Leslie began her writing career as a stay-at-home-mom. Her life-long love for reading lead to reviewing books for Goodreads, Amazon and Jillian Dodd's Author Blog. Leslie is also the cofounder of The Indie Bookshelf, which hosts yearly author signings, primarily in the Dallas/FT Worth area.

When she is not writing, you will find her lunching with friends, sipping a cup of joe, binging on Netflix or working on a home DIY project.

Leslie lives in Texas with her husband, teenage son and daughter, and two very silly pugs. 

He knew me from the moment I stepped through the broken window.

Studying me.

Watching me.

Changing me.

I was unaware of him at first; my life was too out of control to notice. The constant moving and lack of money after Mom divorced Dad was turning her into a different person. All she did was drink and she was now this angry person I didn't want to know.

But once I stepped through the window inside that house, I could feel the peace surrounding me. Hugging my body as if it had arms. Protecting me. Loving me. It was like the house knew what I craved and it felt too good to question any of it. So I went back, day after day. I hungrily guzzled up the euphoria like a raging alcoholic, reaching for another drink.

Just like my mother…

Atticus

"Earth to Miss. Crawford. I hope I'm not keeping you from something," Ms. Barnes's voice interrupts my thoughts.


And everyone is staring at me again. Even Brad. But at least he's not snickering under his breath.


 "I'm sorry, what?" I look up at the teacher, catching her slight eye roll.


 "I just asked if you knew the degrees of the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn?" She slowly smiles, as if she's stumped me.


 "Oh, um..." I pause for a second, shoving my fantasy away with the giggling behind me. Luckily, I've always liked maps and I smile because the answer is easy for me. 


 "The Tropic of Cancer is 23.5 degrees north of the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn is 23.5 degrees south," I reply, pretending I don't notice her total bitchiness. 


Chapter 32: Mortified