R. D. Lyons Author

1. "It's a fun plot line, with interesting bits of history thrown in, and a cast of lovable yet quirky characters." Writer's Digest

2. "The weaving of intrigue, love and tragedy fuse to make this suspenseful tale a drama that is sure to become a highly successful novel.

3. "Mr. Lyons has created a modern novel that can hold its own with the best. As I reluctantly finished the book, I thought that if it should fall into the proper hands, one day I may be lucky enough to see the movie version." El Ojo Del Lago (One of Mexico's largest English language publications)

Reviewed by Kenneth J. Clarke
El Ojo Del Lago, March 2007
R.D. Lyons' novel is more than a story of lust for gold and appetite for power. It whisks us along on a page turning adventure where men and women, each hiding a secret, endeavor to flee modern society and seek solace in a isolated coastal village in the environs of Puerto Vallarta. The weaving of intrigue, love and tragedy fuse to make this suspenseful tale a drama that is sure to become a highly successful novel.
* The intrigue spans the history of Mexico, draws on the invasion of the conquistadors, embraces a conspiracy involving President Carranza and Pancho Villa, then blends these events into an action packed adventure set in present day Mexico.
* The love is that of man for woman, of one human for another and of the ancient Gods' love for Mexico and its people.
* The tragedies result not solely from modern man's greed but from his lack of comprehension of the values inherent in the faith of the indigenous peoples of Mexico.
This tale, though set in the 21st century, portrays how the past may dictate the future. Reading this adventure novel I was impressed with not only how the building conflict at the end of each chapter ensured that I would continue to read on, but with how every few paragraphs gave me no other choice but to do the same until I reached the book’s surprising end. At no time did I anticipate the dramatic conclusion of this tale, though I later realized that the author had left me sufficient information to deduce such a possibility.
The characters are carefully developed, and their strengths and weaknesses evolved in a credible manner as the novel progresses with surprise after surprise leaping from the pages. The life experience of the central protagonist seems at first to make him an unlikely adventurer but his interaction with other characters takes the participants through the necessarily logical and believable development.
The author's style flows with originality, as expressed in the scene when the main character is arriving home in a thunderstorm, anticipating a meeting with his new love: "Rain was falling harder and thunder could be heard in the distance like coal down a long chute. Lightening flashes were far away and feeble, as if a spirit had struck a match and god had snuffed it out before the flame could light. Overcast skies had brought an early darkness this evening, but he could make out her form sitting in a chair on the balcony. Walking towards his home he allowed the rain to fall and soak him . . ." One could almost feel tension building in his breast as he approached his porch.
Mexico's Hidden Gold appears to be based on the premise that one cannot flee life, that events take control leaving us no choice but to follow the tracks lain before us. Mr. Lyons has created a modern novel that can hold its own with the best. As I reluctantly finished the book, I thought that if it should fall into the proper hands, one day I may be lucky enough to see the movie version.

"outstandiong first novel"
"a modern novel that can hold its own with the best"
El Ojo Del Lago, March, 2007
(El Ojo Del Lago is a monthly literary review and is Mexico's largest English language periodical)

"fun plot line"
"interesting history"
"lovable yet quirky characters"
Writer's Digest 14th Annual Sel-Published Book Awards

(The book can be ordered from amazon.com or RDLyons.com and will soon be available at Revistas de Chapala and Bugambillas Book Store in Ajijic) This review can be found in the March 2007 edition of El Ojo Del Lago.

E-Mail: rdlyons@rdlyons.com