Leslie Keller Books

One dark and stormy night I started a new manuscript with a radically different feel that my Jayne Stanford series.  I actually it was a beautiful star filled evening with a warm breeze but I couldn't resist tossing in a nibble of drama. This is the very first draft of the words I wrote. My critique partners haven't seen this. I haven't edited it.  Regardless I thought it would be fun to post it here and get your feedback. So here goes the start of the book I'm calling The First To Die. I hope it gives you the same shivers it gave me. For the first time I really understood. What it means to be totally alone. What it means when no one has your back. What it must have felt like for Matthew to be on the streets. No one cares. I didn’t care. It’s too late. Too late for anyone to care. Everyone who mattered is dead. It wasn’t an important holiday, like New Year’s Eve, instead it was just another night. Not a weekend. A Tuesday, which should have been like any other....

This is the first book of two in the series. This is basically a light mystery with a paranormal element and a bit of romance. Set in 1968, Jesse Graham has ended her engagement because her fiancé, a somewhat famous musician, has been cheating on her. Luckily she has inherited her aunt's house where she can live while she decides on her future. In the process of renovations, she meets her hunky neighbor, sees her aunt's ghost and figures out an old murder. I admit to forgetting most of what I learned about Catholicism as a child, however there were parts of this book which didn't ring true for me in Jesse's relationship with her friend. Maggie, the nun. I questioned the language Jesse uses with her friend. Even though they grew up together I would expect her to have more respect for her friend's religion. Jesse routinely curses and they drink beer as if it were water. There is also a section where Jesse convinces Maggie to remove something which doesn't belo...

I was very excited to launch the paperback version of the new book, Cocktails at Sunset at the Glendale Chocolate Affaire.  As an author, I should have the words to express the thrill of meeting all the new readers - but I don't. I can say thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who took a chance on my character, Jayne. Thanks for spending your precious time reading my books. I hope the work captures your attention, makes you think about who the killer is and gives you a few laughs in between. Happy Trails,       Leslie Visit my website Twitter       Instagram       Facebook       Menu for Murder       Cocktails at Sunset

I generally try to post a list of newly released cozy mysteries every month. Here is just a sampling of newly released books which are available on Amazon. These are in no particular order. Murder at the Cathedral: An Exham on Sea Cosy Murder by Frances Evesham  This is book four in the series involving a Knitters Guild. I haven't read any of this series but they appear to be set in the UK (check out the spelling differences!) and look like a fun read. Bonjour, Miss Seeton by Hamilton Crane.  This is book 21 - no joke - in the series. And I don't have a theme going but this series is also set in the UK. Dune House Cozy Mystery Boxed Set - Books 1-4 by Cindy Bell. This series evolves around the Dune House a B & B which best friends Suzie and Mary are renovating.  Home renovation also seems to be a common theme in both romance and mysteries. Wedding Souffle and a Dead Valet, a Poppy Peters Mystery by best selling author, A. Gardner. This is book five in the seri...

I had been wanting to try this restaurant chain since the first one opened. Finally, two of my friends and I took the journey down to Arcadia/Scottsdale on a Friday night. We first tried the location in the McCormick Ranch area of Scottsdale. It is located in the corner of a shopping center and not easily seen from the main street. We were interested in a place where there was a good crowd but this location is very small and had limited seats at the bar. We moved on to the Arcadia location in Phoenix. Again, the interior is small, some may use the term intimate, but basically there was limited inside seating on a very cold evening. We took a booth near the bar and ordered wine. The server was helpful and suggested a bottle for better pricing. My friends both ordered the grilled chicken sandwich.  Feeling very hungry, I ordered the macaroni and cheese with added chicken. I was very disappointed in my dish.  I had to search for the chicken which was cut into such tiny piec...

This book revolves around the lives of several people in a community who come to know each other after a child almost dies in the pool. School is out for the summer and it's the first day the neighborhood pool is open. There is an almost overwhelming cast of characters:  Cailey a young girl who is in charge of her brother, Cutter while their single mother works. Zell a mother who's only son appears to be somewhat estranged, and her relationship with her husband reflects years of marriage - existing side by side but not really communicating. Jencey comes with her two young children. She's recently moved back to her hometown after her husband went to jail.  Her lavish lifestyle the result of criminal behavior. Bryte appears to be living her dream with her beautiful son and loving husband, Everett. Lance, Zell's neighbor who can't get his life on track after his wife left him alone to raise their two children. This book illustrates that what appears on the surface ...

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I decided to include a strong concoction named Irish Shillelagh.  In case you don't know, like I did not, what a shillelagh is, I've included the definition according to Wikipedia. A  shillelagh  (/ʃᵻˈleɪli/ shi-LAY-lee or /ʃᵻˈleɪlə/ shi-LAY-lə; Irish: sail éille [ˈsalʲ ˈeːl̠ʲə], "thonged willow") or blackthorn stick is a wooden walking stick and club or cudgel, typically made from a stout knotty stick with a large knob at the top, that is associated with Ireland and Irish folklore. 1 1/2 oz of Irish Whiskey (you can substitute a Tennessee version if you like) 1/2 oz light rum 1/2 oz slow gin 1 teas powdered sugar 1 oz lemon juice or the juice of one-half fresh lemon 1/4 cup peaches, fresh or canned, diced 1/4 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen Combine ingredients in a blender with ice. Blend thoroughly. Pour into an old fashioned glass and garnish with raspberries. If this drink doesn't make you need the assistance o...

It's official - the reviews are in!  Cocktails at Sunset continues the antic of our clumsy but lovable server, Jayne. Here's what Amazon readers are saying: Top Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read for every one By  Arizona gal   on January 23, 2017 Format: Kindle Edition  Verified Purchase This is the second book written by this author and all I can say is she gets better. I just finished reading this book and I hope she is starting on book three. I love books that have the same characters and are mysteries. A very enjoyable book and makes you smile and you can visualize what is going on. I live in Arizona so makes it more fun to read. 5.0 out of 5 stars Even better than the first book By  Amazon Customer   on February 5, 2017 Format: Kindle Edition  Verified Purchase This is the second book in the series but if you didn't read the first one it doesn't matter because the author gives you just enough of a hint at what ha...