Leslie Keller Books

Flirting with Felicity by Gerri Russell is the first book I've read by this author. I was drawn to this book as the story is centered around a young woman who inherits a hotel and the restaurant, which is where her passion lies as its head chef. Also because it had almost two thousand 3.5 star reviews on Amazon. When the prior owner's grandson, Blake Bancroft, shows up to contest her right to ownership they commence upon a contest to see who can convince the other to give up and deed the hotel to the other. This book is a romance and I might have enjoyed it except that my restaurant knowledge kept getting in the way. I can't help it. I'm a stickler for the facts when it comes to the restaurant business. It was obvious to me that the author never had to work in one or she would have known the plot wouldn't work. I suppose if you only focus on the romance aspect it was a good story but, darn it - no head chef I've ever met (and I've met quite a few) especi...

The Phoenix area just opened a Bonefish restaurant. I'd eaten at this place a few years ago in Virginia and remembered that it was good. I've been to the new one in Phoenix twice already and I think I'm addicted. The restaurant is relatively small and took the place of what was a hamburger themed restaurant for years.  The interior is nice with a great bar area with booth seating and a covered patio for outside dining (before the heat kicks in). On my first trip I dined with a few girlfriends on the patio and enjoyed wine and appetizers. The macaroni and cheese balls were good but not great. I had a salad which was slightly heavy on the garlic but also good. My second trip I had the Lobster tail special - OH WOW! For the price of $19.99 you select a house or Caesar salad, have the Lobster tail with delightfully crispy Yukon gold potatoes and the sugar snap peas. I substituted green beans and they were perfectly cooked. Included in this Prix Fixe menu are three sizable...

The She-Shed I came across this in Facebook and couldn't resist it. I seriously want one of these as an escape and I'm already thinking about how I can use it for my backyard writing retreat. Of course, it would be a fun place for a ladies lounge/wine bar or tea room, a place to read someone else's work. I must admit to being somewhat obsessed with this idea. If it turns out that I actually move forward I will be sure to post pictures of the progress. Happy trails, Leslie

I just finished a romance novel that had quite a few sex scenes. I wasn't expecting it based on the book description and, to be honest, I didn't realize from the back cover it was a romance. But once again I have to wonder what you expect when you read a cozy. According to the general "rules" for cozy mysteries there is no graphic sex or violence. Of course, you might want to inquire as to who sets these rules and who determines what is graphic! Perhaps a better word would be explicit.  Is it necessary to move the story forward? Do the scenes add to the reader's understanding of the characters? Consider how you would feel about a character who randomly selects partners, has one night affairs and kicks them to the curb before the sun comes up. Now compare that character to someone who holds potential love interests at arm's length and never lets alone get close. Aren't they both the same? Neither is able to make a commitment, perhaps due to his or her h...

The description of this book caught my eye immediately, "Cupcake-loving croupier Tiffany Black is determined to leave her job at the casino for good. She's one small step away from acquiring her Private Investigator license, and has her eye on the prize." How much fun does that sound like?  Las Vegas and cupcakes? A woman after my own heart! Tiffany is hired by, Sophia, the beautiful ex-stripper and widow of casino mogul, Ethan Becker to find his killer. Sophia claims to have been framed and wants Tiffany to find the real killer. Tiffany never liked her from their high school days but despite her better judgement, agrees to take on her very first case as a P.I. The craziness begins as Tiffany starts interviewing potential suspects all while fighting off her mother's attempts to fix her up with the "right" man and monitoring her grandmother's poker playing. This was an easy and enjoyable read. I might be tempted to see what happens in the next ins...

I recently attended an "author palooza" event as a reader, not as an author. Held at a small private bookstore, I met with a number of local authors. Everyone had their books on display, as I expected they would. There is something exciting about picking up a book for the first time and feeling my pulse quicken at the images on the cover. The new book smell wafting around me and the intrigue of the back cover text. I was tempted, very tempted to purchase more than one of the books. I didn't. Not because the books didn't interest me. Not because I didn't believe they were well written. I didn't purchase a single book because I am a Kindle addict. Perhaps I am a Kindle snob. I love, love, love my Kindle. It is the single best gift I have ever received in terms of the amount of time I have it glued to my hands. I can't count the number of times I've fallen asleep with it in my hands only to have it smack me in the face. Awake once again, I continue read...

What would you expect other than a photo of dessert from me? You know how much I love chocolate and this dessert from Kona Grill did not disappoint. A warm brownie, moist and chewy, covered in chocolate sauce with caramel and a scoop of vanilla ice cream, oh yes and a few berries, which I picked off - perfection. I didn't eat my vegetables but I did have the BBQ Chicken pizza. It was way too spicy for me, leaving my tongue on fire in its wake. My friends had chicken caesar, Ahi tuna, macadamia nut chicken and lettuce wraps. The one comment I heard was that the price was too high for the chicken but it looked very good. The service was very good and the atmosphere perfect, as we sat on the patio with a lovely breeze blowing through on a spring evening in Arizona. What really is better than that? I've dined at this particular Kona Grill a few times and it is consistent but not really my favorite cuisine. I would absolutely recommend it and its location in City North will ...

I am thrilled to be able to post a few of the early reviews for Menu for Murder. I hope, if you haven't already read it you are opening to the first page as I write this. From author, Rebecca Yoder: "Secondly, is author of cozy mysteries, Leslie Keller.  I had the privilege to review her book while she reviewed mine.  You can find hers here  for Kindle, and I assure you, if you love writing where you can pick up on that author's unique style and voice, you will like her book, Menu for Murder.  You can also read a snippet from her book here , and follow her blog www.lesliekellerbooks.blogspot.com .  I am including a copy of my review of Menu for Murder for your enjoyment.  And excuse my one and only typo.  Nex?  What is that?" You can find Rebecca at:  http://rebeccayodersblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/two-and-half-weeks-of-meditation-clear.html From other readers here are reviews posted on Amazon: By Lauren Steinberg on Marc...

I have been blessed in my life with some amazing people. I am especially lucky to have strong women, after whom I can model characters in my book, and with whom I can celebrate life's ups and drown life's downs. Most recently, I was thrown a surprise book launch by some of my dearest friends. I almost had to cancel at the last minute due to unforeseen events which occurred during the day, but fortunately for me I didn't. It took the presentation of this beautiful cake in the image of the cover of Menu for Murder for me to actually realize what was going on. I, of course, thought it was just another reason to get together and drink wine and enjoy some yummy food. Needless to say, I was touched beyond words and I am grateful to have such fabulous people in my life. Happy trails, Leslie