Falling In Love With a Hero

While I wrote my paranormal erotic romance DESERT WILD I imagined my hero, Sonny Wild Horse Hendricks of the Tohono O’odham Nation, and watched my heroine fall in love. My hero was strong and well-built, with a sinewy, muscular body. He was handsome, with a firm, full mouth and serious dark eyes. His long, shiny black hair hung straight down his back and his clear, smooth skin was rich as burnished copper. His passions were his photographic art, The Sonoran Desert, and Caitlyn Spencer of Santa Barbara. How he would reconcile these often conflicting desires is at the heart of DESERT WILD.

Once I had Sonny’s image clear in my mind, I began searching the Internet for pictures of Native American men who resembled my fantasy hero. Periodically over several months I scrolled through hundreds of photographs, both vintage and new, but couldn’t duplicate the character in my imagination.

That changed when I found portraits of Native American actor and model Rick Mora and saw the eyes of my fictional hero, Sonny Wild Horse Hendricks, staring back at me.

Here are photographs of the character inspiration for DESERT WILD, used with the kind permission of rising star Rick Mora, of the Twilight movie cast. Rick played the part of a wolf shapeshifter in the film. Read more about Rick and his upcoming films on his website. If you’re a fan or a friend, be sure to leave a note in the comments section. We’d love to hear from you.

I think Rick’s image is the perfect reflection of Sonny Wild Horse Hendricks, don’t you agree?

http://www.rickmora.com/

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DESERT WILD by Adele Dubois

Summary:

Sonny Wild Horse of the Tohono O’odham Nation is a danger to a woman’s heart. Though he lusts after Caitlyn Spencer, his desire to live inside two conflicting worlds—the Sonoran Desert of his youth and the California coast where his future as a photographer is assured—tears the lovers apart.

When Sonny disappears inside America’s most hostile desert, Caitlyn borrows a unique Thunderbird convertible and embarks on a desperate search. The car is equipped with a powerful but endearingly kinky GPS navigator that grants wishes. Though not exactly a genie, “Guy’s” system locates whatever his driver needs most.

And Caitlyn needs to connect erotically with Sonny. Again and again. If only she can find him in time.

http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-7333-50-desert-wild.aspx

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DESERT WILD by Adele Dubois

©Ellora’s Cave Publishing, 2009

Excerpt:

He looked up at the celestial sky. “The June moon is called Strawberry Moon or Rose Moon in modern culture. It’s also the moon of love. Honey Moon.” He wrapped his arm around Caitlyn’s waist and drew her to him. The rise and fall of her breathing and the closeness of her body filled him with peace. “In the desert, the sweet red meat of the Saguaro fruit ripens in June. The Tohono O’odham say, ‘Ha:sañ Bak’, which means, ‘The Saguaro is ready.’” We celebrate the desert flowers and the bahidaj, our desert fruit.”

He turned Cait in his arms to kiss her and tell her the truth he had waited too long to say. “I won’t leave you again, I promise.” Caitlyn smiled up at him and he saw devotion in her eyes. He stroked her cheekbone and cupped the side of her face. “There has never been a better woman for me than you. I love you, my dove.”

At his words, she hugged him closer and buried her face against his shoulder.

http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-7333-50-desert-wild.aspx

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Adele Dubois is a former journalist who writes erotic romance for Ellora’s Cave publishing that receives consistent outstanding reviews. Titles include DESERT WILD, DESERT FEVER, INTIMATE ART and DREAM TRAVELER. Look for additional titles in 2009 and 2010.