Leslie Keller Books

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog month.  I've been posting pictures and information about the Maricopa County Animal Shelter dogs for adoption throughout the month so this, hopefully won't be news to you. Maricopa is a kill shelter, which means that eventually, if an animal is not adopted, it will be euthanized. I cannot say which is worse - to live for months in a small enclosure with no one to love you or to die at the end of that sad experience.  If you can look into the eyes of an abandoned animal and not see the desperation, then you may need to check yourself for a soul.  My apologies if that sounds harsh but their reality is harsh. Please consider volunteering. Shelters need foster homes, dog walkers, kitty cuddlers and more. If you can spare a few hours a week you will bring joy not only to an animal in need but also to yourself. If you can't spare the time, any contribution to one of these organizations is welcome. If you skip a coffee or add up your spare change

I am excited to see a new book by Robert Galbraith (aka J. K. Rawlings) in the Cormoran Strike series, Lethal White. This is the fourth book in the series and the main character, Cormoran is perfection - always brilliantly written his flaws make him the most believable of any detective series I've read. It's lengthy at 656 hardcover pages and pricey at $14.99 for the Kindle version. I will wait for the initial buzz to allow the price to drop. Lethal White by Robert Galbraith Here's the jacket information: When Billy, a troubled young man, comes to private eye Cormoran Strike’s office to ask for his help investigating a crime he thinks he witnessed as a child, Strike is left deeply unsettled. While Billy is obviously mentally distressed, and cannot remember many concrete details, there is something sincere about him and his story. But before Strike can question him further, Billy bolts from his office in a panic. Trying to get to the bottom of Billy’s story, Strik

Here is the third installment of my short story. Read parts one and two on earlier blog posts.                          ======================================= “I gave up on happily ever after. Maybe I'm not cut out for a relationship. Maybe, I just don't like being committed to one person for longer than two weeks."                            ====================================== Part Three Clare was surprised to see just how much had changed inside the barn.  Gone was the rusted red International tractor, replaced by a shiny monstrosity that appeared ready to crush anything in its path.  The aisle was swept clean and, even though she could see particles dancing in the slight breeze like fairy dust, the smell didn’t make her want to cover her nose. “Wow, Granny this place looks different.” “When your Gramps passed I decided to get some help. You know how he hated change more than he hated those Dallas Cowboys.” Clare chuckled at the memory. Gram

In researching crazy criminal behavior I was surprised to see an article which indicated that Alaska was the most dangerous state.  According to a January 26, 2018 article by Liz Thomas who quoted the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, there were 804 violent crimes per 100,000 citizens. Be that as it may, I still prefer to focus on dumb criminals of the non-violent kind. May 25, 2018 New York Post article by Joshua Rhett Miller: A robbery suspect who couldn’t wait to tally up his ill-gotten proceeds was arrested this week outside a bank in Alaska, moments after giving a teller a note with his real name and birthdate, authorities said. Michael Gale Nash was taken into custody by police in Anchorage a “few minutes” after leaving First National Bank Alaska with $400 in a bag on Tuesday, the Anchorage Daily News reports. And cops didn’t have to look very far to collar their man, according to the FBI. “It’s my understanding he was sitting outside the bank counting his money when

As an author there is possibly no greater thrill than seeing your work on the shelf, whether it be the library or a chain bookstore.  I was very happy to be able to share the experience with my family when my first book, Menu for Murder hit the shelf of my home town library.  This photo is me with my lovely niece, Hannah. I think she may have the writer gene in her too. If you have always wanted to write and have your work published, I encourage you to never give up. Write those stories down and send them out to every agent and editor or publish it yourself. You may not be the next J. K. Rowling or Stephen King but maybe you will be. Happy Trails, Leslie Visit my website Twitter       Instagram       Facebook       Menu for Murder       Cocktails at Sunset

It was bound to happen, only I've been missing it for the last ten years - Wyatt Earp is back in the saddle and heading out on a vendetta ride.  Hitch up your wagon and head to Tombstone, Arizona to join the action. This is the tenth annual Wyatt Earp's Vendetta Ride which is being held this year from October 14th through the 18th. If you love the old west history and feel like spending some time in the saddle, this adventure trip is for you. If you want an 'old west' experience and to relive Wyatt Earp's gun fight at the OK Corral, Tombstone is a fun place to visit.  There aren't many options for accommodations so if you are going to visit, plan ahead. Tombstone is small, only a few blocks long and a few blocks wide so don't plan to spend more than a few days for the complete experience. Driving from Phoenix it takes just over three hours.  It's only an hour from Tucson so I would recommend combining trips and taking in the sights of Tucson and Tomb

To celebrate a friend's birthday, three of us went to the Scottsdale location of The Capital Grille during restaurant week.  Their regular menu is very nice but we all opted for the specials, in fact, almost the exact same special! We used the free valet parking and were seated immediately for our 6:45 pm reservation in a booth which was decorated with rose petals and happy birthday confetti. The restaurant wasn't full but it was already busy. Two in my party started with the green salad and I had the wedge (chopped).  We enjoyed a great bottle of Decoy by Duckhorn red blend and their delicious breads.  The plan was to savor the dining experience so we didn't order our entrees immediately. After finishing our salads, we ordered three bone-in New York Steaks, with the French Green Beans with Heirloom Tomatoes and Sam's Mashed Potatoes.  Being the cheese lover that I am, I also ordered the side dish of Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese.  And then we waited and drank ou

This is not a cozy mystery but it was a light romance. This is the first book in the series by New York Times best selling author, Catherine Bybee and, although it was slow and predictable at times, it was enjoyable.  This review includes some spoilers so be forewarned. Jessie is a waitress at a diner where she struggles to make ends meet and support herself, her sister and her son. Once her sister finishes college, Jessie hopes to get her degree and make a better life for them.  Jessie happens to be working the late shift when four drunken men are seated in her section.  Jack Morrison and his buddies have spent a night of serious drinking for a bachelor's party. Of course, there is instant attraction between Jack and Jessie but she is determined not to fall for another broke guy who is passing through town.  What she doesn't know is that Jack is one of the heirs to the Morrison Hotel chain.  His worn Stetson, Texas drawl and old pickup truck are no indicators of the wealth

I absolutely love Halloween.  What is more fun than to dress up and eat pillow cases full of candy?  I love giving candy to all the kids who ring my door bell and love eating all the leftover candy too.  This year I have promised myself not to consume two large bags of Halloween candy before I give any away.  Instead, I'll be sampling a few cocktail recipes. Devil's Tail 1 1/2 oz Light Rum 1 oz Vodka 2 teaspoons Apricot Brandy - if you don't want to buy an entire bottle just for this tiny amount, try to obtain the one shot size or use an Apricot flavoring. 2 teaspoons Grenandine 1/2 oz Lime Juice - preferably fresh squeezed If you want to make this creamier, use sorbet. Combine ingredients in a blender with ice. Blend thoroughly Pour into a Champagne flute. Witch's Tit 2 oz Coffee Liqueur 1/2 oz Heavy Cream Maraschino cherry Pour coffee into a cordial or pousse cafe glass. Add cream by pouring over the back of a spoon so that it floats on the top.