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Hometown:: Glendale, AZ

About Me:: I've been a librarian for almost thirty years. I have a book blog in order to discuss books read, at www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com.
My claim to fame? For five years, I chaired the Authors Programming for the Lee County Reading Festival in Ft. Myers, FL, before moving to AZ. I met and worked with wonderful mystery writers in those five years, and I thank all of you - Jan Burke, Elaine Viets, Barbara Parker, Sue Grafton, Dennis Lehane, James Hall, Les Standiford, PJ Parrish, Michael Connelly, Nancy Pickard, Jeremiah Healy, Mary Anna Evans, etc. I can't even name all of the mystery writers who helped me out. Now, I just get the chance to see you all at The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale.

I Am A:: Reader, Librarian

Website:: http://www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com

Books And Authors I Like:: I read a little bit of everything, but I read more mysteries and crime novels than anything.

Movies And TV Shows I Like:: NUMBERS, Law & Order - Criminal Intent, Cold Case

Check out my book blog at www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com. It includes reviews, author appearances and weekly contests for free ARCs or books.

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Lesa Holstine's Blog

Margaret Coel at Mesquite Public Library

When Margaret Coel appeared at the Mesquite Public Library in Phoenix yesterday, she was introduced as the award-winning author who sets her books on the Arapaho Indian Reservation. Her latest book, Blood Memory, starts in Denver, though.

Margaret said after thirteen novels set on the Arapaho Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, she decided to do something else. Father John O'Malley, from her series, went to Rome at the end of the… Continue

Posted on September 10, 2008 at 12:28am

Alafair Burke at The Poisoned Pen

When Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen Bookstore, introduced Alafair Burke to the audience, she said they had both graduated from Stanford. They went on to mention other authors who went to Stanford - Michele Martinez, Diane Mott Davidson, Tess Gerritsen, Twist Phelan, and

Yxta Maya Murray. Barbara said when she was in school, Wallace Stegner was their famous graduate, and they used to say John Steinbeck failed Freshman English… Continue

Posted on September 9, 2008 at 12:30am

Chris Grabenstein at The Poisoned Pen

Improvisational comedy. Ad writer. Successful author of mysteries and young adult ghost stories. Chris Grabenstein is the creative artist who combines all of these skills. Thursday night, he spoke at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale.

It felt as if it was a gathering of friends. Chris' appearance was so casual that Lorri Amsden, the moderator for the evening, actually joined the group after Chris had already started a conversation.… Continue

Posted on August 24, 2008 at 12:04am

One Bad Apple

Some people snidely refer to a book as a cozy mystery. Sheila Connolly's One Bad Apple is an example of everything that is right with the cozy mystery. Her book has a likable heroine, an attractive small town setting, a slimy victim, and fascinating side elements. I hope Connolly returns readers to Granford, Massachusetts again.

Meg Corey lost her banking job in Boston in a downsize. She took on the joint ownership of an old house in… Continue

Posted on August 7, 2008 at 11:29pm

Dead in Red

L.L. Bartlett introduced the fascinating character of Jeff Resnick in Murder On The Mind. Now, in Dead in Red, he and his brother, Richard, track a killer, because Jeff won't be satisfied "until justice was done."

When Jeff was mugged and hit by a baseball bat, he injured his head. Now, he has flashes of a "sixth sense" that reveals pictures of events that have happened, and will occur in the future, related to violence and murder. When Tom… Continue

Posted on August 5, 2008 at 11:54pm

Comment Wall (39 comments)

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At 11:09am on October 31, 2007, Hailey Lind said…: Hello Lesa! I just joined and saw you were already here -- great picture of you, BTW! Just thought I'd say hi, and ask you to be a cyber-friend....

At 1:54am on September 27, 2007, Clea Simon said…: Hi Lesa!
What is your library and who sets up events? I don't have any plans, but would love to finally see the "mother ship" of my publisher, Poisoned Pen.

Hope this finds you well. - Clea

At 10:28am on September 15, 2007, Lesa Holstine said…: Well, James, with Grandma Mazur around, sometimes they even get the chance to die a second time. Maybe that's the noir part of Evanovich. (grin - just kidding. I do understand noir.)

At 10:20am on September 15, 2007, James Roberts said…: While Janet Evanovich has humor, you *got* to admit that a lot of characters, well, die, in her books. But I admit being drawn more to the noir section of the genre.

At 5:35pm on September 8, 2007, Clea Simon said…: Lesa, thanks for letting me know about Madeleine L'Engle via the DL! We will all miss her. - Clea

At 3:43am on September 5, 2007, Charlotte Williamson said…: Lesa,
Good to hear from a Ft. myers resident from so far away. Small world! I attend those library functions at the readingfestival in Ft. Myers every March, and sell my books. It is a lot of work, but it is fun. I take my hat off to the people setting it up.

At 8:41am on August 16, 2007, Lesa Holstine said…: Oh, Cyndi! If Agnes and the Hitman sounds right up your alley, you have to try it. It's fun and sexy.

At 6:52am on August 16, 2007, Cyndi Martin said…: Thank you for adding me! I'm glad I looked at your profile. Now I have to read Agnes And The Hitman! Sounds like it's right up my alley.

At 9:23am on August 14, 2007, Lyn LeJeune said…: Librarians have a free pass into heaven. My book, The Beatitudes, is a paranormal thriller set in New Orleans. It will be out in the fall and I am donating all royalties directly to the New Orleans Public Library Foundation. Libraries support the infrastructure of a great city, so I have started The Beatitudes Network to promote awareness of the importance of public libraries in NOLA.
The blogsite www.beatitudesinneworleans.blogspot.com describes the Network, has excerpts from The Beatitudes, recipes, and more. Merci mille fois. Lyn Lejeune.
Writers, please pass the word…..it’s for a good cause….don’t let the libraries of New Orleans or the US go the way of The Great Library of Alexandria. P.S. just posted an excerpt on my Crimespace page. I AM STARTING MY TOUR TO BOOK CLUBS IN FLORIDA THIS FALL... WILL BE AT THE ST. PETERSBURG BOOK FESTIVAL OCTOBER 26. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED LET ME KNOW - lynlejeune@cox.net and I will send you the book tour information...it involves reading, cooking Cajun food, and talk about me and libraires!

At 4:34am on August 13, 2007, Julie Hyzy said…: Hi Lesa!
Thanks for the invite, and thanks for stopping by the blog. It's nice to know you on DL and here now, too!