I have enjoyed this cookbook so much, that it has become my current favorite hostess gift! The recipes are wonderful, and I appreciate the variety of the suggested menus. Most of all, this book educates the reader with "Chefs Corner" tips and a lengthy explanation of southwestern cooking terms and proceedures. Learning how to properly roast vegetables has given a healthy boost to my repetoire, as well as introductions to other southwestern staples.The pictures are also very appealing~ this is just a delightful cookbook that I would highly recommend to anyone with an interest in colorful, healthy food.

I have used several of the menus, and have received rave reviews from all my guests. Everything I have made was FLAVORFUL,TASTY AND INTERESTING. Many of the recipes easily lend themselves to advance preparation - I prefer to spend time with my guests, and not cooking in the kitchen. There are recipes for all levels of expertise, and my 12-year old daughter has made several of the dishes. The recipes interpret historic Santa Fe cuisine in an innovative contemporary style. I am so happy to have added Summer in Santa Fe to my cookbook collection....

This absolutely gorgeous book immediately brought back memories of an idyllic summer stay I once enjoyed in Santa Fe. While the recipes themselves are quite nice, it is the photography, history of the city, and evocative intros to each section of the book that make this cookbook really stand out. The layout and design of the pages beautifully conjure the city too, with southwestern woodcut borders decorating each page. From the ripe, prettily plated blueberries on the cover, to the darling little boy in the giant sombrero in the fiesta section, this book is truly a feast for the eyes!

Almost more of an historical novel than a Western, Chalk's Woman by David Ballantine is, actually, both -- and authentic in both spheres! Its characters are alive and non-stereotypical; its men are 'Western', but Human (good and bad Human) and not cardboard formulated -- and often rare specimens; its women (and the hero is a civil-war innocent injured woman) are beautifully characterized and sensitively portrayed, believable and important. Excellent plot; excellent writing--;totally enjoyable and VERY interesting. I genuinely recommend it -- and I am not, normally, a 'Western reader or buyer! Book deserves a lot more attention than it has gotten. Let yourself enjoy this one. (This si the first time I have ever bothgered to write a review on a book -- so I MUST think its really good!). A great gift! ...

A work of fiction, yes; a western , yes; a page turner, yes; but it is absolutely believable; it has the ring of truth, of history, of biography. It opens with one of the most heartbreaking scenes I have ever read - the leveling of Vicksburg during the Civil War. Among the visions of the horrors of war this one must stand with the most convincing . CHALK'S WOMAN moves from the Civil War to pioneers crossing the continent : starvation, being lost in a snow storm, almost being killed by Indians, and on to frontier life in a small mining town. A whorehouse, bank robbers, a gun fight , and the rough justice of frontier law. There are no superheroes here. Just ordinary people slogging through a very tough life : sometimes mean, sometimes kind, sometimes almost heroic ; and, interestingly , almost all seeking to live by a moral and humane code. Episode by episode I believed that this is what the West of the 1860s was really like.

I really enjoyed this book! David Ballantine captured the feel of the time. I felt that I was there. The drama and characters were so real that I couldn't stop reading. It really is a page-turner! I hope that he does more books. This was a wonderful read!

I am going to visit Santa Fe for a few days and to do a job interview there. I wanted a book that would give me all the information I needed about Santa Fe and the surroundings so that I could come up with a list of places I wanted to visit, restaurants I wanted to eat at, and so on. I definitely recommend this book for those who want to be able to have a clear picture of where they want to go once they reach Santa Fe!

I love Santa Fe and have been there numerous times. I'm always looking for new aspects of the city to see. I like this guide book because it is not mearly a list of places to stay and eat. I agree with the places recommended as some of the highlights of the city. I look forward to my next trip to enjoy some of the new things I've read to do in Santa Fe and the surrounding areas.

We just got back from Santa Fe. This book was wonderful! It has history, what to see (museums, ruins, architecture), where to eat (an interesting list -- we didn't particularly use it because we had personal referrals). It had great tips -- like buy the 5-museum pass for slightly more than a one-museum, one-day pass. I was very pleased I'd read it BEFORE I went and it was very useful while we were there.

The Independent Reviews Site writes in their April / May 2001 review:// Vanity the cat chooses her ideal owners, visits the vet, falsifies her pedigree, and collaborates in writing a book. Accompanying these adventures is a string of delectable satires of human types indegenous, the author says, to Santa Fe. You will enjoy recognizing many of them yourself. The chapter on writing should be framed and hung next to the desk of any writer with a feline roomate.

In the first section of the book Vanity's charachter comes across with catly vigor and playfulness. In the second half Vanity goes sking, leads a museum tour, attends City Council, and gets a job. She wears clothes and does the culture circuit. No more satire, this is fantasy; and the jokes are all about cat conceit.

DIARY OF A SANTA FE CAT is a book to choose by subject and location. Recommended dosage is to read the fisrt half straight through, taking time to savor. Once the book has changed character, pick it up for a quick chortle when you have a spare moment. You won't even have to take an allergy pill if you are allergic to cats, but if you are allergic to puns, medicate heavily before reading.

I'm not a cat person, but I still find Peggy van Hulsteyn's writing to be hilarious. She captures the fun of Santa Fe through the eyes of a cat -- and it works! If you've ever visited Santa Fe, if you want to visit Santa Fe, if you can spell "Santa Fe," you'll enjoy this book about the adventures of a mischievous cat at the center of attention in every chapter. A good gift book, a great choice to place in the guest room, or fun reading for anybody, cat lovers or not!

Readers older than 10 might be wary of books with animal protagonists, but "Diary of a Santa Fe Cat" is the exception that proves the rule. Peggy van Hulsteyn's grasp of what is amusing in the antics of concho-belted, squash blossom-necklaced nouveau-Santa Feans is keen, as is her understanding of cats. She skewers Santa Fe prentensions with a deadly aim as she describes "The Great Earth Mother... decked out in a calico long swaying skirt with combat boots barely visible beneath it" and another, "recently arrived from Oklahoma" with "four rings on every finger and a kachina doll picture embroidered on her blue jean jacket"... wearing "Santa Fe designed cowboy boots."

Left at an animal shelter by her unfeeling owners, Vanity the cat is adopted by the perfect New Age Santa Fe couple, who carry her to their "adobe abode" where she dines on tuna tacos and uses a Georgia O'Keeffe-designed litter box. Presenting their new pet with her personal Crystal Healing Meditation Center, the "pet humans" honor their new cat, who "by doing what comes naturally" is one of "the spiritual gurus of Santa Fe."

Vanity casts her devastating feline eye on the excesses of Santa fe style with uproarious results.

I have used this recipe book practically every day for the past 4 months. There is not one recipe that was a disappointment. Most were fantastic. They salsas are out of this world! Best of all I have lost 12 pounds!! Every day my husband says "This is the best dinner I have ever had." I just ordered two more books for my daughter and daughter-in-law.

This has become our favorite cookbook. I like spicey food, but not overly hot spicey food, and these receipes are perfect. Our favs: Lime-Curry Chicken Breast (pg 228), Spicy Mango Salsa (pg 173 - with any grilled fish or chicken), Avocado & Jicama Salsa (pg 197 - again with any grilled fish or chicken).

The recipes are varied and quite ecclectic, but remain easy to prepare. The instructions are detailed and most of the ingredients are readily available. This is definately the cookbook I use the most!

There is no doubt in my mind or on my tongue that this cook book has absolutely the best recipes for SW Territorial Cuisine. When you dine in Santa Fe or Taos, this is the food you eat in private homes or at the best restaurants. The meals are totally authentic. Dent takes you through time and tradition providing descriptions of ingredients and preparation methods that are sure to get your juices flowing! There isn't a better reference. I've given over a dozen of these books to people who have commented on my enchiladas and green chile. Go for it without hesitation!

This is a splendid book that is both entertaining and informative. The advice on how to choose fresh, ripe produce is very helpful as many of the ingredients mentioned may be foreign to readers.

I have used this cookbook for over 5 years and I still find new things to try. Today I showed this book to my in-laws and they were so excited to see long forgotten recipies from their childhood. I will now buy another copy to give my father-in-law otherwise he will have me make all his favorites everytime he visits.

The staircase was an excellent book. I was reading this for a children's literature class and I am glad I picked this book. I love the character of Lizzy. She goes through so much in this book and you can't help but be on her side when Elinora tries to get her in trouble. Lizzy does not care how others thing of her she just wants to get out of the all girls' school. This is an excellent book for children to read. The plot was very interesting and exciting. The characters are likeable and true to life, Rinaldi's writing is very descriptive. This story is about friendship, families, and lessons of life. This book would be an excellent read aloud. It introduces friendships and how to learn to be on your own.

Lizzy Enders feels abandoned in Santa Fe when her father and the remainder of their wagon train to Colorado leave in the middle of the night. Though not exactly alone in the convent school, Lizzy is certainly an outsider, the only Methodist and labeled as a heretic by Mother Magdalene. Add to that the fact that her own mother has just died on the Trail and left without a proper burial. Consider also the fact that she is outcast by the other girls in the convent, including her nemesis, Elinora who has traveled the Trail with her from Independence. The Staircase is more than a story about one girl's acceptance and perseverance in a life that is less than charmed, though. It is a story of hoping for miracles, but more importantly of realizing miracles, even when they do not come in the packaging one expected to find them. Heart-warming and based on the story of the Chapel of Loretto's fabled staircase from the late 1870's, another exceptional offering by Rinaldi.

I read my first Ann Rinaldi book when I was 12 years old. I give her credit for my love of history. I continue to read her books, because I know I will get a good story and "Staircase" is no exception. Lizzy Enders is on her way West with her family and their charge, Elinora. When Lizzy's mother dies, life, as she has known it, is over. Elinora is to be taken to a Catholic convent school where her uncle is Bishop. Lizzy expects to leave with her father, but is left behind. There, she learns some hard lessons in life and how to take the good with the bad, with a little help from friends.

Rinaldi, in her classic style has taken an event in history and built a wonderful, captivating story around it. No matter how old I get, as long as she keeps writing, I will be reading. I highly suggest you do the same. If you are have never read her books before, this is a great place to start.

After hearing about this book, I ordered it to read before visiting Santa Fe for the first time. Alas, my husband picked it up first and interrupted a best seller he was in the process of reading to read Hutchison's delightful book. I was finally able to read it and enjoyed it just as much as my husband had. The book is full of interesting characters and has a surprise ending. We are both looking forward the the next book by Mr. Hutchison.

Howard Spoon, disenchanted with his sober ordinary existence, left his job and life in the Mid-West, and headed to New Mexico in search for a change. Some say Howard was going through a mid-life crisis, but I think it was more like a sexual identity crisis. What he discovered was more exciting and revealing than he could of imagined. Always anticipating Howard's next thrilling ordeal, I didn't want to put down the book until it was finished. This book was very fun to read and was so well written, it made reading it notably easy.

This book came highly recommended to me,so I bought a copy along with a Franz Liszt cd after church one sunday. I slipped the cd in the player and thought I would read a little of the book and then come back later and finish it. I could not put the book down! With orchestral arrangements of liszt in the background I spent two hours of absolute and total delight with howard spoon, the main character of the story. There were four times I laughted out loud and I found myself constantly smiling and feeling better the more I read. I felt relaxed and entertained for two days after finishing the book and I will never look at sante fe the same again. I can hardly wait for ron's next book. The book is not very long, it is well worth the money, and it afforded me the most relaxed and enjoyable two hours I have spent in a long time. Everytime I think about that story I can't keep from smiling and I feel "good all over" all over again.

One of his best books. I have been a Morrell fan for years, and the suspense and action in this book reminded me why. This book combines al of the things that makes Morrell a great author; it has loads of suspense, and action. Plus it has the human side; of love, and compassion which I find in many of his books.

This was the first book I read by Morrell, and it compelled me to..order all his others!! The action is fast and the situations are realistic. Moreover, the main character is well portrayed and believable in his desire to leave his CIA operative lifestyle behind, and in his attempts to return to a "normal" life, only to be forced to revert to his much needed survival skills. I found the combination of fast paced thriller and romance very successful, since many novels don't blend the two well. I give this book five stars!

David Morrell kept me glued to the pages as the action never stopped, although I began to wonder, as repeated explosions and gunshots assailed his eardrums (and the character kept mentioning the effect on his hearing), whether he wouldn't be totally stone deaf by the end of the book. Our hero survived everything from being thrown over a cliff tied up with a plastic bag over his head, disguised as a dead body, to demolishing whole rooms-full of bad guys with lethal use of fireplace tools that crunch bone and throats. Sylvester Stallone, this is your kinda book. Hey, it's my kinda book too.