Taking the Mystery Out of Creating Stories

T. Jefferson Parker, author of “Laguna Heat” and four other Orange County-set mystery novels, will speak at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at South Coast Medical Center’s town hall senior lecture series at the medical center, 31872 Coast Highway, Laguna Beach.

Admission is free.

Parker, a Laguna Beach resident whose sixth novel, “Where the Serpents Lie,” will be published in February, will discuss “Making Stories From Your World.”

Parker also will speak at a Friends of the Library luncheon Jan. 16 at the Huntington Beach Central Library. The cost of the luncheon is $12; reservations must be made by Friday. For more information, call the library at (714) 842-4481.

Also this week

* NBC sportscaster Charlie Jones will discuss his book, “What Makes Winners Win,” at the Inside Edge breakfast forum at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday at the University Club at UC Irvine. Cost: $20 for first-time guests; $35 for others. For reservations, call (714) 460-4242.

* Historian and presidential speech writer James Humes will discuss his new book, “Nixon’s Ten Commandments of Statecraft,” at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda. Admission: $6. An 11:30 a.m. signing follows. Luncheon with the author at noon is $45.

* Manfred and Eva Krutein, authors of “America? America, From Immigration to Espionage,” will sign at 7 p.m. Friday at Borders Books and Music, 429 S. Associated Road, Brea.

* Don Herron, author of “Willeford,” will sign at 11 a.m. Saturday at Book Carnival, 348 S. Tustin Ave., Orange.

Send information about book-related events at least 10 days before event to: Dennis McLellan, Life & Style, The Times, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626.