A good romance novel has key elements that have to be present: a man, a woman, a conflict, and a final coming-together. Paranormal romances have the added element of the mysterious, the psychic and the unknown. Barbara Clark is good on both fronts. Her characters are depicted with honesty and forthrightness, and the story weaves in and out of the paranormal elements with ease. The reader is drawn into the story, motivated by curiosity and interest in the characters. Moreover, what interesting characters these are!

Hawk Adams has a past that is littered with physical and emotional pain. Many years spent in covert operations has given him an understanding of the necessity for secrecy and careful planning. Volatile Charity Starr, although a brilliant scientist, does not want to be protected or cared for – it is too chauvinistic and invasive. Charity has locked away her psychic powers for years, because being raised in a family with strong skills can be a very debilitating thing! Until she meets Hawk, she has been able to keep her self-imposed barriers intact; he brings her empathic talent to front and center once again. In fact, being with Hawk, and his own repressed abilities, brings new enhancements and expansion of Charity’s own long-hidden gifts. Yet from the beginning, Charity is determined not to let Hawk take control of her life, or of her need for independence and self-sufficiency. Somehow, she feels that if she lets Hawk into her innermost self, she will lose something of herself and her struggle for autonomy.

Unfortunately, those thoughts put her in constant conflict and danger, and make it almost impossible for Hawk to do his job, and protect her from harm. Readers may be troubled by Charity’s stubbornness and intractability, given the danger she is in, yet it is a part of the plot that is evolving as we read. This is Clark’s first book in the series of Sons of Earth and Wind, and although the characters change from book to book, Ms. Clark character development helps the reader gain a vested interest in the series.

Hawk’s role as guardian (although no angel!) is one to which he has been self-appointed; he knows that Charity is special, and knows that if he can save her from her enemies, and her own obstinate nature, they can create a loving life together. So the more she struggles against his stern taskmaster persona, the more intertwined their relationship becomes. Their love scenes become more intense and more passionate as they struggle to separate the good and evil parts of their lives. The sex in the book is erotic and thorough, without being overly intense or uncomfortable. The tender nicknames that Hawk uses for Charity, and her slow melting under his care, are a positive and enjoyable part of the storyline. The closing chapters of the book bring the reader close to frenzy as we wait for the conclusion!

Subsequent books in the series were nominated for, and won, some outstanding awards for their writing. Take your time and enjoy reading this first title, and get a feel for Barbara’s writing style, her characterizations and her skill in weaving within the plot the mysteries of the paranormal. If you like romance, but are new to the paranormal trend, this is a great place to start! If you are an old hand at this genre, you will find much to enjoy and appreciate.

Book Stats:

• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: Amber Quill Press, LLC (October 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592799892
• ISBN-13: 978-1592799893

To purchase a print copy of Tears of the Hawk click here.
To purchase a Kindle copy of Tears of the Hawk click here.

Books in the Sons of Earth and Wind series in the order they should be read:
Tears of the Hawk
A Breath Of Heather
A Touch Of Fire
Deserts of the Heart
Tears Of The Desert Rose

To visit the author’s website go here.

If you enjoyed this post, please rate it and spread the word using one of the services below:

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...