Being from Mannhattan NY. I am unfamiliar with south western style cooking as it is really supposed to be. I was recently given this book by a friend as a CHRISTMAS GIFT. I was'nt sure if I could achieve success in the kitchen with this book as I am adept at making matzaballs and corned beef and potatoes being of New York Jewish descent and all. After trying some of the recipies like Chile Colorado and Tortillas I felt like a pro. A regular Latina Kitchen sensation. The recipies are easy to follow and well written. The south western familiy history told by the author actually makes me feel like I am part of the culture as I read the tales that Mrs. Romero weaves about her heritage. Excellent book you'll love it.

I am a native of New Mexico and have loved the cooking of this region all my life. Having moved to Arizona as a young child, it was hard to find mexican food that tastes like "New Mexican" food. There is a difference and reading this book and using the recipes have allowed me to taste the original flavors in my own home. Not only are the recipes original and delicious, but the story of this family is especially interesting and in itself "flavorfull". Great book!

What a great book! Ms. Romero has included some fantastic, authentic dishes that are tasty and easy to prepare. I'm a guy and not all that gifted in the kitchen, but her book makes me look like a hero with all of my family and friends. I told my wife that my recipes are family recipes--I just didn't tell her whose family.

The family history in the book is extremely interesting, too.

You should buy this book and get cooking.

This is a beautiful love story and very informative historically
The author describes events and characters like you were really there and knew these people.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. I couldn't hardly put the book down.This author is very impressive.

The author grabs your attention by setting you right in the excitement of New Mexico becoming a state, as seen through the eyes of a young woman and her family. Mardee has a captivating personality that draws you into her adventures and her loves, with an ambition beyond her era. The history of NM and descriptions of her beautiful mountains are wonderfully woven throughout the book. You won't want to put the book down. I am waiting for a sequel.

"Girl of the Manzanos" is an amazing story. Even though I am not finished reading it yet, this story grabbed my attention the first time I picked it up to read it. This story is insightful, and I think young boys, and especially young girls, can relate to the main character, Mardee. Barbara Spencer Foster did an amazing job writing "Girl of the Manzanos." It was obviously hard work writing such a good story, but she managed to do it successfully. I think everyone should read "Girl of the Manzanos."

I really enjoyed learning about the characters in this book, the first 3 really blend together as you get to know them. The last book was even more exciting and I could hardly put it down, it stayed within my thoughts until I could finish it!! Cant wait to read the Sunset series.

Four stories in one book and all are good! The first three deal with the same general cast but each features a different family. The last story is detached from the first three and actually sounds like a different author or certainly a different slant.

A Place to Belong features the life of Maggie, a wealthy young woman who refuses to be united with her estranged father. Only a threatened kidnapping changes her mind and subsequently her life. Perfect Love highlights the lives of Lillie and Dr. Daniel Monroe. Both have suffered horrible loss. Both are unbending when it comes to personal wants. The author does a fine job blending their complicated lives. Tender Journeys is Jenny's story. Actually, the reader may be a tad confused at the placement of this story in the book but finally one gets the connection. Jenny was orphaned by Apache Indians and hates them completely until she is forced to live with them. I was completely surprised in this one. Several excellent twists finally are evident even though the storyline moves somewhat slowly in places. The last story, The Willing Heart is the life of Zandy and Riley. He is the one character you can detest. Easily. Corrupt and wealthy from gambling and owning the whole town, he always gets what his money and power can buy. The one thing that is out of his reach is Zandy. Although she and her family suffer horribly for her moral standards, the outcome of the last book is definitely worth the whole thing.

Book 2 is titled New Mexico Sunset which I have already purchased. Way to go Tracie, and thanks for some excellent Christian Fiction reading!

I picked up New Mexico Sunrise and took a chance on an author I had not read before. The four seperate novels were page turners and I ended up reading a novel a day. I had to keep reading to see how it would all end. The first three stories are about characters that show up in each, but with a different lead character. The last story is totally unrelated to the other three and doesn't even take place in New Mexico. The characters are appealing, with the exception of Riley in the last story, just keep reading for some surprises in that one. The romances are each unique and pleasing to read.

I borrowed 3 books related to xeriscaping from the library. This was an absolute find, well-organized, full color pictures, with water, soil and sun requirements listed. I chose it as my one MUST have book.

Southwest gardeners who live in very dry areas will benefit from Mary Rose Duffield and Warren Jones' Plants For Dry Climates, an informative, "user friendly" book which tells how to build and maintain a landscape on very little water. Plants For Dry Climates and a focus on organizing a planting area based on usage makes for a title which tells how plants can improve the climate around one's house.

The plant dictionary is very thorough, and helpful.The color photos are an excellent tool for someone who is unfamiliar with plants for dry regions. Information is easy to find, and to the point.

Dr. Tara Fairfield, a young anthropologist, is on a quest to find her father, renegade tabloid journalist, Drew Fairfield, who has missed most of her life, but most notably has been missing for the last two years. Tara has received a letter from Drew containing photos and artifacts which she believes might be proof of the existence of a secret society of shamans hidden deep in the New Mexico desert. Either this, or it is an elaborate hoax, perpetuated by her father, who is not above foregoing integrity for a good story. To uncover the truth, she leaves her young daughter and travels to New Mexico, where her search leads her through a shamnic journey to find her own soul. She meets spirit guides who shape-shift and take her to places beyond the tangible world she knows. An old friend of her father's who has returned to his Zuni childhood origins, teaches her the way of the Medicine Wheel. She is at once the teacher and the taught as she takes the reader on a magical voyage between worlds, all the while tripping over her own skepticism. With an old shaman, she journeys to meet the crone, Mongwa, who tells her "You are a messenger. You have no choice." Tara's mission is to bring back to her world the teachings of the "fifth world," where understanding the Spiritual Source eliminates all appearance of separation between time, place, and physical identity. Bennett's writing is visually stunning, taking the reader into the quiet beauty of the desert mesa and deep into the caves hidden high on the cliffs. A masterful storyteller, he weaves spell-binding adventure and spiritual revelation. This book begs for a sequel.

A few months ago and quite by chance, I ran onto this author/writing instructor in the strangest way. I was surfing the Internet and happened to find this website for writers. It's a very informative website with a little bit of everything for everyone in the literary world. I clicked on the discussion board to see what was happening. I'm not one to join a discussion group because I don't have the time, but like I said, the website is full of writing information. The discussion group actually has comments posted by published authors, giving helpful information to the fledgling writers. In so doing, these published authors not only have my respect, they have my attention. After reading some of the informative posts by Hal Bennett, I was impressed with what he had to say. I sent him an e-mail conveying my compliments. Being a man of intelligence and good manners, Bennett thanked me via an e-mail, thus allowing me access to his website by his reply. I think I would have eventually found it anyway, but it saved me a lot of time. Bennett's book on "Write From The Heart" took my attention first and I ordered it. Very impressive. I concluded the man knew how to write a non-fiction book on the subject of writing. I rated him as being in the caliber of Brande, another great one. So, figuring he knew how to write non-fiction and hold my interest, I'd find out if he could write fiction and still hold my interest. I'm a romantic by nature, always have been, but I'll read anything that's well written, whether it's mystery, suspense, self-help, non-fiction, etc. For a long time, I've stuck with the really big name authors, but eventually I think we all live and learn. I'm pretty gutsy and I'll venture spending the price of a book by any author who has my attention and interest. I don't know if you'd call it cheating when you open a book to the center or the end and read a few excerpts to determine whether it's a good book or not, but I'm famous for doing this. I DIDN'T DO THIS WITH "SPIRIT CIRCLE". I started on page one and read through to the end. I hardly put the book down until I finished reading it. The story was very different and touched me deeply. Bennett writes a book like I would venture to say he teaches writing, straight from his heart. The story plot, the characters, the vivid description of beautiful setting, his vast knowledge of Native American culture and last, but not least, the superb editing of this book, makes it an excellent read. Bennett is very gifted and well-educated, and quite obviously in good standing with his Muse. I do highly recommend this book to anyone.

This is a novel about Tara Fairfield who is an anthropologist at a university. She leaves her comfortable job to search for her outrageous, adventruous father who has been missing for 2 yrs. She travels to New Mexico to catch his trail and is caught up in a series of intriguing events that force her to confront her own identity. The professor part of Tara slowly surrenders to her intuitive self and she embraces a new, deeper vision of the meaning and purpose of her life. Essentially, she stops studying life and begins to live in a new way. Spirit Circle is a really classic shamanic story, told in an original, exciting way that brings out the mystery of the ancient mystical traditions of the Southwest. The heroine's adventure is an initiantion--she doesn't find her goal, she become it, and eventually recognizes and accepts her destiny. This is a fast-moving adventure story with great characters, which you don't find much in novels with spiritual themes. It has a surprise ending with a truly powerful message that reaches far back in time. What I particularly like is that this book teaches the basics of shamanism while it entertains. I'd recommend it highly for anyone who wants to find out more about the shamanistic traditions and actually experience what it can teach us about the inner truths of our lives.

Richard Trimble's Trail of the Wolf is a good read with an important message between the covers.

The book is set in the old Southwest, with a set of very believable characters, good, bad, and all varieties in between. The author has clearly done his homework on the geography, customs, and language.

I won't give too much away, but the substance of the book is an exploration of a what if: What if a town in the New Mexico Territory had fallen for one of the great public policy delusions of contemporary America? The consequences are disaster. Trimble's working out of the ramifications are exciting, well-hewn, and illuminating.

I hope the author has more books like this one in him.

Westerns have never been my thing - I can take them or leave them. This one was hard to put down. I became involved with the characters and stayed on the trail with Blackie. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read!!!! I can't wait for another book by this author.

If you like westerns, "Trail of the Wolf" is a refreshing new look at what the west was really like. It is written in a style that does not follow the same old worn-out western formula. In fact, it is more than a western. Action, adventure, human nature, are all in this book. The author paints such a realistic picture of the late 1870's west; it's like he was an eyewitness to the events portrayed in the book.

The story is set in the New Mexico Territory in 1878, in the quite little town of Gold Creek. There is a cause and effect to all our actions. What happens when the residents get complacent about their lives brings to light what can happen in any age, not just "the Wild West".

This is a story that is as fresh as this morning's newspaper. I couldn't put it down until I finished. There are very few books today that I can say that about. If you want a book that will hold your interest, entertain, and give you an insight into human nature, this is a book you should not pass up. A great read.

If Frank Lloyd Wright is King, than indeed Bart Prince is Prince. The photographs in the book are brilliant and Christopher Mead's Commentary is awesome and highly informative as well. Showing a lot into Bart Prince the man himself. I hope one day to own a Bart Prince Home.

A book as interesting as the funky forms it analizes. I have had the honour of both reading this book and attending Professor Mead's architecture retrospective class series. The book is filled with an incledibly informed, and informative text which is supported with excellent photos and diagrams. I highly reccomend this book for students of architecture, or just for an interesting read, and if you find yourself in the area of the University Of New Mexico, I highly suggest you do yourself the favour of sitting in on one of Professor Mead's lectures

This is a beautiful book, not only on the architecture of Bart Prince, but about Bart Prince himself. It is an excellent book, one of the few in which you can find information on him. It is very detailed. It is usually very hard to find such detailed information about modern architects who are still alive. The written as well as the visual parts are very well done. The photographs are excellent, including images of plans, sections, and elevations. Usually all that is out there on Bart Prince is just concentrated on the Price House , the Prince Residence and his own home, but on this book you will find much more than that. Here, everything is included, his life, his architecture, and his origins.

These two authors have taken much of the guess-work out of fly fishing new trout waters in Arizona. Their combined experience and knowledge have been put together to aid both beginner and experienced fly fishermen. Virtually every productive trout water in the state is covered, along with tips, techniques, directions, and tackle needed to be productive. The book is both fun and easy to read, plus extremely educational for the fly angler seeking to fish Arizona's trout waters. This is the much needed book that every fly fisherman/woman in Arizona has been waiting for. If you are even thinking about fishing in this state, read this book!

I would like to commend the authors for a great job on a book that has given the Arizona resident like myself a new outlook on fly-fishing. I am excited about using the plethera of information that I have, and cannot wait until I can put this information to work on my next outing. Thank you Charlie and John for a job well-done!!

Reading Arizona Trout Streams, I thought my spots were being exposed. But as I got into the feel of the writers tone, I felt as if I were reading something written by a friend who was sharing his secrets. The book is punctuated by Arizona Fly Anglers names, friends of the authors who wrote the book. A nice touch. Certainly most people like to see their name in print, especially a book on our subject. Organized by geographics, the pages move from one stream to another in good form. Not all streams are listed, just the ones that are well known, and a few that aren't. One of my favorite streams is listed. The author gives it a poor rating, and for this I am happy. It seems that his idea of a small stream rating and mine do not closely match. That is ok by me, life is not black and white. There are some streams that I haven't even heard of. I know the area where they drain, but I haven't heard of them through my information channels or in my wanderings. I have a log, even one a little more in depth than I show you online. I check the insect hatches in my notes, and the hatches listed in Arizona Trout Streams is dead on. My knowledge of entomology is limited, but what I do know, I can say that it certainly matches the book. That my friends is a great feeling because I feel so lost when it comes to the Latin part of flye angling. I would have paid more for color pictures, but the black and white photographs are excellent. The pictures in the book look like ones that we have all taken. For instance, the Haigler Creek photograph is what I am talking about. A good look at what the stream really is. There is a section on Lee's Ferry that has been fully researched. The history of Trout strains at this tailwater are discussed along with flys and techniques used. I am impressed that I could have learned so much from a paperback book written on my subject. (my ego, has been deflated! just kidding.) Again, what a great book. Arizona Trout Streams is a must own for every Arizona Fly Angler and anyone who wants to know more about our Trout Streams. If you are thinking about coming to Arizona, go and purchase this book. It will make your knowledge of our streams match even some of us who have fished here our whole lives. Thank you Charles Meck and John Rohmer for making such a great book. I have been sweating it for a long time, and now I know that I am indeed learning many things, along with some new streams.

Beyond Contentment is a book that is easy reading but can change a person's life. The book has appeal of being a contemporary novel of an adventure in the Pecos Wilderness. While I did not understand the meaning of the title when I made the selection, I looked forward to an episode of modern man against the wilderness. The story was suspenseful. However, I did not anticipate that the book would challenge the contentment that I had enjoyed in early retirement for two years.

As the main character, Blaine Wells, was developed in the story, I saw myself in him and began to question my own contented lifestyle. Two weeks after completing the book, I found myself vigorously engaged in volunteer work for a local charitable organization and enjoying a tremendous self-satisfaction that is beyond contentment. Could Beyond Contentment be a satirical writing aimed at exposing my own contentment as folly?

The book could just as easily be read as a primer for novices who want some training before becoming wilderness explorers. As Blaine Wells overcomes many challenges of the wilderness, it is evident that the writer is drawing from his own broad experiences of survival in the Pecos Wilderness. The descriptions of survival techniques are vivid enough that a Boy Scout can likely earn merit badges from copying actions of Blaine Wells.

The contemporary nature of the story is found in the character of Bradley Hawthorne, the antithesis of Blaine Wells. Hawthorne personifies mega-businesses that have emerged in recent years. The writer's extensive business background shows as he casts executives in roles that reflect both the management styles of a kinder, gentler era and those of a bolder, new time.

Two love stories woven into the book make a sequel to Beyond Contentment almost a certainty. What happens to a man's love for the wilderness? Can he leave it behind for a more civilized lifestyle? And what happens in a subtly developed relationship that emerges between Blaine Wells and Shana Matthews? If a reader does not find life beyond contentment in this book, certainly human passion survives for further development in the sequel.

Beyond Contentment is a book that appeals to a diverse group of readers: those desiring to reach out to a more satisfied lifestyle, those who have a love for the wilderness, those seeking to gain skills for survival, those facing change in their business cultures, and those readers who want nothing more than to have their minds pleasurably stimulated with an exciting novel.

March 25, 2001

This intriguing tale begins in the middle of a wilderness area in Northern New Mexico. An airplane crash interrupts the self-imposed exile of a man retreating from society and human contact. The brutal murder of his wife and daughter in their urban home left psychologist Blaine Wells with a deep hatred of the convicted, and imprisoned, youth who committed the crime. His solution was to isolate himself from human contact where he could no longer be a victim. He was encouraged to pursue this course by his need for independence, love of the outdoors, and the splendor of the scenery in his mountain home.

Forced by his conscience to investigate the crash, Blaine becomes a hero to the survivors. He rescues them not only from the perils of the wilds but also from a pair of deadly criminals who happen to come across the downed aircraft. Although two of the survivors reject Blaine's role as their only hope for survival, deep and lasting bonds are formed with the others. These relationships result in Blaine reconsidering his withdrawal from the human race. The results are heart-warming .

Beyond Contentment is a thoroughly engrossing story. The author is obviously intimately acquainted with the wilderness and all its wonders. His descriptions of the scenery and wildlife are so vivid that readers experience the awesome sights of the backwoods country.

This is an uplifting tale of survival - physical and spiritual. With the harsh beauty of the Pecos Wilderness as its backdrop, this story draws you through an incredible struggle with nature and morality. It all begins with the crash of a small plane in the heart of a vast forest, but you must decide where it will end. Is it enough to be content in life, or should you risk the pain and reach for something more? I really enjoyed the splendor and power of nature in this book. I didn't realize that there are still places in America so wild and remote. I think I learned a bit about survival - more than I have from Survivor. This story, however, goes far beyond the battle to simply stay alive. That is what makes it so special. It reminds you how to live!

A terrific book, full of lots of photos and colour reproductions of advertising posters etc. Was dissappointed in that it had no detail on the actual trains re locos and consists etc, but more on the PR side of the Chiefs. If you are after more in depth detail I recommend the book "Santa Fe Streamliners" the Chiefs and their Tribesmen by Karl Zimmermann. A must have addition for the set.

In Santa Fe: The Chief Way, railroading enthusiasts Robert Strein, John Vaughan, and C. Fenton Richards Jr. collaborate to present an informative and totally engaging presentation of the famed Santa Fe railroad, and its legendary"Chief" locomotives that powered the trains along the New Mexico terrains. Blending historic photography with period advertisements, and thematic artwork, Santa Fe: The Chief Way is a welcome and much appreciate contribution to any American railroading history collection. Also available in a hardcover format (0937206717), Santa Fe: The Chief Way is an ideal giftbook for railroad buffs as well.

Robert Strein, John Vaughan, and Fenton Richards effectively collaborate to provide an informative and fascinating history of the Santa Fe railroad in Santa Fe - The Chief Way. Illustrated throughout with many unique historical photographs enhancing the "reader friendly" text, we are presented with highlights of those prestigious trains and their luxurious accommodations on the Santa Fe run. A welcome and highly recommended addition to any railroad buff's collection, Santa Fe - The Chief Way also touches upon the railroad hires of Native Americans guides to ride the trains through New Mexico for the edification of the passengers, as well as citing the film stars and cinematic moments associated with Santa Fe railroading history.