Leslie Keller Books

This book is not a cozy mystery. I would categorize it as women's fiction and it's the second book I've read by this author. I must admit, reading this one was an accident as I had forgotten the prior book, which I didn't like as much as this one. Alex Halstad is an interior designer whose business is on the verge of collapse. She's used the savings and maxed out credit cards, without letting her husband, Barry know how bad things are. When a teenage mom shows up on their doorstep, the daughter her husband never knew he had, their lives change. Alex didn't want children and prefers the company of her dog over her sister's children. When Barry's daughter, Jade enters their lives with her young daughter in tow, Alex's perfectly designed house and potential clients become the subject of the new granddaughter's curious mind.  When the ex-wife comes along to try to reconnect with Jade, things become even more complicated. This was an enjoyable r...

I usually like to give you a drink recipe but this wine was so yummy and perfect for summer I had to deviate from the norm. My sister brought this for my mother's birthday and we guzzled it down in record time. My mother does not drink but I kept catching her sipping from my glass - that's how good it is. Sangria is! a traditional Spanish wine infused with fruit of your choice. In the case of Sangria Lolea No 2, the flavor is primarily peach which dances on top of the wine itself and fizzes gently on your tongue. I can't wait to try the other flavors and they even have a mini - perfect for one! I've included a link to the website to help you find it locally. Have some on hand for your next summer party and you'll be the most popular host. http://www.sangrialolea.com/content.php Happy Dining, Jayne Visit Leslie's website

This is an excerpt from an interview held with Trent Hayworth after the death of the mayor of Cave Creek, Arizona. Reporter:  Mr. Hayworth, after mayor McArthur was murdered, rumors suggested you may have been a suspect. Trent:  That's preposterous. Reporter:  Can you describe your relationship with the mayor? Trent:  We had a working relationship. The mayor was helping to raise funds for the women's shelter. Reporter:  I have a source who alleges there was an audit of the books and funds were missing. Trent:  I have never been charged with any wrongdoing. Reporter:  I didn't suggest you were responsible for the shortages, only that they existed. Trent:  The women's shelter will be completed as soon as we get the final permits. All funds are accounted for. Reporter:  There are other allegations that you may have been involved in a prostitution ring. Trent:  I'm a good family man! I have a wife and kids. Are you trying...

This restaurant started out as a small catering company. I know this because the owner was a friend of a friend. I never had the chance to sample her food back then but did recently enjoy lunch at the old town Scottsdale location. I had the Pear and Gorgonzola Flatbread and I think I've been dreaming about it ever since. Perfectly cooked with a delightful combination of flavors. For my main entree I had the Market Sunflower Salad.  Tender juicy blackened chicken with a refreshing vinaigrette dressing. My friend had the crisp  Brussels Sprout Chips with the crispy Chicken BLT. For dessert we had a tray of sweets which included mini cupcakes. I don't see these on the menu so it's possible they were a special. The location is great in old town Scottsdale, with parking just around the corner. I would recommend checking this place out for lunch or dinner and then (if the Arizona weather permits) taking a walk around the town.  There are art galleries and shops in abundan...

I've been writing about the three act structure, which is essential, in my opinion, to a successful mystery.  In the first part of Act Three, the protagonist devises a solution to her problem. This plan is only possible because she experienced the epiphany at the end of Act Two. Once our protagonist has experienced her epiphany, she is ready to move on. She must have a plan to succeed. In the case of Jayne in Menu for Murder, her epiphany comes when she realizes she might be stronger than she thought. J ayne says:  "It was at that moment when I realized I couldn't have saved my dad but I could save myself.  I wasn't a failure at all." She realizes that she must solve the crime herself in order to clear her name. In order to do that she must have a plan. For Jayne, the plan comes as she starts to put the clues together. It's here where she will experience setbacks but her helpers (Bailey and Jonas) will keep her moving forward. Another example of th...

I took this picture on my last hike of the season, early in the morning as a storm was rolling in. Every other place, I've visited or lived, the rain is welcome but tiresome. Here, we can't seem to get enough of the show Mother Nature occasionally graces us with. Happy Trails, Leslie Visit my website.

This is a cozy mystery and is the first book in a series. Rosemary Field and her two sisters (Thyme and Sage) have all had to give up their happy lives and work at whatever jobs they can to save their parent's resort. It seems their hippy parents have abandoned them with a sizable amount of debt and the girls are determined to pay it off and save the family home. We meet Rosemary as she is preparing meals for a celebrity. The celebrity dies that night of an allergic reaction and Rosemary is accused of the deed.  Now, she must solve the crime in order to clear her name. First, I will say that I enjoyed the book. It was an entertaining read but (and I have include the 'but'), the editing was poorly done. Throughout the book, I felt compelled to highlight the errors which is distracting. The other part of the story which bothered me was the fact that Rosemary had no real qualifications to land the job as a celebrity chef. I need my characters to get to where they are g...