PICTURE PERFECT: Huntington Beach author Elizabeth George...

PICTURE PERFECT: Huntington Beach author Elizabeth George received an unexpected bonus in People magazine this week: Not only did her latest British mystery, “Playing for the Ashes,” get a rave review (“an infinitely engrossing story”), her photo ran with the story. . . . George’s reaction: “I’m sure every single thing positive about a novel helps its sales.” She’s on vacation in Big Sur and hasn’t seen the magazine yet: “I’ll drive up Highway 1 and see if I can find a store.”

HELPING MEDIA: The Denise Huber murder case continues to grab media interest. TV tabloid shows like “Hard Copy,” “America’s Most Wanted” and “Inside Edition” have lined up to interview the Huber family of Newport Beach. . . . Unlike some in the O.J. Simpson murder case who were paid for tabloid TV interviews, the Hubers are not accepting money for their comments. The family explains that these shows had shown interest when Denise Huber disappeared.

DUELING GUITARS: Men still dominate the charts in country music, but Coto de Caza is delighted it signed two of the top women in the business for its annual CotoFest on Saturday. Juice Newton (above) and Carlene Carter, who both play guitar (OC Live! Page 6) will headline the charity event. They’re not on until dusk, but other live music and dancing starts at 2 p.m. at the Coto de Caza Equestrian Center. The eight-hour event is $25.

THREE-LEGGED STAR: Cheryl Saremi of Orange was desperate to find a home for Jezebel, the three-legged cat owned by a neighbor who was moving to Florida. A co-worker of Saremi’s saw a sign put up by Dale Hilbert of Tustin, looking for his three-legged cat. Saremi called him: Would he mind taking this three-legged cat as a replacement? Unfortunately, Hilbert had already gone to an animal shelter to get a replacement cat. Fortunately, Hilbert has a soft spot for three-legged cats: This week, he took in Jezebel anyway.