A California Magazine with Local Focus and Global Appeal:
Community - Entertainment - Human Interest

Weekly issues every Saturday morning and other special articles throughout the week — there's something for everyone. Check out our sister site KRL News & Reviews for even more articles every week.

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Cast Iron Alibi By Victoria Hamilton: Review/Giveaway

FROM THE January 4 ISSUE

IN THE Food Fun SECTION

by Kathleen Costa


Jaymie (Leighton) Müller and her CFFs (College Friends Forever) had enjoyed gathering for an annual late summer camping trip ever since their days at the university, but for the past three years adult responsibilities had taken precedent. This year, however, seemed a perfect opportunity to bring back their annual girls-only tradition. Jayme’s husband and step-daughter would be out of the country, so it would be a great distraction. But…is it prophetic that the campground had to cancel their reservation and all other camping options were full?

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Inspector George Gently: AcornTV Streaming

FROM THE January 4 ISSUE

IN THE Kathleen Costa SECTION

by Kathleen Costa


Isn’t that…? When there’s nothing on television except politics, sports, or reality shows that seem to bring out the worst in humanity, I open up the AcornTV app on my iPad and explore the dramas, mysteries, comedies, documentaries, and “Staff Pick of the Week.” The first thing that usually grabs my interest is seeing an actor I recognize.

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You’re the Top! My Best From 2019

FROM THE January 4 ISSUE

IN THE Fantasy & Fangs SECTION

by Kathleen Costa


In 2019, I reviewed a record 180 entertaining books along with connecting with talented and delightfully friendly authors, including some beta reading. It was a daunting task to choose my annual “Tops” because every book, and a few television shows, have provided me with hours of entertainment and some inspiration…

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New Year’s Mystery Catchup!

FROM THE January 4 ISSUE

IN THE Cynthia Chow SECTION

by Sandra Murphy
& Cynthia Chow


A new year has begun and KRL is still playing catchup with its mystery reviews-here are a few more books that came out in 2019-Three Widows and a Corpse: A Food Blogger Mystery by Debra Sennefelder, Two Bites Too Many: Sarah Blair Mystery by Debra H. Goldstein, Hounds of the Basket Stitch: Black Sheep Knitting Mystery by Anne Canadeo, and Can’t Judge a Book by Its Murder: Main Street Book Club Mystery by Amy Lillard.

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The Undead Have Arrived at Selma Arts Center

FROM THE January 4 ISSUE

IN THE Rebecca Potts SECTION

by Rebecca Potts



Picture this: A small town high school in the 1950s, filled with typical daily routines, quirky students, and a few love stories. Oh, and at least one zombie. If it’s a little hard to dream up on your own, let Selma Arts Center do it for you.

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A Welcome to My Time and Space

FROM THE January 4 ISSUE

IN THE Mysteryrat's Maze SECTION

by Khaled Talib


Gun Kiss is a Hollywood story set in the present time. It revolves around a protagonist who wears many hats. Blake Deco is an Iraq vet who struggles in trying to be a screenwriter. In the meantime, he runs a taco restaurant while moonlighting as an artifact recoverer. His co-protagonist, Goldie Saint Helen, is an A-list movie star who lives in Los Feliz. Here, I found myself playing Ken and Barbie. I created a 1920s Spanish-style home for her, including places she hangs outs within the area. Blake, if not on assignment, lives in Hollywood Hills, a property his TV screenwriter parents left him in their will. He’s often seen at the taco restaurant located along Sunset Boulevard; a fictional place called Mama Tacos.

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Steven’s Eventful November/December

FROM THE December 31 ISSUE

IN THE Music SECTION

by Steven Sanchez



I hope everybody had a great holiday season. I hope everybody got what they wanted for Christmas because I for sure did. This jolly time of year was a little bit different for me this time around. I really can’t say that I was super festive once the holidays rolled on because, to be quite honest, for all of 2019, based on the amount of shows and events I went to, almost every day felt like Christmas. On behalf of Kings River Life, it felt like we were Santa in a way, our gifts to our readers were the photos and reviews of all the events we were most privileged to be a part of. And the last months of the year were no different.

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A Catered New Year’s Eve By Isis Crawford: Review/Giveaway/Guest Post

FROM THE December 28 ISSUE

IN THE Food Fun SECTION

by Sandra Murphy
& Isis Crawford


Libby and Bernie A Little Taste of Heaven. It started mostly as a bakery, but now they also provide take-home dinners and more. That should keep them busy enough, but Bernie has been in contact with relatives they haven’t spoken to in many years. There was an incident, well, two really, of borrowed cars being wrecked. Several incidents of money borrowed but never repaid. That side of the family thrives on chaos and drama.

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Cat House On the Kings: A Look Back at 2019

FROM THE December 28 ISSUE

IN THE Animal Rescue Adventures SECTION

by Harvie Schreiber



It was a busy 2019 for The Cat House on the Kings. As of mid-December, we have rescued: 1,478 cats and kittens; we have adopted out (or sent to other rescues) 1,067 cats and kittens; and have spayed/neutered about 4,500 animals! The relatively mild weather of central California means that “kitten season” really lasts all year long, and we’re STILL rescuing cats and kittens from the cold.

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The Great Food Search: Clam Chowder For the Winter Weather

FROM THE December 28 ISSUE

IN THE Reedley News SECTION

by Terrance McArthur


When the weather gets colder, the best-looking thing on a menu might be soup. Since we often go out to eat on Friday nights, clam chowder—New England Clam Chowder (the white stuff)— is my option of choice. This Great Food Search went to great lengths to give you reviews. Yes, there are restaurants in the Valley that we sampled, but we found ourselves all the way out to Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf!

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Coming Attractions: Welcome a New Decade Edition

FROM THE December 28 ISSUE

IN THE Coming Attractions! SECTION

by Sunny Frazier


Start your 2020 with two new series and many favorites cozies while you sip hot chocolate by the fire. Or the heater. Or whatever makes you cozy.

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Fall’s Killer Vintage By Anna Celeste Burke: Review/Giveaway

FROM THE December 28 ISSUE

IN THE Kathleen Costa SECTION

by Kathleen Costa


Lillian Callahan, nicknamed “Calla Lily” by her Auntie Lettie, has reinvented her life post-soap opera stardom. She inherited her Aunt Lettie’s Napa Wine Country estate along with the Calla Lily Vineyard and Winery where she had spent much of her childhood. Several friends from her soap opera days have joined her as quasi-permanent residents in the large house her aunt turned into a B&B, assisted in revitalizing the on-site theater The Calla Lily Playhouse, opened with a parody of the soap opera to rave reviews, and as “Lily’s Diva Posse,” now aptly named “Calla Lily Murder Club,” give her all the back up she needs.

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Streaming Is the New Entertainment Option: Miss Fisher/Shakespeare & Hathaway

FROM THE December 28 ISSUE

IN THE Kathleen Costa SECTION

by Kathleen Costa


AcornTV was the first streaming option I explored, first as a free trial, then membership with a reasonable monthly fee, and I’ve not regretted a penny of it! Over the past two years, I have been able to watch and rewatch at my convenience iconic detective dramas like the twenty-one seasons of Midsomer Murders, twelve seasons of Murdoch Mysteries with season 13 airing Dec. 25, and first four seasons of Vera, along with Agatha Raisin, George Gently, and Kingdom.

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Jessica’s Video Game News: A Look Back at the Past Decade

FROM THE December 28 ISSUE

IN THE Arts & Entertainment SECTION

by Jessica Ham


A decade ending is a historic moment. This decade has seen so many great video games, so today I thought I would share my top five favorite video games from the decade.

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