Asbury High and the Thief's Gamble
by Kelly Brady Channick
Genre: YA Mystery
Asbury, although a haven to shoobies (tourists) in the summer, is a divided coastal town. With the rich
half living in the East, and the rest living in the West, most friendships stay within their boundaries.
Luckily for a spunky-smart tomboy, a clever billionaire athlete, a gossipy-in-the-know cheerleader, and a
wrong side of the tracks technological genius, boundaries are a foreign concept. In fact, Maddie,
Cornelious, Carly and Pilot have been Asbury’s strongest quartet for years, despite their vast differences.
Nevertheless, after a few weeks of starting high school, the foursome’s friendship is tested.
After a string of burglaries in East Asbury, the gang decides to solve the crime as a reason to make time
for each other. The further they investigate, the more they find themselves constantly side-stepping
tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum-like policemen, outsmarting local bully JB and his gang of misfits, and
dealing with Cornelious’ billionaire father and Governor---who has disapproved of his son’s choice of
friends for years. In addition to these obstacles, the foursome must also adapt to their evolving friendship
with each other and their peers.
With upperclassmen, teachers, and teammates vying for their attention, the gang must work even harder
to root out the red-herrings from the true thief. Aided by Carly’s gossip, Maddie’s boldness, Cornelious’
quick-wit, and Pilot’s knack for technology, the gang soon discovers its edge over the local police
department.
For as long as she could remember, Kelly Brady Channick loved making up stories, and leaving her
listeners/readers on the edge of their seats.
Perhaps that’s why she always managed to talk herself out of trouble...
After graduating from NJ’s own Ocean City High School, Kelly accepted a basketball scholarship to Holy
Family University, in Philadelphia. As a lifelong athlete, Kelly understands the importance of teamwork
and overcoming adversity, something she hopes translates into her books.
Before writing page-turners, she taught first, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade — like a dessert menu,
she simply had to test them all out. But her favorite job is the one she’s now doing full time: writing. Kelly
loves to craft whodunit mysteries, leading readers through various twists and turns filled with red-
herrings, hidden clues, and more peculiar characters than a reality show.
Kelly lives in South Jersey with her handsome husband, energetic baby boy, two cookie-stealing dogs,
and an awfully smart cat.
If you want to know when Kelly’s next book will come out, please visit her website at http://www.kbchannick.com, where you can sign up to receive
emails providing updates for new releases, or contact her directly, as well as win fun giveaways, and
receive up to date news.
GUEST POST
Can you, for those who don't know you already, tell something
about yourself and how you became an author?
Hi! I’m Kelly and I became an
author because I was born to tell stories. For as long as I can
remember (and my past teammates, friends and family can attest to
this), I’ve LOVED making up stories and using my crazy imagination.
Plus, I talk a lot--- ask my handsome husband! I was lucky to grow up
in South Jersey, where going to the beach was a five-minute ride over
the bridge and summer meant going on my best friend’s boat to tube
or water ski whenever I wanted. Although I never said no to boating
or swimming, I mostly enjoyed ‘traditional’ sports, like soccer
and basketball and even played softball until eighth grade.
Basically, sports and action are in my blood.
When I was looking to college, I was
torn between majoring in criminal justice or education. Growing up, I
had always dreamed of being an FBI Agent and going on crazy
missions--- I even would check the physical test and guidelines each
year for making an agent and was proud to day I could’ve passed it
easily. However, my cousins’ neighbor was a retired agent, and
after learning that most of the job entailed paperwork and desk duty,
I knew that wasn’t for me. But, I never stopped daydreaming of
missions and mysteries, which led me to write out what I envisioned.
After teaching for five years--- ranging from first to eighth
grade--- my husband, Ryan, and I decided to work towards having a
family. After the birth of our BIG little man, I realized that if I
didn’t push myself to publish now, then I probably never would.
With encouragement from Ry, I went full steam ahead.
What are some of your pet peeves?
I can forgive people most
things and feel it is unhealthy to hold grudges or get mad over
trivial things. However, there are three things that honestly make me
cringe.
1. Clapping- I honestly detest
clapping. At the cinema, or when an airplane lands, or even if I was
to score a goal. I just don’t see why people need to bring their
hands together like that. My husband agrees its goofy, and I try not
to look annoyed when other do it--- especially because I know they’re
clapping to show support or encouragement. But still, if you enjoy my
books (which I hope you do), don’t clap… maybe whistle or say
congrats.
2. Sneezing- Yup, I visibly cringe
when I hear others sneeze. It has nothing to do with germs or
boogers, just the sound alone. And don’t even get me started on how
unreasonably angry I feel when someone sneezes in the middle of a
conversation. It’s crazy! And when I sneeze, I get the maddest at
all--- yes, it’s irrational, and we all do it. I just hope I never
have to attend a dusting convention or something.
3. Odd number volumes- If we’re
watching TV or listening to music, I need to actually see that the
volume is turned to an even number. Otherwise, I’ll change it
myself, or turn it off. I have a weird mental image of the sound
leaving the speaker and entering my ears unevenly if the volume
number is odd.
Where were you born/grew up at?
I was born in Somers Point, NJ,
but moved and grew up in Upper Township--- right outside Ocean City,
New Jersey. Honestly, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way! I
got to have all of the perks of living by the shore, without having
to live in the actual busy and overcrowded summer town. Although, I
did work on the boardwalk each summer (Bashful Banana, extremely
delicious and healthy foods, a must-stop-at destination if you’re
ever in town), and attend OCHS. However, living on the other side of
the bridge enabled me to have an actual yard and much more space to
play around and make up games as a kid, with the best neighbors
ever--- HI DIEROLF FAMILY!!
What do you do to unwind and relax?
I work out! I consider myself a
lifelong athlete, even though my sports careers are finished---well
other than for fun in pickup games or rec leagues. In fact, I was
even my high school’s (GO OC!) most athletic and female athlete of
the year. Therefore, it is obvious that running and being active is
something I have always enjoyed and will continue to do so. Getting
outside in the fresh air, and running around by myself or with my
husband, son and two dogs (never a dull moment here) or playing
games, does more for my mind than anything else. Especially if I find
I am having a hard time finding the right words to say, or rather
write.
How to find time to write as a
parent?
As a new parent (our little man is
only seven months old, as I write this), this proved to be more
difficult than I originally thought. However, during both of our big
boy’s naptimes, each are an hour and a half, I sit down in front of
my computer with a tall glass of milk--- the only drink I drink---
and just start typing or writing out ideas. I have found that once I
start, I just keep going. As a collegiate and lifetime athlete, I
believe wholeheartedly that if you do something every day, for long
enough, it becomes habit. One of my best friends, for whom one of the
characters share the same last name (Gibbz!), is very motivational
and definitely a glass-full type of person. After I decided to go
ahead with the decision to get my books published, she would text me
every day and ask: “Did you write today?” The rest is history!
Describe yourself in 5 words or
less!
- Hard-working
- Active (mentally and physically)
- Passionate
- Funny
- Clever
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