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Does the Wine Glass Matter by L. A. Keller

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As part of my restaurant series, this post is about the vessel you use to consume your juice - the fermented grape juice variety. Personally, I love a beautiful glass from which to drink wine. The more shapely and delicate the more I enjoy the wine - not because it always makes the wine dramatically  better but it adds to the pleasure of the act.  I also tend to break them routinely so I go through lots of different glassware. The first question you may ask is whether to have stemware or stemless (also known as a tumbler).  There was a trend a few years ago to move away from glasses with stems.  I agree that the stemless version is sturdier all around. You are less likely to knock the glass over and unable to snap off the stem when washing. These are easy to load in the dishwasher, but not always advisable for any wine glass depending on the quality of the glass. However, the biggest issue with stemless glasses is that you are holding the glass, and thus the wine, in your hand.
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As many of you know, I've been working on the third book in the Jayne Stanford Mystery series.  This book, tentatively titled, No Reservations, continues Jayne's story on a girlfriend getaway to Colorado. I'm excited to announce that I won first place in the Desert Sleuths Write Now! conference first line competition. For those of you who follow the series, I'm including a snippet from the beginning. This working copy may be different than the final version. Until I complete the entire story and run through several rounds of edits. every word is subject to change. I hope you enjoy this teaser. No Reservations Three hours and twenty dollars that’s all I had to get my life in order. I clutched hastily written instructions in my sweaty hand. I repeated the most important part—be at the airport at nine a.m. and not a minute later.             I may have overreacted slightly. My best friend Bailey called me at way too early to be awake for a night shift worke
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What Makes a Cowboy by L. A. Keller

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I love many things - the purple hues of an Arizona sunset, the purr of my rescue kitties, an elegant meal with a fabulous glass of wine, time with family and friends and, of course - cowboys. TI wondered what makes a person a cowboy. If you've read my posts, you know that I use the term Cowboy to represent either the male or female version. Cowgirls work just as hard as their male counterparts.  For the purposes of this discussion I'm going to focus on the male version. There are movie and television cowboys, rodeo cowboys and cowboys who've never ridden a horse or wrangled a cow (which may be the same as movie and t.v. cowboys). I suppose it's not so much if the man is a real cowboy or if he simply represents the idea. For my women readers, what does your ideal man look like? Does he have a hint of a beard on his face, dark penetrating eyes, unruly hair? Is he strong enough to lift a baby calf and carry it in his arms back to its mother? Would he take o
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I Don't Believe in Happily Ever After by L. A. Keller

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I've been so busy writing Reunion in the Desert and trying to finish the third book in the Jayne Stanford series that I left this short story hanging. I'm including part Nine with the new installment as a brief review.  You can read the entire series in my blog posts or email me for one complete copy.  Part 9 “I gave up on happily ever after. Maybe I'm not cut out for a relationship. Maybe, I just don't like being committed to one person for longer than two weeks.” Clare kicked off her running shoes at the back door of her grandmother, Mae’s house. She winced when she thought about how much she spent on them but the fabric absorbed manure like a sponge and there was no way they would ever come clean. She figured she may as well throw them out, along with all her plans for this weekend. Hours of chores around the farm had worn her down more than all day client meetings. Mae hummed a tune as she prepared their lunch. Clare knew she had been guilt tripped in
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Frosted Banana Cake Recipe by L. A. Keller

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This month's recipe is one of my all time favorites. It's easy to make and I am warning you to double the batch because one cake isn't enough! It's good without the frosting however my preference is with lots of frosting. If you don't enjoy banana bread with cream cheese type frosting you may not enjoy this. If you're like me and the sweeter the better, then you'll eat this in one sitting. Cake 3/4 cup sugar 1/3 butter softened 3/4 cup mashed ripe banana 1/4 cup buttermilk  * 1 teas vanilla 1 egg 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour 1 teas baking powder 1/2 teas baking soda 1/2 teas salt 1/2 teas cinnamon 1/ teas cloves 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans - You can leave these out if you have a nut allergy. Frosting 2 cups powdered sugar 1 3 ounce package cream cheese, softened 2 tab butter, softened 1 tab milk 1/2 teas vanilla * As you can't generally find a small container of buttermilk, you can purchase buttermilk powder in the cake
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What's on the Page by L. A. Keller

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Here's this month's What's on the Page segment to keep you in the loop about all the happenings. September closed out with the Desert Sleuths Chapter of Sisters in Crime with their Write Now conference.  The day was packed with amazing speakers and the ultimate surprise that I won first place in the Best First Line contest.  Honestly, I forgot I had even submitted the first sentence of No Reservations (third book in the series).  It's the first time I have ever submitted my work in a contest and definitely won't be the last. Also released to coincide with the conference was the compilation Recipes to Kill For in which I have two recipes and writing tips.  I am thrilled with the cover art and I'm sampling all of the other recipes.  I only have a limited number of copies for sale and only in paperback. I hope to have some left for my next book event. My books were accepted by the Phoenix Library and I was invited to participate in the Local Author Fair in ea
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Jayne's Restaurant Review - Fabio on Fire by L. A. Keller

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I was meeting friends for dinner and wanted to select a place I've never been.  My friend suggested Fabio on Fire in Peoria, Arizona. When I viewed the website, I thought it looked like a casual pizza joint. I was partially right in that it was small and casual but I was wrong about it being just a pizza place. I am officially obsessed!   Located in a small strip shopping area the outside may not impress you but the food definitely will. I dined right before they closed for Labor Day weekend to expand to a larger space in the same location. I can't wait to return to see the changes and to sample more of the amazing food.   There were six adults and a child for dinner. We started with the Caprese and Charcuterie with prosciutto and delicious cheeses. I could have dined exclusively on these starters but we moved on to the lamb chop special, butternut squash ravioli, gnocchi and short rib ravioli.  Each dish was presented well and impeccably prepared. I've hear
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