Comments on: REVIEW: Desert Guardian by Karen Duvall http://dearauthor.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Articles+%28RSS2%29&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fdearauthor.com%2Fwordpress%2F2008%2F04%2F19%2Freview-desert-guardian-by-karen-duvall%2F&seed_title=REVIEW%3A++Desert+Guardian+by+Karen+Duvall Book reviews, industry news, and commentary from a reader's point of view Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:18:25 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Karen Duvall http://dearauthor.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Articles+%28RSS2%29&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fdearauthor.com%2Fwordpress%2F2008%2F04%2F19%2Freview-desert-guardian-by-karen-duvall%2F&seed_title=REVIEW%3A++Desert+Guardian+by+Karen+Duvall/comment-page-1/#comment-159935 Karen Duvall Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:26:52 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=3529#comment-159935 Janet, I did extensive research on cult behavior and cult intervention, so the book offers quite a bit of background concerning the cult mindset and how victims are treated. As far as "scripted" responses from moms regarding their kids, I can see how that might happen as result of brainwashing, a very common method cults use to keep their "followers" in line. The hero, Sam, is a cult intervention specialist who had been raised in the cult he infiltrates. He suffered sexual abuse at the hands of the cult leader, and it's not unusual for a cult to use sex as a way to control its members. Sam is damaged, but becomes a strong advocate for cult victims. He's also a psychologist who helps rehabilitate ex-cultists. As far as children in the story, Sam learns of a five-year-old daughter he hadn't known about before. She lives in the cult with her mother and her life is at risk. So the stakes of Sam's mission get even higher. If you're interested in the subject of cults, I think you'd enjoy this book. It 's a realistic look into the lives of cult victims and their families. Thank you for your interest! You can read the first chapter of DESERT GUARDIAN on my website: http://www.karen-duvall.com Janet, I did extensive research on cult behavior and cult intervention, so the book offers quite a bit of background concerning the cult mindset and how victims are treated. As far as “scripted” responses from moms regarding their kids, I can see how that might happen as result of brainwashing, a very common method cults use to keep their “followers” in line.

The hero, Sam, is a cult intervention specialist who had been raised in the cult he infiltrates. He suffered sexual abuse at the hands of the cult leader, and it’s not unusual for a cult to use sex as a way to control its members. Sam is damaged, but becomes a strong advocate for cult victims. He’s also a psychologist who helps rehabilitate ex-cultists.

As far as children in the story, Sam learns of a five-year-old daughter he hadn’t known about before. She lives in the cult with her mother and her life is at risk. So the stakes of Sam’s mission get even higher.

If you’re interested in the subject of cults, I think you’d enjoy this book. It ’s a realistic look into the lives of cult victims and their families.

Thank you for your interest! You can read the first chapter of DESERT GUARDIAN on my website: http://www.karen-duvall.com

]]> By: Janet W http://dearauthor.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Articles+%28RSS2%29&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fdearauthor.com%2Fwordpress%2F2008%2F04%2F19%2Freview-desert-guardian-by-karen-duvall%2F&seed_title=REVIEW%3A++Desert+Guardian+by+Karen+Duvall/comment-page-1/#comment-159929 Janet W Sun, 20 Apr 2008 18:39:00 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=3529#comment-159929 Karen, would this be a good book to read in light of the happenings in Texas right now? I can't understand the "scripted" responses of the mothers. Is that a cult hallmark? Also, the thought of tiny children being separated from their mothers ... it's all so sad. What if the babies are still being nursed? The story is mesmerizing and I'm not sure why ... I've put your book on my wish list and will look for it. Karen, would this be a good book to read in light of the happenings in Texas right now? I can’t understand the “scripted” responses of the mothers. Is that a cult hallmark? Also, the thought of tiny children being separated from their mothers … it’s all so sad. What if the babies are still being nursed? The story is mesmerizing and I’m not sure why … I’ve put your book on my wish list and will look for it.

]]> By: Harry~DayDream http://dearauthor.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Articles+%28RSS2%29&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fdearauthor.com%2Fwordpress%2F2008%2F04%2F19%2Freview-desert-guardian-by-karen-duvall%2F&seed_title=REVIEW%3A++Desert+Guardian+by+Karen+Duvall/comment-page-1/#comment-159878 Harry~DayDream Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:29:37 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=3529#comment-159878 Nice one. I never knew the suspence genre could do without the mafia, hitmen, cops and the governemnt. This is on my TBR list for sure. Nice one. I never knew the suspence genre could do without the mafia, hitmen, cops and the governemnt. This is on my TBR list for sure.

]]> By: Karen Duvall http://dearauthor.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Articles+%28RSS2%29&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fdearauthor.com%2Fwordpress%2F2008%2F04%2F19%2Freview-desert-guardian-by-karen-duvall%2F&seed_title=REVIEW%3A++Desert+Guardian+by+Karen+Duvall/comment-page-1/#comment-159874 Karen Duvall Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:06:19 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=3529#comment-159874 Thank you, Jayne, for your lovely assessment of my book. I'm so glad you ejoyed it! Karen Duvall www.karen-duvall.com www.karenduvall.blogspot.com Thank you, Jayne, for your lovely assessment of my book. I’m so glad you ejoyed it!

Karen Duvall
http://www.karen-duvall.com
http://www.karenduvall.blogspot.com

]]> By: Barbara B. http://dearauthor.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Articles+%28RSS2%29&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fdearauthor.com%2Fwordpress%2F2008%2F04%2F19%2Freview-desert-guardian-by-karen-duvall%2F&seed_title=REVIEW%3A++Desert+Guardian+by+Karen+Duvall/comment-page-1/#comment-159795 Barbara B. Sat, 19 Apr 2008 23:15:38 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=3529#comment-159795 Sounds interesting. I've put this on my wishlist at Fictionwise. Thanks for the review, Jayne. Sounds interesting. I’ve put this on my wishlist at Fictionwise. Thanks for the review, Jayne.

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