Leslie Keller Books

I have a t-shirt that I picked up somewhere many years ago. It doesn't fit anymore and it's very worn but I refuse to throw it out.  The main reason, the only reason actually, is the saying on the front which makes me laugh every time I re-fold it and stuff it back in the dark recess of my closet. Cowgirl - a better looking cowboy with brains Just in case you are ready to write me or protest outside my house, let me clarify that I don't think cowboys are dumb and I certainly don't think they aren't sexy.  If you read my books, you know that's not the case. Still, this shirt makes me chuckle and, since every other news report talks about women and the difference in pay, treatment, etc, I felt compelled to use this as my theme for this post. Seriously, there really is something about a man in a pair of worn Wrangler jeans and dusty cowboy hat atop a horse that gets my heart rate up. Cowboys can be the good guys (picture the Lone Ranger or 80% of John Wayne...

I will be attending the Glendale Chocolate Affaire again this year. The most exciting part of that news is that I'll have the new book, Cocktails at Sunset available at the event.  I hope you venture out on the Saturday and stop by the booth.  Glendale Has A Cure For Chocoholics & Hopeless Romantics With Annual Chocolate Affaire February 3-5 Glendale's Own Cerreta Candy Company Presents the Sweetest Event in Town WHEN: Friday, February 3, 6-10 p.m. Saturday, February 4, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, February 5, noon-5 p.m. WHERE: Murphy Park 58th and Glendale avenues In the heart of Historic Downtown Glendale Free Admission Happy Trails, Leslie Visit my website

This is the final installment of Tilly's story and a bit longer than my regular post. On the third week of her wandering she lucked upon the back entrance of a restaurant. A kindly woman would toss her scraps at the end of the night and leave her a bowl of fresh water. Tilly would scurry under a rusty metal dumpster to hide until she felt it was safe to creep out. When the woman would call Tilly's body would wiggle in excitement. Maybe this would be her new family. One night the lady looped a rope around her neck and put her inside a cage. Tilly whimpered and her body trembled in fear.  She was taken to a new place where there were many dogs, all barking and many frightened. This was different from where Tilly had grown up. These dogs were all manner of breeds and shapes. Some were fierce and growled as Tilly was led past their enclosure, some barked a greeting and leapt at their doors. Tilly was placed in a cement floor ...

I stopped by the Buffalo Chip Saloon for the first time since it reopened after the fire that burned it to the ground. Sadly there were so many memories in the old place, not just for me but for many of the locals. It's an institution and the mementos can never be replaced. I'll definitely go back and check it out again when the band is playing. I couldn't resist a picture of this piece of art/entertainment that gallops at the front door. I hope it brings back memories of your childhood, as it did for me. Happy Trails, Leslie Visit my website Twitter           Instagram           Facebook           Menu for Murder

I recently dined at the DC Ranch location wine restaurant called The Living Room. Years ago this place was name Armitage but the new place has a nicer look and feel. With my two friends, we had hoped to sit in one of the comfy seating areas but since there were only three of us the manager made us move to a bar table. Disappointing as that was one of the reasons we arrived early and selected this restaurant.  There was a large private party which consumed half of the indoor restaurant seating. We considered sitting outside but weren't sure about the temperature, which in hindsight was silly, because all of the doors were open and it was probably the same indoors or out. As we arrived with ten minutes left to spare in happy hour, two of us shared a bottle of wine for $20, which was a great price and one ordered by the glass.  The server was very attentive but our table was so small and we were three hungry women, so it was a constan...

This is a light romance, women's fiction story with the loss of a spouse and pet as a central theme.  How does a person get over the loss of a loved one and move on?  We meet Dan and his teenaged daughter, Lindsay as they struggle to exist a year after the death of his wife/her mother. For Dan every day requires all of his strength to get out of bed. Lindsay seems to be coping better, until their beloved dog Anni is dognapped from the front of their house. The story starts out with this passage, which I felt set the tone for much of the book. "The little dog waited, ear rising expectantly with the passing of every car, her eyes never leaving the door." Depressing - yes. By serendipity, Andrea winds up with Anni and finds that she is just the cure for the emptiness in her life. A messy divorce has left Andrea bruised and unwilling to take a risk meeting someone new. Her friend Jade, pushes her to attend an event to help her find her focus and move beyond the hurt...

I admit that I selected this book because it was written by my veterinarian's wife. He's the best vet I've ever had and on that basis alone I hoped I would like this book.  I didn't like it - I loved it. We meet Kate Turner as she is working her shift as a fill-in vet in a small town in New York stage. I'm jealous that this  vet makes house calls (hint, hint to Dr. G) and lots of them. The book was a great cozy mystery with lots of red herrings and some interesting characters. In keeping with the cozy genre, there are dead bodies but no graphic violence. There is a hint of a potential love interest but it seems we'll have to read the next book to see if it develops. Add in the various animals and Kate's co-workers and you have the potential for a long running series. I loved the end of Chapter Twenty-nine where the police officer says to Kate. "Don't do any more investigating on your own," he warned me. "If there is a killer, and I...

I was going to list a new wine that I love but it's more of a summer drink. Of course, in Arizona it's summer year round so I have to pretend it's chilly. These three ingredients will help keep you toasty on a chilly night while you sit by a real fire. Chimney Fire 1 1/2 oz Amaretto 4 oz hot cider (you can warm this on the stovetop or in a tea kettle) Dash cinnamon Alternatively you can add a cinnamon stick and/or a slice of Orange for garnish Pour all ingredients into an Irish Coffee glass or mug. Sprinkle with cinnamon to taste. Cheers, Jayne Visit Leslie's website Twitter            Instagram            Facebook            Menu for Murder