Sunday, October 1, 2017

Welcome author Allison Brook + book #giveaway



A former Spanish teacher, Allison Brook writes mysteries, romantic suspense, and novels for young readers. She loves traveling, reading, knitting, doing Sudoku, and visiting with her grandchildren, Olivia and Jack, on FaceTime. She lives on Long Island with Sammy, her feisty red cat. This is her FIRST Haunted Library mystery. Allison is also known as Marilyn Levinson.  She writes the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club mysteries and the Twin Lakes Mystery series.

Giveaway below!

Take it away, Allison!

*

I love making soups! I came to soup-making late in life. I think I used to worry that I’d do something wrong and all that food would go to waste. But now soups are one of my favorite foods to make. The process can be time consuming, but since I make a lot each time, there’s plenty for several dinners. Soup-making is flexible and forgiving. I’ve discovered that after you’ve included the basic ingredients for a particular soup, you can make it truly yours by adding a few ingredients of your choice—either what’s available in your fridge and/or pantry or your favorite veggies. My two favorite additions are red pepper and mushrooms.
Gazpacho is the perfect soup to serve at lunch or dinner on a warm summer day since no cooking is involved. My librarian sleuth Carrie Singleton will be making a batch of it in the third book of my Haunted Library Mystery series, which has yet to be written. I love to serve it not-too-processed, topped with croutons and diced Persian cucumbers.


But let’s start at the beginning:
Ingredients: (remember, this is a soup, not a cake, so you can alter the amounts somewhat. I’m telling you what I used):
1 red pepper
1 Vidalia onion
2 large cucumbers
 a handful of garlic cloves
 half a handful of fresh parsley
 7 large mushrooms
3 teaspoons of red vinegar
the juice of one lime
46 oz can of Sacramento tomato juice
28 oz  can of Red Pack crushed tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
salt and pepper to taste

Process the pepper, onion, garlic, cucumbers, parsley and mushrooms in a large Cuisinart. Pour into a very large bowl and add the tomato juice and crushed tomatoes, vinegar, lime and salt and pepper. Chill in the fridge for at least three hours. Garnish with croutons and diced Persian cucumbers.


 GIVEAWAY

 Allison is offering a giveaway today of her new book - in hardcover!  Leave a comment and tell her what you love about libraries...or soup.  Remember to leave your email so she can contact you if you win.  

Here is a tidbit about...
DEATH OVERDUE
(A Haunted Library Mystery)
Carrie Singleton is just about done with Clover Ridge, Connecticut until she's offered a job as the head of programs and events at the spooky local library, complete with its own librarian ghost. Her first major event is a program presented by a retired homicide detective, Al Buckley, who claims he knows who murdered Laura Foster, a much-loved part-time library aide who was bludgeoned to death fifteen years earlier. As he invites members of the audience to share stories about Laura, he suddenly keels over and dies.

The medical examiner reveals that poison is what did him in and Carrie feels responsible for having surged forward with the program despite pushback from her director. Driven by guilt, Carrie’s determined to discover who murdered the detective, convinced it’s the same man who killed Laura all those years ago. Luckily for Carrie, she has a friendly, knowledgeable ghost by her side. But as she questions the shadows surrounding Laura's case, disturbing secrets come to light and with each step Carrie takes, she gets closer to ending up like Al.

Now it's due or die for Carrie in Death Overdue the delightful first in a new cozy series by Allison Brook. 

Follow Allison aka Marilyn using these social media links:



113 comments:

  1. Welcome, Allison! What I love about libraries is that they're such a wonderful resource for books (as well as DVDs, CDs, etc.) that also supports local communities. EMS591@aol.com

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    1. Me, too. I spend a lot of time in my library, at various programs and chatting with library workers.

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  2. I love libraries, so nice to be able to increase your knowledge for free; I love that soups can be made with really anything you have on hand, versatile. Thanks for the chance :)
    jslbrown2009 at aol dot com

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  3. Hi Marilyn or should I say Allison. Welcome to our blog world. Cozy mysteries are my favorite type of story. I first found them in the library. What I love best about libraries is that you do not need money to enjoy any of the services they offer. One can take home the number 1 bestseller or any book on absolutely any subject in the universe and if they don't have it, it will be ordered from another library. There are movies, games, puzzles, music, actual films,magazines, tapes, CDs to teach or entertain you.I love the author visits, lectures and local programs for adults, teens & children. I've been going to a library for over 60yr. They are great places. They can never be replaced by computers!(robinsbusiness@hotmail.com)

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    1. I'm glad to be here, Robin. I agree, libraries are one of our best entertainment sites. And these days it's often the hub of a community.

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  4. Libraries and soup always make me feel better, nourishing mind, body, and soul. Dmskrug3(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. You're right. Libraries and soup both nourish the mind, body and soul.

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  5. I love libraries because that is where the books hang out! I love the book clubs that meet there as well as the author events they have. Going to try your soup recipe! Thanks for sharing! Dspinlexo@aol.com

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  6. amy guillaume lindermanOctober 1, 2017 at 8:14 AM

    my husband and i met in library school. i always wanted to be a librarian. my husband makes really good chicken soup

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    1. Chicken soup is especially wonderful when you're ill with a cold.

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  7. I like making soup, especially when it's cold out. And it freezes well.
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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    1. I never have any soup left to freeze, but it's good to know that I can do this. Thanks, Sandy.

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  8. Welcome! Since I learned to read very early, I've always loved libraries. One small problem: when I got my first library card, around age 5, I thought the books I took out were mine to keep, and I stuffed them under the bed. My mother was not pleased!

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    1. Glad to be here, Sheila. We writers like to be surrounded by books, don't we?

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  9. Libraries are such a great place to discover books and authors that you didn't know existed. minishoes(at)msn(dot)com

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  10. Maybe this sounds weird but what I love about libraries is the smell of the books, just something comforting in all those tall shelves and wandering around them. Soup is something else I love, esp. the recipes my dad used to use for his veggie and his chili soups. He's passed but my daughter makes his recipes just like he did! :) barbie17(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Libraries and soups are very comforting to us humans.

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  11. Libraries....a place to find wonderful books to read and a resource for things you'd like to know about. Soup....always a great meal during cold, rainy days or during those cold, wintery months. A real comfort food. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net

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  12. I love the variety of books that you can find on just about any topic in the library. And I love them so much that I became a librarian so that I could be in that environment every day. ioncookbooks(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  13. I love libraries. They are of course a great place for research when you are in school, or working on your family tree or a new business/project. They provide programs for children and adults in the community. However my favorite thing about libraries are the books I read for pleasure. Being on a budget the library allows me to continue to feed my love of reading which otherwise I could not do. I have a couple of libraries my daughter and I go to pretty regularly plus my online library (I always have something checked out there). I even got my mom to renew her library card this week.

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    1. And now they have ebooks for us to read, though I have yet to take out one of those.

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  14. What is there to NOT love about libraries. BOOKS. Hundreds of BOOKS. And if they don't have? They talk to their sister libraries and if they don't have and there are enough requests for? They buy. And the things you can look up. Knowledge at your fingertips. Our library recently expanded. (Way past time) They built a new one with floor to ceiling windows. And all the amenities. I love sitting by the fireplace with a book in an overstuffed comfy chair and read. As long as they are open of course. They have audio and video collections as well. And are hooked up to the internet. I have health issues. And if I can't go in. I can order and they will bring them out to the curb. Where I used to live the library would mail them to you. This one does not have the means for that. But they try to accommodate as best they can. The soup recipe looks good. I did write it down. For a friend. I'm not much on soups. I am looking forward to reading the book. Love 'meeting' new authors and reads. A breath of fresh air. Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc (dot) com

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    1. I love to take out movies from my library. They get a wonderful selection of foreign and indy films.

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  15. I love everything about libraries: the books, the computer lab, the special events. I'm much less picky about libraries than I am about soups! mbradeen@yahoo.com

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  16. I love the library. I have found a lot of authors I like just by picking up a book at the library. Way to many authors to buy all the books. We love soup at my house. Thanks for the chance.
    im2early4u(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. I love libraries as they are passports to anywhere you want to go. I also enjoy soup comforting , filling, healthy and soooo good. Candykennedy45@gmail.com

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  18. Love library series...one of my favorite spots to spend time away...thanks for the great soup recipe...I have just started to make soups for thr fall season....cmeier2001@live.com

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    1. I started making soups a few years ago. So glad I did.

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  19. I love libraries because they offer everybody a chance to read. They also offer so much more. A quiet place, internet access, and someone to help with just about anything you need. I visit my library at least once a week.
    moonbay7399@gmail.com

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    1. Yes! Quiet and help. Two wonderful ingredients for our busy lives.

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  21. I love libraries and soup! Both are comforting to me because they remind me of my childhood. Spending hours in the library reading and deciding which of the books to bring home with me. Then, home, where I would enjoy either a bowl of Mom's homemade soup or one of Dad's concoctions, mixing two cans of Campbell's soups together. I thought he was a great chef! :)

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    1. Dear Pat,
      So glad you stopped by. Libraries and soups—two comforts in our lives.

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  22. I was in the sixth grade when I got my first library card. After that I'd walk the six blocks from my school to the library every Friday to return the books I'd taken out the previous week and find some new gems to entertain me over the weekend.

    From the library I'd walk 3 blocks to the main avenue where I'd catch the bush home (another 10 or 12 blocks). I started "collecting" books (Golden and Comic Books) from the time I was 7. These days I have a cadre of wonderful authors who keep me supplied with bookmarks that I distribute to local library branches in two counties.

    I'd love to win a copy of your new book and of course add it to my home library (2096 and growing).

    NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. When I was in elementary school in Brooklyn, I used to walk to the library, too.

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  23. Libraries are wonderful places which give me hope and enjoyment. Books and the adventures which they provide are limitless and beautiful. Soup is soothing and perfect for the fall, a staple which I always indulge in. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  24. Ever since I was young and biked to the public library I was enthralled and embraced libraries. This invaluable resource has always been there for my reading pleasure and continues to have wonderful programs for all. During all seasons soup is a meal and so healthy and tasty. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. Hello! Libraries hold a special place in my heart. That's where I borrowed so many books as a child. I could spend hoursat a library checking out so many different authors and books.
    Thank you for this opportunity. Meg85242 at gmail dot com

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  26. I have loved libraries as far back as I can remember. I have library cards gor the village where I work and for where I live. The librarians are the best. But the best library was summers in the little town of Arlinhton, KS where my mom's cousin was librarian. Every Saturday we younger cousins would head into town and pick out a book or two to read after chores and every chance we got. The library had a huge picture window and a wonderful aroma of books. Hard to describe but it was a rich ecperience. patruta.mcghan@gmail.com

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  27. This sounds like an amazing book, I'm adding it to my TBR! I love the quiet warmth of a library and the smell of books...one of THE most relaxing places on Earth to visit. The soup recipe sounds good, has all the ingredients I love, but I'm not sure I can eat cold soup. *sigh, now I have to give it a try. I have always told my kids to at least try things before judging them. Lol. Thank you for the contest and the new experience. konecny7(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Gazpacho is very tasty. I suggest you give it a try!

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  28. Libraries make me think of high school (that was a long time ago). I used to go there to study. I love the libraries where I live now...they all have book stores attached where I can buy inexpensive books for my oh,so small (ha) book collection.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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    1. I used to study in the library when I was in college. In fact, I worked in the library when I was a senior.

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  29. We go to the library every Wednesday to pick up new books. I even borrow some for my Kindle. Libraries even have magazines that we can brose through and have a relaxing time.

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    1. I love to look at some of the magazines in the library.

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  30. I love libraries because they are giant mazes with surprise treats on every shelf.

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  31. I love libraries because you can find books by authors you do not know yet. It is like a treasure hunt.

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  32. I love the smell of libraries---the smell of all those books is jus intoxicating. I also love the peace and quiet of a library---a great place to relax.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  33. Love and support my library! Used to buy a lot of books, but since retiring, can't afford to any more. As for soup, I have and use a lot of recipes, but often fall back on clean out the fridge and freezer soup. Can't beat it!
    marthajane1@hotmail.com

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  34. Absolutely! Leftovers are great for soups.

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  35. Oh my, I have not been to a library in so many years!! We are retired and lived 15 miles from town, only went for groceries every two weeks or doctor appointments, my husband despises reading, can you imagine that! We recently moved back home to NE from FL so I will have to check our library out. I do like the selection of books in any genre you choose.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. I'm sure you'll find many surprises in your library that have been added in the last few years.

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  36. I love the all the books to discover, dvds of the pbs series I like to watch. I swear my heart rate goes down when I walk in, I know my stress level does. Libraries are wonderful . sieberttracy@gmail.com

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    1. You're so right. Like walking into a book store, only everything is free.

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  37. Great review, I love our library if you need help they will help you, Soups I love the home made kind love my beggie soup I make,
    Penney penneywATsbcglobal.net

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  38. Hi Marilyn! I'm looking forward to reading DEATH OVERDUE! I love libraries and gazpacho. I love my library because I can request books from any branch, and they will deliver it to my branch, and whenever I walk in they say "Hello, Mrs. Fowler, and go and have my books all ready. The staff there is just so nice and helpful. I love gazpacho, because, like you say, it's not a cake, and you can play with the ingredients. I also love Sacramento tomato juice! Thanks for visiting Mystery Lovers' Kitchen! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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    1. I enjoyed coming to Mystery Lovers' Kitchen today and meeting all of you! Yes, a library is often the hub of a community, which is why I set my series in one.

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  39. Either it is the camera angle or that is a marvelously large orange tabby you have!
    I love soups and libraries.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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    1. It's the angle, alas. In fact, Sammy has been losing weight because of a health problem, though he's been eating constantly.

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  40. I love a good visit to my local library....the smell of the books, the hushed coolness of the reading nooks and the librarians who have looked like they are 90 years old for the past 20 years. As much as I use my kindle I don’t think I could ever give up my local library.
    email: kcarl710@gmail.com

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  41. I cannot remember a time when I did not love to read. As soon as I could scrawl my name, I got my library card. We could not afford many books at home so the library was the most wonderful place in my world. Things have not changed much in my choice of haven, though I am happy to say that I have some full shelves of my own now.

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    1. I should have added
      little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

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    2. And the nice thing is, libraries offer much more than books these days.

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  42. I love libraries. I used to spend my summer vacations, weekends, and all my spare time at my local library growing up. I belonged to reading clubs, and would spend hours with books, my favorite things in the world. I've been reading forever, carry a book with me wherever I go, and still read every chance I get. Thank you for this chance! areewekidding(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  43. I love the smell of libraries. turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

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  44. My local library is one of my favorite places. Been a voracious reader since childhood. Our library is small, and we have a large table where everyone sits and talks. Always wanted to work in a library, and, at age 70, I was offered a part time job there. Unfortunately, my health doesn't permit me to do it. Looking forward to reading Death Overdue. patwalkerp(at)gmail(dot)com

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  45. I love libraries. It's a great place to browse and discover new authors.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  46. Libraries are my quiet place. My place to get away from the world to delve deep into different worlds. Books thousands of books. Who wouldn’t love it.

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    1. A library offers us so many opportunities to read new authors, take classes, view programs.

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  47. I love libraries because the possibilities are endless. They store the past, present and future. They have the most facinating people, can take you anywhere you want to go and even some places you would rather not go to, store more knowledge than your brain could imagine, and inspire, educate, entertain, and comfort with the books the library keeps within it's walls. Thanks for sharing you new book with us, and thank you for the awesome recipe I can't wait to try it.
    bcollin981(at)gmail(dot)com

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  48. I love everything about libraries! Really! I love to walk in and just smell the smell of the books and know that I could come out with a new favorite.
    clarksrfun at gmail dot com

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  49. I love libraries! My Mother always took us to the library when we were kids and our grade school was right next door to the public library and I loved going there after school. Love the smell of library and finding new books to read. Looking forward to reading about the haunted library.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  50. I love libraries because everybody there is, on some level, exploring and discovering something new...a book they haven't read, or a new idea. And I love soup because it is warm and comforting. Thanks for the chance to win and congratulations on your new series! aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com

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  51. I have always loved libraries. Besides being able to check out books, and doing research, I like to just sit, read, watch people, and in general relax. Our local library is new, but very small, with not much selections. But it is a part of the larger Metropolitan library system so we can ask for other selections.
    Also, often libraries are the sites for events -- music, history, fun.

    I look forward to beginning this new series.

    donna (dot) durnell (at) sbcglobal (dot) net

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    1. I think we all agree that our libraries help us to relax.

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  52. Congratulations, Marilyn, on the new series. I love making soup. One of my favorites is split pea and ham soup. It's also one that everyone in my family enjoys.

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  53. Thanks, Grace. So glad you stopped by today!

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  54. Daryl, Thank you so much for inviting me to Mystery Lovers' Kitchen. I enjoyed chatting with so many readers about libraries and soups.

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  55. Starting with the bookmobile that visited our neighborhood as a child, I fell in love with books/libraries. A library provided me with the opportunity to visit and learn about topics/places I might never experience. Thanks for the introduction to the Allison Brook book.

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  56. A library is a magical place where you can explore new worlds and meet new and interesting people and reconnect with old friends. Books can ignite the imagination. Without libraries and librarians, our world would be a sad and colorless place.
    scarletbegonia5858(at)gmail(dot)com

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  58. I can still remember the thrill of getting my first library card and the visits to the school way back when of the book mobile because every school didn't have a library. I still love going to the library.

    Can't wait to read DEATH OVERDUE!

    Definitely found a new author to follow - and I have, everywhere. :)

    Soup sounds delicious and I'm going to have to give it a try - very soon.

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  59. What I love about libraries is that they open up worlds and communities. Books open up new worlds to readers and the programs and events libraries sponsor bring communities and generations together :-)

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  60. Libraries and book stores make me fell right at home. I love the smell and feel of "real" books. I have a zillion e-books but they aren't the same. My favorite soups are my mother's split pea soup and mulligatawny.

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  61. I worked in the Archives in Houston and we were a Dept. of the Library. Every evening I got off work and went and checked out a book to read. Sometimes two...and that got me to the next day. I read in a park, on a bus, and curled up at night. Now if I had just had some of your soup...
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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  62. The feeling I get from libraries can not be found any where. I love the smell and quietness that allows you to travel to new places. Don't forget all you need is a library card, this makes the books free, LOL Now you can choose lots of book and from different genre. sunflowers6870@yahoo.com

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  63. Libraries are wonderful in every way. Thanks for the chance to win this new series. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  64. I love my local library! Having access to so many wonderful books and a community of others who love books is invaluable. Thank you for such a FUN and GENEROUS giveaway! Happy Autumn! xoxo

    Heather
    heatheranne99 at gmail dot com

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