Seventeen-year-old, Nina, discovers she has an ancient past that links her to the legendary Weeping Woman, La Llorona. That connection helps her overcome her battered and abusive past but the wrath of an Aztec high priest threatens to collide her modern day world as a mysterious stranger leads her into the perilous Paradise of Lost Souls.

Heart of the Jaguar is an empowering story filled with Mexican folklore immersed in the modern day life of a young girl living in the fictional border town of South Bay. The young heroine, Nina, discovers that she has a past that links her to La Llorona, and that strong connection helps her to overcome her battered childhood and the traumas that she had to endure while living with her abusive stepfather. Embedded in songs, poems, and stories, the Llorona—also known as the Weeping Woman—is an angry spirit who drowns innocent children playing near bodies of water.  Her fictional origin is revealed through flashbacks into the once supreme ancient Aztec civilization, bringing back to life that now extinct culture that fiercely ruled above other races at the time, including the fictional tribe of the Jaguar people. The novel is crafted into two separate plots that unite at the end of the story--in a battle-- at the paradise of lost souls.


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REVIEWS

A Story Steeped in Heart and Legend, June 18, 2008 
Marie Delgado Travis, author of La Ventana

Heart of the Jaguar by JAX (Jacqueline Mendez) brought back memories of happy hours spent reading Nancy Drew mysteries when I was a child -- or sharing Star Wars adventures with my son ... with a bold new Latino twist. The very talented author and fellow Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul contributor brings to life traditional and contemporary Hispanic legends such as tales of the Aztecs, La Llorona and the Chupacabras in an excitingly twisted plot, designed to whet the imagination of our newest generation of readers.

A Fantastic Tale, May 21, 2007,
Steve Weber, Author of Plug Your Book Online!

"Heart of the Jaguar" weaves two tales together, giving new oomph to an old legend. You'll be transported to ancient Aztec times and folklore while staying in touch with today. You'll be on a supernatural journey as a young girl from the fictional border town of South Bay discovers her true self.

This is a compelling, tightly written story that does a wonderful job of combining ancient folklore with a contemporary tale of coming of age, and has a surprising climax. It will give you another perspective to the challenges we all confront at various stages.

This is a book that I would recommend for teens and adults as well. It's an effortless, entertaining read, and offers something for males and females.

I understand that the author is already working on a sequel, and I hope it is available fairly soon. In the meantime, I recommend "Heart of the Jaguar" for anyone who is searching for a compelling story with deep meaning.