Marilyn's Musings

Lorie Ham and I shared a table at the Clovis Book Festival sponsored by the Clovis Book Barn and Friends of the Library (Fresno.) Though it wasn't the best of book selling days--there were some problems that will probably be addressed if those who organized this decide to do a repeat performance. One of the librarians I spoke to said she hoped it would happen twice a year. That might be a bit much, it was a lot of work for those who organized the event.) Lorie represented Kings River Life, her online magazine that supports mystery author and many other projects and events. Of course I represented myself. We were supposed to be there at 9, so Lisa (my daughter, driver, helper) and I left at 7:15 a.m. The event was supposed to last until 8 p.m. But because of the low traffic, most folks started leaving around 3. We stayed a couple hours longer. One of the big things to do is stand when someone comes by and engage them in conversation--unfortunately not many folks e...

This year, Kings River Life Magazine celebrated its fourth anniversary and it's been quite a ride so far. About four and a half years ago, I was let go from my job at a local newspaper for creative differences and I didn't know what I was going to do next. While I was working at that newspaper I had been told several times that no one would read articles on several topics I wanted to write about. So I got this idea--why not start an online magazine made up of just those things! Some of the things she told me no one wanted to read about were book reviews, local history, local bands and theatre, and pets--most of these have become the foundation of KRL so I think perhaps she was wrong! Over the past four years, KRL has changed a great deal and expanded far beyond our home area of the San Joaquin Valley of California. While we still have some local focused articles, especially in the area of entertainment, at least half of our issue each week is focused on articles th...

My stop today on my blog tour is at Lorie Ham's Mystery Rats Closet http://mysteryratscloset.blogspot.com/ I've known Lorie Ham for a long time, first because she was a fellow Sister in Crime, San Joaquin chapter. Before we knew each other very well, we roomed together in Anchorage Alaska for Left Coast Crime, many years ago. What a sweetie. I got in late (or early in the a.m.) and she'd left the light on for him in the room. We had a great time at that LCC. After that, she arranged some great speaking engagements that I was a part of for various Fresno libraries. On a more personal note, Lorie and her children performed at our church one Sunday. Lorie is a gospel singer and does a great presentation. Her daughter and son were little. Since then the children have become teenagers. Time passes quickly. Do stop by the blog and leave a comment. Thank you, Marilyn

Lorie Ham has been a good friend for several years. We met at the San Joaquin chapter of Sisters in Crime and we roomed together at Left Coast Crime in Anchorage, Alaska. I'm a big fan of her series and sorry to know that The Final Note is the last. Here's a blurb about The Final Note . The Final Not e: Alexandra Walters, a gospel singer living in the small town of Donlyn which is nestled in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley of California, finds herself the victim of a stalker during a reunion tour with her family singing group. By the end of the tour, the stalker is dead and Alex finds herself the prime suspect. The murder takes place in the California Coastal town of Ayr (near Santa Cruz), where Roxi Carlucci lives. Roxi is the cousin of private investigator Stephen Carlucci, one of two men vying for Alex’s affection. Donlyn Police Detective Will Knight is the other. Roxi, Stephen, Alex, Will, and a cast of Alex’s roommates and friends return in this final novel of ...