Monday, August 29, 2016

Promo Blitz: A POWERFUL VOICE by Penelope Powell



Contemporary Christian Romance/ Women’s Fiction
Date Published: Jun 10th (digital) / Aug. 9th (print/POD)
Publisher: Anaiah Romance

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Gloria Fielder is trying her best to live with sincere faith, but regret for a past decision makes it difficult to live with herself.
Justin Case knows first-hand the consequences of bad choices, but he doesn’t believe in burying past mistakes. He openly shares his testimony with the purpose of showing there is hope and freedom for those who come to Christ.
Justin is the new worship leader for the church service Gloria attends, and he also leads a new Bible study she knows will help her. To complicate matters, once Justin becomes aware of Gloria’s struggle, he seems intent on drawing her out of her self-imposed shell of guilt and regret. If she trusts him with her secret and her heart, will their friendship evolve into something more, or will it simply be her undoing?


Excerpt

© 2016 Penelope Powell
Chapter One
Time heals all wounds…unless you deserve to suffer.
When the thought from her internal mantra struck, Gloria Fielder froze mid-step. As if punctuating the accusation, an icy wind howled, the force of it wrenching the glass door from her grasp and slamming it against the stopper.
“A few more minutes and you would’ve missed us entirely.”
Gloria looked up into the unsmiling face of a rail-thin woman standing sentinel over a group of children. Gloria assumed she was the children’s director, as they were all dressed in the festive colors of Christmas, their bright reds and deep greens reminding her of the candlelight service in progress.
She hesitated, her gaze shifting to the plaster nativity figures less than ten feet away, the babe in particular so…lifelike. Would it be better to leave and apologize later for having missed the program?
“Could you shut the door please? It’s hard to keep everyone’s attention while a draft is blowing through, and it’s almost time for us to begin.” Seeming to barely hang on to her patience, the director’s smile was as tight as her collar.
Being late was bad enough, but being made to feel like she was an annoying interruption was well…worse. Gloria shifted to close the door.
After an inquisitive glance toward Gloria, a chubby boy with flushed cheeks pulled on the director’s sleeve. “Mrs. Parker, when do we get our candles?”
“Patience, Tommy. We need to wait for the lady to go inside the auditorium, don’t we?”
Glancing from the boy to Mrs. Parker, Gloria apologized.
“That’s all right. We’re happy to wait for you to get settled.” Mrs. Parker’s smile stretched.
Gloria glanced back toward the woman, wondering if she meant what she said. She’d grown up in a house where a smile often held duplicity. Committed to stay, she hurried toward the partition crammed with winter coats. She unfurled the red scarf from her neck, then squished it and her coat into the mix.
Hushed giggles drew her gaze back to the director, who was busy giving each child a candle with detailed instructions. Everything about them seemed to contrast her. Was it just last year she wore red, putting on a good front? She wasn’t interested in being that person anymore. The clingy dress and all it represented was exiled to the corner of her closet. Proof she was different.
The past few weeks had been particularly hard. When something like seeing the babe in the manger shook her confidence instead of giving her hope, she questioned her faith as a believer in Christ. The possibility of seeing someone at this service she’d rather avoid tightened her chest with further worry.
“Ma’am, they’re waiting for us to start.” Apparently losing her patience, Mrs. Parker nodded toward the doors going into the auditorium.
Gloria tamped down her misgivings, straightened her shoulders, and walked toward the sanctuary. As she edged around the children to reach for one of the doors, a little girl dressed in an evergreen velvet dress took a candle from a basket and offered it to her.
“Thank you.” Gloria smiled.
The girl’s pink lips curved in reply.
Suddenly, blinking back the unwelcome pressure of tears, she turned and eased through the doors. Assailed by the scent of melting wax and pine, she waited for her eyesight to adjust to the soft glow of dimmed lighting, giving her a chance to scan the room for empty seats.
Soon an usher stood next to her, his face brightening when he smiled. “Is anyone joining you?” His generous teeth gleamed in the darkness.
Just me. She shook her head.
He motioned for her to follow him, then pointed to some empty chairs. As she made a beeline for them, his parting greeting followed. “Merry Christmas.”
Gloria glanced over her shoulder and forced a smile. She wanted to be merry. Wanted to simply feel peace. Wanted a reprieve from the recording in her head. Some days, the indictment playing over and over—tightening the tendrils of regret—putting her back on the treadmill of if-only. Making forgetting impossible.
If time was linear, and the passing of it promised things would get easier, then why hadn’t the grip of shame and sorrow weakened?
She settled into a chair as the children from the lobby entered and dispersed down the center aisle, the sound of their voices rising as they moved toward the front, their song offering her a distraction from her turmoil. With a deep breath, she closed her eyes and tried to escape into the words.
Joy to the World. A feeling she had yet to muster.
After several carols and a reenactment of the birth of Christ, the pastor walked up on the stage.
Bobby Jordan had thinning gray hair, a solid middle-aged build, and the demeanor and voice of an authoritative grandfather. But that was her opinion now that she knew him. Their first meeting was at her office. His friendly and forthright manner reminded her of the old Southern gentlemen at home. He explained he was a pastor hoping to refer church members who were house hunting, said a friend had recommended her.
Her peace of mind wavered at the memory. Fortunately, the uncomfortable connection led to providential results. If she had not been going through such a rough time, and if Bobby had not sought her out, she might never have begun a relationship with Christ. If only she could find a way to reconcile how the two connected without all the bad stuff. She rubbed her forehead.
“Thank you children, you may join your parents,” Bobby said.
Gloria glanced up as Bobby laid a hand on the shoulder of a little boy after dismissing the others to finds their seats.
“This is Johnny, one of our shepherds in tonight’s program. He’s seven. I asked Johnny a question earlier, and I wanted you to hear his response.” Bobby crouched down. “Johnny, what’s Christmas all about?” He tilted a microphone toward Johnny.
“Pweth-sents.” The boy turned toward the audience and smiled, the gap in his front teeth sparking chuckles from the crowd.
“What’s so great about presents?”
“They’we fwee.”
Bobby ruffled Johnny’s hair and told him to join his parents. When the laughter trickling through the congregation died down, Bobby stood at the edge of the platform. “Each Christmas, we decorate our homes with nativity scenes and our Christmas trees with lights.”
Gloria swallowed, the nativity from the lobby edging back into her thoughts.
“We send cards, sing carols, and we exchange gifts.” Eyes down, Bobby paused. “I agree with Johnny. Big or small, presents are special, but are they truly free? Certainly, they’re free to the recipients, but to the giver there is always a cost.” Bobby raised his arms. “But to each one of us, grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Paul wrote this to the Ephesians. God’s gift of grace. Undeserved favor for us.”
Undeserved. That was certainly her. She’d never measured up to expectations, which was one of the reasons why she worked so hard at her job.
“As recipients, God’s gift of grace costs us nothing because Jesus paid for it. He gave his life, so we might receive forgiveness. Receive life. In this season of giving, in addition to the wrapped packages we place under our trees, let’s give grace to one another. Offer forgiveness when needed, even underserved.” Then Bobby prayed.
As before, the children assembled across the front. Once their candles were lit, they disbursed down each aisle, lighting the candles of people sitting on the end as they went. Music played in the background.
Eyes closed, Gloria focused on Bobby’s words. She prayed the message would wash over her. Because there was hope in knowing Christ had already forgiven her. And she could do the same.
“Excuse me.”
Startled from someone’s touch, Gloria slapped a hand to her chest.
A man barely visible, given the darkness and shadows cast by candlelight, leaned closer. “Sorry to disturb you, but I thought you might want to light your candle.” Highlighting his explanation, he lifted his candle. For one brief moment, a striking, masculine face with eyes so dark they glittered like pools in moonlight stared back at her.
She swallowed, her heart still pounding from having been disturbed. “Sorry.” She fumbled for the candle amongst her things. Finding it, she held it toward him and tilted her wick toward his flame. A cool, woodsy scent wafted toward her, reminiscent of an autumn breeze. She inhaled the refreshing smell and relaxed a bit.
When her candle was lit, the flare illuminated his face once more. He looked up and caught her staring. Embarrassed, she turned away. “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
When the lights came up, she hit the aisle, determined to get through the lobby then home. The last thing she wanted to do was linger. Not that she didn’t enjoy talking with people afterward, but tonight she felt fragile.



About the Author


Though her roots are buried deep in the hills of Middle Tennessee, she now lives in Indiana with her family and serves in her local church. She loves to entertain, give life to old things, antiquing, reading and of course writing.
Like the things we experience, I believe good Christian fiction can inspire and change someone’s perspective, and hopefully point them to Christ.

Contact Links



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Friday, August 26, 2016

Cover Reveal: IN ALL MY LIFE by Ciara Knight

Title: In All My Life
Author: Ciara Knight
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance
Cover Designer: Robin Ludwig Design Inc.
Blurb: Shamed and dismissed from the Atlanta Sheriff’s Department, Larson Rader abandons big city law enforcement for a small town campus police job. He only hopes it’s far enough to escape the publicity of putting a man his own sister falsely accused in the hospital.
Helen Simpson returns to Riverbend for a new start with her young daughter running a battered women’s shelter. Small town life gives them a peace they never had, until a dangerous man from her past, untouchable by police, threatens to kidnap her daughter. A payment he feels is due to him for the humiliation she brought upon his family for fleeing the cartel and her husband.
Helen must learn to lean on someone again or she’ll lose her daughter. But will Larson be able to trust her, or will he abandon her to her fate?
Ciara Knight writes with a ‘Little Edge and a Lot of Heart’ with her contemporary and paranormal romance books. Her most recent #1 Amazon bestselling series, Sweetwater County, has topped the charts and received acclaimed reviews. Her international best-seller, Pendulum scored 4 stars from RT Book Reviews, accolades from InD’Tale Magazine and Night Owl Top Pick. Her young adult paranormal series, Battle for Souls, received 5 stars from Paranormal Romance Guild and Night Owl’s Top Pick, among other praises.
Author Links:
Buy Links:
In All My Wishes: http://amzn.to/29bzAbk
In All My Years: http://amzn.to/294jg9m
In All My Dreams: http://amzn.to/1QvVCPV
In All My Life (Pre Order): http://amzn.to/2bAfV5t

Cover Reveal: COVET by Amarie Avant

   Title: Covet
Series: Deceptive Desires #1
By: Amarie Avant
Publication Date: August 26, 2016
Publisher: Blu Savant Press
Genre: Multicultural NA Romance
Cover Design: Mayhem Cover Creations
For Jonathan Liam Delacroix Lemaitre, everything revolved around the love of his life: Raven Shaw. But they were too young, too destructive and too clueless.
Raven thought they would always be friends, yet Liam knew a different truth. The son to a vast Legacy, he is shipped off to Paris at a tender age, leaving Raven to fend for herself, full of questions and doubts.
Now, he is back in town and determined to get back in her good graces. Gone is the clumsy, fat boy he once was. In his place stands a man ready to take on the world, with the woman he wants at his side. Raven, on the other hand, can see the new man but still searches for echoes of her friend. Who is this guy that has swept into her life? He was Liam, but he wasn’t HER Liam…. And she wasn’t sure if he ever could be.

Amazon CA - http://goo.gl/GpdKsR
“Try me, motherfucker!” Raven spat through gritted teeth. “You act as if I’m a stranger. As if I just kidnapped you,” Liam grumbled as they stood just outside the city limit. “Damn right you did. No, I don’t know you anymore. And yes, you kidnapped me, Liam. You were supposed to drop me off at home. I know good and damn well you felt me pinching you.” He forced himself not to smile. Her eyes sparkled with daggers, as she backed away on the dusty road. “Take me h-o-m-e. I don't need you!” “Oh, that tone of yours tells me you don't need shit, nobody! But bring your hard headed ass over here; I will correct you, beautiful.” Liam seethed with desire and anger. “Shit, you used to fight for me. It took me all of two seconds when we met at the mall, to see that you've changed—oh but you're sizing me up for differences. Somewhere in there is that girl that doesn't take shit. I don't need that girl to fight anymore. I need her to wake the fuck up and live. See, I care about you enough to spank some sense into you!” The rage left her. She didn't quite return to the nonchalance that seemed to plague her these days. “Don’t yell at me. Does it look like I ever got a fucking hero? I was crawling, fighting my own battles. You acted like hot shit, telling Deputy Frank your full name. Who the hell are you? I’ve known you since you couldn’t do one shitty ass push up, so check yourself.” “Or what?!” Liam’s face was inches away from hers. The tension between them had flown down the highway. Sweet papaya wafted through his nostrils as the breeze sent more of Raven his way. Here she was, in the flesh, ripe for the taking. Her pink tongue dipped out and slid over her bottom lip. The sheer act he coveted, needing to touch her. Then Liam looked into Raven’s eyes. Really looked. Those orbs were welling up with tears. “Let me go home, Liam.” “If there’s something you want, son, you take it,” Grandfather Pierre had said. Liam’s grandfather always used the “son” title for added affect. His grandfather owned one of the oldest publications companies in the world. The newspaper company had been passed down from Pierre’s own grandfather. When electronic marketing hit, Pierre placed his money in other sources, such as renovating a Parisian hotel. Architectural design had always been his passion, more so than his family’s press enterprise company, which seemed to be a lost cause due to a wave of other new social outlets. The historical site became the first of many D-Hotels across the nation, then Europe, and now spanning every exotic land. Meanwhile, Pierre was able to designate funds from his first few D-Hotels to various publication sources as the Delacroix family legacy. They owned magazines, television channels from basic cable to premium movie channels, and the family’s newspaper company expanded to the internet. The Delacroix custom was branded in his brain. Yet, when it came to Raven, Liam would always cave. She thought he was different. Yes, he was. But she'd changed too, and not for the better. Raven fucking hates me the thought consumed him persuading him to give up. Leave her alone. No, she was the only untarnished thing he had in life. He loved her. She was like one of those antique dolls Pierre collected. A doll so intricately designed, with such godlike talent, that it was worth millions of dollars. Those dolls seemed so lifelike, sparkling eyes and all, but no, they couldn’t laugh. He'd give away his own burgeoning fortune to see her smile. Bet every penny she hadn't smiled in a while. Yeah, he loved her, he would save her. Not now though. She was too damn stubborn for that. He started toward the Ducati. She followed.
Mother of two. Wife of one alpha. And alpha to his alpha. Lover of thrills and enticingly sexy chills. Azusa Pacific University alumni where God comes first. This dyslexic and highly attention deficit author has received two Bachelors and a Masters in Counseling. Though sociopaths are very interesting, and coupon shopping is just as thrilling as action or cartoon movies, Amarie Avant has taken on romance. Beware anytime you open an Amarie Avant novel: This is not your ordinary love story… Sign up to Amarie’s Newsletter and receive a copy of her Best Selling Debut Novel “FEAR” or the summer romance HEAVY LOVE

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Release Blitz: ALWAYS THE ONE by C.C. Monroe



Title: Always the One
Author: C.C Monroe
Release Date: August 25
TBR: Goodreads
Follow CC on her Author Page: CC Monroe
Join the Release Day Takeover: Join Here

Buy Links: 





Synopsis

Friendships are defined as a bond between two people, a building of a strong connection and like for one another. Usually excluding romantic or sexual feelings. Now what occurs when the typical doesn't happen and friendship turns to love?

Trey Adams spends his days working with music and pining over his longtime best friend, Shayla Donovan. The only thing holding him back is his past, a past where love only hurts and leaves you. To love Shayla the way he desires may be a long, arduous road.

Shayla Donovan has lived thirteen years of her life with a secret she is ready to confess. Pushing her fear aside may be the only way she can move forward in helping Trey learn the meaning of true love.

On their journey to finding love, these two souls will fight battles bigger than they could ever imagine.

*This novel contains mature subject matter, such as explicit sexual situations and coarse language, please refrain from reading if these things offend you. This story is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18. Hot, sensitive, alpha male, with an HEA.
Excerpt

Tonight proved our love is stronger than anything—the feelings and emotions all real.

The only light in the room is the burning fireplace, crackling across the way from the bed. I watch the orange and yellow flames mesh, regaining my bearings. Shay’s warmth on top of my chest is welcoming, helping me relax. I notice she’s been silent for a few minutes, and when I look down I'm met by her sleeping form.

Everything that has happened in the past twenty-four hours wore my girl out. But I'm more than happy just sitting here listening to her light breathing as she sleeps. She looks beautiful, like nothing in this world could disturb her. I want this moment to last forever. I want my time with her to last far past the time we are given here on earth. I don't know if I believe in eternity, but she sure makes me hopeful that there will be one. She makes me feel like the day I was born only half of me entered the world while the other half of me waited with her and the day we met was the day I became complete again.

Lightly, I move the backside of my fingers down her cheek, and when my thumb makes it to her lips I graze the round edges. Remembering the way she kissed me back when I took away her virginity. Looking at her now, I feel a sense of completion. I’m not only falling, but in essence, also surrendering my heart, soul, and body for the chance to love someone.

This is the moment that changes a boy into a man. The moment one falls in love. Not only am I responsible for loving this woman, but I'm also now in charge of protecting her heart and honoring any promise I give her from here on out.

For women, virginity is the one thing that they give to someone that they’ve fallen in love with. Well, most women. The one thing they give away as a symbol of their love and commitment to their partner. But what virginity is to women, is what a heart is to a man. We save that shit with us until the right woman comes along to claim it. That's when we then give it away, without a second thought or regret. Shayla took my heart, and I will never be able to get it back.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Her voice is soft and laced in a sleepy rasp.

“You look beautiful when you sleep.”

She searches my eyes, seeing if I’m lying or hiding anything from her. Letting her gaze falter for a second she moves on, accepting my answer. She stretches before placing her head back on her spot above my heart.

  Teasers




About the Author


Hello Readers,

Ever since I was a young girl, I have loved the idea of love. Now that I'm older and have love in my life, I still love the concept of LOVE. More so, I believe in the power of love on paper. Writing the stories of the characters in my head.










RELEASE DAY TAKEOVER
Author CC Monroe is excited to share her debut novel, Always the One with the indie world on Thursday August 25th, from 12:30 AM - 10:30 PM in MDT

We will be having many giveaways and author takeovers from some amazing authors! 
Invite readers, bloggers, and authors!



Giveaway
(2) Signed Paperback & $25 Giftcard



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Monday, August 22, 2016

Release Blitz: SALTWATER WOUNDS by Jennifer Foor






After losing his wife to an untimely death, Buck Wallace has been raising his six children on his own for almost eight years. By day he runs the family business, while at night he’s still lost and alone.
When a business opportunity arises, Buck insists on trying his hands at something new.
Alice Perry is desperate to sell her bar, but there’s always a catch to any good deal. She’s had her eye on Buck for a long time. When she learns he’s interested in buying her bar, she decides to provide him with an offer no man could ever refuse.

Find out if a broken man from Oyster Cove can love again in Salt Water Wounds.










Friday, August 19, 2016

Book Review: WOLF ROAD by Beth Lewis




Title: Wolf Road
Author: Beth Lewis
Category/Genre: Young Adult Thriller
My Star Rating: 5/5

Goodreads Blurb:
 True Grit meets The Road in this postapocalyptic psychological thriller--narrated by a young girl who has just learned that her adopted father may be a serial killer, and that she may be his next victim.

In the remote wilds of a ravaged land, Elka has been raised by a man who isn't her father. Since finding her wandering in the woods when she was seven, he has taught her how to hunt, shoot, set snares and start fires--everything she needs to survive. All she knows of the world outside is gleaned from whispers of a cataclysmic event that turned the clock back on civilization by a hundred and fifty years and reduced governments and technology to shambles, leaving men at the mercy of the elements--and each other.

Everything changes when Elka learns that the man she has been calling father is harboring a terrible secret. Armed with nothing but her knife and her wiles, she decides to escape his clutches and sets out on a long journey to the frozen north in the hope of finding her long-lost parents.

But as the trail of blood and bodies grows in her path, Elka realizes that daddy won't be letting his little girl go without a fight. If she's going to survive, she'll have to turn and confront not just him, but the truth about what he's turned her into.


My Review:
I've been on a thriller kick as of late, and Wolf Road tops the cake.  If I had an award to give Beth Lewis for the best book I've read all year, I'd give it to her in a heart beat.  What an amazing journey written through the eyes of a young girl brought up to be wild.  I loved everything about this story.  It's written in a very deep point of view, right down to the southern, uneducated dialect.  The unique writing style took me about a chapter to get used to, but it lent so much to the book.  I honestly felt as if I was living the terrifying adventure through Elka, not like I was on the outside looking in.  Beth broke all the rules with this one, going so far as to start the book with the ending.  She took a lot of risks, and it paid off BIG TIME.  I can't say enough great things about it.   

**I received this book for free by Blogging For Books in exchange for a honest review**

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Book tour: SMOKE & MIRRORS by Jess Haines


Young Adult / New Adult Fantasy
Date Published: May 1, 2016


A girl who uses her illusions to fool the world into thinking she's just like all the other magi.

A dragon who sees through her lies.

Together they just might survive a world that wants to control or destroy them both.

Kimberly may wield ultimate cosmic power, but even a mage has to pay the rent. No one will hire her for her magic talents until she's got the credentials, so she’s stuck in a crappy rent controlled apartment with her mother, yearning for treats she can't afford at her part time job in a cafĂ©, counting down the days until she graduates the secret Blackhollow Academy school for magi. Only then will she have the certificate she needs to land her dream job in a coven.
The problem? She needs a familiar to graduate.
As an illusionist, she doesn't have the ability to summon or create a familiar of her own. Her only option is to convince a supernatural creature to let her bind it instead. Since having a powerful Other at her beck and call would guarantee her a place in a coven after she graduates—and legendary treasure hoards are an added bonus—she thinks binding a dragon as her familiar will solve all her problems...

Because sometimes a girl needs a dragon, not a knight.






I'm a displaced New Yorker with a penchant for the silly, the obscure, and the fantastical. These days, you can find me in the Tampa area. I'm currently working on the H&W Investigations urban fantasy series and the Blackhollow Academy young adult/new adult contemporary fantasy series. Find out more about my books, drop me a line, or join my mailing list at www.jesshaines.com!

Contact Information


Purchase Links
Amazon Everywhere Else: http://hyperurl.co/d7dv3u

Smoke and Mirrors



Cover Reveal: STITCHED UP HEART by Tarina Deaton

Stitched cover
Title: Stitched Up Heart (Combat Hearts #1)
Author: Tarina Deaton
Genre: Military Romance / Romantic Suspense
Release Date: September 18th
Cover Design: Imagination Uncovered
Photography: R+M Photography
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Synopsis
As an Air Force medic, Bree Marks saw the worst the War on Terror had to dish out. Now a physical therapist, she uses her experience to help other veterans heal from their physical wounds; while she battles her own emotional damage.
Blaming himself for his best friend’s suicide, former Army Ranger Jase Larken, retreated from life. To honor his best friend’s memory and assuage his guilt, he started an outdoor adventure company to help veterans with PTSD. Bree had better things to do than catch her cheating fiancĂ© in bed with another woman. Jase is something better - for a night at least. For the first time in years, Jase wanted more. When he finds her again, he doesn’t give her another chance to run. Jase’s possessiveness grates on Bree’s independent nature. She’s dealt with her fair share of alpha-male, door kickers and doesn’t need one telling her what to do now. But as a new danger emerges, Bree and Jase must face their pasts, before someone's obsession with Bree destroys any chance they have of a future.
Pre order your copy today!
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Book Trailer
About The Author
tarina
Tarina has spent the last 21-plus years in the Air Force trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up. Currently stationed in Washington DC, she will soon be packing up her twin heathens (i.e. 4-year-olds) and moving to the Middle East for a 2-year assignment. As a single mom, her favorite pastimes include repeating the word 'no', the phrase 'not right now', and napping. Oh, and writing in her "spare" time. Having never lived in one place for more than four years, her roots aren't deep, but the friendships she's formed over the years are. Verbal contact is not recommended before her first cup of coffee in the morning, but feel free to stalk her: Facebook, FB Author Page, Twitter, Email. Sign up for her newsletter to receive all the latest news, sneak peaks, and find out how she's coping in the hot, hot desert.
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