. Her readers have come to expect deep emotions, simple joys, and heart-stopping peril in her award-winning books.

WEBSITE *** NEWSLETTER *** FACEBOOK *** TWITTER

DESERTS OF THE HEART By Barbara Clark

 Sons of Earth and Wind Book IV
 

Barbara calls this book her Romeo and Juliet in desert robes - with a happy ending.
 

When Prince Kadar Hamad learns the ancient sword stolen from his father's palace has been traced to a shop in Seawind, California, he goes there to reclaim it. As he questions the owner, Faith Webb, he's surprised by his attraction to this woman he thinks is dealing in stolen goods.
 

The last person Faith should allow into her orderly world is Kadar, a man who asks disturbing questions. From the moment he walks into her shop, he sets her unruly imagination dreaming, and expands her paranormal abilities.
 

Their quest for the magical sword plunges them into a world of danger and intrigue, and a trek across the burning, shifting sands of the Sahara Desert. As passion grows between these two strong-willed people, they learn that love can fill the empty deserts of their hearts.

BUY THE BOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

 

The idea for, Deserts of the Heart, came from several sources. One was my interest in the deserts of the world and the people who live there. Another was the character, Nicholas Kadar ben Hamad (ben means, ‘son of’), a minor character in other Sons of Earth and Wind books. Kadar, born in the ancient kingdom of Duraza in the Atlas Mountains, lived for 6 months a year with his father, the Sultan of the country, and 6 months with his American mother on his grandfather’s ranch in Montana.  

Faith Webb, like Kadar, was born in the Atlas Mountains in the ancient kingdom of Tafala, a neighbor to Duraza—two countries that had been divided by a blood feud for 150 years. When she was 3 years old, her mother, a princess of that country, left Tafala with her, and went to live in the USA. There her mother moved in with Blaine, the man Faith had thought was her father until her mother confessed the truth.  

Then Faith makes another shocking discovery. Her mother had stolen the ancient Sword of Light Kadar was trying to find. Not only that, but the tiny star birthmark in Faith’s hand means she was born, The Chosen One, with the ability to command the sword. 

I’ll let reviewers tell more: 

From Romance Reviews Today:

If you’ve never understood the appeal of being swept away by a handsome desert sheik, you’ve never come across Kadar Ben Hamad, the fascinating hero of Barbara Clark’s DESERTS OF THE HEART. While certainly tall, dark and handsome, his intelligence, self-confidence, strength of will, and  honor prove far more seductive to Faith…well, that and those mind-blowing  “what was my name again?” kisses. While both clearly feel the pull of  attraction, obstacles stand between them. Kadar’s past has made him leery of trusting all but a select few, and while instinct tells him Faith  deserves his trust, his mind fights to maintain barriers and protect his heart. Kadar’s lack of trust hurts Faith, and a lasting relationship between them seems impossible, even if she does survive her highly  dangerous self-imposed mission to repay a debt not her own by restoring the Sword of Light to its proper place. 

Adventure and intrigue abound as Kadar and Faith search for the missing sword even as they seek to evade capture, work to stop an assassination and attempt to suppress the overwhelming desire pulling them ever closer. Nicely paced, original dialogue and fresh narrative with flashes of humor balance the dynamic action-oriented scenes. 

 Leave the winter blues behind and immerse yourself in this delightfully romantic desert fantasy. 

 Sondrea Cash, Romance Reviews Today 

From Escape to Romance:

DESERTS OF THE HEART is a romantic story that takes you on a unforgettable  journey of love. The extraordinary situations set a fast pace for a plot that is powerful from the very first chapter. In this, the fourth book in the Sons Of Earth and Wind  series, Barbara Clark delivers yet another remarkable tale.

Tami Sutton, www.escapetoromance.com/reviews/clark-deserts.html

For more information, check out my website at: www.barbaraclarkbooks.com

~~~

~~~

When I sent the manuscript for Deserts of the Heart to my editor, she emailed back, “Are you going to do the brother, Jalil’s, story next?” 

I had to think about that because in the time frame, Jalil was still a student at the university and I needed him to be fully adult. I finally decided to set the story four years in the future at a time when Jalil had become the governor of Qasim, a province of Duraza. 

Rose, gifted with the paranormal abilities of psychokinesis—the ability to move things with her mind, and psychometry—the ability to learn facts about an object or its owner, has her own mysterious background.  

That’s how, Tears of the Desert Rose; Sons of Earth and Wind, Book V, was born. 

TEARS OF THE DESERT ROSE by Barbara Clark

Sons of Earth and Wind Book V 

After a four-years' absence, Prince Jalil walks back into Rose Maguire's life with an ancient scroll, containing information on the source of the legendary Tears of the Gods, said to have magical powers. Rose translates the scroll and tries to ignore her attraction to the one man who can upset her comfortable life and make her yearn for more.

Jalil's paranormal gift has shown him his country's future and his are connected to the mystical Tears. So he's sought out Rose, the one person who can translate the document—the American woman he can't forget, and should.

As they cross the burning Sahara Desert into perilous highlands and mountains, they're plunged into a world of intrigue and danger in which their courage, love, and growing paranormal gifts are tested beyond human limits.

BUY THE BOOK   ***   READ THE EXCERPT
 

~~~

I’ll let the reviewers tell more about the book: 

Here’s from Romantic Times BOOKclub:

Rose Maguire knew Jalil Hamad four years ago as a horse trainer and fellow college student. His exiled uncle Prince Tarif Hamad's arrival at her workplace in America reveals that Jalil is really Prince of Duraza. Tarif asks Rose to use her psychic ability to examine an artifact.

Rose feels she must honor his request, even though the knowledge she discovers is dangerous. Then Jalil shows up at the lab. Now Jalil and Rose embark upon a quest to find the lost mine of the Tears of the Gods, with Tarif in close pursuit. 

Tears of the Desert Rose is an excellent fifth installment in Clark's Sons of Earth and Wind series. The open acceptance of the hero's and heroine's psychic powers and their use and development throughout the story create some intriguing scenes. The finale is very pleasing…

—Susan Mobley, Romantic Times BOOKclub

 

Here’s from Word on Romance:

"...The author does a wonderful job of providing vivid descriptions, three dimensional characters and an edge of your seat tale. From beginning to end, Barbara Clark captivates her readers with suspense, action and to-die-for heroes. She is a truly gifted storyteller and an absolute favorite!"—Tami Sutton, Escape to Romance

"Every one of the books in this series has won at least one prize, plus other nominations. Friends of the series may now welcome another delightful couple. The delicate, protective love that Jalil and Rose have for each other, their dedication to taking care of those depending on them, their determined facing of Fate, all give Tears Of The Desert Rose an irresistible appeal."—Joy Calderwood, Word On Romance

 

Here’s from Fallen Angel Reviews:

Rose and Jalil embark on a magical adventure to be treasured by any paranormal romance fan. Full of adventure, excitement, intrigue, magic and romance, TEARS OF THE DESERT ROSE delivers everything one could wish for. The chemistry between Jalil and Rose is addicting and will pull in the readers right from the beginning. Each time these people face a new danger, they find the greatest power is their bond of love, and through that bond, victory is guaranteed.

The additional side stories of Rose’s true heritage is a wonderful addition to this gripping story. Why did the ‘voice’ call her the ‘daughter of the desert’ when her parents were simple archaeologists? Was there some secret with held from her? Only reading this story will tell you all the twists and turns to this magical woman’s past and the hope for her future.

 

TEARS OF THE DESERT ROSE is a recommended read for any paranormal romance fan. This is a part of a series, Sons of the Earth and Wind, but can stand alone easily. This was the first book of Ms. Clark’s this reviewer had read, but it certainly won’t be the last.

http://www.angelfire.com/tx6/fallenangelreviews/miriam11.html

 

Remember to leave a comment for your chance to win the box stuffed with assorted goodies.

WIN - Leave a question or comment anytime this week to get your name in the hat for a box full of of items from assorted authors--things Barbara picked up for this purpose at the RWA National conference this summer. Each box includes a tote bag, water bottle, and books. Barbara will also include an autographed copy of one of her books!

This Week's Special Guest - Barbara Clark

This week's special guest at the Tiki Hut is author Barbara Clark. Barbara stops by this week to talk about her paranormal romance series and to celebrate her 80th birthday with us!

"All dreams lie beyond defeat." That quote has inspired Barbara Clark to keep writing and creating new stories set in a variety of locations from California to a glittering penthouse in New York City, a working cattle rance in Arizona, the Sahara Desert, and the heat and danger of a Brazilian Rain Forest.

Writing as April Reid, her erotic romances plunge into fantasy worlds where dragons speak and magic rules. Her readers have come to expect deep emotions, simple joys, and heart-stopping peril in her award-winning books.

WEBSITE *** NEWSLETTER *** FACEBOOK *** TWITTER

Sons of Earth and Wind, Book III: A TOUCH OF FIRE by Barbara Clark

Here’s a description of the story: Security agent, Michael Forest, has given up his dreams of a wife and family. When he's assigned to protect Summer Morgana Starr, he's stunned by his attraction to her, an attraction he fights.

Summer, born with the ability to restore fiery lines of power deep in the earth's crust, risks her life each time she heals those lines. For her own safety, she should bond with a man of paranormal powers, but her heart has chosen Michael, a man without any psychic talents.

When a ruthless enemy from Michael's past puts Summer in jeopardy, Michael sacrifices himself to save her life and her sweet touch of fire.

BUY THE BOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

Winner 2001 Golden Quill Award, Paranormal Romance.

SimeGen 2002 Spring Reviewers' Choice Award Winner--Best Science Fiction Author

~~~

Often a character will inspire the story behind a new book. Michael Forest, a security agent for Hawk Adams’ Challenge Security Company, had been a secondary character in the first two books of the Sons of Earth and Wind series. Like Hawk and Quinn, he’d been a warrior in shadow wars with them. At one point, he’d been captured by a drug lord and tortured almost to death until Hawk and Quinn rescued him.

Brave and honorable, Michael deserved the love of a strong, compassionate woman. He found her when he was assigned to protect Summer Morgana Starr.

However, the last thing Michael should do would be to fall in love with a client. Not only that, but after he failed to save his younger sister and parents during a raid on an African village they were visiting, he never wanted to fall in love for fear of also failing that person. He fought his growing attraction to Summer.

~~~

I call this my, “Earthquake Book,” for two reasons: The heroine, Summer, has the ability to moderate earthquakes. Second, we were experiencing a swarm of earthquakes during the time I was writing it. Twice, I was seated at the computer when I heard the low rumble announcing an earthquake followed by the first rolling jolt. As the usual pattern of three distinct waves shook the house, the structure creaked and hallway doors opened and closed. The big file drawer in my computer desk rolled open—close—open—close. The movement of the earth rocked my chair back and forth with me in it.

~~~

The words for the opening passage came to me as I was driving home, and had a quick image of a woman, long hair blowing in the night wind, seated on a jumble of boulders at the top of a cliff overlooking the ocean:

The night-bound land was crying.

Gritting her teeth against the pain in that deep-throated wail, Summer Morgana Starr sat on the ancient boulders high above the Pacific Ocean and tried to block the sound.

With her birth-gift, she  saw and heard the fiery streams of magnetism known as ley lines that pulsed far below the surface. Tonight, those lines were tangled where they should run free in ribbons of energy. 

Chaos throbbed deep in the earth’s crust. 

Waves roared against the rocky shore but didn’t drown the sound. Wind shuddered through broken cliffs but couldn’t mask the groans of basalt and granite under molten pressure. 

Early moonlight danced in silver power through the spray, but still the land cried. 

Five miles overhead, the lights of a jet airplane silently crossed the glittering field of distant stars. In the darkness below her feet, the ground lurched once more in protest. 

Summer, born with extraordinary gifts, sent a soothing touch deep into the wounded earth to ease the strain. It was all she could do for now. 

Her gifts and duty were to untangle and smooth the ley lines—to keep them flowing at full power, unobstructed. 

Tonight, the ribbons of fire deep beneath her were too strong, too damaged for her to restore without help. She had to wait for added strength from the power of the moon and earth working together. 

She pushed her unbound hair from her face and struggled with the knowledge that a unique man’s true love and passion would give her the necessary strength without waiting for the balance of sun and moon energy. 

Ancient family tradition taught that only a man born with a psychic connection to earth or the moon could blend his power with hers to protect her and give her abilities the greater potency. 

In spite of that knowledge, her heart had chosen another, a man without a known psychic link. Even now, he stood nearby, guarding her from physical harm.

~~~

Several times, while attraction simmers and grows between them, Michael protects Summer from increasing danger.

As the book progresses, I used places where I’d been in many scenes. The story sweeps from the shores of the Pacific Ocean to the low Anza Borrego desert, and high into the Sierra Nevada mountains. 

In each setting, the sensual and emotional attraction flares higher between the lovers until they reach that point where each one willingly puts his or her life on the line for the other.

~~~

What Reviewers said:

A TOUCH OF FIRE is book three in the exceptional Sons of Earth and Wind  series. A strong storyline, well thought out characters and a scenic backdrop combine to  create a page turner. Barbara Clark has given her fans another sensational story. 

-- Tami Sutton

www.escapetoromance.com/reviews/clark-touch.html 

A Touch Of Fire is the third book in Sons of Earth and Wind series and probably my favorite so far. Through the series you have glimpses of Michael’s true heart. He would bring baby roses to Quinn’s daughter, Brianna. Michael would also let Alex, Hawk and Charity’s little boy chew on his expensive watch. No wonder Summer fell for him. She sees him as a warrior but also as a man that she loves and wants to heal the old hurts. Michael is the ultimate hero. If Barbara Clark keeps writing so well, Kleenex will never go out of business. I have to admit, this story made me cry, but in a good way.

Review by Megan http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=2534

~~~

You can find A Touch of Fire at: www.amberquill.com/TouchFire.html  It’s also at amazon.com, and BarnesandNoble.com 

Please remember to leave a comment so you can be entered in the giveaway.

Thanks,
Barbara

WIN - Leave a question or comment anytime this week to get your name in the hat for a box full of of items from assorted authors--things Barbara picked up for this purpose at the RWA National conference this summer. Each box includes a tote bag, water bottle, and books. Barbara will also include an autographed copy of one of her books!

This Week's Special Guest - Author Barbara Clark

This week's special guest at the Tiki Hut is author Barbara Clark. Barbara stops by this week to talk about her paranormal romance series and to celebrate her 80th birthday with us!

"All dreams lie beyond defeat." That quote has inspired Barbara Clark to keep writing and creating new stories set in a variety of locations from California to a glittering penthouse in New York City, a working cattle rance in Arizona, the Sahara Desert, and the heat and danger of a Brazilian Rain Forest.

Writing as April Reid, her erotic romances plunge into fantasy worlds where dragons speak and magic rules. Her readers have come to expect deep emotions, simple joys, and heart-stopping peril in her award-winning books.

WEBSITE *** NEWSLETTER *** FACEBOOK *** TWITTER

You know how—when you’re a child—special days seem to creep up too slowly? Then once you’re an adult, time slips by faster than a three-year-old playing, “You can’t catch me.”

Today I’m in a, “Where did the time go?” mode. Yep, I’m 80 years old today, on Halloween 2012.

I have to confess, until August of this year I had really begun to feel the growing years. I was already in my late 70s. I’d had a heart attack followed by a quadruple heart bypass in 2005. My knees have very little cartilage left in them with a few bone-on-bone places. And just to make life interesting, I’d suffered a mild stroke in late 2010, which affected my typing and my balance enough so I needed a cane when I was away from the house.

 

It had taken months to retrain my fingers and brain so they worked together well enough to start writing again. I finally sent the manuscript for a long novella to my publisher and it came out in early 2011. 

While I’ve gone to cardiac rehab for years; walk on the treadmill for 20 minutes, lift weights, etc., my balance was still wonky and I had noticed my concentration was not as sharp as it once had been. 

I remembered when I had driven my grandchildren to karate lessons years earlier. I’d waited there and watched them until my daughter came to get them after work. I began to wonder if I dared enroll in karate, but figured it would never happen. 

The last few years, I’d heard good things about American Martial Arts Academy from a friend. She mentioned they took on older students and would moderate lessons to a person’s needs. 

 I walked into the AMAA on August 6, 2012 for my first lesson private, half-hour lesson. My goals were to improve my balance, sharpen my concentration, and earn a yellow belt by my next birthday.  

I have to admit, I was frustrated when I couldn’t immediately do the strikes and blocks correctly. And kicks? No way, considering I’d walked into the academy needing my cane. My teacher patiently helped me build those skills. Instead of kicks, I did stomps. Even then, he had me hold onto a chair to keep my balance. 

Gradually, my muscles and brain began to learn those new moves, and, oh, the sense of accomplishment when they begin to click. By the second session, I found it easier to work barefooted. By the third lesson, I felt confident enough to park my cane in a corner. 

I told friends I was a Granny with a cane and a karate fist.  

Now I’ve had to modify that description. Since the middle of September I haven’t used my cane at all. My concentration is improving, and I received my yellow belt three weeks before my 80^th birthday. 

These days I’m working on the combined movements for the next step—an orange belt. That’s where the nose snapper I mentioned comes in. The strike is really called an ura-uchi (back-hand strike) but it’s a good way to remember it. 

Here’s part of the sequence of moves facing an opponent: Right hand does a straight-fisted strike above the head at an upward 45 degree angle elbow comes in right hand does a back-hand strike over the knee. Note: That’s where your knuckles connect with the opponent’s nose. 

Yes, I’m enjoying the karate lessons. I even signed up for a program they offer called, “The path to black belt.” I told a friend I’d probably be 85 by the time I reach level 1 of black belt. She said, “You’ll be 85 anyway.”  

Tomorrow I’ll tell about A Touch of Fire, Book III in the series.

WIN - Leave a question or comment anytime this week to get your name in the hat for a box full of of items from assorted authors--things Barbara picked up for this purpose at the RWA National conference this summer. Each box includes a tote bag, water bottle, and books. Barbara will also include an autographed copy of one of her books!

This Week's Special Guest Barbara Clark

This week's special guest at the Tiki Hut is author Barbara Clark. Barbara stops by this week to talk about her paranormal romance series and to celebrate her 80th birthday with us!

"All dreams lie beyond defeat." That quote has inspired Barbara Clark to keep writing and creating new stories set in a variety of locations from California to a glittering penthouse in New York City, a working cattle rance in Arizona, the Sahara Desert, and the heat and danger of a Brazilian Rain Forest.

Writing as April Reid, her erotic romances plunge into fantasy worlds where dragons speak and magic rules. Her readers have come to expect deep emotions, simple joys, and heart-stopping peril in her award-winning books.

WEBSITE *** NEWSLETTER *** FACEBOOK *** TWITTER

Today, I'd like to talk about the second book in my Sons of Earth and Wind paranormal romance series, A BREATH OF HEATHER.

 

A BREATH OF HEATHER by Barbara Clark

 

Sonds of Earth and Wind Book II

 

In her second paranormal romance, Barbara Clark tells us more about Heather Carter who was introduced in Book I, TEARS OF THE HAWK .

 

Heather Carter, a gentle psychic with a painful secret, struggles against danger and her attraction to the former covert agent, Quinn Archer.

Quinn, betrayed in the past by a woman with secrets, is stunned by his desire for Heather, a desire he fights. But as he takes on the self-appointed task to protect her, will he learn too late that loving Heather will free him from the chains of the past?

BUY THE BOOK   ***   BUY THE eBOOK   ***   READ THE EXCERPT

The idea for A BREATH OF HEATHER began when my daughter was a substitute teacher at another school in the same district where I was teaching at the time.  

She was in the middle of a lesson when the school Principal rushed into her classroom, said, “Emergency lockdown, lock the door,” and left, closing the door behind her. My daughter locked the door and switched off the lights while two students closed the classroom windows, and the rest of the children dropped to the classroom floor.  

She answered the classroom telephone and learned a carload of gangbangers were driving around the outside perimeter of the school grounds, shouting threats and pointing weapons at children laying flat on the blacktop.  

Her classroom was situated with the back only a few feet from the street. As everyone in the room huddled, in the dark, on the floor, keeping silent so they wouldn’t become targets, they heard the gang members slowly passing the building; even heard them talking. Minutes later the sound of sirens announced the police cars in pursuit.  

I changed the setting to the school where I taught and used that threat as the opening of the story:

~~~

Something’s wrong.  

With a growing sense of urgency, Heather Carter searched for the source of trouble among the hundred and fifty first and second grade students playing in the warm California sunlight. Everywhere she looked she saw only normal activity—the joy and restless energy of children.  

And yet, to her inborn special perceptions, the earth vibrated with a sense of menace. The slight breeze hushed as if holding its breath. In the park beyond the chain link fencing, a flock of crows suddenly took flight, voicing their warning calls as they soared above the eucalyptus and pepper trees.  

Few cars used North Street in the morning, so the midnight-blue van with tinted windows cruising slowly toward the school caught Heather’s attention.  

Probably a parent bringing a child late, was her first thought. But some internal warning shouted danger.  

Instead of pulling into the parking lot, the van stopped in the red zone parallel to the playground. A window on the passenger side slid down and a young Hispanic man with a shaved head pointed a handgun toward the children on the swings. At the same time, the driver stepped outside the van and aimed across the metal roof.  

All sound died.  

“Emergency lock-in,” Heather shouted, motioning for children near the buildings to run for the nearest door.  

Someone yelled, “Vipers!”  

Children screamed and scattered. Some dashed into classrooms. Others ran to the bathrooms or down the open hallways between classroom wings. Heather watched in numbed horror as one boy tripped and two more fell over him. They jumped up and scrambled to safety. A few children raced to Heather sobbing in terror.  

She clutched them tightly for a brief moment, then said, “Quick, get down.”  

Boys and girls farther from the buildings threw themselves flat, face down on the grass or blacktop. Abandoned balls rolled across the Four Square and Handball courts.  

One lone girl stood, a bewildered expression on her face, her blonde hair a bright target.
 

~~~

After Heather pulls Brianna to the ground to protect her, someone else comes to guard the child’s other side: 

A few paragraphs down, we learn about Heather Carter’s paranormal ability to call and manipulate the wind:
 

~~~

Heather knew she had to do something now, and broke her own vow to hide her special gifts.  

Whispering a chant, she sent tendrils of energy fanning out across the nearby park and found a curl of breeze. In a low voice, she called, “From the soil, from the sand, from the windswept sky,” coaxing the energy away from a small updraft, and toward the heat and sand under the swings. It cheerfully picked up speed and swirled between the children on the ground as it gathered a column of brown dust and grit.  

With the leashed power in her control, Heather slid her right hand along the ground, stretched her fingers toward the gunmen, and released the wind. It raced around them, plucked at their hair, tugged their clothes, and blasted sand at their faces.

~~~

 “Where are the police?” Heather asked through trembling lips.  

“Probably on silent running.” Strong fingers clasped her left shoulder.  

She looked across Brianna’s blonde head into clear, winter-gray eyes set in a tanned, harsh face. A jagged scar slashed in a curve from the corner of his right eye up into coal-black hair. He had the aura of a man who’d looked into the depths of hell and survived, stronger than ever.  

Heather licked her dry lips. “Who are you?”  

“I’m Quinn Archer, Brianna’s dad.” He glanced at the precious little girl sheltered between them. “I can’t thank you enough for coming to her rescue.”

~~~

The attraction between Quinn and Heather will grow until a time of great danger when each will willingly put their life on the line for the other.  

This book has been selling in print and ebook since 2002 at: Amber Quill Press     

Come back tomorrow, Wednesday, to learn what a nose snapper is and my venture into Karate—with photos . 

Remember—leave a comment for a chance to win the giveaway. 

Good Luck,

Barbara

WIN - Leave a question or comment anytime this week to get your name in the hat for a box full of of items from assorted authors--things Barbara picked up for this purpose at the RWA National conference this summer. Each box includes a tote bag, water bottle, and books. Barbara will also include an autographed copy of one of her books!

 

This Week's Special Guest Barbara Clark

This week's special guest at the Tiki Hut is author Barbara Clark.  Barbara stops by this week to talk about her paranormal romance series and to celebrate her 80th birthday with us!

"All dreams lie beyond defeat." That quote has inspired Barbara Clark to keep writing and creating new stories set in a variety of locations from California to a glittering penthouse in New York City, a working cattle rance in Arizona, the Sahara Desert, and the heat and danger of a Brazilian Rain Forest.

Writing as April Reid, her erotic romances plunge into fantasy worlds where dragons speak and magic rules. Her readers have come to expect deep emotions, simple joys, and heart-stopping peril in her award-winning books.

WEBSITE   ***   NEWSLETTER   ***   FACEBOOK   ***   TWITTER

I’m pleased to spend this week at the Tiki Hut writing about my contemporary paranormal romance series, Sons of Earth and Wind. You could meet the main characters in these stories on any street and not know they have paranormal abilities. Just remember they’re all human and for each psychic gift there’s a vulnerability.

I’ll start with, TEARS OF THE HAWK; Sons of Earth and Wind, Book I

TEARS OF THE HAWK by Barbara Clark 

Sons of Earth and Wind Book I  

Security specialist, Hawk Adams, will brave any danger to protect a woman, but he'll never trust one. So when he rescues Charity Starr from kidnappers, he's stunned by the tenderness and passion she ignites in him.

Born with psychic gifts, Charity has locked them away in self-protection. Hawk not only opens her paranormal abilities, but also expands them. Because of his unconscious ability, his very presence endangers her life.

But as Hawk takes on the self-appointed task to protect Charity from her ruthless enemies, they grow closer, and Hawk learns he can't protect his wounded heart from her healing love.
 

BUY THE BOOK *** BUY THE eBOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

Hawk actually began as a secondary character in, A BREATH OF HEATHER. He opened the door of a friend’s house for Heather who was fleeing from some gang bangers. While Heather tried to gather her composure, Karen (the woman who lives there)…

~~~

turned to the tall, stern man who stood to one side of the window, gazing out. “Hawk, what do you see?”  

“Trouble.”  

“How did you know?”  

“Felt it. Saw her face.” His steely gaze shifted to Heather, and she sensed the leashed potency in him, the same power she’d felt in Quinn.

~~
 

With that short part of a scene, Hawk Adams’ personality began to grow in my mind. I knew he ran a security agency; that he, Quinn Archer, and Michael Forest had been warriors and comrades in shadow wars years earlier. And as the relationship grew between Quinn and Heather, Hawk became more important to the plot until he almost took over the story.  

I distinctly recall driving my blue ’91 Pontiac down our street, thinking about Hawk more than Quinn, who’s the hero of his and Heather’s story. Finally, I said, “Okay, Hawk, I’ll give you your own book after I finish this one.” 

Of course, Hawk needed a woman who could match his courage, and bring joy and love to his wounded soul. Enter Charity Starr, astrophysicist, an empath, gentle, brave; the one woman Hawk will learn to trust with his heart and soul. 

Later, I was standing in my classroom one morning before my students arrived, looking across the playground to the park adjoining our school. In my imagination, I saw a man walk across the grass through a low ground fog, and settle under a pine tree.  

That image led to the opening of, “Tears of the Hawk.”

~~~

He’d dreamed again last night. Dreamed of ripping terror, destruction, and death.  

Days and nights of violence years earlier still had the power to shatter Hawk Adams’ peace of mind. Here, half a world away on the coast of Southern California, the spectre of his past had brought him to a park in the first pale light of a new day.
 

~~~

I like to use familiar settings in my books.

My husband and I used to drive south to Laguna Beach to enjoy the scenery and time with each other. Remembering those days, I sent Hawk and Charity to Laguna beach to climb down the cliffs on a path, wade in the ocean by moonlight—and learn more about each other. 

When Charity, an astrophysicist gave a seminar, I set it at Cal Tech where my husband, a graduate from there, and I had attended lectures over the years. 

Hawk, there to protect her, muses…

~~~

Her hair, sable-brown and gleaming like spun silk, was swept into a smooth knot at the nape of her graceful neck. Hawk had a sudden urge to pick her up, carry her home to safety, then pull the pins out of her hair and see it fanned out on his pillow. Heat spread through his body as he fantasized. He’d remove each piece of her clothing, stroking and kissing the treasures hidden beneath the silk and linen.  

Bits of conversation between two men seated nearby caught his attention.  

“Is that broad the lecturer today?”  

“Yeah. I wouldn’t mind a private demonstration from her.”  

“Woman with her body should be dancing topless at Bernie’s. What a waste.”  

They snickered.  

Hawk moved deliberately to attract their attention, then speared them with the narrow-eyed look he used on troublemakers.  

They glanced at each other and hastily launched into a discussion of particle physics.

~~~

This book, published in 1999, was my first ebook and my second one in print. It’s still selling in both formats at www.amberquill.com/TearsHawk.html 

 
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WIN - Leave a question or comment anytime this week to get your name in the hat for a box full of of items from assorted authors--things Barbara picked up for this purpose at the RWA National conference this summer. Each box includes a tote bag, water bottle, and books. Barbara will also include an autographed copy of one of her books! 

Come back tomorrow for inside information about the story behind the second book in this contemporary paranormal romance series, Sons of Earth and Wind.