Review: A Gentleman Never Tells (Wetherby Brides #1) by Jerrica Knight-Catania

Print Length: 240 pages

Publisher: Night Shift Publishing (January 9, 2012)

From Goodreads.com: 

Benjamin Wetherby, Earl of Glastonbury and heir to the Marquisate of Eastleigh, has just received an urgent letter from home. His father is dying and he must return to England at once. Benjamin is a man bound by honor and duty, to both his country and his family. So, despite his reservations, he leaves his life in New York City behind so he may find a wife and assume his role as the Marquess of Eastleigh.

Miss Phoebe Blake is finally out of mourning for her father, and just in time. She and her mother could be days away from being carted off to debtors prison, so Phoebe returns to society with the intent and determination to secure a rich husband.

Sparks fly when Benjamin and Phoebe meet, and it appears they have both found just what they are looking for. But will a dark secret keep them from finding their happily ever after? 

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My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

This was the first book by this author that I have ever read. And due to the fact that it was free on Amazon when I found it, I had my misgivings about it. I have found a lot of novels with 5 star ratings and a riveting synopsis that has ended up falling flat. 

Thankfully, this was not the case with this story. 

Both of these characters were very realistic not only in general, but to the time period as well. Benjamin had a mistress that he took care of (which was not an uncommon thing back then), while Phoebe and her mother were a stone's throw away from being thrown in debtor's prison thanks to her late father.  I enjoyed the way that although Benjamin was the answer to all of her problems - the relationship was never treated as such. Rather these two had an undeniable spark and attraction that added to the overall story. 

From start to finish, this book will reel you in and keep you reading (and rooting) for the happily ever after! 

A Gentleman Never Tells (Wetherby Brides #1) is available from Amazon.com 

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Review: Untouchable Darkness by Rachel Van Dyken

Print Length: 268 pages

Publisher: Create Space (December 29, 2015)

From Goodreads.com: To love a Dark One is to invite death... 

It is wrong to love her. 
It is worse to want her. 
It is sin to consume her. 
I desire all three. 

I've been given thirty days to prove my love to another immortal--as a human. Cursed to use nothing but the side of myself I've always despised to win her affection. I am Cassius, the King of the immortals, A Dark One. 
And today I tasted fear for the first time. 
How can I win her when my human emotions over take every ounce of logic I possess? 
A darkness is brewing. 
One I cannot stop as a human. 
One that Stephanie, my loves visions, have shown, will be my end. 
Thirty days ago I was King of the immortals. 
Today I know fear. 
Today I know how I will die. 
By her hand. 
The woman I love.

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My Rating: 5 stars out of 5

I am really starting to think that there isn't a story, genre, etc out there that Rachel Van Dyken cannot nail 100%. She can take the craziest of plots and make them not only into something you would swear actually exist, but she will suck you in and keep you up into the early hours of the morning just to finish what was started. 

Untouchable Darkness is her second novel in the Dark Ones Saga (which begins with the appropriately named The Dark Ones), however you do not have to read the first story in order to understand this one. That is probably one of the things I most enjoy about reading a story by Rachel, it doesn't matter where in the series you pick up, you can completely follow the story you are in (and it only makes you want to read the others more). 

But enough about my love for her stories in general. Lets get down to my review of this book in particular. I felt like this story contained so much information about Cassius (whom I didn't particularly care for in the first novel), that you couldn't help but see him in a whole different light. This story was more than just the typical back and forth points of view (from the main characters - in this case Cassius and Stephanie), there were also several flashbacks with explained a lot about Sarial and how the Dark Ones came to be. I found that this information gave a better insight to these characters and their overall story than we would have gotten without it. 

And the love story between Cassius and Stephanie? It was both heart-breakingly tragic and swoon worthy romantic. There was such a balance to their story that even when you felt there was no hope, you couldn't help but root for them anyway. And the ending? Absolutely perfect. It not only brought a tear to my eye, but it made me desperate to continue with these characters - to see how the coming war is going to unfold and just which side will come out victorious. 

The downside to this story? We now have to wait until the Fall of 2016 for the next one! 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own. 

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Untouchable Darkness is available from Amazon.com

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Review: The Archer's Daughter by Melissa MacKinnon

Print Length: 162 pages

Publisher: EsKape Press (March 24, 2015)

From Goodreads.com: England, 1381

Cate Archer is a wanted woman. When her father is killed during peace negotiations with the young King Richard, Cate vows she will not rest until she sees her father’s murder avenged and his killer brought to his knees. She never imagined she would fall in love with the man sent to execute her death warrant.

Lord Owen Grey has only one task—bring in the rebel leaders, dead or alive. His life’s duty is to the King’s Guard, and he has certain expectations to fulfill. Falling for his prisoner isn’t one of them. He understands her cause, but he cannot bring himself to risk his position and honor for an outlaw. Owen must choose between duty and his heart. The Guard is all he’s ever known. Does he stay true to his oath or find himself on the next most wanted list alongside his Cate?

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My Rating: 5 stars out of 5

This was one of those novels where the action begins from the start, beautifully setting up the rest of the story. 

The characters couldn't have been more wrong for each other - which is one of the reasons I enjoyed watching them fall in love all the more. After all - she's a rebel and he's the lord tasked with catching her and bringing her in to be executed. Both have some serious trust issues, never fully trusting the other up until the ending which was nothing short of wild. There was one scene especially that kept me glued to my kindle because I could see no way they would all make it out alive. 

This is not the first book by this author that I have read, in fact I was lucky enough to have also reviewed her other novel Return to Me which was one of the main reasons I so desperately wanted to also review this novel.  Ms. MacKinnon has a way with words that allows you to not only see the story come to live before you, but also allows you to live in the world in which she has created. This novel, much like her others would make wonderful movies due the attention to detail the author gives. 

Filled with love, loyalty and betrayal, this book is sure to please all audiences. I would highly recommend this author and this novel to those who enjoy a beautifully written adventure. 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own. 

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The Archer's Daughter is available from Amazon.com

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Review: Ruined by a Rake (All's Fair in Love #1) by Erin Knightley

Print Length: 128 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace (March 31, 2013)

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From Goodreads.com: It started with a kiss.

When nine-year-old Eleanor Abbington first met her uncle’s new stepson, Nicolas Norton, the boy rudely stole a kiss from her that set the tone for their contentious and competitive relationship. It wasn’t until years later when Nick introduced her to fencing that they finally had a proper outlet for their frequent arguments.

Having just emerged from mourning following her mother’s death, Eleanor is exactly where she wishes to be at the age of four-and-twenty: an on-the-shelf spinster and unofficial companion to her aunt. Unfortunately, her ambitious uncle has other plans for her future. On the eve of his house party, he lays down his ultimatum: either Eleanor marries the man of his choosing, or he'll force her seventeen-year-old sister to do so instead.

When Nick unexpectedly arrives on their doorstep after a two year absence, Eleanor is in no mood for their normal banter. Seeming to know exactly what she needs, Nick challenges her to pick up the foil once more. During their pre-dawn matches, he shows her just how strong she can be . . . and exactly how much he’s changed since leaving. But when her old adversary becomes her only ally, she may very well find herself . . . Ruined by a Rake. 

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My Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Of course, being a novella I have to voice my usual complaints - but not for my usual reasons. Usually I complain because novellas don't give you enough time with your favorite characters. This time, I'm complaining because I feel this story would be been better if the author had had more time to flesh everything out. Instead of a steady paced story where two characters overcome an obstacle on their way to love, it seemed as though this story moved at a breakneck speed and never gave the reader a time to really connect to what was going on.

These characters were interesting - I especially enjoyed the love/hate friendship between Nick and Eleanor. Their fencing scenes were some of my favorite, but again I wish there had been more of a chance to get a deeper connection with them. It comes out that Nick has always been in love with her, but we don't really get a sense of that from the book. 

Lastly, the abrupt ending left much to be desired. I found myself going back to see if I hadn't accidentally skipped ahead without meaning to. I would have loved for there to have been an epilogue so that we could see what the future was like for these two considering how rushed everything else felt. 

Overall, for a free book its worth it if you're looking just for something to pass the time. 

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Ruined by a Rake (All's Fair in Love #1)  is available from Amazon.com

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Review: Secret Angel by Cherry Christensen

Print Length: 67 pages

  Publisher: EsKape Press

From Goodreads.com:  Doctoral student Hannah Wagganer entertains dreams of teaching at a large university and leaving her hometown of Glen Arbor behind. That is until Jasper Morgan, the new mail carrier, arrives in town. Not only does he set Hannah’s heart a flutter, but he has an instant bond with her cat, Jingles.

Preparing for the church candlelight Christmas Eve service and running the family store, Hannah continues to bump into Jasper—and the prying eyes of the locals who suspect there’s more going on than business as usual.

Blessings and suspicions abound when an anonymous donor pays to have the church furnace repaired, and other locals suddenly find solutions to their problems. Is it coincidental, or the work of a secret angel?

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My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

    This was a cute and clean Christian read that reminded me a lot of my hometown and our yearly Christmas Eve service. This novel was written in such a way that the town of Glen Arbor, could be anywhere - and the people that reside there could be the very people you say hello to every day. It was a refreshing change from some of the other novels I have read of late as this one contained no scenes of a sexual nature, and very little kissing (in fast there is only one scene that I can remember even that happening in). It is overall a very sweet and heart-warming tale of two people finding each other - and being exactly what the other needed.  
  

    There were a couple of things in this story however that I felt kept it from being a solid five star read. To start, it was way too short for me. I understand that this is a Christmas story, and therefore probably not made to be long, but it seemed a bit too fast paced - and the ending rather abrupt with no real closure. I also felt that there were some gaps that needed to be filled in - what was the real story behind Jasper's estrangement from his parents? Who was the mystery man Hannah saw entering the house? It seemed that we never really got to know who Jasper was. Perhaps that was done intentionally, however there seemed moments where Jasper suddenly had an attitude that was a major turn off. 

   Even with those few things, I would still recommend this novel to those who are looking for a quick Christmas read. 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own. 

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 Secret Angel is available from Amazon.com

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Review: Lost in Temptation (Regency Chase Family #1) by Lauren Royal

Print Length: 189 pages

Publisher: EsKape Press (September 29, 2015)

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From Goodreads.com:  England, 1815

The eldest of three sisters, Lady Alexandra Chase has always done what was expected of her. But when the man she's loved since her girlhood returns from a long spell abroad, she quite suddenly finds herself hoping the fine lord her brother has picked for her won't propose. She decides that if he does, she'll quite improperly turn him down—that is, until the man of her hopes and dreams informs her he has no intention of marrying her.

The last time Tristan Nesbitt saw Alexandra, he was a common man with no hope of ever wedding the daughter of a marquess. Seven years later, he's now Lord Hawkridge, which should make him eminently suitable for the woman who long ago captured his heart. But a dreadful scandal has tarnished his name in England—a scandal so horrid that marrying Alexandra would ruin not only her flawless reputation but her whole family. For Alexandra's own good, he must fight his relentless desires and stay far away…

                                                   *******************

My Rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars

For the most part, I found this story to be enjoyable. A little slow moving at times, but engaging enough that I had no trouble finishing it in one sitting. The characters were ok, some a little stronger than others, and some of the circumstances were a little unrealistic, but overall it was a decent story with some witty dialogue and interesting friendships.   

There was one major element of this story that I was disappointed not to see the end result of. Tristan was a social outcast - no one in society would speak to him because of the scandal surrounding him. Once his name was cleared - Alexandra knew society would have no choice but to apologize and accept him. However, once his innocence WAS proven - the author makes no mention of his re-entrance into society and that was something I was definitely looking forward to reading. There were certain characters present at different points in this story that I would have loved to have seen their reactions when they learned they had snubbed an innocent man. 

Aside from that issue, I would recommend this novel to those who like a witty read, and I would read more from this author. 

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Lost in Temptation (Regency Chase Family #1) is available from Amazon.com

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Review: Watercolors in the Rain by Kay Springsteen

Print Length: 411 pages

Publisher: EsKape Press (September 29, 2015)

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From Goodreads.com: When graphic designer Eve St. Aubin walks into an art exhibit and finds herself in a heated kiss with world renowned artist Kyle Sebastian, her memories whisk her back to the summer they’d shared five years earlier. He’d been her mentor in more ways than one… until he left without a word. Now she has nothing to say to him… or at least that’s what she keeps telling herself. 

When he met Eve, Kyle’s career had been in the tank. Lighting the fuse on her talent had rekindled his own artistic ability. Loving her, watching her blossom as a woman had inspired him to new heights. He'd had to let her go back then, but he always knew he'd see her again. Now that he has, he's not prepared for the edgy woman she’s become, nor did he expect he'd still be in love with her. 


When explanations aren’t that simple, and no common ground seems to be had, how will they overcome their past to create a future? Or can they? 

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My Rating: 3 stars out of 5 

This was a novel that solidly hit middle of the road for me. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. I just LIKED it. 

The characters were obviously well-planned out in advance, and seriously well developed. The story-line was unique and moved at a fairly steady pace - however I felt like maybe this story just had too many details - and some were not needed at all. For example - there is a line that has Eve stopping to remove a pebble from her shoe. That line (in my opinion) did nothing to move the story along, nor was it instrumental to the plot. It almost seemed as though the author added these extras in to add to the word count - and because I've read this author before and know what she's capable of - it seemed very odd and out of place to me. 

Aside from that - I very much enjoyed this story. I loved seeing how these characters first met, and how their relationship evolved from its humble beginnings to what it was at the end. And even when I did not agree with how certain things were handled, I can certainly understand why the characters chose to act the way that they did. 

One of the things I also very much enjoyed about this story was the fact that there was a more substantial age difference between these characters than what we usually see. I liked seeing how they were able to set that aside and focus on what was more important - their mutual interests and love in art. It was art that ultimately brought them together, and artistic quotes that were peppered throughout the story that will resonate with you long after you've stopped reading.

Overall, I would recommend this novel to those of you that enjoy a well thought out and unique story-line with characters that will speak to you on a level deeper than just your average run of the mill story. 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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Watercolors in the Rain is available from Amazon.com

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Review: An Honorable Wish (A Lady's Wish #2) by Eileen Richards

Print Length: 248 pages

Publisher: Lyrical Press (November 24, 2015)

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From Goodreads.com:  LOVE MAY BE THEIR GREATEST GAMBLE…

 
Tony Matthews spends his time in London’s most notorious gambling dens, frittering away his fortune. But when his latest victory leaves a man ruined, Tony knows he’s reached his lowest point. Determined to make amends, he returns home to his family’s country estate with plans to settle down and marry at last. And he hopes the lovely Juliet Townsend will help him—if only he can keep his disgrace a secret.
 
Juliet’s secret wish has always been for Tony to love her. The only bright spot in her dreadful London season was dancing with him—before he disappeared to the card rooms. Now, he’s returned, but has he truly changed? Or will gambling always be his mistress, even if she becomes his wife? And does Juliet dare risk her heart by finding out?...

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My Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

WARNING: This book does contain scenes of a graphic sexual nature. If this is not something you wish to read, they can be easily skipped without losing important plot lines. 

This was one of those stories that kept me up reading well into the night. I felt as though the characters were not only well developed, but the story itself was so engaging and different than those I've read before. In the other stories that I have read, gambling was almost treated as a badge of honor - if you took another man's land it was celebrated by the victor - no one ever gave thought to the man who had lost. And who should, it was by their own doing that they lost the land to begin with. 

An Honorable Wish had a different take on this however. The author showed gambling for what it truly can be - and addiction. And when Tony does win another man's land - he feels awful. He doesn't celebrate, he doesn't boast about it - hell he does everything in his power to make it right - and still he is treated like the bad guy when he has done nothing wrong. 

Each of these characters were well-developed and the plot carefully planned out. The author has a very smooth writing style in which she totally envelops you in the world that she has created. I would definitely recommend this novel to those looking for a well written and engaging historical romance. 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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An Honorable Wish (A Lady's Wish #2) is available from Amazon.com

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Review: Say You'll Love Me by Ally Broadfield

Print Length: 176 pages

Publisher: Entangled: Scandalous (October 19, 2015)

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From Goodreads.com:  She may be his favorite mystery...

All of Lady Abigail Hurst's dreams seem to be coming true when at long last her childhood sweetheart asks for her hand. But when a maid is found dead, and her betrothed is the chief suspect, Abigail begins to wonder just what manner of man she's marrying...

The Marquess of Longcroft, Edmund Townsend, has always preferred complex mathematical equations to the trappings of society. And love? Love is a non-quantifiable concept. Still, Lady Abigail is his sister's friend, and he finds himself drawn into the mystery of her affianced... even as he begins to anticipate Lady Abigail's company with unfathomable pleasure.

Investigating the murder may reveal more than the sordid truth. It may just reveal the love Abigail always wanted... a little too late.

                                                   *******************

My Rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars

I feel like this story would have gotten a higher rating had it been longer. The writing was solid, but the speed and which everything moved seemed to be too fast for any real connection to the characters to be made. Even though the characters were well-developed and each had their own set of quirks which made them realistic, I didn't feel as though we really got to spend enough time with them. 

The mystery aspect of this story is a good one, and one that instead of over-riding the romance aspect simply adds to it. Without the maid being killed Abigail would have had no reason to turn to her friends in the first place, much less been in a position where she could have spent so much time with Edmund therefore getting to know him (and realizing how much more suited they were to each other than she was to her intended). However, both were done in such a way that one did not overshadow the other, it merely added to the over-all plot and made things much more interesting. 

I would definitely be interested in reading more about these characters (hopefully in actual novel form rather than novella as I believe this author is capable of producing an outstanding story). That being said, I would also highly recommend this novella to those who want a quick read to pass the time that won't leave them bored. 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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Say You'll Love Me is available from Amazon.com

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Review: A Whisper of Desire (The Disgraced Lords #4) by Bronwen Evans

Print Length: 300 pages

Publisher: Loveswept (December 1, 2015)

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From Goodreads.com: Sensual heat melts the ice in the new Disgraced Lords novel from USA Today bestselling author Bronwen Evans, as a marriage of convenience leads to delightful pleasure—and mortal danger.

Lady Marisa Hawkstone’s nightmare is just beginning when she wakes up naked, with no memory of the night before, lying next to Maitland Spencer, the Duke of Lyttleton—a man so aloof and rational, he’s nicknamed “the Cold Duke.” A scandal ensues, in which Marisa’s beloved beau deserts her. As a compromised woman, Marisa agrees to marry Maitland. But on her wedding night, Marisa discovers the one place the duke shows emotion: in the bedroom, where the man positively scorches the sheets.

Taught from a young age to take duty seriously, Maitland cannot understand his new wife’s demands on his love and affection. Marisa’s hot-blooded spirit, however, does have its attractions—especially at night. In retrospect, it seems quite silly that he didn’t marry sooner. But being one of the Libertine Scholars requires constant vigilance, even more so when the enemy with a grudge against his closest friends targets Marisa. Now Maitland must save the woman who sets his heart aflame—or die trying.

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My Rating: 5 stars out of 5

WARNING #1: This novel does contain scenes explicit sexual nature that occurs after marriage. If you desire a "clean" read than this novel is not for you. 

The first thing that comes to mind when writing this review is to let you know that although this story is the fourth in an already well-established series, I had only previously read the first novel (A Kiss of Lies). 

However, even having missed what had happened in books two and three, I did not feel as though I had missed so much that I couldn't follow this story. In fact, after realizing there are two books in between this one and the one I had previously read, I intend to eventually read those as well as I both enjoy this author's writing style, and I want to get more backstory on the other characters that were featured in this story as well. 

I do feel compelled to point out that while these books can be read as stand alone to get the conclusion of the story between the main characters, the main conflict of the series  does not get resolved in this novel as it is merely a continuation of the overall story arc. While this fact may turn some readers off, I believe that the author writes each story in such a way that you don't feel annoyed at having to move on to the next novel. rather you feel like you get to spend more time with old friends. 

Speaking just on this book by itself - there are a few scenes that may be uncomfortable to some readers. I don't want to go into too much detail and give away important parts of the story, but I will say that there are scenes that depict (in detail) some of the harsher sides of life back then. Just for a quick example, our couple goes into a "Molly" house (or gay gentleman's club) as part of a larger scheme - but end up finding more than they expected inside. 

There is also a devastating heartbreak that befalls one or more of the characters, but even at its strongest point, it is beautifully written and dealt with in a way that shows the true strength of all of these characters. 

Overall, I do think this story will appeal to a variety of readers, and I look forward to reading more from this author! 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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A Whisper of Desire is available from Amazon.com

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