Leslie Keller Books

Here's a list of some new mysteries published in May. I really don't understand the need to include the description "A Novel" in all the titles these days but I suppose the publishers felt it was necessary. I hope you find a few you might like to read. 1.  Into The Water: a Novel by Paula Hawkins.  This is the author of the very famous Gone Girl.  The catch phrase for this book is very intriguing - "Beware a calm surface—you never know what lies beneath." 2.  16th Seduction (Women's Murder Club) by James Patterson. I am hesitant to read this simply due to the fact that James Patterson has his name on the book but there is also another author and a reader. Who actually wrote the book? 3.  Since We Fell: A Novel by Dennis Lehane. This book excites me because it's by the author who wrote Mystic River and Shutter Island which were both great stories with plot twists. 4.  Testimony by Scott Turow.  I haven't read a great legal thriller in ...

My critique group leader gives us writing prompts to help keep us putting words on the page. This one was to write from the perspective of an object.  Here's what I wrote: My eyes once black as lumps of coal are dappled and scratched. My coat no longer soft and the fur on my belly gray with age. My whiskers droop as I rest my weary head on my paws. How long has it been since she’s held me? How long since she’s even noticed me? Each evening as the house becomes quiet and her breathing is deep, I turn to my companions. What honorable cat would live his life beside two silly rabbits? Sadly, she’s left me no choice as I cannot go beyond the boundaries of the guest bed. I sigh. It’s been nearly thirty years since I bounded out of that Christmas box. My heart so hopeful to have a little girl to play with I could almost feel it beat. But there was no girl with pigtails and pink ribbons, instead I looked into the face of a grownup. I was certain I would be in the garbage with t...

Seriously what is better than your first book being published?  Your first book cover made into a cake!  This picture is from my surprise book launch party. May all your surprises include something sweet! Happy Trails, Leslie Visit my Website      Facebook      Twitter        Instagram

Carolyn Brown is a NY Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal best selling author.  I previously read The Ladies Room, which was funny and an enjoyable story.  I also read Lullaby Sky which was not as good and I agree with many of the reviews on Amazon. One word of note, in my reading I found several editing misses - typos and incorrect formatting for paragraphs. Morning Glory focuses on Clara who was left behind by a preacher who swept through her small town with the promise of marriage. The locals think she's crazy but still she manages to run the boarding house successfully.  Her two cousins Tilly and Percy also provide a level of entertainment for the small Oklahoma town but everyone knows they have enough money not to care what others think. Tucker and Tilly are large landowners who grow cotton and are resistant to the oil men coming into town. Clara is especially repelled by them until one manages to take up residence in her boarding house. The story moves ...

I set up a happy hour/dinner for a friend's birthday. She got to pick the restaurant and I did the call ahead seating.  At the appropriate time, myself and two of my friends were seated. The hostess gave us a quizzical look when I mentioned my confirmation number but we sat at the large table set for eight and ordered a bottle of wine.  The birthday girl and her family were late.  Imagine my surprise when they called from the RIGHT restaurant to ask where we were.  Yes, we sat down at the wrong restaurant, even though there was a ten foot sign that shouted the name and it was clearly marked on the menu in front of us.  Oh well, it happens to everyone, right? This review is for the restaurant we actually dined at - Texas Roadhouse on Happy Valley Road.  This is part of an international chain. It's basically the same model as Outback and Longhorn - casual, family friendly with reasonable prices. I had the baby back ribs, a few ordered steak, one s...

You should be careful when you talk on your cell phone. You should be constantly on guard when in public.  You should look around you whenever you dawdle at the gym or chit chat with your neighbor.  What evil lurks around every corner?  Authors! It's true. Ask any author where they steal their ideas and they will tell you, if they are honest, that we snatch them from innocent bystanders.  I have created characters when standing in line at the office supply store, when at the airport, even if there is a server at a restaurant who catches my eye. I have been known to whip out my cell phone and frantically enter descriptions of what people are wearing.  Snippets that float by me on the breeze may become dialogue.  Even the contents of your grocery cart may find it's way onto my pages. In this day of camera phones and constant communication with everyone -- except the one we're with -- it's impossible not to get swept away in the dr...

Here's a fun drink you can prepare for Cinco de Mayo with a Tequila base. Gringo Swizzle 2 oz tequila - silver or gold 1/2 oz crème de cassis 1 oz lime juice - or the juice of 1/2 lime 1 oz orange juice 1 oz pineapple juice 1 teas fine sugar Ginger ale, chilled Combine all ingredients, except ginger ale in a shake half filled with ice. Shake well.  Strain into a collins glass or highball glass.  Fill with ginger ale.  Garnish with pineapple or orange slice. Enjoy! Remember to always drink responsibly. Cheers, Jayne Visit Leslie's website      Facebook      Twitter      Instagram