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Souls of the Desert
DENVER, COLORADO
Mark Sanborn is seven years old when the death of his big brother is surrounded by mysterious circumstances. Following this childhood tragedy, a strange phobia manifests itself, and over the years, begins to consume him.
At age 25, Mark finds himself alone after the death of his parents, so he loses himself in his work as a forensic pathologist, leaving no time for friends or a social life of any kind. His life dramatically changes the day he meets Iris Blue, an attractive waitress and nursing student. After a whirlwind romance, he’s certain that he has found his soulmate, the woman of his dreams.
As Mark and Iris begin to build their lives together, they meet Hal and Roxie Lundstrom and become close friends. Strange occurrences are reported throughout Colorado. There are sightings of unidentified lights in the skies and incidents of cattle mutilations. Then, one day Iris vanishes, and Mark’s world is turned upside down. Months go by, but there are no leads. There are only questions, and the case goes cold.
A discovery in a faraway desert requires investigation and expertise of forensic scientists and medical personnel from around the world. Mark hesitates, but then decides to embark on this bizarre expedition. The scientists are in a state of shock when evidence points to the existence of an alien species.
No one is prepared for what secrets are buried with the souls of the desert.
Will Mark ever find out what happened to his dear Iris?
Mark Sanborn is seven years old when the death of his big brother is surrounded by mysterious circumstances. Following this childhood tragedy, a strange phobia manifests itself, and over the years, begins to consume him.
At age 25, Mark finds himself alone after the death of his parents, so he loses himself in his work as a forensic pathologist, leaving no time for friends or a social life of any kind. His life dramatically changes the day he meets Iris Blue, an attractive waitress and nursing student. After a whirlwind romance, he’s certain that he has found his soulmate, the woman of his dreams.
As Mark and Iris begin to build their lives together, they meet Hal and Roxie Lundstrom and become close friends. Strange occurrences are reported throughout Colorado. There are sightings of unidentified lights in the skies and incidents of cattle mutilations. Then, one day Iris vanishes, and Mark’s world is turned upside down. Months go by, but there are no leads. There are only questions, and the case goes cold.
A discovery in a faraway desert requires investigation and expertise of forensic scientists and medical personnel from around the world. Mark hesitates, but then decides to embark on this bizarre expedition. The scientists are in a state of shock when evidence points to the existence of an alien species.
No one is prepared for what secrets are buried with the souls of the desert.
Will Mark ever find out what happened to his dear Iris?
- GenresMystery
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Robert M. Roberts
3 books791 followersRobert is the author of two novels and several short stories. He only writes as a hobby when he is bored. His favorite genres are thriller, mystery, horror, crime, science fiction with an emphasis on aliens. Lover of cats, beer and tacos! I moderate the groups Senior Readers and Writers.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 2, 2021
If you liked H.G Wells War of the Worlds, you will love this modern day version.
March 22, 2012
Souls of the Desert is Robert Roberts second novel and it does not disappoint. Have you ever wondered if we are visited by beings from another world? Do you ever wonder what they might look like, or why they would be here? Roberts has given that `alien question' a new twist.
With well developed characters and vivid imagery Souls of the Desert takes you on a journey to faraway deserts, Mexico, and other interesting destinations. The novel guides you through the loss, loneliness and soul searching that Mark feels after Iris, his true love, disappears suddenly. When you think you've got it all figured out, the novel adds a new twist and takes you on another direction.
From beginning to end Souls of the Desert keeps you hooked, looking for answers. Eventually the answers are forthcoming, but not at all what you expect. If you are at all interested in aliens and strange mysteries, with a little intrigue mixed in, you'll enjoy this novel. This second novel by Robert Roberts is another well written hit that I would recommend to anyone with a taste for the unknown.
With well developed characters and vivid imagery Souls of the Desert takes you on a journey to faraway deserts, Mexico, and other interesting destinations. The novel guides you through the loss, loneliness and soul searching that Mark feels after Iris, his true love, disappears suddenly. When you think you've got it all figured out, the novel adds a new twist and takes you on another direction.
From beginning to end Souls of the Desert keeps you hooked, looking for answers. Eventually the answers are forthcoming, but not at all what you expect. If you are at all interested in aliens and strange mysteries, with a little intrigue mixed in, you'll enjoy this novel. This second novel by Robert Roberts is another well written hit that I would recommend to anyone with a taste for the unknown.
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September 11, 2012I have won this in a Goodreads giveaway and I am really looking forward to reading it!
May 1, 2022
I enjoyed Souls of the desert….it was easy to picture the characters, and you wanted to care about them , and know what would happen next.
I had never really thought about extraterrestrials coming to earth much , and so I guess that’s why Roberts description of them. Felt like , shockingly unbelievable, something happening that you previously thought was impossible!
I had never really thought about extraterrestrials coming to earth much , and so I guess that’s why Roberts description of them. Felt like , shockingly unbelievable, something happening that you previously thought was impossible!
April 21, 2016
This is the fastest I've ever DNFed a book in my life. I made it- barely- to chapter 5, but I wanted to stop by page 5. The writing is just so, so bad. We're talking past wooden and straight into petrified.
"The service lasted about forty-five minutes, and then it was time to lay Alan to rest at Aspen Park Cemetery in south Denver, not far from the Sanborn's home. The pastor ended the eulogy at the cemetery, and the well wishers past by, shaking the hands of the family members. They sometimes whispered a condolence or told them to call if they needed anything.
The worst was over for the Sanborns, but there were so many days of trying to hold it together and there were numerous outbursts of tears that would continue to flow for years to come. It was now up to father time to help with the mending process."
Every. Single Sentence. was like that. No plot could be worth enduring this pain.
"The service lasted about forty-five minutes, and then it was time to lay Alan to rest at Aspen Park Cemetery in south Denver, not far from the Sanborn's home. The pastor ended the eulogy at the cemetery, and the well wishers past by, shaking the hands of the family members. They sometimes whispered a condolence or told them to call if they needed anything.
The worst was over for the Sanborns, but there were so many days of trying to hold it together and there were numerous outbursts of tears that would continue to flow for years to come. It was now up to father time to help with the mending process."
Every. Single Sentence. was like that. No plot could be worth enduring this pain.
June 12, 2023
I would like to have given this novel five stars as it was a fast and enjoyable read. I would sincerely love the author to rewrite this book and give it a different title, so he could actually earn five stars. There should be less stereotyping of characters. The only Italian was a Guido from NJ (I’m Italian), the waitress with the sense of humor was crude and lower class (I’d party with her), the “Indian” rings were not from India and foreign food is actually not bad, at 70 we are not “old” and can actually still cook. There was far too much dialog used as filler, which was unnecessary as so much more could have been added to the story. In no way am I being sarcastic, I truly would like a revised book from this author.
March 31, 2013
My oh my! That's two outstanding reads in a row from Mr. Roberts. I'm a confirmed fan now. This book was true entertainment. If you think that you know what's going to happen next in this one you are wrong. I hope he has another story in the works.
September 16, 2015
What an emotional roller coaster this book is. Stayed up way too late many nights to find out what happens to Mark and Iris! Love them! Thanks for the ride Robert!
November 19, 2013
I was happy with the novel's two main characters, Mark and Iris. They are both down to earth, honest people who get caught up in a nightmare of pain and fear triggered by creatures from outer space and a psychopath.
I think this novel is a fast and easy read. I give credit to Robert for all of the knowledge regarding how the medical system works in regards to doctors who dismember bodies to seek the cause of death when no simple answer is present.
If I have any negative statement it's only to say that I honestly felt that Mark's back story of his childhood and the anguish he experiences over the lost of his older brother, might have been a bit shorter, and would have worked better being placed in another section of the novel.
I did have the ending figured out very early on in regards to Iris, but that's okay too. Nothing wrong with a happy ending. I did like the spooky twist dropped on the reader on the last few pages.
For those who like a sci-fi/mystery go for it.
Roberta Gibson
I think this novel is a fast and easy read. I give credit to Robert for all of the knowledge regarding how the medical system works in regards to doctors who dismember bodies to seek the cause of death when no simple answer is present.
If I have any negative statement it's only to say that I honestly felt that Mark's back story of his childhood and the anguish he experiences over the lost of his older brother, might have been a bit shorter, and would have worked better being placed in another section of the novel.
I did have the ending figured out very early on in regards to Iris, but that's okay too. Nothing wrong with a happy ending. I did like the spooky twist dropped on the reader on the last few pages.
For those who like a sci-fi/mystery go for it.
Roberta Gibson
April 6, 2013
Such an interesting story, with a unusual twist to an alien incursion. I found this book to be very well written, with great character development. So it took some reflection to figure out why I wasn't completely happy with it. It's a small thing, really. As I read the book, I had the very first chapter at the back of my mind. Somewhere in the last third of the book, the dots connected for me, and I knew how it would end. That wouldn't have happened without that first chapter. Some of the mystery disappeared before I got to the end. Still, it was a good ending to the story. I enjoyed the book enough to want to read more of Mr. Roberts work.
October 4, 2014
This story had some very interesting concepts with several twists and turns that were completely unexpected. The main characters were well developed. However there were way too many pages on the detail of their lives before it seemed like the story really began, details which could have been summarized in just a few pages. Of course that would have made it a short story or perhaps a novelette, but some of the story just felt like extra padding.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews