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Above The Fold - July 19, 2010
LESLIE KOHLER
Impassioned Author & Social Activist
LESLIE KOHLER is a professional writer whose work has been published in several magazines and newspapers. She has had both fiction and nonfiction articles appear in such publications as Highlights for Children, Skipping Stones, Listen, Winner and Positive Teens.
Leslie graduated from the University of California at Irvine and worked in the fields of education and business. She then pursued her passion as a freelance writer. Leslie belongs to the Scottsdale Writer's Critique Group, Sisters in Crime Mystery Writers (AZ) and and Metropolitan Business and Professional Women.
As a native Californian and current Arizona resident, Leslie has witnessed the social and economic complexities of immigration, which is pivotal to the plot of Sins Of The Border. At 14, she took her first job working in the dry yards in the countryside of northern California. Preparing fruit to be dried in 100 plus degree heat proved to be a difficult and extremely unpleasant way to make extra money. But what was troubling to Leslie were the Hispanic families who toiled at this job for full-time employment, from mother and father, down to their young children. This experience made Leslie cognizant of the difficulties immigrants face, which has been reinforced by the intense and almost daily local news coverage of the Mexican border issue.
Leslie now lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is active in organizations that serve to enhance the lives of women and children. Some of her affiliations include No Mas Muertes (No More Deaths), Chances for Children-AZ, The Sydney Hudson Foundation and Girls for a Change. She completed a half marathon in January of 2009 to raise money for special needs children, and will be running this year to help at risk youth in the Phoenix area.
To learn more about Leslie, visit her website at:
www.lesliekohler.comBOOK VIDEO TRAILER:
Sins Of The Border
(Leslie Kohler)
Sins Of The Border
(Leslie Kohler)
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Leslie Kohler (Sins Of The Border)
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Leslie. We're looking forward to sharing more about your book and other efforts with our readers.
What inspired you to craft this quite compelling mystery suspense thriller?
Leslie Kohler: I've enjoyed reading mysteries for many years, and I liked the challenge of telling an interesting story while weaving together the clues that bind the plot. I live in Arizona, where the issue of immigration is a very emotional topic. Because of this, I felt this subject would make a realistic motive for murder. (Although it's not the only possible reason for the killing.) When I was 14 I worked in the fruit drying yards in northern California, where most of the workers were Hispanic families. It was a grueling job and it wasn’t long before I quit. But it left me with empathy for migrants who come to the United states seeking a better life.
AR: Is Lila based on anyone you know or have known in real life?
LK: Me! Like me, Lila is a bit goofy and klutzy, and she's also stubborn and determined. Lila is a stay-at-home mom who's starting to feel her life is empty and begins to search for more meaning. I left the teaching field when I had my children, and also found myself searching for "something more." That's when I began taking writing courses, attending conferences and becoming involved in the writing community in Scottsdale. I'm thankful I found the resources to pursue something that I'd always had a passion for but had strayed away from.
AR: Based on your portrayal of it in the book, Scottsdale, Arizona, seems to be quite the unique place. What is it about the community that gives it such an intriguing appeal?
LK: Scottsdale is a beautiful town and a fabulous tourist destination. We have several world-class resorts, great restaurants and shopping galore. There’s a lot of “happening” places that makes for great people watching. And because most people who live here have moved from other parts of the country, there’s a wide cross-section of people, which of course makes for interesting character portrayals.
AR: Is the activity of fringe vigilante groups really as fervent as you depict in the tale?
LK: The activity of the vigilante groups, of which there are many both in Arizona and throughout the United States, is not as visible as it was a few years ago. In April of 2005, one group camped along the Arizona/Mexican border for 30 days to aid the border patrol in apprehending border crossers. They were fully armed, and had an active website that not only recruited volunteers and kept the public informed about their manifesto, it advertised their supply store which included firearms, knives—even machetes! I used this as research in my book, and Lila shops at their store, which thankfully, saves her life.
Coincidentally, I based one of my characters on the founder of one of these vigilante groups. His name is Jason Eugene “Gunny” Bush, and he and 3 other member of his organization are accused of murdering a Mexican man, his 8 year-old daughter and seriously wounding his wife during May of 2009 in Arivaca, Arizona. The groups may not be as visible as in previous years, but they are still out there. A simple Google search lists many of them.
AR: During her investigation, how does Lila manage to stay one step ahead of the police - and the killer?
LK: Even though Lila comes off as a bit ditzy, she’s very smart. She graduated from Berkeley with a 4.0 grade point average in journalism. She’s also an ex-news reporter from The San Francisco Chronicle, so she has a solid background in investigating crimes. Lila is very savvy, even a bit devious, in her determination to seek the truth. When she questions someone who she feels has information about the murder, she doesn’t take no for an answer. (As one sees and reads so often in police dramas.) She isn’t above donning a bit of a disguise or telling a white lie to uncover leads. And because she isn’t employed by the police department, she isn’t bound by their procedural rules. Therefore, she can follow her gut with the steely determination which once made her one of the hardest hitting crime reporters in the Bay Area.
AR: We noticed that you're currently working on your next novel, Disposable Lives. What can readers look forward to in that offering?
LK: Disposable Lives will also be a cozy mystery written with humor, while tackling some serious issues like the environment, con men and cheating husbands. It’s set in southern California in a beautiful beach town based on Newport Beach, where I lived for 14 years. The main character is Maggie, who like Lila, is a stay-at-home mom. But Maggie is a bit more serious, sexy and is an ex-marketing executive.
AR: How has your publishing experience been thus far with iUniverse?
LK: iUniverse has been great. Even though they are a huge company, their customer service is first-rate. When I have questions, they’re always available to help, and if they have to call me back, it’s always within 24 hours. For an extremely reasonable fee, they set me up with my website, and provide live technical support so I can personally call them with my questions—which have been many! iUniverse also provides marketing support as part of their package, and they’ve given me many valuable tips on how to sell my book. For instance, they advised me on how to get into brick and mortar bookstores, and Sins of the Border is in several, including many Barnes & Noble Booksellers.
AR: In addition to being an author, you're also actively involved with the group No Mas Muertes (No More Deaths). Please share more with our readers about your endeavors with that organization.
LK: I’ve traveled with the group to our camp near Arivaca, Arizona, where we distribute water and food to migrants traveling north. No More Deaths hikes into very remote areas and leaves these supplies along trails that migrants travel. I’ve always worked out and run half-marathons, so I consider myself to be fairly strong. But with the heat, hills and rocky terrain, this was the toughest workout of my life. The area is so vast and remote that though we were led by a seasoned guide with GPS and detailed trail maps, it was still difficult to stay on course.
No More Deaths doesn’t encourage border crossing—they simply believe humanitarianism is never a crime. There are several centers along the border that actually DISCOURAGE migrants from crossing. But statistics show year after year typically 200-300 people die trying to come to the United States because they are so desperate to escape the poverty and violence prevalent in Mexico and other Latin American countries.
AR: How can our readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
LK: My website talks about my book, upcoming events and posts book reviews. It also discusses the issues of immigration and border violence: http://lesliekohler.com
AR: I’m also active on Facebook and Twitter.
LK: Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=200253524907#!/pages/Leslie-Kohler/200253524907
Facebook Profile Page: http://www.facebook.com/lesliekohler?ref=profile
Twitter: http://twitter.com/LeslieKohler
I host a bi-monthly Internet radio show called The Writer’s Inspiration on http://blogtalkradio.com/leslie-kohler.
AR: How can they contact you directly?
LK: My email address is lesliekohler@cox.net. There’s also a Contact Page on my website, http://lesliekohler.com.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
LK: I’d like to say how thankful I am for this opportunity to share information about Sins of the Border. I hope my readers will be entertained, but may also learn a bit about the plight of people less fortunate than themselves who literally risk their lives looking for hope and opportunity the United States.
AR: Thanks again, Leslie, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
LK: Thank you!
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Leslie. We're looking forward to sharing more about your book and other efforts with our readers.
What inspired you to craft this quite compelling mystery suspense thriller?
Leslie Kohler: I've enjoyed reading mysteries for many years, and I liked the challenge of telling an interesting story while weaving together the clues that bind the plot. I live in Arizona, where the issue of immigration is a very emotional topic. Because of this, I felt this subject would make a realistic motive for murder. (Although it's not the only possible reason for the killing.) When I was 14 I worked in the fruit drying yards in northern California, where most of the workers were Hispanic families. It was a grueling job and it wasn’t long before I quit. But it left me with empathy for migrants who come to the United states seeking a better life.
AR: Is Lila based on anyone you know or have known in real life?
LK: Me! Like me, Lila is a bit goofy and klutzy, and she's also stubborn and determined. Lila is a stay-at-home mom who's starting to feel her life is empty and begins to search for more meaning. I left the teaching field when I had my children, and also found myself searching for "something more." That's when I began taking writing courses, attending conferences and becoming involved in the writing community in Scottsdale. I'm thankful I found the resources to pursue something that I'd always had a passion for but had strayed away from.
AR: Based on your portrayal of it in the book, Scottsdale, Arizona, seems to be quite the unique place. What is it about the community that gives it such an intriguing appeal?
LK: Scottsdale is a beautiful town and a fabulous tourist destination. We have several world-class resorts, great restaurants and shopping galore. There’s a lot of “happening” places that makes for great people watching. And because most people who live here have moved from other parts of the country, there’s a wide cross-section of people, which of course makes for interesting character portrayals.
AR: Is the activity of fringe vigilante groups really as fervent as you depict in the tale?
LK: The activity of the vigilante groups, of which there are many both in Arizona and throughout the United States, is not as visible as it was a few years ago. In April of 2005, one group camped along the Arizona/Mexican border for 30 days to aid the border patrol in apprehending border crossers. They were fully armed, and had an active website that not only recruited volunteers and kept the public informed about their manifesto, it advertised their supply store which included firearms, knives—even machetes! I used this as research in my book, and Lila shops at their store, which thankfully, saves her life.
Coincidentally, I based one of my characters on the founder of one of these vigilante groups. His name is Jason Eugene “Gunny” Bush, and he and 3 other member of his organization are accused of murdering a Mexican man, his 8 year-old daughter and seriously wounding his wife during May of 2009 in Arivaca, Arizona. The groups may not be as visible as in previous years, but they are still out there. A simple Google search lists many of them.
AR: During her investigation, how does Lila manage to stay one step ahead of the police - and the killer?
LK: Even though Lila comes off as a bit ditzy, she’s very smart. She graduated from Berkeley with a 4.0 grade point average in journalism. She’s also an ex-news reporter from The San Francisco Chronicle, so she has a solid background in investigating crimes. Lila is very savvy, even a bit devious, in her determination to seek the truth. When she questions someone who she feels has information about the murder, she doesn’t take no for an answer. (As one sees and reads so often in police dramas.) She isn’t above donning a bit of a disguise or telling a white lie to uncover leads. And because she isn’t employed by the police department, she isn’t bound by their procedural rules. Therefore, she can follow her gut with the steely determination which once made her one of the hardest hitting crime reporters in the Bay Area.
AR: We noticed that you're currently working on your next novel, Disposable Lives. What can readers look forward to in that offering?
LK: Disposable Lives will also be a cozy mystery written with humor, while tackling some serious issues like the environment, con men and cheating husbands. It’s set in southern California in a beautiful beach town based on Newport Beach, where I lived for 14 years. The main character is Maggie, who like Lila, is a stay-at-home mom. But Maggie is a bit more serious, sexy and is an ex-marketing executive.
AR: How has your publishing experience been thus far with iUniverse?
LK: iUniverse has been great. Even though they are a huge company, their customer service is first-rate. When I have questions, they’re always available to help, and if they have to call me back, it’s always within 24 hours. For an extremely reasonable fee, they set me up with my website, and provide live technical support so I can personally call them with my questions—which have been many! iUniverse also provides marketing support as part of their package, and they’ve given me many valuable tips on how to sell my book. For instance, they advised me on how to get into brick and mortar bookstores, and Sins of the Border is in several, including many Barnes & Noble Booksellers.
AR: In addition to being an author, you're also actively involved with the group No Mas Muertes (No More Deaths). Please share more with our readers about your endeavors with that organization.
LK: I’ve traveled with the group to our camp near Arivaca, Arizona, where we distribute water and food to migrants traveling north. No More Deaths hikes into very remote areas and leaves these supplies along trails that migrants travel. I’ve always worked out and run half-marathons, so I consider myself to be fairly strong. But with the heat, hills and rocky terrain, this was the toughest workout of my life. The area is so vast and remote that though we were led by a seasoned guide with GPS and detailed trail maps, it was still difficult to stay on course.
No More Deaths doesn’t encourage border crossing—they simply believe humanitarianism is never a crime. There are several centers along the border that actually DISCOURAGE migrants from crossing. But statistics show year after year typically 200-300 people die trying to come to the United States because they are so desperate to escape the poverty and violence prevalent in Mexico and other Latin American countries.
AR: How can our readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
LK: My website talks about my book, upcoming events and posts book reviews. It also discusses the issues of immigration and border violence: http://lesliekohler.com
AR: I’m also active on Facebook and Twitter.
LK: Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=200253524907#!/pages/Leslie-Kohler/200253524907
Facebook Profile Page: http://www.facebook.com/lesliekohler?ref=profile
Twitter: http://twitter.com/LeslieKohler
I host a bi-monthly Internet radio show called The Writer’s Inspiration on http://blogtalkradio.com/leslie-kohler.
AR: How can they contact you directly?
LK: My email address is lesliekohler@cox.net. There’s also a Contact Page on my website, http://lesliekohler.com.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
LK: I’d like to say how thankful I am for this opportunity to share information about Sins of the Border. I hope my readers will be entertained, but may also learn a bit about the plight of people less fortunate than themselves who literally risk their lives looking for hope and opportunity the United States.
AR: Thanks again, Leslie, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
LK: Thank you!