No comments about The English-American: A New Survey of the West Indies, 1648 (Broadway Travellers).

2 comments about Santa Fe, Taos, Albuquerque '98: The Best of New Mexico Including the Pueblos and Carlsbad Caverns (Fodor's Gold Guides).

1. Valuable resource when traveling for the first time in New Mexico. Constantly referred to the book for recommendations on where to eat and what sights to see. Used the book prior to our trip to decide on places to stay. We were never disappointed with the recommendations. Some of the information was outdated i.e., hours of operation, admission costs, etc., but nothing major. I was so pleased with the guide that I bought the Pacific Northwest book so I would have new ideas for weekend get-aways.



2. I felt the book left out several key points on what the traveler should know when visiting Santa Fe. 1. Most restraunts close from 3-5:30 each day and close for the day at 9:30. Our first night in Santa Fe this turned out to be a disappointment when we tried to go out to dinner after 9:00 PM. 2. There was very little info on the best ways to enjoy the natural beauty of New Mexico while in Santa Fe. We had to seek the guidance of our hotel when looking for the best areas to hike. 3. Overall the book simply tried to cover too much info about the entire state of New Mexico in it's relatively limited text and fell short on the critical info for Santa Fe. 4. Inadequate number of restraunts covered and reviewed. In fact, the best restraunt we dined in (The Bull Ring) wasn't even mentioned. 5. No photographs.

No comments about The Land of the Pueblos (Southwest Heritage Series).

5 comments about Puerto Vallarta Squeeze (The Run for el Norte).

1. Robert Waller likes to ink short novels. Yet, he seems to pack a plethora of emotional punches in them. And "Puerto Vallarta Squeeze" is no exception.

   This one is action filled. As a novelist, Danny Pastor, with writers block, decides to check out wide open Mexico for ideas. Add a vile assassin, a lustful 22 year old Luz Maria, and a desperate need for money, and we are taken down a dangerous road of desires.

   Suspenseful & sexy.....a wild ride of a read!

   You might also enjoy "Border Music" by Robert Waller and "The Pied Piper" by Ridley Pearson

   Thanks--CDS




2. This book is by Robert James Waller, the author of Border Music and "Bridges of Madison County". I happened to buy this book on the way to Mexico, which was neat because the book takes place in Mexico. The only problem with this book is that it is too hard to find! I loved the plot: Danny is an American author who is down in Mexico, supposedly coming up with story ideas, but actually just lying around in the sun with all the other gringos. His girlfriend is Luz Maria, a Mexican peasant girl who has made her way up from a tiny village called Ceylaya, where she was the youngest of many siblings, all boys, which put her at the very bottom of the rung. Danny more or less takes Luz for granted and doesn't really go out of his way to make her happy. One day they are in a cafe and they witness a murder. The murderer asks Danny for a ride to the U.S. border, and Danny, thinking he could get a good story out of it, says yes. On the way, many unexpected things happen: the twisted life of Clayton Price, an expert shooter, Vietnam sniper, and a current "Shadowman" (aka hired killer) for the U.S. government, the complicated details of Danny and Luz's relationship, and many other side plots.

   Robert James Waller always writes realistic stories, never with a happy-ever-after ending that readers complain about but secretly hope for, and this book made me cry more than any other book ever has. It also gives a perceptive and seemingly accurate glimpse into the lives of Mexicans, especially the hardships of Mexican girls, which are humbling, frightening, and sad at the same time. Robert James Waller is an author of sad, romantic traveling tales, and if you are in the mood for a heart-breaking book, pick up "Puerto Vallarta Squeeze."




3. I found this little book a pleasant surprise. Robert James Waller is difinitely a romantic kinda guy in more ways than one. His characters are so carefully crafted that one is sure they know someone just like them.

   The journalist, Danny is an American taking it easy for a while in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Living off his residuals enjoying the good live, he becomes involved with a beautiful young senorita, Luz, when one day a stranger comes into town and changes everything.

   Danny finds his world turned upside down but wonders if this situation, albeit a dangerous one, could be the start to a new project that might just bring him the fame and money he had long been dreaming of?

   If you are a fan of the author, check this one out it's a quick little run for the border.




4. Waller is usually awesome...but I think he missed it on Puerto Vallarta Squeeze. Not that I wasn't entertained, because I was...in a mindless sort of way. The book is a made-for-tv script just waiting to happen! But mediocre Waller is better than most at their best....so buy this book....used if possible.



5. On vaction in Sayulita Mexico. Being in Mexico, just north of Puerto Vallarta, I had to read this one. Even though it was by Robert James Waller who, after Bridges of Madison County, I swore to never read! Amazon's review concludes with:

   These characters are flatter than cardboard, their situation is extremely unconvincing and the book is singularly devoid of suspense. But these weaknesses are nothing compared to the prose, which reads like an illiterate's imitation of Hemingway. Even the faithful may want to think twice about this one.

   Good thing I was in Mexico and well away from any sort of connectivity when I read this one. It was an enjoyable beach read that I finished in an afternoon. Expecting Bridges kind of sappy chick flick writing, I was happily surprised when the main character is an ex-marine who is now a free lance hit man. While I must agree with the Amazon reviewer's comment about flat characters and an unconvincing situation, the book did deliver what I wanted in that place at that time: An entertaining read set in and around where I was at the time. The descriptions of downtown, latenight Puerto Vallarta were engaging enough to get me to leave our quaint little town early on the last day to spend some time exploring PV. My friend Chris McQuarie wrote a movie script about a sniper and got me interested in the ways of snipers. The portrayal of the Clayton Price, the ex-marine sniper, as a practiced, disciplined loner was interesting to compare to the characters I had read about in Chris's script. The lone sniper being pulled out of his seclusion by a seductive Mexican maiden, Luz, was at times hard to believe and not very convincingly written. But I wasn't looking to be convinced of the ability of such a guy to love. Or of her former boyfriend to mess it up along the way.

   What I was looking for was an easy beach read with guns and some local color from Puerto Vallarta. I got just that.

No comments about The tenderfoot in New Mexico,.

No comments about The high desert: Taos is more than great skiing. (Going Green).: An article from: E.

No comments about The curse of the San Andres.

No comments about Frommer's 97 Santa Fe, Taos & Albuquerque (Frommer's Santa Fe, Taos & Albuquerque).

No comments about A Wanderer's Guide to New Mexico: A Collection of Trips and Excursions Through the Land of Enchantment.

No comments about Exploring New Mexico Wine Country: New Mexico, the Cradle of North American Wine.