Have you
ever wondered,
“Where is the Second World?”
Well, the
answer is here, and it's in Ann Hazard's newest book,
Agave Sunsets!
Hint:
The Second World vive en el corazón Mexicano—it lives in the
Mexican heart ... of course!
NEWS RELEASE: FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Writes Ann Hazard: "More a state of mind than a tangible reality, the second world is a place without the constant clawing and grappling of the first world or the deprivation of the third. It’s a place where people look out for each another, refusing to bow to corporate gods of technology and relentless Darwinism... where they live and let live, respecting others and the earth. It’s a place that refuses to lose its sense of humor and mischief—no matter what."
She continues: "I find the second world in little fishing villages scattered along the Gulf of California, where the locals share their bounty with anyone who happens to show up, whether by land or sea. I find it wherever the Americans who intrude give back gifts of whatever they have on hand, in gratitude for the food, music and friendship they receive. I find it in the eyes of 20 year-old Juan Carlos as he expounds on the wonders of the Mexican spirit while pulling a sea urchin spine from my toe. And, I find it in the eyes of President Fox when he speaks of his country and his vision for the future."
We all long for passion, joy, connection. To quote Jimmy Buffett, we all " ...want to live happily ever after, every now and then." Ann Hazard’s newest book, Agave Sunsets, shows us how—by bringing Baja California and its inhabitants—both Mexican and expatriate—to life. In her spirited, laid-back and often hilarious stories, she erases the barriers between cultures and accurately depicts our "neighbors to the south" as the down-to-earth, generous folks that they are. This book is guaranteed to open your eyes, change your perspective... and implant in you un corazón Mexicano ...as Ann leads you through the doorway into the second world.
 Agave Sunsets is a collection of 50 treasured Baja tales (each with a color photo) spanning four generations. It all began back in the 1890s with Ann’s grandfather, Pappy Hazard—a notorious and lucky poker player who traveled Baja with Erle Stanley Gardner—creator of Perry Mason. For over 100 years, the Hazard family has adventured in Baja and the stories are recounted in “Boys ‘n Beer in Baja,” and “Fishing for Those Little Bastards,” among others.
 Next, Ann regales you with 20 “Tales from La Bufadora,” where she has a second home. These include: “Dirt Roads in the Dark,” “Gonzo, Baja Beach Dog Relays the Story of How He Got to Cardiff,” “Torrid Tales from Teenage Summer Camp,” “How to Become a Five-Star Houseguest” and “What Do You Mean … He Lived in a Tree?”
Traveling Baja (and discovering the second world) is all about the people, places and adventures along the way, and Ann dishes up 22 of those, including: “Reflections on my Mexican Dentist,” “A Hockey Player from Minnesota Running a Spanish School in Baja,” “As the Palapa Turns, or “Expatriated Americans Down East Cape Way,” “I’ve Got Todos Santos on My Mind,” “Baja’s Exotic Wine Country,” “John Bragg: Tequila Man” and “Following the Whale Trail.”
Agave Sunsets is Ann Hazard’s third book on Baja. Her first, Cooking With Baja Magic, has become a classic with Baja and Mexican food lovers. Cartwheels in the Sand, her second book, is a novel and travel guide in one, telling the story of four women who travel Baja in a motor home. A City Slickers for women, it explodes the myth that it isn’t safe to travel in Mexico without men.
 This book will soon be available on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble online (www.bn.com), Borders.com, through Ingram, Baker & Taylor and Sunbelt Publications. A portion of the profits from the sale of her Baja books will go to Mexican charities: specifically, The Baja Animal Sanctuary in Rosarito Beach and the Cancer Society of Ensenada.
 Ann Hazard is passionate about all things Mexican. In addition to writing three books on Baja, she has published more than 100 articles about Mexico and written a divorce recovery book. Her work appears regularly in the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Coast News, Baja Tourist Guide and Baja Traveler Magazin. She has also written for the North County Times, Cedros Review Magazine, Discover Baja and for numerous Mexico websites, including MexGrocer.com and BajaPortal.com. She lives in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California and La Bufadora, Baja California and would love to share her adventures and insights, via further separate publication of these stories, intereview, by speaking to groups, teaching Mexican cooking lessons and by chatting informally one-on-one with adventure lovers on both sides of the border.
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Contact: Ann Hazard, Author