"Alert for danger, Laura Roth stands at the door of her sod house, anxiously watching a lone rider cantering toward her across the prairie. Dismounting, he removes his hat and bows slightly. His eyes-in striking contrast to his dark skin, black hair and beard-are an intense blue. He returns her gaze honestly. She sees nothing to fear.

As she dips a cup of water from the barrel by the door and offers it to the weary traveler, Laura never dreams that she and this man would share a mutual secret to the grave."

Thus begins the saga of John and Laura Roth and their descendents; their hopes and dreams, trials and tribulations through 110 years on the sweeping Kansas plains.

We meet:

Eva, spoiled and willful, who "does what she has to do" to survive the depression.

Silas, who chooses an unorthodox way to deal with his wife's infidelity.

Gerald who, haunted by a phantom from a boyhood indiscretion, also harbors a lifelong secret.

And more.

The land, located on the western fringe of "The Heartland," one of the richest wheat and gas producing regions in the world, is a significant protagonist in this Southwest Kansas saga.

Nursing sunburns and sipping margaritas, we lazed away the afternoon on our private patio overlooking the beach at the Playa Del Rey Hotel. The sun cast shimmering rainbows on the sea and scorching rays on the hot white sand and on sunbathers sprawled on bright colored towels. Young, bikini-clad mothers watched their Norte-Americano children play in the surf while, down the beach, native children, delving for clams, pawed the wet sand like rat terriers digging for prey. Grimy buckets filled, they disappeared back into the slums of the city. Bored with the beach, with margaritas, tired of nursing sunburns, we decided to walk up the narrow, sandy trail back of the hotel-used mostly by service vehicles and the comings and goings of hotel employees-to the Playa Mazatlan where we could enjoy a cool drink while browsing the indoor shops. We might even venture further north where the beach was not yet spoiled by hotels, houses and tourists. We set out barefoot, carrying slip-ons and a bottle of water which we sipped from time to time. We had walked about a hundred yards when we came upon a makeshift sign. On a rough board, nailed to a post, which leaned precariously in the sand, a crude black arrow pointed north. Scrawled beneath, in English, were the words "171/2 Big Steps.&quo

While on a mid-winter holiday in the Yucatan Peninsula-a graduation gift from her parents-Megan Lockridge finds herself stranded on an idyllic tropical beach. Playa Gloriosa provides everything she dreamed of in a vacation-friends, fun and games-and romance. Two incredibly attractive gentlemen vie for her attentions; Francisco, an amorous Latino who arouses emotions she never dreamed she was capable of and Kevin, a handsome New York advertising agent who, she suspects, might turn out to be the love of her life. Megan, however, finds it difficult to relax and enjoy her holiday because of several strange incidents, not the least of which is that, for some mysterious reason, she is prevented from leaving. Frustrated and desperate, she finally escapes only to find herself taken hostage by a drug lord. A wild car chase follows resulting in an accident. As Megan recuperates in a luxurious Caribbean seaside villa her true love is revealed by an unexpected turn of events.

Woodland Circle, a cul de sac in the retirement community, Paradise Village, is not Wisteria Lane. However, no household is without its secrets, concerns and agendas. What our friends do not know is that a newcomer-an author who chose the peace and quiet of Paradise Village to write a book-is writing it all down. Cul de Sac is a book about a writer writing a book about life in a retirement village-and it isn't all sweet dreams and roses. As can be expected with this age group, all does not end "happily ever after." Although the book addresses issues concerning aging, the subject is treated lightly. The unique personalities of the characters, their foibles and escapades hold the attention of the reader who will find not only humor, but also romance and intrigue. This is not only an enjoyable read, but also an excellent character study and a portrayal of retirement life worthy of note.

"Alert for danger, Laura Roth stands at the door of her sod house, anxiously watching a lone rider cantering toward her across the prairie. Dismounting, he removes his hat and bows slightly. His eyes-in striking contrast to his dark skin, black hair and beard-are an intense blue. He returns her gaze honestly. She sees nothing to fear.

As she dips a cup of water from the barrel by the door and offers it to the weary traveler, Laura never dreams that she and this man would share a mutual secret to the grave."

Thus begins the saga of John and Laura Roth and their descendents; their hopes and dreams, trials and tribulations through 110 years on the sweeping Kansas plains.

We meet:

Eva, spoiled and willful, who "does what she has to do" to survive the depression.

Silas, who chooses an unorthodox way to deal with his wife's infidelity.

Gerald who, haunted by a phantom from a boyhood indiscretion, also harbors a lifelong secret.

And more.

The land, located on the western fringe of "The Heartland," one of the richest wheat and gas producing regions in the world, is a significant protagonist in this Southwest Kansas saga.