Leah Evert-Burks has been writing stories since childhood and previous to this novel concentrated on screenplays - that was until a happenstance meeting with novelist Mark Harris while waiting in line at the post office. It was Mr. Harris who convinced Leah that the story conveyed in Three Days at Millie Flowers was in fact a novel.
Leah has worked in various legal capacities most of her professional life beginning with the U.S. Department of Justice Land and Natural Resources Division/Environmental Enforcement Section and ending with Michigan State University’s Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection.
She has two adult children and splits her time between California (home) and Colorado (heart) with her husband and their dog Dempsey.
Her second novel, Slices of Sky published in July 2024. It is set in central Montana where she spent summers with her grandfather.
Leah also frequents Texas (reared), where she spends time with her always supportive 92 year old mother, who aptly explains to people, “Leah has to write.”
In Slices of Sky California retiree Frank Moran ventures into the big skies of Montana in pursuit of sapphires. What he finds more valuable than the brilliantly blue Yogos is the friendships cultivated in a small village that inhabits the banks of the Judith River in the central region of the state. It is here he finds his true home and some context for the music that lives in his mind’s ear. He is accompanied by the unrelenting friendship of a young girl, Amber McCoulagh, who is devoted and bound to Frank through crisis, both hers and ultimately his.
“A story about the building of communities and the importance of place.”
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“Leah Evert-Burks’ second novel takes us on a remarkable journey to Montana and, true to form, introduces endearing new friends along the way.
Slices of Sky is not only a study in personality, character and community, but it is, as well, a symphony in prose, each chapter cleverly introduced and defined by a different song or musical composition. An unexpected narrator adds another creative and memorable facet that will remain, like its characters, long after the last page is turned.”
Finding himself at an unexpected crossroads when he abandons a journey, Patrick Emery is taken in by venerable + eccentric Ex-Vegas showgirl, Millie Flowers, and a baseball pitcher from the golden era, Grover Pendrell. Though their time together is short, Three Days at Millie Flowers’, proves to be an impactful detour.
“How unexpected people, in particular across generations, can rescue each other. ”
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Reviews….
A Lovely Read
“I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The book moved along at a nice pace and kept my interest. I love the simplicity of the story. It leaves you with a good feeling.” Cindy E
A True Work of Art
“What a joy to read! Deep and redeeming story of the human spirit. I can't wait for another one! Come on, Leah!” Lifeway2
“Three Days at Millie Flowers' is a first novel that hits a home run in character development. Leah Evert-Burks brings us a celebration of bonds and of possibilities.” Jan B
Appearances
March 23, 2024
Carpinteria Festival of Books
Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center Courtyard, 865 Linden Ave, Carpinteria, CA
July 8, 2023
Maria’s Bookshop
960 Main Avenue
Durango, Colorado
Authors in the Parklet
December 2, 2023
Santa Barbara Public
Library Local Author
Book Fair
March 20, 2024
Lantern Tree Bookstore
Fiction Panel
Carpinteria, California
September 21, 2024
Maria’s Bookshop
960 Main Avenue
Durango, Colorado
Authors in the Parklet
December 8, 2024
2:00-4:00
Santa Barbara Public Library
A shout-out to a few of the fine independent bookstores:
Please order from, and support them!
If you want to go big box, you can order from:
Inspiration images
The Grover Pendrell character in Three Days at Millie Flowers is inspired by Leah’s maternal grandfather Edson Alexander Wilkins, a professional baseball player and natural storyteller.
The pitcher
The Sandlot Gang
Silent Wilkins
Slices of Sky takes place in central Montana - a place where Leah spent summers with her grandfather “Sapphire Slim.” It’s a place of Yogo sapphires, fly fishing and a small eclectic village community hugging the banks of the Judith River.
