Leslie Keller Books

Every night the news reports on all the bad things people do and say. Personally, I find it depressing and it makes me wonder where all the good guys have gone.  I know they're out there wandering the streets like superman or superwoman.  They may not wear a cape or leap tall buildings but the work they do is more important.  Here's one I'm featuring this month. Home Fur Good "Home ‘Fur’ Good is a 501(c)3 no-kill animal rescue organization whose mission is to eliminate the euthanasia of adoptable homeless cats and dogs in Maricopa County by providing quality medical care and adoption placements, as well as promoting spay/neuter procedures and providing outreach education for pet owners." This organization specializes in cat and dog adoptions and care. As with most charitable organizations, they need volunteers to help with any number of tasks.  You can foster a cat or dog, help with adoptions, fundraising activities, care and transport or even office help. T

I can't believe this will be my third year participating in the Glendale Chocolate Affaire as an author. It seems like yesterday that I ventured to the event alone as an aspiring writer. Jenn McKinlay, a New York Times best selling cozy author, spoke to a small group and kept us laughing with her amazing sense of humor. More than that, she gave us hope that we could write and be published. Since then I've had my ups and downs, like most authors do.  There are days when it seems impossible to compose a sentence, let alone another book in the series. Despite those times, I am compelled to write. Regardless of what I'm doing dialogue and scenes have a way of inserting themselves into my train of thought. In the middle of a sleepless night, Jayne may have a conversation with me about what she thinks should happen.  Sound crazy?  Probably not to another author! If you are local and have a chance to stop by for some fun kids entertainment, music, food vendors and wonderful Ce

The blurb below is from my critique group writing prompt. I'll see what I can come up with in 250 words or less. Note Found at a Construction Site: You're a construction worker and, while in the middle of a dig to build a new building, you stumble upon a box with contents in it. There are five very specific items in it along with a note: "When you find this, call me. This is only phase one." There is a phone number so you call it. What happens next? I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and dialed the number. I didn't expect anyone to answer but after only two rings a voice that brought Marilyn Monroe to my mind answered. "I've been waiting for your call." "Look, my crew dug up a box with a note to call this number. I'm not sure who you are expecting but I don't think it was me." "On the contrary, I knew it would be you." I sputtered out a simple minded, "Huh?" "Do you notice anything familia

In the wild west days, cowboys didn't have much to entertain themselves out on the range at night. After a long day's work there might be a song or a story to be told.  If you ever have the chance to experience this for yourself - riding all day, camping out under the stars and listening to cowboy tales I recommend it. It's an Americana experience like no other. Here's some cowboy poetry so you can carry your glass of wine, sit in your backyard under the stars and imagine what it was like. All Dressed Up Things is pickin' up as most folks knows, So I sent to town fer to git new clo'es. Some onderwear and a big hat box, A couple of shirts and a passel of socks. Some overalls and other truck, Three red bandannys throwed in fer luck. My boots aint new but they'll do right well, I reckon I'll make them last a spell. I'll be the pride of the whole derned spread. With a fust class Stetson on my head. A bran new slicker tied on behind-- It&

There are many reasons I love living in Arizona.  Of course the weather is close to the top. Yes, it's hot in the summer but only for a couple of months and, as they say, it's a dry heat. I love the many hiking trails and the amazing sunsets.  Maybe one of my favorites things about living here is the wildlife. In this post, I'm including a few of the visitors to the water we keep filled for the critters.  Interestingly, I have never seen a rattlesnake. Happy Trails, Leslie View my Website       Twitter       Instagram       Facebook       Menu for Murder       Cocktails at Sunset

Leave it to our lawmakers to come up with some zany rules to live by. I'm not sure when these particular Arizona laws were passed but according to various sources, they are still on the books. Cutting down a cactus can result in up to twenty-five years in prison.    This is particularly true of the giant Saguaro cactus which takes years to grow and is protected. It is illegal to manufacture imitation cocaine.     Oddly enough it is illegal to manufacture any illegal substances in Arizona so I'm not sure why imitation would be any different. Fortune telling in Avondale is prohibited.     This is true and fortune tellers should be warned to practice in Phoenix where it's not outlawed.. There are a number of folk lore laws which have no truth.  Here are my favorites: Donkeys cannot sleep in bathtubs - Silly but totally legal. It is illegal to hunt camels - again if you can find a wild camel roaming the desert it is legal to hunt it but why would you? Wearing s

As part of my commitment to exercise, which is something I dislike more than too-tight pants, I made the trek to Sedona, Arizona for a long hike.  If you haven't ventured there I highly recommend going anytime of year, but spring and fall might be my favorite. After a ten mile hike I was hungry enough to eat fast food but luckily my friend knew of the Indian Gardens Café and Market.  On the 89A north of Sedona this out of the way spot does a thriving business. It's half market and half café with very limited seating inside and out.  You place your order at the counter and a server delivers it by shouting your name. I ordered the pork barbeque sandwich and she had the chopped Mediterranean salad. Her salad was sizeable and came with some yummy pita triangles.  My barbeque sandwich was good but came without any side and I was really hoping for chips, at the very least. The market has the typical tourist goods but also some lovely cheeses, fresh fruit and desserts. I would l

This is the first time I have ever read a Western. Which, if you've read my mysteries, you know my character Jayne grew on up watching Westerns - movies and television series.  What Jayne did, so did her creator. I still watch old re-runs of Bonanza and Big Valley. I read this book for another author and I really wanted to like it.  I didn't - I loved it and I don't believe that is due to my pre-existing love of the genre. The story is told by a cowboy, an outlaw actually, who is dead. He knows he's dead, and who killed him, but at first realizing he is dead is a surprise. In order to get around he 'dog paddles' through the air. That might sound odd but when you read the story, there is no way you cannot picture this in your head. As each character's story unfolds you are drawn deeper into the story.  To say the author painted his character's with a masterful stroke would not be an overstatement. As much as I loved the writing, I also did not like th

In honor of President's Day I'm giving you a delightful cocktail which can be made with or without alcohol. El Presidente 1 1/2 oz light rum 1 oz lime juice or the juice of 1/2 fresh lime 1/2 oz pineapple juice 1 teas grenadine Combine ingredients in a shaker half filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass You can garnish with a maraschino cherry, lime wedge or pineapple wedge. Happy Trails, Leslie View my Website       Twitter       Instagram       Facebook       Menu for Murder       Cocktails at Sunset