New Releases by Ken Mask

Get ready for a creative surge of inspiration. In The 180 Rule of Motivation & Etc., Ken Mask weaves together essays, poetry, personal letters--even a full-length stage play--into a bold and thought-provoking collection designed to ignite change and motivation. Whether addressing jazz icon Wynton Marsalis, challenging *The New York Times*, or reflecting on life''s unpredictable journey, Mask delivers a consistent message: it''s never too late to turn things around. At the heart of the collection is the powerful concept of "The 180 Rule of Motivation," encouraging readers to flip fear into fuel and doubt into determination. Insightful, fearless, and refreshingly original, this book invites you to break old patterns, embrace purpose, and step into the best version of yourself.

Childhood friends Griffin the dragon, Jackson the hyena, 8-year-old boy Cattails, and 10-year-old girl Alexandra discuss how best to deal with a bully.

Childhood friends Griffin the dragon, Jackson the hyena and 8-year-old boy Cattails discuss healthy eating habits.

While trying to free a lawyer friend convicted of a crime he didn''t commit, New Orleans private investigator Luke Jacobs is drawn into an international web of real estate fraud, pharmaceutical corporation misdealing and murder. Mardi Gras may have to be put on hold.

One night a murder takes place in New Orleans at a French Quarter jazz club. During the investigation, private investigator Luke Jacobs, a former Assistant District Attorney, recognizes that something is not right at the crime scene, which leads to an unusual weapon. Even the ''victim'' is a mystery until a credit card receipt, rare coin and wine bottle make way into the story.

Griffin the dragon, Jackson the hyena and their friend 10 year old boy Cattails learn that lying to parents and going into strange houses can get you into an ''out of this world'' set of troubles, literally. George Bernard Shaw said: "You see things and you say, ''Why?'' But I dream things that never were, and I say, ''Why Not?''" Truer words could not describe the journey this young lad, Joshua L. Mask takes us on. You share his joy of imagination in the most simple and immediate way. Dream and wonder in this most singular act of fantasy! -Wendell Pierce As we continue to grow, we continue to learn, especially from our young, innocent and passionate writers. Young author Joshua L. Mask demonstrates a need for both young and ones of a certain age to think outside the box and put their imaginations into action. He is both motivating and inspiring! -James "Big Game" Worthy

Griffin the Dragon is back. He now enjoys another fun Saturday morning with best buddies Jackson the Hyena and 10 year old boy Cattails. They learn the very exciting and educational game of strategy, chess.

New Orleans'' private detective Luke Jacobs doesn''t take too well to murders happening around him. He''s been on a solid run of assisting local police with cases and maintains a strong reputation of doing good work. However, when a few bodies turn up in an area adjacent to his office and the post Katrina setting is still a disrupted mess, things get personal. Luke is juggling a mixture of activities and has a recurrent dream of 19th century Southern struggles which keep playing in his consciousness. With all that''s going on in the Crescent City, he has to cross a high wire and do a balancing act. On board is the motley crew of associates: Matt Harris, street wise rough cat of questionable integrity, Jan Martinez, college student beauty with a handle on things most folk ignore and Joe "Fingerprints" Sway, Luke''s college buddy who has just moved to the area from New York and can''t quite figure out the crazed maze of New Orleans'' sociopolitical climate. When the crimes are dropped onto the PI''s lap, the city takes a pause from all of the standard activities, like Mardi Gras madness, to pay attention.

New Orleans'' private investigator Luke Jacobs doesn''t take to well to murders happening around him. He''s been on a solid run of assisting the local police with cases and maintains a strong reputation of doing good work. However, when a few bodies turn up in an area adjacent to his office and the post-Katrina setting is...still a disrupted mess, things get personal. When the crimes are dropped into the PI''s lap, the city takes a pause from all of the standard activities to pay attention.

Luke Jacobs, PI now teams up with forensic pathologist Melvin Jenkins to uncover the reasons for unjustly jailed Jake Matos'' assault. Having no idea that their energies would lead them to a head-on collision with one of America''s most ruthless corporate consortiums, they learn a little too late that Jake wanted to take on the Mega Alcohol Network, suing on behalf of patients with alcohol related mental illnesses, an action which would dwarf the tobacco payouts. Also, drawn in are: hot Latina Jan Martinez, college student-turned-assistant-private-eye; street wise Matt Harris, Luke''s go-to guy for real information; fiercely feisty real estate agent Pepper Louise, who has some unfinished business with city raider Fred Von Tepp, Sr., international shipping magnate; slick computer boy genius Lance Lancaster, who should go back to some California surfer-beach before he gets hurts; Dr. Jenkins''s best friend Percy the gay haunting dog, and newly appointed Times Picayune crime reporter Joe “fingerprints” Sway.The setting is Mardi Gras, 2005. New Orleans has more than enough to keep busy'' however, when the truth about Jake''s dilemma is made public, the activities may have to come to a halt. In this follow-up to Murder at the Butt we find the characters have changed a bit and the action has picked up but the good times are far from rolling. Madness and mayhem make way into the continued drama.

Fall 2002. One night a murder takes place in New Orleans at a jazz club. During the investigation, Private Eye Luke Jacobs, a former Assistant District Attorney, recognizes that something is not quite right at the crime scene, which leads detectives to an unusual weapon. Even the victim is a mystery, until a credit card receipt, a rare coin and and a wine bottle make their way into the story.