Changling (Curse of Kin #2)

Synopsis via Goodreads:
Each of the three friends has a place in the curse. This book follows Sully as he finds out more about his history and his skills.

Nera's best friend Sully knows there is something special about him. After all, he is related to her uncle and Jasper is a witch.
Stands to reason that something would have been passed down.
They just have to find what powers Sully has been bestowed with.
But when they do, is it as simple as he thinks?
To be able to change into his animal and run wild is one thing. To be hunted for the beast that he is, is another. And when they find out who wants him dead, they realize that life isn't as simple as they thought.

Release date: October 30th 2013
Publisher: Lycaon Press

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Review:
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After enjoying Witchling (you can find the review here), I was looking forward to reading the sequel. I knew it would be about Sully, and I assumed it would be from his point of view. I was surprised to see it was Sully's story from Nera's point of view. Harper was smart to do it that way because Nera knew the danger that Sully would be facing. She, Jasper, and Bones decided to keep the secret from Sully. Had the story been told from Sully's point of view, then Nera's actions and words would have seemed a little extreme.

This book keeps up many of the elements from the first book. There teens still enjoy swordplay. Nera works with her powers to control the elements, and also uses her telepathic powers. Also, Nera's relationship with Bones doesn't progress much. They are still at each other's throats most of the time. However, we see Sully's personal emotions evolve to wanting something more with Nera, and Brie's crush on Bones grows. This creates a bit of tension between all the characters in the book.

Harper adds new characters to this story in the form of a new family moving to town. It seems that at least one of them might have some powers that they might not be aware of yet. It will be interesting to see what Harper decides to do with Peter, Gemma, and Nat in the next book(s). I really liked that Nat is around Rowan's age. Now he can have someone to relate to in Harper's world.

One thing that really bothered me in this book was Nera and her attitude. I just want to shout at her "Stop being such a baby!" In the first book she was moody, but I would be too if I found out that I was a witch, was part of a prophecy, and that supernatural beings were out to get me and my friends. In the second book, she flies off the handle if anyone gives her ANY criticism. It's funny because she basically yells at Gemma to deal with her situation and accept where she is now, but Nera doesn't do the same in her own situation. Every day she storms off from her parents, friends, and Bones. Bones gives her praise sometimes, but Nera doesn't acknowledge that. She assumes he has ulterior motives for it. Then when she is given constructive criticism, she has a snappy or rude remark and storms off. Deal with it Nera! One character summed it up by saying that she's overwhelmed and cranky. I agree.

Readers who enjoy a good paranormal story with shifters and swordplay should check out this series!

To find out what other readers thought about the book, check out the rest of the Changling Tour.

About author Ari Harper:

Ari Harper never wanted to grow up.

To offset the limitations of aging ungracefully, she created her own set of unique worlds where she can be and do whatever she wants.

Gods, witches and demons surround Ari while she spins her magic, doing mainly what they tell her to do. Given a chance, she prefers to work amongst chaos, which is good because she is constantly surrounded by children, all clamoring for attention. Some of them end up in her stories, some of them even get to die grisly deaths or be cast away to another realm. Her favorite pet is a big black dog called Hugo. You will find him as himself in the Curse of Kin series as Nera's faithful hound.

www.ariharper.com

Giveaway:
Enter to win an electronic copy of Witchling and Changling. This giveaway is open internationally!

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Garden of Eden (The Legend of Eden #1)

About Garden of Eden
It has been four years.
Four years since the day the Catchers found her family.
Four years since she escaped capture.
And four years since the day her mother locked her and Will, a boy she hardly knew, in an attic, 'for their own protection'.

Now, Eden White is fifteen, and sick of being a prisoner of parents who all but abandoned her. It was as simple as one walk down a beautiful, foggy beach, but it ended with Eden and Will face to face with Catchers - and this time, there is no escape.

When Eden wakes, she finds herself on an island, surrounded by hundreds of stolen children. Enrolled in the island school, Jordan Hall, Eden quickly learns that the island is not what it seems.
And, in the woods surrounding the school, she discovers a wild, beautiful magic inside of herself - one she has no idea how to control. With three unlikely new friends, Eden begins to realize that the headmistress is hiding much more than the stolen children - and what they learn in the laboratories below the school could cost Eden her life.

Review:
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What made me want to read this book was the dystopian elements the blurb hinted at. Yes, it does have those elements, but there is fantasy, magic, mystery, and many more elements that I didn't even realize. Kate Cowan used these elements to create her own unique world based in our version of reality.

I really like Will. I hated that he melted into the background when they came to the school. I wonder if "Will" is his real name or if he gave Eden a false name. I have a feeling (or I hope) that Will is going to play a more prominent role in the second book.  He seems like he could be a really strong character if given the chance. I also wonder if he knows Eden's secret. If Eden is destined for some cosmic role, then Will could have been strategically placed. Then again, I could be completely over analyzing his role in Eden's story.

This story will make you hate Eden's parents. I mean, what loving parents would really locks their kids up and has no interaction with them? Then to top it off, they leave for days at a time. I know that's their character flaw, but I'd like to know what really went through their minds.

I do like how Eden transformed after she left the attic. She became a stronger character. I loved that she didn't play the victim. She took control of her actions and sought to improve herself. She stood up for those that couldn't stand up for themselves and is trying to help everyone on the island by discovering its big secret. She's turning into a leader, and that makes her interesting.

After the Catchers capture Will and Eden, they take them to the mysterious island/school. There are lots of secrets to uncover here.  Readers don't know who to trust, especially since everyone seems to have a secret. I kept trying to decide who was "good" and who was "bad". Cowan does a good job of keeping readers guessing.

This is the first book in Eden's tale. If you're expecting a full story, you're going to be disappointed. You find out only one of the many mysteries of the island. You will discover one secret that doesn't bode well for people. You will definitely need to pick up the next book in the series to find out more because so many questions are left unanswered.

Readers who enjoy a good mystery with magic should give Garden of Eden a try.

Find it on Amazon   Goodreads

To see what others thought about Garden of Eden, check out the rest of the blog tour here.

About author Kate Cowan:
Kate is an artist, an animation student, a black belt in karate and now, an author. She didn't discover writing

until mid-high school, when she began writing an (unintentionally) hilarious novel involving a teenage girl and a magic necklace. Her current novel series, The Legend of Eden, began as a story of Arthurian magic, but quickly transformed into something much different.

Kate currently lives in Ontario, Canada, in a zoo of a house. When she isn't writing, she's drawing, cooking, or browsing the Internet for new music.

Find Kate  Website   Twitter  Goodreads

Giveaway:
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Night of the Fallen (Dark Tides #2) Cover Reveal

Today I'm excited to help reveal the second book in the Dark Tides series. After helping with the first book (you can find my review here), I jumped at the chance to help with Diana Bocco's second book. So, without further adieu, let me present Night of the Fallen!

About Night of the Fallen:
Isabelle’s mission seemed so clear: kill the king of the vampires to give humanity a fighting chance. Except she didn’t count on falling in love with him. And she didn't realize he held secrets that could actually end up saving the human race.

As the kingdom falls and Isabelle’s heart is torn between two worlds, everything changes. There’s something more dangerous out there, a plague that might destroy both humans and vampires alike. The only way to survive it might be to find a truce between species.

Peace will require the ultimate sacrifice.

And change the future of the world forever.


Buy City of the Fallen (Dark Tides #1):   Amazon   Nook

About Author Diana Bocco:

I've been a fan of all kinds of dark creatures since I was a kid (even before I discovered Stephen King at the age of 10). If it crawls in the night and tugs at your covers while you're sleeping, chances are I've written about it. It's probably no surprise that I'm a big fan of old buildings, urban exploring and things that go bump in the night. Oh, and Halloween, of course -- but that should go without saying.

Growing up, I wanted to be Indiana Jones. I ended up not pursuing a degree in Archaeology (although I toyed with the idea for a while) but I did become a huge lover of travel and history. Aside from traveling to all corners of the world, I've also lived in five countries in three continents -- including three years in Siberia and two in Vietnam. I'm currently living in Thailand.

I have a soft spot for animals (which is why you can be sure that in my stories, the dog will always make it) and right now have three wonderful -- but slightly crazy -- dogs in my life. And yes, they move with me from country to country. Too bad dogs can't accumulate frequent flyer miles!

In my other life, I also write nonfiction: articles, books, and even quizzes for the Discovery Channel website. I really can't help it -- I'm a nerd at heart and love research and discovering new things. Could be the Indiana Jones in me pushing me along.

When it comes to life, I'm pretty fearless. I figure life is too short to live it too safely -- so I take risks and I try to have fun, whether that means snowshoeing in the middle of Siberia or going ghost-hunting in an abandoned asylum. And yes, I've done both.

Find Diana:  Goodreads   Website

Death, and the Girl he Loves (Darklight #3)

By Darynda Jones

About the book:
The fate of the world is not something a girl wants on her shoulders, and that is especially true for Lorelei McAlister. Unfortunately for her, that is exactly where the world’s fate has decided to take up residence. Lorelei has seen firsthand the horrors that lie beneath our everyday world. And those horrors are getting her friends killed. Because of this, she agrees to leave the sanctity of her hometown and is sent to a different world entirely. A boarding school. But even here she is being watched. Someone knows what she is. What she carries inside her soul. And on top of that she’s seeing visions. This is nothing new for Lorelei. But these visions are something more: death, destruction, and the end of the world. Lorelei must face the fact that there are people who want her dead, and no matter where she goes, no matter how far she runs, the lives of her friends and family are in mortal peril. Lucky for her, her friends and family include the handsome Angel of Death, a fiercely protective half-angel, and a ragtag group of loyal supporters who aren’t afraid to get a little dirty in the name of fighting pure evil.

Review
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After reading the first books in the series, of course I jumped at the chance to be part of the third book's blog tour. (You can see my review of book two, Death, Doom and Detention here.) Darynda Jones keeps all of the wonderful elements that the second book has, plus adds more. Death and the Girl he Loves is definitely my favorite book of the series.

Lorelei has had an eventful and a complicated life--especially in the past few months. Can you jump in and read the third book first (or by itself)? Yes, but I really don't recommend it.  The first two books of the series set the story up and add lots of drama. This third book is basically do or die time. Darynda does a good job of filling in the important details of what has happened in the previous book and she catches readers up, but there is just so much extra info that you miss if you skip to the third book.

The story was rolling along smoothly (or as smoothly as can be with Lorelei trying not to be killed while also trying to unravel the prophecy). Then, about 2/3 of the way through, the story completely flips and changes direction. Like it literally flipped. I thought I was at the climax (and I was), but Darynda was sneaky. You never see the actual entire war, but the aftermath of it (sort of). Characters who were supposed to be dead weren't dead anymore. Main characters barely knew who Lorelei was. It will have readers scratching their heads as they and Lorelei learn what is going on. I definitely have to say that these few chapters were my favorite as I tried to guess what was actually going on.

Reader are told that Lorelei will stop the war before it starts (oooh, how possibly cryptic does that seem?). Throughout the series, I've tried to guess how Lorelei will accomplish this. There has to be a logical way, right? I'm pretty good about guessing plots, but Darynda got the best of me. The solution is/was very logical.  All the clues where there and some readers will figure it out. I wasn't one of them this time and I loved it!

I have to be honest. I have a love/hate relationship with the ending. It ended so good, but I want more.  I want an epilogue or something. And the last page of the book will have you dying to figure out more about what will happen.

Fans of the paranormal genre (both adult and teen) should definitely give this series a try. It has an original story line, plenty of action scenes and a touch of romance.

***SPOILERS***
There were some questions that Darynda left unanswered.
What about Malak Tuk?  Really.  You can't end it like that!!
What really did happen between Cameron and Glitch?
Did Tabitha get her justice regarding the guy?
What about Jared and Loreli? How did her family/friends take the news?


About author Darynda Jones:

NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious Golden Heart®, a Rebecca, two Hold Medallions, a RITA ®, and a Daphne du Maurier, and she has received stellar reviews from dozens of publications including starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and the Library Journal. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that tradition. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of almost 30 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. She can be found at www.daryndajones.com.

Find Darynda:   Website   Facebook   Twitter

Giveaway (Open Internationally):

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Seven Day Fiance Releases Today! (Love and Games #2)

Rachel Harris' SEVEN DAY FIANCE is finally here! 

You can get it in your hands (well, on your ereader) right now! You don't want to miss this fantastic Contemporary Romance from Rachel Harris. Book 2 in the Love and Game Series, SEVEN DAY FIANCE can be read as a standalone. Check out all of the information regarding this fantastic novel and Rachel Harris below! Then, celebrate Rachel's Book Birthday by entering the giveaway for an ecopy of Book 1, TASTE THE HEAT!

Isn't that cover pretty?? Read on and find out more! 

About Seven Day Fiance:

Angelle Prejean is in a pickle. Her family is expecting her to come home with a fiancé—a fiancé who doesn’t exist. Well, he exists, but he definitely has no idea Angelle told her mama they were engaged. Tattooed, muscled, and hotter than sin, Cane can reduce Angelle to a hot mess with one look—and leave her heart a mess if she falls for him. But when she ends up winning Cane at a charity bachelor auction, she knows just how to solve her fiancé problem.

Cane Robicheaux is no one’s prince. He doesn’t do relationships and he doesn’t fall in love. When sweet, sultry-voiced Angelle propositions him, he hopes their little game can finally get her out of his head. He doesn’t expect her to break through all his barriers. But even as Angelle burrows deeper into his heart, he knows once their seven days are up, so is their ruse.

Buy Links:  Amazon   Barnes and Noble

Add SEVEN DAY FIANCE on Goodreads

About author Rachel Harris:

Rachel Harris grew up in New Orleans, where she watched soap operas with her grandmother and stayed up late sneak reading her mama’s favorite romance novels. Now a Cajun cowgirl living in Houston, she still stays up way too late reading her favorite romances, only now, she can do so openly. She firmly believes life’s problems can be solved with a hot, powdered-sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain situations.

When not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, she homeschools her two beautiful girls and watches reality television with her amazing husband. Taste The Heat is her adult romance debut. She’s the author of MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY and A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES. She loves hearing from readers! Find her at www.RachelHarrisWrites.com.

Find Rachel: Website   Twitter   Facebook Goodreads Author Page

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If I Stay Book Excerpt and Giveaway

Synopsis via Goodreads:
Breakups suck. Gemma Davies, at twenty-two, has just learned this. It was also not what she had expected from her long-time and only boyfriend - ever. So when her best friend and roommate drags her out in hopes to help Gemma come alive again, the last thing she expects is to meet someone who manages to do just that. In a passionate night (on so many levels) that leaves her rattled long after she sneaks out of his hotel room.

But because nothing in Gemma's whirl-wind life can ever go seamlessly, she soon runs into the man that she'd left naked and in bed just the evening before...in the most unexpected of places. The classroom. As her Professor.

...if only the surprises stopped there.


Purchase: Amazon
Find on Goodreads

About author Evan Reeves:
Evan Reeves, unrelated to Keanu although sometimes she likes to think they're married, is a debut New Adult Romance author of If I Stay and the upcoming Fall Into Me. Evan considers herself to be living in the shire, while writing books just for fun.

Find Evan:   Website   Twitter   Facebook

Giveaway:

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Exclusive Excerpt from If I Stay:

As I stood there, hands in pockets and my eyes on the ground, looking at the little pieces of broken beer bottle glass that seemed to reflect the moonlight in a way that maybe Ben could write about, I heard the door open. I heard my name, although it seemed far away, and too soft to really grasp against the sound of the whipping air. But when his fingertips brushed against my chin, and I tilted my head (because he was tall, so ridiculously tall) up to meet his eyes, suddenly nothing that I was so busy heavily contemplating mattered anymore.

“Gemma,” Ben said, wrapped in a coat and scarf. Looking at him, he was shivering a little, which made me smile in a tender, endearing sort of way. “I'm sorry, I was worried. I swear to God that I'm not some sort of stalker or serial killer. I just...I had to find you.”

“I'm glad you did,” I said. In our shared gaze, I could see his eyes were searching for something. Sadness, anxiety, concern. His hands were at his sides; his body relaxed and yet totally prepared to jump at any time, like an animal waiting to pounce. I could read him so easily despite how little I really knew. He wore his desire like a caged demon, resting inside of him and bubbling up in his widening eyes. And I couldn't stop myself anymore.

His height proved to be a minor dilemma, given that I could only reach up and succeed in touching his torso. My fingers grazed over the back of his coat, up his spine, and over the barely-naked skin of his neck that I had to stand on my toes to reach as he leaned down to accommodate my stature. We locked eyes, his nose against mine, our breath like smoke in the cold air, our skin prickling from the single-digit temperatures and maybe something more.

Without waiting, for fear of suddenly losing him, I pulled him into the hardest kiss I've ever given anyone. His body froze, his hands fluttering nervously around my waist as I pulled away, his eyes hooded, unwavering. Completely locked into my own. Wordlessly, he moved my hair to the side, pressing my entire body against the brick wall, his lips on my neck as he tried to kiss softly, tenderly, his breath shallow and hands gripping me against him. With our difference in height leaving him leaning into me, he lifted me up so that my legs were around his waist, our hips pressed together, and with the softest of gasps he kissed me again. This time it was harder, more frantic, more panicked as if he knew, in his deepest core, that it was the only kiss we'd ever share. My hands were in his hair, around his neck, combing against his back as his mouth found that spot right below my chin, at the curve of my throat, where even the slightest brush of skin against skin sent me spiraling.

With his whole body against mine, our heat blocking out any wisp of cold air, I moaned into his hair and he responded with harder bites. He could bruise me all he wanted, I didn't care. In that small piece of perfection, I only wanted him.

Dawning Apocalypse Cover Reveal!

I'm excited to help reveal the cover of the upcoming book Dawning Apocalypse. It is the third book in the Dream Slayer series and it releases at the end of the month!

About Dawning Apocalypse
Protection, murder, deception....

No one can know Natalie works for a supernatural protection agency and is charged with protecting Meadow’s Creek from vampires. But as their numbers swell, their presence doesn't go unnoticed throwing her town under the microscope from the local government and the FBI.

Natalie’s job is pushed even further into the shadows where she must dodge the police, concerned citizens and even her own parents.

Meanwhile a deadly plague grips the town and Natalie suspects it’s more than just a hacking cough. While the stress of working overtime erodes her relationships she will race against time, illness, to face a familiar enemy, save an old friend, and stop an undead seize that wants nothing more than to suck Meadow’s Creek dry.

Series: Dream Slayer #3
Release date: October 29th 2013
Find it on Goodreads


About author Jill Cooper

By now, you should know Jill Cooper's name. She's the writer behind the best selling time travelling phenomenon 15 Minutes, as well as Glistening Haven, and Dream Slayer. Jill loves to blend horror, comedy, the supernatural, and love, through her novels. A fan of genre blending, her work strives to cross boundaries, but most of all strives to entertain. She loves soft cuddly cats, warm blankets, and paranormal romances. Jill resides in Massachusetts, is constantly renovating her home that she shares with her husband, young daughter, and two skittish cats.

Find Jill Cooper: website | Twitter


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Hero For Hire (Tales from Beyond the End #1)

About Hero For Hire
One day her prince would come…disguised as a zombie-killer.

Having been disgraced and tossed out by her own scientific community, Gwyn is convinced she can develop a cure for a SuperVirus that has turned the Infected into zombies. By pure luck and determination, she has survived on her own for years, but while out scavenging, a clash with the local zombies leaves her potentially infected. Now, running out of time, she needs help and takes a chance on a hero for hire.

Rafe loves the apocalypse. Since the world went to hell, everything’s come up roses for him. Having procured a mansion in the Hollywood hills, adopted a slew of homeless boys and one cantankerous but useful Doc, Mr. Charming is benefiting from the nasty zombie infestation. His job? Killing the bastards, which he considers fun anyway.

Gwyn Snow needs Rafe Charming to help retrieve her research from the Paragon Pharmaceuticals lab, also known as Zombie Central. Believing she can yet save the world, Gwyn makes Rafe question what’s right and what’s worth the fight.

CONTENT WARNING: Prince Charming, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves as you’ve never seen them before.

Get it on   itunes    Amazon

Review:
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I decided to read this book because who can resist a fairy tale based story that is mixed with a zombie apocalypse.  I mean, isn't that set up pure book gold?!

The setting of the book should make the whole story very dramatic and serious. Authors Merissa McCain and Margaret Madigan, however, mixed the perfect blend of humor into the story so readers won't be too uptight about the dire futuristic setting. There were some scenes that had you holding your breath as characters battled zombies (what's a zombie novel without fight scenes?!), but the comic relief that came afterward allowed readers to catch their breaths before characters entered another dynamic situation.

The story provided a dual point of view that allowed readers to get in the head of Gwyn and Rafe. The story would have been lacking had the authors decided only to go with Gwyn's version of events.  Plus the story really needed it because the characters do get separated at one point and being in the head of Rafe of Gwyn really keeps the story moving and flowing well. It was a very wise decision by the authors.

My only push back to the story is why did it take Gwyn and Rafe this long to meet? I would think Gwyn would have sought help sooner than she did. I understand the circumstances behind it. She probably didn't have the opportunity until she saw the sign pointing her way to Rafe. She had to expand outward from her little hidey hole to seek supplies. If it were me, I would have tried to find somebody, anybody to help keep me company and to help watch my back. But that's a minor point. I bought into what the authors were telling, and I enjoyed their story.

The story is definitely geared to adults.  There's action, suspense, and some romance. Yes, there is a sex scene in it. It is tastefully written, but might not be appropriate for the young adult audience.

McCain and Madigan have put together a fun and entertaining story that's quick to read and very enjoyable. Don't dig for deep thoughts or themes in this one.  The plot isn't overly complex and the main characters are very fitting for the story. There aren't irrelevant characters that you have to try to keep up with. The best part was you can take their story for what it is--a futuristic version of a memorable fairy tale.  It's Snow White and the Seven Dwarves meets I am Legend.

About the authors:


Merissa McCain
My name is Merissa McCain. I grew up in the African bush, without T.V, and often without electricity. I now live in the deep South, with my very own superhero, and my three minons. Together, we attempt to take over the world. When not otherwise occupied with planning world domination, I love to read, write, drink strong coffee and eat dark chocolate--not necessarily in that order and sometimes all at once. I'm a voracious reader, and will devour any type of good fiction I can get my hands on, but I'm particularly partial to happy endings.

I write with a partner (Margaret Madigan) and on my own. We love to hear from our readers, so please shoot us an email at Merissa.mccain@gmail.com or mmadiganauthor@gmail.com.

Margaret Madigan
Hi. I'm Margaret Madigan. Or M.K.D. Bail, depending on what literary genre we're talking about. I live in the vast Northern Plains where it’s quiet and mostly empty, and very conducive to letting my imagination run wild. As a result, I have difficulty focusing on just one genre of storytelling. Of course, I love romance, so I write a lot of that, but I also write science fiction, a bit of horror, and dabble in other genres just for the fun of it.

When I’m not writing you’ll find me in a college classroom teaching English, or working as a literary agent for an amazing agency…and of course enjoying time with my family.

Giveaway:
Enter to win one of Five Digital Copies of HERO FOR HIRE & Two $10.00 Amazon, B&N or iTunes Gift Cards

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