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Rating: 
Summary: ~A journalist, a hitman and a beautiful senorita~
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Just what the doctor ordered for a beach read in Mexico
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Just what the doctor ordered for a beach read in Mexico
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A wild and wonderful read.
Review: Robert James Walker is best known for his famed romance novel, "The Bridges of Madison County." His writing consistently penetrates the passions and emotions of his readers - Puerto Vallarta Squeeze is no exception. In the famed Mexican resort town the lead character, a novelist with three strike, Danny Pastor, waits for a new infusion of inspiration to come to him. Until it does he lives down in Mexico "squandering life." He and his beautiful "Puerto Vallarta Squeeze", Maria de la Luz Santos, find themselves witnessing an polished and professional assassination. This is the beginning a thriller, killer a ride across Mexico to the American boarder. This fast-past, page turning thriller blends Robert Walkers hallmark of passionate storytelling with a contemporary Bonnie and Clyde twist. A wild and wonderful read.
Rating: 
Summary: Muder, Mayhem , & Lust
Review: 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
Rating:
Summary: Great setting, plot, and writing skill
Review: 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."
Rating:
Summary: Great setting, plot, and writing skill
Review: 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."
Rating: 
Summary: Unbelievable....
Review: 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.
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