About the Book

Author: Michael J. Schneider
Genre: Young Adult Action Adventure
Number of Pages: 220
Synopsis: Sometimes the Fates are even kind to teenagers. Cliff is an average 16 year old; but with no particular dash to lure the girl of his dreams, Darlene. She has everything: beauty, brains and a brute of a boyfriend named Rocky.
Mr. Edwards, the Physical Science instructor, starts a chain of events that will vastly alter Cliff’s life. Mr. Edwards teams Cliff with Darlene on a mineral searching expedition in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. Together, Cliff and Darlene discover much more – a treasure left by a 17th Century Spanish explorer.
Finding the treasure is one thing. Cliff and Darlene learn that cashing in on it is quite another matter. They soon find themselves in conflict with the Federal Government and the Mafia, and Cliff has to face Darlene’s powerfully strong boyfriend.
Will the discovery and subsequent conflict form more than a bond of convenience between Cliff and Darlene? Are they doomed to perish at the hands of the Mafia at the site of their discovery, with their bodies to be found by some other high school expedition some 400 years from now?
My Review
Cliff has a huge crush on Darlene so when he's paired up with her for the Physical Science field trip he can't believe his luck. Darlene, however, seems to already be in a relationship with Rocky. Cliff doesn't think he stands a chance, but he's bound and determined to make the best of the time he gets to spend with her. So, when the pair discover a lost Spanish treasure Cliff is ecstatic to have something special to share with Darlene. But, when a ruthless group of treasure hunters discovers what Cliff and Darlene have found it takes everything they have just to stay alive. Will the pair recover the treasure before it's too late.
I found The Secrets of Sangre de Cristo to be a action-packed novel full of surprises. The characters are likable and well developed and the plot captured my attention from beginning to end. The author does a wonderful job of penning this tale and creating a believable adventure readers are certain to enjoy. I highly recommend picking up a copy.