A
Brazilian Rainforest and lush passion both contribute to the relationship
of Lily and Jim...but will they be able to survive the horrors,
the intrigue, the terror of this chaotic adventure in a steamy
foreign land and still retain their unstoppable passion?
OrderingAvailable from Amber Quill Press. ISBN: 1-59279-000-3 Reviewers Say"This is another winner from author Barbara Clark. The action is non-stop. The characters come to life, and your heart just goes out to the heroine, Lily. I loved it." - Nancy Elekes, Sunshine Books This was a gripping tale that pulled no stops. Action and suspense literally ooze through the pages. The story is very detailed and readers can easily imagine themselves right in the thick of things with Jim and Lily. Lily definitely is no weak heroine, she shows true grit and determination. Jim exudes power and raw masculinity. Secondary characters are incredible, each having their own stories prior. Ones that I am definitely going to hunt down! This is the first time I have read one of Barbara Clark's books. The only thing I am sorry about is that I haven't read her before! She is an incredible talent, and one that is not to be missed! EMERALD HEAT is everything a reader could want in a romance and more. Spicy, 4 1/2 Roses " Author Barbara Clark once again pens a novel of startling emotional intensity and danger in EMERALD HEAT. Clark's talent sparkles in this world of orchards and romance. the result is a memorable sensual delight that juxtaposes jungle lushness and unspeakable cruelty. Characterizations are vivid realized, especially Lily and Jim who must find a way to healing and forgiveness in defiance of a man who rules his country and his family with an iron fist. The result is an exciting romantic suspense readers cannot put down. Highly recommended." - Cindy Penn "
EMERALD HEAT is a wonderful adventure guaranteed to keep you
on the edge of your seat! Barbara Clark does an exceptional
job of depicting both the beauty and the danger of the rainforest.
The native birds and plants are described in wonderful details,
bringing the rainforest "into your living room". This reviewer looks forward to seeing more from Barbara Clark in the future." 4 Roses Setting: Southern California and South America, Present Day Jim Wolfe is ecstatic when he suddenly spots the woman who was his wife in an airport when he is there with a friend. He thought her dead when the plane they were in years ago crashed, at least that is what he was told in the hospital. They had only been married two years at the time. It is so hard to lose the one woman who makes your world complete. Jim didnât feel like living when he'd heard Lily had died in the crash. The worst part is that he had been piloting the plane. Now he sees her again after four years, and she melts in his arms, but quickly has to reject him to save his life. Jim can't understand what is happening. This is the opening for a humdinger of a story and what Jim does to find Lily. He brings in his friends from M.F. International. Michael Forest is a special friend that helped to save his life when he was imprisoned and he knows if anyone can help him, it is Michael. Jim is a trained fighter and had worked with Michael in the past. Jim is now a charter pilot and trying to establish his business. Lily is the granddaughter of Don Gregory Phillips of San Torreon, a horribly cruel man who treated her harshly when a child. He hated it when Jim married Lily, as he knew he couldn't control Jim. Don Gregory is rich and powerful and determined to bend Lily to his will, and he holds a special person hostage to make sure she stays in line. Between the hot and sultry love scenes and the taut suspense, I was holding my breath as Jim and Lily walked into some dangerous adventures. As you can imagine, my emotions were soaring sky high while reading some of these deliciously romantic interludes between two desperate lovers. Pant, pant! Very well done Ms. Clark. The big question is: Is Jim able to save Lily and spend his life happily ever after with her? Ms. Clark does an excellent job of keeping the tension as high as a tightrope walker as Jim and Lily have some harrowing escapades with life and death. EMERALD HEAT has a fast moving plot that races swiftly along like some of the swollen rain fed rivers in South America that challenged Jim and Lily. I loved traveling to some exotic sites with wild birds, orchids, waterfalls and bathing pools. It was so romantic and so refreshing! Kadar and some others from the marvelous "Sons of Earth and Wind," series make appearances in EMERALD HEAT, so lovers of this series are going to be very pleased to once again meet up with the tempting Kadar. I can't wait for the next book in his fantastic series is ready. After reading these books, I think you will feel the same way I do about Ms. Clark's characters. Barbara Clark has a special brand of heroes and heroines that are unforgettable after you've finished her intriguing stories, leaving you craving more. EMERALD HEAT is fabulous suspense and danger encircling a woman in jeopardy with a life and death secret, and a man who is a superior warrior whose only desire is to love and protect her. Ms. Clark also brings back some dynamite characters from some of her past stories that are going to drive you crazy until you get the books and read their stories too. Get your heart set on action and adventure to die for, as you will simmer in EMERALD HEAT! Lucky readers will be able to purchase all of Barbara Clark's stories from Amber Quill Press. Ms. Clark has been a "must read" author for me for years-- she pleases, teases and sends your imagination soaring with her compelling stories and riveting characters. Take my word for it, you are in for some very special reading experiences in the natural and supernatural realms." Suzanne Coleburn, The Belles and Beaux of Romance/Reader To Reader Reviews A SampleHe felt a jolt. The chopper dipped. Jim realized someone or maybe two people had grabbed the landing skids. He hovered over the river and rocked the chopper to dislodge the unwelcome passengers. Two jolts upward told him they had dropped into the river. He pulled back farther on the collective and they were climbing to meet the clouds. Bullets followed them into the night sky. Lily noted, vaguely, that she could hear wind shriek through holes in the cabin. The cloud cover had condensed into nightly rain with its rushing wind. The powerful helicopter bucked and shuddered under the double impact of wind and water. Lily knew if anyone could keep them safe, it was Jim. Her head was, surprisingly, still on her shoulders, but the unceasing, fevered pain was overshadowed by a massive thirst. Bemused, she stared at the rain water falling sideways across windscreen and window. A few drops spattered through the bullet holes. Placing her fingertip to one hole she was gratified to feel water. She brought the wet fingertip to her parched lips, soothing them with the liquid. Jim wanted to check her condition. That was impossible. Still climbing into the night at more than 100 MPH, he ignored everything but the instruments. In the dusky shroud of storm clouds they were his only guides and means of control. He sorted through his memory for a safe place to take Lily for medical help. Brazil and Peru were out. Don Phillips had too much influence. Almost lost in the heavy clouds and rain, he barely glanced at the black hole spread out below. Daylight would disclose a vast green ocean of treetops. For now that was hidden in the rain-washed dark. Blossoms of light in the clouds ahead showed lightning activity far enough away not to destroy his night vision. He had another worry. The helicopter had developed an unhealthy sound. It shuddered and moved sluggishly. He kept it going with numerous tricks learned under enemy fire. To make it more interesting, he was losing fuel at a rate that said at least one bullet had found a vital part of the fuel system. Forty-five minutes after they'd left the survey camp, Jim knew he'd have to set down in unexplored rain forest. The helicopter had developed a nasty hiccup. They were on a shorter trip with every rotation of the titanium blades. All his attention was focused on keeping the helicopter in one piece in the air. He played a dangerous game of tag with the taller trees. He most definitely didn't want to be, It. Over the engines' roar he shouted, "Brace yourself," to Lily. Then they were dropping, angling down to a silver line that marked another river or long lake. Trees rushed up on all sides. Branches reached out like hungry hands to clutch and scrape the helicopter sides. The silver line developed into a long oxbow lake. Sometime, in the distant past, a long loop of unnamed river had been closed off from the main rush of water. It was this slender curve of water that kept an opening in the midnight ocean of trees. Night birds, disturbed by the falling metal bird, shrieked and changed their flight path. Broken branches and leaves tumbled through the high, rain-drenched canopy. Misshapen shadows rushed up to meet the chopper as wind and rain threatened to propel it into the lake. Jim spied a narrow clear area at the lake's edge. He'd run out of choices. This was it. With one last choking spurt, the helicopter turned and settled on the muddy ground in the narrow clearing. Part of the bank gave way under the right skid. The helicopter tipped, like a bird dying of its wounds, and settled with the right side in water up to the middle of the cabin door. Everything not tied down in the cabin slipped and slid toward that door. Water seeped in through bullet holes. Damaged parts popped
and sizzled. The once powerful blades were limp and silent in
the now gentle rainfall. A moan broke the silence of the cabin,
then it was quiet except for the slow gurgle of water.
|
Cover art by Trace Edward Zaber |
