Marilyn's Musings

It's become obvious to me--and my husband--that I'm greatly influenced by what people say about their electronic toys. My first cellphone was a Blackberry. I used it mostly to receive my emails when I was out of town. While at a mystery con, Mayhem in the Midlands to be exact, I was with one of my good mystery friends, Sara Weiss, and she showed me her new, updated Blackberry. As soon as I got home I got myself one just like hers. Of course I still mostly used it to get my emails, though it was easier to get on the Internet. It had its limits though. When I was out of town, I always looked for a hotel computer so I could post to my blog, of course that cost money in most places. People began talking/writing about their mini computers online and I thought that would be great, a mini computer I could take with me on trips. How convenient. Of course I got one and it's really cute--but it's so sensitive that at times it drove me crazy trying to type on it, or go to the onli...

Often when I'm being interviewed I'm asked that question. I have many favorite authors--some of them are also friends. I know if I asked my sister that question she'd say Mary Higgins Clark. She's bought and read every single one of Ms. Clark's novels. I've met Ms. Clark twice and she's one of the most gracious and lovely women as well as being a famous author. I've read many of her books, she is an excellent writer, but the stories are always about a woman in jeopardy, not one of my favorite themes. Others of my favorites are J.A. Jance and Jan Burke though I haven't read every one of their books, but I like both of their writing styles--and they are both super nice women too. I love the way James Lee Burke describes places and some of his books I like better than others--and no, I don't personally know him though I have seen and heard him speak at a convention. Wm. Kent Krueger does a fantastic job with description too and I've loved all of...

Wow! Did that weekend ever speed by. We had over 70 people who came, some for only Saturday. Most arrived Friday afternoon and stayed until Sunday morning, giving us two nights for hilarity. After I got there and unpacked, I sat in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Express and acted as official greeter. Daughter Lori brought dinner--a wonderful taco salad and lots of it. Others brought fruit, veggie plates, home made cakes and cookies and drinks and goodies galore. We ate, visited and granddaughter Melissa, organizer extraordinaire, had games planned for everyone including a bowling tournament by bringing her Wii. Hubby loved that. The little kids, and there were a passel of them, had crafts to make and other fun stuff. Bigger kids and the oldsters played Estimation--we used four decks and for one of the games had fifteen players. Some just sat around and talked. Saturday was filled with activity, relay races for everyone by the pool involving lots of water, a triathalon for the kids, a tre...

This review is posted on the Book Connection: In this latest installment of Marilyn Meredith's award-winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree series, a Tulare County supervisor dies under suspicious circumstances. With her Mexican and Native American roots, Lilia Quintera was certainly a person to have on your side. Because of Tempe's ties to the Bear Creek Indian Reservation, she is called in to investigate Lilia's death. Tempe soon discovers that several people, including Lilia's husband, might have wanted her dead. Tempe's unsettling dreams bring back memories of her grandmother's stories about the legend of the Hairy Man. Wishing she had thought to ask her grandmother more about the Hairy Man, Tempe wonders if these dreams predict the future. Once again, Tempe finds herself in danger. Only now, she fears no one will come to her rescue in time! Dispel the Mist is an excellent new addition to the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series. I have been a fan of this series since Judgme...

Nine Things Nathan Noticed at Night by Christy Baldwin is a children's book that should be added to church libraries and pre-schools that are run by Christian churches. Each of the nine things that Nathan notices has a delightful illustration, an explanation and an accompanying Bible verse. This is a charming book for a parent to read to his or her child and should bring some ideas for further conversation about the things Nathan noticed at night. Maybe the child could add some of the things he or she noticed at night. Nine Things Nathan Noticed at Night was published by Tribute Books and is available from Amazon.com I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Marilyn http://fictionforyou.com

Second Chance tells how adoption saved both a boy with autism and the dog from the shelter. The story is told from the POV of Chance, the dog who is rescued from the animal shelter. Because the story is all from Chance, there are some things not fully explained at first, but once the dog begins a relationship with P.J., the boy with autism, what has gone on before is revealed. This is a heart-tugging story for anyone who loves dogs and knows what a dog can do for a child--even one with autism. It lifts one's spirits to read a story like this with such a good outcome. Second Chance was published by Tribute Books and is available from Amazon.com

No brilliant ideas are coming to me--no new reviews to post either about books I've read or for my own book. Today I'm busy getting ready for our big family reunion which we hold in Barstow at the Holiday Inn Express on Lenwood. We have about 70 people coming of all ages--babies to us older folks, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmas and grandpas, including greats and of course moms and lots and lots of kids. I always make my famous chili--which I'll cook all day on Saturday to eat that evening. I got everything ready for it today. We have to get a replacement for our windshield. When I left for my writing group last night, I noticed a crack--not a small one either. That'll take up most of hubby's day. It's always something. I'm nearly packed--but have a lot of other things that I need to take care of today. A bit of cleaning needs to be done. I should edit the chapter my critique group heard and suggested changes for last night while it's still fresh in my ...