Archive | April, 2015

Review: After a Fashion

20 Apr

After a Fashion

After a Fashion by Jen Turano

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook | DeeperShopping

Miss Harriet Peabody dreams of the day she can open up a shop selling refashioned gowns to independent working women like herself. Unfortunately, when an errand for her millinery shop job goes sadly awry due to a difficult customer, she finds herself out of an income.

Mr. Oliver Addleshaw is on the verge of his biggest business deal yet when he learns his potential partner prefers to deal with men who are settled down and wed. When Oliver witnesses his ex not-quite-fiance cause the hapless Harriet to lose her job, he tries to make it up to her by enlisting her help in making a good impression on his business partner.

Harriet quickly finds her love of fashion can’t make her fashionable. She’ll never truly fit into Oliver’s world, but just as she’s ready to call off the fake relationship, fancy dinners, and elegant balls, a threat from her past forces both Oliver and Harriet to discover that love can come in the most surprising packages.

 

My thoughts:

Hilarity ensues in this latest release from Jen Turano!  After a Fashion boasts a vivid setting, excellent characterization, and an engaging storyline.  I loved the host of quirky characters and their witty dialogue and often outrageous antics.  Miss Harriet Peabody’s adventures were such fun and her relationship with Mr. Oliver Addleshaw was quite entertaining.  Their story is delightful, as is the unexpected twist at the end.  I enjoyed After a Fashion and look forward to the next release in this new series!  

I received a complimentary copy of After a Fashion.  I appreciate the opportunity to read this book and offer my honest opinion. 

 

Jen TuranoJen Turano is the acclaimed author of The Ladies of Distinction Series, published through Bethany House publishers. Her second novel, A Most Peculiar Circumstance was chosen by Booklist as a Top Ten Romance for 2013. Her fourth book, A Match of Wits, released in July, 2014, while a new series, A Class of Their Own, will begin hitting the shelves in early 2015. She is a member of ACFW and makes her home outside of Denver, Colorado with her husband and teenage son.

Author Links:
Website | Facebook

  

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Review: A Heart’s Obsession | Kindle Fire Giveaway

18 Apr

A Heart's Obsession

A Heart’s Obsession by Colleen Coble

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1PsjoPR

When Sarah Montgomery’s father succumbs to his long illness, Sarah is faced with a life-altering choice: submit to her brother’s will and marry the deceptive Ben Croftner . . . or escape through the dangerous American West to reclaim the heart of her beloved Rand Campbell at Fort Laramie, Wyoming.

My thoughts:

The journey continues in this second installment of Colleen Coble’s novel serialization.  As Rand Campbell leaves for his post in Fort Laramie, Wyoming, more drama ensues.  Family circumstances change for Sarah Montgomery and her younger brother Joel, and they decided to pursue a life out west.  After a difficult trip to the fort with their friends, their arrival does not garner the welcome they hoped for.   “Will Sarah’s journey west lead her back into the arms of the one man she can trust?”

Colleen Coble’s writing is descriptive and emotion-filled!  In A Heart’s Obsession, tension continues to mount, unexpected events occur, and the conclusion of the story leaves characters in jeopardy and readers desperate for more.  I enjoyed this short story and am eager to continue the journey in next month’s release, A Heart’s Danger. 

The Journey of the Heart serialization begins with A Heart’s Disguise and includes six installments that will release monthly from March through August.  These stories were originally published in two books, Where Leads the Heart and Plains of Promise.  

A complimentary copy of A Heart’s Obsession was provided to me through Litfuse Publicity. I appreciate the opportunity to read this book and offer my honest opinion.

Landing page:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/ccoble

 
Can a woman held captive by her family make it back to the one man she knows she can trust? Find out in book two, A Heart’s Obsession, of Colleen Coble’s Journey of the Heart series.  Celebrate book two in Colleen’s A Journey of the Heart series by entering to win a Kindle Fire and RSVPing to her May 5th author chat party!

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One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A Kindle Fire
  • A copy of A Heart’s Disguise
  • A copy of A Heart’s Obsession
  • A copy of The Inn at Ocean’s Edge (blog tour coming in mid-April)

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 7th. Winner will be announced May 8th on Colleen’s website. Plus be sure to clear your calendar on the evening of May 5th because Colleen is hosting an author chat party on Facebook to celebrate her A Journey of the Heart series and the release of The Inn at Ocean’s Edge! RSVP here!

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RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on May 5th!

 

Colleen Coble Colleen Coble has sold over 2 million novels worldwide. Seagrass Pier, the third installment in her acclaimed Hope Beach series, marks a new highpoint for emotion and complexity in Coble’s addictive brand of romantic suspense.

Find Colleen online: website, Facebook, Twitter

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Friday Freebies

17 Apr

Forget Me Not- Amber Stokes

Forget Me Not by Amber Stokes

Amazon

Old hurts, new betrayals, and a love that survives them all…

Summer 1885

A startling revelation sends Elizabeth Lawson escaping into a stormy night – and tosses her into the arms of a young mountain man with secrets of his own. When he offers to take her to the Nevada mining town where her long-lost brother lives, she accepts. Suspicions and uncertainties are pushed aside as she struggles to forge a future for herself by meeting her past.

David has been hiding from his painful memories for years. The solitude and wildness of the Rocky Mountains are challenge and comfort enough for him – until Elizabeth’s arrival. Fueled by anger and a sense of obligation, he strives to take control of his new situation…only to find control slipping from his grasp with each new emotion Elizabeth evokes in him.

When their journey leads them on unexpected paths, can two lonely hearts find the strength to remember the good amid the heartbreak?

 

Chosen

CHOSEN
The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther
by Ginger Garrett

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Wrenched from a simple life for her beauty, Esther finds herself at the mercy of King Xerxes. Leaving behind her only relative, her cousin Mordecai, and her first true love, Cyrus, she is thrown headlong into the unrestrained extravagance of palace living.

Quick of mind and strong in spirit, Esther refuses to suffer the fate of her harem sisters and boldly challenges Xerxes to give of his heart before taking his pleasure, thus sealing her place beside him as queen. While conspiracy spins its diabolical web, Esther’s mind and spirit waver, and she is forced to confront the past in order to save her future–and thus an entire nation.

 

Inescapable

Inescapable by Nancy Mehl

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Lizzie Engel is used to running away. At eighteen, she left her Mennonite hometown, Kingdom, Kansas, with plans never to return.

But five years later, the new life she built is falling apart. Lizzie knows she’s being followed, and she’s certain the same mysterious stranger is behind the threatening letters she’s received. Realizing she’ll have to run again, the only escape Lizzie can manage is a return to the last place she wants to go.

Once she arrives in Kingdom, Lizzie is confident she’ll be safe until she comes up with a new plan. In reacquainting herself with the town and its people–especially her old friend, Noah Housler–she wonders if she judged her hometown and her Mennonite faith too harshly. However, just as she begins to come to terms with her roots, Lizzie is horrified to discover the danger she ran from is closer than ever.

No longer sure who to trust and fearful for her life and the lives of those around her, Lizzie finds she has only one place left to run–to the Father whose love is inescapable.

 

First Dawn

First Dawn by Judith Miller

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Lured by the promise of “real” freedom and a new town to call their own, sharecroppers Ezekial Harban and his three daughters leave behind remnants of slavery in the war-torn south and set off for Nicodemus, Kansas. When they arrive, they are shocked to see that little of what they were promised actually exists. Many head back home, but Ezekial and his daughters are determined to build a new life in the stark territory. Dr. Boyle, a newly arrived doctor in neighboring Hill City, is called to deliver a baby in Nicodemus. He and his family are moved by the plight of the settlers there and vow to help. But the white pioneers of Hill City face problems, too. When the lives of these two families intersect, neither town will ever be the same. Freedom’s Path Book 1.

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Review: Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood

16 Apr

Walking with God

Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood
Melissa B. Kruger

Learn how God’s imprint on your heart can make a lasting impression on your children.

Being a mom usually means being busy. Really busy. Whether you’re zipping from your children’s piano lessons to their next ballgame or nursing a baby while comforting a toddler, life is brimming with activities. 

Yet one encounter can help shape every moment: time in the Word with Jesus. In Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood, you’ll learn how to nourish your own heart, mind, and soul with the wisdom you need to become the mother you long to be. 

As you spend time with God through this eleven-week Bible study, you’ll gain life-shaping insights to help you…
 ·         Understand and pursue your purpose as a mother
 ·         Live out your true priorities
 ·         Entrust your child to God
 ·         Bear the fruit of the Spirit in your everyday interactions
 ·         Recover from Perfect Mom Syndrome (PMS)

Each week offers four days of study geared specifically to a mother’s concerns, with the Bible passages already printed out for your convenience. The fifth day is a warm-hearted devotional reading to help you reflect on and apply the truths you’ve learned.

As your relationship with God deepens through prayer and studying His Word, you’ll discover how His imprint on your heart can make a lasting impression on your children.

My thoughts:

“In the beauty of God’s design, He is in the process of parenting us as we parent our children.”

What a wonderful devotional!  Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood is an eleven-week devotional Bible study that will encourage you as a mother and as a child of God. 

In the busy days of motherhood, we often fail to set aside time for our own spiritual growth and strengthening.  This book is specifically tailored for mothers and each week offers four days of Scripture study and a fifth day of reflection and application.  I really enjoyed each lesson and loved that each Bible passage was included in the book for convenience.  I also enjoyed Kruger’s own stories of motherhood and words of encouragement.  Other helpful resources include verses for memorization for both mothers and children, as well as a study guide to use in a group setting. 

I loved Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood!  Melissa Kruger has written an encouraging study that I will use again and again. 

“Daily time in the Word and in prayer provides the nourishment our souls need as we care for our families.  The specific application for different ages may vary, but each of us needs wisdom, prayer, patience, kindness, and love as we raise our children.  We never graduate from our need of His grace.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Blogging for Books and appreciate the opportunity to offer my honest opinion. 

 About the author:

Melissa Kruger teaches women at Uptown Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and at conferences around the country. She regularly writes articles for the Gospel Coalition and Christianity.com, and she is the author of The Envy of Eve. Melissa’s most cherished roles include being a wife to Mike, president of Reformed Theological Seminary–Charlotte, and a mother to her three children, Emma, John, and Kate.

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Review: A Sparrow in Terezin + A Book-Inspired Giveaway

15 Apr

A Sparrow in Terezin

A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1a1Mk02

Bound together across time, two women will discover a powerful connection through one survivor’s story of hope in the darkest days of a war-torn world.

Present Day—With the grand opening of her new art gallery and a fairytale wedding just around the corner, Sera James feels she’s stumbled into a charmed life—until a brutal legal battle against fiancé William Hanover threatens to destroy the perfectly planned future she’s planned before it even begins. Now, after an eleventh-hour wedding ceremony and a callous arrest, William faces a decade in prison for a crime he never committed, and Sera must battle the scathing accusations that threaten her family and any hope for a future.

1942—Kája Makovsky narrowly escaped occupied Prague in 1939, and was forced to leave her half-Jewish family behind. Now a reporter for the Daily Telegraph in England, Kája discovers the terror has followed her across the Channel in the shadowy form of the London Blitz. When she learns Jews are being exterminated by the thousands on the continent, Kája has no choice but to return to her mother city, risking her life to smuggle her family to freedom and peace.

Connecting across a century through one little girl, a Holocaust survivor with a foot in each world, these two women will discover a kinship that springs even in the darkest of times. In this tale of hope and survival, Sera and Kája must cling to the faith that sustains and fight to protect all they hold dear—even if it means placing their own futures on the line.

My thoughts:

A Sparrow in Terezin is a beautiful story of hope and forgiveness!  Kristy Cambron once again shares her incredible storytelling ability in this poignant tale.  The present day story of Sera James and William Hanover continues in this sequel to Cambron’s debut novel, The Butterfly and the Violin, as does a historical thread that ties the two books together. 

While I was eager to continue the present day story of Sera and Will, I was even more excited about the historical aspects of this novel.  Excellent imagery brings war-torn Europe to life and I was immediately captivated by Kája Makovsky and her story.  There was such an authenticity to her character as she faced fear and offered hope in the face of horror. 

I loved the intricately woven plots and fascinating history of this heart-wrenching novel!  A Sparrow in Terezin is an emotional story that will leave an indelible mark in your mind and on your heart! 

I appreciate the opportunity to read A Sparrow in Terezin and offer my honest opinion.  I received a complimentary copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity. 

Landing page:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/kcambron

 

Bound together across time, two women will discover a powerful connection in Kristy Cambron‘s new book, A Sparrow in Terezin. Connecting across a century through one little girl, a Holocaust survivor with a foot in each world, two women will discover a kinship that springs even in the darkest of times. In this tale of hope and survival, Sera and Kája must cling to the faith that sustains and fight to protect all they hold dear—even if it means placing their own futures on the line.

Kristy is celebrating by giving away a basket filled with goodies inspired by her new book!

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One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A set of poppy notecards
  • A poppy pin
  • A copy of I Never Saw Another Butterfly
  • A copy of the Mrs. Miniver DVD
  • Literary tea bags
  • Tumbler
  • A copy of A Sparrow in Terezin
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Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 28th. Winner will be announced April 29th on Kristy’s blog.

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{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

 

Kristy Cambron

Kristy Cambron has been fascinated with the WWII era since hearing her grandfather’s stories of the war. She holds an art history degree from Indiana University and received the Outstanding Art History Student Award. Kristy writes WWII and Regency era fiction and has placed first in the 2013 NTRWA Great Expectations and 2012 FCRW Beacon contests, and is a 2013 Laurie finalist. Kristy makes her home in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons.

Find Kristy online: website, Facebook, Twitter

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Review + GIVEAWAY: The Butterfly and the Violin

14 Apr

The Butterfly and the Violin

The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook | DeeperShopping 

Manhattan art dealer Sera James watched her world crumble at the altar two years ago, and her heart is still fragile. Her desire for distraction reignites a passion for a mysterious portrait she first saw as a young girl–a painting of a young violinist with piercing blue eyes.

In her search for the painting, Sera crosses paths with William Hanover–the grandson of a wealthy California real estate mogul–who may be the key to uncovering the hidden masterpiece. Together Sera and William slowly unravel the story behind the painting’s subject: Austrian violinist Adele Von Bron.

A darling of the Austrian aristocracy of 1942, talented violinist, and daughter to a high-ranking member of the Third Reich, Adele risks everything when she begins smuggling Jews out of Vienna. In a heartbeat, her life of prosperity and privilege dissolves into a world of starvation and barbed wire.

As Sera untangles the secrets behind the painting, she finds beauty in the most unlikely of places: the grim camps of Auschwitz and the inner recesses of her own troubled heart.

Thoughts:

“A mysterious painting breathes hope and beauty into the darkest corners of Auschwitz–and the loneliest hearts of Manhattan.”

I absolutely loved The Butterfly and the Violin!  It captivated me from the very first page and I was unable to put it down until the last page had been turned.  Kristy Cambron has woven two beautiful stories, one present day and one historical, together to create a literary masterpiece. 

Beautifully written with excellent characterization and vivid, historical details, The Butterfly and the Violin is a poignant story that stirred my emotions.  Its characters and spiritual messages won’t soon be forgotten!  I highly recommend this book for fans of historical fiction, especially World War II era fiction!

Tomorrow, I will be sharing my thoughts about A Sparrow in Terezin, the sequel to this spectacular novel.  I loved A Sparrow in Terezin and highly recommend it as well.  However, The Butterfly and the Violin remains my favorite of the two stories.

 

Giveaway- The Butterfly and the Violin

 I loved this book so much that I want to gift a Kindle copy to one lucky reader!  To enter, please leave a comment below and be sure to include your email address.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, April 21 at 11:59 p.m. CDT.  The winner will be drawn and announced on Wednesday, April 22.

Do you enjoy World War II era stories?
If so, what are some of your favorites?

To earn additional entries, you may do the following:

◦Follow my blog, Buzzing About Books
◦Share this giveaway through Facebook, Twitter, your blog, or email

Be sure and leave a comment letting me know what you have done to earn additional entries.

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The winner is …

14 Apr

Raising the Stakes Cover

Deanne Patterson

Congratulations, Deanne!  You’ve won a copy of Raising the Stakes!

Thank you all for visiting and entering this giveaway!

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Review: One Perfect Year

13 Apr

One Perfect Year

One Perfect Year by Melinda Curtis

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble

How can Shelby Hawkley forgive Gage Jamero for bailing on her when she needed him most? He and her husband, Nick, were the best part of her life. Now her former best friend is back, shaking up the widowed wine harvester’s world. The safest bet is to protect herself. Except Gage is awakening feelings that are decidedly unfriend-like.

Shelby is the woman Gage has secretly loved since high school. Starting over together could be the best dream he’s ever had. If only he can find the courage to say what he should have said all those years ago.

My thoughts:

Melinda Curtis brings Harmony Valley and its residents to life in One Perfect Year. I loved the charming characters, both main and secondary, and the entertaining storyline! The relationship between Shelby and Gage is full of chemistry and was such fun to read. Witty and romantic, this wonderful story warmed my heart and left me smiling. I loved visiting Harmony Valley and look forward to returning again soon!

 

Melinda Curtis

Although Melinda has lived in Georgia and Texas, she’s a California girl at heart. Her earliest memories are of life on an isolated 50-acre sheep ranch in rural Sonoma County, California. Picture rolling hills covered in brown grass, a eucalyptus forest, a long gravel driveway lined with plump sheep and no sidewalks. It was a big deal to drive into town on a one-lane road in a ramshackle, bubble-fendered pickup for an ice cream.

Flash forward to this century. Melinda lives in California’s hot central valley with her husband – her basketball playing college sweetheart. With three kids the couple has done the soccer thing, the karate thing, the dance thing, the Little League thing and, of course, the basketball thing.

Melinda writes sweet to medium heat contemporary romances as Melinda Curtis and red hot reads as Mel Curtis. She loves writing romances about women who don’t realize how strong they are until a hero comes along to show them, while capturing the wry humorous power struggle of falling in love – because, really, who lets the man have the last word?

Author Links:
Website | Facebook

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts expressed are my own and no monetary compensation was received.

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Do your children love horses? Enter to win a $150 Horse Lovers Prize Pack

11 Apr

Do your children love horses?

Film a short video telling why and you could win a $150 Horse Lovers Prize Pack!
Click here for contest details, rules, and entry form.

HorseForKateGiveawayImage
SILVER PRIZE
The Silver Prize is the Breyer Show Jumping Classics Toy Horse with Accessories, Breyer Classics Chelsea Show Jumper, and a copy of Miralee Ferrell’s new book A Horse for Kate. Two winners will be picked randomly, so anyone who submits a video has a chance to win!

GOLD PRIZE
The Gold Prize is a Horse Lovers Prize Pack (a $150 value!) of Breyer Horses products plus two copies of Miralee Ferrell’s new book A Horse for Kate. See image of the prize pack above. During the voting period (April 27–May 3), votes will be collected to determine the Gold Prize winner—the video with the most votes wins.

 

A Horse for Kate by Miralee Ferrell

A Horse for Kate

A horse of her own would be awesome. But Kate figures that might be a long way away, especially since she had to give up riding lessons and move to her late grandfather’s farm. Besides, it would be a lot more fun to have a best friend to ride with. When Kate discovers a barn on their new farm that’s perfect for a horse, and a dusty bridle too, she starts to think that her dream might come true. Then she meets Tori at school, who is totally the best. So when they discover a thoroughbred that appears to be all alone, could it be the answer to her prayers? Maybe. If she can convince her dad … and figure out what’s going on with that horse.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Books-A-Million | Christianbook.com | DeeperShopping | Parable | Family Christian Stores

Learn more about the entire book series on Miralee Ferrell’s website.

Miralee Ferrell is the author of eleven popular novels, including the bestselling Blowing on Dandelions. She and her husband live on eleven acres along the Columbia River Gorge in Washington state, where she loves horseback riding on the wooded trails near her home. She also enjoys playing with her dogs, Lacey and Sophie.

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Friday Freebies

10 Apr

Everything's Coming Up Rosy

Everything’s Coming Up Rosy: A novella
by Anita Higman

Amazon

When Rosy McBride is left at the altar on her wedding day, she’s devastated. She heads back to her hometown of Galveston, thinking she’s going to collapse from sorrow. But her family has another plan: set her up with an old friend, Larson. As he reveals his feelings, Rosy pulls back, but he is determined to help her find her way again—in love, in life, and in all that matters most.

 

Three Little Words

Three Little Words: A novella
by Melissa Tagg

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Ava Kingsley and Seth Walker might be the most unlikely friends ever. The only thing these two polar opposites have in common is a knack for wordsmithing. Back in college, they were known for their written sparring in the campus newspaper’s popular “He Says/She Says” column.

At their ten-year college reunion, they pick up right where they left off. Except this time their squabbling leads to a surprising turn: friendship and a year-long exchange of emails. So when Ava approaches a crossroads in her athletics department career in Minnesota, Seth is quick to offer the open apartment above the restaurant he’s been remodeling in Maple Valley, Iowa.

Ava doesn’t know where her career will lead her next, but she’s starting to suspect she might see Seth as more than a pen pal. Which would be exciting…except for the fact that he only sees her as a friend.

As Maple Valley grows on her, Ava wonders if there might be something here for her even though Seth is unavailable. And maybe, just maybe, after all the words the two of them have exchanged over the years, they’ll finally be able to say the three that matter most.

My thoughts:

Three Little Words is simply delightful and a wonderful introduction to the Walker family! I loved Seth Walker and Ava Kingsley. They are adorable characters and I really enjoyed their great chemistry and witty banter. I was reluctant for this e-only novella to end, and am eager to return to Maple Valley as the Walker Family Series continues!

 

Deadly Neighbors

Deadly Neighbors by Cynthia Hickey

Amazon

When Marsha Calloway’s daughter is accused of a crime she didn’t commit, Marsha is determined to find the real culprit. She enlists the help of her Cadillac driving mama, the man who ditched Marsha at her high-school graduation but kept her heart, and a bumbling police officer. Folks around River Valley are having things disappear while they are sleeping with their eyes open. Seems everyone has a dream and not enough funds. Someone is determined to kill for that dream. Will River Valley’s cast of colorful characters live to see another day? Can Marsha find out who the thief is before she becomes one of the sleep walkers?

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