Inner Mermaid

Author Leslie Keehn is the owner of Inner Mermaid Publishing, which published Crack Dwellers, the first in a series of three books which explore the lives of individuals who have fallen through the cracks of mainstream society, and are learning to love themselves and their lives in spite of that.

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A Woman's Size Really Does Matter. . .Living in the southern California beach city of San Diego, Crystal Ackerman cannot easily ignore how much a woman's appearance matters. And since her size-20 body does not conform to society's ideal, she feels as though she has fallen through the cracks, isolated and lonely.
At 33, Crystal has a promising career as an attorney, and has accepted her large size. But her past, and society's insidious rejection of overweight people, have caused her to retreat deeply inside herself. Her inherent longing for meaningful connections with others drives her to hide a listening device in the women's restroom at her law firm to be a part of other women's conversations.Crystal's life begins to change through her work on a wrongful death trial against a popular fashion magazine, You've Got the Look. The magazine is being sued by the partents of a young girl who died after developing anorexia during her struggle to obtain the physical perfection depicted in the computer-enhanced photographs of You've Got the Look. During the trial, Crystal revisits her own past, and her journey to accept herself regardless of her size. That experience, along with some surprising truths revealed in the women's restroom, and a few unexpected encounters with other crack dwellers, lead Crystal to ultimately embrace herself more fully, including her ability to form nurturing friendships with the women around her.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT CRACK DWELLERS
"This book will inspire your soul. Leslie Keehn's wisdom, wit and wonderfully heart-filled style translate into an eternal life truth: for lasting happiness, find your own path. Alive, visceral, funny and real, Crack Dwellers will awaken the spirit of your own inner urban mystic."
— Gloria Gonzales, Owner Eight Elements West
“I have just completed Crack Dwellers for the second time. This is a great story that will grab your attention from the first few pages. The title of the book took on much greater meaning for me the second time around. It would be hard to find a woman who cannot relate to one of the characters in this story. Those of us who have lived with "size" issues all our lives can definitely relate to the walls Crystal builds around herself to survive in the world around her, and will be inspired as she reaches out of her comfort zone to develop meaningful relationships. This should be required reading for men and women of all ages! I loved this book, Leslie, and your courage to write it!”
— Lanita Varshell, Owner A Gentle Way Yoga & Joyful Movement Center
“I was captivated by the vibrant characters in Crack Dwellers, a fascinating novel that will have you sailing through the pages and leave you wanting more. Leslie Keehn’s insight into the inner workings of women, the legal world, and relationships in general provides a refreshing alternative to the formulaic formats of so many of today’s novels. As a civil litigation assistant, I was most impressed with the courtroom scenes, which crackle with energy.”
— June Lemos
"Crack Dwellers brings awareness to the power that lies in coming out of the "cracks" in which we fall into, and encourages the reader to celebrate one’s uniqueness and self trust. I was deeply touched when reading this journey of self discovery, and feel every person can relate to its message. An engaging and powerful read."
— Jenny Ward, CEO Playward Inc.