Hot on Ice Anthology

In Full Contact, the hero, Anders Sorenson, is a professional hockey player—and a virgin. At first, I wasn’t sure I could do it credibly. Sure, Kristen Callihan did a bang up (ha!) job of it in The Game Plan. But that book is perfect, and I didn’t want to copy Ethan Dexter’s motivation for staying a virgin. It took me months to figure out how a professional athlete, a god on hockey skates, would stay a virgin until he was 25 with puck bunnies (i.e. especially enthusiastic hockey fans) throwing themselves at him around every corner. Then, because I wanted to make things very difficult for myself, I dreamt up a plot befitting a teen movie.

 At the beginning of the story, Anders has a bounty on his virginity. As soon as his Ragin Cajun teammates find out that he hasn’t had sex, they pool their money and promise to pay the taker of Anders’s cherry $150,000. Anders, being filled with pride, refuses to lose it. . . until he meets Dahlia Clarno.

 At first, I wasn’t sure I could pull the virgin hero trope off, but Anders surprised me. He’s different from any other hero I’ve written before. In addition to being tough—and incredibly hot—he is kind and forthright in a way that calls to Dahlia from the start. Anders is struck by the way Dahlia isn’t dazzled by the fact that he’s a professional hockey player. Of course, she’s also unique and intelligent, but what he sees her focus and strength from the start.

 I’m thrilled to share Anders and Dahlia’s story as part of the Hot on Ice anthology, which drops on March 21. I hope you love them as much as I do!

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After You ~ Stephanie Rose ~ New Release and Review

Title: After You
Author: Stephanie Rose
Release Date: Feb 21, 2017
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After You is the final STANDALONE novel in the Second Chances series.

I had the happily ever after . . . until it was gone.
Three became two. And I was alone.
Our time—my time—was over. Alone was the right way to be. The only way. Life was me, my son, and my memories. Until the day I met someone who turned my lonely existence upside down.
This man made me smile, made me laugh, made me ache for his touch.
But I couldn’t.
He shouldn’t awaken feelings I resolved to bury with my husband. But he did.
I couldn’t let his presence make my heart race. I couldn’t let him into our little world, where he fit so perfectly. I couldn’t want Nick.
But I did.

***

I rescued people. My family relied on me to lend a hand. Everyone thought of me as the fixer, but no one had the first clue how to fix me. Until Ellie.
The freckled beauty’s sorrow was like a well-worn shirt—easy and familiar, difficult to part with—and she wore it comfortably. And though I was hers from the moment our eyes first met, she’d never be mine. I loved her in the here and now, but how did I compete with a ghost?

***

How can there ever be anyone After You?

 

“Nick, let’s sit here.” Jack yanked Nick by the hand down the movie theater aisle and pulled him into a seat. Jack plopped down in a seat next to him adjacent to the wall. So much for my son wanting to sit anywhere near me tonight.

“Perfectly good seat right here.” Nick patted the chair next to him. All the theaters had been renovated with leather recliners. Usually, since my son dragged me to the latest kid movie, it was a real fight to keep my eyes open and not drift off mid-movie. I was sure sitting next to Nick for the next couple of hours would keep me wide awake.

“I can’t wait to see Optimus Prime!” Jack exclaimed through a mouth full of popcorn.

“Me, too! He was my favorite when I was your age.” Nick took a handful from the bucket resting on Jack’s lap.

“Really?”

“And I used to drive a car like Bumble Bee.”

“You did?” I squinted at Nick as I took a slurp of diet soda.

“A yellow Camaro.” Nick’s mouth tipped in a sexy smirk as he pushed his seat back.

I bit my lip to hold in a laugh as the lights dimmed.

“You can wipe that smug look off your face. Chicks loved that car.” Nick whispered in my ear. The hot tickle of his breath against my cheek made goose bumps spread down my neck to my shoulder.

“Did you drive around blasting Metallica in your banana-colored Camaro?” I giggled back. “At least they saw you coming.”

He laughed as the opening credits started to roll. “Women loved my banana.”

I sputtered a cough as I choked on a piece of popcorn. Nick shrugged with a sly grin as he settled into the seat.

I leaned my elbow on the armrest between us, and it grazed Nick’s forearm. I jumped at the contact and jerked my hand into my lap, where it was safe. I was catapulted back to my teenage years when the slightest contact with a boy I liked sent shivers up my spine.

Nick wasn't a boy, though. He was a man—a gorgeous man with unforgettable lips that knew how to kiss a woman stupid. I wanted to touch more than just his elbow. Keeping a level head around him was damn near impossible with adolescent hormones ravaging through my thirty-something body.

Nick laughed at my hands, now frozen on my thigh.

I focused on the screen until Nick pulled my hand back on the armrest.

“We can share, Ella-Jane.” He smirked as he slid his hand against mine and laced our fingers together.

My palms were damp as he brought our joined hands to his lips. He pressed a long, wet kiss to the inside of my wrist.

The bristles of his beard scratched against my skin as goose bumps drifted down my arm. I felt the warmth of his mouth all the way to my toes. My body was enjoying the simple but intimate attention too much at that moment to move my hand.

Something felt wrong holding Nick’s hand around Jack. When I glanced at my son, he was munching on popcorn and oblivious to anything but the robots on the screen. I smiled at Nick, but he didn’t smile back. Illuminated by the soft flicker from the movie, the heat and yearning in his eyes burned brightly. My breathing quickened as his finger blazed a light caress back and forth over the top of my hand.

For five years, I never so much as glanced in another man’s direction. Now, Nick simply holding my hand melted me into a puddle. It was pathetic but spoke the volumes I couldn’t admit out loud.

Stephanie Rose was born and raised in the Bronx, New York and still lives there with her superhero-obsessed husband and son.

She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business and a day job in marketing, but she always has a story in her head. Her books are full of swoon-worthy men and feisty heroines.

This lifelong New Yorker lives for Starbucks, book boyfriends, and 80s rock. Her voice is often mistaken for a Mob Wives trailer.

Books by Stephanie Rose:
Always You | Only You | Finding Me | Always Us

  

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Elizabeth's Review

My rating: 5 of 5 stars - One of the Absolute Best

Review Copy Provided by Author

I have to confess that Stephanie is one of my go to authors, so I went into this book expecting to love it and I did.
After You is a well written masterpiece that gently explores what happens when you've had - and lost- the love of your life at a young age.
Jack was Ellie's "it" and cancer stole him from her and their son way too soon. She was convinced that she'd had her chance at love until Nick came along.
Stephanie had a gentle hand at dealing with the fact that Ellie was not only a widow finding love again, but a Mom introducing someone new into her family dynamic.
Things weren't always smooth sailing for Nick and Ellie, but I feel like the representation of their obstacles was very realistic.
This is part of Stephanie's Second Chance series. Reading Only You first would help with some of Ellie's back story, but is not necessary- After You can easily be picked up and read all in its own.

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The Truth About Lennon ~ KL Grayson ~ New Release and Review

Today is the release day blitz for The Truth About Lennon by K.L. Grayson! We have a fantastic celebration for you, so check it out and grab your copy today!!
  About THE TRUTH ABOUT LENNON: Lennon Barrick-St. James is making headlines as New York City's hottest new socialite. Only she isn't new at all. One well-intentioned night gone wrong has landed the daughter of the vice presidential candidate Christopher St. James on the front pages of every newspaper and magazine in the country. Forced by her father to stay out of the limelight, Lennon flees to the quiet town of Haven, Texas, where she vows to lie low and avoid men. Well, except for the sexy biker she just ran off the road--she definitely won't be avoiding him.   Noah Cunningham Already has a girl in his life, and he sure as hell doesn't need another. Especially the beautiful and sinfully sweet angel that just descended upon the quiet little town he calls home. The only problem is that the more time he spends with Lennon, the more he wants to be with her. And that's just not going to work for Noah. He's already been burned once and he's not so sure he's ready to go down that road again.   Noah has spent the last five years putting his life back together after secrets and lies ripped it apart. So what will happen when he learns the Truth about Lennon.

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Exclusive Excerpt:

Later that night, I’m crawling into bed, my sketch pad in hand, when my phone rings. Brenna’s name flashes across the screen. Shit. I don’t want to answer, because I already know we’ll end up in another fight. And I’m sick of fighting. I push the button to ignore the call. I’ve enjoyed my short time here in Heaven, and it isn’t necessarily because of Nova and Noah—although they play a big part. But I’ve enjoyed the quieter life. I’ve enjoyed exploring the little shops in town, getting to know the friendly locals, and seeing the potential all around me. I’m doing what I want when I want without having to answer to anyone. No publicist watching my every move, and no looking over my shoulder everywhere I go, wondering if the paparazzi are hiding around the corner, just waiting for me to screw something up. And I haven’t screwed anything up. I’ve made some mighty fine decisions—both business and personal—since I’ve been here, if I do say so myself. My phone vibrates again, but this time when I look down, I smile. Noah: How is your night going? Me: Better now that I’m talking to you. I snuggle into my covers, waiting for him to respond. Noah: I was going to call, but I didn’t want to wake you up. Me: I’m in bed, but you didn’t wake me up. Noah: Now we’re getting somewhere. Bed, huh? What are you wearing? I can’t help it, I grin. Me: Am I supposed to be wearing something? Noah: Fuuuuuuck Me: I can think of a few ways for you to come warm me up ; ) A few seconds later, my phone rings, and I pull it to my ear. “Hello?” Noah growls. “You’re killing me.” The sound of his voice is enough to send my body into overdrive. “In the best possible way though, right?” Because you’re killing me, too. “You have no idea.” I hear the sheets rustling, and I know he’s in bed. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to be there next to him. “I think I have an idea.” “Are you really naked?” “Do you want me to be?” “Damn,” he mumbles. “I would kill to be over there right now. You know that, don’t you? You know that if I didn’t have Nova here, I’d be there in a heartbeat.” “I know.” My heart melts at his sweet words. “I haven’t been inside of you in days.” His voice is low and raspy, his drawl much more prominent, something that happens when he’s turned on. “Soon.” “Really?” he admonishes. “Because I’m beginning to think it’ll never happen again.” I chuckle. “You miss my body that much, huh?” He’s silent for a few beats, and then he takes a deep breath and blows me away with his words. “It’s more than your body, Lennon. It’s your scent and the way it wraps itself around me. It’s the way your eyes sparkle when you smile and the sound of your laughter throughout my house. And how you are with my daughter. You’re amazing with her. You’re gentle and kind and loving and… it’s everything. It’s you. I miss you.” “Noah?” “What?” “Unlock your door.” I end the call, and two seconds later, I’m hauling ass out the front door in my pajamas. When I hit the bottom step of his porch and find Noah half-naked in front of his open door, wearing nothing but a pair of low-slung sweats, I nearly lose my breath. I’m not sure if it’s the tattoos crawling up his arms, or the way he’s hanging on to the top of the door frame—it could even be his warm, brown eyes, which are eating me from top to bottom—but he looks different. “What took you so long?” His slow, sexy grin pulls me in, and I walk straight into his open arms. I pull my bottom lip between my teeth and smile. “I had to put clothes on.” In an instant, Noah scoops me up, kicks the door shut, and is moving down his hall. “Why the hell would you do something like that?”  

   

About KL Grayson:

 K.L. Grayson resides in a small town outside of St. Louis, MO. She is entertained daily by her extraordinary husband, who will forever inspire every good quality she writes in a man. Her entire life rests in the palms of six dirty little hands, and when the day is over and those pint-sized cherubs have been washed and tucked into bed, you can find her typing away furiously on her computer. She has a love for alpha-males, brownies, reading, tattoos, sunglasses, and happy endings…and not particularly in that order.

Connect with KL Grayson:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/KL-Grayson/1403900879892076?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorklgrayson

IG: @booksbyklgrayson

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Elizabeth's Review

My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Would Recommend to a friend

Review Copy Provided by Author

If you are looking for a book version of the warm and fuzzies (with a side of super sexy) then you really need to read The Truth About Lennon.
Noah is a young single dad with a precious 5 year old daughter. Lennon is a socialite who has been exiled from New York to avoid a negative impact on her father's political campaign. Instant sparks fly between these two when fate brings them together.
From the blurb of the book, I went in prepared to not really like Lennon. I was expecting a character who needed to be redeemed for something. The person I met in the pages of this story was almost impossible NOT to like. When the trappings of a high profile life were stripped away, Lennon was a genuine and kind person that I would have wanted as a friend.
Noah is a character that I liked almost immediately. His devotion to his child, almost at the expense of his personal life, makes him that much more appealing. The Noah/Lennon/Nova dynamic was sweet and it made me root for them to be able to achieve a family happily ever after.
When outside forces and the past came between this blossoming family, I was impressed with Lennon's strength and the loyalty of their friends to help them find the truth.
K.L. Grayson is an author I haven't read a lot of - but, after reading The Truth About Lennon, her books will be getting bumped on the to be read list.

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Switch ~ Adriana Locke ~ New Release and Review

Title: Switch

Series: Landry Family #3

Author: Adriana Locke

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Release Date: February 20, 2017

Blurb

Mallory Sims is late for her first day of work.

After spilling her tea, she discovers she has no gas in her car. Add that her arm keeps sticking to her dress from syrup left on the console of her car, flustered feels like an understatement.

Then she sees her new boss.

Graham Landry is the epitome of NSFW in his custom-fit suit, black-rimmed glasses, and a look so stern her libido doesn’t stand a chance. Being flustered is just the start of her problems.

Her punctuality is only the start of his. With a pink slip in hand, he’s been waiting on his new secretary to show up only to let her go. Then she rushes in with her doe eyes and rambling excuses, smelling like bacon and lavender. The termination paper falls to the side as she falls in his arms.

This is a disaster in the making. Not because of his pinpoint exactness or her free spirit, but because when they’re together, the sparks that fly threaten to burn the whole place down.

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Excerpt

We both know we aren’t just talking about a moved stapler or a mishmash of files. As that really sets in, the air around us gets heavier. Hotter. Hazardous.

“Those things always lead to dangerous situations,” he says, his eyes trained on me.

I shift in my seat, the throb between my legs growing stronger by the second. “People do it every day and survive.”

“They may survive, but don’t things get messy?”

“Only if they do it right.”

His chair flies backwards and he’s to his feet and next to me before I know what’s happening. He doesn’t ask that I stand, but he doesn’t have to. It’s implied and my body reacts accordingly to his silent command.

We stand face-to-face, our breathing ragged. Our chests heave with the anticipation, the possibility, of what might come next.

“You are, quite possibly, the most dangerous of them all,” he says, his voice rough.

“Why is that?” I breathe.

“There’s no plan for you.”

“But you’ve already penciled me in, haven’t you, Graham?” I ask, finding the courage to play this little game with him. Being strictly professional is incredibly hard, and this is way too easy.

I can flirt with the best of them in a bar or on a college campus. But here, with him, it’s a game all its own. A level I had no idea I’d ever be a contender in. Maybe I’m not, but I’m going to play the hell out of it while I’m here … even though if I keep it up, I might not be here for long.

“What do you want, Mallory?”

“I want to do all the things you ask of me and do them better than you ever expected they could be done.”

A rumble emits from his throat as his eyes darken. My knees go weak and I grab the table with my left hand to ensure I don’t fall.

He licks his lips and flips his gaze to my mouth. I think I whimper as I lift my chin, waiting to see what he does next. My entire body is on fire for this man, my heart thumping so hard I’m sure he can hear it.

He moves so my back is pressed against the table, our food long forgotten. His hands are on either side of me, caging me in. Our eyes locked together, he leans in, a slow smirk spreading across his gorgeous face.

“Excuse me, Mr. Landry. Ford is here to see you,” Raza chirps through the line.

We exhale simultaneously, a giggle escaping with mine. There’s nothing funny about this, but the energy has to come out in some way.

“Mr. Landry?” she asks again.

“I’ll be right out. Thank you, Raza.”

“Oh, you’re so welcome, sir.” The line clicks off and Graham marches across the room and punches a button. The light on top indicates he’s not to be disturbed.

I busy myself with cleaning up our lunch, and before he’s at my side again, I have everything bundled up.

“Thanks for lunch,” I say like nothing just happened.

“Mallory …” He runs his hand through his hair, leaving one lock sticking up. Knowing what that will look like if we walk out together, I reach up, hesitating for a split second, before smoothing it out.

His hair is silky against my fingers. He jumps when I touch him at first, but doesn’t back away. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing went on in here. I refuse for it to look like something did. That’s the way rumors get spread, Mr. Landry.”

“Mallory, I …”

I get a final look at his face, reach up and straighten his tie as his eyes go wide, then turn towards the door. “I’ll send Ford in.”

“Mallory!”

“Yeah?” I turn to see him over my shoulder. He’s standing by the table, his hands in his pockets looking frazzled. When he doesn’t respond, I place my hand on the knob. “I’ll have that file back to you before I leave today. Thanks again for lunch.”

I walk out before I can change my mind.

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Author Bio

USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own.

She resides in the Midwest with her husband, sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather's nice and there's always a piece of candy in her pocket.

For sneak peeks, giveaways, and more, please join Adriana's Facebook Group, Books by Adriana Locke, or her Goodreads group, All Locked Up.

Author Links

WEBSITE / FACEBOOK / TWITTER

GOODREADS / INSTAGRAM

PINTEREST / NEWSLETTER / AMAZON
FACEBOOK GROUP / GOODREADS GROUP

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Elizabeth's Review

3.5 Stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Author

If you've read the first two books in the Landry family series, then Switch will be a book you definitely enjoy. Graham and Mallory's story is a fun office romance where two people find exactly what they need when they aren't looking for it.

Part of me feels a little bad giving this book 3.5 stars because I really did enjoy it and I loved how Graham and Mallory played off of each other- But, there are a couple of reasons I didn't feel like I could rate it higher....

- The back story: I don't think someone who starts with this book would fully grasp how tightly controlled and super Type A Graham really is, a reader needs to have read at least one of the previous books for that aspect of his personality to shine through.

- The conflicts: We all know the story arc, there has to be a conflict and a resolution for things to work right. This book had two and while they were both organic to the story, they way they were woven together felt a little forced. Things would have worked a little better for me if one conflict had been picked and more fully developed.

Even with those two issues, this is a book I would recommend reading - as long as you've read at least one other book in the series. It is a cute story and a quick read - perfect if you are looking for something a little lighter.

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Nova ~ Rebecca Yarros

The only heart he wants is the one he already broke...

NOVA

The Renegades #2

Rebecca Yarros

Releasing February 20th, 2017

Entangled Embrace

The only heart he wants is the one he already broke...

He's Landon Rhodes.

The Renegade they call Nova.

Sinfully gorgeous, broody, tatted-up, professional snowboarder.

Four-time X Games medalist—

Full-time heartbreaker.

They say a girl broke him once—

That's why he's so reckless, so driven, so careless with his conquests.

But I'm that girl.

They can call me his curse all they want.

He and I both know the truth—

He's the one who destroyed me,

And I'm not the sucker who will let that happen again.

***NOVA can be read as a standalone***

Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and a lover of all things coffee, chocolate, and Paleo. She is the author of the Flight & Glory series, which includes Full Measures, the award-winning Eyes Turned Skyward, Beyond What Is Given, and Hallowed Ground. She loves military heroes and has been blissfully married to hers for fifteen years.

When she’s not writing, she’s tying hockey skates for her four sons, sneaking in some guitar time, or watching Brat Pack movies with her two daughters. She lives in Colorado with the hottest Apache pilot ever, their rambunctious gaggle of kids, and an English bulldog who is more stubborn than sweet. They recently adopted their youngest daughter from the foster system, and Rebecca is passionate about helping others do the same.

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Elizabeth's Review

My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Publisher via Net Galley

What would you do if you had a chance to correct the biggest mistake you'd ever made?

In Nova, the second book in The Renegades series, Landon aka Nova is faced with just that opportunity when Rachel joins the college at sea program.

After meeting Nova in Wilder, the first Renegades book, I was curious to get to know the real Landon behind the extreme athlete persona. It was amazing how having Rachel around seemed to flip a switch for him and he became a character that was incredibly easy to like and root for.
Because Landon was a character I found myself liking pretty quickly, there were times when I struggled with Rachel. I understood her reluctance and hurt, but it felt like there were times she was almost playing with Landon's emotions and that didn't sit well. Twists and turns later in the story redeemed her for me and I found myself hoping they would get their happy ending.

This is a well written and enjoyable book. There are times when the characters seem older than the 22 or 23 they are, but there are other times when they seem exactly like college students! While this is a stand alone book, there is a lot of valuable back story in the first book of the series (Wilder), so I would suggest reading the series in order.

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Whisper of Love ~ Melissa Foster ~ New Release

For the first time in years, Nash wants to let a woman into his world, 
but while his loss made him stronger, that strength came at a price.

WHISPER OF LOVE

The Bradens - Peaceful Harbor, MD #5

Melissa Foster

Releasing Feb 22, 2017

World Literary Press

Tempest Braden adores her family and her small hometown, but sometimes too much of a good thing can be confining. At almost thirty, having watched most of her siblings find true love, she’s anxious to experience her own happily ever after, and the move to Pleasant Hill, Maryland, is just the change she needs. When she rents a room from ruggedly handsome, and closed-off, artist Nash Morgan and his adorable son, Phillip, she thinks she’s found a little slice of heaven on the outskirts of town, where she can concentrate on building her business. That is, if she can ignore the undeniable heat between her and the sinfully hot single father.

When Nash bought his farmette, he had one goal in mind—to provide a loving, stable home for his son. He never imagined he’d be raising Phillip alone, or renting out a room to keep their heads above water. Then again, he never imagined losing his brother, or spending two years sailing around the world with parents who seemed to forget one son was still alive. 

Sparks fly from the moment Tempest moves in, and her positive energy and inquisitive nature brings new life into Nash and Phillip’s quiet, confined world. For the first time in years, Nash wants to let a woman into his world, but while his loss made him stronger, that strength came at a price, leaving him walled off and wary of opening his heart again.

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance, and women's fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa's emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, perfect beach reads, and always family oriented. 

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Elizabeth's Review

3.5 stars- Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Author

If you are looking for a feel good story, then this is the book for you!

There is no massive conflict or earth shattering surprises, but it is a well written and emotional book.
Nash is a single dad to Philip and is carrying around a ton of emotional baggage when fate (and a room for rent) brings Tempest into his life. He and Philip automatically connect with Tempest and the story that follows is sweet and makes you root for all three of them to find their happily ever after.

Whisper of Love is part of a series, but works incredibly well as a stand alone. If you have been following the series, you will appreciate the appearances of previous main characters sprinkled liberally in the secondary cast. If you have not been a diligent series follower, you can easily pick this book up and enjoy the emotional growth of Nash and burgeoning love story with Tempest.

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