River James and Saturday

A sweeping historical epic of love, mystery and murder stretching from the late eighteenth century into the mid-twentieth century and set against the picturesque backdrops of the Missouri Ozarks, San Francisco and Napa Valley.

Born in Warsaw, MO in 1941, Lela Merrell-Savage spent her childhood on small farm in her beloved Ozarks. An avid reader and storyteller, she developed an interest in serious writing in 2003, after she retired and took a creative writing course at State Fair Community College in Sedalia, MO. That interest was solidified once she joined a Senior Center Writing Group and got hooked on the written word. Staying active and trying to finish her "bucket list" are her top priorities, along with spending time with her family and friends. Losing her first husband, Jim Merrell, after 43 years of marriage was a low point. But six years later, she met and married Deck Savage, and helped publish his memoirs in a book called "A Life Not Too Ordinary". He passed away just three months after they were married but their mutual interest in writing ensured their relationship was a strong one. Lela’s children Julie and Paul are the center of her life, and she enjoys being a grandmother!