Hi…Lizzie Turner here from the Ashton Corners Book Club mysteries. It’s a real pleasure to finally be out on the bookshelves but I can’t sit around daydreaming about that. Have to get ready for school.
I’m a reading specialist at the Ashton Corners Public School and I love my job. Nothing gets better than turning a child onto the delights of reading. But it can take a lot of effort from the teachers, parents and others in my field. It’s a co-operative effort and my part is to find the right key to unlock first the ability to read and then the desire.
I can’t think of a time I didn’t read…or was read to by my mama and daddy. My first memory was The Littlest Angel and I remember crying because it was sad but wanting to keep hearing it over and over. Then came Charlotte’s Web, Anne of Green Gables, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe…all those standards plus everything by Nancy Drew. My daddy died in a car accident when I was ten and Mama stopped reading. In fact, she slowly stopped doing most things. I love being able to read to her these days as we make our way through the Jane Austen series.
Two evenings a week, I work with older students in the Literacy Program. Usually it’s older teens aiming to take their GED’s. We meet at Molly Mathews’ wonderful antebellum mansion. That’s also where the Ashton Corners Mystery Readers and Cheese Straws Society meets, once a month. In fact, tonight’s the night and I’m so looking forward to it!
Bob Miller thought up our name. He’s the retired police chief here in town and he and Molly have known each other since they were kids. She’s been a widow for some time now. Sally-Jo Baker, a third grade teacher who’s a friend from work is also a member, along with Jacob Smith, a newcomer to town. He’s a lawyer and I think he has his legal eyes on Sally-Jo. Stephanie Lowe, she’s about to become a mama. She’s single and only nineteen so it will be quite a task for her. And then there’s Andie Mason. At sixteen, she’s been having trouble with her English classes so I hired on as her tutor. Getting her hooked on mysteries is my secret weapon!
Our tastes are all so different and it’s great hearing everyone’s take on each book. That’s what brings people together and makes for a whole lot of new friends. And, it can lead to some pretty lively discussions, especially since Molly is an Agatha Christie fanatic and Bob, he’s just interested in police procedurals. You can imagine, I’m sure…
Of course, it’s too bad that murder had to happen the first night we got together. That stranger just appeared at Molly’s and her deadly departed husband’s antique gun was the weapon. But that’s given us something else to work on together. Maybe we should be called ‘Mysteries Are Us’!
You can read more about Lizzie in A KILLER READ, the first book in the new “Ashton Corners Book Club” mystery series.
** Thanks to the Erika, I have one (1) copy of A KILLER READ to give away. Contest open to residents of the US and Canada only. Contest ends April 12. Leave a valid-email address with your comment. Book will be shipped directly from the author. **
Meet the author
Erika Chase started her criminal pursuits as a mystery bookstore owner and using an alias, Linda Wiken. Or perhaps, Erika is an alias. Could be a mystery! She’s a published short story writer and a member of those dangerous dames, The Ladies’ Killing Circle. She has been shortlisted for a Best Short Story award from the Crime Writers of Canada. Her other passion is choral singing with her two choirs. And let us not forget reading. After all, it is the Ashton Corners Book Club mysteries she writes! And, of course, she’s smitten with her two Siamese cats who allow her to live with them. Visit Erika at www.erikachase.com
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
I love cozies especially the ones that have to do with books and bookstores. I would love to with a copy. Thank you.
griperang at embarqmail dot com
This looks like the start of an interesting new series. I’d love to win this book so I can pass it along when I finish reading it… To share the pleasure;.
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
I think this is going to be a wonderful cozy series especially since the characters age range is so great.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
I have had this book on my wish list since I first heard of it. Sounds GREAT!
nlb1050(at)yahoo(dot)com
I just love discovering new authors who write mystery books, I started reading the Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys mysteries when I was little and enjoy reading to my Granddaughter. I would love to read your book it sounds really interesting.
I love the cover! And the story line sounds great too, so I can’t wait to try this new series. Thanks. kuzlin(at)aol(dot)com.
I love that she looks for the key to unlock the person’s desire to read. I did volunteer Laumbach Literacy Training at an Adult School and enjoyed it. But often I wanted my student to do more reading than was in the lesson. So I talked to them to find out their hobbies and interests. Then I made a book for them to keep built about around what they loved to do. So this book makes me think of that.
CarolNWong(at)al(dot)com
This looks to be a delightful series!
I like the idea of a mystery readers club—should make the book interesting.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I like the idea of a mystery readers club–wish there was one here in my town. The book sounds like fun.
Thanks for the giveaway.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I love cozy mysteries, this sounds like a fun new series. I would love to win a book.
kaye.killgore@comcast.net
I’ve read the book – and own it – so I don’t want to be in the contest. Just want to put in a good word for it. It’s a good read. Enjoy!
This looks like a fun new series. I love the idea of a mystery readers club. Reading is a passion of mine & cozies are my addiction. This book sounds like a pefect combination. Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
scouts579(at)aol(dot)com
Love cozy-mysteried. Book looks great. Thanks for the giveaway.
xzjh04(at)gmail(dot)com
I am really looking forward to reading this book. It sounds like a great read and I already like Lizzie and the other members of the Ashton Corners Mystery Readers and Cheese Straws Society. (what a great name!). Thanks for the introduction!
jrobinson12 (at) austin (dot) rr (dot) com
sounds like a winner!! definitely on my WishList!!!!
thank you for the opportunity!!!
cyn209 at juno dot com
Would be fun to win, share, and talk about.
looks like another good series, thanks for all your book reviews
jplungas at gmail dot com
I also began reading with The Littlest Angel and by sixth grade, I’d met Charlotte’s Web via my first male teacher (it had been all nuns before that). I want to join this mystery readers club. Thanks.
judydee22002 @ yahoo dot com
I love discovering newn authors and new series. Adding it to my growing TBR list.
This sounds like a fun book and a fun series to read.
idlivru1(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds like a fun new series and LIzzie sounds like a great teacher!
forgot to add my email
idlivru1(at)gmail(dot)com