Tag Archives: Litfuse Publicity

#BookReview: Whispers in the Reading Room by Shelley Gray

15 Dec

Whispers in the Reading Room

Whispers in the Reading Room by Shelley Gray

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1lujxr6

Lydia’s job at the library is her world—until a mysterious patron catches her eye . . . and perhaps her heart.

Just months after the closure of the Chicago World’s Fair, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious dark-haired and dark-eyed patron. He has never given her his name; he actually never speaks to a single person. All she knows about him is that he loves books as much as she does.

Only when he rescues her in the lobby of the Hartman Hotel does she discover that his name is Sebastian Marks. She also discovers that he lives at the top of the prestigious hotel and that most everyone in Chicago is intrigued by him.

Lydia and Sebastian form a fragile friendship, but when she discovers that Mr. Marks isn’t merely a very wealthy gentleman, but also the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club, she is shocked.

Lydia insists on visiting the club one fateful night and suddenly is a suspect to a murder. She must determine who she can trust, who is innocent, and if Sebastian Marks-the man so many people fear-is actually everything her heart believes him to be.

 

My thoughts:

Whispers in the Reading Room is an enchanting tale of mystery and romance! Shelley Gray captured my attention on the very first page and held it steadfast until the end. The following passage opens the story and describes how I feel about this novel.

“She still remembered the expression on his face last week when he’d finished and closed the last tome. He’d looked pleased and just a bit melancholy. She knew those dual feelings well – the satisfaction of completing a well-written piece of literature while also coming to terms with the fact that those few moments of pure bliss would soon be replaced with a longing for more.”

Gray’s characterization is excellent and one of the things I love most about this novel! Lydia Bancroft and Sebastian Marks are unique, complex characters; each struggling to discover who they really are and where they belong. Their contrasting personas make for a captivating story, one that carefully and cleverly unfolds with each turn of the page.

I loved Whispers in the Reading Room! I have been remiss in not reading the first two books in this series, but that is an oversight I will soon remedy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Blog Tour:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/sgray

 

Shelley Gray

Shelley Gray is the author of The Heart of a Hero series. Her Amish novel (written as Shelley Shepard Gray), The Protector, recently made the New York Times best seller list. A native of Texas, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Colorado and taught school for ten years. She and her husband have two children and live in Southern Ohio.

Connect with Shelley: website, Twitter, Facebook

 

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#BookReview: A Thousand Shall Fall | Kindle Fire #Giveaway

7 Dec

A Thousand Shall Fall

A Thousand Shall Fall by Andrea Boeshaar

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1jbj37T

Nineteen-year-old Carrie Ann Bell is independent and spirited. The only thing she really fears are the Union soldiers fighting against her Confederate friends. When her youngest sister runs away from home, brave Carrie Ann is determined to find her and bring her back. Disguised as a soldier, she sets off—only to find she’s fallen into the hands of the enemy.

Her childhood friend Confederate Major Joshua Blevins has warned her against these Yankees: they’re all devils, ready to inflict evil on unsuspecting young women. When Colonel Peyton Collier arrests her for her impersonation of an officer, it seems to confirm all her fears.

Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel. He rescued her, protected her, and has been every inch the gentleman. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally—and more than that, someone she could love. But the arrival of Joshua in the Union camp as a spy will test her loyalties. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?

 

My thoughts:

“A story of love, hope, and healing set in the midst of the Civil War”

A Thousand Shall Fall is a compelling tale! Andrea Boeshaar writes with historical accuracy and a Christian perspective as she shares the story of a young, spirited woman who finds herself in the hands of the enemy.

I love Civil War era novels and this one certainly captured my attention! The characterization is excellent, and I really enjoyed the relationships that develop as the story unfolds. Boeshaar’s extensive research and attention to detail bring life to the narrative, as she weaves a love story amidst the events that transpired in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Filled with drama, danger, and romance, I really enjoyed A Thousand Shall Fall and eagerly await the next installment in the Shenandoah Valley Saga!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own. 

  Blog Tour:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/aboeshaar

 

The search for her runaway sister goes awry when Carrie finds herself arrested during the Civil War for impersonating an officer in Andrea Boeshaar’s A Thousand Shall Fall. Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel who arrested her. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally—and more than that, someone she could love. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?

Andrea is celebrating the release of A Thousand Shall Fall with a Kindle Fire giveaway!

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One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A copy of A Thousand Shall Fall
  • A Kindle Fire HD 6

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 10th. The winner will be announced December 11th on Andrea’s blog.

a thousand shall fall-enterbanner

 

Andrea Boeshaar

Andrea Boeshaar is the cofounder of American Christian Fiction Writers and runs “The Writer’s ER,” a coaching service for writers. She is the author of thirty published works, including Threads of Faith, a finalist in the Inspirational Readers Choice Awards. Andrea is also the author of a popular devotional and regularly blogs on a number of sites.

Connect with Andrea: website, Twitter, Facebook

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#BookReview: The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck | $100 Cash Card #Giveaway

3 Dec

The Wedding Chapel

The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck

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

For sixty years, a wedding chapel sat silent, waiting for love. But times have changed and the hour has come when it just might be too late.

Retired hall-of-fame football coach Jimmy “Coach” Westbrook never imagined anything would come of his labor of love—the wedding chapel he built for Collette Greer, the woman he fell for back in ’49. But now an offer has come to turn the chapel into what it was meant to be—a place for love—and Jimmy sees no reason to hang onto his dream any longer.

Photographer Taylor Branson is trying to make a life for herself in New York. Leaving her hometown of Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, she put a lot of things behind her, including her family’s abysmal marriage rate. But love surprises her when she falls head-over-heels for Jack Forester, a top ad man. Their whirlwind romance results in an elopement, and a mountain of doubt. Jack, while genuine in his love for Taylor, can never seem to overcome his own demons to find the words of his heart.

When Taylor takes an assignment in Heart’s Bend, the job does more than send her back to her hometown, but into a world of family secrets buried beneath the sands of time.

When Taylor’s journey intersects with Coach’s, they rediscover the heartbeat of their dreams and that the love they long to hold is right in front of them. And worth every waiting moment.

 

My thoughts:

There is so much goodness to be found in Rachel Hauck’s stories, and I believe The Wedding Chapel is one of her best yet! 

Told from multiple points of views, I was captivated by the intricacies of this story. I also reveled in the dual time frame and the superb imagery that brought each time period to life. There was a genuineness about the characters and their emotion-filled journeys that captured my heart, as did the wedding chapel and all it represented.

I loved this beautiful love story and longed to step into its pages and visit the enchanting chapel tucked in the Tennessee woods. I think it’s a place you’ll want to visit, too!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.  All thoughts expressed are my own.  

Blog Tour:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/rhauck

 

Join Rachel in celebrating the release of The Wedding Chapel by entering to win a copy and a $100 cash card—perfect for finishing up your Christmas gift shopping!

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One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A copy of The Wedding Chapel
  • A $100 cash card

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 17th. The winner will be announced December 18th on Rachel’s blog.

wedding chapel - enter banner

 

Rachel Hauck

Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, best selling author of critically acclaimed novels such as The Wedding Dress, Love Starts with Elle, and Once Upon A Prince. She also penned the Songbird Novels with multi-platinum recording artist, Sara Evans. Booklist named their novel, Softly and Tenderly, one of 2011 Top Ten Inspirationals. She serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pets.

Connect with Rachel: website, Twitter, Facebook

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#BookReview: The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson

1 Dec

The Golden Braid

The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson

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

The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower…

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.

Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again—this time, to the large city of Hagenheim.

The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight—Sir Gerek—Rapunzel, in turn, rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to him than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?

As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery are about to be revealed after seventeen years. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?

 

My thoughts:

The Golden Braid is a delightful retelling of Rapunzel!

I loved the adventure and romance of this enchanting tale! As I read, images danced across my mind as the story and its characters came to life on the pages. Although the premise is not new, Dickerson’s reimagining of Rapunzel’s story is fresh and vibrant and sure to please fans of fairy tales and medieval romance.

Melanie Dickerson is known and loved for her fairy tale retellings, and The Golden Braid is another splendid addition to the Hagenheim / Fairy Tale Romance series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Blog Tour:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/mdickerson

 

Melanie Dickerson

Melanie Dickerson is the author of The Healer’s Apprentice, a Christy Award finalist and winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award for Best First Book. Melanie earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Alabama and has been a teacher and a missionary. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Huntsville, Alabama.

Connect with Melanie: website, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube

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Julie Klassen’s The Painter’s Daughter Coloring Contest

24 Nov
14385-PAINTERS DAUGHTER contest meme

Grab your colored pencils because Julie Klassen is hosting a coloring contest! Stop by the contest page to download and print The Painter’s Daughter coloring page and channel your inner artist. One master colorist will receive a signed copy of The Painter’s Daughter, two grown-up coloring books (Enchanting English Garden and Live Loved), and a set of 24 Prismacolor colored pencils.

Scan and email your entry to Amy Green with the subject line “The Painter’s Daughter Coloring Contest” to enter the first round of judging by December 8. Then stop by Julie’s Facebook page beginning December 10 to vote for your favorite (and tell your friends to vote, too)! The winner will be announced at Julie’s Facebook event on December 15 at 7 p.m. CST. Ready? Set. Color!

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#BookReview: An Endless Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti | Holiday Cheer $100 #Giveaway

19 Nov

An Endless Christmas

An Endless Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1PmF69N

Too many people, too much snow, and too little room should be a recipe for disaster.

Christmas takes a very different turn when the guests of honor break up instead of announcing their engagement. Trapped with his family, they learn that love looks different than either imagined. Both in their eighties, Dodie and Wilson Binder celebrate every Christmas as if it were their last. This year, their grandson Micah is planning to ask his girlfriend, Katie, to marry him so they can celebrate with the whole family. But things go very wrong when she says, “no.” Now they are stuck. Too many people, too much snow, and too little room should be a recipe for disaster. But sometimes too much is just enough. Especially when it’s Christmas.

 

My thoughts:

I adored An Endless Christmas!  It’s a Hallmark movie kind of story and a perfect read for the holiday season! 

Cynthia Ruchti masterfully crafts characters who readers love spending time with and the Binder family is no exception.  I reveled in their camaraderie and Christmas traditions and was inspired by the spiritual messages of their story.  I laughed, I cried, and I loved every minute of An Endless Christmas!  This is one Christmas story you don’t want to miss!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.  All thoughts expressed are my own.  

Blog Tour:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/cruchti

 

Celebrate the holidays with Cynthia and An Endless Christmas by entering her $100 Target gift card giveaway!

endless christmas-400

One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A copy of An Endless Christmas
  • A $100 gift card to Target

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 30th. The winner will be announced December 1st on Cynthia’s blog.

endless christmas-enterbanner

 

Cynthia Ruchti (1)
Drawing from 33 years of on-air radio ministry, Cynthia Ruchti tells stories of hope-that-glows-in-the-dark through her novels and novellas, nonfiction books and devotionals, and speaking for women’s and writers’ events. Her books have been recognized by Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Awards, Selah Awards, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, Christian Retailing’s BEST Awards, and Carol Award nominations, among other honors, including a Family Fiction Readers’ Choice Award. She and her plot-tweaking husband live in Pittsville, Wisconsin, not far from their three children and five grandchildren.

 

Connect with Cynthia: website, Twitter, Facebook

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#BookReview: The Five Times I Met Myself by James L. Rubart

14 Nov

The Five Times I Met Myself

The Five Times I Met Myself by James L. Rubart

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1O1Wrle

What if you met your twenty-three-year-old self in a dream? What would you say?

Brock Matthews’ once promising life is unraveling. His coffee company. His marriage.

So when he discovers his vivid dreams—where he encounters his younger self—might let him change his past mistakes, he jumps at the chance. The results are astonishing, but also disturbing.

Because getting what Brock wants most in the world will force him to give up the one thing he doesn’t know how to let go . . . and his greatest fear is that it’s already too late.

 

Review Graphic- The Five Times I Met Myself

 

The Five Times I Met Myself is a thought-provoking story!  If you could go back and talk to your younger self, what would you say?

James L. Rubart has spun a vivid tale that will transport readers into the life of Brock Matthews. When Brock’s life begins to fray and dreams plague his sleep, he seeks help from a trusted friend. Morgan offers Brock a book on lucid dreaming and advises him to “Read the book and see where God leads you.” The journey Brock takes is unique and unexpected and captivated me from beginning to end.

I really enjoyed this extraordinary story of redemption and second chances! The Five Times I Met Myself is brimming with life lessons and inspirational messages that will make you think and challenge you to live in the present. Fans of Mitch Albom and Andy Andrews are sure to enjoy this latest offering from James L. Rubart!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.  All thoughts expressed are my own.

Blog Tour:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/jrubart

 

James Rubart

James L. Rubart is a professional marketer and speaker. He is the author of the best-selling novel Rooms as well as Book of Days, The Chair, Soul’s Gate, Memory’s Door, and Spirit Bridge. He lives with his wife and sons in the Pacific Northwest.

Connect with James: website, Twitter, Facebook

 

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#BookReview: Another Way Home by Deborah Raney | 5 Book #Giveaway

10 Nov

Another Way Home

Another Way Home by Deborah Raney
Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1NQhjf8

Review:

Another Way Home is another dramatic story in the Chicory Inn series! Deborah Raney brings the members of the Whitman clan to life, and I really enjoy the love and camaraderie they share.

Dallas and Danae’s struggle with infertility has taken a toll on their marriage, and their heartache is palpable. When Danae decides to put aside her despair and volunteer at a local women’s shelter, unexpected events transpire that change several lives forever. Another Way Home tugged at my heartstrings and left me eager for the next visit with the Whitman family!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Blog Tour:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/draney

 

Enter to win a copy of Another Way Home—five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced November 23 on the Litfuse blog!

anotherwayhomebookgiveaway

 

Synopsis:

Sometimes God’s ways are not at all what we expect . . . and exactly what we need.

Grant and Audrey are adding grandchildren to their family left and right, but middle daughter, Danae, and her husband, Dallas Brooks, have been trying for years with no baby in sight.

Though Danae is ready to consider adoption, Dallas will not even discuss it. Despairing of ever having a family of her own, Danae decides to pour her passion and energies into volunteer work with a newly opened women’s shelter in town. Looking for a good cause to fill her lonely days, she never expects to give her heart to the hurting women she meets there. She’s finally learning to live her life with gratitude, but then heart-wrenching events on Thanksgiving weekend threaten to pull the entire Whitman clan into turmoil-and leave them all forever changed.

 

D. Raney

Deborah Raney’s books have won numerous awards, including the RITA, National Readers Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, and the Carol Award, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. She and her husband, Ken, recently traded small-town life in Kansas-the setting of many of Deborah’s novels—for life in the (relatively) big city of Wichita, where they enjoy gardening, antiquing, movies, and traveling to visit four children and a growing brood of grandchildren who all live much too far away.

Find Deborah online: website, Twitter, Facebook

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Review: Miracle Drug | 5 Book Giveaway

29 Oct

Miracle Drug

Miracle Drug by Richard L. Mabry, M.D.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1L8pNgx

The infection wasn’t supposed to happen, but it did. The treatment was supposed to take care of it, but it didn’t. Then Dr. Josh Pearson discovers why—his patients, including the former President of the United States, have been dosed with a different strain of the original virus, one that is universally fatal. The only chance for survival is treatment with an experimental drug, but the manufacturer might already have discarded its supply.

As if treating the President of the United States isn’t stressful enough, the situation goes from bad to worse when Rachel Moore, a nurse Josh is falling in love with, falls ill. With the nation’s eyes on him, Josh must pull off a miracle to save a man who holds a good deal of power and the woman who holds his heart.

My thoughts:

Miracle Drug is an exciting medical suspense!

Once again, Dr. Mabry’s expertise is evident in his storytelling. He pulls readers into the drama with just enough medical jargon to engage rather than overwhelm. I really enjoyed the premise of this story, which is very timely in light of recent events. I also enjoyed the political elements that were included in regard to the handling of a former U.S. President.  This fast-paced suspense kept me guessing until the very end.  If you need a healthy dose of suspense laced with romance, Miracle Drug is the perfect prescription!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Blog tour landing page:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/rmabry

 

Enter to win a copy of Miracle Drug—five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced November 2 on Richard’s blog!

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Dr. Mabry

Dr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician who writes “medical suspense with heart.” His novels have won multiple awards: a semifinalist for International Thriller Writers’ debut novel; finalists for the Carol Award, Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, and Romantic Times’ Reader’s Choice Award; and both finalist and winner of the Selah Award. “Miracle Drug” is his ninth published novel. He and his wife live in Frisco, Texas.

Find Richard online: website, Facebook, Twitter

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Review: Just Show Up | Tried and True Friendship Giveaway

14 Oct

Just Show Up

Just Show Up by Kara Tippetts and Jill Lynn Buteyn

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1Guvl0N

Kara Tippetts’s story was not a story of disease, although she lost her battle with terminal cancer.

It was not a story of saying goodbye, although she was intentional in her time with her husband and four children. Kara’s story was one of seeing God in the hard and in the good. It was one of finding grace in the everyday. And it was one of knowing “God with us” through fierce and beautiful friendship.

In Just Show Up, Kara and her close friend, Jill Lynn Buteyn, write about what friendship looks like in the midst of changing life seasons, loads of laundry, and even cancer. Whether you are eager to be present to someone going through a difficult time or simply want inspiration for pursuing friends in a new way, this eloquent and practical book explores the gift of silence, the art of receiving, and what it means to just show up.

Just Show Up graphic

My thoughts:

“When we show up for one another, we invade each other in love and become witnesses to the truth that trials and sickness and pain are not the whole story. There’s more, so much more.”

Last year, I was privileged to read and review Kara Tippett’s book The Hardest Peace. It is a breathtaking book, and her words stirred my emotions and touched me in ways I never imagined. If you have not read The Hardest Peace, I urge you to do so!

After reading that book and following Kara’s story through her blog, I knew Just Show Up would be a must read. Co-authored with her good friend Jill Lynn Buteyn, this special book shares “the dance of walking through suffering together”.

Kara and Jill share, openly and honestly, their friendship and finding peace and grace in the midst of life’s hard. Walking with someone through suffering is a gift that can change lives. Just Show Up shares both sides of the journey, the giving and the receiving of this precious gift. Not only do Kara and Jill share the value of showing up for each other, they also share tangible ways we can show up for those around us who are struggling or suffering.

Heartfelt and hopeful, Just Show Up is a beautiful book! I encourage you to read it, savor it, and commit to just show up!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

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

 

Celebrate the gift of friendship with a Tried & True Friendship giveaway—a prize for you and for a friend!

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One grand prize winner will receive:

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 23rd. The winner will be announced October 26th on Jill’s blog.

Is one of your friends going through a tough time—maybe you need some encouragement? Stop by Kara and Jill’s author page, click on the reviews bar, and read through some bloggers’ stories of how their friends got them through suffering.

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Kara & Jill

The late Kara Tippetts was the author of “The Hardest Peace” and blogged faithfully at mundanefaithfulness.com. Cancer was only a part of Kara’s story. Her real fight was to truly live while facing a crushing reality. Since her death in March 2015, her husband, Jason, is parenting their four children and leading the church they founded in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Read Kara’s blog.

Jill Lynn Buteyn is the author of “Falling for Texas,” an inspirational novel, and a recipient of the ACFW Genesis Award for her fiction work. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University. Jill lives near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children.

Connect with Jill: website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

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