Product Description
There are many wonderful creatures on earth - and even more incredible ways to describe them. With more collective nouns for animal groups than anyone else in the world, from a Business of Ferrets to a Wobble of Ostriches (not forgetting, of course, an Implausibility of Gnus) Alon Shulman's "A Mess of Iguanas, A Whoop of Gorillas" will tell you what to call a group of zebras, chickens, parrots, spiders, tigers or penguins the next time you encounter one - and will even let you know the difference between a school and a shoal of fish. Not to mention why groups of swans are known as a lamentation, a bank and a wedge. It will also tell you the most outlandish, strange yet completely accurate animal facts you can imagine. For example, did you know that polar bears are invisible to infra-red because they have transparent fur? Or that hippopotamus can't swim? Or that ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand? Filled with everything you could ever want to know about the creatures that inhabit our world, this brilliant compendium of animal curiosities is perfect for pub quizzers, language buffs, wannabe know-it-alls and any readers aged, well ...8 to 80. ... Read more

Product Description
The petnapping of a puppy and an iguana leads Kendra Ballantyne to her Southern California pet-sitting club, where she learns of other foul play. Then a fellow pet-sitter turns up bludgeoned to death. Kendra has her suspicions, but it soon appears she's barking up the wrong tree. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

painful to read
I have purchased and read (and enjoyed) all of the other books in Linda O. Johnson's Kendra Ballantyne series but I had a difficult time forcing myself to finish "Fright of the Iguana" and I don't know if I'd be willing to purchase another book by the author. This one was just too badly written. I don't know what has happened. Every sentence contains either a painful cliché, is loaded with at least two adjectives for every noun, or awkwardly employs long words where more common ones would have worked just as well.

I try to be generous in reviewing genre mysteries, the writing doesn't have to be top drawer to get a positive review from me if the story is enjoyable, but the writing in "Fright of the Iguana" is so dreadful, I couldn't tell you if the story was good or not, I was that distracted by the poor writing quality.

I can say Kendra is unlikeable in this outing, her thoughts seem to be entirely selfish in any interaction she has with other characters, the other characters are described almost universally with a judgmental slant and Kendra's romantic relationships are too much of the story. And let me tell you, if I had a pet sitter who waited to inform me "later" and by email that my dog was missing, *I* would be the one in trouble for murder! But that's what Kendra does.

Very disappointing.

Small Print, be warned!
Kendra Ballantyne is a pet sitter extraordinaire until one of her best client's pet comes up missing on her watch.The ransom note found on the iguana cage says don't contact the police, but Kendra needs help and calls in her favorite homicide detective, and her ex-boyfriend Jeff, a PI.While her goal is to stay out of his arms while they find the pet-napper, she also wants to stay alive.When she is attacked physically she knows she must find the villain.

This is the fifth in a cute and cozy series, Linda O. Johnston has created the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mystery Series, and as always this one is funny and intense.Kendra may be a lawyer but when it comes to animals she focuses her attention on keeping them safe.Kendra's fast thinking, witty comebacks and a cast of cute animals and characters make this an enjoyable read.

This reader's biggest problem with this mystery was the amount of romance.Kendra spends a lot of time trying to stay out of the arms of both Jeff and her vet, Tom.This left this reader feeling like this one might be a cross-over into the romance field.

One warning to readers:The print in this book is TINY...Be prepared for eye strain, even while laughing at Kendra's antics this reader could not get past the small typeface used.

Review Courtesy of LoveRomancesandmore

Satisfying cozy mystery
Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann

This is the fifth in this cute and cozy series-a Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mystery

Kendra Ballantyne, attorney and pet-sitter, must deal with a series of pet nappings-and a murder! Two of her charges, the pets of high-powered Hollywood producers, are kidnapped. While Kendra does call in the police and the media, she is able to help the owner get them back by paying an exorbitant ransom.

Then Nya, a colleague, is found bludgeoned to death! Other members of Kendra's professional association, the PSCSC (Pet-Sitters Club of Southern California) have experienced client pet nappings, and Nya was investigating, apparently, when she was killed in the home of one of Tracy Owen's clients.

Tracy is the active and dedicated president of the club. Tracy and Nya's boyfriend, Jerry Jefferton, are the main suspects. While trying to solve both the kidnappings and the murder, find the missing pets, and solve a particularly difficult pet custody case, Kendra must also try and decide what to do about the two handsome and attentive men in her life, PI Jeff Hubbard and veterinarian Tom Venson.

Her favorite pet-sitting employee, Rachel, is accused of theft while taking her dog to a local nursing home, and also comes to Kendra for help. Worries that her beloved dog Lexie might be targeted, makes this work especially hard for Kendra.

The characters, both human and animal, are well-drawn, and the details of the pet law cases and the pet sitting business are interesting. This is a series I will keep on reading!

NOTE: Lexie does exist--the dog of author Linda Johnson! She is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Armchair Interviews says: A cute story for a fun read.

Predictable
I didn't care for this installment of the series as much as the others. The book was very predictable with the culprit's identity obvious from the first time they appeared in the book.

While Kendra is not a character I care much for, I found her unlikeable in this story. The ambivalence towards Jeff didn't seem to have any basis since his ex-wife is now out of the picture. I also got really tired of seeing the word "sexy" -- his sexy eyes, his sexy shoulders, his sexy jeans, the "sexy bites" Kendra took out of her sandwich. The character came across like she was in heat or something, and I found myself caring less and less about the whole relationship as the book progressed.

I also found the dialogue to be rather juvenile in this book. And, I'm no fan of cliffhangers as a gimmick to get me to buy the next book. If I want to buy it, I'll buy it.

Finally, I thought the author went a bit overboard with Lexie. I'm a dog lover and I used to take my Cocker Spaniels lots of places with me. But the author almost seems to be trying to force us to remember this is a series about pets (as if we could forget). Kendra brings Lexie with her to brand new petsitting clients, not knowing how these huge dogs might react to her dog. She takes her along to visit heartbroken owners whose own pets have been petnapped. She questions why on a first date with her vet, he didn't select a restaurant where she could bring her dog. It just seemed another gimmick to get her dog (who, according to the back cover, is actually Lexie) into the story as much as possible, to the point of overkill.

I hope the next installment is better.

Who's stealing the pets?
Kendra Ballantyne, Los Angeles attorney and part-time pet sitter, is horrified to find two pets in her care missing and a ransom note in their place.The missing pets are a wealthy film producer's beloved pup and iguana.Soon she discovers that other pets have been snatched when under the care of her fellow Southern California pet-sitting club pet sitters.

The police aren't very interested in finding missing pets.After a fellow pet sitter is found murdered, Kendra knows she must get to the bottom of things.

In the meantime she's trying to decide between her hunky investigator boyfriend and her new beau, a wonderful vet.

Can she juggle two men, find the missing pets, and unmask the killer without putting herself in any danger?

I really like this series.Kendra is a wonderful character.I like the pet sitting theme as well.I was happy to see that she makes a decision between the men in her life; I just hope that it will hold!

I always enjoy the pet-sitting antics in this series.The author has done a great job of making the reader care about the animals.Plus their personalities really shine through.

The Southern California is enjoyable as well.I highly recommend this book and series.
... Read more

Product Description
Owning an Iguana is rewarding and fun! Get all you need to know about feeding, training and caring for your pet's health in The Essential Iguana. Special features include professional color photos and expert tips on how to make your iguana a wonderful addition to the family. Learn how to have a great relationship with your pet with The Essential Iguana. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

From the Author
Dear fellow readers:

I am the author and publisher of this book. This book is the story about the biology, geology, and geography of the Galapagos Islands. Also, Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection is discussed in clear language, using traditional and unusual examples. During the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth, the book makes timely reading for middle school students. One specialty of this book is that the last chapter is designed to help students write a book report. One of my reviewers said he wished all his college students would read it and take heed. It is, however, written at the 8th grade level. Good readers starting in the fifth grade will enjoy the book. It was also written to appeal to readers of any age, including adults. Conceptually, the book is probably above the 4th grade level. The photos are fabulous and numerous. Whether you want an armchair visit to the Galapagos or are taking your children to the Galapagos, you'll want to read this book.

Please, please, please. Get it from your local library. You may enjoy it as much as your children do. Then, write a review yourself. I wrote the book for children to read, not to make me rich.

Sincerely,

Linda Litteral, EdD (specialist in writing nonfiction for children; also, biologist, ethicist, photographer, storyteller, etc.) ... Read more

Product Description
When a new baby joins the family, it's hard for his big sister to be excited. She's grossed out by smelly diapers. She misses riding bikes with Mom. And, no matter how hard he tries, Dad just can't seem to get her braids right. Somehow, a pet iguana seems much more appealing than a baby brother. At least that's how it seems at first. . . . Full-color illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Adorable Book!
This book is delightful!The illustrations are fun to look at.The premise of the book is about a child that would rather have an iguana than a new sibling.It deals with the anger and feelings of an older childcoming to grips with the new "intruder" in the home.I gave thisbook as a gift to my friend's daughter who loved it!She also loves hernew sibling, too (finally!) ... Read more

Product Description
In this magical novel a Milanese count stumbles upon a desolate community of lost noblemen on an uncharted island off the coast of Portugal. When he discovers, to his utter amazement, that their ill-treated servant is in fact a maiden iguana, and then proceeds to fall in love with her, the story of Aleardo, Estralitta and don Ilario becomes universal -- the fantastic merges with the commonplace until a resonant reality emerges with subtle distillation. From first page to last, the reader is given a tale of tragic love and delusion that ranks among the most affecting in contemporary literature. The Iguana has the force of "The Tempest," and is written with a grace comparable in every way to the works of Izak Dinesen and Djuna Barnes. Little wonder, then, that this novel was called by the noted critic Pietro Citati, "one of the very few books destined to redeem the honor of Italian literature since the Second World War." First published in Italian in 1965, where it was awarded the Fiuggi Prize, this masterpiece is by one of the original Italian "magic realists." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Humanity's fall from grace between reality, dream and lunacy
Born in Rome in the year 1914, Anna Maria Ortese grew up in southern Italy (primarily Naples) and in Lybia, the fifth of nine children of a soldier's family often short on money.Like many poor girls of her generation, Ortese left school at age thirteen, initially with the idea of studying (and then, teaching) music in mind; until the discovery of literary romanticism, particularly the writings of Edgar Allan Poe and Katherine Mansfield, and her need for creative self-expression made her turn to writing.She eventually studied with Massimo Bontempelli, proponent of the "magical realism" she herself would soon make her own as well, and in 1937 published her first collection of short stories, entitled "Angelici Dolori."Yet, although her work has garnered her native Italy's most prestigious literary prizes (most notably, the 1953 Premio Viareggio for the collection of stories "Il Mare non Bagna Napoli" - published in English under the title "The Bay Is Not Naples" - and the 1967 Premio Strega 1967 for the novel "Poveri e Semplici"), few of her books have been translated into English; and even in Italy, she has remained controversial despite all literary acclaim.

"The Iguana" is generally considered Ortese's masterpiece, winner of the 1986 Premio Fiuggi upon its republication, 21 years after its original release.It tells the story of the Milanese count Daddo (Aleardo di Grees), who goes on a somewhat lackluster voyage of discovery and, off the Portuguese coast, comes upon an uncharted island named (as his captain tells him) Ocana, and inhabited by three impoverished noblemen - the brothers Avaredo-Guzman - and their servant Estrellita.While attempting to strike up a friendship with the dreamy don Ilario de Guzman, don Aleardo also finds himself strangely attracted to the humble Estrellita, who, he discovers much to his shock and surprise, is not a human being but an iguana in human clothes.Initially a mere observer of the goings-on on the island, Daddo's interest in don Ilario and Estrellita draws him, vortex-like, more and more into a participatory role; and as the narrative shifts between dreamlike sequences, reality and a growing sense of lunacy, drawn in, like don Aleardo, is also the reader.

Unfortunately I am not fluent enough in Italian to be able to read the book in its original version; I am told that it is written almost entirely in the imperfect tense (imperfetto) which, inter alia, describes events in an undefined or remote past, and thus probably contributes even more to the novel's unreal, almost otherworldly feeling.Yet, even in translated form, it is abundantly clear that "The Iguana" deserves every bit of praise it has received (the leading Italian Newspaper "Corriere della Sera" even hailed it as "one of the very few books destined to redeem the honor of Italian literature since the Second World War"); it is a wonderfully-written voyage into, as Ortese herself described her literary aim, "the regions of the soul where everything is possible;" in turn reflecting the author's sarcasm, optimism, sadness and, again and again, glimmers of hope as to the present and future of human society. - And yet, when invited by don Aleardo to shake off the burdens that seem to hold him captive and to reclaim his freedom, don Ilario asks, in return, whether freedom can ever come from outside the individual, can ever be "anything other than the fruit of a violence we have to inflict upon all our desires for a life that's secure and comfortable" and be reconciled with the ideal of a life divested of all responsibility; and when don Aleardo suggests that not every responsibility must necessarily be freely assumed (and therefore, one that a person may not be at liberty to relieve himself of), don Ilario replies cryptically that he would gladly rid himself of every responsibility except one: which one, however, he does not specify, thus leaving the puzzled don Aleardo himself to discover the heavy burden weighing on the young marquis's shoulders - his (and humanity's) symbolic fall from grace.

Fiercely independent and unwilling to bow to popularism and to her editors' demands, Anna Maria Ortese always placed the purity of her writing above financial success, again and again taking the risk that she would have to depend on sources outside her writing for her daily survival.Feeling as much a stranger to Italian society as her books abstract themselves from typical Italian settings, she died, in 1998, in Rapallo, where she had lived for the last two decades of her life.She has left behind a body of work of over 20 books, justly deserving to be named alongside such masters of modern Italian literature as Elsa Morante, Italo Calvino and Alberto Moravia.Would that, in the annals of literature's all-time greatest authors, she will receive the lasting recognition that her work deserves, and her books still be read for a long time to come ...

Also recommended:
A Music Behind the Wall: Selected Stories, Vol. 1
A Music Behind the Wall: Selected Stories, Vol. 2
Separations: Mothers and Children
The Faithful Lover
If on a winter's night a traveler
Invisible Cities

When you need something cerebral
The Iguana is not easy bedside reading, to be sure.I picked this up not knowing what it was and was immediately hooked.It took me longer to figure out what I was reading and I'm not sure I understand it all yet, butit made me think.The characters are surely unique.Syntax can bog youdown, but I think it's worth the work. I'm eager to read her newest... ... Read more

Product Description
In the final installment in the series, Francisco X. Alarcón shows children a city where people are bridges to each other and children sing poetry in two languages. A family frolic in the snow reminds the poet of the iguanas playing by his grandmother's house in Mexico. Readers are dazzled by the promise of the seedling redwoods — like all children — destined to be the ancestors of tomorrow.

Maya Christina Gonzalez creates a spirited family of children and adults who swing their way through colorful pages. Collages of old maps of Mexico and California provide intriguing backgrounds, and fun-loving iguanas peek out from the most surprising places. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Spanish for adults
Francisco X Alarcon's books are so wonderful. The artwork is lovely and the poetry makes you smile... these are children's books, but if you are an adult age 68 with a friend in her 40s wanting to learn Spanish, they are priceless... and very wonderful... ... Read more

Product Description

This Plan summarises the status of wild populations, identifies the primary threats, and recommends specific actions. A list of national agencies, research institutions, and consevation organizations in the countries of origin of taxa covered in the Plan is included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A great little read
I read this book to my students. I was using parts of it for them to try visualizing. I found the book enjoyable. My students were laughing at the girl in the book. She over reacted to the first iguana and found herself falling and thinking about terrible things that might happen to her. My students even drew pictures of the iguana on top of her. It was a fun read for all.

No Invisible Iguanas at All, Just a Tale of a Girl Finding an Iguana
Invisible Iguanas of Illinois is a very very short story told by an eleven year old Springfield girl named Alyssa Barryton who while walking to her friends house comes upon an Iguana.Now as she explains these things aren't normally found in Illinois so she's certainly never seen one before and is quite terrified.She portrays her fear to the reader of not knowing if she will make it home alive.Well that's exaggerating the scariness of this story substantially but rest assured you'll be able to sleep tonight no problems if you read the story today.Have no idea what the word invisible is doing in the title as the Iguana has no powers of this sort, nor does Alyssa for this matter.There is also only one iguana.You can actually read this entire story online at the first link after typing the title into a Google search before you make a commitment to buy it. It won't take you long.I don't think you'll end up buying it but you can make that decision. ... Read more

Product Description
This collection invites us to celebrate winter -- by the seashore, in the city of San Francisco, and in the ancient redwood forests of the Sierras. We see a city where people have become bridges to each other and children sing in two languages. A family frolic in the snow reminds the poet of the iguanas playing by his grandmother's house in Mexico. The seedling redwoods promise tomorrow. Maya Christina Gonzalez creates a spirited family of children and adults making their way through lively settings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Where's the Iguana?
Iguanas in the Snow is a great bi-lingual poetry book. Francisco makes you feel like you are on the California coast, enjoying Pier 39. The illustrations are so realistic. I lived in California for a year and have gone to San Francisco many times; the colored houses are spot on, as well as the seals at the Pier.

After feeling the breeze of the coast, Francisco takes you into a world full of white. The poetry and illustrations make you want to put out your tongue and wait for the snow to land on your tongue. The section on snow would be great to read to kids who live in an area which it does not snow.

My favorite thing about this book is the Iguana which is hiding on each page.

With simple, exciting color artwork
Iguanas In The Snow And Other Winter Poems is an impressively presented bilingual children's picturebook in English and Spanish. Each two-page spread features a different free-verse poem in both languages by Francisco Z. Alarcon, and is jubilantly illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez with simple, exciting color artwork. Iguanas In The Snow/Iguanas en la Nieve is especially recommended for young people learning to read in both the English and Spanish languages. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Wonderful Tennessee Williams Collection!
When you read Tennessee Williams' plays like "Sweet Bird of Youth," "The Rose Tattoo," and "The Night of the Iguana," you will seem emerging patterns especially about how women are portrayed in Southern gentille society. The three women, Princess in Sweet Bird," Serafina in "The Rose Tattoo," and Maxine and Hannah in "The Night of the Iguana," are all unique. Princess is really Alexandra Del Lago, a fading actress, who takes up with Chance Wayne who returns to his hometown to claim his love, "Heavenly," and yes that's really her name from her father, suitor, and townsmen. Heavenly is now unable to bear a child and there's a story behind it. Serafina mourns the loss of her beloved husband who was not all he seemed to be to her. Unlike Sweet Bird of Youth which takes place in one or two days, The Rose Tattoo stretches over a span of years. The Night of the Iguana is also placed within a small amount of time with Maxine, the owner of a Mexican hotel, with a defrocked Rev. Shannon and a couple of unusual tourists, Hannah and her 97 year old grandfather and the oldest living poet. Hannah is the old maid spinster who makes her living by painting water colors.
I am surprised that Williams' plays are not revived enough today whether Broadway or in the local theatres. Tennessee Williams was my favorite playwright because he created memorable characters and believable scenarios. I get the feeling that there was a great sense of loneliness in his characters and a longing to connect to the world that appears to have forgotten them.

Superb Compilation
A more suitable compilation than this will not be found. These three plays are arguably the essential core of the Williams canon, and certainly a great starting place for novices.

Sweey Bird of Youth is blessed withperhaps the finest epitaph ever in a modern drama, when the play's maincharacter emanates Williams's legendary compassion with the concludingline, "all I ask is for the recognition of me in you, and time, theenemy, in us all." Shakespeare would have salivated.

Both the RoseTattoo and Night of the Iguana exhibit Ibsen's impression upon Williams, asWilliams incorporates brilliant metaphor's that wrap around both plays likeknotted ribbons, but Williams's poetic language in each surpasses that ofIbsen by eons. Much in the vein of Ibsen's The Wild Duck or Chekov's TheSeagull, Williams gives us a lesson in fate, freedom and human desire withhis Iguana, tied to a post by a rope and struggling to escape, waiting tobe killed as food, and he walks us through a world of intense nostalgia andheartbreak with the Rose Tattoo marking the chests of Serafina's lovers.

Even O'Neil, lauded by most as our finest American playwright, neverquite matched the powerful language of the heart that saturates these threeworks of gritty, raw desire and nostalgia. Both of which, as Williamsinsists, take up plenty of space in the hearts of all. ... Read more

Product Description
First published in 1984, this award-winning book,considered a classic of Chicano fiction, is now available only fromthe University of New Mexico Press. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great stories that truly show the bi-cultural perspective
In Iguana Killer there are several stories of young boys and the growing up they have to do usually without too much financial security and the constant challenges that they meet in a bilingual as well as a bi-culturalsetting. Rios has a gift for interpreting what goes on in young boys minds,and the stories themselves make for very good reading. ... Read more

Product Description
Iguanas are large, primeval-appearing animals that have always attracted considerable attention and scientific study. The 30 species of iguanas are today collectively referred to as iguanines, or the subfamily Iguaninae, of the lizard family Iguanidae. This book is the result of a symposium of worldwide scientists on the world's iguanas that was held at a joint meeting of the Society of the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles and The Herpetologist's League.

Over 30 recognized experts submitted their studies of these interesting reptiles, and have published what was once unknown and unpublished information. This book was a leader in its time and still serves as a wonderful reference for scientist and student alike. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A fantastic book for iguana enthusiasts.
Iguanas of the world is a great book for those interested in iguana's ecology and behavior.

Who knew?
Who would have believed this information was available 20 years ago. This is a deeply scientific book, not for casual reading. A must for those that like to think they are in the top branch of information givers.

From diet to breeding habits, dwelling preferences, discussions on internal organs and just so much more of the many different species of the iguana. Burghardt and Rand have complied (edited) a tremendous collection of researchers work. Never have I seen the pooling of so many different resources to come to the understanding of a reptile.

If you think you are one of the "smart" people when it comes to the iguana species, this is a MUST HAVE publication. ... Read more

Product Description
A Series of 26 Irresistible Animal Storybooks That Build Phonemic Awareness & Teach Each letter of the Alphabet
Iggy Iguana thinks ice is nice! Find out how he uses his imagination to beat the heat as you teach the letter I.

AlphaTales are humorous stories designed to help young children recognize letters and the sounds they make. Lay the foundation for reading success with these kid-pleasing books‹one for each letter of the alphabet. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Zack The Lazy Zebra Review
Great books whether you're just working on the alphabet, reading, or phonological awareness.

Z-sounds in every position, especially the initial work great for auditory bombardment.

Amazzzzing!
Zack the Zebra is just one of the great AlphaTales books available.It's a good introduction and reinforcer for learning the letter Z. My students look forward to hearing the silly story for each letter of the alphabet and finding words that begin with the letter at the end of the book.Thanks!

Great Teaching Tool
I used this book to teach the letter x to my preschool class. It is an excellent teaching tool because it uses x in many different ways and is also entertaining to children. ... Read more

Product Description

Perfect for lap-time reading!

Customer Reviews (4)

Fantastic Book!Lots of fun
This book is definitely a keeper!You sing the story with a familiar tune!My 3 yr old granddaughter has had it memorized for over a year now - because it is so fun!Had to buy another one for the other granddaughter so she could enjoy, since we can't part with our copy!

Ava's 2nd Favorite
My 4 year old grand daughter loves this book almost as much as she loves another book about an iguana titled, Sara Sidney Corinna Schiller, The Most Beautiful Iguana in the World. This book always brings a smile to her face and has encouraged her to "sing" the words to other books.

Very Cute
I saw this book in the book store and had to get it just because of the title.When I read it to my son I was pleasently surprised how cute it was.At the end you find out you can sing along using the tune to "On Top of Old Smokey"...short, but verycute.

great book!
This is a brightly colored, well written book that's fun to read and sing! ... Read more

Product Description
Ramona Romano isn't into drugs, but all the same, she has her addiction: adventure.Separated from her husband, she tries scuba diving to feed her addiction.Then bodybuilding.And along the way, there's one man who grows into more of a challenge than all her other endeavors: dark and smoldering Enzo.And he leads her into deeper waters than she's prepared to fathom . . .Iguana Love is a remarkable new novel from one of the most distinctive voices to emerge in crime fiction.This is passionate, powerful pulp writing at its finest.Amazon.com Review
Ramona Romano is a young and beautiful Miami nurse whom you might, were you charitable, call "terminally insatiable." You might otherwise call her cheap, horny, cheesy, sleazy, dopey, and two other dwarves too explicit to mention. Well-built scuba-diving men, on the other hand, call her an answer to their prayers, and often. Her husband Gary has been shown the door. In his place is Ignatz, Ramona's freshly caught, five-foot iguana, and Enzo, a freshly shucked nightmare on the half shell.

I went into the bathroom and took my clothes off and crouched in the corner between the toilet and the tub. I curled over with my arms clasped around my knees, my face against my thighs, the toilet bowl wedged into my side, trying to chill myself, to change into a rational woman. Gary would come back with a word. If only I could accept normal married life, make it my goal to have a good marriage, help each other. I stayed there a long time, willing my muscles to atrophy. I tried to give up all my wild notions, but it didn't work. I had seawater on the brain. Divers to explore. Enzo. Flowing freedom. Without a lobotomy, I couldn't change.

It's porn noir. It's a woman's unwise (if not unwholesome) quest for marginally attainable lust and unattainable freedom through a man who's of our species by definition only. It's Miami-hot pulp friction. Vicki Hendricks's Iguana Love is all of that, and it's only her second novel (after 1995's Miami Purity). And beyond all of that, and most importantly, it's very well-written. --Michael Hudson ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Very disappointing......
Great title - bad book. Poorly developed characters and a plot that does not take you anywhere.

An Enjoyable Book
I found Iguana Love to be an enjoyable book.Ms. Hendricks is building a solid reputation as a writer with a unique voice.I recommend that any reader searching for fresh material and a fresh approach to literary subject matter Iguana Love.

Scuba and Noir... Wow
Fun, fun, mystery noir style of story with the bang of a loaded speargun.The bonus is that it is a story that also makes you think and that you will carry with you even after the story has surfaced.

Sexy and Seductive
I was first tipped off to Vicki Hendricks' writing in Naked Came the Manatee, a good collaborative effort.This book is also quite good.

In Iguana Love, we are introduced to Ramona Romano, a very unique woman who easily speaks and acts her mind.Separated from her husband, she tries to invigorate her life with scuba diving and bodybuilding.In her quest of sleeping with many men, she falls for a seedy character named Enzo, who happens to be her diving instructor.He leads her down a negative path until we reach a very suprising ending that will knock you out of your socks.

This book is very erotic, especially as we take a ride with Ramona on her wild romp and conquerings.The writing is graphic, raw, and very straightforward.Hendricks holds nothing back with her protagonist.Throw in the Miami background, and you've got a fairly hot novel.

Although some of the characters were somewhat one-dimensional, they all seemed to be nicely developed, and the plot was well drawn out.This was a quick read, and one that was quite enjoyable, if not merely for the shocking ending, not to mention the wonderful twists and turns.Inguana Love is a nice, yet far from wholesome, adventure.

Complete trash.
I am embarassed to admit I took this book out of the library. Although I didn't finish it, I can honestly advise you - skip this book! I am by no means a prude, but this is repulsive! It is complete trash. One-dimensional characters and no particular story of interest, this manages to be boring and seedy at the same time. If I wrote this book I'd be trying to join the Federal Witness Protection Program. ... Read more

Product Description
Provides an introduction to green iguanas, discussing their characteristics, habitat, food, offspring, and dangers. Includes a range map, life cycle diagram, and other facts. ... Read more