Welcome! So nice of you to shadow me today. I’m Lizzie Turner from the Ashton Corners Book Club Mysteries, and I was born and raised right here in Ashton Corners, Alabama. Most mornings, I start out with a run, so you’re welcome to join me. We’ll just make a right at the end of this road and follow the river into town, through Glendale Park and then loop back home along Main Street.
I love this town. It’s big enough so that there’s always something to do or get involved with but small enough so that each time you go along Main Street you’re sure to bump into someone you know. Although at times that can be a bit embarrassing.
I have a full day planned at the local elementary school where I’m a reading specialist. That would include a couple of sessions with students, one parent meeting, sitting in on a fifth grade class to help the teacher come up with some techniques, and then a full staff meeting in the library.
After school is when I might run errands on the way home. Like picking up some almond butter at the local health food store or some meat at the Piggly Wiggly. Then it’s home to my two Siamese cats, Brie and Edam. There’s nothing better than being met at the door by two aloof yet needy cats. You know what I mean. Of course, being met at the door by my guy, police chief Mark Dreyfus would be even yummier. We’ve been dating for less than a year but I spent many an after school hour in my high school senior year in a tizzy over him.
Tonight, I’m teaching a literacy class for high school dropouts. The classes are held at my good friend Molly Mathews’s wonderful old antebellum mansion, a place that makes these kids feel a bit special for a while, anyway. I’ve been doing that for about four years now and love the success stories.
When I get back home I’ll curl up with a good mystery before heading for bed. It’s a good way to unwind and also, to keep on top of what’s next up at our book club, the Ashton Corners Mystery Readers and Cheese Straws Society. We’re doing Victoria Abbot’s The Christie Curse next month and I’m really looking forward to the read.
Next time, plan to join me at a meeting. You’ll meet my dear friends Molly, Sally-Jo Baker, Andie Mason, Bob Miller, Stephanie Lowe and Jacob Smith. I guarantee a lively discussion, what with our varied tastes, and maybe we’ll solve a real murder on the side. Don’t snicker…it’s happened in the first two Ashton Corners Book Club Mysteries, and although I shouldn’t let the cat out of the bag, there are a couple of murders to keep us hopping in Cover Story, which just came out. We’re getting pretty good at it…go figure!
Thanks to Penguin, I have one (1) copy of COVER STORY to give away. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. Contest ends August 13; US entries only per publisher’s request.
You can read more about Lizzie in Cover Story, the third book in the “Ashton Corners” mystery series. The first book in the series is A Killer Read.
Meet the author
Erika Chase writes the Ashton Corners Book Club mysteries. In a parallel life Erika Chase is also known as Linda Wiken. A former mystery bookstore owner, Linda is also a short story writer. She is a member of those dangerous dames, The Ladies’ Killing Circle. She has been short-listed for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel, and an Arthur Ellis Award, Best Short Story, from Crime Writers of Canada.
Visit Erika at her website or on Facebook
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
I can’t enter the contest but I am going to the book launch tomorrow night.
Good luck to everybody who enters!
Have fun at the book launch.
I have lots of respect for teachers. Both of my children teach. This sounds like a mystery I would like. Thank you for the giveaway!
I would love to win this book , it really sounds good!
Sounds like a fun story! Thanks, Dru!
I read the first in this series and loved it. I’d love to win. Dee
I follow this series, so I am looking forward to reading this adventure. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Great series – would love a copy of COVER STORY. Thanks for having this contest.
I already have a copy so don’t enter me. Just stopped by to say how much I enjoy the series.
Love this series!!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
Another new to me series! Will be adding it to my list!
A book club is the absolute perfect atmosphere to me. Reading is my addiction, so that sounds very nice.
While I’ve only been in a book discussion group briefly, I have been looking for a local book club for mysteries. Wish me luck. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
It would be lovely to have a book club like this where I live. For now I’ll just read and enjoy on my own.
I would love the chance to win this book. It looks like a fun read.
Siamese cats are my first love. Unlike any other cats, voice or behavior. Love all cats, but Siamese are truly special.
Would love to read Cover Story. I really live that the main character is doing literary classes. I volunteered for three years,, almost full time. Just a few of them were high school age. Many were adults who had been lost in the system or new immigrant who also need to learn English.
Another series to add to tbr list.
I had a Siamese cat growing up. There was also a Piggly Wiggly. I think I need to catch up with these stories! Thanks for the chance to win!
I enjoy cozies set in small southern towns—maybe because they are so like the small northern town I live in.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I want to move to Ashton Corners…but for now traveling there through novels will have to do…long sigh
entering Nora in contest for book.
This sounds sooo good, thank you for the chance to win it.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I have enjoyed this series. The characters are great. Thank you for the giveaway, and keep up with the writing and blog.
I love this series! Thanks for the info and giveaway.
I would like to win a copy of Cover Story. Thank you.
OOh! looking forward to it.
Oh, how I would love to be a member of The Ashton Corners Book Club~ I’ve been wanting to read The Christie Curse and I would love to join Lizzie and her wonderful and loveable friends in their Ashton Corner Book Club Mysteries! I can’t wait to read this delightful series. They are on my TBR List and I dearly love the Siamese Cats~ Love the covers too! Thank you Dru Ann and Erika ~ Cheers~ Elizabeth MacGregor
Sounds like a great series. I haven’t gotten around to reading one of them. I like the list of books in the back that the characters read.
catbooks72(at)gmail(dot)com
Contest is closed.
Guess I missed it by a minute. Just got back from the Adirondacks and logged on.