Leslie Keller Books

In case you missed the past installments, I'm giving you the full sequence up to the current one.  If you're read the earlier posts, you can scroll down to Part 7. There are only 3 parts left to Clare's story. “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.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Clare hadn't been to her grandfather's farm since his death six months prior. She pulled over on the dirt road just before the driveway which meandered up to the dilapidated ranch-style house. Even with her windows up, the smell of hay made her hold her nose to suppress a sneeze.   The incessant clucking of the chickens, as they roamed the yard pecking at insects set her teeth on edge.   She wondered for the hundredth time that day why her granny remained so far from town.   She took a deep breath, sneezed and put the car in drive. The rental car bumped over the ...

I'm always on the hunt for a new adventure so after viewing a show on PBS about Indian Relay racing I came across this annual event - The Calgary Stampede, which runs from July 5th to 14th.  Ten full days and nights of action packed entertainment. Held in Calgary, Alberta Canada you can enjoy the beauty of the country and also Canada's wild west. I'm not a fan of rodeo in general but there are a few events which I enjoy and aren't harmful to the animals. This event is advertised as the "Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth" and includes top musical entertainment, cowboy shows, agriculture and rodeo. The action kicks off with a parade, followed by more action than you can lasso. For those who don't support rodeo, as myself, there are chuckwagon races, the Dog Bowl which showcases their athleticism, agility and stunt, motor cross performances, and even zip lining. There are children's events and food to sample. If you're adventurous you can zip line ...

March is Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig month. Honestly, I never thought anyone would adopt a guinea pig and then give it up. They are such small, easy to care for pets that I expected people would love them for their short little lives.  Wrong again! My research indicates that guinea pigs can live anywhere from four to ten years. Guinea pigs need more care than I knew. Never having had one, I assumed they simply stayed in their cage and were happy. I'm embarrassed by my ignorance.  They need a decent sized enclosure provides a secure but well ventilated space, several hours a day to play outside of their enclosure, fresh fruit and vegetables and gentle care from their human. As with any pet there may be an adjustment period when the pig first arrives in your home. Personally, I wouldn't recommend any pet for a small child due to the danger for both the pet and child.  Rough handling could cause the pet to react with a bite.  According to the Guinea Lynx website,...

Arrivederci Ristorante has two locations - both in Scottsdale.  I've only sampled the one location and the last time was probably more than seven years ago.  Why I forgot about this gem I don't know but I'll be sure to put it on the top of my favorites. There is limited seating and no patio area.  Situated on the west side of Scottsdale Road at Thunderbird, it occupies the corner of an older strip mall.  At first glance the exterior is not noticeable or particularly inviting. Although, if you are a car buff the bright yellow Ferrari parked in front may attract your attention.   I dined on the Friday after Valentine's Day and had reservations for four at five pm.  Since we were so early there was only one other couple when we arrived but by the time we left at seven, the restaurant was packed.  Service is impeccable and the food simply divine.   Two of us split a Caesar salad which was one of the best I've had. It was perfectl...

This is not a typical mystery but more of a historical women's fiction. There are some spoilers in this review. Set at the beginning of WWII A Curve in the Road is mainly about a woman's journey.   We meet Deiter Reinsinger who is simply trying to stay out of the way of the Nazi’s and provide for himself and his sister. When he finds she has secretly married the journalist Michael from England he is furious. He is sure Michael is giving secrets to the English about Germany. In his anger at both his sister and her husband, he turns them in and watches as they are taken away by the Nazis - surely to be tortured until death provides the only relief. Cat Carlisle has married well but she’s unhappy.   After she has three miscarriages, her husband takes a lover and the luxurious home she shares with her jealous, bitter sister-in-law, Isobel and staff has left her miserable.   Add to the family dynamic is Michael, who managed to escape from Germany, leaving behin...

There is a stone there, that whoever kisses, Oh! He never misses to grow eloquent: ‘Tis he may clamber to a lady’s chamber, Or become a member of Parliament. A noble spouter he’ll sure turn out, or An out and outer to be let alone; Don’t try to hinder him, or to bewilder him, For he is a pilgrim from the Blarney stone.” ~  Francis Sylvester Mahony In honor of St. Patrick's Day I decided to share an Irish inspired cocktail recipe.  Basically anything with Irish Whiskey makes a great drink in my opinion.  For some whiskey is an acquired taste but you can sweeten it up or make it sour depending on your mood. I felt a wee bit of history may be appropriate for this cocktail. According to Wikipedia: The Blarney Stone ( Irish : Cloch na Blarnan ) is a block of Carboniferous limestone [1] built into the battlements of Blarney Castle , Blarney , about 8 kilometres (5 miles) from Cork , Ireland . According to legend, kissing the sto...