Leslie Keller Books

This cozy mystery felt very similar to another book I recently reviewed (Handbags and Homicide). In Motion for Murder, the main character hates her job at a law firm where one of the partners is sleazier than humanly possible. It's pretty obvious from the first time Dougie steps into a scene that someone has to kill him soon, or the reader will be tempted to do the deed. He wasn't simply annoying, he was sexist. His behavior would never survive in the real world where he would invite a sexual harassment lawsuit. A former client almost kills him but is thwarted at the last minute. The same client pops up again later in the book - as if the police wouldn't have dealt with him properly the first time! After Dougie is murdered his widow forces Jamie to investigate her co-workers at the law firm to determine who did it. Jamie has some help from her landlord, Curt and her goofy sister, Sherri, who is desperate for a husband. I never really understood the relationship betwee

It may be surprising to learn that Arizona has a large number of man-made lakes which are not only perfect for boating and swimming but great for doing nothing but catching your breath in between hectic days.  This is a picture of Lake Pleasant during one of my outings there. If you ever come to Phoenix you can rent a motorized boat or do as I have and take a kayak out. It's peaceful and the water is clear and clean. I guarantee you will enjoy some of the Sonoran desert's most beautiful scenery. Happy trails, Leslie

In the spirit of the holidays, I asked my friend Caren if I could post her lovely poem to my blog.  She graciously consented so here it is: The Trappings of Christmas By Caren Cantrell Snow covered hilltops, holly so green, Bright colored lights cast a glaze on the scene. A jolly old man with an elf by his side, Shouts for his reindeer to come take a ride. Laden with presents he takes off with glee. What joy to leave wonder beneath each child’s tree. All glitter and sparkle, an angel on top Candy canes, tinsel, corn ready to pop Baubles and bangles and garland of gold, These are the trappings of Christmas I’m told. But my house is humble, no bright lights shine clear, No presents, no eggnog, no stockings hang here. Yet billions of stars spark up the night sky, And twinkle the snowflakes with joy as they fly. A warm fire cackles, our family draws near, A simple meal waiting, no hunger to fear. Prayers of thanksgiving for family and friends,

Today's book review is on Read It & Weep, A Library Lovers Mystery(book 4) written by Jenn McKinlay. I have to say before posting my review of this particular book, that I've heard Jenn McKinlay speak on at least two occasions. She has a great sense of humor and is an interesting speaker. I was excited to read this book as part of my local book club. I have read one of her cupcake cozy series which was better than this one but no others. I couldn't help but notice that Jenn breaks the rules when it comes to the when the murder occurs. I was halfway through the book before anyone died. Now, I like a good lead in story as much as the next person but I would have been happy if she got to the point (someone dying) a bit sooner. She introduced a lot of characters in the first few pages which caused me to have to go back and re-read it so that I could keep track of who was who.  Lastly, she spent too much time "telling" me about the main character instead of &

By definition, a cozy has no explicit sex but certainly can contain some sexual tension and even some sex scenes. But how much sex is too much?  For some, simply the hint of sexual tension is sufficient. For others, (think Fifty Shades of Grey), details, details, details! For my personal taste too much sex distracts from the point of the mystery. It's fun to have it but I don't want that to be a central part of the story. After all, if you're reading a cozy I'm guessing it's because you want mystery, murder, humor AND maybe a dash of sex. A case in point, Janet Evanovich's character Stephanie Plum , is hopping from bed to bed. She can't make up her mind which guy she really wants. The author has more sex that most cozies I've read but at the same time it's not overdone.  If you remember a television show from the late 1980's called Moonlighting you may recall the tension between the central characters, Cybil Shepherd and Bruce Willis. The

If you have never visited Sedona Arizona then you haven't seen red rocks in their most magnificent state. The sky is never more blue, nor the air more clear. Many say there is a spirituality to this place. Personally, I think that can be true of anywhere you feel most centered. Happy trails, Leslie

A Tine to Live, A Tine to Die (A Local Foods Mystery) by Edith Maxwell I selected this first book in the series because I found that the author has written three different series and I had high expectations. I won't say I was disappointed  but I don't see myself reading anymore of this particular series. The book is written in third person and starts out with the main character, Cam preparing for new customers at her farm which grows and sells organic produce. We don't know what has prepared Cam to run a working farm with only one farmhand and volunteers who work in exchange for product. I grew up on a very small farm where we had a large garden, chickens and cows which were raised for our own consumption. It took a lot of work just to manage the garden so I had a hard time believing the premise in this book. I also felt that the story started at a place where I had to look back to see if I had missed the first chapter. Although no one wants to read pages of backsto

Goodreads has posted their reader review votes for the best books of the year.  I'm excited that The Silkworm was number 2.  This is a book by author Robert Galbraith, aka J.K. Rowling. Yes the same person who wrote the Harry Potter series. Rumors were flying when this book came out as to why she wrote it under a pen name. Whatever the reason I was glad I read it. Having never read any of the Harry Potter books, nor even watched an entire movie I wasn't familiar with her writing style. This was the second book in the series, the first being The Cuckoo's Calling. I loved the first book. I loved the central character who is flawed beyond being likeable. He is an alcoholic, womanizer and basically appears on the surface to be hopeless. But as you turn each page you begin to warm up to him and want to know more about him. I wasn't as crazy about the second book. Although I still really enjoyed it I found it somewhat lacking some of "getting to know you" of t

Red Herring: 1.  A dried smoked herring which is turned red by the smoke 2.  Something, especially a clue, which is intended to be misleading or distracting. You may have never heard of the term "red herring" before now. If you have, three cheers for you for being a step ahead of the pack. No, I don't mean the fish but rather definition  number 2 - a clue in a mystery. A mystery writer will intentionally place red herrings in your path. You can gobble them up as you read and then digest which ones are not actual red herrings but true clues. A red herring might be a character who's purpose is to make you think he or she is the killer. Or a red herring might be a subtle clue which isn't a red herring at all but is place such that you aren't sure. Next time you are reading a mystery look for the red herrings in the plot. They shouldn't jump out at you but be woven into the story. Happy trails, Leslie