Leslie Keller Books

I've been to enough book signings that I know most people don't know what a cozy mystery is. Truth be told, I didn't either until I started writing them. I knew that I liked a certain type of mystery in my twenties and thirties but then, in later years, didn't want as much graphic violence. Part of my problem, with the heavy handed descriptions of murder, is that I read right before I fall asleep.  That's generally the only time I have when I don't feel guilty for sitting down and doing nothing else. It's MY time. I don't have to feed the cats, feed my partner, wash a dish, run a load of laundry, answer texts, scroll through Facebook, tweet or Instagram.  The only thing I need to focus on is turning the page. Aside from the lack of nightmares, cozies still fulfill my love of a good mystery. It's fun to figure out who the killer is but I also enjoy a touch of romance and some humor. I like to say that I enjoy killing people while having a sense of...

I took this photo after the fire which destroyed the Buffalo Chip Saloon in Cave Creek, Arizona. The "Chip", as it's known locally, was an institution and the basis for Jayne's favorite bar in the Jayne Stanford series. Personally, I have so many fond memories of this place that I couldn't fit them all in a book. It was heartbreaking that someone would take away the historic mementos which inhabited this place, not to mention the old cowboy boots which hung from the ceiling and graffiti on the posts around the original bar. Thought, it's since been rebuilt it will be years before it accumulates the same amount of dust as the original. Happy Trails, Leslie Visit my website Twitter       Instagram       Facebook       Menu for Murder       Cocktails at Sunset

I'll admit I'm not big on settings. I don't like to read chapter after chapter of details about where the character lives or works. Now that I've admitted that, I will say that setting is as important as the actual characters themselves and in fact, could be considered a character on its own. Imagine the protagonist is a teacher, we'll call her Eve. Before you read the first words, you may already have a picture of where Eve teaches. Do you envision her standing in front of a classroom writing with squeaky chalk on a board? Perhaps, she's standing at a lecture before a thousand students at a university. Or is she in a third world country, the bare dirt beneath her scandals with a few worn books for teaching materials? Looking at those three different settings you can see how the story could be completely unique for each one. If not handled well, setting can detract from the story or lead the reader in the wrong direction.  Consider Eve again, but this...

I've dined in this restaurant years ago and never seem to get to Old Town Scottsdale often enough to revisit it. We went on a Saturday for a 6 PM dinner and sat on the patio in order to hear the music. I ordered a glass of the Pinot Noir and the hamburger.  My friend had the special of chicken marsala risotto.  Both were amazing.  Fries were crisp and delicious  burger yummy with the cheese. We didn't need boxes because there were no leftovers. I'm sorry I didn't try to the warm brie with lavendar jalepeno jelly (oh my!) and a few of the many bruschetta options. Oddly we didn't get dessert but it's on my list for the next time. I really liked that there was live music on the patio. The duo was great - perfect volume.  The patio was lovely and they had heaters but we didn't need them on the night we visited. This is a great place for groups and I'll be back for a future happy hour. Remember to always tip your bartender and servers and drink resp...

Here is a list of some recent releases on Amazon in the cozy mystery genre. Of course, the first one to list is the second book in the series, Cocktails at Sunset. Cocktails at Sunset - L. A. Keller - a must read! Pecan Nut Crunch Murder: A Donut Hole Cozy Mystery Book 35 - Susan Gillard. I included this book but haven't read it. Based on the fact that this is the 35th book in the series I admit to being curious. I'm not sure I can read any character through that many books. Freaky Hearts (A Mystic Caravan Mystery Book 3) - Amanda M. Lee. One part mystery, two parts romance, this book looks like a fun read. Scene of the Grind (A Killer Coffee Mystery Book 1) - Tonya Kappes. Bestselling author Tonya Kappess new mystery series. She also wrote the Kenni Lowry mysteries. Madness in Christmas River: A Christmas Cozy Mystery, Book 3 - Meg Muldoon. Follow the adventures of Cinnamon Peters a pie shop owner in this small town mystery series. Happy Trails, Leslie Visit ...

I don't know what motivated me to download this romance but I'm glad I did. I am jealous of Ms. Brogan's creative flare with words and her characters that made me like them. It is no wonder that she is a three-time nominee of the Romance Writers of America RITA award for her debut novel, Crazy Little Thing, for The Best Medicine and Love Me Sweet. Sadie Turner's husband has decided he wants a divorce. He's been having an affair (several over the years much to Sadie's shock) and now she's left to pick up the pieces of her life.  Ready for a change over the summer, she goes to stay with her slightly nutty aunt at the beach. To Sadie's surprise, she and her young children are staying with her two grown male cousins - who add a bit of zing to the story. As befitting this genre, there is of course a love interest which blooms. More than that I loved how Sadie herself blooms over the course of the story. Here are a few of the phrases I marked: 'Oh ...

It's not yet time for a cotillion but for some reason this drink sounded appealing to me. As a whiskey lover, I enjoy the taste of Southern Comfort, maybe because it's just this side of sweet but also has a spiciness along with hints of fruit. Originally created in 1874, by a bartender, to make a whiskey drink more palatable. He called his drink Cuffs & Buttons but because that was a different kind of mouthful, he changed it to Southern Comfort.  If you visit www.southerncomfort.com you'll find many other recipes. For the Scarlett O'Hara version mix as follows. 2 oz Southern Comfort 2 oz cranberry juice 1 oz lime juice or the juice of 1/2 lime squeezed Mix all ingredients in a shaker half filled with ice. Shake well Strain into a cocktail glass, garnish with a twist of lime. Cheers, Jayne Visit Leslie's website Twitter       Instagram       Facebook       Menu for Murder       Cocktails at Sunse...

I'm excited to be participating again this year in the Glendale Chocolate Affaire along side the Valley of the Sun Romance Writers. What is better than amazing books, authors and chocolate?? Oh yeah - wine! Glendale Chocolate Affaire Here's a photo from last year before the event began. I hope to see you there. Cocktails At Sunset will be available for sale for the first time in paperback. Happy Trails, Leslie Visit my website Twitter       Instagram       Facebook       Menu for Murder       Cocktails At Sunset