This book uses visualization techniques and some spellcraft in order to gain power. The methods are not what you would usually find in wiccan books. For example one visualizes the virgin mary under various colors of dress and emotions in order to get certain powers. Other saints are visualized in the same way. I would have given this book a ten, but the author then writes that there are certain "secrets" that cannot be told in the book. This is the one flaw in the book and I must say in a few other books on the occult. I feel I'm being sold short. Fortunately, a careful reading of the book will show that the "secrets" can be gained through the visualization methods the author describes. You have to read between the lines to know this though. Given this, the book is a very good text on mexican wicca.

I have found precious few books that go into the detail behind the tradition of Our Lady Of Guadalupe. The author has given us a roadmap with this book on how to better understand Our Lady. She presents in a clear and direct manner one particular tradition of Brujheria. I am glad to see a book written, and published by Lewellyn for that fact which dosent make the material "fluffy" or "toned down" at all. Many many of the books Ive read have been written in such a way that the material is "socialy acceptable" to everyone. This book however presents the material in a way where people can take it or leave it, One seems to know instantly if this is a book for them or not. I particularly enjoyed the section on the various aspects and visions of Our Lady. The illustrations were a nice touch. Id half to say that this book is a worthy edition to any library for one who follows Our Lady Of Guadalupe in her many forms. I rate this book at the highest rating 5 out of 5.

like i said i really enjoyed the book but like you said should have given more details for some of the spells.why give have the suspense for some of these spells when we pay full price to get some answers.the pictures of the differnt women should have been in color for more clearer details.

New Mexico Undersheriff Bill Gastner is recovering from major surgery in the Flint, Michigan home of his daughter and her family. Bill is starting to become bored with the daily routine. Though he loves his oldest daughter, her spouse, and his grandchildren, he cannot wait to get back to his home in Posedas County. His planned departure abruptly changes when his Chief of Detectives, Estelle Reyes-Guzman calls to tell him his home has been burglarized.

Bill and his daughter Camille quickly fly to New Mexico where he learns that a three year old child is missing from a campsite, probably a kidnapping victim. Due to these two incidents and a third mystery involving a potential murder, Bill's recuperation is put on hold as his law enforcement experience is needed on all three investigations even as he secretly (from Camille) devours burritos on the side.

The sixth novel in the Gastner mysteries keeps all the freshness found in the previous five tales due to Steven f. Havill adding health problems, a change of environment, and the intrusion of family members to keep Bill alert. The trio of who-done-its are well designed and the support cast add much to the tale. However, in the end this book, like its predecessors, is all about Bill, a wonderful character, who brings a lot to any novel he graces.

Harriet Klausner

Steven Havill has crafted yet another winner in the Bill Gastner series. As usual, the descriptions of people and place are outstanding, and the plot twists and turns well. The only complaint (and its a small one!) is that the novel couldn't have been another 50-75 pages or so. Good job!

When an author entices an urbanite like me to want to visit a place where there's more dust than coffee choices, the book is a find. Havill has created a mystery series that keeps you turning pages and looking forward to the next book, with a protagonist whose profile we all stare at in the mirror, in some form or fashion. Prolonged Exposure is the most gripping tale yet, and Gastner ups the bar, once again. I've come to feel like a fly on the wall in Estelle's home, and when her kid is snatched, it's like opening the door to the terror that lurks nearby the children in your own life. Bring on the next!

This was a pleasant suprise about a battle that I knew little about. I don't know if I would call it the "Gettysburg" in the West. The Battle of Shiloh is the only battle that comes close to Gettysburg when it comes to mass of troops and casualties. However, this little known battle was strategically important for the Confederacy as they tried to spread their power west and their ultimate goal of obtaining the gold of California and Nevada and also obtaining official recognition by Mexico. The author does a good job explain the background of the Confederate troops (Texans) and the expidition they were on, as well as the Union troops (mostly Colorado volunteers) meant to stop them in their tracks. The Battle of Glorietta Pass did have significant casualties on both sides, however the ultimate key factor for Union victory was the destruction of the Confederate's supply train. I recommend this book to any Civil War enthusiast who wants to read about a different, little known but significant battle of the Civil War.

I think this account of the battle of Glorieta will never be surpassed. After writing an superb book 'bout the battle of Valverde, Taylor, together with Edrington, somehow manages to write another great book. This time the important battle of Glorieta is described very vivid and also the maps, as in Bloody Valverde, really help you to get into the whole dynamics of this conflict. It's really very, very interesting and every serious Civil War interested person should study this book carefully !

Hillerman brings to life this story from the Zuni, a Pueblo People of New Mexico. As the cover jacket says, this is "intended to teach both history and morality of a people", like an Old Testament story. The strength of the young boy who constructs a toy insect out of corn, is both touching and has lessons for us now in how we treat others and our resources. The drawings by Janet Grado, add nicely to the story, particularly the portraits of the corn maidens and the old woman. Although suitable for children, fans of Toni Hillerman will also enjoy this.

This retelling of a Zuni tale is very refreshing....an excellent book to share with your children. The story is strong in its content, and the life examples of cause and effect, how one behavior causes negative results, and how a positive behavior can cause a positive result.

This legend brings the reader into the lives of an ancient people, and one young boy. You share the journey, and rejoice in the conclusion.

I have shared this book with many friends, all of whom enjoyed the book.

I would compare this book, in quality of writing and content, to Mary Stewart's "A Walk In Wolf Wood".

Douglas Preston wrote an engagingly funny but also historical account of his adventures and misadventures following Coronado's trail by horseback from the Mexican border in SE Arizona northeast to Pecos, NM. His anecdotes are entertaining and his historical accounts describe the region and peoples past and present accurately.It's a must read for people interested in southwestern history.

A thoroughly engrossing book summarizing Preston's journey following Coronado's route to the New World. I couldn't put it down! I fell in love with the people he met and the places he went. I had my map out beside me as I read the book. The history, geography,and geology were incredible. The accounts from Coronado and others of his time were engrossing. The fate of the Indians they encountered was troubling. Does it not foreshadow our own fate?

I thought that the book really keeps the reader interested. But, the author seems to be trying to pass himself off as a hero. Some of the most famous or notorious inmates of the riot were not even mentioned. Overall, it is an interesting book and well worth the price.

This book was an excellent account of one of the worst prison riots of all time. It kept me awake at night, for two reasons: I could not put the book down, and it is truly horrible to read about the heinous things human beings will do to one another. What makes it all the more sobering is to know that is all true and really happened. This is not the product of some over-active imagination. The book gives the reader the feel of actually being in the thick of the mayhem, as well as the fear and confusion of not knowing what was happening from moment to moment. The author brings humanity to the characters, making you feel almost as if you know them. Highly recommended reading.

I agree. If you like Kay Scarpetta you will like Sylvia. I really enjoyed this wonderful book.

In New Mexico, a child driving a Honda crashes the car into a train. Miraculously the girl lives, but is unable to, or perhaps refuses to, explain who she is or why she was driving the car. The frustrated Santa Fe police assign forensic psychiatrist Sylvia Strange to learn what she can from the nameless child. Sylvia quickly finds out the hard way that the child is not mute when the little girl screams as she throws a punch at the doctor. Eventually, Sylvia learns that her very frightened patient's name is Serena.

As Sylvia gains the trust of the child, she realizes that the lass is scared that a demon is after her. Sylvia understands that Renzo Santos, a blood drinking hit man wants to take the kid out. It is up to Sylvia to help the child with her inner demons and her external devils if Serena is ever going to return to the land of the living and and become a healthy, well adjusted child.

The highly regarded Sarah Lovett (just read DANGEROUS ATTACHMENTS and ACQUIRED MOTIVES to realize the incredible depth and brilliance this author posesses) has written a brilliant Sylvia Strange mystery. A DESPERATE SILENCE is compelling and clever as a non-supernatural horror theme is weaved into the story line without taking away from the horror, dread, and ultimately fear associated with the human blood sucker. Adding to the delight of this tale is the way Sylvia (and ultimately the audience) gains some insight intoto her own childhood and parentage. Thisenables readers to understand the doctor's motives better. This book is a great addition to one of the most notable series in the psychological who-done-it sub-genre.

Harriet Klausner

I usually enjoy Karen Harper's books, but this time in EMPTY CRADLE she stretched credibility too much. First, the reason Alexis wanted to become pregnant was too far fetched. Then, as fragile as the pregnancy was supposed to be, Alexis was practically a G.I. Jane with all her heroics. Also,the relationship with her mother and with Nick were not too believable either. Admittedly I read and read until I finished the book, but I enjoyed DARK ROAD HOME a whole lot more and BLACK ORCHID was terrific.

Just before Geoff McCall died during the Gulf War, he had some of his sperm frozen so in case something tragic happened to him, his beloved spouse Alexis could still have the child they always wanted. Alexis, a TV anchorwoman, turns to the Santa Fe Evergreen Clinic for help.

The clinic, run by Doctors Nathan and Jasmine Stanhope, are on the cutting edge of fertility research. Initially, Alexis is elated with what the charismatic medical duo tells her. However, after becoming pregnant, she begins to see a nightmarish side to the clinic. She turns to nearby art dealer, Nick Destin, who she once did a TV piece on, for help. As their feelings for each other grows, so does the danger. Someone(s) wants to insure that the deepest skeletons of the New Mexico fertility clinic remains buried in the sands.

Karen Harper is one of the more dependable writers of romantic suspense in the nineties as her books are always top rate. Her current novel will please the fans of the genre as the lead protagonists are wonderful and very believable, The story line is fast-paced and loaded with suspense, especially having a vulnerable pregnant woman struggling against a highly regarded medical institution. EMPTY CRADLE is a fulfilling terrifying yet romantic tale.

Harriet Klausner

I picked this book up at the library because my 5 year old daughter is named Maya. I thought she might like it. Well, thankfully I read it first, because it was too much for a child of that age. It was too scarey. Having said that, one of the other reviewers said he had read it to his 7th graders. I think this book would be great for maybe 4th grade and up.

Rudolfo A. Anaya's wonderful re-telling of the familiar folktale is just in time for the begining of Hisapanic Awareness Month, and is a perfect prelude to the Halloween season.

I used this book as a "read-aloud" book for my 7th graders and they were mesmerized by the story and the beautiful illustrations. This book helped my students understand perspective, mood, setting and other literary terms. There was some discussion about the different men that helped Maya, the title character, create her children, but the fact that she was the immortal daughter of the sun god, and had her children over a span of time made Maya, "La Llorona" more plausible to them.

This book provided the impetus for genuine discussion among my students, and left them yearning to read more of Mr. Anaya's work.

I read this book when I was pregnant with my daughter, and was, in fact, considering naming her Maya before I read this book. The story offers a very mystical and beautiful stance to the legend of La Llorona, and, although somewhat haunting, the pictures really emphasized the message that the story was trying to convey.

Craig Childs' writng is lyrical, personal, dramatic. He lives a life I wish I'd known I wanted to live when I was able to do so. Every one of his books is in my library. Last year I gave at least a half-dozen copies of 'The Secret Knowledge of Water' to friends and family. I look forward with keen anticipation to vicariously participating in his next set of adventures.

So what happened this time? Craig finds and reveals to his readers what it is that he searches for out there in the desert wilderness. Maybe I didn't like so much introspection. I know more about his friends and their private lives than I want to know. And (I don't want to sound prudish...everything has its place) I really don't want to know the color of his wife Regan Choi's various body parts.

That said, I must also say that I think it would be impossible to read anything by this author that does not inspire and impress. He is a gifted, very gifted, writer. And he is a crazy-man explorer of the wild places that are left in this world.

I read a lot of outdoor books, and I have to say this is one of the best that I have read in ages. Craig Childs lives, breaths, eats "wild." He writes with a clarity that makes me feel like I am alongside him -- and with a passion that is contagious. I am already planning a trip to visit some of the places he writes about. In the meantime, I'll nurse my desires by trying some of his other books.

I heard about this book on NPR and living in the area decided to read it. I have read several books about this area and the desert, in general and this is one of the best. Up there with Edward Abbey's books, but nowhere near as acidic. I have not yet read Child's other books, but he gives a great insight into the vastness of this area, both phyiscally and mentally. From someone who came to this area from back east, I recommend this book to anyone who would wonder why people would want to come to this area to live and work.