Leslie Keller Books

This is the fourth part of my blog on the three act structure.  Act two begins with the crisis for the protagonist. This is an emotional moment where the reader can clearly see the impact of the trigger on the main character's flaw. The last piece of act one was the trigger. It's the event which pushes our protagonist into the crisis and sets the stage for change to commence. The character cannot grow without this ingredient and without growth the reader would get bored. What's worse than someone who never changes? I have known people like this who lament their circumstances but keep doing the same thing over and over and wonder why the outcome is never different. Eventually everyone gets tired of this person because he or she never hits that crisis which forces the change. Whereas much of act one can be plot driven the crisis is all about the character and the story. Here's an example of where crisis might push someone in a new direction. Think about a gambler who

This is the first book I have read by this author. It is a mystery and there is a dead body but it's not a cozy. Lauren, the main character became addicted to prescription pain killers after having an accident in which she was almost paralyzed. She and her husband run a business in what appears to be a small town, where their name is well known. We meet Lauren when she is struggling with her addiction, severe memory loss and she is trying to piece her life back together. She feels as if she needs to prove that she is clean to everyone, especially her husband and sister. A second storyline runs through the novel about the sister, Annie, of a young man, dealing with his own issues of mental illness, and his disappearance. Annie struggles to get by and has isolated herself from people in order to prevent becoming hurt. The paths of the two women ultimately cross in the search for Annie's brother. When the truth about  what happened to him is revealed it shakes both of their

I wanted to share the story of "Lucky".  I had been feeding this little guy on our back porch for almost two weeks before I could catch him. I literally spent hours trying to find his family. I posted flyers, searched the internet and posted his pictures on every lost pet website I could find. I met a few of my neighbors and made some new friends in Arizona in the process. Finally, on the day before I was going to give him to a wonderful woman who offered to take him, his family found me. They had been out of town and he escaped through a loose window screen.  Bad kitty. At any rate, Lucky (aptly named by me because he picked the right house to mooch off), also known as Gizmo, went home - only to return the next night for another stay at Hotel Keller. He was returned again and his family found and blocked his escape route.  I'm so glad that he didn't come into contact with a coyote on his travels. We fell in love with his sweet personality and almost kept him exce

As chance would have it I dined at Eddie V's twice in a short period of time. Once in San Diego for a full dinner and once in Scottsdale for happy hour. Both experiences were delectable. I hadn't been to this restaurant in a very long time.  In fact, it's been so long I couldn't remember anything about it. The Scottsdale restaurant moved from it's old location at DC Ranch to the newer and more popular Scottsdale Quarter. If you read, L.A. Keller's account of my life in Menu for Murder, you will know that the Quad as it's now referred to, brings back unhappy memories of a murder. In general I try my hardest to find street parking, or if I've had a great week, I will valet. No chance of being caught on the top floor of the garage running for my life! The restaurant has subdued lighting, lots of nice bar seating and live music. I started with the Crab and Corn Chowder which was delicious. Creamy and hot it was a fabulous combination. I then had the Ic

Truth be told, I don't like egg nog. It's creamy milk and raw eggs combination makes my stomach churn at the thought. However, despite my aversion to this drink it does sing out for the holidays so I'm giving you two recipes. One the standard time tested version and one sparkling non-alcoholic. Egg Nog 6 eggs 1 cup sugar 1/2 teas salt 1 cup run 1 1/2 teas vanilla 1 quart light cream or milk dash of nutmeg for garnish Beat eggs until light and foamy Add sugar, salt and vanilla Add rum and cream/milk Stir well Chill Pour into a glass and sprinkle the top with nutmeg. Makes 12 1/2 cup servings Sparkling Orange Egg Nog 1 quart orange juice chilled 1/4 cup lemon juice 3 eggs 2 tab sugar dash cinnamon dash ground cloves 1 pint vanilla ice cream 16 oz ginger ale dash of nutmeg for garnish Beat eggs until light and foamy Add 2 cups of the orange juice, lemon juice, sugar, and spices and stir well Chill Just before serving add ice cream and remainin

Do you ever wonder as you read a new book what inspired the author to create the characters? When considering mysteries, especially those with murder, do you ask yourself what kind of person loves to find new ways to murder the bad guys? I can't speak to anyone other than myself on this topic, but I suspect many authors are the same. It's our every day lives that inspire us. Any event or person may incite a storyline in my mind which may then wander on to the pages of my next book. It may be something as innocuous as a person I pass by on a hike or as dramatic as my favorite cowboy bar in Cave Creek, Arizona burning down. As an author I try to absorb the life that happens around me like a lazy cat laying in a spot of sunshine. I bask in it, stretch my mental limbs out and relish every moment to be recalled later when I'm sitting down at the keyboard. A person who is especially rude or obnoxious may kindle a new murder victim (yes, keep that in mind if you are around mys

This is a cozy mystery based about a young woman who inherits a food truck from her deceased Aunt.  Maeve Kinkaid, appears to have absolutely no restaurant or cooking background whatsoever when she takes on this task. For those of you who know me, that is a huge pet peeve and in the real world a recipe (forgive the pun) for disaster. Maeve has a surly chef, Lander who seems to do all of the work, except making coffee and even that uses his secret coffee bean mix. When the competitor is beheaded in his food truck, Maeve gets to occupy his prime spot on the street. Her business flourishes but that all makes her look guilty.  This is the first of many places where I found the story line unbelievable.  How much strength does it take for a person to cut off someone's head? She meets the detective on the case and there is some attraction to him as well as to her surly chef. We never really understand the relationship between any of them because they seem to dislike her as much as lik

The Washington Post has compiled a list of great mysteries or thrillers from 2015. In case you haven't already read all of these, I'm including five here for you to add to your 2016 reading list. Listed below each book is the back cover description. A Banquet of Consequences by Elizabeth George Inspector Lynley Book 19 The unspoken secrets and buried lies of one family rise to the surface in Elizabeth George’s newest novel of crime, passion, and tragic history. As Inspector Thomas Lynley investigates the London angle of an ever more darkly disturbing case, his partner, Barbara Havers, is looking behind the peaceful façade of country life to discover a twisted world of desire and deceit.   The suicide of William Goldacre is devastating to those left behind who will have to deal with its unintended consequences—could there be a link between the young man’s leap from a Dorset cliff and a horrific poisoning in Cambridge?   After various issues with her department, Barbara Hav

Lately everywhere I go people are ordering a Moscow Mule. This drink has been around since the 1950's and, until recently, no one ever ordered it.  My guess is that most people haven't heard of ginger beer, let alone crave it. Although I am a fan of ginger ale, I've never developed a taste for beer. My exception to this rule is that it must be at least 110 degrees outside, there needs to be an even hotter guy offering it to me AND there must be no other options. The secret of a perfect Moscow Mule is that you must drink it from a copper mug. If you drink it from a plastic (red solo?) cup or even from a glass something gets lost in the flavor. 1 1/2 oz vodka 1 oz ginger beer 1 oz lime juice or the juice of a 1/2 lime - freshly squeezed juice is always better Pour your lime juice into the bottom of the copper mug. Add a few cubes of ice Using a high quality vodka, pour it over the juice Pour in the ginger beer Garnish with a lime slice or wedge Enjoy in the su

This is part three of my review of the three act structure - the trigger. This is the event in the story which finally pushes the main character over the edge and into the epiphany. In Menu for Murder, the trigger was Jayne's arrest for murder. Up to this point, Jayne could have fumbled along without a second thought to who killed the mayor. Once she was charged, she then had to cowgirl up and decide how to get out of her predicament, which moves the story into Act Two. The trigger is an event which attacks the protagonist's flaw (Jayne's lack of self confidence) and causes a crisis. In a plot driven storyline, the trigger might be when the hero has to decide if he is willing to sacrifice himself to save others. Up to this point, he may have spent his life in selfish pursuits, but suddenly he is thrust into a crisis where he has to put someone else's needs ahead of his own. Let's think about four people in a high rise complex. Our hero has been working late i

Having thoroughly enjoyed the sister restaurant, Arrowhead Grill, I corralled some friends into dining at Preston's Steakhouse in Scottsdale. This relatively new restaurant (opened in early 2015) takes the space once occupied by Michael's of the Citadel. I'm not sure when Michael's closed but I hadn't dined there in many years. The location has an upstairs and downstairs, which in the case of Preston's, only the lower level is used. I found this to be odd but coming from a server point of view it is much easier on the staff not to have to run food and drinks up and down. We ate in the bar on a Friday night, not quite cool enough for the patio to be open. The bar and main dining area décor was lovely, slightly dark but certainly had ambiance for a romantic dinner date. The food was as good as at Arrowhead Grill but the service was horrible. It's true that sometimes the service in the bar by a cocktail person is not on the same level as that in the dining

A close up shot of one of the Monarch butterflies who pass through Arizona on their migratory path. Happy Trails, Leslie Visit my website

This is the second book I've read by this author and it will not be the last. I love her writing style, her characters and voice. She grabs me on the first page and lingers with me after I've read the last. I can't believe I hadn't heard of her before - even though she should be well known as the author of the book-to-movie "Pay it Forward". This story begins with Rusty who worked in the World Trade Center but was late for work the day the towers came down due to the terrorist attacks. Saved by a phone call at the last minute advising him that his mother had passed away unexpectedly he watches as the towers fall. If that event was not traumatic enough, he has lost his mother and now is responsible for his brain damaged brother, Ben. Leaving everything behind in New Jersey he goes home to his small town to try to bury his mother and deal with his brother. Unexpectedly he meets the local baker Nazir and his daughter Anat, who are Egyptian. I remember how s

For a change of pace, and because I had been craving a nice cup of tea, I visited the English Rose Tea Room in Carefree, AZ. I hadn't been here in a very long time and I must say I didn't know what I was missing. The cozy inside is delightfully decorated with pictures of the Queen, lovely china tea cups and the place settings were inspirational. If you don't wear your own hat, there is a trunk of options from which you may select - to further put you in the mood for the true English experience. I ordered the Formal Afternoon Tea which included three tiers plus a pot of tea of my choosing. I couldn't resist trying the Rose Petal Tea which smelled and tasted like I was walking through an English rose garden. My tea included crunchy fresh cucumber, chicken with walnuts and smoked salmon sandwiches, scones with an addictive Devon cream and jam and a selection of bite-size desserts. Two of my friends ordered the Cottage Pie and the soup of the day. No one left hungry a

When you decide which movie to go to do you read the reviews first or watch the trailer? If you want to try out a new restaurant do you immediately scroll through Yelp to see what other diners thought? Would you read a new author who had only a few reviews posted?   If everyone else likes something does that guarantee you will too?  I ask these questions because I am wondering how much other people's opinions matter. I am guilty of this to a degree. I always read the reviews first to see if I think I will like something before I invest my money or my time. However, I loved the remake of the Lone Ranger with Johnny Depp, even though it was panned by critics. I have hated some written work that others have loved, and vice versa. Think about something - an activity, a film, a restaurant, or a book - that you loved despite how others felt about it. Was it freeing or scary to spit into the wind of what was not popular or trending? I like to imagine that my opinions matter to someone

Tequila and I have a love/hate relationship. I love to drink it but hate the way it makes me feel in the morning after one too many yummy margaritas.  This drink is a mix that might tempt you to wear hot pants, even if you shouldn't! Hot Pants 1 1/2 oz tequila 1/2 oz peppermint Schnapps (keep this on hand for pouring into your hot chocolate in the winter) 1/2 oz grapefruit juice 1 teas fine sugar Combine ingredients in a shake half filled with ice. Shake well and strain into an old fashioned glass with a salted rim. If you don't have an "old fashioned glass" which is a type of cocktail glass you can improvise and use any glass that is handy, even a plastic cup will work. Enjoy anytime of year, with friends or alone but always drink responsibly and remember to tip your bartender or server. Cheers,  Jayne

My beloved boy, Drake. Even after 5 years I miss him every day. He was part of the inspiration for the character of Bugsy in Menu for Murder. Happy trails, Leslie

EBeauty's first Miami event - Yoga in the Park with the New World Symphony for breast cancer awareness. It was a huge success. Here are just a few pictures.

This was a cute cozy mystery with likable characters. The story centers around Gabby, who owns a business cleaning up crime scenes. She really wants to finish her college degree and become a forensic scientist but obligations to her father and to rent prevent her from doing that. Gabby becomes embroiled in a crime when she discovers a gun left at a crime scene and then is almost killed when the house is set on fire. Her employee is accused of the crime but fortunately for Gabby she gets some help solving the mystery from her friends and possible love interests I enjoyed this book, which was the first in the series. My only hesitation is that I felt the author included a bit too much religion in the story for my personal taste. I don't like to mix murder with religion and felt that the theme took away from the story line. Christy has written a number of books, which all have received good reviews on Amazon. I would probably try another of her books to see if I enjoyed it more

 It was very exciting for me to not only be able to meet my readers, autograph their books but also grab a few pictures.  This was taken at a recent book festival.   Happy Trails, Leslie Visit my website for more information

This is a fun summer drink to make for a party. The only drawback is that you have to purchase an entire bottle of melon liqueur and you won't use it regularly. Liqueurs last a very long time, probably as long as a box of Hostess Twinkies so you won't waste it. Melon Ball 1 oz vodka (anything will do but try not to use the really cheap stuff) 2 oz melon liqueur 4 oz pineapple juice (get the small cans because you can use these for several different drinks as well as a healthy smoothie) Pour ingredients into a mixing glass nearly filled with ice. Stir and strain into a highball or collins glass over ice. Garnish with a piece of pineapple or melon. You could also blend this and serve as a frozen version, which is quite nice on a hot summer day. Cheers, Jayne Visit my website

I'm excited to post a link to my interview on Smashwords. Send me your questions and maybe they will be included in the next interview. Check it out at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/LeslieKellerBooks Happy Trails, Leslie Visit my website

I don't know why I selected this book but something about the story captured my interest. I really fought with myself to shut down the Kindle once I started reading it. I just couldn't stop. I rarely say that about any book but this one touched me. Virginia, is a server in a diner who has fallen in love with a man who comes in with his four year old son, Buddy. Buddy has some interesting quirks, and although not stated, is possibly autistic. The story jumps ahead after an event (which I won't mention here in order to avoid spoiling it for you) and we meet up with Virginia nineteen years later. Much has changed in her life but in many ways she is the same.  Buddy too has been through a lot over the years but he too seemed stuck in a time warp. What happens to them and between them is a heartfelt story of loss and love, but mostly one of what happens if you trust your heart. I would definitely recommend this book but be forewarned you may not be able to fall asleep un

As it was my friend's (L.A. Keller) birthday, a group of us decided to have a happy hour celebration at Spiga Cucina Italiana in north Scottsdale. This was my first time checking out their happy hour and I was very glad I did. The happy hour menu wasn't huge but the pizza I had for $8 was awesome. It was large enough for me to have lunch and dinner the next day, although I did also have half a caesar salad with it. The special on the night we went was pepperoni and mushroom. I left off the mushrooms and it had a slight spiciness in the pepperoni. The sauce was yummy. The caesar salad was a bit heavy on the garlic which would be my only criticism, but I see that frequently, where chefs seem to think more garlic makes the best dressing - sorry but so not true! The rest of my party sampled the pizza, affetato (meat & cheese board) and calamari. Everyone was happy with their selections. Service was top notch and the ambiance very good.  This is a place we will definitel

The beauty of Sedona, Arizona never fails to take my breath away.   Happy trails,   Leslie Visit my website

I thought from time to time I should include a few cocktail recipes for anyone interested in sampling something new (or very old as the case may be). Here's a fun recipe that's easy to make and very tasty. Between the Sheets: 1/2 oz light rum 1/2 oz brandy 1/2 oz lemon juice 1/2 oz Curacoa Combine all ingredients in a shake filled with ice.  Shake well to chill and blend.  Pour into a cocktail glass.  You can strain it so the ice isn't included or pour it with the ice. Cheers, Jayne Visit my website 

If you could meet an author before reading a book, would it make a difference in what you thought of the book?  I ask this question because I wonder if the author's personality would make you more or less likely to enjoy the book. As a reader myself, I like knowing what motivated the author to create the characters. Is the protagonist based on someone the author knows? What contributed to the twists and turns of the plot? Is any of the story based on the author's personal experiences? As an author, I know that I am already plotting how to get Jayne to Napa and deciding what is going to happen if she falls off a bicycle and breaks a few bones - definitely art imitating life! Wherever I am or whatever I am doing might be used in a future scene. There have been a few books lately where I desperately want to beg the author to explain why she wrote a certain scene. What was she thinking?  If the writer explained the background would you be more inclined to give a book a favora

I wanted to write a blog about leading men with a sense of humor in books. I could think of a dozen movies where the actor was funny and also a leading man. Coming up with a book with the same foundation has proven to be more difficult. Not just difficult but impossible. Every internet search returns me only movies with funny leading men. This leads me to wonder why we aren't making men funny in books. I can find books with funny women leads but no men. And I also have to ponder what makes a leading man funny. Does he have to be a serious character for readers to fall in love with him? If he acts silly or makes us laugh, do we not root for him to win the girl or succeed? What are the characteristics that make a funny leading man successful? Since I can't find a book with a leading man with these qualities, I had to use a photo of great funny leading man in movies. I snagged this off the internet so I'm not able to recognize the photographer. Happy Trails, Leslie

As part of the series on the three Act structure, this post is about the second section of Act one - the backstory. The backstory or history of the characters is one of the most difficult for the author to incorporate into the story. After all, the reader doesn't want to start with the day the character was born and read his/her life story to get to the action. The reader wants to meet the character in bits and pieces, to learn why the character acts the way he/she does in a subtle way. Let's take for example a mystery where the protagonist is afraid of heights. The author could slide the backstory in when the character has reason to climb a ladder. Perhaps she has flashbacks to the time when her favorite pet was stuck in a tree and when she climbed up to rescue it, she fell and broke her legs. That might make her think twice about being high off the ground. The author might simply state that our character is afraid of heights but a better method would be to use flashback t

I selected this book, which is not a cozy mystery, nor even a mystery because it came up in my Kindle suggestions.  The book is mostly set during the second World War and is based on two characters: Marie-Laure a young blind girl and Werner a young soldier in Hitler's army. It flits back and forth through different characters and different years. Normally, I find that distracting but in this book the author handled the time change with finesse. Werner, a child leaving in a foster home with his sister, develops his talent for repairing electronics, which leads to an opportunity to attend a special school for boys. As he ages, he is forced into military service and eventually his troop finds their way to Paris. Marie-Laure's father teaches her to navigate the world on her own, despite her blindness. It is these skills which ultimately lead to her survival during the occupation and invasion by the Allies trying to push the Germans out of Paris. I'm not a fan of war sto

I recently had an opportunity to dine at the Hyatt Scottsdale restaurant, Alto ristorante e bar. A small Italian eatery which has consistency received glowing reviews.  Access to the restaurant can be found either by walking through the Asian restaurant or by walking down the fountain courtyard and entering on the lower level. Personally having the two restaurants almost blended together doesn't appeal to me. It's confusing to walk through a busy, noisy restaurant to find one which is more upscale and romantic. It lost some of the potential for ambiance for me. However, the service and the food were well worth it. We started with the lobster risotto fritters which were perfectly cooked and sitting in a pomodoro sauce which was so good we cleaned the plate. For the entrée course my date had the special of Sea Bass and I had the baked ziti with short ribs (costola breva ziti el forno). It was a sizable portion with the burrata of mozzarella melting in the center. My dish wa

Summer monsoon season in Arizona, paired with a beautiful sunset. What could be better? Happy trails, Leslie Visit my website

I'm very excited to announce that Menu for Murder is available in new formats. You can purchase to read in any e-book format, including iBook and Nook. Of course, you can still find the book on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback version. Visit your favorite book download website and get your copy today. Happy Trails, Leslie

According to a survey presented by Smashwords founder, Mark Coker romance novels are the biggest sellers, beating out mysteries, historical fiction, young adult and women's literature. I've blogged before about not reading romance as my first choice, but obviously many people do. I don't claim to be an expert on romance novels but I do know there is a wide range of selections in this genre.  There is historical romance, young adult romance, erotica, steampunk romance, current romance and many more. If you read any of the Twilight series of vampire young adult books, there is a major element of romance between the three main characters. In fact, the vampire story line is almost secondary to the romance between Bella and Edward. As I write this post I surfed through my television channels and landed on the Hallmark channel. If there was a channel devoted to romance it is this one. Yet more proof that romance rules. It seems that we love to escape into a world where there

As part of my review of the three Act structure of a mystery, I will start with Act one, part one, the Hook.  It is suggested that the formula was devised back in Aristotle's time but more recently it is credited as the structure for screenwriting. I will address this in relation to mysteries, specifically the cozy mystery. The first section of Act One is the opportunity for the author to tell the reader about the protagonist, the antagonist (not required to be introduced here but may be), and any secondary characters. It's the one chance for the author to grab the reader's attention and make sure she keeps turning the pages. If the hook isn't strong enough the reader may not continue. Hooks may be inserted into the very first sentence to draw the reader in, the first paragraph, the first page and the end of every chapter.  Consider these first sentences and how the hook might pull you in: They shoot the white girl first. —Toni Morrison, Paradise (1998) It was

When you read a mystery does timing matter? No, I don't mean the time of day, but rather the timing of the plot. If the story seems scattered, perhaps the author didn't follow the "rules". Mysteries generally follow a three Act structure. You could simplify this as the beginning, middle and end. The plot must have more than just the three parts, as each one is further defined by what makes up the sections. For example, the beginning would have the introduction to the character(s). The beginning should also contain the hook (that which grabs your attention), the backstory (character history) and the trigger (the thing which causes the protagonist to go into the crisis). The second Act should include the crisis, struggle and epiphany. and the final, or third Act should have the plan, climax and ending. In future blogs, I will break these down into their individual components so that you can watch for them as you read. For now, keep the three Act method in mind and l

You know that I do like to have a sip or two of wine, every now and then, so when my friend invited me to try this wine restaurant in the Scottsdale Quarter, I was more than a little excited. Now keep in mind that the last time I was at the Scottsdale Quarter something really bad happened. If you don't know what I mean, then you'll have to read Menu for Murder to find out. Sorso has a wine vending machine concept - yes I am serious. You decide how much you want to spend and then simply put your card in the slot and bunch a button to sample from around thirty wines. You have a choice of a sip, a taste or a pour. I really wanted the Silver Oak, but it was a bit out of this server's budget. Since they also had great happy hour prices, I opted for the $5 glass of wine. They also have a great wine pairing menu which includes cheese and meat plates to share, delicious bruschetta, salads and sandwiches. Our food was very good and inventive. Next time maybe I'll try a sandw

Even though my writing has been put on hold, due to a shattered right wrist, I have been able to meet with a number of local book clubs. I'm delighted that they have expressed an interest in reading Menu for Murder. I didn't realize there were so many different groups within thirty miles of where I live until my book came out. The majority seem to be attended by women, but there are a few men scattered in for good measure. They read serious literature, women's fiction, biographies and even a cozy mystery, or two. I have only been part of one book club, which sad to say recently disbanded. I loved the opportunity to find out what other readers thought of a book. Did we all love it or hate it. Did they find things in the story that I missed (yes!)?  Did other readers like the same character traits as I did? From an author's perspective, being involved in a book club was invaluable. I was able to hear what made the readers want to read more of a character and what tu

I'm in love  with author, Jodi Picoult. Well, maybe not her, per se but her work, definitely. I haven't read a book of hers yet that I didn't enjoy from the first page to the last. This was no exception. She leads us down a path and then changes direction so quickly that I can't stop turning the pages. Although not what I would consider a cozy this does have elements of a mystery and there is a murder (or two). There is suspense, red herrings, symbolism and a surprise ending. As told by two characters, Jenna and Alice, it is the story of an elephant sanctuary which also doubles as a research facility and the family who struggles, with the expense of caring for the great animals as well as in their relationships with each other. Jenna's side of the story tells of her search for her mother and the mental collapse of her father. Alice's side of the story focuses on the time before she disappeared. The story is more than a mystery. It's a captivating rea

This snippet of research came to me via the Desert Sleuths chapter of Sisters in Crime. I found it interesting to see who id reading mysteries. What do you read? Happy trails, Leslie

The first ever Payson Book Festival was a huge success for everyone. Held in the cooler than Phoenix temperatures surrounded b y beautiful Pinon pines the event was well attended by authors and readers from all over Arizona. I was very happy to participate with other authors from the Scottsdale Society of Women Writers. Sales of Menu for Murder were strong with one reader purchasing a copy for herself and her friend. These lucky readers now have autographed copies as signed with my left hand! I hope that makes them even more valuable in the future, Happy trails, Leslie

A friend sent me this clipart and I do not know where he found it, so my apologies to the artist. It made me laugh because it depicts me at the computer since I shattered my wrist. Happy trails, Leslie

I was very happy to be able to join the Friends, Wine & Books book club discussion of Menu for Murder.  I loved the interesting comments and feedback on Jayne and the other characters. It was also fun for me to give some extra insight on what was behind their creation and where I see them going in the future. Thanks to Carrie for the lovely gift and for making me feel so very welcome. Happy trails, Leslie

What a great opportunity for me to read some pages from Menu For Murder and hear feedback. Thanks to the Arizona Author's Association for inviting me.

The description of this book originally didn't interest me but my sister told me to read it, so I did. I'm glad I did, because once I started I couldn't put it down.  Written in first person as the three women characters - Megan, Anna and the main character Rachel. As with all of my reviews, I try not to give away too much of the story. I will say that Rachel was hard to like at the beginning of the book. In fact, she was hard to like most of the way through the book. Author Hawkins, adeptly maneuvers the reader until you are completely committed to a direction and then in the last part of the book, she throws you off course. I love a work of fiction which might be considered as women's literature but also includes mystery and maybe even a murder. When an author surprises me with a fantastic twist, I can't wait to read her next work. I would definitely recommend this book. Happy trails, Leslie

For as long as I can remember I have had a love affair with horses. These gentle, loving creatures can gallop into your heart and never let go. If you haven't experienced the thrill of leaping into the air on the back of a 1200 pound mass of muscle to clear a four foot fence - then you have definitely missed out. But even if you have only taken a short trail ride, it's an adventure on the back of a horse. I selected this book based on the fact that it's about a rescued horse. I read the entire book in one sitting and tried hard not to cry in several places. It's not a sad story but there are some very touching places. This is a true story about Susan, a woman with deep wounds from her abusive childhood, and about how a horse, also abused, find peace.  Susan adopts the abused mare, Lay Me Down and her half crazy/wild foal from a rescue center. Despite her own claim to be unable to care for anyone sick or wounded, she brings Lay Me Down back from the brink of deat