Leslie Keller Books

Here are some new mysteries released in January. Verses for the Dead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child I've never read either of these authors but this book has an almost 5 star review on Amazon and was a NY Times best seller. Douglas Preston has written 35 books which itself is an impressive accomplish. The book summary makes me want to read it - and soon! After an overhaul of leadership at the FBI's New York field office, A. X. L. Pendergast is abruptly forced to accept an unthinkable condition of continued employment: the famously rogue agent must now work with a partner. Pendergast and his new colleague, junior agent Coldmoon, are assigned to investigate a rash of killings in Miami Beach, where a bloodthirsty psychopath is cutting out the hearts of his victims and leaving them with cryptic handwritten letters at local gravestones. The graves are unconnected save in one bizarre way: all belong to women who committed suicide. But the seeming lack of connection be

“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 Six Wyatt took his cue to leave, tossing Charlotte over his shoulder against her squeals of protest.             “I hope to see you before you leave,” he called out to Clare as the screen door slammed behind him.             Mae led Clare into the living room and pointed at the plaid reclining rocker indicating she should take a seat.   Mae walked to the mantle and picked up a black and white photo in a tarnished silver frame.             “Child, I’ve weathered many storms and so has this old place. I was born here, as were your momma and you. My great granddaddy plowed this farm behind two mules and his daddy before him. Your ancestors are buried in that cemetery on the hillside. Your grand-pop planted that tree which you swung on when you were younger than Charlotte.&quo

Photo from:   https://everythingbirdsonline.com/species-traits/january-adopt-a-rescue-bird-month/ January is adopt a rescued bird month. In honor of the many birds who need a home, I am posting some facts. Birds are smart - birds can talk to you, imitate voices and alert you when danger is close. Not only will Polly tell you she wants a cracker but she can sing to you all day. Birds can answer you when you are alone and want someone to talk to.  None of my pets have ever done that - mostly my cats just ignore me completely when I'm rambling on about any topic other than asking if it's mealtime. Birds are easy to care for - You don't need to walk a bird or have a large area for him to exercise. Birds sleep at night so they aren't wandering around the house knocking stuff off counters, like cats do. Birds don't eat a lot so they are cheaper than horses by far. Space savers - Most apartments or rental homes will allow birds. They don't bark, pee on th

On New Year's Eve, we lost a beloved member of our family, a four-legged one. If you love animals the way we do, the loss, especially when unexpected, can be devastating. Royal was a standard poodle only three years old when his stomach twisted and he could not be saved.  He left behind his sister, Gracie who had never been separated from him. After a difficult 2018, with the loss of a step parent after months of illness, I believe the dog's sudden departure was the last straw for our grief. I apologize to any poets who read this - it's not my forte but it felt like the best way to express my thoughts. I looked for you in the yard. I waited by the door for you. I searched for you on every level. In your bed. In my bed. All that remains is the scent of you. I'm exhausted by the missing. My world tilted and the shattered pieces of my heart washed out to sea. In the blink of an eye you left me. Without warning. I wasn't ready. No! No! No! I canno

For this month's cowboy topic, I wanted to review some of the best cowboy movies of all time. Of course, this is subject to your own preferences but these rank in my top.  If you haven't seen these I recommend that you do a complete weekend binge watch. Get the popcorn, pizza, nachos or whatever your favorite snacks are and don't move until you've seen them all.  You won't regret it. My number one favorite has to feature John Wayne - True Grit. If you don't fall in love with the three main characters and the sweet story line, then you may as well switch off your television forever. Mattie is a fourteen year old girl bent on getting vengeance for her father's murder. She hires the best Marshall for the job and thus begins their journey. Watch the original and then watch the remake which was remarkably well done. The rest aren't in any particular order but are among the few movies I will watch repeatedly. Lonesome Dove - Okay this was actually a mini

Six years ago, Raymond and I took a long weekend and spent it on a working cattle ranch.  He fished, we shot guns (at targets only), we drove cattle and enjoyed the getaway. I'm sad to say I haven't been on horseback since. I miss it.  There is a special relationship between a horse and rider. That relationship extends beyond the time you are in the saddle. In fact, it begins the moment you meet. Horses are intelligent and sensitive to our moods, our voice, the weight in the saddle and they can respond to the lightest touch. Perhaps I'm feeling nostalgic as I've just read two books about girls and horses and the art of Dressage. To be a good rider you must spend hours in and out of the saddle. To be great, you are either born with a natural talent or you spend your life working at it - the same as any sport. If you ever have the opportunity to watch Dressage in person or on television, I hope you take it and understand the level of expertise needed

We are traveling through the States in search of the craziest criminals.  This month we are stopping in California to see how the locals do it. From cheatsheet.com here's a story about a not so smart forger: by Mandi Kerr December 30, 2017 A California woman facing prison time for forging drug prescriptions asks the judge presiding over her case to postpone the trial. Why? For medical reasons. After presenting her doctor’s note to the judge, her request is denied. Turns out, she forged the doctor’s note. In List25.com posted by Theodoros II December 12, 2018 An eighteen-year-old teen named Steven Diaz from Pasadena, California, wanted to have drinks with friends and passed by Vons supermarket to shoplift a bottle of wine. As the teen tried to get away from the shop, he punched a security guard and dropped his wallet, ID, and the wine. Of course, he was easily tracked down by the police and arrested shortly after his stupid action. Readers Digest by Andy Simmons

Just before the holidays, I popped into North Italia at Kierland Commons in Scottsdale for dinner. As Christmas was only days away I expected a wait but the shopping area wasn't busy, nor were the restaurants. It seems that online shopping may be the death of the retail stores which, in turn, impacts the restaurants that serve those shops.  At any rate, I was happy to be able to grab a seat at the bar with my friend. North is a small restaurant with outside patio seating and limited space inside. It is one of the Fox Restaurant concepts and has been in Kierland for as long as the shopping center has existed. Over the years, I've dined here but honestly have never felt it was a top choice. Although the food is consistent and good, there is nothing exceptional about it. I don't obsess over any aspect of the meals I've eaten, which says volumes for someone who normally will dream about a great meal for weeks afterwards. Both myself and my friend ordered the same meal -

This is not a cozy mystery and to be honest, I’m not even sure how to categorize it. Part YA (young adult) part geek-science fiction adventure, part lighthearted comedy with a cold case murder and equal part mystery. This is the first of two books in this series with the second one due to be released in July of 2019. For a first time author it's a super accomplishment. MG, whose real name is Michael Grace is her twenties and working her dream job as a writer at a comic book magazine. She avoids interacting with her co-workers any more than necessary. She prefers to spend her free time with her best friend, Lawrence and her roommate, Ryan.  Lawrence, also known as simply L or Latifah Nile, when in drag queen mode,  is also her stylist and costume model. Her relationship with Ryan is slightly undefined for me - ex-boyfriend, odd roommate/friend with whom she engages in video game battles, possible love interest? MG wants a promotion to executive in her position with the comic boo

On a dark winter night when you are feeling the chill of the season, or if you live in a warmer climate like I do, when you want to pretend it's cold and dreary, here is a drink recipe that will warm your bones. The Whiskey Nut has a lovely dash of hazelnut flavor with the creaminess of Irish Cream and the requisite whiskey. 1 oz whiskey - it can be Irish or any whiskey you prefer 1 oz hazelnut liqueur 1 oz Irish cream liqueur Half and Half Cocoa powder Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the whiskey and liqueurs. Shake and pour into a glass coffee mug. Top with half and half Dust with sweetened cocoa powder. You can eliminate the ice and heat the half and half.  Top with whipped cream and the dusting of cocoa powder. Remember to drink responsibly. Happy Trails, Leslie Visit my website Twitter       Instagram       Facebook       Menu for Murder       Cocktails at Sunset