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!