Thursday, September 22, 2016

Zesty Citrus Salsa #bookclub week #bookgiveaway #LWiken



The first series I wrote was as Erika Chase and it features the sleuthing of the Ashton Corners Mystery Readers and Cheese Straws Society, a mystery book club. It has seven members, all mystery savvy when it comes to solving crimes between the pages and in the town. And, at the end of each book is a reading list from each members with suggestions of titles and authors you might like to try.

My new series, written by the real me, is also about a club, the Culinary Capers, a dinner club although it’s also a cookbook club since the members agree on a cookbook for each month’s meal and choose their recipes out of it.


I seem to be drawn to clubs. Book clubs in particular. I belong to a very gregarious group of readers with a varied list of books for consumption each year, along with a spa weekend and a pool party – books are discussed at all these events! As the owner of a mystery bookstore in a past life, I often would visit book clubs and share new authors with them. As a writer, I’m delighted to keep meeting with book clubs but now the focus is on my books. 


One thing every book club I know, fictional and real, has in common besides the reading, of course, is food. My real book club calls for wine and chocolate to be served at every meeting. For the Ashton Corners gang, it's cheese straws. And the Culinary Capers club, well they enjoy a full course meal!

Here’s an easy recipe that's a favorite stand-by because it goes so well with so many food groups. I'm talking about Citrus Salsa and I pair it with crackers, tortillas, French loaf, pita...see what I mean? Nothing like salsa and pita when you're talking plots.

You'll find some more sharing going on at the end of this recipe.



Citrus Salsa
  
1 pink grapefruit
1 medium sized navel orange 
2 limes
a pinch of Himalayan salt
1 tsp. finely chopped cilantro
¼ c. salsa verde -- found on the shelves of most grocery stores or make your own

(Note: you can have fun and switch up the colors by using plain grapefruit and a blood orange)

Start with the citrus fruits. Cut them into segments, disposing of the white pithy parts.  Using a large bowl so you catch any escaping juice, remove the segments from the membranes, cut them into bite-sized portions, and add to the bowl. Squeeze what remains to get even more of the juice. 



Add the Himalayan salt, cilanto and salsa verde, stirring until totally mixed. 

Refrigerate until needed. Then dish out, add a variety of carbs, and enjoy!




To continue the sharing, I’m having a draw for the first book of each series  --  A Killer Read by Erika Chase, and Toasting Up Trouble by Linda Wiken. Because, it’s always good to start at the beginning of a series. Just leave a comment about your favorite book club, real or fictional.



The first in the Dinner Club Mysteries is now available at your favorite bookstore and on-line, as a paperback and as an e-book. Recipes included!








Writing as Erika Chase -- the Ashton Corners Book Club Mystery series are available on-line or at your favorite bookstore.

 
           
Visit Linda at www.lindakwiken.com
Love to hear from you at my Facebook author page and
on Twitter  @LWiken  
Also appearing at www.killercharacters.com
                                                                               


Visit Erika at www.erikachase.com 
 at my Facebook author page
and on Twitter  @erika_chase. 





87 comments:

  1. I would love to start a book club or be a part of one but I don't know of any where I live or anybody that would come I'm gonna check it out though would love to win one of your books they all look wonderful debbiesherwood50@gmail.com

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    1. Hey Debbie, if you check with your local public library, they may be able to help you start one!

      Linda

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  2. My favorite book club is Murder by the Book, a group which I am a member of. We've been meeting for 24 years (will be 25 next March). We all love mysteries and it is because of this group, I have become familiar with a wide variety of books and authors. Thanks for the chance to win. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net.

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    1. Love the name of your book club, Dianne. Would you believe my bookclub is nameless even after over a decade together. Just can't seem to make it happen.

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  3. I love your series written under Erica Chase. This recipe sounds great. I love all kinds of salsa!
    moonbay7399@gmail.com

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    1. Thanks so much, Candace. Erika thanks you, too!! :)

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  4. I'm involved in two online book clubs that I really enjoy.
    karen(dot)kenyon(at)rogers(dot)com

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    1. I don't know anyone else who is part of an online club. Sounds interesting, Karen.

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  5. This series sounds captivating. The book club which I read about in novels. The Book That matters Most is special. saubleb(at)gmail(dotOcom

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  6. Wonderful series which I would enjoy greatly. The book The Jane Austen Jane Book Club. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  7. Yum! I love salsa. One of the best I ever ate had pineapple in it. I bet citrus is just as wonderful!

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  8. I'm in three book clubs, two I run at the library, the other is with a bunch of girlfriends. I really enjoy them all, but I think I get more out of the early morning one at the library. It is mostly all women about 20 years older then me. Their wealth of knowledge and different look on life is wonderful, and I love that they are willing to share it with me. kimheniadis (at) gmail (dot) com

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  9. I'm a member of the Cozy Mysteries Once A Month book club on Facebook. I've been wanting to read the Ashton Corners Book Club Mystery series and the Dinner Club Mystery series. Thanks for the giveaway. norbert8bubba@yahoo.com

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    1. It sounds like a fun Facebook group, Jamie. I hope you will read both series...and enjoy them. :)

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  10. I am trying to get a mystery book club started...slow going. It seems people don't want to take time away from the political rants to enjoy a great book, good food and fun conversation. *Sigh.... I'll give it a week. If nothing happens, I'll join online. Actually people will have time on their hands again come November. =) Thanks for the great giveaway. konecny7(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. Oh man! I've recently heard about the Ashton Corners series (love the Siamese) and would love to win the first book and get started. Of course all giveaways are fantastic and appreciated but this is one I've really got my eye on! Something about the cover of Toasting Up Trouble really speaks to me. I plan to purchase next time I go to the bookstore. As for the question... I like the way Kylie Logan plans her mysteries around the unique book group selection featured in the League of Literary Ladies series. Thanks so much for your generosity!!!

    Bec
    Rlewis11797 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  12. I would love to be part of a fun book club like you write about and belong to.
    I haven't found one yet.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  13. Just read an Arc with the Chocoholics book club. A Sam Sweets Mystery by Connie Shelton.

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  14. I wish we had a local book club! I do, however, belong to a few cozy mysteries groups on Facebook.
    jademoss17@gmail.com

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    1. There are so many great cozy groups on Facebook. Good for you!

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  15. I always wanted to be in a mystery book club. I am going to my local library to see if they are interested in setting up a monthly mystery book club. I enjoy discussing books and hear others thoughts.

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  16. A new series to try can't wait. Adding to my list. pwtish171@gmail.com

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    1. Thanks, Trish. Hope you will read it, and enjoy it!

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  17. Would love to join a book club, especially one that focuses on cozy mysteries! What fun that would be!

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  18. I would like to be in a book club but I'm a slow reader and don't think I could keep up so I haven't looked into it. I did fall in love with the book club in Jenn McKinlay's Books Can Be Deceiving. They knitted and talked about the book they read. I crochet so I could see that being awesome!!! Thanks for the chance to win and the yummy recipe too!
    awilcox1182@gmail.com

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    1. If I had enough patience to do crafts, I'd love to be in that bookclub also.

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  19. I have never been in a book club but I would love to join one. I don't think I have ever read a book with a book club in it either. utaker555@gmail.com

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    1. Book clubs are great fun, Brittany. And really expand one's reading. I highly recommend it.

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  20. I have never been a part of a book club....wish I was! rachaelabrams317@gmail.com

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    1. Well worth it, Rachael. Maybe you could start one.

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  21. I love the Real Murders Club in Charlaine Harris' Aurora Teagarden series. It's not strictly a book club, but heavy reading is required! I've never belonged to a real book club, but I would love to join one. I would love to join a food club too. Eating and reading are pretty much my two favorite things, haha! 2boys4me (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Gotcha, Amanda. It's a tasty combination for sure.

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  22. I used to belong to a small book club when I first moved to Phoenix. It was a great way to meet people who at least liked one thing I did and they were a great group!!!!!!!!! I belonged to a dinner club too. My husband and I had so much fun with that club too!!! Oneponychick66@hotmail.com

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  23. I have never been in a book club but would like to be. sclickner@juno.com Thanks for the chance.

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  24. I loved the Ashton Corners book club. Thanks for the giveaway & recipe. doward1952@yahoo.com

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  25. Sounds like such a fun read. brichardson0056@yahoo.com

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  26. My favorite book club is the Ashton corners group. I love the characters in this series and look forward to reading this new series. I wish I could find a good book club. mcastor07@gmail.com

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    1. Thanks, Melissa! Erika thanks you, too. :) I hope you find a book club soon.

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  27. I love this recipe, Linda/Erika! So refreshing in this hot humid weather. XO MJ/VA

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  28. I like GoodReads. There are 2 great groups on there that I joined. Cozy Mysteries which has about 7900 members and A Good Thriller. The people are great and we all have one thing in common, we love to read. pgenest57 at aol dot com

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  29. Muehl public library has a book club! Here in my town of around 3,000 people. About 6 people come. Donamaekutska7@gmail.com your books are great!

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    1. That's great, Donamae. Six is a good number. Everyone gets a chance to talk.

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  30. The recipe looks good to try! I like having salsa with chips. The book looks awesome to read! Thank you for a chance to win

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  31. I'm a book club dropout, for various reasons. My favorite book club id's me, myself and I.

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  32. Don't have a local book club that reads mysteries, so I choose to read alone.

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  33. I have never been in a book club and don't know of any in the area, so I don't really have a favorite. I think it would be fun to be in a book club.

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  34. What a great recipe! I would love to join a local book club if I could find one. Right now I belong to several Facebook and Goodreads bookclubs. The only trouble is you can't share snacks when you're club is online LOL njcar22@aol.com

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  35. Although I have never been in a book club, I like cozy mystery series about them! lindaherold999@gmail.com

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  36. I am not a member of a book club per se, but I am in a couple of groups on Facebook. I also am a member of SC Sisters In Crime. It is a group of authors and readers that gets together once a month. We have speakers alternating each month between authors and law enforcement personnel. October we will have an ex CIA officer.
    marlene.ezell@gmail.com

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  37. My favorite fictional book is the Readaholics from the series by Laura DiSilverio. I love th older woman Maude, who is part hacker, part conspiracy theorist. Lol!
    jmcgrath221@hotmail.com

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  38. I like the book club in Ellery Adams' Book Retreat Mystery series. The salsa recipe looks delicious! Jlsbookclub (at) nc (dot) rr (dot) com

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  39. My favorite book club is called the page turners. We read a variety of books decuss them always have a snack and occasionally wine.
    judytucker1947@gmail.com

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  40. I am always telling people about the book club I'm in. It is a group of ladies, mostly from our church, who meet on Sunday evening. We range from mid-40s to late eighties, a group of 6 to 20 of us, and we read a variety of books. We choose a book, read it, and discuss over a few weeks time. Sometimes our gathering/meeting is not that much about the book, but prayer requests, a support group, friendship, and we just have fun together.
    I figure we're probably not a traditional bookbub, but it works for us.
    donna (dot) durnell (at) sbcglobal (dot) net

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    1. It sounds like you've combined the best of everything, Donna.

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  42. I enjoyed the Lighthouse Library book club in the series by Eva Gates.
    choirlady27@hotmail.com

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  43. When living in Ca i actually was a member of a book club and it was just so fun to meet people that read as much as I do even though at the time i was working. Now that I live in Ia it is not so easy as we live in a rural area and i am disabled so my pups and i have out little book club i read aloud and they sleep. If i could drive again i would be finding a book club but that is not happening so they have to put up with me. ptclayton2@aol.com

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    1. I can just picture it. I'll bet they love hearing your voice.

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