Two Women in California Fight Off Intruder

Posted on December 28, 2012 by jchasenovelist

clip_image001

As I was skimming through the news during a quiet moment of the holiday celebrations this week, I found a story out of my home state of California that caught my interest.  In Harbison County, a small town in the San Diego area, two women decided that they would not fall victim to an armed intruder.

A man, later identified as 24-year-old convicted felon Charles Keller, kicked open the door of a home in which the women were residing.  He claimed to be looking for someone and then demanded money.  Perhaps not approving of their initial response, Keller fired at the women with his shotgun.

If he was attempting to wound the women, whose names have not been shared with the media, with his shooting efforts, he failed.  Instead, the two would-be victims got into a scuffle with Keller and one of them managed to wrestle him to the ground.  In doing so, she wrenched the gun away from Keller and hit him on the head.  By the time officers arrived, Keller was bloody and lying on the street.  He now is facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon and burglary.

There are plenty of people who advocate the idea that having a firearm in your house makes it a safer place.  I will leave that debate for another blog.  But, I imagine that the gun in mind in such instances did not enter the home through the person meaning to do harm.  It turns out, though, that a weapon intended for criminal activity instead was used for self-protection.

I believe my protagonist Emily Stone would have a similar reaction to a stranger who entered her home.  She is bold and strong, so overpowering a would-be attacker in such a scenario does not seem unlikely.  In any case, great job by these two women in California for protecting themselves and bringing a dangerous man back into the grip of justice.

For more information and listings of the Award Winning Emily Stone Thriller Series, please visit my Amazon author page.

* * *

Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/
Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
Book & Crime Talk:  http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase
Books: Compulsion  Dead Game  Dark Mind  Silent Partner  Screenwriting
Posted in crime, Dark Mind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Next Big Thing — Dead Burn

Posted on December 19, 2012 by jchasenovelist

Next_Big_Thing

Thanks to a fellow author friend Carolyn Arnold for tagging me in this fun blog feature for new or in-the-works novels.

Here are a quick ten questions about my latest book Dead Burn, which will be released early 2013.

1. What is the working title of your book?MockupCover

The current working title is Dead Burn and it will most likely stay that name.  It seems to fit with the other books in the Emily Stone Series.

2.  Where did the idea come from for the book?

With my academic background in forensics and criminology, arson was a subject that I knew little about.  I decided to merge the mind of a serial killer with an arsonist and the outcome is a calculating serial killer arsonist who stalks and devises a trap according to their sins.

3. What genre does your book fall under?

Dead Burn is an action thriller.

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I don’t generally like to put an actor or actress to the characters so that readers can use their own imaginations when they read my books.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Vigilante detective Emily Stone faces her toughest serial killer case yes, while dodging the watchful eyes of a rogue government agency and a hired assassin.

6.  If you plan to publish, will your book be self-published or published traditionally?

Independently.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your MS?

The first draft took about two months to write.

8.  What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

When I write my books I try not to emulate any author or particular style, and it allows me to stay focused on what I enjoy.  However, readers have compared my books to Baldacci, Gerritsen, and the early works of James Patterson.

9.  Who or what inspired you to write this book?

My series character Emily Stone and my love for forensics and criminology inspire me to write thrillers.

10.  What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Even though my books are a part of a series, they are all stand-alone novels.  It allows readers to pick the adventure that piques their interest.

One last word about Dead Burn: Everyone Sins – but are you prepared to pay for yours?

***

Now, I’m off to tag the 5 other author bloggers:

C.J. West

John Betcher

C.L. Withers

John Walker

Douglas Wickard

Posted in Dead Burn, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Serial Killer was Addicted to Pleasure of Hunting and Killing

Posted on December 17, 2012 by jchasenovelist

clip_image001

When a young man sits in a police interrogation and admits to killing multiple people, one of the questions naturally raised from such a confession is – Why?  The search for this answer is what drives criminal psychologists to further their research.  This simple, three-letter word drives a lot of my personal study and forms the basis for my novels.

Maybe we want some reassurance.  If we can pinpoint the reasons that violent predators murder time and again and not see those characteristics in ourselves or those we love, perhaps we can say . . . we aren’t like them.  There also is the hope that if we recognize the factors that create a serial killer, such as abuse in his own childhood or an abnormality in brain development, we can stop these crimes before they happen.  Finally, we just need to admit that these disturbed personalities fascinate us.

According to Anchorage, Alaska police detective Monique Doll, confessed serial killer Israel Keyes did not fit into some of the assumed factors that groom a murderer.  Instead, Keyes just loved what he did and craved more of what made him feel good, much like an addiction.

Keyes admitted to killing eight people and offered matter-of-fact details about how his plans to kill a couple in Alaska were thwarted by the arrival of two police officers.  In the interview, he seems pleased with his planning and wanted to be known for the ideas he crafted in targeting his victims.  It was when he broke his own rules and used the ATM card of his victim Samantha Koenig, an 18-year-old coffee shop worker in Anchorage, that he finally was arrested and brought to justice.

Maybe Keyes thought he was regaining control of the situation when he slit his own wrists and hung himself with bedding.  His final act of violence, on his own terms.  From behind bars, perhaps turning the violence on yourself is the only way to feed that twisted addiction.

 ***

If you would like to check out my Award Winning Emily Stone Thriller Series, please visit my Amazon author page.

Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/
Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
Book & Crime Talk:  http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase
Books: Compulsion  Dead Game  Dark Mind  Silent Partner  Screenwriting
Posted in crime, Serial Killers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Thriller Thursday Guest — Author C.J. West

Posted on December 13, 2012 by jchasenovelist

dad400

Aside from the weekend, Thriller Thursday is my favorite day of the week.  Today, I have a special guest, C.J. West, with his latest book Dinner at Deadman’s.  A great read with a quirky main character, lots of humor, and a mystery to boot.

***

SYNOPSIS:

Lorado Martin has loved junk since his grandparents took him bottle digging in the backwoods of New England when he was a boy. The search for antiques and collectibles led him to a unique hobby: digging through the estates of the newly deceased, arranging the sale of goods for the heirs, and keeping the leftovers for himself.

To make a living he builds and maintains housing for recovering addicts and along the way he’s employed a number of his clients. The men wrestle with the siren call of drugs and teach Lorado about the difficult struggle to stay clean one day at a time.

When these two worlds come together, Lorado learns that not every elderly person dies of natural causes and that some estates are sold to benefit a killer. His latest project hits close to home. A woman he’s known since childhood haunts him from a fresh grave. Her grandson, an affable addict who has fallen off the wagon, stands to inherit a considerable sum whether he deserves it or not.

Purchase at Amazon

***

Jennifer Chase: Welcome, C.J.  If Lorado Martin was trapped in an elevator with three other people, how would he devise a plan to escape? Would he take any of the people with him?

C.J. West: Lorado thinks he can fix anything and he’s right about most things. He wouldn’t be able to fit through the hatch at the top of the elevator car and he certainly wouldn’t be able to jump that high. He’d probably wind up opening the panel and checking the wiring in case that would help.

Jennifer Chase: Hmm… I’m getting a clearer picture of Lorado now.  So how do you get inside his head when writing?

C.J. West: Funny story. Lorado is based on my real brother. I was looking for a funny, likeable hero and he fits the bill perfectly. While writing Dinner At Deadman’s I spent time working with my brother and his crew to experience what his life was like.

Jennifer Chase: I love hearing background on the creation of a story and a fun character.  What’s your specific genre? If you could write in any other genre, what would it be and why?

C.J. West: I typically categorize my work as suspense, but I do a lousy job following genre rules. Dinner At Deadman’s is a traditional mystery and probably the book of mine that colors inside lines best. I don’t need to pick another genre, I probably wouldn’t follow that set of rules either.

Jennifer Chase: I like that philosophy! So why should readers pick up Dinner at Deadman’s?

C.J. West: Dinner At Deadman’s is a light mystery that offers a view into the world of used merchandise sold at estate sales, yard sales, and on eBay. The book also offers a realistic view into the lives of recovering addicts as seen by someone who works with them on a daily basis.

Jennifer Chase: What types of emotions will readers experience when they read your book?

C.J. West: Readers will be nostalgic for all the old treasures they remember from when they were kids. They’ll be intrigued as they follow Lorado and his attempts to solve Mary Newbury’s murder. They’ll laugh with Lorado’s antics and they’ll be saddened by the plight of those addicted to narcotics.

Jennifer Chase: Now, please bear with me, it’s time to play word association with your main character. Please respond with one word that comes to mind (in your main character’s voice) to the words listed below.

C.J. West:

2012            Over          
Predator     Me 
Giggles        Clown
Rural           Yup
Omnipresence     What does that mean?  

Thanks so much C.J. West for taking the time to stop by and give us some insight on Dinner at Deadman’s!

cj_5-22-1

Author Bio:  C.J. West is the author of seven suspense novels including The End of Marking Time and Sin and Vengeance, which was optioned into development for film by Beantown Productions, LLC (screenplay by Marla Cukor). C.J. blogs at www.cjwestkills.wordpress.com. You can also find him at www.22wb.com or at www.facebook.com/cjwestfans

Posted in Guest Post, Thriller Thursday | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

These Shoplifters Take Requests

Posted on December 10, 2012 by jchasenovelist
Photo credit: MySecuritySign.com

Photo credit: MySecuritySign.com

As a criminology academic, I love learning about new ways that criminals are using technology to commit their illegal deeds and, concerning more noble pursuits, how law enforcement is using some of these same advances to bring the criminals to justice.

Emily Stone, the protagonist in most of my novels, is an expert with the most impressive of surveillance tools.  Her integration of mental strength and basic intuition with the finest products of the digital age is what makes her efforts so successful.  In my work, though, particularly in my book Dead Game, I look at how those with evil intentions operate in ways, and within virtual worlds, that weren’t considered possible even ten years ago.

While not necessarily evil, a pair of shoplifters in Kentucky taught us this week that even the most simple and time-tested crimes in our society—stealing clothes from a shopping mall—has a new technological twist.

Ronald Murrell and Kimberly Starks were arrested last week after witnesses at the Jefferson Mall noticed that they were walking out of multiple stores with merchandise that did not appear to have been purchased.  Upon being stopped for speeding after leaving the mall, a search of the car yielded more than $2700 worth of merchandise.

The relevant part of this story to my post is that the thieving duo apparently was taking requests.  Police officers found several cell phone text conversations in which friends or associates had requested specific items to be stolen.  And, the phone continued to buzz constantly throughout the arrest process, likely from more hopeful recipients of stolen goods.

While Murrell and Starks weren’t using their cell phone numbers to plan a violent murder or overthrow of the government, I think it’s interesting to note how we communicate with one another has affected every aspect of our lives—from dating to attending college classes to mapping out preferred shoplifting destinations to meet requests.

* * *

For more information and listings of the Award Winning Emily Stone Thriller Series, please visit my Amazon author page.

Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/
Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
Book & Crime Talk:  http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase
Books: Compulsion  Dead Game  Dark Mind  Silent Partner  Screenwriting
Posted in crime | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Are You a Word Wrangler or a Sentence Slinger?

Posted on December 8, 2012 by jchasenovelist

homer

We have an amazing language with an abundance of words.  In fact, people who learn English as a second language often comment that was have so many words to learn and some have several meanings and spellings to certain ones.  However, it seems our extensive lists of words are used sparingly in today’s casual language.

As a writer, I find that I am guilty of redundant words in my writing zone of safety and I usually catch them in rewrites.  There are only so many words that describe the perils of a thriller protagonist in a story, so I’m frequently looking to other sources and techniques to freshen up stale and sometimes potentially draggy sentences of the same descriptive words.  BAM!  I want to hit readers between the eyes with a serial killer character or send chills up their spine in an action escape scene.

There is such power with words and writers have the awesome job of conveying thoughts, feelings, dialogue, and actions in a way to entertain, provoke, or educate.

Words Commonly Misspelled

For writers and many others alike, there are words that we commonly misspell.  I remember in school recommend and accommodate were beaten into my mind from the English teacher.  I don’t think I’ve misspelled them since.

Acceptable

Daiquiri (How often do you get to use this word in your writing?)

Accommodate

Humorous

Maneuver

Vacuum (I get some of my best creative ideas when I’m doing this chore)

Recommend

Analysis

Check out this site for 100 commonly misspelled words.

Words I find Often Myself Looking up How to Spell

Why is it that I find myself looking up specific words that I’ve used many times?

It’s interesting to test ourselves on writing, but I seem to find that I double-check these words.  These stubborn words never look quite right, even though they are correct.  Whether I’m writing a fictional novel or a specific report for technical words or fun exclamations, these words make me double-check my spelling.

Hors d’oeuvre

Ta-da

Voila

Bifurcation

Deoxyribonucleic acid (yeah, I know DNA is much easier)

Mitochondrial Deoxyribonucleic acid

Cataclysmic

Formaldehyde

Hemorrhage

Here is a site for all you CSI buffs and crime fiction/mystery writers for forensic terminology.

Words that Make me Laugh 

There are many words in our language just by their pronunciation make me laugh.  I hardly ever get to use some of these funny words, but I’ve managed to put at least one, sometimes two, in each of my novels, and it’s usually in character dialogue.  It’s one of my quirks but I love a challenge!

Mugwump

Lollygag

Doozy

Flibbertigibbet

Eructation

Gobbledygook

Cantankerous

Cockalorum

Smellfungus

You can check out a site for the most 100 most humorous words.

Three things that help to punch up word vocabulary that works for me:

  1. Don’t be afraid to open the dictionary on a random page and pick a word that you’ve never or rarely used, and write ten to twenty sentences using that word.
  2. Pick a word that you find yourself using frequently and write down ten to twenty other alternatives.
  3. Depending upon the genre you write in, pick a word that you think you would never use in any of your stories and write ten to twenty sentences using that word.  For example:  Flibbertigibbet

What are some words that drive you crazy or make you laugh?

Do you consider yourself a word wrangler or a sentence slinger?

 * * *

For more information and listings of books of Award Winning Emily Stone Thriller Series, please visit my Amazon author page.

* * *

Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/
Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
Book & Crime Talk:  http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase
Books: Compulsion  Dead Game  Dark Mind  Silent Partner  Screenwriting
Posted in Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Facebook Ordered to Remove Page that Tracks Pedophiles

Posted on December 5, 2012 by jchasenovelist

facebook

One of the crimes that is featured in several of my novels, and that I believe all would agree is one of the most heinous acts of violence possible, is pedophilia. My lead character, Emily Stone, is on a vigilante crusade to bring the pedophiles, rapists, and murderers around us to justice and she does so using risky means of surveillance that go beyond the efforts afforded to uniform officers.

I wonder what Emily would think of a recent ruling in Northern Ireland regarding the privacy rights of a convicted pedophile?

In Belfast, a man who had spent six years in prison for a multitude of crimes against children argued that a Facebook page with the title “Keeping Our Kids Safe from Predators” was unfairly targeting and punishing him after he already served the sentence deemed by the courts to be appropriate for his actions.  The Belfast High Court apparently agreed, determining that displaying this man’s photograph and posting threatening comments amounted to harassment and a violation of his human rights. The page has since been taken down by Facebook.

In our country, there is a registry of convicted sex offenders.  You can type in your zip code and see photographs and criminal histories for all such criminals.  Notification goes out to the neighborhood when a man or woman who has harmed a child moves onto the block.  They are often ostracized for the rest of their lives.  Are these efforts a violation of rights as well, or are concerned citizens justified in their desire to keep watch over these offenders?

What are your thoughts on the case in Ireland? 

Should child molesters have an expectation of privacy after their jail sentence is served, much like any other freed prisoner would enjoy, or do these unique circumstances make the broadcasting of their presence not only acceptable, but important?

* * *

Check out all of the Emily Stone Thrillers on Amazon and Amazon UK

Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/
Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
Book & Crime Talk:  http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase
Books: Compulsion  Dead Game  Dark Mind  Silent Partner  Screenwriting
Posted in crime | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments