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Showing posts from 2017

New Book Releases by L. A. Keller

Now that the chilly weather is upon us even those of us who live in Arizona, where our coolest temps aren't below sixty in the winter, need some indoor activities. I can't think of anything I love more than sitting by a fire with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa.  Well, maybe change the cocoa to a glass of nice Cabernet, but other than that the scene is perfect. Here are a few new releases to kick of the year from some of the biggest name authors in the business, along with a short snippet from the book advertising. I must comment that any author who can write the same character for more than ten books amazes me. For Nora Roberts to write not only under her own name but also under the pen name of J. D. Robb is nothing short of astounding. James Patterson - The People vs. Alex Cross  Alex Cross has never been on the wrong side of the law-until now. Charged with gunning down followers of his nemesis Gary Soneji in cold blood, Cross is being turned into the poster child for

Jayne's next adventure - a teaser by L. A. Keller

I have a long way to go and a short time to get there to quote the old song from Smokey and the Bandit (yes I'm old enough to remember when that came out in the movies!).  Despite that I thought it would be fun to post a very early draft of the next Jayne Stanford mystery.  It's more than likely that this will change and could even be removed but you will have seen where my thought process is going for what is tentatively titled, No Reservations. No Reservations             “Jayne, what is the first thing you think of when I say snow?”             “Let me think. Growing up on the eastern shore of Maryland we never got much snow but when we did it was no school snow days, cold toes and my mom putting about fifteen layers of clothes on me before I could waddle out the door.”             “Okay, let’s try that again. Can you picture yourself zooming down the slopes, sun glistening off the fresh powder, riding in a horse drawn sleigh, toasting marshmallows over an op

Crazy Criminals of the nonhuman variety by L. A. Keller

I have a cat who is a thief. Chance will sneak in and swipe the one screw needed to finish assembling the new ceiling fan. If you happen to leave your cell phone on the counter, he will make it his mission to knock it to the floor and then try to put it where you won't ever look.  If you happen to leave anything that can roll, bounce, scoot, or be dragged it will disappear. I've found many 'lost' items under the dining room table or where only someone with a six foot long arm could reach. All the while I'm sure he is chuckling to himself about the trouble he has caused. His latest escapade made me wonder about crazy animal criminals and if they are as funny as their human counterparts.  Here are a few provided by a Fox News article. Velvet monkeys in St. Kitt's are known for their love of alcohol. They will roam the beaches waiting for vacationers to step away from their drinks. Then it's off to have a party of their own, cocktails in hand. Dusty the h

Glendale Chocolate Affaire 2018 by L. A. Keller

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It's almost time for the Glendale Chocolate Affaire. This has been one of the events I enjoy the most and I treasure the opportunity to meet new and existing readers.  I'm your biggest fan! Happy Trails, Leslie View my Website       Twitter       Instagram       Facebook       Menu for Murder       Cocktails at Sunset

Cowboys or Cowgirls wanted by L. A. Keller

I'm always interested in what a cowboy does in our modern world.  In my various searches I came across help wanted ads and I found the job descriptions interesting. Here's one example for a Foreman of a cattle operation. Seeking a foreman to manage two separate operations in Southern Arizona. The ranches are each approximately 200 cow/calf in size. Duties will include; feeding, taking care of both herds of cattle, calving, doctoring and riding young horses. Must be proficient and willing to ride young horses. The operation requires an astute individual who takes pride in watching and knowing his or her cowherd as one of the herds makes replacement heifers for the other ranches. We AI the entire cow herd and expect thorough knowledge about each herd. Must be willing to work with others and long days are sometimes required. The ranches are part of a larger operation. Good pay, bonuses and experience are only part of the benefits the job can offer . And one for a ra

Jayne's Restaurant Review - Eataly Restaurant by L. A. Keller

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I try to review restaurants in Arizona but every once in awhile I get the opportunity to dine in another city.  Always on the alert for something new and yummy, I was on the verge of gluttony in Chicago. It's a gastronomical adventure to dine in this city and the options seem unlimited.  I would love to review them all but sadly I had only a few days to sample the deliciousness. Eataly Restaurant is a chain started by Oscar Farinetti joined by famous partners, Joe Bastianich, Lidia Bastianich and Mario Batali.  The flagship location was in Torino Italy and now there are two restaurants in New York, one in Chicago and Boston. The concept is nothing short of stupendous.  An Italian grocery, bakery, wine shop and restaurant on two floors with regular wine tasting events. If you aren't sucked in by the beautiful wares offered the food will push you over the top. You can shop for fresh produce, gourmet cheeses and meats, fresh pasta and dessert. If you don't want to cook you

Book Review - Booked for Murder (An Oceanside Mystery Book 1) by CeeCee James by L. A. Keller

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I happened across this book on my Kindle and, since I had never read this author and it was a cozy, decided to give it a try.  I'm glad I did. The reader gets a feel for the main character, Maisie right from the start. She has moved to Florida and taken a job as a hotel manager in order to care for her mother. They live onsite in the hotel in an apartment of sorts.  I was confused trying to picture a hotel which has apartments with kitchens but I know they exist. Maisie has a nervous habit of always fidgeting and has very little confidence in her managerial abilities. In her spare time she's a mystery writer - so how could I not like the character?  Although this was book one I felt as if I had missed some of her backstory.  We know she's thirty-five but at times her mother seems older or younger depending on the scene. There were a few lines, such as this one when she describes her dog, which I loved. "I've always said he'd betray our whole family for

To Nog or not to Nog for the holidays by L. A. Keller

Egg Nog is a very traditional holiday drink with or without rum. Originally, Wassail was a drink made with ale, roasted applies, toasted bread, raisins and currants. The name is derived from the Gaelic toast, Was Hael! which means Be Well.  I don't know anyone who has time to prepare all of that so here are two easy versions. It's up to you whether you include rum or not. Egg Nog 6 eggs 1 cup sugar 1/2 teas salt 1 cup rum 1 1/2 teas vanilla 1 quart light cream or milk dash of nutmeg to taste Beat eggs until light and foamy. Add sugar, salt and vanilla. Add rum and cream Stir well Chill - overnight if possible Sprinkle with nutmeg before serving. Sparkling Orange Egg Nog 1 quart orange juice, chilled 1/4 cup lemon juice - fresh is best 3 eggs 2 tablespoons sugar dash cinnamon dash cloves 1 pint vanilla ice cream 16 oz ginger ale - or sparkling wine dash of nutmeg to taste Beat eggs until light and foamy. Add 2 cups of the orange juice, lemon juice

Featured good works: H.A.L.O. Animal Rescue by L. A. Keller

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This month I am featuring another non-profit that does good work. H.A.L.O. stands for Helping Animals Live On and is a no kill animal rescue shelter. I first joined this organization several years ago because I felt the need to give something back to my community and to help care for the many homeless animals we have in Arizona.  As a person who has rescued and lived with a number of cats, I know how much joy an animal brings to your life. Adopting a pet gives a second chance to one in desperate need. I firmly believe that pet also knows the opportunity and gives love back tenfold. According to H.A.L.O.'s website more than 50,000 animals enter shelters in Arizona each year. It is a monumental task to rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for these animals. In 2016 H.A.L.O.took in 8241 dogs and cats and adopted 8062. Some animals were too sick to be adopted but most found new homes and loving families. H.A.L.O. recently moved to a new headquarters at 32nd Street and Bell Road in

Super Short Story - He didn't mean to scare the child by L. A. Keller

This month's super short story begins with the line: "He hadn't meant to scare the child." Hope you enjoy this oddball story. He hadn’t meant to scare the child. Weeks of his life had been invested in preparation. It was imperative his audience not only saw but felt his performance in their souls.  No detail was overlooked or unrehearsed. He had been secure in the knowledge that there were no errors in judgement or minor flaws. Earlier that day he debated on clothing choice and added a touch of powder to his face. He was almost out the door, preferring to be significantly early rather than late, when he remembered the element of surprise he needed for this special day. It wouldn’t do to forget the most important part of the show. It surprised him that his hands shook as he walked on stage. The audience clapped politely and he took a deep breath. He scanned the crowd to be sure those necessary were present and attentive. When he spoke his voice was commanding and

Crazy Criminals by L. A. Keller

This month's edition of crazy criminals continues to confound me.  These are some Arizona criminals as reported in the New Times or other journals, as noted. Let’s start with the momma’s boy. The shame and embarrassment of being broke, 35-years-old, and living with his mother drove Jason Draper to allegedly steal over $45,000 worth of merchandise from Walmart stores over the course of several months. At least, that's what Draper told police. ********** If there's any benefits to getting robbed by friends, it would be that you likely know several different ways to get in contact with them. One woman used Facebook to help police track down and arrest her former friend Brandi Rogers, after Rogers allegedly helped orchestrate a gun-point robbery of her home. Rogers and the woman were Facebook friends, and a status update posted a few days after the robbery allowed the woman to tell the police where Rogers would be eating one particular evening, and police arrested her t

Television Cowboys - Hopalong Cassidy by L. A. Keller

Where would the lore of the old west be without our television cowboy heroes? Since that was my first exposure to the genre, I thought it might be fun to step back in time to when a cowboy was king. One of the first television series was Hopalong Cassidy, starring William Boyd. This show ran from 1949 to 1954 in the age before we all had color televisions. Hopalong was actually the creation of author Clarence E. Mulford in 1904. Mulford created a series of short stories which were later developed for film.  The original character was not the clean cut persona I remember but instead a rough talking, dangerous fellow who had a wooden leg. I'll bet you can make the connection to how he became hop-along. Before all the good guys wore white, Bill 'Hopalong' Cassidy was dressed in all black including his hat and rode a brilliant white horse. His sidekick was first played by Gabby Hayes, who became a star as a supporting character in dozens of films. When the studios decided

Bailey's place in Laguna Beach by L. A. Keller

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Wherever I go, whatever I'm doing I am always taking pictures. Not only do I love looking back fondly on places I've been and people I've experienced them with but I'm always working.  An image may catch my eye for a particular purpose or it may just be something I like. In the case of this photo I snapped it because I thought it looked like a fun place to stay. When I reviewed the photos this grabbed me as a place Bailey would stay. I always see her as a modern day hippy chick. She loves tie-dye clothes, long flowing skirts, mother nature and just might participate in a demonstration, if the cause is right for her. I'm sharing it with you because it's possible this will show up in a future book. Happy Trails, Leslie Leslie's Website       Twitter       Instagram       Facebook       Menu for Murder       Cocktails at Sunset

Jayne's Restaurant Review - Nick's Laguna Beach by L. A. Keller

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If you live in middle to southern Arizona you try to escape the extreme summer heat. If you are lucky you drive to the beaches of Mexico or California.  This year, as part of Leslie's research for another book, I spent a few days in Laguna Beach. Tough job but someone had to do it! If you tell almost anyone in Arizona you are going to the beach they will have recommendations. We were loaded with places to eat, where to have cocktails to watch the sunset and great shops. I'm going to discuss the dining options because, after all that is my main focus in life. I made reservations two weeks in advance for Nick's Laguna Beach. We checked it out the day before and I was surprised to find it appeared casual and small. They have a nice patio area which overlooks the street but wasn't too loud. There is a parking garage behind the restaurant but we were fortunate to find a metered spot a block down.  Plan to have a credit card or lots of quarters if you street park. I ord

Book Review - What Did You Do Before Dying? (A Marge Chirstensen Mystery Book 1) by Patricia Batta by L. A. Keller

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This is a cozy mystery by an author I have never read. There are a few spoilers in this review so be forewarned. We meet Marge when she wakes up from a dream not long after her husband has died. The police ruled his death a suicide but Marge was suspicious from the start. Her husband had been acting strangely in the last months before his death and it was only after that she discovered he had a terminal illness. The mystery unravels slowly but at a good pace.  The first chapter introduces a number of characters, which I always find confusing, but it's not long before you are able to figure out their story function. It caught me off guard when the second chapter began with a different font or font spacing than the first and I found a few typos scattered through the book. As an older woman myself now (ARGH), I thought Marge seemed older than forty-eight. Before her age was revealed I pictured her in her sixties but perhaps that was part of the growth that she needed to accompli

Green Demon Shooter for Halloween by L. A. Keller

I love Halloween. First, there's the opportunity to dress up in crazy outfits and knock on stranger's doors. Then, if you are lucky, you will meet other unusually attired humans performing the same ritual.  Lastly, it gives us adults a reason to gorge on candy and have a few specialty adult beverages. Here's one I think is fun. 1/2 oz. Vodka 1/2 oz. Run - light or dark 1/2 oz. Midori 1/2 oz. limeade Combine ingredients in a shaker half filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into a shot glass. As an alternative, you can switch the limeade for frozen lime sherbet and make it a chilly cocktail. Either way it's a yummy treat. Remember to always drink responsibly. Cheers Jayne Leslie's Website       Twitter       Instagram       Facebook       Menu for Murder       Cocktails at Sunset

New Mysteries for September by L. A. Keller

Here's a few new mysteries which were published in September. I'm including the book descriptions for easy reference.  If you click on either of these links they will take to you Amazon and you can find the books from there. A Western Star (A Longmire Mystery) by Craig Johnson Sheriff Walt Longmire is enjoying a celebratory beer after a weapons certification at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy when a younger sheriff confronts him with a photograph of twenty-five armed men standing in front of a Challenger steam locomotive. It takes him back to when, fresh from the battlefields of Vietnam, then-deputy Walt accompanied his mentor Lucian to the annual Wyoming Sheriff's Association junket held on the excursion train known as the Western Star, which ran the length of Wyoming from Cheyenne to Evanston and back. Armed with his trusty Colt .45 and a paperback of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express , the young Walt was ill-prepared for the machinations of twent

Super Short Story - The Restaurant by L. A. Keller

When presented with the following scenario I had to create a super short story.  Here's what developed. After arriving at your favorite lunch destination and eating your favorite meal, your waitress rushes to your table. She looks panicked. She grabs you and looks into your eyes, but doesn't say anything. finally she turns toward the wait staff, who are gathered just outside the kitchen and... "Someone call 911," she shrieked. I glanced nervously at the other diners. Why was the server causing such a scene? I never complained about my food, even when my order was wrong and the chef put tomatoes on my sandwich. I dislike tomatoes. They make the bread mushy and invariably I get a tiny little seed stuck in my teeth that no one bothers to tell me about. The couple at the table to my right jumped up and ran for the door. The man seated on my left sat, mouth agape food dribbling down his chin. The child who had screeched through my entire meal was finally silent.

Crazy Criminals by L. A. Keller

Each month I try to lighten the mood with a few oddball or crazy criminals. These have been compiled from Associated Press and other sources as noted. In 2014,  a clothing and jewelry boutique in southern Illinois realized that some of its stock was missing, including a colorful, leopard-print dress. The store's co-owners turned to Facebook for help, posting about the stolen items. A keen-eyed Facebook friend noticed that a woman had been posting photos of herself wearing the distinct dress on her  own  page. The amateur detective made the connection and helped police identify the woman who was arrested on misdemeanor retail theft charges. In May 2015, two burglars in Chickasha kicked in the back door of their neighbors home and stole almost $4,000 worth of goods. Only one problem, they forgot to empty the oil out of the deep fryer they stole. The thieves left a trail of grease from the burglarized home all the way to their home across the street. When officers arrived and noti

Jayne's life in photos by L. A. Keller

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As a writer, there are many places my characters live, work and play. Occasionally I need inspiration in the form of photos. It's not unusual for me to snap a photo of a place I'm passing or to jot a quick note if I see someone I might use as a character. If I'm dining out I might check out the restaurant layout and try to get a peek at the kitchen. Unique street names, businesses or old buildings may wind up in a future manuscript. To that end, here's a few pictures I found that I use for the Jayne Stanford mysteries. This is what I picture Jayne's apartment to look like, except hers is not nearly so tidy. Jayne's living room/kitchen Jayne's patio - where she and Jonas try to enjoy a glass of wine on their first real date The outside of her building Happy Trails, Leslie Visit my website Twitter       Instagram       Facebook       Menu for Murder       Cocktails at Sunset

A Cowboy is Born

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What is a cowboy?  They are portrayed in books and movies as manly men. They are overflowing with testosterone and able to leap tall buildings with a single bound.  Well, that might be Superman but many of us still think of them as super heroes.  One dictionary defines a cowboy as "a man, typically one on horseback, who herds and tends cattle, especially in the western US and as represented in westerns and novels".  Cowboys in literature remain popular in the romance genre. I can think of few women who wouldn't be tantalized by a man riding to her rescue on a white horse. But the origins of cowboys really started in Mexico. According to the American Cowboy (americancowboy.com), the Vaquero (Spanish for cow) influenced what most of us in the U.S. consider to be the origin of the cowboy.  Horses were imported from Spain in the early 1500's to Mexico and natives were taught to ride and manage cattle. Cattle ranching spread from Mexico into the Southwest of what is

Jayne's Restaurant Review - The Vig McDowell Mountain

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I never review the same restaurant twice so this is an exception. A friend of mine wanted to go on a Friday night to The Vig, McDowell Mountain location. With no reservations we met up at 5 pm.  Be forewarned that even in the intense summer heat this place was packed.  A large number of (crazy) people were actually sitting outside! We waited over an hour for an inside seat as one of my party refused to sit under the misting system. Not because it would mess her hair but she is sure it loaded with germs, a possibility I had never considered but now, after some research, I will definitely adhere to the no mister policy. This time I ordered something different - the Black & Blu burger with fries. I left the onions off but thoroughly savored the crisp bacon, creamy blue cheese, whiskey bbq sauce and arugula on a brioche bun.  The fries were skinny and perfectly cooked.  My friends split the chicken wings and each got tacos and my other friend got the Steak and Fries which was marin

Book Review - Outlander: A Novel (Outlander, Book 1) by Diana Gabaldon

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I avoided reading this series for years, despite the many recommendations of friends. I usually avoid science fiction, especially time travel/romance/science fiction crammed into one. To add to my dilemma, I had just completed reading a 900+ page biography on Lyndon B. Johnson.  Tackling another long read wasn't on my immediate to do list. So what finally changed my mind?  I heard the author speak at an Arizona writer's conference. She was self-deprecating and funny. I decided at that moment to give her 800+ first book a glance. It's not a fast read but I was definitely drawn in and mesmerized by the characters. There are a few spoilers in this review so be alerted in advance. Set in the 1940's and 1740's we meet Claire, married to Frank who visits Scotland with her historian husband.  She says, "They were garrulous and gossipy, and their solid, print-clad presences filled the shops with a cozy warmth; a buttress against the cold mist of the morning outdo

The Russians Are Coming

You can't turn on the television, listen to the radio to view any social media without something about the situation between the United States and Russia.  To do my part as a conscientious citizen, I'm including several Russian variety drink recipes. If we can't stop the news, we can at least make it more tolerable to hear. These are all very simple recipes with limited ingredients required.  Black Russian 1 1/2 oz. Vodka (preferably Russian) 1/2 oz. Coffee liqueur Pour vodka and liqueur into an old fashioned glass filled with ice. Stir well White Russian 1 1/2 oz. Vodka (preferably Russian) 1/2 oz. Coffee liqueur 1/2 oz. cream - You can use half and half or heavy/whipping cream Combine all ingredients in a shaker, half filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into an old fashioned glass filled with ice. Red Russian 1 oz. Strawberry liqueur 1 oz. Vodka (preferably Russian) 1/2 oz. cream - You can use half and half or heavy/whipping cream Combine all ingre

New Mysteries

Here are some recently released mysteries which are all part of a series. On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service (A Royal Spyness Mystery) by Rhys Brown This is book 11 of this series by a NY Times best selling author who has won numerous awards. I would be inclined to start with the first book as I dislike jumping into a series in the middle. In the new Royal Spyness Mystery from the  New York Times  bestselling author of  Crowned and Dangerous , Lady Georgiana Rannoch juggles secret missions from the Queen, Darcy, and her mother. But it’s all in a day’s work when you’re thirty-fifth in line to the British Crown.  When Darcy runs off on another secret assignment, I am left to figure out how to travel to Italy sans maid and chaperone to help my dear friend Belinda, as she awaits the birth of her baby alone. An opportunity presents itself in a most unexpected way—my cousin the queen is in need of a spy to attend a house party in the Italian lake country. The Prince of Wal