October 2011
21 posts
4 tags
Happy Halloween
Happy Halloween, everyone. To celebrate the pagan holiday, I’ve included some of my favorite scary mysteries…
Dracula by Bram Stoker
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Pet Cemetery by Stephen King
Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin
The Shining by Stephen King
Suffer The Children by John Saul
The Tell...
Happy Birthday, Ezra Pound
On this date in 1885 Ezra Weston Loomis Pound, the controversial American poet was born.My favorite quote, “The essential thing about a poet is that he build us his world.”
Here are some other great quotes from Ezra Pound:
I guess the definition of a lunatic is a man surrounded by them.
Any general statement is like a check drawn on a bank. Its value depends on what is there to...
“Human beings can always be relied upon to exert, with vigor, their God-given...”
–
Dean Koontz
7 tags
Dr. Phil is Stepping In...
And the Spreckels Mansion investigation continues to get more interesting. Just when you thought it was over, the Dr. Phil show has stepped in to assist the family of Rebecca Zahau in exhuming her body for further tests.
Zahau, 32, was found naked, bound, and hanging from the balcony inside the Spreckels Mansion on July 13. After a seven-week investigation, the San Diego County Sheriff’s...
7 tags
Last Week to Take Advantage of Special Offer
For a limited time, download my latest novel, STRANGER: A DEATH VALLEY MYSTERY for only $1.50 at Smashwords.com. Go to http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/90494 and use special Promo Code MJ53X at checkout. Spread the word. The offer is only valid until 10/31/11.
ABOUT STRANGER: There is a dead body in room 110 of the Death Valley Motel, and the evidence points to murder. Managers Ric and...
Teacher Created Materials →
A great site for teachers looking for interesting products for the classroom
Why I Write
In honor of National Day on Writing, I thought I’d share the reasons why I write. Some may sound familiar to you.
…To escape a crazy day
…To imagine a world where everything makes sense
…To create a world where justice is possible
…To wipe away stress
…To ensure Good always wins over Evil
…To help with insomnia
…To express my beliefs and...
Tomorrow is the National Day on Writing
What is it?
The National Day on Writing recognizes the importance of writing in all of our lives. People in every walk of life, in every kind of work, and at every age write more than ever before for personal and professional reasons. The increase in text messages, IM’s, e-mails, and blogs only prove this, even if we aren’t using the traditional pen and paper.
How can I get...
“To-day we love what to-morrow we hate; to-day we seek what to-morrow we shun;...”
–
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
Happy Birthday, Noah Webster
October 16 is author, Noah Webster’s birthday. In 1806 Webster published A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language, the first truly American dictionary. Then he started work on, An American Dictionary of the English Language. In the twenty years he took to complete it, he learned 26 languages to research the origins of his own country’s tongue. This book had over 70,000...
2 tags
Teen Read Week 2011
What is it?
Started in 1998, Teen Read Week is an initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association to encourage literacy among our youth.
Why do we celebrate it?
With so many options in entertainment from television, video games, smart phones, and the internet, it’s important to remind teenagers that reading is fun, enjoyable, and free! Reading can be done anywhere,...
“Things do not change; we change.”
–
Henry David Thoreau
Ripped from the Headlines
I’m getting weary of the Conrad Murray case already. The press is over-dramatizing the case and I’m bored. And I’m hearing less and less of the other exciting cases going on right now.
So here’s an update from what I was able to gather from numerous news sites on the other cases going on right now:
The underwear bomber has pleaded guilty. Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab had...
“Enjoying living was learning to get your money’s worth and knowing when...”
–
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Read Write Think →
Providing educators, parents, and afterschool professionals with access to the highest quality practices in reading and language arts instruction by offering the very best in free material. Check out their web site.
4 tags
California Hunger Strike
With the country focused on the Conrad Murray trial and the Occupy Wall Street protests, little has been said of the California Hunger Strike that has grown to over 12,000 participants. You probably haven’t heard much about it, because the media figures you don’t care about those thousands fighting injustice since July.
Why wouldn’t you care?
Because they’re prisoners....
“Sanity is not statistical.”
–
George Orwell in 1984
3 tags
Upcoming Mystery & Thriller Novels
Looking for a good mystery novel for Halloween, or just a thriller to get you through the cold winter? I’m keeping an eye on some upcoming novels for you. Peruse the selection below and purchase at your local bookstore or download on your e-reader of choice. Know of any I should add?
Bonnie by Iris Johansen - The latest in the Eve Duncan series is due out on 10/18. Already Gone by...
1 tag
iSad...The passing of Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs was more than just a CEO of a major American Company. He was an innovator, a visionary, and a business leader who created a company in 1976 that is now the leader in consumer electronics (and will always be known as ‘the house that Steve built’). He was the tech genius of our generation and changed the way people interact with the world around them.
Some of my favorite...
10 tags
Happy October - National Book Month is Here!
October is National Book Month. Time to pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read all year. Visit your local library, purchase a best seller from your local bookstore, support your favorite authors by downloading their latest on your e-reader.
What will you be reading this month? Let me know. If you have no clue what to read this month, I’ve included a few lists of hot books below...
7 tags
Special E-Book Offer
For a limited time, download my latest novel, STRANGER: A DEATH VALLEY MYSTERY at Smashwords.com for only $1.50! That’s less than a cup of coffee.
Use special Promo Code MJ53X at checkout.
Spread the word.
The offer is only valid until 10/31/11.
ABOUT STRANGER:
There is a dead body in room 110 of the Death Valley Motel, and the...
