Goodreads asked Stephen M. Shaw:

Who is your favorite fictional couple, and why?

Stephen M. Shaw My favorites are ILEANA ORDONEZ and JIM NORAD. The reason is that they achieve a major resolution to an international crisis after they meet through a sporting event -- an exciting surfing trip up into the Sea of Cortez, from San Jose De Los Cabos. Ileana gives Jim a ride to a surf spot from a Cabo Hotel. He is there on special duty after America's president orders the invasion of Baja California. Jim is assigned to hunt terrorists, mistakenly thought to be concealed by Mexico's government. Ileana, unknown to Jim, is the daughter of Mexico's president.

The long desert ride in Ileana's cold-fusion powered replica of a VW Bug is hypnotic. The couple spends several pleasant hours together during the drive over the unpaved coastal road, toward the ultimate prize of large blue waves wrapping into the Sea of Cortez. Eventually, they surf waves of a lifetime-- created by a Pacific hurricane. The adventure brings the couple close together. So too does the hope of more surf sessions in the thundering, world class surf at Punto Grande.

But first, they must get over their identities, their assignments, and the dangerous hurdle of war between their nations.

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