Title: Desert Guardian
Author: Karen Duvall
Published in 2007 by The Wild Rose Press Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Mystery/Suspense
ISBN: 1-60154-014-0
A religious cult, Star Mother roams the deserts of California, hiding from the prying eyes of law enforcement and family members searching for loved ones. Once brought into the fold members never leave, except by way of premeditated death. However, one young man escapes, and then devotes his life to rescuing others from Star Mother’s psychopathic beliefs.
Mourning the death of her husband, Sam Reed’s depressed mother hands over her life insurance money in exchange for becoming a member. Sam was sixteen when fleeing the religious cult, roaming the city streets until taken in by a foster family. Through the support of his new family, Sam excels in school, receiving his doctorate at the age of twenty-five. Subsequently he develops and hones a reputation as a successful cult intervention specialist, infiltrating every religious sec he contacts, except one – the Star Mother. Sam avoids anything to do with Star Mother, having not faced all his demons after leaving them. Five years ago he visits the sec bartering himself in exchange for his mother, only to leave empty handed. From that moment on, he avoids any job involving the Star Mother cult. That is until a distraught father pays Sam to rescue his grown children from the Star Mother cult, the daughter gains access into the community to free her younger brother. Tonight for the first time in five years, Sam returns to the Star Mother.
Kelly Bancroft regrets leaving her younger brother behind with their abusive father. He eventually kicks eighteen-year-old Jake out of the house, influencing her brother to drop out of school to join the Star Mother religious cult. For as long as she can remember her father was a cruel man, locking her in the basement infused with rats and spiders as a form of punishment; toughening her for the outside world, he said. She’s tough but tenacious too as Kelly gets inside the sec without trouble. Since arriving two days ago, she experiences a warm kinship and acceptance believing this community not capable of anything cruel. Until Sam Reed breaks into her trailer and carries her away into the night. While staying at his cabin does Kelly witness the cunning power of the cult, sending a rattlesnake inside a basket with a message asking Kelly to return. She also meets Sam’s housekeeper and Star Mother survivor, Consuela who rescued by her brothers attempts suicide by slitting her throat, the scar evident around her neck. Members are to kill themselves should they find themselves kidnapped. Still, Kelly remains firm and prepares for whatever means necessary in getting her brother to return home.
Represented well are the cult activities and beliefs as Ms. Duvall’s riveting tale, Desert Guardian unfurls. Star Mother is a religious sec who believes their journey to the stars is nearby, with the coming of Anston’s comet. In order for them all to travel together, they must leave their physical bodies behind journeying in the ethereal state. Early on, members submit to a desensitizing program, with the aid hallucinogenic drugs. Furthering the members’ depersonalization, removing children from their parents leaves the adult women susceptible to rape whereas the men are beaten. Once the children reach puberty they are encourage to engage in orgies to release their repressed sexuality, so the Star Mother commands. So caught up in the fascinating mystery surrounding this fictional cult, the romance between Sam and Kelly almost seems anti-climatic, yet noted by this reader.
Working together, Kelly suppresses the budding yearnings for Sam, believing herself unattractive and too assertive for any man, although her abusive upbringing instills mistrust for any man. Confessing her interest to Sam, Kelly feels rejected when he states her timing is bad, though not allowing him to finish his thought. Sam knows toting past emotional baggage affects his ability to nurture a loving relationship, but refuses to hide his rising desire towards Kelly. Liberating Jake from the sec is his primary focus, only then can he devote the time and attention to loving Kelly in the manner she deserves - an admirable quality. Yet, their union is sweet and tender, opening two insecure people to a level of vulnerability that may lead to disaster, or a much needed inner healing.
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. When her brother makes contact inside an isolated desert diner, almost convincing him to return home, Kelly looses Jake after Star Mother’s Sentries recapture him. Sam’s progress is more personal as he reveals a secret to Kelly no one else ever knew, opening him up to trusting. The romance between the two main characters lightens the continued troubles giving the reader a moment to relax and breathe before enduring more intriguing obstacles that hinders their progress. Sam and Kelly triumph over many barriers, even personally, in a short amount of time however, a far greater surprise awaits them within the commune, hemming around a child belonging to Vayla, the Star Mother leader.
A Dedicated Reader,
Pamela Jenewein
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